The Alchemists

The next morning, Caspar had a serious talk with Finland during breakfast.

"I know you don't like to be followed, but I will be honest with you, that from today, as soon as I return to Germany, I will ask Famke and Ivan to look after you. They will not report to me what you are doing. It's only to ensure your safety. "

Indeed, Caspar had promised Finland to act like a normal man by not using his access to extraordinary information to know everything about Finland especially when they are not together.

He must call or text her like regular man if he wanted to know what Finland was doing or wanted, so that they could become equals. But after they were married, and Finland was introduced to the entire Alchemist community, her safety became first priority for Caspar, exceeding his promise to her.

"My safety?" Finland asked.

"Yes. I told you that I have enemies. I don't want them to take the opportunity when you are far from me to bother you," Caspar answered. "I wanted to protect you quietly, but because we are married, I don't want to hide anything from you. Therefore, I ask for your permission to leave Famke and Ivan here. They will give you privacy and will not report your movements and whatever you do to me, but they will protect you if anything were to happen."

Finland was stunned to hear that. She thought that her last two weeks with Jean would be the last time she spent as a commoner. They would go on adventures, travel by public transportation, and do things just the two of them liked.

However, it turned out that Caspar wanted to send his bodyguards to watch over them. It was rather difficult for her to accept it.

"What should I say to Jean? You also have to tell him, because you guys are also disturbing his privacy, not just mine," Finland finally said.

"Famke and Ivan will not interfere with your privacy. They are very professional and will not show themselves. If I hadn't told you about this, you would never know that I sent people to look after you. I am now letting you know, because I do not want to hide anything from you, now that we are married."

"But we will travel by train and bus, how can they follow us?" Finland asked, confused.

Caspar smiled and ruffled Finland's hair fondly, "You don't need to think about anything. Let them take care of themselves."

"Hmm... well then." Finland knew she had no choice and was forced to say yes.

Caspar would go straight to Germany after breakfast and Finland promised to meet Jean in the hotel lobby at lunch. In fact, although Finland was very happy to see Jean again, she felt sad because she had to be separated from Caspar for two long weeks. It was a shame that in this life, people had to make choices; they couldn't get everything they wanted.

"I'm leaving first. Everyone at the hotel knows you are an important person here. Only the general manager knows your identity. If there's anything you need, you can go to him or call me or Stanis at any time," Caspar said to her before he left.

Finland nodded in understanding. Caspar kissed her and said goodbye. When he walked out of the penthouse door, Finland already missed him.

***

Finland prepared a small suitcase containing the stuff she needed for the next two weeks. She would leave the rest of her belongings in the penthouse. Jean came to the hotel a little before noon. He texted Finland as soon as he arrived, and the girl immediately went down to the lobby, carrying her small suitcase with her.

"Hey, Finland. How was your vacation?" Jean asked when he saw Finland coming. He hugged his best friend as soon as she was within reach. His face looked tired, but his mood was cheerful as usual. "My face is a big mess from the lack of sleep... hahaha, but you look beautiful."

"Thank you, Jean. If you consider this look messy, I can't imagine what you would look like if you put some effort to look good. See those girls over there? They haven't taken their eyes off you," Finland whispered to Jean, "Looks like I have to give them a baby bip so their drool won't wet their dress...."

"Hahaha... you are so funny." Jean laughed loudly at that. He was used to women and girls looking at him admiringly. "Have you had lunch? Do you want to have lunch here or outside?"

"Here is good. If we eat now, we will have the energy to walk around after lunch. I'll leave the suitcase at the concierge first."

Finland gave her bag to the concierge who received it in surprise. They knew that Finland lived in the penthouse upstairs, so why would she need to put her bag in concierge? They could only guess. She then invited Jean into the restaurant on the ground floor.

"Did you stay here?" Jean asked as they sat down at the table and ordered lunch.

"Yes, but for the next two weeks, I will stay with you." Finland looked at Jean with a guilty look, "There are many things we have to talk about."

"Of course," Jean said with a soothing smile. "I understand."

He guessed that Finland wanted to talk about Katia and Caspar, and their 50-year relationship. Jean was actually very curious about what happened, but he did not want to enter a realm where he was not invited. He would patiently wait until Finland told him what she wanted him to know.

Meanwhile, Finland, who had decided to give Jean the memory potion, felt that there was nothing more to hide during the next two weeks. She wanted to be with Jean in honesty in their last moments together, because after that she would have to say goodbye to him, forever.

Jean would forget everything that had happened.

"Caspar is no ordinary person..." Finland said in a low voice. "He was born in 1580, more than 400 years ago. He and the rest of his family are part of the Alchemists clan who discovered the secret to immortality hundreds of years ago. There are now hundreds of people like them around the world. They belong to a group called Alchemists. They all look young because their bodies do not experience disease or aging like ordinary humans. They live among us, ordinary people, but their identities are kept secret. Surely you understand why..."

Jean was stunned to hear Finland's words. He never thought that Finland would talk about immortals like this. He thought what Katia said might just be their inside joke, and that she didn't mean literally 50 years...

But now Finland was telling him that Caspar was an immortal ... an Alchemist?