The Royal Contract

But, for him, the dilemma was not yet over as he served as the messenger of terrible news. Sometimes, he wondered how he ended up in this position.

Why did he come back to his hometown in the first place? Suddenly, he missed his peaceful life back home, in the city where he had already started a new life.

“Evan!” Someone at his back suddenly called to him. “It is Evan, right?” The man stopped before him as he caught up with his long strides.

Well, for an aging man, he seemed to be in shape. He could only wonder if he would grow as old as him or die young because of his bad habits.

“Yes, Count Thomas. What can I do for you?” Evan asked as they continued to walk on the long hallway towards the elevator that would lift them to the upper floors of this building.

“I will cut to the chase and be frank with you. I heard that you are close to my son and Alex as well. I wondered if they ever shared with you anything about the Kingdom.” The Count casually asked him as if it was no big deal.

.....

However, he could see that his answer would very much matter if he had an idea of what the Count wanted to know. But as their friend, he knew many of their secrets but should he tell Lance’s father about it.

“Your son is a close friend of mine, but in terms of what you wanted to know, I am not sure if I will be much of a help. Lance is a very private person who never liked sharing much.” Evan finally answered him.

In terms of Alex, well, the Count would have to hear it from Alex himself and not from him because he would never share what was not his secret to tell.

“Then, I guess you are a good friend.” The Count replied to his statement.

Somehow, he wondered if it was a test or something, but he put it aside as they entered the elevator. He focused on what he had to say to Lance, keeping his silence inside the small space.

But how could he talk to him when his father loomed over him? He needed to discuss something with Lance without anyone else in the room, especially not his father. He had to find a way to be alone in the room with his friend.

“But there is one more thing I need to ask.” The Count finally spoke again. It was not loud, but being confined in a small room, it seemed to echo in the metallic walls.

“What is it, Sir?” He was curious again if he would insist on knowing about his son’s activities. But somehow, he could tell it had nothing to do with his previous question.

“How do you know Ms. Eida Harlowe?” Count Thomas finally asked what he thought would be his next question. “What can you tell me about her?”

He remembered that the Count had seen him, together with Amelia and her friend. But he could easily say that he only met her.

“Don’t bother to deny it since my investigator told me she is currently staying at your grandmother’s apartment.” The Count continued when he probably noticed that he was thinking about what he would say.

He should have expected that from the Count since he would not rest until he had all the facts in his hands. He seemed very determined to take Eida out of the picture and would not stop until he did.

“Well, she is a friend of Amelia while my grandmother is a dear friend of Amelia. I have no personal connection to them, except getting caught between this incident.” He honestly admitted since that was the truth. “If that was what you are asking.”

Whatever happened between him and Amelia did not correlate with what was happening with Eida and Lance. Therefore, he had no idea what the Count would want from him.

“Ok. Anyway, I know that Lance would be asking for your assistance. He would want you to look for Ms. Harlowe, but I need you to do your friend a favor.” The Count seemed to be talking in riddles as he stared at him.

Finally, the elevator doors opened to the top floor. It was where Lance was staying. He could see that several Royal guards were guarding the hallways again.

But before he could get out, the Count stopped him. “What is it that you want?” Treating this encounter as another of his business deals.

“It is not what I want but what Lance needs.” The Count looked him directly in the eyes.

He might look intimidating, but he had dealt with more frightening men than him before. His tactics would never scare him. However, his grandmother’s wrath terrified him more.

“And that is?” Although, he could already tell what he wanted to say.

“At the moment, he thinks that Ms. Harlowe is his world, but Lance would eventually realize that she is not the right person for him.” The Count held him by the shoulder before continuing. “I need you to convince him that she is not coming back.”

He was not surprised by the Count’s words. He was expecting something in those lines coming from him. But it seemed it was similar words Eida wanted him to say to Lance.

He could already surmise what happened in the encounter between Eida and the Count. Somehow, the Count convinced Eida to turn her back on the man she loved.

He could only wonder what the Count had said that was so compelling that Eida would sacrifice her happiness and the chance for her child to have a father.

“If it would come from you, then he would believe it.” The Count finally let go of his shoulder and walked out of the small space. “I hope you will do this for him.” Count Thomas added.

Then, he was once again alone, staring at the back of the Count, who walked like he was not carrying a secret. He followed closely behind, trying to figure out how he would tell his friend his devastating news.