Page 20 of How Not to Marry a Prince

"It's a sound contract," Lipovsky's lawyer said, a slight hint of reprimand in his tone. "Everything he promised, and indeed all he wants in return is that Sergeant Fosse is named your heir—and remains your heir, not to be removed by any means. Should you renege and dismiss her as your heir, the consequences are severe."

Fierce brows furrowed again, Lipovsky pulled the contract close and read it for himself, leaving the room in a long, heavy silence. The two lawyers seemed to have some silent exchange that was not in Lipovsky's favor, but Amador remained out of it. He was pushing enough as it was—pushing too far, arguably, but no one else had been trying to solve the problems, and he could make a lot of people happier in one move. Happier, more stable, less worried and miserable.

"I can find no flaw," Lipovsky said stiffly, pushing the contract away. "You do indeed seem to want nothing for yourself, Your Highness, though I wonder what is going on in places I cannot see."

"Nothing. You will have to learn that for yourself, though. If you are amenable, then, we shall get to the signing?"

"Witnesses?" Lipovsky's lawyer asked.

Amador motioned to his bodyguards. "If you're willing?"

"As it pleases you, Your Highness."

Lipovsky signed first, then Amador, then the witnesses. The notaries came last, making everything official and final. One copy went to Lipovsky, one to Amador, a third that Amador set aside, and the official papers to his own lawyer to be properly filed.

Amador rose, tucking his copy and the spare into his jacket. "Once I know that you've officially made Vladlena your heir, I will pay the debts, send you proof, and have the additional deposited in your bank of choice. Simply send me the information."

"Yes, Your Highness," Lipovsky said as he stood and bowed. There was the barest hesitation, and then he added gruffly, "Thank you, Your Highness. You've helped me immensely, and spared me having to contend with the vultures of the council. You are astute, and smart, and appear to know tax law better than every clerk I've ever hired."

The lawyers laughed as they shook hands before bowing to Amador. "Indeed, Your Highness. If you ever grow weary of royal life, you'd find a solid career in tax law, which you probably know full well."

"I have heard that one or twice, but my interest in largely academic, which I realize is a luxury. Thank you all for your assistance in this matter, especially considering how quickly I wanted it done."

His lawyer bowed again. "It's been our honor to be of service, Your Highness."

They all filed out of the room, leaving Amador alone with his bodyguards and Soledad.

"That went very well, Your Highness," Soledad said. "You do have a knack for these things."

Amador waved the words aside. "It's not hard to sit around making offers people can't really refuse when you're a royal prince. Thank you for the help, Soledad. I'd be lost without your impeccable skill. I am deeply grateful to you two as well," he added, turning to the bodyguards. Pulling out the spare copy he'd retained, he offered it to the nearest of them. "Would you see that is given to His Majesty's office, so he can peruse at his leisure when he returns?"

"Of course, Your Highness."

"I appreciate it. Now, then, on to the bank to finalize those arrangements." He headed to his room first, to change into suitable clothes for going out, and then they were off into the city.

At the bank, clerks came rushing up to him immediately, escorting him off to a lush office that overlooked the ocean, offering first cocktails and then tea when he refused the alcohol. "Your Highness, it's such an honor to meet you," greeted the official who sat next to him, leaving the remaining two clerks to hover. "We of course got your missive that you would be visiting Portan, but I admit we did not expect the pleasure of properly meeting you."

"I try always to meet those I do any manner of business with," Amador replied. "You will be handling my finances, after all. I should know your faces. I had planned for a less dramatic meeting than this, but I'm grateful for all you've done, and so quickly."

"It's our pleasure, Your Highness. We have readied all the funds, though we're still readying the various individual debts. There's many of them to process, and we want to be absolutely certain all the funds go where they are intended. We will bring you copies of all the paperwork as we gather it. The funds to go to Baron Lipovsky are ready to be transferred. They require only the destination and your final authorization."

Amador nodded. "We should have it soon. I do not anticipate our good baron will dally in taking action. You'll likely have everything outstanding by tomorrow, day after at the latest. How do more mundane matters proceed?"

"Flawlessly, Your Highness. If I might say, it helps immensely that all your paperwork was perfectly in order. That is…less common than one might suspect." The official cleared his throat, then pushed some papers over to Amador. "The receipts are here, and copies of our records as requested. Some of the funds will not reach their final destinations for a few more days, but we do not anticipate trouble. There is always a risk of highway robbers, but we pay well for protection."

"I appreciate it. Everything looks in order to me," Amador said, and signed off on the papers after reading them.

As they rose, the official asked, "Is there anything else I can do for you today, Highness?"

"I'd like to withdraw some funds for shopping and general use. Say ten thousand? Half to remain with me, the rest to be sent on to my rooms in the palace."

"Of course, Your Highness." The official snapped his fingers at the hovering clerks, and in short order Amador had his funds.

The official walked him through the bank and to the door, where he hesitated. "If you will pardon me a moment of personal comment, Your Highness…?"

Amador blinked. "Yes, by all means."

"I wanted to express my thanks for all that you do."

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