The Royal Contract

Two helicopters were waiting for them at the clearing on the other side of the palace. One could accommodate at most six passengers while the other one was smaller with a capacity of only four passengers, not including the pilots. 

The duke and the duchess, together with Dani's parents, already went ahead of them. They rode the other one that left a few minutes ago. 

The remaining two would take the remaining guests to their picnic destination somewhere on an isolated island owned by the Royal Empire.

"Wait!" She halted on her steps when she saw something that she was not expecting.

"Is there a problem?" Lance asked, slightly alarmed as he also stopped walking. 

He looked at where her eyes were gazing and wondered what she was thinking. He was worried that it had something to do with Marcus, who was walking ahead of them.

"Yes!" She stated as if it was a big concern. "Are we riding that thing?" Jacky could not take her eyes off the intimidating flying machines in the open grassy lawn of the palace grounds.

Going to this country was her first time riding a plane, so it had been an exciting experience. It was something that she was looking forward to when she learned of their trip. And during that time, Marcus occupied her mind, making her forget that she was flying.

But being on the air again in that small thing was a different story.

She suddenly felt anxious, having never been on a chopper before. 

"Yes." He answered, curious with her tone. "What's wrong?" Seeing her face as it started to pale. 

He could not believe that Jacky, which he had learned from their short time together to have a strong personality, had a fear of something, maybe flying or heights. He would not have guessed it from the way he drove his race car.

"I don't know." She said honestly. "I guess I am afraid to ride that monstrosity." She admitted, giving the chopper its nickname.

Flying on a plane, which had two wings and many safety features, in her opinion, was safer than going on a single blade, one engine chopper. 

Besides, it looked like a thin can that the wind could blow at any moment while they were in the air. That was what Jacky imagined would happen while the chopper was flying.

"Don't tell me you're afraid of flying?" Lance gave Jacky his incredulous look. "I won't believe it after you made my car flew in the race track." He jokingly said, trying to calm her down.

"That is different. We never actually left the ground." She stated as if that would explain her sudden fear of flying. "I was not expecting that we would be flying. I thought that we would be traveling by land."

"Let me assure you that nothing bad will happen to us. You are in good hands because two of the best pilots will fly that monstrosity you called it." He pulled her closer to him, removing a few strands of her hair away from her face. Keeping it behind her ears as the wind blew it continuously out of place. 

"Are you sure?" She tried to read his face and eyes if there was any sign that he was making fun of her fear. But all she saw was his sincerity. 

"Do you trust me?" He locked his eyes with hers, moving a bit closer to her that their bodies were almost touching.

"Of course, I do." She automatically answered him, looking directly into his eyes. She had no reasons not to, she thought. 

She was able to drive his car without any fear. So, riding this piece of flying metal should not be a problem, especially when he was around.

Not far away from them, another set of eyes were watching them, fuming at what he was witnessing. He could not believe that Jacky was moving on with another man. Although he was the one who insisted that they were not exclusive, he could not stop what he felt, seeing Jacky in another man's arms.

Then again, he was angrier with himself for feeling that way. He should not be acting in this manner as if he was a love-sick fool. He refused to believe that he was jealous because he was not. What he was feeling was more like an insult to his masculinity, that Jacky was parading his new fuck buddy in front of him.

"Jacky!" Someone from her back shouted, calling out her name. It suddenly broke their moment, making her realized that she was staring at him. She was not sure what she was waiting to happen or expecting he would do. But whatever it was, she was waiting for it.

She immediately turned around to look at her friend, who was walking in her direction. She waved her hand to acknowledge her presence. Unsure if she appreciated her sudden interruption.

"Dani, I'm so glad that you're finally feeling well." Jacky greeted and hugged her friend. "Hello, Alex." She also said beside her. 

"Hi, Jacky." He also acknowledged her. "Hi, Lance. I'm glad you can join us. I thought you would be racing today." Alex turned to his childhood friend and distant cousin.

"Oh, your race was today," Jacky stated, feeling disappointed that he was not able to join. He was practicing for it for months.

"Don't worry about it. I can still join the next one." He assured her.

"Well, at least we could spend some time together. I miss you, Lance." Alex said to his friend.

Alex was unsure who Jacky went out with during the party, but seeing them together now, confirmed his earlier assumption. He wondered if Lance dating Jacky would be a problem with Marcus. But that was not his problem anymore. 

When he looked up, his eyes observed Marcus, who was staring at Jacky with a look that could only mean one thing. If a look could kill, his friend would probably face jail time.

Now, he wondered if Marcus would be able to handle the heat. But from his look, he might eventually self-combust. Alex thought, feeling sorry for his friend. Well, he had warned his friend not to play with fire, but he did not heed his warning.