Bab 23: 23. Break Off The Engagement
After few days in Northernlands, Alexandra's mood seemed to be better, especially after she had a long conversation with Zachary Croft. She explained to him about her feelings for Benjamin, which started back in Azteria and now that she had found Benjamin, she didn't want to lose him again.
Zachary, who had long guessed about Alexandra's love for Benjamin, could only accept the reality that even if they were to be married, Alexandra would not be happy, which eventually would lead to a separation. Rather than enduring such a miserable life together, Zachary Croft realized the best thing to do was to break off the engagement and let Alexandra be with the one she loved. Because he loved her, he'd rather see her happy. As a practical man himself, Zachary knew time would be able to heal his heart. He promised Alexandra that he would explain to his parents and encouraged Alexandra to speak to her father soon.
Alexandra was touched by Zachary's understanding and acceptance. She knew if it was someone else, that person would not have agreed to let it go so readily and would probably force her to accept the marriage.
Before they left for Azteria, Benjamin met up with Alexandra one more time and told her that he would be waiting for her good news. Alexandra appeared happy and hugged him before she boarded the flight back.
Back at the Zane Manor, Alexandra was surprised to see her father waiting for her. He looked worried and was pacing back and forth, and only stopped when he saw her walking in. Sir Dominic Zane immediately went to his daughter and hugged her.
"Alex honey! Why didn't you tell me? You are my daughter, you can tell me anything and everything. You know that!" He exclaimed.
"Father? What are you talking about?" Alexandra was stunned.
Sir Dominic Zane held his daughter's shoulders and smiled. "What else? About your secret love, of course!"
Alexandra's ears felt hot and she blushed at her father's remark. She didn't think her father would know so soon, even before she said anything. It must be the Crofts, she sighed in her heart.
"Zachary's dad just called and told me everything. He said that you and Zachary had decided to call off the engagement. As for the reason, Zachary told them he wasn't ready for marriage. They are very upset with him. But I know Zachary loves you so that shouldn't be the case. I figured, it must be my daughter who's not ready to get married. The only reason would be, you're in love with someone else! Am I right?" Sir Dominic Zane looked at his precious daughter intently, trying to gauge her reactions.
"I'm sorry Daddy. Zachary is just trying to protect me. Yes, I love someone else." Alexandra didn't dare to look at her father, for fear of upsetting him after she confessed.
"This girl...if you would've told us sooner, we wouldn't need to get through with the engagement. Why didn't you tell me? Can I know who is that lucky guy who has captured my outstanding daughter's heart?" Sir Dominic Zane probed.
"Daddy, it's Benjamin Wright." Alexandra said softly.
"Benjamin Wright? Your former bodyguard?! Didn't he leave without any news?" Sir Dominic Zane's brows furrowed at his recollection of the man.
"Yes. It's him. But I met with him again. He's now at Northernlands." Alexandra hoped his father would let her explain further before rejecting the man she loved.
"What is he doing there Alex?" Sir Dominic Zane asked. He felt there was more to this Benjamin Wright than just a mere bodyguard.
"Daddy, Benjamin's full name is Benjamin Wright Vern Dupont. He's the second born son of the Vern Dupont family in Northernlands. He left without notice because his brother met with an accident back then." Alexandra explained.
"Vern Dupont of Northernlands?? The royal family??" Sir Dominic Zane was shocked.
"Yes Daddy. I didn't know his real identity when he worked for us. I knew only when I met him at his brother's wedding celebration." Alexandra sensed her father's surprise and thus she led her father to the sofa to sit comfortably.
"You loved him, but does he know about it? More importantly, does he love you too?" Sir Dominic Zane suddenly felt a headache coming. He had met with various types of people in his years of business and social interactions, and he knew dealing with the royals was not easy and could be stressful. There were many red tapes and protocols to adhere to, and he didn't want Alexandra to deal with all that.
"Yes, he confessed to me. He wanted to meet you but I stopped him. I wanted you to hear it from me first. Do we have your consent, Daddy?" Alexandra could feel his father's reluctance upon hearing that Benjamin was from the royal family.
"Alex, I'm happy that you have found someone worth to love. But, have you thought it through? You fell in love with him before knowing his identity, now that you knew, do you think he's still a good choice?" Sir Dominic Zane asked.
"What do you mean?" Alexandra couldn't quite understand why her father was reluctant to accept Benjamin.
Sir Dominic Zane was silent for a moment before continuing his explanation.
"Alex, Benjamin is the second prince, am I right? If something were to happen to his older brother, I figured he would take over the family's affairs. Luckily nothing happened to Prince Aaron this time, but we don't know what the future holds. If you marry into the Vern Dupont family, you'd be tied up to their family and could not do whatever you wish anymore. And if I remember correctly, Benjamin's mother, Princess Margarite is the current King's adopted sister. The royal family is more complicated and Benjamin and his family is part of it. The royal cousins are in true fact, fighting amongst themselves for the throne, especially now that the current King is not married yet and thus, has no royal heir to inherit the throne. Being Princess Margarite's sons, both Prince Aaron and Benjamin are in line to inherit the throne as well. This itself creates more complications in the current royal affairs."
"But Daddy, since Princess Margarite is only the adopted sister, she is not of royal blood, is she? Why do Prince Aaron and Benjamin are still in line to the throne? Are they actually of royal blood? I thought their Princes' titles are bestowed, not inherit." Alexandra was confused by her father's explanation.
"Archduke William Vern Dupont is the King's cousin. The Vern Duponts and the Xaviers royal families are closely intertwined. I fear if you marry into their family, you would be pulled into whatever internal strife the royal families are facing. Daddy just wants what's best for you. You need to consider carefully and thoroughly. This is a lifelong decision." Sir Dominic Zane tried to persuade his daughter to reconsider the whole matter with a practical approach, rather than be influenced with her emotions.
Hearing this, Alexandra grew silent. She knew her father had always looked out for her best interests and would only offer advice when it matters the most. From her past experiences, her father had always looked at things in a more objective ways and he would always consider future issues that may arise and tackled them on the spot. Therefore, this time, she knew whatever her father said was something she ought to really consider and think carefully about.
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