The Royal Contract

Chapter 906: No God

He ran out of his room as soon as he finished his first project for the day. His teacher had asked him to draw his family picture, but before submitting it later, he wished to show it to one of his favorite people.

Even though she was the newest member of his family, his baby sister was now among the top two most significant people in his life. Of course, his Grandpapa was still the first because he loved him. Moreover, he was a great, loving grandfather who was always at his side.

“Althea, look at what I did for you.” Liam ran into her room, putting the picture he drew in front of his baby sister. “You see this. It is you and me. And, of course, Grandpapa.”

He pointed to the stick people he had scribbled on the paper as they stood in the garden. At least what he thought was the replicate of their backyard. Anyway, he was not Picasso, but it was his best work.

“What do we have here?” He heard a voice speak behind him. Quickly, he glanced at his back, recognizing his grandfather’s voice as he followed him into the nursery room. Googlᴇ search NoᴠelFɪre.net

Liam saw his sister move her lips in what he thought was a smile and quickly showed his work to his grandfather, proud of what he had accomplished. “You see, even Althea loves it.”

His grandfather took the picture from his hand and carefully scrutinized it. It was not a masterpiece, but he loved how his grandson had valued his sister and him to consider putting them in the picture.

.....

Nevertheless, it depicted how his grandson had been growing up without a father and a mother in the picture. At least literally. His son was an alcoholic with a gambling problem that would not be bothered to think about his kids.

Then, his daughter-in-law was a socialite who only valued what society thought of her. It was sad enough that his grandson had to grow up with them as his parents, but to bring another innocent child into this kind of world was just cruel. But he had no more choice.

“I love it, and I am sure your sister also does.” All Count Julius could do now was do his best to act as the parent of his grandkids.

It was not what he would like for them, but he could not abandon them in the hands of two incompetent parents who were both selfish and could only think of themselves.

Besides, this was his chance to correct his mistake in raising his son. It was his do ever. And this time, he would do his best not to make the same errors he made in raising his son.

“Goodbye, Grandpapa. I don’t want to be late for class.” Liam kissed Althea on her chubby cheeks, then turned to his grandfather, doing the same thing. Afterward, he took the picture and rushed out of the room.

“Do great in school.” Julius reminded his grandson as he disappeared out of his sight. Then, he picked up his grandchild from her cradle and held her in his arms.

She was getting heavier, but the doctor said it was because of the formula and medications she took. It would have been better if her mother would breastfeed her, but his daughter-in-law would not be bothered to hold her in her arms, much less pick a breast pump to feed her daughter.

He had to hire a nanny to care for his granddaughter all day and night because her mother was busy with her social calendar and partying all night.

Whoever said that being born into a wealthy family had an assurance of good fortune was lying. Truthfully, in his opinion, he believed that most of them were the unluckiest ones in the world. But that was still debatable to most.

But her princess would not have a terrible fate. Not if he could help it. “I will try my best to give you and your brother a good future.” He whispered to the little angel in his arm.

“Sir, I hope you don’t mind, but it is time for Althea’s bath.” The nanny walked toward him and took the child from his hand.

“I am sorry, Sir, but you have a meeting in fifteen minutes.” Wesley caught his attention as he watched his granddaughter being whisked away by the nanny.

“I will be right over.” He answered his assistant, a newly hired, eager-to-please, enthusiastic young man.

The Count’s old assistant had finally tendered his resignation after working for him for years. He was one of his most trusted men, but he wished to rest and enjoy the rest of his life with his wife. Then, his old assistant recommended that his son take his place as his replacement.

Wesley seemed trustworthy, seeing the young man grow up under his watchful eyes. So, he was giving him a shot as his new assistant, testing what he could do for him.

He walked towards his office, passing by a large portrait on the way. It was of his late wife. If only she did not die young, she would have been a good mother. His son probably did not end up in this situation.

However, he might not also end up with Liam as his grandson. One of the few things that he would not exchange for anything else. Even the chance to go back to the past to change things for him.

“You would have loved and adored our grandchildren. Liam is so full of life, and Althea gives me hope.” He whispered to the image of his wife, missing her until now.

A few minutes later, he marched into his next meeting. He was now facing in his office the future King of their Kingdom. He had no appointment with him today, but it did not matter.

“Prince Lance, what can I do for you?” He was not yet King, but he would soon be. Therefore, he had to tread lightly around him.

He had known the Prince since he was born. Still, he felt that many things could change a man. Traumatic experience, pain, anger, and even time could alter the views of anyone.

The Prince was no different. He might soon become King, but he was no God. He was just human like everyone else.