The Royal Contract

So far, after years of working with this man, he had yet to disappoint him. However, he was sad to know that the man would retire soon. It would be hard to find someone to replace him. He was excellent in his job.

“Sir.” A knock on his door alerted him that his guest had arrived. He could not contain his excitement about his news.

Though what he had asked him to do had no relation to him or his family at the moment. He did not doubt that it might come in handy in the future when the time was right.

Facts, details, and knowledge, small or large, significant or not, would always be relevant when used at the proper time and place. They might seem worthless information, but if used correctly, they could become invaluable.

“Do you have any news for me?” He immediately asked, quickly closing the folders piling up before him.

He could always work on those, but what he carried with him could not wait. Information like this was always vital in the Kingdom. It might not seem much now. But it would reveal its real value when the time comes.

.....

He offered a seat before his desk, but the man refused it as he walked closer to his desk to hand over the file in his hand. He seemed to be in a hurry to share his findings.

One thing he liked about him, he worked hard to get the information he needed. But he discreetly worked so nobody would guess that he was investigating something. And he rarely asked questions.

“Yes, Sir. I have.” His investigator answered as he continued to proceed toward him, pushing the folder on the wooden surface of his desk.

The Count finally dropped the pen he held after signing a few documents earlier. Then, he grabbed the folder and opened it to check its content.

“I hope this is good news.” He uttered, wearing a wide grin on his lips.

He did not doubt that it would contain valuable information judging from the confident smile on his man’s face that said he had done an outstanding job.

The file consisted of a written detailed report, pictures, and some pertinent documents related to this investigation. It was beyond what the Count had asked his visitor to do. But the Count realized that it was still not enough.

“I assure you that I did what you asked me to do. And I hope what I gathered will be to your satisfaction.” His man waited until he had seen everything. “If there is nothing else, then I will be going.”

The investigator prepped to leave, seeing him close the file. He was not the kind of man who sat, bragged, and talked about his job. He was a man of action. Once he took a job, he never stopped to rest until he had acquired results.

“Not yet. I also want you to check someone else for me.” The Count did not dismiss him yet.

He leaned on his chair and thought about what was missing in his file. He wanted everything investigated. All involved in this situation, everything associated with this scenario.

Because if he had a full grasp of the truth, it would be easier to manipulate the past and the present for a better future. Not all things had to end in misery and hardship.

The Count believed some things were worth saving to create a better future. At least for the next generation.

“Ok, just give me a list.” The man stated, with curiosity written all over his face. But he waited patiently for his announcement. Still, he refused to sit down, standing like a soldier before his table.

He handed him a folded note that had his instructions. It had several names and a few details of what he wanted him to accomplish. The rest would be up to him and whatever he could unearth about them.

The man took it, read it, and kept the note in his pocket. He bowed his head in understanding and left the room, already knowing what he had to do.

Now, he was once again left alone with his thoughts, wondering what he should do with all this information.

“Come in, Wesley.” He called his assistant, who he noticed was spying outside his doors. “I know you are dying to know what I have in my hands.”

If he did not trust this man with his life, he would never trust him with this information. But he was thankful that this man ended up working for him. He was an invaluable asset in his household, office, and most especially in his life.

“Sir, would you mind if I look at it,” Wesley asked, pointing to the file before him.

Currently, the Count was reading a report about Evan and Amelia. It appeared that the two had something going on. If that was the case, Amelia was now out of the list.

It was a shame.

He believed Amelia would have been a perfect Queen for Lance. But destiny had his plans, so he never would like to question it. Someday, he might need fate to be on his side.

“Go on,” The Count encouraged him, knowing he would need an extra brain to talk about his plans. It was better to brainstorm an idea than to think about it by himself.

Although he had a team of experts to work with him, there were delicate matters he would not prefer to share immediately. He had to handle some issues more delicately than some for the better good.

“Now, what do you think?” He asked Wesley as he closed the file after skimming through it.

One of his job as the Count of this Kingdom was to handle the succession of the crown. He was in charge of who would sit next on that throne. His obligation was to enforce their laws about who was the rightful heir.

But who said that the laws should remain the same.

For centuries, he had found evidence backing him up about how their ancestors bent the rules to satisfy their whims. Or some changed it to cope with the changes in time.

He believed he could also do the same. As the keeper of their law of this Kingdom, no one would contest what he would say. But he was not a man who would abuse his power. He only wanted to affect change that he believed would benefit the people and their entire Kingdom.

“It said there that the child is a girl?” Wesley asked him, handing him back the files on his desk. “She could never become King.” His assistant looked at him funnily, confused when he smiled. “You know a woman never ruled any land.” He reminded him.

True. That was the law.

He took the file and walked into a secret vault, where he locked the folder for safekeeping. Those files should never land in the wrong hands. To some, it might be nothing but those who would understand its value. It was a priceless living treasure.