The Royal Contract

Suddenly she figured it was a family affair as the men took their seats while Amelia walked in her direction. Lance also turned around and joined their fathers at the table.

“Amelia, it is a surprise to see you here.” It perfectly described what she felt at the moment. As much as she was delighted to see her friend, her guilt was also consuming her.

Not that she did something wrong against her friend. She did not know that they were referring to the same man. But still, she wanted the man her friend had loved since childhood.

“My father insisted that I attend this dinner before I leave,” Amelia whispered to her, leaning closer to her to avoid being overheard by the other occupants at the nearby table.

She glanced to the other table. Fortunately, Lance was facing the other side. He had his back on her. But she could see that her father was looking in their direction, probably wondering what was taking her too long.

“I think your father is wondering what you are doing here when you should be dining with them.” Eida tilted her head to her friend, who remained standing before her.

.....

Her face maintained a friendly smile, calm under pressure, but her heart was beating like she was in a race. But she could not make her friend suspect anything.

“Are you on a date?” Amelia unexpectedly asked, ignoring her statement. Her smile was genuinely happy for her. She always wanted her to end up with a good man and a long relationship.

However, a dream like that, beautiful as it sounded, was an impossible situation.

She quickly shook her head in defense. “No, I am just having a quiet dinner alone.” Smiling at her friend, not wanting her to know how she truly felt.

At the moment, she never expected that she would end up in a situation like this or feel slightly petty about her lack of love life, but her friend did not need to know that.

She had never felt alone before, but her current condition seemed to mellow her down. But she quickly bounced back, smiling at her friend, not allowing this moment to ruin it for her friend.

“Why don’t you join us?” Her friend abruptly offered, slightly shocking and making her speechless.

First, she was not expecting that she would see her here. Then, dining with her, together with the Prince, would be insane. She could not possibly face him under this condition.

“No. I do not think that is a good idea.” Her head automatically shook, responding no to her. “Besides, I think that is a family affair.” Excusing herself from a very awkward situation.

If she had a choice, she would run out of this room and quickly go home, away from her friend and her feelings for the Prince. She would lock herself in her room and cry her eyes out until she could dispel this pain that was starting to grip her heart.

“It is a good idea. Please, I need you.” Amelia begged her as if she was a lifeline that would save her from drowning in her father’s plans.

Eida had witnessed her friend’s unending heartache at the hands of her father, who never loved her and only used her when he needed her.

Tonight was a perfect example as the two older men discussed the fate of their children according to what would be best for their legacy rather than their children’s happiness and future.

“I think that my presence would only make all things uncomfortable for everyone.” She honestly believed that, especially for her. Although, she wondered how Lance was handling their current situation.

Was he also affected by what happened to them just like she was, or was it just another mistake that he would shrug off as unnecessary to dwell on and move on?

Why could she do that? Well, she had been in many one-night affairs before. She quickly bounced back after saying goodbye to them. Why was her one-night experience with him bothering her so much?

“I heard that you are doing a story about him, so this is your opportunity to get to know him more,” Amelia stated, but her tone was apologetic as if pleading that she should join them.

But how could she when the last thing she wanted to do was see them together, let alone sit across from them with their parents probably discussing their impending wedding?

Another royal wedding that would take the world by storm, a news story that her bosses would bug her to take on her shoulders. Suddenly, her world felt like crumbling down.

“I don’t want to be a bother. It will be better if I stay here.” Her hands touched her friend, hoping that she would accept her excused.

As much as she wanted to be there for her friend, she believed it was time that she also faced this situation alone. It was like she had to endure dining alone with the two of them just a few meters away from her.

“Amelia, we are about to order.” Her father called to her in that dominating tone that she hated. But she had no choice.

Eida watched her friend turn to her father, signaling that she would be just a minute. Her friend gripped her hands tighter, then smiled at her. “If you ever change your mind, you are always welcome to join us.”

“I am sure,” Eida nodded at her friend, telling her that she should return to her table.

As Amelia moved away, the waiter returned to take her order. She went to the motion of ordering her food, but during the meal, she barely touched her food, playing with most of it as she avoided looking at the other table.

Her mind kept thinking of her conversation with her friend. It reminded her of many love stories that ended tragically because another party entered the scene. Was she the third party that would ruin her friend’s happiness?