Jewelry Box

Ch. 6 The Contract

Victoria

I stood at the entrance of the mansion as I patiently waited for Alexander’s arrival. It was Friday, and the day he would meet up with my father about the contract.

I still couldn’t believe this was happening, but I understood why my father was doing it. It was his way of protecting me. Though doing that meant Alexander would need to be loyal to my family, especially my father.

The whining of a horse had me looking up. It was Alexander’s carriage. Fixing my dress, I force a smile as they approach us.

The coachman opened the door as Alexander fixed his gloves while getting down from the carriage. I beamed at him with a smile, which he nicely returned.

“Victoria,” Alexander smiled, grasping my hands and kissing them.

“Hi,” I whispered. His warm lips grazed my skin, sending a shiver down my back. “Are you ready?” I asked, clearing my throat.

“Yes,” Alexander answered and let go of my hand. “Shall we go?”

I nodded and guided him inside. Alexander’s eyes didn’t leave my back. I could feel him studying me, and it was not very pleasant. What was on his mind, I didn’t know, but from the looks, he seemed more curious about me than my home.

Slowing my steps, I walked next to him. Alexander raised a questioning eyebrow.

“Why do you keep glancing at me?” I asked.

“I’m not,” Alexander stated, walking by my side. I threw him a pointed look, but he just kept staring in the front. As we reached my father’s office, the guards knocked twice.

“Welcome,” my father said, standing from his seat. I smiled back and let Alexander take over.

“Duke, it’s a pleasure seeing you again,” Alexander said, shaking his hand firmly. I stood behind, watching their interaction.

My father looked behind Alexander and offered me his hand, which I gladly took. Hugging me, my father smiled at Alexander. I raised an eyebrow, looking at his jealous face.

It seemed he wasn’t planning to make this easy for Alexander at all. And although I thought it was a good idea, I wanted this to work for us. At least for now.

“Let’s take a seat,” I suggested, and dragged my father away from Alexander’s gaze.

“I will go to the point,” my father said as he called his assistant over. I frowned as he left the room so suddenly. “Duke Graham, like I mentioned last time. I don’t want my daughter to be with you, but,” he said, looking my way. “That’s what Victoria wishes for, so I won’t stop her.”

I looked at my father and Alexander. The room felt suffocating as both men stared at each other. It was like watching a lion and panther about to lash at each other.

In queue, the double doors to the office opened, and in walked my father’s assistant, but with an unexpected guest.

“Father?” I questioned him as the priest made his way towards us. I stood from my seat, baffled by his audacity. “What’s the meaning of this?”

“Calm down, Victoria,” my father said, raising his hand. “I called him so he could be a witness to the signed contract and oath.” This time my father was glaring at Alexander, who remained unbothered by all this.

“I won’t let this be a simple contract,” my father continued. “I will include the oath which means Duke Graham will pledge loyalty to us.”

I balled my hands to my side. Was he being serious?

“Fine then,” was Alexander’s answer. I snapped my head his way.

“Alexander,” I hailed, trying to prevent this, but he completely ignored me.

My father smirked in satisfaction and called his assistant once again.

I watched as they displayed the contract on the table. The yellow parchment glowed with tiny bits of magic. It was a unique contract and one not everyone could have, since it was hard to get your hands on. But in my family’s home, they were abundant.

Feeling overwhelmed by everything, I tried to intervene.

“Father, wait,” I said, grasping his arm. “If you’re forcing him, I won’t accept this.”

“Am I forcing you, duke?” my father asked, looking at Alexander, who spared me an emotionless face.

I clenched with hopes he would say yes. If he said yes, I would leave this place, even if my father would be against it.

“No, he isn’t,” Alexander responded, making me look at him in shock. “It’s all right, Victoria.”

I wanted to protest, but he shook his head again, denying me. Then, looking away, I let them walk over to the table where the contract was.

I stared down at the parchment. It was the same as the first time I learned of it. A blood contract that would force the contractor to be loyal to them. And having a priest here meant everyone in the empire would know the oath that the person accepted.

“Should we start, gentleman?” the priest said, smiling. Both my father and Alexander nodded.

I started biting on my nails as Alexander cut the palm of his hand. Blood dripped down his finger before he signed the contract with it. After he did it, they handed the parchment to the priest, who happily accepted it.

Alexander kneeled and bowed his head. Then he started repeating the words the priest was saying. As he continued taking his oath, the parchment started glowing strongly.

I was confused, as the light was becoming blinding and bothersome. Then, as I took a step back, a chain appeared, making everyone, including my father, gasp in surprise.

The chain binds Alexander as a dog to the contract. The long-chain wrapped itself around his neck, forcing him to lower his head to us.

I looked at Alexander, who seemed surprised as well. Then, feeling sick of my stomach, I paced the room. This was too much. I had my goal, and I needed him for sure, but it felt like I was forcing him.

“Stop!” I said and moved in front to block Alexander. As I stepped to the front, the same chain wrapped around me, yanking me down and bounding us together.

I winced as the chain tightened around my neck. What was happening now?

My father tried to intervene, but the priest stopped him. Could someone tell me what is happening to us now? Why was I getting chained as well?

Then I felt it. A gasp left my trembling lips as my body suddenly weakened. All the strength I had disappeared, making everyone in the room worried.

“Victoria!” Alexander shouted. His muscular arms were holding me in place while I forced myself not to fall to the ground. “When will this disappear?” Alexander growled at the priest, who seemed both confused and delighted.

“When the contract is completed, the light will disappear,” the priest said, and as expected, the contract got completed, and the light faded, making everything return to normal.

I let out a breath and allowed Alexander to hold me in his arms. I was breathless and with no strength.

“Victoria,” my father ushered, moving towards me. “Why did you do that?”

“I had to,” I said breathlessly. In all honesty, I wasn’t expecting something so troublesome to happen.

My father seemed troubled, but before he could say another word, Alexander lifted me in his arms.

“Huh? Alexander?” I said, wrapping my arms around his neck. Surprised.

“Excuse us for a second,” Alexander responded in a clipped tone. We walked for a while before he asked the servant for a guest room. I could feel how tense he was, but why was he acting like that?

A maid lets us into a room, then he kicks the door and moves us to the enormous canopy bed. Alexander sat me down and kneeled. Then, removing his gloves, his cold hands flew to my neck where the chain was wrapped a while ago. He examined the area, searching for any bruises.

“W-what are you doing?” I questioned him, confused.

“You? Why did you do that, Victoria?” Alexander raised his blue eyes and stared straight into mine. My breath caught as I looked down at him. “You know how dangerous that was?”

“Nothing happened,” I muttered, but Alexander groaned and stood. His hand was ruffling his brown hair while he paced the room.

“You don’t get it, do you?” Alexander mumbled. His face contorted with emotions. I didn’t understand where it was coming from. “I’m bound to you.”

I blinked twice as his words sank into my mind.

“Excuse me?” I said, tilting my head.

“We are bound. You’re my contractor, not your father,” Alexander pointed out. “You…” He seemed angry.

“Wait!” I said, standing. “I’m your contractor? So then that means we made a contract with ourselves?”

“Yes, so my loyalty is with you. The oath is for you, not your family, unless you become head of the dukedom,” Alexander explained.

My mouth hung as I chuckled nervously. This must have been some mistake.

Realizing that everything a while ago seemed confusing, it wouldn’t be surprising if I headed back and heard the same words from both the priest and my father’s lips.

“But don’t worry,” Alexander whispered while rubbing his chin. “You will be head of the family, anyway.”

I slapped my face and instead stormed out of the room. I needed to know what happened, and I needed to hear it from the priest, not Alexander, who seemed worried right that moment.