Chapter 58

Juan was praying to his stars for everything to go according to the plan, unlike Alexander, who was searching for his lady love with all of his heart, a lengthy journey, and bad luck.
He brought his brother's letter to his mother the day after receiving it. Since his father was prescribed complete rest, all his duty was laid on his mother and him. In theory and in accordance with the law, Alexander should be in charge of it along with his mother. Still, Juan had always looked forward to helping out his brother whenever necessary.
He had always been a part of the business and relished the rush of being overtaken by the volume of his brother's work. It was indeed exhilarating if he admitted so.
Only occasions like this one gave him a chance to take over all of his brother's duties. There was no malafide intent. Not even in his imagination could he dream of becoming king of Warsavor. It was the simple pleasure to aid his brother wherever and whenever the need arose.
“Mother, I have something for you,” Juan said as he invited himself into his mother’s work chamber.
“What is it, Juan? Any word on Alexander?” Contessa asked her younger son.
She prayed that Heather's chapter was permanently done for. She has no desire to put up with any more agony brought on by that woman.
“As a matter of fact, I do,” Juan said as he handed over the letter to his mother.
Alexander writing a letter to his brother rather than to her or her husband did not surprise her. They were both good sons, but the younger one listened to her more than the older one did. Despite everything, she did love her sons and simply wanted what was best for them, even if it was her version of best.
When she opened the letter and read through it, she was somewhat relieved, although she was skeptical about its veracity.
She gave Juan a direct glance. "Son, what do you think? Did Alexander and Heather's relationship end for good?
"I think so.” Juan said, "Alexander wouldn't lie to me."
“And you would not dare to lie to me, would you?”
“Mother, you know that I would never lie to you. We may have different views on numerous issues, and you should know that if the situation had been different, you might have given Heather a chance. Nevertheless, because we are a royal family, there is no room in our home for a commoner. I recognize that."
Contessa exhaled a contented sigh. At least one of her sons is aware of the importance of the laws made for the benefit of their family and the towns.
“I am not your enemy, Juan. I have nothing against Alexander, either. However, these rules were crafted for a reason. Though Alexander may not comprehend it right now, he will in the future. At present, I am relieved that Alexander and Heather have broken things off. I am just surprised that Alexander gave in so easily,”
"Mom," he said, "He had no choice. You did not give him much of an option. We both are aware that you abide by your words, and Alexander loves Heather. He won’t take risks with her life. Further, Heather did leave our town. She would not have if she believed she had any chance Alexander,” Juan said,
“It could have been her ploy. To pull Alexander towards her and compel him to take her as his bride,” Contessa suggested.
Juan internally groaned. Her mother hated Heather and had abhorrent views about her. It was unacceptable.
“You might be correct in your assumption, but I strongly believe it was not a ploy. Heather recognized her true place in our family and left Warsavor without further notice. She might have expected Alexander to follow her. And he certainly did, but it is clear that they have parted ways,”
“To be honest, it still makes me uncertain about it. I know my elder son well. He does not give up that easily,” Contessa reasoned.
“You are absolutely right about it. But there is only so much one can do. Whatever our thoughts are, we cannot dismiss the rational fact that if Alexander and Heather would not have broken things off, then he would have demanded her to come home right this instant. He would not have sent me a letter about his broken heart and his future travel to the neighborhood for our estate business,” Juan elucidated.
“That is something I cannot disagree with. Alexander would have surely bought Heather here and demanded to wed her. Without a doubt, he would not have written us this letter if he was still with that girl. Just the fact that things are moving forward makes me happy. However, I am not happy that Alexander chose this time to travel across the entire region to finish the work he had been putting off.
“Mother, I firmly believe that now is the ideal moment. He will have some time to himself, and Heather will no longer be on his mind or in his heart. Currently, work is the best remedy for his broken heart.”
“Perhaps. Even if it takes him a few months to complete. We can now move on with his wedding to Diona Gonzales when he returns, at least. It is resolved. I want you to manage all of Alexander's duties until his return, and we will begin wedding preparations together. We must make haste. I do not want to waste time in their marriage on Alexander’s return,”
Juan nodded and left for his brother's work chambers.
His mother was determined and ecstatic with the turn of events. She appeared to believe the information in this letter for the time being, despite any little doubts she may have had. However, this letter also meant that Heather was not yet found.
This letter would not have arrived if she had been.
Either Alexander would have come alone or with Heather, and knowing his brother, it would be the latter.
‘If Heather was not in Mystes, then where was she?’ Juan pondered.
Whatever the case, maybe, he was confident that Alexander would find her and bring her back some way or the other. Until then, he would need to take care of all of his business and even his fiancé. Given his mother's eagerness to arrange Alexander's marriage as soon as he returned, he was certain she would ask him to occasionally assist Diona in advancing every arrangement.
That is something he was not looking forward to.
However, it does make him look back to the first time he met.
A bittersweet memory.