~ Time is all we have. We can not fast forward it, we can not rewind it, all we can do is live in the now. ~

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Important note: The chapter marked previously as Chapter 4 is a part of CHAPTER 2 now. The current Chapter 4 was previously marked as Chapter 7.
If you still have any confusion while reading, feel free to PM me and ask away:)

                         ***

I asked Scott to manipulate her mind to make sure she gets home safely. Even though she is not outside partying anymore, I still can't trust anyone there. What if someone enters the room and does something while she is asleep? Moreover, she is drunk. She is vulnerable and I cannot be there to protect her. I am overwhelmed with rage and punch the wall next to me. The building gradually starts to collapse. Oh, Jesus. Before anybody catches me, I escape from sight.

I feel really helpless. Unless it was extremely crucial, I wouldn't have left. I need to talk to my father. What does he think of fixing my marriage with Catherina? Besides, I have already found her now. So, he no longer has to think. Suddenly, my mood only lightens realising how happy I am to have her back. I can't wait to get the news out to everyone!

I enter the deeper part of the forest and end up stopping in front of a familiar old oak. I touch the bark of the tree with my hand and then slowly start feeling the familiar tingles on my palms that gradually spread to the base of my fingers, eventually reaching the tip. Then slowly I begin to feel lightheaded so I close my eyes, and next thing I know, I'm already in front of the palace.

The smell of the place gets to me. This is where I grew up. This is where it all happened. I am home finally. The guards bow to me as I walk in through the gates. All who pass me stop, searching again to make sure it's really me. Of course, for seventeen years, I haven't been here. They might as well have thought I was already dead or something. I walk and make my way through the pool and recall how many nights my father and I spent here drinking and discussing various things.

With Father, it is so fascinating. It's like he has always got something new for me to know. I love how he always tried his best not to sound like a king but just a father to me.

Yet all that changed after my stepmother somehow came up with the idea that I happen to fancy her daughter Catherina and because Catherina is partial of the same bloodline, it's not going to be a problem if we get married too. She planted the seed of hope within my father but I immediately refused when my father offered me this proposal. This still seems as if it was just yesterday.

"Father, how could you possibly?" I challenge him with uncertainty.

In court this morning he announced I'm going to marry Catherina. She's my sister and I'm already in love with another.

"What is the problem son? You adore Catherina. Surely, her being your half-sister shouldn't be a problem. There is no fault in marrying her as long as you love her." He tries to argue back.

"Catherina is perfect but I am already in love with another girl," I respond looking straight in his eyes.

He calmly asks, after a few seconds of silence, "Who is she?"

"Autumn."

Hearing her name, father relaxes his tense shoulders and smiles brightly at me.

"Why didn't I ever guess it was her? I am so happy. You haven't disappointed my son." He comes up and gives me a hug.

Since father already knows about Autumn, I can't help smiling cause now, that means we both obtained the King's approval for our relationship. This also means my stepmother will no longer be able to interfere in my life. I can't wait to go and say it all to Autumn at night.

So now I will be rejecting Father's proposal to marry Catherina for the second time. It all feels like deja vu. It's been so many years but apparently, some things never change.

                         ***

I walk into the courtroom where few officials sit, making plans with my father. The beautiful hall is lined with expensive couches on both sides. At the head, the King sits. The hall has a large crystal chandelier hung in the middle accompanied by other small chandeliers around it. The ceiling itself is made of glass. Thus, during the day, even if one does not draw the curtains on the windows, the room is still very bright as sunlight passes through the glass and illuminates it by bringing it to life.

The pillars are decorated around the hall with intricate gold designs and beautiful furniture and other pieces. As a boy, I remember this was my favourite room in the entire palace. Everybody looks up at me as soon as I step into the room.

My father's eyes widen before he whispers with tears in his eyes, "Alexander."

He dismisses the other officials and they leave both father and son to bond together.

I smile at him before starting to walk towards him. I never thought my father would welcome me with tears in his eyes. I wasn't expecting this.

"Father, how have you been?" I ask as one of the officials offers me a seat next to Father just before he leaves.

"Better now, son. You are back. It means everything will be fine again." He replied looking up at me with eyes which were shining with hope and expectation.

I didn't know what he is talking about yet but it better not be about my marriage. And thinking about that, I need to talk about it now.

"Father."

"Yes, son."

"I won't be marrying Catherina," I finish and look up to meet his gaze.

Just like I expected, his gaze hardens until it feels like he is staring into my soul. His nostrils flare and he curls his fingers into a fist. I know he is making effort to hold back his rage.

"Why?" He asks gritting his teeth so hard by now I am scared they will break under pressure.

"I found her Father!" I exclaimed. "Do you have any idea how long I have waited for her? I am so happy Father. I can't wait to come back with her," I said grinning from ear to ear.

My father's just holding my gaze for a moment, without saying a word. Then he says something which I haven't even considered all this while.

"She is human." He scoffs as though even uttering the human word makes his mouth distasteful. His nose scrunches in disgust.

"Yes, she's a human being. But what is the issue?" I ask with calmness.

"Because my dear son is basically a burden on top of our heads. She is inutile. We need somebody powerful. Someone who will rule the kingdom next to you as your partner and equal," he says. Without giving me a chance to interrupt, he continues, "We've got a war coming up son. We've got to prepare to save the kingdom."

"Father please-" I start but he cuts me off.

"Enough now. Go to your room and take some rest. During dinner, we will discuss a few more things regarding the wedding."

I can't believe it. This is ridiculous. I'm already storming off the room and going back to my side of the house. I packed my sword and a few other items quickly, and once I was satisfied that I had everything I needed, I went out of the room and bumped into a small figure.

My hands reach out automatically to stabilise the person from tripping and falling on their back.

"Thank you, brother," the voice of my sister hits my ears.

"Cathy," I give her a smile.

"Are you all right? How have you been?" I ask her. Personally, I didn't expect to be bumping into Catherina. Frankly, I don't know how to face her. I have to reject her because I love another and see her only as a sister, nothing less, nothing more.

She looked identical to an enchantress, with straight jet black hair that flowed past her waist. She could melt even the hardest of hearts with soft eyes and a beautiful smile. She was beautiful inside out. I always adored her like my own sister, even if we don't share the same mother.

That's why I hesitated about how I should react after the second time I rejected marriage with her. She has got to be so humiliated! But I am sure she already understands that I also have a good reason to do so.

"I am a good brother. But I didn't expect you particularly after what Father has proposed to you," she frowns as she talks.

"Cathy it is not your fault," I tell her. "I understand your mother's doing it all, but I can't really get married to you, even this time," I finished, waiting to see how she's taking the news.

It's like it took her some time to finally be able to process it.
She forces a smile and asks, "So what did you say this time to Father?"

"I found her in the end."

"I beg your forgiveness?" She immediately questions back.

"Autumn is back, Cathy. Autumn is back." I tell my sister. I know how exciting it would be for Cathy to hear this.

"What? I mean oh my goodness!!! How? When did this happen?" She asks in shock, covering her mouth with her hand.

"A couple of weeks back. Right now, I need to go. I'll tell you more about it later. Perhaps, she might share her story with you once I bring her back here too," I say winking at her and she smiles at me.

"I am so happy for you, brother." She says grinning at me.

We then say our goodbyes and I head out.

Only if Alexander turned back once, he would have noticed how slowly Catherina's grin vanished and her eyes darkened with anger before pushing her lips into a thin line tightly.

                            ***

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