The Alchemists

Nicolae didn't understand why Aleksis was now crying softly. He did not know what had caused the tears to run down her cheeks, but he tried to comfort her while wiping her tears with his finger.

"Sshh ... what made you so sad?"

Nicolae then remembered that Aleksis became sad after he told her the story about his past. Did Aleksis feel sympathy because he was born without knowing his parents?

"I'm really okay ... don't be sad," Nicolae persuaded desperately. "I was well cared for by my parents and they loved me a lot. My foster father was the trusted doctor of King Michael of Romania in his place of exile. I had a really happy life ... I even followed the footsteps of my foster father and became a doctor ... so, there is no need to be saddened by my fate."

Aleksis looked fixedly at Nicolae and finally nodded.

"I'm glad that you were well taken care of by a good family, and that you had a happy life ..." She tried to smile. "But my tears are actually for Uncle Rory, not for you."

"Eh?"

Nicolae really couldn't help thinking about this girl named Aleksis; her attitude was always very strange and unexpected. He remembered that one time Aleksis hugged him excitedly and called him 'Prince Siegfried', but then she ignored him altogether and said that Prince Siegfried was her dog.

Today she was moved to tears after Nicolae told her about his past, that he was born during the war and his mother died while giving birth to him, so Nicolae never met his biological parents. But instead of crying for Nicolae, Aleksis' tears were apparently for her uncle.

"You are very difficult to understand ..." Nicolae finally said. He was slightly hurt because Aleksis was not sympathetic to his life story. He sighed and then examined his wound once more.

The wound on his shoulder was well cared for and he also felt quite refreshed. He felt that there was no longer a point in lingering at someone else's place. Nicolae then got up and tidied his clothes that were neatly folded on the table. He would excuse himself so that he could rest at his own place.

"Where are you going?" Aleksis asked. She didn't expect Nicolae to go home so soon after hearing about the Alchemist secrets from her.

"I want to go back to my place," Nicolae said with a smile. "My head feels dizzy. I don't want to bother other people for too long."

"Why not rest here? You are not at all troublesome," said Aleksis half forcefully, "I promise I will take care of you well. You have helped me several times."

"Are you sure?" Nicolae asked. "When I'm sick I'm very troublesome, you know ..."

"It's okay ..." said Aleksis firmly. She was sure that taking care of a sick man would not be more troublesome than taking care of Little Prince Siegfried.

Oh, that reminded her that she had to call Terry to bring her dog back to the penthouse. Now that she no longer lived in the dormitory, Aleksis could take care of her own dog.

Gosh, she really missed her Prince Siegfried, both the big and the little one.

"I helped you selflessly, really, there's no need for you to repay any kindness to me," Nicolae said again.

Aleksis shook her head, "It doesn't bother me, really. Besides feeling indebted to you, I also feel a little guilty because it was my bodyguards who hurt you. I can't imagine what would have happened if the bullet got to your heart... I wouldn't want to live anymore."

Of course, Aleksis would not have been able to face Lauriel if she had caused the death of his only son. Thinking about it made her chest feel tight. She had caused such a terrible misunderstanding.

She had two pairs of bodyguards because she was not being honest to anyone. If she hadn't accepted Takeshi's and Mischa's protection, and used only Carl and Sascha as her bodyguards, then Mischa wouldn't have hurt Nicolae like this.

She must immediately quit this cat-and-mouse situation with her having four bodyguards. She must tell Lauriel what had happened, so that they could both find out who really wanted to kidnap her that day.

Nicolae's blue eyes seemed to shine brightly at Aleksis' words when she firmly said she wanted to take care of him.

Well, since Aleksis herself offered to take care of him, he should not be foolish and reject the girl's kindness.

"Uhm ... then, I'm hungry ..." Nicolae said in a rather cutesy voice, "I didn't have time to eat lunch because I was making a report, and when I was finally going to eat, I saw the kidnappers and so I rushed to take you away by my car ... It's already late, and my stomach is now hungry."

Aleksis was astonished to see Nicolae being so casual to her. This young man was so clever. Since Aleksis offered to take care of him, he would not pass the opportunity to cling on the girl.

"Uhm ... okay. What do you want to eat?" Aleksis asked him. "I can't cook, so I'll ask the chefs to come here to cook whatever you want."

Now it was Nicolae's turn to be stunned. She would call chefs to cook? How rich was this girl actually?

"Whatever I want? Is that true?" He asked curiously.

Aleksis nodded.

"Continental Hotel is known to have the best chefs in the world. I'm sure there's nothing they can't make."

"Continental Hotel???" Nicolae started to observe his surroundings. "Are we at a hotel? Not at an apartment?"

"This is an apartment in the Continental Building," Aleksis said. She was satisfied to see Nicolae's dumbfounded face.

"There are no apartments in the Continental Building ..." murmured Nicolae, "except ..."

Aleksis only smiled at Nicolae's confusion. She picked up the phone from the wall and called the receptionist below.

"Please send some chefs up to cook lunch for us, okay. Thank you."

Nicolae looked at Aleksis with a puzzled face.

In the Continental Building there were no apartments; there were only offices, hotel rooms and suites, and ... one penthouse!

Were they now in the penthouse? If so ... who was Aleksis really?

Only very rich people or the building owners could stay in the penthouse.

"You're right. There are no apartments in the Continental Building, there is only one penthouse. My family stays here when we come to Singapore," Aleksis said. "Do you want to eat in your room or can you walk to the dining room? I can give you a tour of this place, if you want."

Nicolae would certainly not miss touring the most amazing penthouse in Singapore. With enthusiasm he got up and followed Aleksis' steps.

"Ugh ... don't walk too fast, my body is still weak," he said, leaning on Aleksis' shoulder. "Can I hold on to you?"

Aleksis nodded as she supported Nicolae's arms. "Sure."

"I already told you that I am very troublesome when I'm sick; it was you who offered to take care of me ..." Nicolae said again. He tried to hide his happy smile for being able to hold Aleksis while walking around her residence. Indeed, his body was still weak due to excessive bleeding, but actually his condition was not that bad.

"Yes, Sick Boy. I did offer to take care of you," hissed Aleksis.

She took Nicolae around the very luxurious and spacious penthouse. The young man could not hold back his admiration as they passed the living room, sitting room, study room, dining room and the kitchen, and the spacious balcony with a green garden on the outside. They stopped at the vast infinity pool overlooking the beautiful city below.

"This place is beautiful ..." Nicolae murmured. He turned to Aleksis, "Thank you for welcoming me here."

"Hmm ..." Aleksis nodded. She would leave Nicolae for a bit so she could check on Lauriel's condition. She was sure that Lauriel must be very sad to know that Luna died while giving birth to their child, and that for nearly 100 years, Nicolae lived without knowing his true identity. "Are you okay waiting here? Just enjoy the view for a while. I need to check on the chefs sent here and Uncle Rory's condition ..."

"Why do you have to check on your uncle's condition? Is he sick?" Nicolae asked in confusion. According to him, Aleksis' treatment of her uncle was a little too much.

Aleksis did not answer. She heard the door open behind her and immediately turned. She saw Lauriel walking out of the penthouse to the swimming pool with a complicated expression. It was hard to tell what was on his mind.

Nicolae, who saw Aleksis turn around, followed the direction of her gaze. He was amazed to see Lauriel walking briskly toward them. He did not believe in his own eyes when he saw that the man had tears in his eyes ...

Gosh ... Was something wrong? Crying seemed very unsuitable for such a guy, he thought.

Lauriel looked like a very tough man. His body was tall and sturdy, and his handsome face always bore a cold expression. His blue-green eyes looked very deep and seemed to store centuries of wisdom; very impressive.

When he saw Lauriel, Nicolae was immediately reminded of some Greek Gods. So, when such an impressive man approached them with tears in his eyes, which he seemed to try hard to hold back, it  had a surprising impact on Nicolae.

Aleksis knew that Lauriel was very sad. She had never seen her Uncle Rory's face filled with such deep sorrow. After nearly 100 years, he was finally beginning to forget his memories with his girlfriend, Princess Luna. Seventeen years ago, he even decided not to take Death. But today, all those memories must have suddenly flooded back into his mind...

At the same time, Lauriel was also overcome with happiness knowing that he had a son ... The child whom he thought had died before it was born, had apparently survived. Deep sadness and happy feeling raged in his chest at the same time.

"Nicolae ... is that your name?" Lauriel asked after arriving in front of the two. His eyes stared fixedly at Nicolae.

"Uhm ... yeah, that's my name ..." Nicolae said, nodding in confusion. He was somewhat speechless to see the way Lauriel looked at him. This man suddenly felt very familiar.

He then paused.

His mind immediately connected some of the strangeness he had encountered from Aleksis and Lauriel's attitudes. "Wh ... what's up?"

Nicolae did not know why, but suddenly his eyes became wet with tears. Was sadness contagious? he thought, confused.

As far as he knew, only laughter and yawning could be contagious. Sadness couldn't be transmitted. Then, why did his chest suddenly feel this tight? This feeling of tightness was due to deep emotions, not from the wound on his shoulder. He did not understand why the stranger he had just met felt so familiar.

"My son ..." Lauriel whispered softly. He then hugged Nicolae very tightly.

Nicolae's body froze instantly at the mention of those two words.

In his entire life, he never knew who his biological parents were. He thought that he was a victim of biological engineering projects during Hitler time, and in effect, he didn't age. Never in his long life had he expected that his parents were the reason why he was born as an immortal. He did not expect his father to still be alive ...

And now fate brought them together after being separated for nearly 100 years ...

Only then did Nicolae realize why that man felt familiar to him.

Lauriel reminded him of himself.