Husband With Benefits

"Royal Family! You are the fake Royal family! The mighty Sterlings! Have you forgotten that your father was the younger son? That he had no right to the throne? Estania has always passed the rule to the older in the family, regardless of it being younger or older. The Banfi family opened their treasures to help you the so-called ’Royal’ family to bring the country out of the drudges! And in return, we only received fake promises from you! You are not even worthy of being a commoner!"

Alexander Sterling’s eyes blazed with defiance as he stared back at Alpin Banfi. "Your twisted sense of entitlement blinds you, Banfi. The throne was never promised to your father. The Sterling family has a legacy that stretches back generations, and Estania’s people have chosen their leaders based on merit, not on some false promises made in the shadows. You talk as if you suffered losses when the truth is something else. The money was not a charity but given as a loan, the interest of which you have never failed to collect and the profits which you have received over the years while having to do nothing but twiddle your thumbs!"

Alpin Banfi scoffed," You think The Banfi family could not have earned profits in any other way? We were already rich, Sterling! The only reason everything was agreed upon was that the Banfi family could receive the esteem of becoming royals! But they only received deception from you instead of honor! So, all I am doing is taking it back. What a Sterling daughter could not do back then, will do today! Your grandfather was willing to watch his daughter suffer in the name of protecting the country, are you going to do the same?"

"You will not harm my daughter! I swear to the heavens, if even a lock of her hair is harmed, I will..."

"You will do nothing because you will never find her! Sign those papers Sterling and get out of here. I have already been magnanimous by not killing you here and now!"

The room crackled with tension as the two men locked eyes, each standing firm in their beliefs. Alexander took a deep breath, trying to find a solution that didn’t involve sacrificing his principles or his family.

"There has to be another way, Alpin, without ruining everything! All these crimes, help me put the real culprit behind the bars and we can do..."

"The real culprit? You fool! I am the real culprit. I have done everything here but you are going to take the blame and I will rule with a spotless record." Alpin Banfi’s laughter echoed through the dimly lit room as he continued, "Your sentimentality is your greatest weakness, Sterling. You’ve always been a fool, and now you’re paying the price. The throne belongs to me, and I’ll use whatever means necessary to take it back."

"Now, make it quick! I do not have all day! The palace is waiting for me!"

Alexander picked up the pen, ready to sign the papers. The moment they had his little Dora, they’d already won and he’d lost. Closing his eyes, he sent a silent apology to his father for failing his duty, and signed his name on the papers.

Banfi laughed and applauded him for making a right choice as he said," Well done! Go now. Your daughter will be sent to you soon! I will give you two hours to leave Estania and take what you can. After that, the news of your misdeeds will be announced to the world and the council will hold an urgent meeting. Go! Go."

With a gesture of his hand, he ordered the two men to grab the papers but before the men could take them, Alexander caught them close to his chest," No! I will not give you these papers until you give Dora to me."