The Royal Contract

Chapter 797: A fool

Lance had finally been discharged from the hospital to recover under the care of his father. His rehabilitation would take time, but the doctors did not see any hindrance to his full recovery.

But the speed of his healing would solely depend on his determination and willpower. The more committed he was, the more he would heal faster. He just needed good motivation.

“You could not keep lying on that bed, feeling sorry for yourself.” His father’s voice boomed inside his room, but he did not want to talk to him, so he pretended to be sleeping.

However, sleeping was the last thing he wanted to do because every dream he had started with her face and ended up in a nightmare.

He tried to stop her, but he was too paralyzed to move. Then, she was gone. Yet, he lay there, waiting for her to return. But the dream ended, waking up without her.

“I know you are awake. The nurses told me. Stop acting like a victim because you are about to become King.” Count Thomas walked inside his room until he stood before his bed, looking down on him.

He did not want to hear anything about the Kingdom. He could care less about being King. He only wanted one thing. He wanted to ask him to look for Eida.

.....

He was desperate to see her again. But he already knew what his father’s answer would be. It would be the same as yesterday and the day before.

Count Thomas already said that Eida was not worth his time. Even gave him enough proof to support his claim. Eida was nothing more than a gold-digging bitch who wanted money, fame, and everything he could provide.

But where is the proof that she did not love him? All he saw were papers. Nothing that would give him conclusive evidence that she did not feel the same way as him.

“She would squeeze the life out of you. Luckily, we learned of her intentions.” His father shouted at him, making him accept that she was not the right woman for him.

But why did his heart still long for her? He wanted to see her, talk to her, hear her side of the story. He wanted an explanation, a reason why she did it.

Because that was the only way he could forgive her, and they could start again.

Foolish heart.

But he could not stop it from beating only for her. Honestly, he felt like dying without her.

But instead, he asked. “Where is Amelia?” She was her friend. She would know where Eida was hiding. She was his only hope of finding her.

His father seemed to be thinking about his question. He did not immediately answer as he walked towards the window to gaze outside.

After a minute, his father answered. “Amelia’s father told me that she had returned to her life abroad. She could not stay here anymore after what happened between the two of you.”

His father looked genuinely sad about that. But he knew his father. He never truly liked Amelia as a person. But he believed he was disappointed that the wedding did not push through.

Knowing this, he had no way to contact Amelia, especially when his father still had control of his life. It would seem that as long as he could not move on his own and still recovering. He would be under his father’s custody and mercy.

“What about my assistant?” He thought of every possible way to have some semblance of normalcy. “Could you have her report to me today?” He looked at his father as he tried to move in his bed but only managed to inch to a sitting position.

Pain still pricked his body from his various injuries. It was all over his body, so it was hard to pinpoint or isolate the source of the pain.

From his different operations that were still healing internally to the superficial wounds that had not completely closed yet. To a few more bruises still visible on his skin. He was still physically suffering.

“No. The board had put you on hiatus status while you are recovering. You are not working until you are better.” His father informed him. That would mean that he had no secretary or assistants to help him.

The only people allowed inside his room were people hired by his father, who had clear instructions not to entertain his whims, as his father called them.

“Fine,” Lance answered his father with full of sarcasm. “You want me to get better. Find, Eida.” He shouted, feeling his frustration filling his limits.

“You are not doing yourself any good by thinking about her.” His father once again argued that he was better off without her. But he would not hear it. “Ok. You want Eida.” His father said in an exasperated voice.

When his eyes focused on his father with suspicion, he continued not minding what he was thinking. “Get better, and I will personally help you look for her.”

He had heard that before. He doubted his father would lift a finger to find the woman he did not want his son to marry. He knew he still could not trust his father. ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ Noᴠelꜰire

“Or better yet, you look for her yourself. I will give you all the resources you will need.” The Count told him in his authoritative voice as if he was declaring a law inside the Council Chambers.

“But you have to get better first.” Count Thomas expressed his satisfaction as if he knew he would always win the argument between them.

He guessed his father was right. As long as he was tied in this bed, unable to move on his own, he was hopeless and helpless.

But if he could recover and get back on his feet. His father could not stop him from pursuing his plans. He supposed that was his only option.

“I guess you are right. I need to get better soon so I can prove you wrong once and for all. I will find Eida, and we will sort this out.” He promised to his father, who looked dumbfounded by his statement.

The doctors, therapists, nurses, and even his family and father said he needed motivation. Now, he believed he just had one.

Eida.

He would get better, then find her. He had to see her so they could clarify some matters. He needed answers, and he had to hear them from her.

It would seem that no one would want to help him. So, it was up to him to do it. But of course, he had to fully recover first because apparently, his father would never help him in this quest.

And Evan and Amelia had abandoned him, making him conclude he was all alone in this fight.

Then, he came to a realization.

Fear.

He was afraid that his father could be telling the truth. But he still hoped that his instinct was right about her. She had profound reasons for doing this to him. She would not intentionally hurt him because she loved him.

Then, anger.

On the other hand, if his father was correct, could he forgive Eida if she admitted she did not love him and that she had played him for a fool?