The Royal Contract

The cathedral was almost full of guests who wished to be part of the grand celebration. Nobody on the guest list would pass up the chance to be included in the event. While many still would wish to be invited.

Local folks, tourists from all over the world, and the international media had also camped outside the imposing structure. Some were already present since last night, while the others arrived in the wee hours of the morning to witness such a historical event.

"How are you holding up?" He had to ask, thinking that all of this might be too much for her.

If his understanding was correct and she did not break up with him, this would have been her wedding. Instead, she was witnessing her ex-fiance getting married to someone else.

Then, she had to answer the questions of the media about her failed relationship with the prince. That was not the worse part. She had to introduce her fake husband to the world to prove that she had moved on.

"As I told you for the hundredth time, I am ok, Troy," Tyra told him, touched by his concern. "Instead of focusing on me, can we at least enjoy this wedding. I like what they did with the place."

She could not stress enough to her husband that this wedding was not affecting her the way he thought it might. In truth, she was also relieved to feel nothing.

Well, not exactly nothing, but not the way she was expecting when she first heard of the wedding. She might still feel a bit sad about it. Not because of the lost love, but more on the long-time friendship that might have gone down the drain.

"Sure, if that is what you want." He was here to support her in any way he could, which was part of their agreement. But more than that, he genuinely liked to help her, contract or not.

He could not think of a better way to show his wife, whether it was a sham, that he was more than a paid help, but a friend, who she could depend on in times like this.

"Oh, my. He is here." She whispered to Troy, referring to the man she wished she did not have to see so soon. She quickly hid her face in his shoulders, hoping that it was not too late.

Although she already knew that it was inevitable that she would see her father on this occasion. She had hoped that it would be much later, or better yet, not ever.

"Who are you talking about?" Troy asked, seeing that the place was full of people. She could be referring to anyone. He had no plan to play a guessing game.

But then again, when he saw an arrogant-looking man glancing their way. He could already assume whom she was talking about.

"My father." She mumbled, still trying to hide, cowering behind his body. "Do you think he saw me?"

She was having a great time earlier, but now, she felt all the fun was sucked out of her as she got a glimpse of her father looking directly at them.

"I'm sorry, but I think he did." He leaned closer to her ear and whispered before nodding at the man in question.

He might not have met him personally, but he had no doubt that he already knew who he was. He probably had his profile in his possession as soon as he learned of his marriage to his daughter.

Luckily, his meeting with his father-in-law would be delayed for later. He was sitting quite a few rows away from them, on the opposite side of the aisle.

"Can I say I am sorry in advance for dragging you into this? I can already feel that my dad would do something stupid." Tyra expressed her embarrassment at what her father might do later.

She already learned that her father only survived in the business world, not because of his skills and abilities to run an empire. But because of his scheming and manipulations.

She was not about to feed her husband to her father, who would only use him for his personal interest. She was sure that her father had already checked on his financial background and found it lucrative.

"Don't worry about me. I can handle your father." Troy could see the worry in her eyes. 

He handled more cunning people than her father in his line of business. He could deal with one man who only wanted money. He did not need protection from his wife, but he would definitely protect her from her own father.

"You can always say no to whatever he wants. Remember, we don't need his blessing in this marriage." She reminded him, not wanting to put him in any difficult situation.

Besides, she was not here to please her father. The only reason she actually wanted to come to the wedding was to see if she actually had moved on from Alex.

"Let me handle him my way. Just like you said earlier, let us just enjoy this day." He wanted to wipe out the worry lines on her face.

He would not have second thoughts of bringing her home if he saw her agitation increase. Either from seeing Alex getting married or dealing with her father.

"Ok." She finally conceded, nodding at her father as a greeting before putting her concentration back on the event.

She wished she was stronger when dealing with her father. She hoped she could overcome her need to get his approval. She was tired of pleasing him, following his whim, and taking care of him. 

She wanted to be free of him and her obligation as his daughter. Something that her father kept reminding her of every opportunity he got. 

"I think the ceremony is about to start," Troy muttered in a low voice, watching her entire reaction.

He wondered what would happen when she finally witnessed the exchange of vows. How would she react to her ex-lover pledging his love to another?

He believed it would never be the same as what they did in the city hall. Their wedding was only for convenience and had nothing to do with love.

"Oh, you're probably right." She absentmindedly answered as her mind was still reeling from her thoughts about her father.

Then, her eyes finally settled at the center of the altar, focusing on a man who suddenly walked in. He looked more dashing than she remembered.

Maybe it was the glow that was oozing from his aura. His smile as he listened to what Marcus was saying could light up the entire room. 

Honestly, she had never seen him this happy before, not even when they were still together. Not that she was complaining, she was actually happy for him.

"Are you good?" The man she called her husband asked, wrapping his arms around her shoulders for support.

He could see that her eyes never left the man at the altar, but he could not read what she was thinking. Her expression did not tell him much, but her body remained calm since he wrapped his arms around her.

He hoped it was a sign that she was getting over him.. He hoped that he would be enough to help her pick up the pieces of her life and meld her back together again.