The Royal Contract

Chapter 907: Moral dilemma

The Count stared at the Prince, wondering what he was doing in his office this early morning. He had no record in his schedule that he had an appointment set with the young man, but it did not matter. He still had to make time for the future King.

“There are things that I wish to discuss with you, Count Julius.” Prince Lance settled himself on his available chair and unbuttoned his coat as if he was not going anywhere soon.

On the other hand, he occupied the other seat next to him to make the meeting a bit informal. He could sense that the Prince was here not for official business but a bit personal.

“We have the Council Meeting by next week. We can discuss your concerns by then.” He offered, testing the waters if his theory had a basis. But the way his face reacted, he knew he had the right idea.

It would be the first time he would be alone with the Prince since the accident, so he was curious about the purpose of his visit. Although he also wanted to talk to him about a subject matter, he was in no hurry since he could still wait for the right timing.

“I think I have some clarifications that might not need the entire panel to answer. I would rather discuss it privately if that is fine with you.” The Prince asked him, looking calm and relaxed in his seat.

“Of course, I am open to all your concern. Could you give me a second?” He called his secretary to serve them some tea and to move his next meeting to a later time.

.....

“Thanks for squeezing me into your busy schedule.” The Prince began, “But let me try to be quick. I don’t waste much of your time.”

As the future King, he had a few matters he wanted answers to before he sat on the throne. For one, the subject of producing an heir. He wanted to know his options.

Their tradition stated that he had to produce an heir. What if he did not wish to consummate his marriage with Camille? What were the repercussions? Who would be the next in line if he had not had children?

“I will try to illuminate all your questions and doubts to the best of my ability.” As the head of the committee handling all the succession, he was the best expert who could explain to the future King any of his concerns.

They had discussed first the lineage of succession, explaining why Edward was the first choice, down to Alex, before they had to consider another royal family.

“Therefore, if I have no successor, you will have to consider one from the previous King’s line as the new King.” Lance had to make sure that he understood his situation.

He might be protecting the Kingdom from its downfall, but what about its future? He did not want his sacrifice to go down the drain if the Kingdom would only fall to a man who did not deserve the title.

“Yes, we will base everything on the line of succession

But basically, only male children had a right to succeed on the throne. No daughters had ever been considered to heir the crown. At least in their history, nobody had dared to contest their tradition.

“Yes, if you would fail to produce a son during your reign, then we would resort to other means.” Count Julius answered him in his most honest opinion, basing it on their current laws.

The Count could somehow guess what the young Prince must be thinking about, having privy of his secrets. He could not blame him for not wanting a child in a loveless marriage.

He could already site an example in his own family. He would admit that he was partially to blame since he had forced his son to marry his daughter-in-law out of obligation. Now, their kids were the ones suffering because of this arrangement.

“What about if I decide to have children, but unfortunately, they turned out to be all girls? What then?” Lance would like to explore all possibilities.

He was not a monster or an opportunist when he accepted the position of King. He did not intentionally wish to hurt his future wife by marrying her even if he knew he could not love her.

However, he had to safeguard the Kingdom from those that could harm it. He would do what he could to protect it, even if he had to use other people to accomplish it. He did have his intention. He only wanted to preserve their Kingdom for the future generation.

“As we all know from the beginning of time, we had to consider the firstborn son as the rightful heir. Then, the succeeding male lineage afterward.” Count Julius informed him.

It was a custom that he felt had been outdated with the changes in time. In his opinion, he would like to revise some provisions in many of their laws and tradition.

One of them was to give more rights to the female born and update their methodology in the selection process of who should have a right to their highest position.

“But no daughter had ever sat or even considered to sit on the throne as far as history was concerned or our current laws.” Prince Lance finished for him.

He had always found that unfair to the female children of the royal family. They had always been looked down upon because of their sexual orientation. But in his opinion, they should have an equal voice inside the Council and a chance to rule their land.

“Yes, sadly, that is true.” The Count acknowledged the Prince’s summation of their current situation.

He would like to suggest a change, but it would be better if he took it easy. A drastic change in their constitution might be welcome by the King, but many conservative members might see it as a hostile act.

It was better if he proceeded with his plans cautiously until he could proceed with the change with the blessing of the King and most of their members.

“That was sad indeed.” The Prince seemed to be in deep thought as he stood up and prepared to leave. “I hope we can have this kind of talk again sometime. But I am sorry that I have to go.”

The Count could tell that the young soon-to-be King still had many questions in mind. But they could always continue this conversation some other time.

“Of course, my doors are always open to you, Prince Lance.” He walked the Prince outside his office, unable to take his eyes away from his face.

Suddenly, his thought brought him back to the picture of an adorable baby girl. It was like he was looking at two identical features. Should he tell the Prince about his child? But that would surely ruin everything.

First of all, the wedding was already underway. Second, the crowning ceremony was in motion. Telling the Prince about his daughter would no doubt delay the proceeding.

But worse, the Council would deem Prince Lance disqualified from the running to be King. In turn, the Council would either pick the disgraced first Prince as their new King or choose from the other losers who were next in line.

Which would be the lesser evil in this scenario? Once again, he faced a moral dilemma.

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