The Royal Agreement

Chapter Fifteen

The sunlight hit my eyes and it hurt. This woke me up. How long had I been sleeping? My nape hurt, there was still a soft throbbing in my head, but it wasn’t as painful from that recent attack. I moved slightly and I felt the space beside me slightly moved. I looked and I saw Victor sleeping beside me. His head was on his folded arms, he looked so uncomfortable.

What happened to me? My mouth was dry, and I want to drink, but I don’t want to wake up Victor beside me. I felt my hands and one was again injected with an IV drip. What the hell even happened?

I looked around and no one else was inside my bedroom. Why was Victor here? He’s not obliged to look after me even. I rolled my eyes and then continued looking around. The bedside table held a tray with a pitcher of water and a glass. I tried so hard to reach for it, but when I was about to pour some water, Victor shifted beside me and his eyes flew open. I’m caught in the act.

“You’re awake,” he said then he looked at what I was doing, and he smirked. “You must be thirsty. How are you feeling?”

He stood up and poured some water to give to me. While I was sipping, he sat back and watched me.

“I just feel a slight throb and all.” My brows furrowed. “Why are you here?’

“I was the one who caught you yesterday from collapsing but, yeah. You ended up collapsing. Your mother and father were here until around three in the morning and I told them to get some rest while I look after you.”

“Why are you doing this? I mean, this would just give them more reason or suspicion that we could be wed.”

“About that…”

I stared at him and raised an eyebrow. “What?”

“Aren’t you mad?”

“I am, obviously. I feel like I’m being sold to people just because an agreement was made. Are you?”

“I am, too, but thinking about it, I’m next in line for the throne and I somehow feel like this is a part of my responsibilities and I have to fulfill it somehow.” He sighed and he looked at me, held my eyes with his. “My grandmother and my mother told me about something yesterday.”

He has my full attention and I just want him to continue as my brain racked the last working brain cells to keep focus on what he was about to say.

“I learned that your grandfather saved mine in the war in their time. As a form of gratitude, he and my grandfather agreed to marry off their descendants to further strengthen the friendship of both families even though our families’ bonds are secured with friendship. They believed that family is stronger as to why they had this agreement.”

“Wow, so there is really more to it.” I sighed.

“I had no idea about that but now I feel like I am indebted to your family for saving our bloodline.”

“That sounded so off when you’re not really directly involved.”

“Blood is blood, Ciella. I’m agreeing to this marriage.”

“Because…?”

“I don’t want to feel indebted to you.”

“This really feels like a business transaction payable by marriage.”

He sat up straightly and he lowered his head as if deep in somber thoughts. “I—I have to agree. If you do, I assure you to my full power, you can freely investigate your lost memories and that I would aid you in however I can. You can do whatever you want to do as the Crown Princess, and I won’t interfere unless you do something wrong. Let’s help each other, Ciella. This is my duty that I couldn’t run away from.”

“Okay,” I said flatly.

He was stunned after looking so desperate. His eyes shot me a stunned look as if I said something worthy of being imprisoned. “Okay?”

I nodded. “Yeah, because I don’t like that feeling that you’re indebted to me. I feel like I am also indebted to you. If we agree on this, then we call it quits.”

He crossed his arms and observed me. I wouldn’t flinch because I don’t like the desperation in his voice like he’s trapped and he’s like this because of my family. I don’t even know what the hell is happening, but I am holding onto the thought that I can thoroughly investigate my past using my power as the Crown Princess.

“We need to have an agreement,” he said after a long pause.

I just shot him a bored look, anticipating what’s he about to say. “The Royal Agreement.”

He shrugged. “First of all, since this all will be too rash, we will make it as if I went to the States to find my childhood sweetheart and things develop, leading to marriage.”

I cringe at the thought but very possible but still it’s a ton of cringe and I don’t know if I were the one who has problems with the head or Victor. “That’s such a cheesy storyline. Are you fond of romance novels?”

“Nice remark but no. This was the idea of my grandmother.”

He scratched his nape and looked so apologetic. I had to give it to him, he just accepted it like it’s a dead end. I shook my head and waved for him to continue.

“Secondly, we have to appear like a real couple in public. Like state affairs, public appearances, whatever. That is for the morale of the royal family. Although, inside the palace walls, you can do whatever you want, I won’t be a disturbance to you. We have to have each other’s full cooperation on this matter, whether we like it or not.”

“Fair enough.”

“Thirdly, you can have relationships. I wouldn’t care. I won’t prohibit you from seeing others and we would not put our nose into our businesses.”

Oof. “No can do, Prince Victor. I don’t like that. I don’t do that. It’s not my cup of tea.”

He nodded. “Very well then. Lastly, this marriage will last only five years.”

What the f**k? I blinked several times and just gaped at Victor. Five years? Five years! That’s too long for an arranged marriage. “No fair, that’s long.”

“Well, I can’t make it shorter. We could end it like we can’t stand it anymore but at least we tried. We would have felt the debts are paid and I somehow feel like you’d have enough material from your investigation.”

“It’s still too long…” I muttered silently. I shot him a look again and, “Two years?”

He shook his head and I groaned. “No can do, Your Highness.”

I puffed out an air of frustration. “Don’t call me that.”

He smirked. This cheeky bastard. “Better start getting used to it now.”

I rolled my eyes and fixed my gaze on my hand pestered with an IV drip. “I must give it to you. You came prepared.”

“I had to think this thoroughly, so both sides will not perish but benefit from this agreement.”

I bit my lower lip and tried to reorganize my spilled thoughts. “It’s settled then. Just make a written copy of that agreement and I will just sign it tomorrow for formality. This agreement will be kept under wraps. No one should know, just the two of us.”

“You have my word.”

“I don’t know if I’m allowed to say this, but you can leave now to start your day. I’d rest today and get started with whatever is needed to be done. I’ll just call my parents or the doctor to help me out to feel better.”

He stood up and straightened his clothes. “The Crown Princess could make the Crown Prince do or say she wants whatever, in the line of fairness. You’re still my equal. When you’re Queen, I couldn’t say the same as you will be the one who should answer before me, but other people should answer before you.” He then smiled and turned to leave.

“Hey, one more thing,” I called him as he opened the door. He looked at me expectantly. “Don’t stop me going into medical school.”

He smiled and nodded. “I won’t. I’d let you do whatever you want.” I nodded and he left the room.

Once he was out of the room, I let out a deep loud sigh. Did I do it right? Did I make the right decision? Everything was too hasty and I didn’t even think of this thoroughly. Would I want to be a divorcee at such a young age? I mean, why not? Like I’d be bothered by it. I just thought of the benefits I gained. Power as a royalty so I could do whatever to look into my past. Ease tuition fee expenses. Plus, my parents will stop bothering me to agree with this show.

It’s a lot to absorb for the day but I’m sure tomorrow—rather than today, everything will be a ruckus preparing for the wedding of the century. I imagine the headlines soon. ‘Cinderella and the Childhood Love’ or ‘Prince Victor have always been in love? A swoon-worthy development.’

I scoffed at the ideas that rummaged through my grey matter. I should call my mom and dad to spill the tea.