The Royal Contract

Chapter 814: Not just a kingdom but a home

As her eyes stared at all the imposing columns, the dominating walls, and the massive chandeliers that hung over the magnificent ceilings, she could not help but feel in awe of her surrounding.

It was perfect for the Charity Ball. The one she had been organizing for weeks. A fundraising activity to help many people in need, not only in their community, by raising awareness and money. But hopefully in many more other places too.

Then, a thought came to her mind as she saw the double doors to the ballroom open wide, revealing the throne room. Indeed, it was massive and grandeur. One of the best rooms she had seen before in her entire life.

But it was not what bothered her. Something else crossed her mind. Why was she here?

What if Alex decided to take the crown? What if they had convinced him that he was still the rightful heir? Then, it would force her to move to this place and be their queen, sitting beside her king.

Did she want to be someone who just sat around and did nothing but hold her husband’s hand while he ruled the land? But her father said she was as capable as her husband in ruling her kingdom.

“What about what I want?” She asked, suddenly confused about why she was all alone in the middle of the large floor with a bright light focused only on her and the massive throne on the stage.

.....

The rest of her surroundings was just a blur as her vision only saw darkness around her. Where was everybody? She asked, seeing and hearing nothing around her.

“Where are you, Alex?” She kept looking at the throne, dreading that her husband would suddenly appear sitting on it, wearing a shiny golden crown with gemstones that dated for centuries.

A family heirloom that passed to several generations from one king to another. An object which symbolized leadership, power, and commitment to their people.

“But you already committed your life to me. You said I will be your queen in our home, not this kingdom.” She mumbled in the air, reminding her husband never to take the responsibility that was not his in the first place.

Then, all the lights turned off, blinding her in the darkness. She struggled in the dark, hoping to find her way into the light. But she could still see nothing.

Then, she heard his voice. So, soft and gentle like he was whispering in her ears, waking her up. “Open your eyes, my Princess.” He called to her. “This is not your world.”

She wanted to understand what was happening, but the words only repeated a couple more times until the voice faded. She was alone again.

“Don’t leave me, Dad.” She finally shouted, gripping him in the darkness, but all she felt was the air around her. She was alone as her eyes fluttered open, revealing an empty bed beside her.

It did not feel like a dream, but it was neither a nightmare as she stared at the ceiling, trying to analyze her weird vision. Was she manifesting some fear because Alex was not here?

Slowly, she rose from the bed, sliding off and standing on her feet. She knew that returning to sleep would be challenging, especially when Alex was not around to comfort her.

Her dream did not manage to shake her. However, it made her think about it. She moved closer to the balcony, wanting to feel the fresh breeze, but it was too cold to step out of the open air.

Her eyes settled to look at the billboards littering the skylines, the bright lights from the tall skyscrapers illuminating the entire city. Permanently, they had replaced the moon and the stars in the night sky.

If she could see the street, she would see that people and cars were still busy moving on the city streets despite it being in the odd hours of the night.

“I miss you so much, Dad,” Dani uttered, remembering that his voice woke her up. The first man who had believed in her even if she did not believe in herself. “Yes, that is you, Dad.”

She uttered, letting the air in her lips touch the glass before her, forming some moisture in them from the cold temperature outside.

Suddenly, she drew two curved lines that intersected in the middle through the mist on the glass window. It formed a heart that showed how much she loved her father.

He did not answer, but she already knew what his response would be. He loved her so much too. That was more than enough for her.

Then, she grabbed her phone from the nightstand, ready to call the other person she wanted to hear from, even if it was the middle of the night or early morning.

“Hey!” She quickly uttered when the line connected. She moved to the chair next to the window and sat, making herself comfortable.

“Is everything ok?” He quickly asked, concern already notable in his voice. “Are you alright?”

She could not blame him for asking that, seeing that he was probably asleep. Still, she just wanted to hear his voice, even if they were miles apart.

It was very seldom that she had slept on that bed without him by her side. It was one of those nights that she missed him dearly.

“Yeah, I am fine. I just had an odd dream that woke me up. But no need to worry. It was not a nightmare.” She promised him, knowing that he might worry about her.

It was the last thing she wished, knowing that he was not there to have fun but helping with his family’s issues. She would have joined him, but she had her crisis to deal with at the moment.

But what was about the dream that had her troubled? She did say that she was willing to stand by him with every decision he made. Why was she suddenly dreading that he would accept the kingdom handed to him on a silver platter?

“That is good to hear, but it still bothered you. Do you wish to share it with me?” She could hear the breathy air that escaped his lips. She would guess he probably yawned, trying to wake himself up from his sleepy state.

“I think my dream could wait till you return home. I already feel sleepy just hearing your voice.” Honestly, she was not lying.

Although the dream had bothered her, just knowing he was there, hearing his calming voice was enough to make her relax and believe that he was only sitting next to her.

“What about I tell you a story while you lie down and we both fell asleep.” Alex proposed as another yawn escaped his lips.

She could only surmise that he had been busy and as exhausted as she was.

Maybe his suggestion was worth the shot. Anyway, what would they lose?

“Ok. Just let me return to the bed.” She told him, cradling the phone between her neck and shoulders as she let the robe slide down her shoulder and off her body.

Then, she returned under the blankets, letting the pillows support her head, and talked to her husband again for their storytelling time.

“Ready.” He asked as he hummed slightly on the phone as if thinking of the story he would tell.

Suddenly, her mind remembered her father, who would read her some bedtime stories to make her sleep. But there were times that he would change the story written in those fairy tales.

“It is kinda getting boring telling the same stories, over and over again.” Ethan would tell her, and then a new tale would be born. She smiled at the thought of her father, remembering him very fondly.

“Ok. So, what tale do you have in mind?” She asked him, yawning too, already feeling tiredness in her eyes.

“Well, let me see.” He partially cleared his throat before continuing. “A prince fell in love with a commoner. A forbidden relationship not condoned in the kingdom.” He started.

She listened attentively at first, finding the story interesting, but soon her mind drifted off, thinking of her dream again. She kept asking herself what was about it that had her confused.

But, the lull of his voice and her exhaustion had finally worked their magic as her eyes closed, slowly making her float to a deep slumber.

But before her mind could completely shut down, something clicked. As if an idea formed and answered her many questions. It was not that she did not want to rule with her husband.

She loved working with him or simply supporting him with what he did and his plans. However, she realized one thing though. She did not want to rule anywhere else but in this place.

This city was her home, the only place she wished to stay, to build a family and raise their kids.

“I love you, Alex.” Her voice floated in the air, hoping it had reached his ears.

“I love you too, Dani.” His voice assured her that he heard her loud and clear. It was what made their relationship great. They were in sync with each other.

In addition to that, she knew Alex also shared the same feeling as her. It was the reason he never wanted to be king in their land in the first place. Because her husband also fell in love with this place.

It was called the city that never slept for a reason.

Because it made their blood boil, exciting them to no end, providing them opportunities at all hours of the day and night. It was a place that was alive not only in their hearts but through their soul.

This brightly lit city was not just a kingdom but a home.

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