Chapter 25

As the carriage came to a stop a few feet from the entry steps, Heather stared at her surroundings in amazement.
She gracefully held Alexander's outstretched hand as he took her out of the chariot and led her towards his home, which appeared to be no less than a palace, despite the fact that she was suffering with her conflicted emotions and reluctance to the new road she had chosen for herself.
Beautiful white marble covered the entire outside structure, with borders in a darker shade of grey enclosing the windows.
The brown steps that led to the gate to his property, where his carriage was parked, were connected to his massive front entry. With the exception of the path she was standing on, the area was completely surrounded by green grass.
Yes, she had witnessed better-looking places at her home, Mystes, but the aura of Alexander's home could not be ignored. It was a symbol in and of itself, and it was also extremely well kept, for that matter.
Heather had no idea what his house looked like on the inside, but it was stunning from the outside. However, before she could even let her thoughts divert to the interior of his home, or have the opportunity even to step inside Alexander's residence, Contessa, his mother, spoke,
“Heather Crown can stay in the guest quarters. Alfredo can show her the new dwelling where she would be residing during her stay.”
His mother's remarks, nevertheless, simply led to her son scowling in response. He finds it impossible to comprehend how his mother could ask Heather to remain in a guest lodge. Further, there is no need for Alfredo, the chief servant of his manor, to show Heather around when he is there to help her with. He bought her with him for a reason, and he would be not let anyone make them stay apart.
“That won’t be required, mother. Heather would be staying with me in the house. I don't understand what led you to believe otherwise.”
Contessa and Heinrich both gasped at the remarks their son made. Even though they were aware of his fondness for his young lady, they were not prepared for him to make such an impulsive statement. Contessa, who was similarly concerned by Alexander's level of devotion to Heather, was more astounded than Heinrich.
Their son, however, had a lethal look on his face, ready to battle with anyone who would dare to stand in the way of him and his love, which he was uncertain about touching at the time.
Contrary to her husband, Contessa was not willing to concede. She fixed her son with an identical stare, making it obvious that she wouldn't let him follow his own path without any resistance.
“Alexander, It is rather bold of you to make that statement. Heather Crown would not stay with you or anyone of us in our home. Regardless of what you say, it does not erase the fact that she is still a stranger to us and to this society. To us, she is a guest of Warsavor. I must emphasize that it is not a noble decision. There is a reason that no commoner lives with us in our house, and I won't change our rules for any of you.
Further, there is no need for your guest to stay with you when she could perfectly have her own quarter and live comfortably there. In fact, both of you should be glad about the royal pampering we are giving her. She wouldn't get the same experience anywhere.”
Alexander was horrified by what his mother had said. However, he did harbor a glimmer of hope that his father would speak up for him; regrettably, Heinrich's remarks were in support of his wife.
“Alexander, your mother is correct. The guest rooms are where your guest should be staying. By letting her stay in our house, we can prevent anyone from getting the wrong impression. We cannot have a scandal on our hands. You are no longer a child. Perhaps, the time has come for you to make decisions carefully as it affects not only our family but the entire realm.”
Alexander frowned at his parent's words. He was vividly aware of the kind of impression his parents were indicating, and he certainly did not see eye to eye with it.
“I do not agree, Father. There is no need for her to stay in any kind of quarter when we have plenty of space in our home and in my room. Furthermore, I am not concerned about how people will perceive us in society because their assumptions would be accurate. Heather will be staying with me, and this is the end of the discussion.”
Where Heinrich pursed his lips at his son's demands seeking for right words to put sense into him, Contessa, on the other hand, curled her fist in anger. "Alexander, she most definitely wouldn't be staying here, much less sharing a room with you. I forbid it."
“Mother….” As Alexander was ready to intervene and have a bawl if the need arose, but Heather had enough of the verbal sparring on her behalf. She could not let Alexander fight for her anymore. She moved towards him and caressed his shoulder blade to try to calm him down before he could say anything further. His rigid muscles began to relax, but he continued to stand stiffly.
“Alexander, your parents are not wrong. I have no qualms about staying in the guest quarter. I am perfectly fine with it. I am but a visitor here, after all.”
"Heather, You are not a guest. Regardless of what anyone may say, pay no heed to that." Alexander spoke, giving his parents a fleeting glare before turning his focus to Heather. "You will be staying with me and….”
However, Heather gently interrupted him mid-sentence with a smile on her face as she shook her head.
“Please do not fight with me on this. I am completely in accord with staying in the room your parents wished for. I promise you that.” She spoke quietly, loud enough for him to hear.
“But Heather…”
“Do not stress over it.”
Alexander contemplated Heather's statements for a full minute before grudgingly nodding in agreement. “If that is what you wish for,’
All three of them sighed in relief. Where Contessa and Heinrich were relieved at the current development of their son not being in the same dwelling as his lady love, at the same time, Heather was glad that he wouldn’t fight with his parents over her. She did not want to develop a bridge between them. No one could know better than her the significance of the absence of her family not only from life but also from her memories.
Alexander's acceptance was not as straightforward as everyone had assumed, though. He had different plans in his mind that no one could obstruct. He knew what his parents were playing at, and he had no intention of letting them succeed in it.
“Good. Now that everything is in order, I will signal Alfredo to show her the guest quarter.” Contessa smiled broadly as she spoke.
“Do not put yourself in so much pain of calling your right hand, mother. I am competent enough to show Heather around. In fact, I firmly believe that no one else is capable of doing it more effectively than I am. Come on, belle, allow me a chance to get yourself acquainted with your new home.” Alexander emphasized the term "home" as he spoke.
He then took hold of Heather's hand and led them to the adjacent quarter where she would be temporarily dwelling, without giving anyone a chance to object.
However, before, he could be out of ear shots of his parents, he spoke loudly, “Do not forget to inform Alfredo to bring her bags in.”