Signature

Sitting in my father's sitting room... Is normal. I'm used to it. The nerves that are traveling me are definitely because of what I am expecting. Father has easy access to all the court created documents. I have a lot of access, but not all. Not because Father questions me, but because I'm still being protected. Still. And it feels as if that'll be always if my parents are alive.

I glance to William. Seems as if I'll be protected even if my parents did leave me. William has no plans not to do similar. He has my trust for many reasons, but he also places my life as more important any anything else. It's more than just a friend or just being a noble or a citizen. He truly believes in me as future king.

With his belief as well as several others... I can do this.

And I know why the royals get contracts made. Just like the nobles typically do. Is it always followed? No. But rarely is it completely dismissed. If I find another queen before Jessica gains the title, she'll have a easy time gaining a high ranking position. Or she'll be killed. Depends on the situation.

There are too many lives under my control. I can't even control my own life. Why do I have control of others? "Father?"

"Hm?" He looks up from his tea. "Are you upset I am taking careful considerations of where William can train his teleportation? I do believe he needs to work on it further. We have no idea-"

"I do understand that. As does William. Or he would have refused the idea up front. But the mission with the balls come first. Did you...?" Create the contract giving my mother and Odin the allowance for a relationship. I can't say it though. The words aren't coming out.

"The contract you requested." He pulls out my marriage contract and places it before me.

I'm drawn by Jessica's signature. It is sitting right there. With the date being the day of the exam. As long as she passed, the signature would count. I'm glad she didn't fail on purpose so the signature would be meaningless.

"So glad you understand what that is."

I watch him. "I will not sign until I see the other one."

"You don't care to protect your future queen?" Father asks.

I stare at her signature again. Once I sign this, our marriage is basically set. Even if nothing is truly set until we have a full wedding in a few years. In court, she'd be crown princess. What am I doing to her?

"You mean this contract." He places the new one before me. His signature is missing. The allowance for Mom and Odin to have a romantic and sexual relationship. To be in love however they want without facing any means of concern between the queen and king. They'll look married in name this way. If... Will Mom? "Did I write it the way you wished?"

I review the simple document. It is not that uncommon. Instead of divorce they suggest this as an option. Allowance for a relationship with whoever is drawing them out of the marriage. "Mom said she wouldn't divorce you."

"Glad for that. It does help to have her as my queen."

I slide the contract back over to my father. "Do you think the allowance would make Mom do anything?"

Father doesn't say anything. He just pulls his pen out to write his name across the bottom. It will need the signature of the other two people to fully be accepted. But I also know he can't retract his signature.

Odin and Mom will sign. It will stop the possible issues around Mom's assassination attempts. It's guaranteed to be treason now.

I accept the offered pen from my father. "I... I never said I would deny this contract, Father. Not unless I found someone to fall in love with like you did." I'd worry about that even more, though. The only love that is safe is the true love. And that spell doesn't work on me. Even the finding curse doesn't work on whoever is my true love. That's why they think Jessica is it.

My signature burns into the document just as the rest have. Because I was legally able to sign. I gulp realizing every needed signature is sitting there. I push the contract away from me hating it. In court, she'd be...

Wedding or not. Love or not. Relationship or not.

"You do know and trust Jessica, Thomas." William says as I hide my head in my knees. "Don't act like this is the worst option."

"That isn't his issue." Father stands up taking both contracts. "I need to send a copy to Odin."

"Of... Both?" I shiver.

Father grins. "And a letter explaining things. Did you eat enough?"

I don't think I could eat any more than I have at this point. The ball will have plenty as well. I won't have to worry about food. "Yes. I... I'm going to... See you later, Father."

"I look forward to that, Thomas."

I leave the area with William trailing behind me. I spot an open window and just leave.

William leans out the window watching me climb the side of the castle. "I'm going to your wing. I'll pull you once you've calmed down."

"Yeah." I whisper to the wall while climbing further. I land on the roof and just sit there staring at the early day. "Am I making the right decision?" I ask the sky as if it can give answers.

But that's not how anyone gains answers. The sky doesn't speak. It only exists to be spoken to. And I'm afraid of the direction my thought will go in if I allow it to just go. "I should get back to my rooms."

Before I can even begin my climb down, I am sitting on my bed in my room. William grins at me. "Welcome back, Your Highness."

I glare at him. "I'm Thomas before everything else."

"Yeah, I know. Ready to act like the prince for a bit?"

I look to see Butch isn't here. Not that we have to worry too much. William would have no issues getting him. The ball won't even start for a while. "Can we hold off on things a moment? Let Butch arrive properly?"

"Alright. I'm here if you want to talk." William sits down at my desk. "Or maybe practicing sign language would suit our time better."

"Yes." A good distraction. I need to learn it. It'll take my mind away from these thoughts. I need this type of distraction.