Chapter 42

“Heather, I have to admit. I have never met a woman like you in my life,” Malka said as she walked with her and Juan to Heather's temporary residency.
“I am not sure whether that is a good or a bad thing,” Heather said, still trying to decipher the facial expression of Contessa and Heinrich during their entire supper.
Even during the end of the conversation, despite Heather not knowing what to make of the newly discovered information about her history, the couple did not appear to be bothered by it. She had a sneaking suspicion that her lost memory would provide her with a brand-new challenge. Under no circumstances did she want to lose Alexander, but she wasn't sure she had much of choice right now.
“"Heather, it's a good thing. Trust us on this.” Juan replied as Malka nodded her head in affirmation.
“I certainly hope so,” Heather mumbled.
It was no science to know that Heather was not exactly pleased with how their breakfast ended. Although there was no dramatic incident at the conclusion or any disparaging remarks about Heather's lost life or identity, both of the siblings were fully aware that the obstacle in Alexander and Heather's relationship was far from over.
In fact, it was just about to begin now.
Malka, however, placed her hand on Heather’s shoulder, “Do not overwork yourself about it. Despite the fact that Uncle Heinrich and Aunt Contessa were definitely baffled by your truth, they are not bad people. Yes, they are hard-headed, but they do have a good heart, even though they do not show it. Give them some time to process this information. I am sure they would come around.”
“Really? You think so?” Heather looked at her with a hopeful look in her eyes.
“Yes. They are lovely people. I would agree that they may not see eye-to-eye with us in a lot of things, but they do have our best interest in their hearts.” Malka smiled.
“They do not see eye to eye with Alexander and me. But where you are considered, Malka? They love you. Sometimes more than us. You are the perfect child they always wanted.” Juan stated.
Although he was not exactly bitter about it, but somewhere deep down, he did find it upsetting that they loved Malka more than their own blood. Malka was a good sister, and both the brothers loved her and had no sour feelings toward her. But, it would have been nice if their parents shared the same level of admiration towards their son like they do for their cousin.
“Juan, please don’t say like that. You know that is not the truth. They might not share views of the two of you most of the time because they are worried about you. You and Alexander are their son, their legal heirs. I, on the other hand, am their responsibility. They had to look after me after my mother and father left me alone in this world to fight my own battle. You have your parents to do that for the two of you. Whereas I am concerned, I was just fortunate that I was not left with bitter people but you all who accepted me like their own. Uncle Heinrich and Aunt Contessa have been great to me. They never made me feel alone.” Malka said with a grateful smile.
“Malka Diadem, I'm sorry to hear that,” Heather said with an apologetic look.
“Please don’t. Bad things happen to good people all the time. It is an inherent aspect of life. In addition, I was blessed with a loving extended family that looked after me to the best of their abilities. I don't have any bitter feelings at all.”
However, the same was not the case with Alexander. He was fuming with rage.
When his father asked him to stay back, he believed that it was about some business matter that he had wanted to discuss. Regrettably, that was not the case. It was nothing but a trap laid out by his parents.
As predicted, his father and mother did each have a secret goal in mind for this brunch. He had wanted to believe that inviting Heather was an effort to get to know her better for the right reasons, but it was actually an attempt to build a compelling case against her. He should have known better than to believe in Heather's optimism. Where on the one side, Heather likes to believe good in people, and his parents, on the other side, assume the worst.
“Alexander, why did you fail to mention about Heather’s past?” Contessa enquired as she sat on the chair. “Did she ask you to do that?”
Once the meal was over, they went to his father’s business chambers along with him, followed by his mother, who arrived shortly after.
"Mother, what are you attempting to say here?" Alexander opted not to provide a perfect, straight answer.
Both Contessa and Heinrich sighed, but Heinrich chose to reason with his older son instead of Contessa. As his wife has always been witty, he was confident that she would not be able to persuade him.
“Alexander, please try to understand that Heather cannot be part of this family under any circumstances. She could be a nice person. I can... We can give her the benefit of the doubt, but we know nothing about her or her past. We don’t even know who her family is neither does she. I am sorry, but we are now more certain that she is not the right match for you."
“This is a petty reason, father. You should not judge a person based on her family. Why do you not want to know for who she is now?” Alexander scowled at his father's words. He made a concerted effort to control his anger and persuade them of his viewpoint.
“Because, for all we know, she may be fabricating her memory loss and concealing her background.” Contessa stood up from her chair.
“You are unbelievable, mother. I ought to have known better than to rely on your support of me. I should not have accepted your invitation to breakfast, in reality. You wanted to have a meal with her to dig into her life deeper and make a concrete argument to remove her from my life.” Alexander's comments were dripping with rage, which was easy to detect.
“Alexander, I won't dispute our intention because it is unquestionably true. But you must understand. That woman is suspicious. None of us are aware of her roots. And not to forget about her mysterious abilities. I may not have been forthcoming to have a conversation with her, but I had my eyes on her. I have seen how she has been interacting with our people, and it is unlike anything I have seen.” Contessa spoke while seeming worried.
“She is a healer, mother. A darn good one. Since I have known her, she has not hurt a single person. She had rather helped them to the best of her ability. I am sure even the people in our town are going to say this. And as for her mysterious abilities, we are not normal. This world is filled with mystical creatures.”
“We are reliable creatures with no questionable powers. I cannot say the same for Heather. She might not have hurt anyone at present but what about previously or in the future. She had to have experienced something that caused her to lose all of her memories. She is a dangerous woman, Alexander. We cannot trust her.” Heinrich stated. He agreed with his wife about Heather’s intention.
“Are you really serious, father? You are doubting her rather than feeling sympathy for her.” Alexander let out a laugh. “I should not have even dared to hope that you two would empathize with and support me. You think that woman, who put a lot of faith in me and came to this town simply because of me, has a vengeful goal. I love Heather, and I would marry her with or without your blessings if need be.”
“You would not dare to Alexander Diadem. The only woman you would wed is ….”
Alexander stormed out of the room, not before interrupting his mother mid-sentence.
“Heather Crown is the woman I will marry and no one else.”