The Royal Contract

When Jacky heard his name, something in her head snapped. It was like she was reliving a past that she had tried hard to forget.

"Nope. Maybe he had decided to leave early. You know?" Jacky blurted out with a slight bitterness in her tone as she was reminded by the last time they were in this similar situation. 

She thought she had burned those memories out of her system, but apparently, she only buried them in her mind. Now, it had resurfaced again, pointing out to her the pain he caused her that day.

She quickly smiled, realizing her reaction. She reprimanded her thoughts, reminding herself not to be bothered by the past. She quickly shoved the feelings away, not wanting anything that could ruin the beauty of the night.

"I believe that Marcus went outside with Ethan. I think he was giving him some advice on how to run his company while you two are gone." Lance corrected Jacky's assumption.

He could see her reaction when she heard his statement. He could not pinpoint her exact feelings, but it was somewhat in between confused and relieved.

But before he could dwell on that, his attention returned to his cousin and his bride. He would just have to ask her about it later when it was more convenient.

"I guess that should give me some break to deal with more important matters." Alex gave Dani a wide grin, already feeling relaxed, knowing that the company would be in safe hands. Now, he could only focus on his wife.

It was the same precise reason he was looking for him. He was planning to give him some final instructions about the company. But since his father-in-law had already stepped in, he did not have to.

He believed that he was hitting two birds with one stone. He was getting the honeymoon that he and his wife deserved. On the other hand, his father had an opportunity again to dip his hands on the cookie jar. Ethan would have a chance to work on his beloved company again.

"Will you excuse us? I think your Mom is trying to get our attention." Dani got a glimpse of Katherine waving at them. 

She could see that she was excited about something as she talked to a group of people with her Mom. Whatever it was, they could not wait for them to finish their dance as she beckoned them to come over.

Once the married couple moved along, Lance turned his attention to the woman in his arms. He had finally found the chance to be alone with her again. 

He observed that she had been quiet and appeared in deep thought. She might have fooled the happy couple whose heads were already in cloud nine, but not him. 

"Are you ok?" He finally asked, unable to take her silence anymore as the music finally stopped and some couples moved away from the dance floor.

He could see right through her. She could smile all she liked, but her eyes gave her away. She was struggling with something, but she was bottling it inside.

He decided to pull her to the side and grabbed two champagne flutes from a passing server, handing one to her. If he would guess the reason behind it, he would quickly come up with one. 

He believed that she tried to love him when they were still together. Maybe she did succeed somehow. But it would never be the same as what she felt for someone else.

"Of course. I just suddenly felt exhausted. Maybe the alcohol and the adrenaline rush had slowed down." She made her excuses as she chugged down the champagne as if it was water.

She had no idea why her brain suddenly wanted to go down memory lane when she had clearly shoved all those thoughts and feelings aside a long time ago.

She refused to believe that she was still affected by that man. He had done nothing but hurt her. She could not trust him. Besides, she could not have feelings for him still.

"Well, you can fool yourself, but you can't fool me." Lance grabbed another pair of alcoholic drinks and handed her another one. "I think I know when you are lying. Just for your info, I am here if you want to talk."

He raised his glass to her and followed her as they finished another drink. He would drink with her if that was what it would take to help her unleash her emotions.

He believed that bottling it up would do her no good. He would prefer she shared it with him, a person she could trust rather than let her feeling pester inside of her.

"You don't understand," Jacky had no idea what she was feeling. She could not understand it herself, so how could she share it with someone else.

She liked Lance a lot. He was the perfect gentleman, kind, sweet, funny, intelligent, a great kisser, wealthy, and every positive adjective she could think of, in addition to being a prince.

But she never felt the spark with him. She could genuinely tell that he liked her too, but he probably sensed that she was not totally committed to him. She was glad that they broke up and decided to be friends.

"Then, make me understand." Lance insisted, hoping that he could finally break her barrier. "Wait here, and don't go anywhere."

He immediately walked away from her, moving in another direction, leaving her temporarily to do something for her. But he quickened his steps, not wanting to leave her for too long.

She was vulnerable, and he did not want a predator going after easy prey. He grabbed a bottle of wine and two empty flutes from the bar and walked back to her location.

"Let us go." He pointed to the back exit. He believed it was time to leave the party behind. They all had done their duties. There was nothing more left to do since the occasion was almost over anyway.

The bride and the groom, in their euphoric state, would barely notice they were gone. While the rest of the crowd would not care at all.

"Where are you taking me?" She took his hand and let him lead the way, unaware that two watchful eyes were on her.

Lance guided her until they exited the massive ballroom and ended up in the labyrinth of hallways. She would get lost in this place even if she was sober, she thought as they walked in the long path.

He stopped in one closed double door and opened it for her, leading her to a colossal collection of books and arts that she thought only belonged to a museum.

"Sit down and let us have some fun." Lance pushed her gently down on the couch as he opened the bottle of wine. He poured them each a glass and sat right next to her.

He could not leave her in that party in such a state. If he did not offer her drink, she would probably get one herself. With her friend going away for her honeymoon, she would be alone to fend for herself.

He would choose to get her drunk than her ending up in someone's bed, unaware of what she was doing. At least with him, he could watch her and help her with her problem.

Others might think that his method was unconventional, but it was the only thing he could think of.. He was no knight, but he was a gentleman with pure intentions.