The Prince Who Cannot Fall In Love & The Missing Heiress

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FOUR WEEKS LATER

Mischa and Vega thought they would meet the whole family in a conference call when they reached the Schneider's castle in Stuttgart, since that was what Aleksis suggested when they were talking on the phone, back in Nice.

So.. imagine their surprise to see Aleksis welcome them at the castle entrance when they parked the car on the courtyard and got out of the car.

"Mom?" Vega batted her eyes in confusion. "Aren't you in New York now? What are you doing here?"

She and Mischa exchanged glances. They had met Lauriel in Grosetto last week but the man didn't say anything about Aleksis going to Germany to see them. If this was a surprise, then her parents got them really good this time.

"I want to congratulate you in person!" said Aleksis with a big smile. She came forward and hugged Vega warmly. The girl was pleasantly surprised to see her mother in Germany, thinking she was still in New York.

Did this mean her father was also here? While she hugged her mother, Vega looked behind her mother's shoulder and saw the man in question was walking out of the castle with a big smile on his handsome face.

Yes, she was right! Elios Linden was here too. The man was never far from his wife. He came to Vega's side and waited patiently until his wife was done venting her longing to their only daughter. Then, he took his turn.

"You look healthy," he said when he pulled Vega into his arms and kissed her hair. "And happy."

"I am happy, father," said Vega. She kissed her father on both cheeks and hugged him again. Meanwhile, Vega waved at Mischa who just came out of the car with their suitcase.

"Come and give me a hug!" she ordered. The man put down the suitcase and did as she said. He hugged her and kissed her cheeks too.

"Mother." When he called Aleksis mother, it was not awkward at all. People who didn't know this family would be baffled to see a young girl hugged a man, not much older than her and called him father. And her fiance called another young woman as 'mother'.

"Wow.. you guys are having fun," Aleksis commented. "I am jealous at seeing the beautiful pictures you posted. You were in Switzerland several days ago, right? Now, I miss our home in Grindelwald too."

"Yes, it's beautiful," Mischa admitted. "We went around places and decided to stay in Swiss a bit longer."

"Oh, do you plan to live there after you get married?" Aleksis asked with interest after she let go of the man from her embrace.

Mischa only nodded, but didn't say anything. He would let Vega explain their plans to her family later.

Now, it's Elios' turn to hug his foster son who would soon become his son-in-law.

Ahh... who would have thought that four decades ago when he met this boy, Mischa, and cared for him, Alaric Rhionen who later became Elios Linden would have his own children and even a beautiful daughter that he loved with all his heart... and this daughter of his would marry Mischa.

Now, he felt grateful that he had raised a good man after he saved Mischa from abusive parents and a bleak future.

This good deed returned to Elios forty years later. Now, his daughter would have a wonderful husband who would love her, care for her, and protect her just as much as Elios himself would.

There was no one he would want better than Mischa to be with his daughter for the rest of her life and make her happy.

The man was raised to be tough but at the same time caring. He and Elios shared many values together and it was so easy to accept him to be part of their big family.

"Thank you for taking care of Vega," Elios said as he patted Mischa's back. "I will trust you with my daughter from now on."

Mischa was so moved by the acceptance shown by Aleksis and Elios. He was a warm and happy man, but today he couldn't help but shed some tears too. This was a big day, the happiest in his life to date.

Vega wiped her eyes too. She didn't say anything, for fear she would burst into tears. 

"Hey... the bride and groom-to-be are here!" Terry's voice from behind the door suddenly shocked Vega who was about to cry. She looked in that direction of the voice and found her uncle walked out of the castle with a big grin on his face.

Wait.. why was Terry here?

"Whaa... they are here! Why didn't anyone tell us?" Now, it was the voice of Finland Schneider, Vega's grandmother. She came out and tapped Terry on the shoulder. "Go, tell everyone to come down!"

Terry gave Vega and Mischa quick hugs then went back inside. Vega was wide-eyed when she realized maybe... maybe her whole family was here.

Really?

"I miss you so much!" Finland gave Vega a bear hug and showered her with kisses. Vega was her first grandchild and she loved this girl so much. Seeing how beautiful and happy she was today, Finland felt so grateful.

Then, she also hugged Mischa and kissed his cheeks like she would to a child. "Have you guys eaten anything?"

"We already had a nice breakfast down in the village," Mischa replied.

"Ah.. that's good. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But still... you have to get ready to empty your stomach. We will have proper lunch soon."  Finland motioned to a servant to carry the couple's bag and she took them by the hands and walked inside. "Let's meet everyone."

"E-everyone...?" Mischa muttered in confusion.

Vega turned to her mother and mouthed her question. 'Didn't you say we should have a conference call with the whole family?'

Aleksis chuckled. "This is a conference too, isn't it?"

Elios added, "When we told the whole family that you will come to Stuttgart in July and we should have a conference call to see you, Granpa Caspar suggested them to fly here instead and meet you in person, to congratulate you both properly. Everyone agreed excitedly."

Vega and Mischa exchanged glances. They didn't expect this to happen.

So... everyone... EVERYONE is here?