The Royal Contract

He could still hardly move his hands, lacking control over his muscles. The therapists insisted that things would eventually go back to normal, but it had been weeks, and he was far from getting better.

“These are all useless.” Referring to the machines, equipment, and tools the physical therapist used to help him get back on his feet.

But in reality, he felt useless.

“You have to be patient. Healing doesn’t happen overnight.” Jake, who handled his care, picked up the dumbells and shoved them back into his hands. “Now, start over again.”

He did not seem ready to give up on him yet as he kept pushing him even if he sometimes surrendered to his depressing situation.

“But I am still in this damn chair.” Banging his hands on the armrest of his wheelchair.

.....

He wanted to walk and move around without anything supporting him. He needed his body to move the way it was supposed to do.

He knew he was asking for a miracle that would improve his mobility magically. But he needed to get well soon, not because he wanted to be King as his father kept motivating him.

He only had one reason that had kept him pushing to regain his strength. “I need to get out of here.” Feeling like he was about to go insane.

He had to find Eida. They said if he wanted a job done right. He had to do it himself. Because until now, no one could tell him where she was.

The longer he was trapped in this room, the less his chances of getting her back. He could not allow that to happen. He had to hear her say that she did not love him and did not want to see him before he could finally say he was over her.

But would he be able to move on without her?

“You will remain strapped on those seats if you don’t do what I ask.” Jake insisted, clapping his hands to catch his attention.

Suddenly, it snapped him out of his reverie and focused his eyes on his friend. With a renewed determination, he gripped the bells tightly in his hands.

“Now, one.” He started counting, forcing him to lift the metallic weights with one hand after the other.

He guessed that Jake would not stop until he performed the task he had set him to do. Besides being his therapist, he had also become his friend.

He had been working with him in his workouts for his races for a long time. So, he was not just anybody. He was someone close to him who cared.

“You know I can fire you.” He threatened him, making his friend realize he was still the boss. But of course, he would not do that.

He still lifted those weights with difficulty, struggling to catch up with his counts. If he failed again, he would make him repeat them all over again, which he did not wish to do.

“You can try. But this time, your father is paying me, not you.” Jake reminded him. “Seven...” He continued counting, making him more frustrated. “Besides, you need me. You can’t afford to lose me.”

But somehow, he knew he was right. He was the best help he could get if he wanted to recover his movements at the soonest possible time.

He believed he just had to do his best and be patient, but it was easy to say but hard to do. As pain coursed through his body every time, he would move a muscle.

But at least Lance managed to finish his third routine so far. Still, several workouts lined up for his things to do today, but he wished to have a break.

“How is your therapy?” A familiar voice rang in his ear. He thought he imagined him, but he was surprised to see his cousin standing outside his therapy room, watching him.

“Alex, how long have you been out there?” Lance asked, waving at his cousin, beckoning him to enter the room. It would seem Alex was his answered prayers, giving him time to breathe before his excruciating routine.

Leg works were the worse as far as he was concerned. Forcing his feet to take on his weight and move was an experience he would not wish for anyone.

Alex slowly walked further inside. His eyes never left him as if he was studying his condition. Then, he stopped just a meter away from him.

“Long enough to witness how you are maltreating the help.” Alex jokingly said, then he turned to Jake. “How is our patient?”

“Stubborn as always.” Jake walked closer to Alex and greeted each other with a handshake. “It had been a long while since we saw each other.”

“It is. But I see you are doing a good job with our friend here.” Alex pointed to him. “How long do you think before he would be running again?”

“Hard to tell.” Jake tapped his chin as if thinking. “If he kept whining like a baby, maybe a year or two.” Jake exaggerated his recovery time, but it was less than that as far as he knew.

But faster if he would only push himself more. However, he would be honest. Sometimes he felt like giving up, realizing he had lost the woman he loved.

What was the sense of living if the only person he wanted to spend his life with left him and broke his heart? But if he found her, would he want her back if she admitted doing what his father had accused her?

“Funny. I am doing my best.” He finally joined the two. “Let us continue.” He ordered.

He guessed he could only find out what would happen once he faced the situation. As of now, he had to return to his routine. The break could wait a little later.

He grabbed the wheels of his chair and rolled himself to his next exercise. He guessed it was either he endured the hardship now or forever confined himself in this life.

As some said, no pain, no gain.