The Royal Contract

As the king sipped his wine, he studied her under his watchful gaze. Several rumors circulated around the kingdom about the would-be princess. Whether they were true or not, he still yet to find out. 

Based on what he had observed so far, she was no ordinary woman. She might not have royal blood, but she carried herself more than a noblewoman would.

"Can I interest you with a board game?" King Edward offered, seeing that her guards were still up.

He had to earn her trust before she would open up to him. He was not after her secrets, only to learn more about her. He never relied solely on rumors or reports when assessing a person. 

A relaxed conversation while looking through the eyes was his key to the inner workings of each mind. He had to slowly tear down the walls to find out the truth.

"What sort of game are you thinking about?" Dani asked curiously, finding the jolly king entertaining.

He was not exactly what she expected when she learned of her meeting with him. She pictured him as this pompous king with a sour face and a big belly.

A kind of ogre that would raise a son like Prince Edward, she thought. Then, from the way Alex had depicted him. But surprisingly, she was mistaken. 

"Chess, of course. The game of Kings." He proudly declared with a friendly smile on his face. "I am sure that a person with your level of intellect knows how to play this game."

He challenged her, determining whether she was a fighter or the opposite. She might appear not to cower at his presence, but what about her ability to think under pressure. 

He wanted to see how she would react to a simple game against him. A lot could be discerned with how she would initially move her piece. What would be the action she would be taking when back in a corner?

"I will say, Your High..." She quickly stopped, seeing his raised eyebrows. "Uncle Edward that you have chosen the wrong game. My father and Uncle raised me in this game."

Though chess was not the first game she had learned and loved in her youth, it had played a significant part in her growing up. She had learned many valuable things in life during the battle on the checkered arena.

"Then, it will be an interesting game." He playfully smiled at her while guiding her towards the already displayed board set.

He allowed her to settle first on a chair before sitting on the opposite side of the table. He picked two different colored pawns and hid them behind his back.

Then, he placed his closed hands before her, letting her choose between the two. It would determine which color she would be playing with.

"Well, I guess it is my move." She figured when he opened the palm of his hand and revealed a white pawn inside.

Usually, she found it advantageous if she made the first move. She managed to set the play she wanted and had her opponent guessing what she would do next.

But, it was not always a guarantee, not when she was against an opponent who was well trained in strategies and battle planning. She had to keep her mind sharp at all times.

"So, tell me. How do you like our kingdom so far?" The king asked out of the blue as he made another move, taking out her pawn. 

It was his way of putting his opponents out of their elements. In this case, the beautiful and intelligent lady on the other side of the board.

In this way, he was killing two birds with one stone. He would be distracting her from her next move and getting the information he needed. In the end, it would be a win-win solution.

"Honestly, I had nothing to complain about. I love this place." Remembering the beauty of the sceneries. "I love the hospitality of the people." Except for the exception of the few. But she could not blame them for they were misinformed.

She moved her white bishop to take on the black horse guarding the black queen. Knowing that the queen could not take the bishop because another white horse was already in play.

"Oh, that is such a classic maneuver. Let me see what I can counter it with." King Edward smiled, allowing the play to proceed according to her plan.

He would allow her to think that she was winning before going for the kill. It was the only way to win her trust. The only way he would get the information he needed from her.

"I guess I win that one." She made the final move, putting the finishing kill. "Checkmate." Dropping the black king on the board. "Another game?" 

She agreed for the best of three, giving a chance for a deciding game. In case he won this time. It was only fair for the two of them to have a rematch if necessary.

"Always up for the challenge. Bring your A-game because I will not let you win this time." He warned her before making the first move.

He persisted in asking her basic questions about her life as the game continued. Nothing he believed would send red flags and forced her shields up again.

The master-servant came to view by the door, interrupting their highly concentrated game. "Dinner is ready, Your Highness." 

He announced before leaving the two of them again in peace.

"Sometimes, we have to sacrifice what is important to us to get the bigger reward." He uttered in almost a whisper, but he made sure she heard him. His eyes focused on the board before using her previous tactic against her.

She took the queen just like before, almost tasting victory on the tip of her lips. But she still needed a couple of moves to finally declare success.

But what she did not see coming was the black bishop who patiently waited for its time to shine.. With one more move, the king had the king cornered and nowhere to go.