Husband With Benefits

"What’s the hold-up with signing the agreement? Wasn’t everything supposed to be finalized today?" Dora asked, her voice sharp with impatience as her eyes narrowed at the minister, who sat across from her, his face creased with frustration.

The minister sighed heavily, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "They refused," he muttered, as if still in disbelief. "We were all there, prepared to sign, and their minister flat-out rejected it at the last minute. Said they were getting a more lucrative offer from another party."

Dora’s eyebrow arched sharply, her tone now cutting as she leaned forward. "Did they conveniently forget that this agreement is part of the tripartite deal between Estania, Petrovia, and the William Sterling Foundation? Or do they think they can just walk away from an international commitment because someone else is waving a fatter check in front of them. Or do they think because Cai has started the work already, he won’t care?"

The minister shrugged his shoulders and said," The minister claims that since it was only a verbal discussion between Prince Rafael, you and Dr Frost, Petrovia is not bound to honour it as nothing was done officially. Your highness, I think you need to talk to Prince Rafael. This is the biggest project that you’ve undertaken and so close to your coronation. If people suffer losses at this time, then all the work you’ve done in the past will be besmirched."

Dora sighed. What could be the reason for this? Well, it was indeed better to talk things out or it would be a disaster... Shaking her head, she called her assistant,"Tasha, arrange a meeting with Prince Rafael. Let him know it is urgent and that he try to respond at the soonest."

A few minutes later, Tasha returned with a troubled expression," Prince Rafael is not on the mainland. He has gone to visit one of the smaller islands off the coast and is expected to return next week. The assistant said that he can arrange us going there if it is urgent. A video conference is also not possible because the network reception there is not good apparently."

"Alright, let them know we want to meet him tonight. And arrange to leave now."

As Tasha hurried away to make the arrangements, the minister could not help but continue to whine," Your Highness, you have to secure this or it might have more than a political effect. Many of our manufacturers have already taken loans to be able to increase their manufacturing and meet the demand that was supposed to rise with this. And if this does not go through, we will have high ration of products with no where to sell them."

Dora nodded, " You need not worry about that, minister. I’ll handle everything. Just keep this information to yourself for now. It shouldn’t spread out. We do not want unnecessary speculations to do more harm. Am I clear?"

"Of course, ma’am. It was a good thing that we had not yet announced the signing of the trade agreement or else things would have been a bigger mess. I’ll take you leave now, then. Goodbye, your highness."

As the minister hurried away, Dora could not help but shake her head. What could Rafael mean by backing out at a time like this? And then deliberately being away and having them chase there...what kind of a game was he playing?

For a moment, she was tempted to ask Kael but then shook her head. There was no need to involve him in this. At least not yet. But they would need to cancel their date tonight...