Chapter 29

“I still feel that you should have slept in your own room on your own bed. Don’t you miss it?” Early in the morning, while still in bed with Alexander, Heather questioned.
"I would have answered positively if you had asked me this question before we met. That is no longer the case, though. Without you at my side, it is impossible for me to sleep soundly.” Alexander murmured as he kissed her on the head.
“Alexander.” Heather exhaled a sigh. “If your folks found us, they would not be pleased. I don’t want to upset them and aggravate their emotions further.”
“Heather, I no longer care what they think about us. Regardless of the fact that they won’t be thrilled to see us in this position, they need to get used to us. One way or another, they would eventually need to accept you and us. I have no intention of ever letting you go.”
“But…”
Alexander stopped her before she could complete her sentence. In a way, he was able to understand Heather's hesitation and suffering, but short of his parents giving Heather a chance and some time, there was no way he could persuade them to think differently.
He could feel that it was going to be a protracted war, and he was prepared to give it his all. He did, however, at the present moment, wish to divert his lady love attention.
“Don’t strain yourself anymore with my folks. Give them some time, and I have no doubt that they will come around. Why don't you just enjoy the fact that my brother likes you for now? His approval matters more to me than my parents, even though he is younger than me.”
As his brother was mentioned, Heather could not help but grin. He was younger and more carefree than Alexander. She was relieved that at least one person from the family liked her.
“Juan seems like one of a kind. I am glad that he accepts me. He appears to be a decent bloke.”
“That he is. Sure, he can be notorious from time to time, but he has his heart in the right place. However….” While talking about his brother, Alexander could not help but hesitate for a long time as he was lost in thought.
“However?” Heather asked him while looking at him curiously.
“I could not help but wonder that something is amiss.” Alexander completed his previous thoughts, which only confused Heather further.
“I do not understand. Is something wrong?”
“I am not certain, Heather. He appears to be in good health and acting normally, yet something still feels wrong. The previous evening, there were times when I repeatedly witnessed his flickering emotions flash through him, but I am unable to identify what they are." Alexander spoke what was on his mind.
“Why don’t you approach him?”
"He would either claim otherwise or seek for more time. Juan doesn't communicate his sentiments or emotions well, despite the fact that he may seem extroverted.”
“The same as you.” Heather pointed out.
“Well, we are brothers for a reason. Nonetheless, I would give him some space. He would undoubtedly come to me anytime he felt at ease, but if not, I would make an effort to find out." Alexander stated.
While Alexander was interested in his brother's minor alteration in his inconspicuous behavior, Juan was preoccupied with his own thoughts.
Except for the clutter of spoons on the plate, no other sound could be heard. It was rather odd that his parents wanted to have breakfast with him.
There was definitely something going on in their mind. It was also bizarre that they did not insist Alexander to join them. He had a sneaking suspicion that his parents were aware that their older son chose to spend his morning with Heather.
"Juan, how'd you sleep?" His father cleared his thoughts before making an effort to start a conversation with him.
In contrast, Juan wanted to laugh aloud at his failed attempt. Their family had never been big on casual conversation, so starting it now was absurd.
“What is it, father? We don’t have a family meal together. What is the occasion?” Juan got right to the point.
“That we don’t. You are right to assume that we have a good reason for calling you down for breakfast. We are aware that Alexander is with Heather now.” His father said.
Juan's lack of astonishment was due to his preexisting perception that his audience already knew the facts. Instead, he gave a nonchalant shoulder shrug.
"Alexander came to see if Heather was adjusting well or not. He made a choice to join her for breakfast.”
However, it was his mother who reacted to his statement, "I do not like it, but I do realize that we cannot hope for Alexander to immediately forsake Heather. Regardless, we need him to get detached from her as quickly as possible. Alexander Diadem is the future king, and he is supposed to give the world their queen. We can put off their arrangement for a little while, but we won't be able to stop it from happening inevitably.”
Upon his mother's words, he gave her a thoughtful expression, “Do you have something in mind?”
“As a matter of fact, I do.” His mother spoke eagerly. “I want you to distract Alexander and Heather to the point that he no longer notices her.”
“I do not understand what exactly you are trying to say, Mother.” Juan had a slight frown on his face; however, he was curious to learn about his mother's plan.
“It is quite simple, Juan. We agreed to bring Heather on the ground that she would use her expertise and assist us with the residents of Warsavor. I want you to be her shadow and make sure that she and Alexander are never alone. Further to that, Alexander would need to resume his responsibility as the future king. So, your father will ensure that Alexander is burdened with work so that he won't have time for Heather. When that time comes, I will seamlessly integrate our future queen into Alexander's life. He won't be able to hold her off for very long."
Juan did not like his mother’s idea one bit. He could not help but point out one shortcoming in her strategy for his own selfish reasons: "Are you not worried that our future queen won't appreciate that Alexander is not precisely what she expected?"
Contessa rewarded Juan with her winning smile, “No, I am not. I already had a word with her about it. She did seem upset a bit, like any other bride would be, but she understood me. She comes from a family similar to ours and is aware of what has to be done to protect the name and benefit the family.”
“It seems that you have figured everything out,” Juan said with a smile.
Unfortunately, neither his mother nor his father could see the forced smile he gave them.