The Royal Contract

She could see that it was almost double the size in comparison to their current place. If she climbed the next floor, she could already guess that it had more than enough rooms.

One for their bedroom, a few rooms for their guest, and even another room for a nursery. She could already picture it and could not help but smile at her last thought.

“Well?” Alex stood just a few feet away from her, watching her stride from one room to another.

“I like the idea,” Dani finally agreed with him. “I think we should move into this place.” Wrapping her arms around his neck.

“That is great.” He expressed excitedly, glad that she warmed up to his plan. He placed a chaste kiss on her lips before stopping abruptly.

“I still have one more thing to show you before we leave.” He pulled her to a much smaller hallway hidden behind a wall and into a staircase.

.....

Slowly, he guided her up the stairs and into a door leading to another floor. When he finally opened the door and revealed what was behind, she could not help but gasp at what she saw.

It was a garden full of red roses.

“Wow, this is beautiful.” She whispered, in awe with the magnificent sight before her.

She stepped into the rooftop of the building, amazed at the scene created by the lights that surrounded the place. It highlighted the roses that were in full bloom.

It reminded her of the secret rose garden that his Nanna had in her little house back in his hometown. Suddenly, she was also thrilled to have her own little garden.

“Do you like it?” He asked, but he had already read her answer through her eyes. It sparkled as soon as she saw the area. Her smile said what her heart and mind felt.

“Yes,” She turned to him, eyes sparkling, a smile that had almost reached her ears and her reassuring word. “I absolutely love it.”

She lunged at him and hugged him tightly, resting her cheeks on his shoulders. It might not be the rose garden she envisioned, but it was close enough.

“I am glad.” He pulled her into a wooden framed couch that looked like it was newly built.

Compared to the apartment below, the rooftop seemed to be slightly renovated. It already had some fixtures and furniture decorating the area.

In addition, she was surprised to see that a bottle of wine was already chilling on the center table as if he already knew that they would be celebrating tonight.

“Did you already assume that I will agree to move here?” She questioned him, staring at him as they settled on the soft cushion.

It was the only explanation she could think of for the celebratory wine waiting for them. She was not mad, not at all, just a bit curious.

“I was hoping that if the apartment downstairs did not convince you, the roses will.” He smiled at her, wooing her by placing kisses on her hands. “But I am glad you love it.”

He would never dare presume what she was thinking. But he hoped that he had finally figured out what she would probably like in a home. The garden on the roof was just icing on the cake.

“I do.” She admitted. It might not be the house she dreamt of, but it was close enough. She could see herself settling in this place, if not forever, at least for the meantime. “I am happy that you suggested this place.”

She looked around the open space and could already picture some things that she could add to make the place more lively. It was slowly looking more like a home in her mind.

“Shall we have a toast to our new home?” He poured two glasses of bubbly wine and handed her one.

He knew that moving out from one place did not mean that they could run away from their problems. But a new home would be the start of something new in their married life.

“I like that.” She clinked her glass with his and took a sip of the cold amber liquid. Then, she rested her head on his shoulders as she stared at the beauty of the stars as they shone in the dark sky.

“Did you do all of this?” She asked as she sipped on her wine, interested to know if he had something to do with the design of the place or just paid a decorator to do it for him.

“I helped out here and there when I had some spare time.” He confessed to her.

He used to volunteer in charitable institutions before, hoping to be able to help out in any way, whether it be in the kitchen or on a construction site. But it had stopped when he started dating Dani.

“Thank you for all of this.” She whispered, snuggling closer to his body.

She finally understood the calluses on his hands. She just discovered what he had been doing in some of his spare time. And why he was physically built like he was working with his body.

“Thank you for loving me.” He reached out for her hand and held it firmly in his, warming it up against the cool breeze enveloping them in the cold night.

For a moment, she felt at peace to be in his arms. It was a feeling that eluded her since the abduction. Suddenly, his warmth became a refuge for her.

After a few minutes of silence, her mind suddenly wandered somewhere else. A thought that frequently started bothering her lately.

She finally looked up and gazed at him. He seemed to be in deep thought, just like her. She wondered if they were thinking of the same thing.

“Alex, who do you think is coming for us? For me?” She finally asked the question that they had agreed not to mention to the authorities or with her father until they had more information about him.

It was easier to have an enemy that had a name. But someone who was hiding behind the shadows was a more dangerous nemesis.

“I am still investigating his identity. It is harder to find him because he is good at keeping his tracks clean.” He told her, rubbing her shoulder for comfort.

He knew that it could not be easy for her not to talk about him. But until they had more information about their other enemy, he could not risk speaking about him with the authorities.

Samson had warned them about what he was capable of, but he could not provide them a name. But the big man had given him enough information to start his investigation.

Hopefully, it would provide them with a better lead to discovering who was behind all of it. Nick might be guilty of plotting this scheme, but he was not the only one who ran the show.

“If you find him, would you tell me?” She wished she did not have to keep looking at her back. But until the unknown mastermind was apprehended, she would never be safe.

From the way Samson had described him, he seemed to be more notorious than Nick was. A more dangerous enemy than her previous fiance.

What she did not understand, from this entire scheme of things, was his interest in her? What did he want from her? At least, with Nick, she knew his motives. But with her unknown aggressor, she was clueless about his intentions.

“Don’t worry about him. We will eventually catch him.” He assured her, kissing the top of her head.

He purposely did not answer her question. Once he found him, he did not want her to know what he was about to do with him, remembering the doctor that tortured him.

Tim was already onto something from the data he had already gathered so far. It was just a matter of time, and they would be able to trace his known associations, the places he had been.

Then, they could finally triangulate his whereabouts and discover his identity. He would not stop until Nick and this big boss paid for their wrongdoings.

“Anyway, do you think we should rush the construction of the nursery room?” He abruptly changed the subject, dismissing the discussion of their abductors.

If he could help it, he would like to protect her from everything that could harm her, including his plans. If he was going down for this, he would not pull her down with him.

She raised her eyes at him, surprised by his words. But before she could react to him, he had lowered himself to her, trapping her underneath his body.

“I think we are already overdue for an heir to our kingdom.” He gestured to their small castle.

He touched his lips on her supple lips, tasting the bitter taste of the liquor still lingering on the surface. But he pulled slightly away, waiting for her to meet him halfway.

There were things that he might keep a secret from her, but it was for her own protection. However, in other things, they would always be equal partners.