"Found anything?"
Sally shook her head to Lauren. They had spent their whole morning in the palace library to find anything about ancient mirrors but they hadn't found a single book. Lauren was curious about what power those relics held.
She wasn't sure why she was so hellbent on finding any information about it. Perhaps, she was hoping to see her mother one more time. It seemed crazy to hope to see someone who was long dead, but she still wanted to try regardless.
However, with the current situation, it seemed like there was no way to learn about ancient mirrors. She could try to ask some librarians in the town but she didn't have time at the moment.
The royal carriage stopped in front of the Everston estate. Lauren was assisted by the footman as she went out. She didn't actually plan to meet Alec but the King instructed her to send some important papers to the lord.
She couldn't refuse. After all, why would a woman refuse to see her husband-to-be? Well, that could happen in a pragmatic marriage, but in her case, they were supposed to be in love.
It was the second time Lauren stepped foot in Everston estate and she realized she didn't have the chance to look around the first time she went there. It was during midnight and she was in a hurry.
This time, she had the chance to look around.
The entire place looked sullen and was rather ominous. The guards were soldiers which wasn't surprising. There was a huge fountain on the way to the manor but there was no single flower that could be seen around. The garden had plants but all of them were shades of green.
There was no problem with the manor though. It was castle-like and even had its tower. The interiors were also pleasing to the eyes and everything seemed to be properly maintained.
Unlike the first time she went there, she was immediately welcomed by the butler.
"Our master is in the study room, Your Highness. I have sent a maid to inform him about your presence. He instructed me to send you there."
The study room was in the west wing of the manor and while walking, Lauren noticed the paintings hung on the walls, but there was no single portrait of the Everston family.
Perhaps Alec didn't want any face hanging in his home? After all, he seemed to be a narcissist.
The butler left when Lauren entered the room. Her gaze stopped at Alec who was reading some papers on his desk.
Alec pushed the gold-rimmed glasses to the bridge of his nose before lifting his head. The glance was quick. He immediately went back to whatever he was reading.
"What brought you here?" His tone was cold.
"Because I missed you?"
This time he looked at her longer. His eyes narrowed suspiciously as if she was up for something crazy. She smirked and went to his table.
"Here," she put down the envelope with the royal seal. "Father wants to give you this. And since we would meet, I thought I might as well give you this," she laid another envelope.
Alec picked the latter first. "And what is this?"
"A written agreement between us. A contract."
He opened the envelope and as he gave it a look, she spoke.
"I drafted it myself. It only states the whole ordeal. The rules are yet to be included. Perhaps we can decide about it now. The rules should be heard and approved by the other party. You can delay whatever you are doing for a bit, can't you?"
"I already gave you my first rule but it's not here."
"Oh," it was only then it occurred to Lauren that she forgot about it. "Well, you can write it now."
He kept looking into the paper until she noticed how his eyes narrowed at a particular line.
"Party A will end the marriage with Party B as soon as her plans are fulfilled. What does this mean?"
"Of course, this is like any other contract. It has its end. I promise to end our marriage once I have fulfilled my plans. By then, you are already the King and won't need me anymore. It will take months, a year at most. Won't that be too long for you?"
Lauren had thought about this thoroughly. There was no way a man like Alec would settle in such a situation for too long. And on her side, she didn't find the title of a married woman appealing enough so she would most likely want to get rid of the marriage as soon as possible.
"And here I thought you are doing all of these for the crown," Alec said like he just unlocked another mystery about her. "Are you saying you don't want to keep the Queen's throne for yourself, Your Highness?"
"I don't."
Alec dropped his pen and leaned back on his chair, eyeing her with such prying eyes. He stared at her deeply for a moment.
"Are you wondering how my mind works, my lord?" Lauren's lips curved in a playful smile. She found it amusing when people found it hard to read her.
"Yes. I just realized you are more complicated than I imagined."
"You better not inquire about it, though. For the sake of privacy, let's not obligate ourselves to tell each other personal things. I will not care what you do as long as you keep your end of the bargain. You also won't force me to give you information to satisfy your curiosity," Lauren said in a serious tone. "How does it sound to you?"
Alec's expression remained cold. "Sounds fair enough."
Lauren took the seat in front of his desk and grabbed the paper and pen. While writing, she spoke, "Your turn. What rule do you want to add?"
"For the whole contract duration, I want you to provide me blood anytime I want."
Lauren shot him a complaining look. "Anytime you want? I am just a normal mage, Lord Everston. Losing blood every now and then will kill me."