The Alchemists

The two-hour journey felt like forever. Rune couldn't wait to leave Bacilia. His heart was in a mess and he felt like crying.

All his life, he had never felt so miserable. He was raised in a loving and happy family.  His life was perfect. He only knew and received things that were the best of the bests.

His parents loved him, his siblings doted on him. He could do whatever he wanted in life. Everything he wanted, he would get it.

Except for today.

As he leaned his back on the seat and closed his eyes, Rune thought about Rose and what she would decide after she talked with Leon. 

Now, he understood why his uncle, Aldebar, chose to stay single. He was happy with his life and so was Rune, until he met Rose. He realized that falling in love, when it was one-sided, was the worst feeling ever. 

He could understand his parents' and his siblings' happiness when they were with their better half. Of course, they were happy. Their love was requited and they were loved back.

Unrequited love hurt so badly.

He pressed his temple and thought about how Rose must have felt for the past two years.

She must be really hurt and sad because the man she loved didn't love her like she loved him. He cared more about wealth and power than her.

Oh, Rune.. stop it, he chided himself. He imagined himself in Rose's position. She had been crying alone for two years and kept her sadness to herself.

Surely she was glad that finally... Leon came to his senses and realized what's good for him, wasn't she?

If Rose felt happy with Leon, then Rune would wish them the best.

He hated Leon after what he did to Rose, but Rune wouldn't force his opinion on her by telling Rose that she deserved a man better than Leon. It was not his place to do such a thing.

The heart wants what it wants.

If what Rose wanted to feel happy was her first love back... then so be it.

So be it.

***

Finland and Caspar were surprised to see their youngest son arrived in their home in Berlin alone. However, they didn't say anything. They could tell something must have happened between Rune and Rose and she canceled her visit to Germany to meet them.

They knew when the time was right and Rune was ready, he would share with them about what happened.

"I've missed you so much!" Finland said as she came to hug her son. "How was the flight? Are you tired? Do you want to eat something?"

Rune hugged her back. "The flight was okay. I am not hungry. Maybe later."

"Ah... okay."

"Congratulations on the baby by the way," Rune added as he let go of his hug. "I am happy for you both. I've been wanting to congratulate you in person. So.. how many months in?"

He intentionally talked about his parents' new baby so they wouldn't ask him about what happened to Rose.  Of course, Finland knew this and she wouldn't do anything to pester her son who obviously looked sad, but Rune just didn't want to make the day about him.

His parents were feeling overjoyed after getting such good news that they were expecting. He didn't want to rain in their parade with his awful love story. He better keep it to himself.

"It's almost 12 weeks," his father replied. "So.. the first trimester is almost over. We only have two more months before I will take a long break from work and hand over everything to Jan."

"That's wonderful," Rune gushed. "So... we will have two babies in the family soon."

Finland coughed when she heard him. "Uhm... please don't remind me of that..." 

She still couldn't get herself used to normalize the fact that she and her daughter-in-law would have babies in the same year.

Rune chuckled when he saw his mother's reaction. He kissed her cheek and then told them he was tired from the trip and wanted to rest.

"I will meet you later for dinner. I think I need to lie down and rest for a bit," he said.

"Sure. Rest well. We will have London and L for dinner. They are happy to know you are here. Lily missed you too."

"Ah, okay."

Rune took his bag and went to his room at the far end of the hallway. It was a huge room with a mini library and a big lounge sofa. He tossed his bag to the corner and sat on the sofa.

It's been 2.5 hours since the last time he saw Rose. Was she still talking with Leon? Why hadn't she called?

Rune already told her to take her time and text or call him when she was done. If she wanted to go to Germany, Rune would come and get her. If she decided that she no longer wanted to come... then Rune would know where they stood.

If she chose the latter, Rune would understand that Rose had got back together with Leon and there was no chance for Rune to be in a relationship with her.

However, she still had not called or texted.

So.. did that mean they were still talking?

"Gosh.. I am so impatient," Rune muttered to himself. 

Rune should just wait.

***

Until dinner time, Rose still didn't call or text him, and this made Rune become more restless. What was Rose doing with Leon that they were still not done talking? 

Were they even talking? Or... did they do something else?

Uff... Rune couldn't help but think about all the worst possible scenarios.

Maybe they did talk... and then Rose fell for Leon again. So, they had makeup s.e.x. And they were still not done.

Or... they really made up and now Rose felt bad about telling Rune and be honest about it.

And... even if Rose was trying to be honest about what happened, could Rune accept it? Wouldn't it hurt so bad?

.

I know the last few chapters are sad for Rune, but I promise that this story will also have a happy ending ^^.