The Royal Contract

It had been a while since he had last seen her. She said that she would look for him, but where was she. He suddenly worried if something was wrong with her or was just busy entertaining some guests.

"You have to excuse me, but I have to attend to other matters. Maybe we can continue this discussion another time." Alex knew if he did not end the conversation, it would continue till the end of the program.

"Of course, we don't want to keep you from your other obligations." The man opposite Alex nodded in understanding. "We are happy that you spare us some of your time."

"Marcus here will assist you with coordinating a convenient time for an appointment so we can further discuss any future programs," Alex said to the group, which they all agreed with him.

The group of new investors looked promising, but they almost took a big chunk of his time. He still had many things to do for all his plans tonight. And he still had to find Dani.

He moved away from the group. He made excuses to those who tried to stop him on his way in his search for his missing fiancé. He already called her detailed security.

They said that she already went back inside after a short trip to the garden. She was bound to be anywhere inside this ballroom. Finally, Alex stopped at one side of the ballroom and saw her on the dance floor.

"What are you up to?" He mumbled not to anyone but only to himself upon seeing who was dancing with her.

He trusted her in every decision she made. If she ended up dancing with him, it was not because she wanted it. She probably had been forced to the matter due to circumstances.

Him, Edward, he would never trust not with his life, especially hers. He might be acting civilized with him. But it was only out of his respect to his father, his uncle, and the people of his kingdom.

"What do you think?" Marcus stood by his side, waiting for his reaction to the new investors, unaware of what was happening.

He had been working all night, finding opportunities to pitch in their projects to new investment possibilities. So far, he was satisfied with the turnout of interested individuals and companies ready to check their proposals.

"I think she is handling herself quite well." He answered him back, thinking that they were talking about the same subject.

He continued to observe the interaction between Dani and Edward. Dani had that constrained smile that showed that she was not enjoying his company.

She was dancing with Edward and discussing something that displeased her. He was basing it on the way he read her body language and expression.

"What are you talking about?" Marcus asked confusedly, finally following his line of vision, finding Dani at the other end, in the arms of Edward. "Aren't you doing something about it, like save Dani from his clutches?"

That was what he would do under the circumstances. If he suddenly found his girl in another man's arms, he would march into them and snatched her back away from him.

"I don't think she needed saving. But I do believe Edward does." Alex jokingly said as the song was finally coming to an end. "I'll talk to you about the investors on Monday. Go enjoy the rest of the night."

Alex tapped his friend on the shoulder, encouraging him to stop working. He already had done enough. It was time to mingle socially and have fun.

He waited until the music was at its last note before stepping in, knowing that she never needed him to fight her battles anyway. But he would still be nearby just in case.

"It was a nice dance, but if you'll excuse me." Alex heard Dani as she said it to Edward when the music stopped. "I still have other matters to attend to." She added, still trying not to be rude.

She pulled her hands away from him and stepped back, which Edward easily let go when he saw Alex standing almost behind her. He knew his time was up. "Until next time then," Edward responded.

Edward only smiled sarcastically at Alex before he started to move away from them. He knew there was nothing much he could do now that Alex was back.

"How long have you been there?" She asked. It was the only time that Dani realized that Alex was already standing right next to her.

She was so focused on getting rid of Edward that she did not notice Alex's presence. But she was glad that he was finally here because she was indeed looking for him.

"Not that long, but enough to enjoy how you get rid of my cousin," Alex admitted with a grin on his lips. He turned to face her and pulled her into his arms. When the music started, it was his turn to move her in his arms.

He was glad that he did not have to worry too much about her. Every time Dani was away from his sight. He was relieved that she was capable of taking care of herself.

After all, he could not protect her twenty-four-seven. And her security was not always an assurance that no harm could happen to her. It was always good that she knew how to handle any situation and protect herself.

"Oh, you witness that. I don't want to be rude, but I honestly don't feel comfortable around your cousin. He gives me the creeps." Dani confessed to him, which made him laugh out loud.

She was surprised by his reaction to what she said, suddenly embarrassed that the other people around them were starting to look at them. "Ssshhh." She shushed him, which he toned down to a chuckle.

"I'm sorry, but that was the first time that a woman called my cousin a creep." He finally suppressed his smile as his face turned serious. "You just never failed to amaze me. You are everything to me."

He ran his fingers through her face, down to her chin, grazing the smoothness of her skin. Then, he made her face tilt up to him, forcing her gently to look up, so he could gaze into her eyes.

His eyes never left hers, not caring about the world around them. At the moment, it was just the two of them while nothing else existed. Dani was the only person that mattered as he kept her in his warmth.

"I am?" She asked with a slight hesitation, keeping her eyes locked with his.

She had heard those words before, but hearing him say it all over again, still felt so surreal. Like she was floating in a dream above the clouds where everything was perfect.

But she knew that she was never perfect. The world might think otherwise because all they saw was the superficial things, but deep inside, she knew that she had several flaws.

"Yes." He softly whispered, refraining himself from saying more before he started spilling the beans and ruined his surprise.

He could not accidentally say something to her and make her suspicious of his plans. But every time he stared at those soulful eyes, it became harder and harder for him to keep things from her.

He lowered his head to hers until their foreheads and noses touched as they closed the gap between them. The next thing, he had his lips secured with hers in a battle of desire.