Chapter 64

Contessa instantly got up from her seat when the door opened to welcome her son, but she was completely taken aback when he made a step to the right, revealing Heather Crown was now standing next to him.
"What is she doing over here?" Contessa inquired with a glare on her face.
"Mom, you already know the cause. There is no need to spell it, in my opinion," Alexander said.
"Did you know about it, Juan?" Contessa addressed her younger son, who was standing on Heather's left.
However, before he could reply, Alexander spoke. “He knew nothing of it. It was a few minutes ago when he discovered our presence on this estate.”
Even though Contessa was comforted by Alexander's reply, she was not persuaded by the explanation for Heather's return.
"Heather, you should not have returned. You ought to have stayed away from this family after all you have caused us to endure."
“Mother, it was me who forced her to accompany me,” Alexander stated.
“So you were on the lookout for her all this while, or was it your plan all along to make her run away and then follow her? Why did you return Alexander? Did the two of you already get married? Is this some kind of scandal?” Contessa enquired.
“No, we did not get married. How I wish we would have, but no. This would not have been acceptable to Heather. She did flee, but I tracked her down two days before and brought her here against her will." Alexander defended.
“Why?” Contessa demanded.
“To prove her innocence, Mother. She did not try to hurt us. I do not want my family or the residents of this community to hold her accountable for something she did not even commit. It is unjust.” Alexander stated.
“And I should take your words as evidence?" Contessa arched her brows.
“Although I wish you would, I am aware that you would not. Please give me some time to locate the real culprit. Heather deserves a fair chance. You cannot take away her right to do so." Alexander declared emphatically.
“Very well. I can give her a chance to prove her innocence. She is welcome to stay in the temporary accommodation we gave her during her previous visit."
Although their mother's immediate approval surprised Alexander and Juan, they decided against pushing their luck any further. When she wants to, their mother can be sensible.
“She can stay with me in my room, Mother. There is no need for her…”
Contessa, however, moved stoically in Alexander's direction. “Did you forget my warning, Alexander? I am running out of patience.”
Alexander furrowed his brow in rage. He clearly recalled the warning his mother had given him before his departure.
On the other hand, Heather was intrigued by the warning, but she refrained from becoming involved.
“I appreciate the gesture, Madam Diadem,” Heather said.
“You should. You will be escorted to your dwelling by my guard. In a few minutes, I will be there to greet you.”
Contessa signaled her guard to escort Heather and nodded at Juan to leave her alone with her elder son.
“What were you thinking, Alexander? You are playing with fire. I can put an end to Heather permanently. I specifically commanded you to end your relationship with her, and yet you did the exact opposite.”
“I wanted to prove Heather’s innocence. And sure, Mother, you demanded that I discontinue my relationship with her, but did you really believe that I would comply? I adore her very much. Without her presence in my life, I am unable to think for even a second.” Alexander tried to justify his actions.
“Even at the cost of her life?” Contessa questioned, her eyes narrowing.
“I wanted to reason with you, mother. For one final time. To make you see her through my eyes. You are a wife, mother, and woman. You must be able to relate to me and have confidence in me regarding the partner I have selected for my life. In all you have ever taught me, you must have faith. When did you start acting so petty? There was a time when you could have softness inside of yourself despite your rigorous and uncompromising personality.”
Contessa's heart was moved, and she felt for her child, but her anger for Heather somehow clouded her judgment. It was beyond her capability to make sense of her elder son's words.
“Alexander, I am doing this for our family. How about this? If you marry Diona Gonzales, I will exonerate Heather of all allegations.”
“That is not fair,” Alexander stated.
“I have no personal enmity with Heather. What I want is for Diona to be part of this family under any circumstances. No matter how you feel about Diona, you must marry her and grant her children the right to rule this realm. I do not care about your relationship with Heather or your marriage to Diona, but Diona Gonzales will be your wife.”
Alexander was appalled by his mother's words.
“You are insulting my relationship with Heather, and I will not allow it.”
“And right this second, I can lock Heather up in the dungeons.”
“Mother…” Contessa raised her hands to stop Alexander from speaking as he opened his mouth.
"Alexander, these are the laws of our dynasty. This is my final word of advice to you. The moment you marry Diona, I will absolve Heather of all the charges. But if you do otherwise, Heather will cease to exist, and I will make sure she will be remembered as a traitor to our state.”
Alexander was aware that he ought to have known better than to withhold his mother's expectations. His plan had ultimately failed. He should have married Heather and never returned to Warsavor.
“I would not let anyone tarnish her name. By the end of the week, I will be married to Diona Gonzales.” Alexander stated
“Very well. You will not be permitted to meet Heather Crown by then. You are not allowed to speak with her. You are forbidden to even breathe the same air as her, and if you cross the boundary and enter her chamber, the energy inside her residence will burn her alive.”
Alexander was aware that his mother was not playing a ruse. He stormed out of the room only in the hopes that Heather would not misinterpret his decision to marry Diona Gonzales.