Prince Hayden's Heroine

Fin

PRINCE HAYDEN'S POV Continued

I arrive at the interrogation room to meet up with Loyd. "Your highness, the guards won't speak and we were just getting ready to interrogate the man that had you at gun point." I put my hand on Loyd's shoulder. "Let me handle the questioning on that guy; I have a score to settle." Loyd gives me concerned stare and nervously speaks "but your highness, you... you can't, it could get out of hand." Loyd's nerves carry through his voice; he will always be like a brother to me, but right now, I need to end this. "You can come along with me; but let me do all the talking." I give his shoulder a re-assuring squeeze, let go and proceed to the main interrogation room.

"Oh lookie who we have here, it's the brat and his little puppy. Roy was right about all of you." I take a seat in front of the man. I place my hands under the table in an effort to conceal the anger that is raging inside of me. The damage this man and his organization has caused is unforgivable and he still has the nerve to insult me. I clench my jaw and take a deep breath. I begin my line of questioning "was Roy your leader?"

Man: "I guess I can answer, we're all screwed now anyways. Plus, it's not like our "sponsors" will give a fuck any more. Yes, Roy was our leader and he was one of your kind, a rich bastard. You nobles and your classes disgust me. I can't believe I tried so hard to become like you.

Prince Hayden: "What were you trying to accomplish? You never fully stated what you wanted."

Man: "All we were trying to do was to stop YOU. Your idiotic idea of blurring the lines between societal classes and bringing international attention to us. You know how many nobles paid for our supplies and supported us? Many, many did. This goes deeper than you know. Your grandfather may have started it all, but your father seemed to be on the nobles side... but you, you had to come along and bare your grandfather's idealistic stupidity. My men and I, we could have been rich."

Prince Hayden: "Who supported your cause? I need their names right now."

Man: "Oh, getting all high and mighty now, are we? First, tell me, how's your little commoner bitch doing?"

Anger surges through me and I see only in black and white. My hands react before I have a chance to control them. I stop breathing for a few seconds until I feel Loyd pull me away. I blink and realize that I had just grabbed the man by his collar and punched him a couple of times. I had let all my anger lose as was evident by the gashes I had left on his face.

Man: Laughs nervously. "Hit a nerve, did I, Prince Hayden? We thought we had taken her out, but it turned out she survived our initial attack. It is what it is, your highness... Our leader works in your council, Dr. McKenzie, you can start with him. We were just trying to restore the old ways of Philip."

Loyd releases his hold on me once he feels my body relaxing. "Loyd, take care of the rest with him." I straighten myself and leave the interrogation room. Once outside I look for my security director. "Inform the authorities to look for Dr. McKenzie and arrest all other men that are mentioned by that prisoner inside." The man vows and states "at once your highness." My next move is to speak with my father.

Once at his room I am quickly met by my mother's warm embrace. "HAYDEN! Thank the heavens you are all right! Hearing it is one thing, but seeing it, I'm just so glad." I hug her back and look to my father. "Mother, I'm fine, but need to speak with both of you." My mother takes a seat next to my father and I remain standing. "Father, your best friend, Dr. McKenzie, was involved in all of this, as I've been just made aware that there are many other nobles involved; but I'm sure you already knew that." My father lowers his gaze and looks away from mother. "What's he talking about, my King?" My father slowly raises his head. "Son, I, I tried to stop them. They threatened to kill you and I couldn't do anything, I couldn't lose you... I, I'm a coward for not saying anything, for letting it get this far. When they shot your fiancé, I didn't have the heart to step up to them... I didn't want that to happen to you..." tears fall from his eyes as my mom tries to comfort him.

I place a hand on my father's shoulders to try and ease his pain. I'm sure he must have felt he was between a rock and a hard place all this time and tried to protect me as best as possible. "Father, I don't blame you, but I needed to be sure of what your intentions with this group were. I love you and mother, but if I am to be king of this nation, I will take care of this swine. As king, I cannot have such people surround me. Philip has to change completely, for the better. These nobles have been in charge for too long and have taken it too far by using our own people against us. I came to ask you to let me handle this matter." My father nods and gives me a firm pat on the shoulder. "Prince Hayden, you are in charge of this investigation as well as the punishment of this terroristic faction." I take a step back and vow to my parents before taking my leave.

ALORA'S POV

Two days have passed since the last incident and my arm is feeling so much better. Enriqueta and Dr. Arman have been basically by my side since that time. Hayden has been busy but visits me at night just to tuck me in for bed. As for the status of my name, Dr. Arman has cleared it and ensured that I remain an Altamira since my parents had passed away during my teen years. "Mija, you're one of us forever!" Enriqueta exclaims happily. I smile and hug them "ay...ow, ow, ow...ha, ha, ha..." I started laughing because I had forgotten about my injury. "Alora... please be careful." I smile at Dr. Arman as we finish our hug. "Now there is no going back and forth, I will call you father and mother from now on." A soft knock is heard on my door and I answer: "come in!"

Every time I see Hayden, my heart seems to take an extra beat. "Good morning Mr. and Mrs. Altamira, I came bearing good news." Hayden takes my hand and seats with me on the couch; father and mother seat in the adjacent sofa. "All of the men from the rebellious faction have been arrested and are going to be sentenced next week. Many of the nobles arrested have expressed deep regret, but, we'll be putting them to work doing community service, more than likely. Now, on to better things. Mr. Altamira, I wanted to ask you formally for Alora's hand in marriage." My father looks at Hayden with teary eyes and mother smiles from ear to ear. "Yes son, you are welcome to our family. We just ask that you let her visit us often and that you protect her with all your might." Prince Hayden stands up along with my father and they shake hands and hug. "Mr. Altamira, I will protect her with my life, just as she has protected me." They both pull away from each other and sit once again.

Seeing this moment brings tears to my eyes once again and I can't help but to feel my heart bursting with happiness. Hayden smiles and holds my hands. "In a couple of days, we will be announcing our engagement to the world; two weeks after that we will marry in Noble Michael and the day after that we will be crowned as King and Queen of Philip." Hayden's words struck me suddenly and my parents' jaws dropped as well. Hayden took a firmer hold of both of my hands. "Alora, I know this is sudden, but the reason behind the rush is due to my parents' sudden decision to retire, and much work must be done to bring Philip forward. Please, tell me you agree and that you will be with me through all of this." Before any of this happened, I would have struggled to process such a crazy plan, but after being through so much in the last few months, I know I can handle anything that comes my way. Plus, the people of Philip are important to me and deserve to have a great nation, I know I can conquer anything that comes my way. "Hayden, I will be honored to be by your side as your wife and queen. I love you and will always support you." Hayden hugs me and whispers in my ear. "I love you, more than life itself. Thank you, for everything you have done for me, for everyone." He pulls back and places a kiss on my forehead.

My father and mother look upon us and smile. "Alora, mija, we just texted your uncle Emilio and well, he'll..." before my mother could finish her sentence, uncle Emilio bursts into my room. "FIESTA TIME!!!!" and with that, my aunt and brothers all come rushing inside with guitars in hand as well as wine and tequila. I start laughing and Hayden snakes his arm around my waist, pulling me closely to his side. "I really love your family's enthusiasm!" He whispers in my ear. I smile in return and whisper "you'll need to build some enthusiasm; this party is bound to last until late morning." His eyes widen in shock and I kiss his cheek.

I never knew life would lead me to this path, but after everything that has happened, I now know what I should have known long ago. I can handle anything that comes my way and fight tooth and nail to ensure that those I love are safe and happy. I raise my glass with my new family and cheer "TO MORE ADVENTURES!" everyone responds "to more fun and love!"

Thank you for reading this! I hope you enjoyed it! I will be writing other stuff here and there having to do with Star Crossed Myth, KBTBB, etc.