The Royal Contract

It was unfair that he should suffer this way, but Alex was still thankful that he was at least alive and on his way to recovery. Soon, he would be back on his feet, but he doubted he would ever be the same.

More than the physical pain, he found his cousin tortured mentally and emotionally because a woman he loved had left him, watching Lance push himself to his limit to walk again.

Alex had that experience before, and it was not easy to recover from such pain. But Lance’s situation was far worse than his since the woman he loved left without even saying goodbye, no explanation, but a truckload of questions.

In his case, he was lucky he met Dani. She helped him move on with his life. He wondered if Lance would be fortunate to have a second chance for happiness. He hoped.

“A few more.” Jake encouraged him to move his feet, raising his legs so the muscles would not grow stiff and the wounds would heal faster.

But Lance could only take so much. Alex could see the excruciating pain in his expression with every movement he made, but he needed to endure the pain to recover faster.

.....

“I think we are good for the day.” Jake finally announced, releasing his friend from his physical workout.

Slowly, Lance returned to his wheelchair, exhaustion evident in his stance. Alex believed that whatever his cousin had undergone. It was more tiring in comparison to running a hundred-meter dash.

“Thanks, Jake,” Lance uttered, returning to his senses as he took several deep breaths to relax his body. “I am sorry if I am a bit rough today.”

“That is ok, man. I know it is not easy to be in your situation.” Jake tapped him on the shoulder before facing him. “He is all yours.” Jake turned to him and shook his hand before leaving the room.

“Dani, send her love and her wishes for your full recovery. She would have come with me. But she is a bit busy with the Charity Ball.” Alex told him as he moved closer to him.

She would have come with him to visit, but her fundraising event took most of her time. But she promised to join him next time.

“I am sorry that you have to witness that.” Lance faced him, turning the wheel of his chair in his direction. “It is just so frustrating to be stuck in this position. But tell Dani, thanks. I do miss her and Jacky.”

Alex could not even imagine what Lance was going through. He was hospitalized back then, but not as bad as his condition.

“I just want to see you back on your feet.” Alex moved closer and sat on a nearby chair, pouring two glasses of water and handing one to his cousin.

He took the other one and drank almost half of it, feeling the need to freshen up after his long flight. When he arrived, he went straight ahead to visit him.

“Me too,” Lance answered after drinking the water. “Judging from the look on your face, you did not have any luck.” His cousin went straight to the point as his eyes studied his expression.

Then, he looked down at his feet. Anger and disappointment covered his face. He could tell his cousin was counting on him to give him something to look forward to, but he also failed him.

He wished he had answers for him, but unfortunately, he had no good news to tell him. When Lance called him and asked to look for the reporter, he immediately hired his best investigators.

“I am afraid we have no lead until now. Eida must have found a way to change her name. Whoever assisted her knew how to hide her.” Alex explained to his cousin, who looked like he was ready to explode.

It was the only possible reason why no one could find her. If she had used her social number, passport, bank accounts, and other credentials, she would show up somehow in the system.

But she seemed to have just vanished into thin air. The intriguing part was when they searched her name in the government database. A different person showed up.

It also told them that the person was already deceased. The bank accounts had been closed. Based on the records, it had been years since it had the last transaction.

“I need to get out of this chair and find her.” Lance looked quite desperate, but he could not blame him. “I need to find her.”

Someone he loved just disappeared as if she did not exist. Millions of scenarios must be playing on his mind at the moment. But there was nothing else he could do but try his best to help him. But at the moment, he had no answers.

“I understand how you feel, Lance.” Alex moved closer to his cousin, trying to comfort him as he struggled to stand up.

If he was reluctant to feel the pain earlier, now he seemed not to care as he pushed himself out of the chair. However, his muscles were not yet strong enough, as Jake had said earlier.

It still needed time to heal, so Lance fell, unable to carry his weight. But fortunately, he was there to catch him, putting him back in his chair.

“Nobody vanishes like that,” Lance uttered, his voice full of anguish. “I need you to find her. I need to know that she is safe.”

His heart wished there was more he could do as he watched his cousin break down and cry. It was the first time he had seen him this way.

“I promise. I am doing everything I can to find Eida.” He hoped he could deliver on that promise, seeing that it was the only thing pushing his cousin to get better.

The hope Lance might still find her and get her back safely into his arms. Alex knew this feeling. Every day that he was away from his wife. All he wanted to do was go home and be with her again.

Eventually, Lance calmed down. But Alex was glad that he was able to release his pent-up feelings. He must have bottled it up since the accident, not having anyone to share it with other than him.

The Count, Lance’s father, was not exactly the kind of man who would accept any form of weakness. He always believed in strength, wealth, power, and position in the elite society.

“What about the Kingdom? Are you ready to reign as the new heir?” He knew Lance did not want to talk about it. But it was a topic that he needed to discuss with him.

It was also one of the reasons why he flew here. He did not want his cousin to feel obligated to take the throne because he declined it.

Truthfully, he wanted Lance to be King because he believed no one else deserved it more than him. But if his heart was not in the right place, he was afraid Lance might not become an effective leader of their land.

“I always wanted to be King if you will not take it. I know that I can rule it better than Edward or Philip can. But since meeting Eida, my priorities have changed.” Lance confided in him, appearing to be glad that he was there.

It had been a while since they talked seriously. Maybe far too long. Alex was also glad he made this trip and had a chance to have a meaningful conversation with his cousin.

“I only want to be with her. I knew that once I married her, the Council would disqualify me from the position since she did not come from a reputable lineage.” Lance recounted his plans.

“Yes, I am quite aware of that,” Remembering his same dilemma when the Council was forcing him to marry from a list.

“But I don’t care about the Council. Or where she came from because I only want to be with her. I love her.” Lance continued as if that was the only thing that mattered to him at the moment.

“I only want you to think of what would be best for you. I know what would be best for our people. That is you.” Alex believed that he would not want anyone else to be his King.

But then again, he did not want to force Lance if his heart was not in the right place. “But I still wish you will choose from what you think is what you want.” Alex gave him the same advice that his father gave him.

“What I want is Eida?” Lance said without hesitation.

But Alex knew Lance was still not thinking with his right mind. He hoped, in time, he would decide according to what he believed would be best for him.

“But what if you never see her again?” He knew it was the question Lance never wanted to hear. But it was a possibility that he also needed to accept. “I think you should also consider that.”

He never wished to be the bearer of horrible news, but he did not want his cousin to waste his time searching for someone who had no wish to be found again.

He never met the girl, only heard stories about her. He also discovered those accusations made by the Count. It could be true, or the Count planted those evidence.

But it did not matter what the truth was. But the fact was, Eida was gone. The possibility of finding her was near impossible. But he still left the decision to Lance once his mind had cleared.

Whatever Lance would choose, he would be there to support him, either as a friend or a loyal subordinate.