The Royal Contract

“I think I need food,” Eida told him, needing an excuse to get off the bed and away from him. “How about you? I am sure you are hungry.”

She knew it was still uncomfortable to think that he wanted a relationship with her, but her mind warned her to tread carefully. Getting into deep with him could mean trouble.

Suddenly she remembered his father, the Count, who seemed to be smitten with the idea of his son marrying Amelia. She could already picture his father objecting to this affair.

“Well, I can certainly use real food. I think I lost a few muscles after that.” He teased her. Suddenly, it felt like they had talked like this for a long time.

Then, his hands snaked around her waist, tickling her, causing her to jump out of bed. “Do not do that.” She chastised him before walking further away.

“I will be in the kitchen. I will try to find something we can eat.” She told him as she grabbed her robe, suddenly unconscious if she was standing in front of him naked.

.....

In her mind, he had more than seen her body. Why should she be embarrassed by it anymore? She put the robe on before walking towards the door.

“Why don’t we take a shower first?” Lance offered as he stood in front of her, naked just like the way he was born.

“As much as I like what you are offering, I think I will pass.” She shook her head at the idea of taking a shower with him. Besides, her stomach was protesting. It needed nutrition.

“Are you sure?” He remained standing in front of her as if seducing her to change her mind, but she could only smile at him.

“Take your shower and follow me outside.” She instructed, moving out of the room, never looking back. She was afraid, taking a peek, she might suddenly change her mind.

Once in the kitchen, she quickly rummaged her cabinets and refrigerator for anything she could prepare. Fortunately for someone who rarely cooked in her life, there were a few eggs, bacon, and some leftover bread.

But after taking a closer look at the bread, she discovered it already had molds on it. That went her plans, taking the bread and throwing it in the trash.

“Coffee, eggs, and bacon it is.” She mumbled to herself, finding no other choice as her hands felt the pan. After sensing the heat, she cooked the eggs and bacon.

All that was left was to wait for the coffee to boil. And the man in her bathroom to come out. Then, they could have a mini breakfast, more or less lunch, judging by the ray of the sun by her window.

Then, the bell resounded in her entire apartment. She suddenly looked for her phone, but it was probably in the living room where she left it last night.

She wondered who would visit her since she was not expecting anyone today. But then again, it could be about work since she failed to come and report to the office today.

Once she opened the door, her body went into shock. She held her breath as if her lungs suddenly failed to breathe, or was it her heart that skipped the beat.

Whatever happened to her, she would pass out if she did not recover soon. She forced the air back to her lungs and looked at her friend, trying to put the shock away from her expression.

Outside her door stood Amelia, tears flowing down her cheeks. Suddenly, she had put two and two and came up with four. Her friend was here to talk about Lance.

But how could she invite her inside, knowing that their prince charming was inside her bathroom, taking a shower after their wild night and morning in bed?

“Can I come in?” Her friend suddenly spoke up, still standing outside her door.

Her face was a picture of pain and suffering as her makeup smudged all over her beautiful face. She quickly covered her shoulders with her arm, enveloping her in a friendly hug.

“Of course, come in.” She opened her door wider and guided her to the living room. “What is wrong?” Showing concern for what her friend was going through.

Again, a series of guilt went through her, knowing what was wrong with her friend. But how could she also turn her away if she needed a friend?

However, in this situation, could she still call herself her friend? Or would it be more appropriate if she associated herself with a snake? It seemed that would be more appropriate for the situation.

She wanted to help her friend, but finding out the truth about her and her Prince seemed worse than shooting her in the heart if she saw him walk out that door, meaning her bedroom.

“During dinner last night, our fathers insisted that we were good for each other. In my heart, I wanted to believe that.” Amelia told her as she sat on the couch, sobbing on her handkerchief filled with her makeup.

Quickly grabbing a tissue, she handed one to her. Then decided to put the box in front of her as she sat next to her. She wanted to listen to her, but her mind was also busy thinking of what to do with Lance.

“But...” She encouraged her to continue, thinking maybe she would be on her way home by the time Lance had finished in the bathroom. But she knew that was wishful thinking.

“Lance could not see the point of marriage. He disagreed with our father’s proposal and eventually walked out of the dinner.” Her friend continued narrating the event of last night.

She tried to recall her memories, but she knew she avoided looking in their direction. The only thing she remembered was the moment Lance followed her.

Was that the time he walked out on her friend? Did he decline to marry her because of her? Did he choose her over Amelia? Thousands of questions ran through her mind as she tried to focus on her friend’s story. It was hard, but she had to try.

“Maybe...” She was about to give some form of advice to her friend when a loud bang sounded in her room.

“Do you have a man in your room?” Suddenly, her friend stood from her seat, probably looking at her for the first time. “I am sorry, you should have told me you have company.”

She quickly grabbed a couple of more tissues and dabbed her face. “I should not have come here. Maybe I will call you, and we can talk again.” Her friend seemed embarrassed to bother her.

“No, that is ok. You are always welcome to come to me anytime.” But the more she talked, the more she felt like her soul was burning in hell.

“Don’t worry. I am ok. I think your listening has helped me a lot.” She quickly moved towards the door.

Somehow, she was slightly relieved that her friend thought it was another one of his flings. Although she planned to tell her everything about him, she felt this was not the right time and the right way.

But, as Amelia was exiting the door, the door in her room also opened wide. The man of the hour walked out of her bedroom only in a towel.