The Royal Contract

Chapter 650: Marriage of convenience

“Can you call Amelia in her room? He asked one of the maids who served his coffee and breakfast.

He wanted to discuss with her daughter the plan to wed her with her childhood friend, Prince Lance. Thomas, his friend, suggested arranging the wedding of their children. And he could not agree more.

He was not expecting the Count to consider it since they had never talked about it before. But learning about his friend’s plans, he knew that her daughter marrying the prince was a good move for her benefit and their business.

“Sir, Ms. Amelia will be down soon.” The maid announced before disappearing again into the kitchen.

He never liked the help to be littering around when he did not require their presence. But he would like that everything around his house should always be in order.

He wanted the whole mansion to be always presentable. There should be no dust on any surface or an object out of place. He required competent staff that knew what they were doing.

“Dad, you called for me.” Amelia showed up in the garden, where his father liked to eat his breakfast. But she was not joining him today since she had already eaten her meal much earlier.

.....

Since her mother died about ten years ago, family meals were never been the same. Her father was too busy to deal with her growing up. She had learned to be on her own.

The only time her father showed he cared was when he needed something from her. That was a rare occasion. She could probably count in her the fingers of her hand.

“Yes, please join me.” Her father gestured for her to take the other seat beside him. “Have you eaten already?” Her father asked as if concerned for her health. But she knew better.

“Yes, Dad.” She answered with a slight frown on her forehead, wondering what her father was up to, judging by his expression.

She followed her father, just like before, not wanting to anger him. Besides moving away from Lance, another reason she took the job overseas was to get away from his demanding and dominating father.

His father had tried to control her life. That was the only time he took quite an interest in her. He would tell her what he wanted for her. But that was not what she wanted for herself.

As soon as she found an opportunity to be far from him, she took it, taking the money that her mother left her. She started her life away from all of this.

“I was talking to Thomas yesterday, and I think you will like what he suggested,” Leonard said with a grin on his lips. He was excited to tell her, knowing how much she had a crush on Lance.

He knew all about it since she would usually confide in her mother. His wife would, in return, tell him about it. He had ignored it before, finding no use in the association of the two. After all, he was wealthier than the Count and more successful.

However, what he said to him suddenly changed everything. He had no desire for the Wellington wealth but a crown. That was different. Thomas told him about the plan to make his son the new King.

“What is it, Dad?” She was afraid to ask, but she knew that his father would say it anyway. So, she might as well hear about it. She still had a lot of things to do.

She planned to pack and leave the next day. It was a mistake that she came home, realizing it now. Lance did not miss her or grow fonder of her with their distance, and her father still had not changed.

“He suggested that you should marry Lance.” His father stated as if that was the best news he had received. Excitement was written all over his face.

“When the Count saw you, he instantly knew you were the perfect wife for his son.” He continued, not caring about the shocked expression on her face. “I think this is what you always wanted.”

He stared at his daughter, watching her reaction. He knew that would change her mind about leaving again. He heard earlier from her maid that she planned to fly back tomorrow to where she came from, wherever she had been.

“What?” Amelia finally found her voice, recovering from her surprise. Marriage to Lance. She repeated in her head as if she had heard her father wrong.

She could not believe what his father was saying. She did not expect that his father would do such thing as to arrange her life in such a manner.

She always tried to be a good daughter to him even after her mother died. She had stretched her patience to understand him. But this was insane.

“You heard me. I agreed with Thomas. I think you should follow your heart and marry the man you love.” Leonard said to his child, giving her the blessing he believed she deserved.

He believed that finally, he would be doing her daughter a favor. At the same time, he would be gaining something that he wanted. It was a win-win situation for the two of them.

“What are you talking about?” She was confused with his father. How did he know about her feelings for Lance?

But it did not matter since the man she loved did not love her back. So, how could she marry him? It was like a shotgun wedding where she was forcing a man to marry her just because she loved him.

She knew Lance would do it. He was a good son and always had been obedient to his parents. But could she sacrifice his happiness for hers?

“I know all about your secret. But that is not what is relevant.” His father said as he sipped on his coffee. “You will marry Lance, and he will marry you because it is the right thing to do.”

He would not let anything stand against this union, not even his daughter. It was time that she grew up and took responsibility for her life. She could not keep running away from her destiny.

“I will not allow you to force me into this marriage. I am not a child, and this is not the medieval times where you have a say in my life.” She answered her father with a tone slightly pitchy and loud. She found the entire idea ridiculous and outrageous.

“Why are you so against this?” His father was slightly curious. He believed that she would be thrilled by the idea.

He watched her daughter turn away from him, but he saw the hurt in her eyes. He believed that there was more to this than she was telling him.

“Because Lance doesn’t love me.” She said with tears dropping in her eyes. “He will probably agree to this marriage, and then he will hate me for it.”

She could already see what would happen when this marriage pushed through. She might be happy because she would be marrying the man of her dreams.

However, her future husband would be furious at her for trapping him in this marriage. It would become a marriage of convenience where neither one would be happy.

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