Chapter 23

Alexander glanced at Heather, bewildered when he heard the doorbell ring once again.
"Who could be at this time in the morning? Junior Oscar?”
Heather thought for herself. Nobody could have called them at this hour unless there was an emergency. “I don’t know. Perhaps it could be Junior.”
Alexander nodded, “I will see who it is while you wear something.”
Heather blushed at his words as Alexander pulled the duvet off him and wore his pants and shirt, which were lying on the floor, to open the door. He didn't leave her till he gave her a kiss before going to confront the intruder who came by so early in the morning.
Alexander, however, was startled to see the two most unexpected people in front of him. He never once considered that they would try to trace them. It was impossible to know where he was, and yet they managed to locate him here.
He was shocked.
He was startled out of his daydream as Heather approached him, fully attired, and touched his arms.
“How can we help you?” Heather smiled at the elderly couple standing in front of her, curious as to what bought them to her home at this time of the hour.
They didn't appear to be hurt in any way, although they did seem a little dazed for some reason.
It was Alexander who responded to her innocent question.
He knew he could no longer run from the truth; thus the time had come for him to reveal his lineage to Heather.
“Heather, my dear; this is Heinrich Diadem and Contessa Diadem, king and queen of Warsavor and my parents.”
Heather was baffled by this new information. Her jaw sprang open in disbelief. She thought back to the moment Alexander had told her about his birthplace, Warsavor, but he never had once revealed that his parents were the noble and queen of his nation.
The sudden realization of his rank made her disorientated for a few seconds, “That makes you their heir and prince of Warsavor,”
Alexander gave her a sheepish smile, “Yes,”
Heather nodded and turned to face his parents, who were standing stoically and scrutinizing her.
"Your Majesty, please accept my apologies." Curtsying, Heather welcomed them inside. "Please come inside," She said, making way for the nobles to grace their presence in her humble home.
“That won’t be necessary,” Queen spoke with authority. “We merely came to pick up our son.”
Heather's heart broke at their words. She ought to have known better than to think that she would have Alexander forever. Being a prince, he is accountable to his realms. He could not stay with her in Mystes.
“I understand….” As Heather began to speak, Alexander interrupted her with a frown on his face.
His folks could be difficult humans, and he always knew that dealing with them would be challenging.
“Mother, father, it would be better if you could come inside. Perhaps, we could have a civil conversation.”
Contessa was a woman of power and authority, and Heather was able to see that she did not like someone speaking against her.
“As I already stated, it won't be necessary. All of the discussions can take place in our home. We just came here to pick you up. You must gather all of your belongings right this instant so that we can return home.”
Alexander let out a frustrated sigh. His parents were incredibly difficult to communicate with. They were one stubborn set of couple. “How did you find me?”
However, his father spoke out this time. "Four months ago, we sensed a scent, and ever since, we have been looking for you, only to locate you in this little village. It's time for you to head back home right now. Now that you have had your fun, you need to resume all your responsibilities,"
Alexander couldn't recall the last time he had been angry with his father. King Heinrich had no right to derogate Heather in this manner. To put his point across to his parents, he firmly held her hand. The message was direct. Heather was no plaything for him, and he had no intention of letting her go.
“Allow me to introduce both of you to Heather Crown. She is the heart of this town and a sorcerer.”
But Queen Contessa did not step back from mocking her, “Hence, an ordinary woman.”
“Mother…” Alexander's tone seemed ominous at first, but Heather tugged on his arm and made him look up.
“It is okay, Alexander. They are your parents, and you ought to return home. You are the prince, and you need to carry out your duties there. Your region needs you,” She spoke quietly.
He replied, "I need you," but Heather responded with a dejected smile.
"No more than your folks. Go home, Alexander. It is for the best." Heather said, tears welling up in her eyes.
Even the notion of being separated from him for even a minute causes her heart to ache.
Alexander wanted to refuse her words instantly, but he refrained. He gave a hard thought for a whole minute before responding to her, “Only if you come with me.”
His demand left all three of them in disbelief.
While his parents were ready to object, he held out his free hand. "If Heather doesn't accompany me, I won't leave this place. None of you can force me to return to Warsavor."
Heather, on the other hand, stood up against his demand before his parents could. "I am afraid I can't go with you, Alexander. You know that I have a responsibility here. I cannot leave Mystes. They need me here.”
Alexander was not surprised at her words.
He couldn't help but smile. He gently looked at her and touched her cheeks, “Of Course, you could leave Mystes. Heather, you not only have reasonability towards this town but towards all the people in the world. Did you not once say that you would want nothing more than help the people? Warsavor also needs someone extraordinary and gifted like you, just as Mystes does. We have a lot of commoners who are suffering, and with your abilities, we can make their life easier.”
“Alexander, but…” Alexander, though, put his index finger to her lips and shook his head.
"I don't want you to dismiss my desire only because I am a prince, and my parents want me to return without you. You had my word that I would never abandon you, and I am a man of my word. I never renege on a promise. Especially the ones I made to you,"
“You also made a promise to us, Alexander. Do we need to jog your memory?” King Heinrich spoke in an effort to remind his son of the commitment he had made to him in the past.
Alexander, however, just scowled in response, making it clear that he understood what his father was alluding to. "I never made you any promises. I only stated that I would think about it. Do not misinterpret my statements for your own gain; there is a difference between the two. I won't have it."
“Alexander…” His father used his warning tone, but his mother stopped him from doing so.
"You won't be leaving this girl behind and coming with us, will you?"
"You heard that right," Alexander said with a nod.
“Then she shall accompany us unless she believes it is beneath her to help people of our town," The Contessa claimed.
Heather was stung by her remarks, but she was a resilient lady.
"You majesty, nobody in this world is beneath anybody. If Warsavor needs my service so I will do everything and anything to serve them.”
Alexander could not have been more proud of Heather and also relieved that she would be coming home with him.
Soon their home.
Contessa and Heinrich, however, had other plans. They knew that Alexander had fallen in love with an ordinary woman, and they would need to do anything and everything to break them apart. No son of theirs would marry a commoner of this small town.
They would make sure of it.