The Alchemists

Nicolae tried to ignore Terry and his friends who were happily discussing how they could exploit Nicolae's good looks and popularity. He was busy searching all his networks to get information about Alexei Meier and Sophia Meier.

Suddenly he entered a notification from one of the platforms in Darknet that he had subscribed to. It was a message from Pavel, which he had refused this morning.

[Wolf, Alaric Rhionen from Rhionen Assassins wants to sign you to find Aldebar. State your price. Whatever you demand, it will be granted.]

Alaric Rhionen ? His brows furrowed.

His last name was the same as Rhionen Assassins and Rhionen Industries. Who was this person? It seemed like he was very determined to find Aldebar, even though Wolf had refused the assignment.

Suddenly Nicolae's chest pounded. 'Don't tell me … Did I manage to lure a big fish out of the darkness?'

Nicolae contemplated for a moment. What should he do? It seemed like Rhionen Industries was very eager to find Aldebar that Alaric Rhionen himself gave away his identity. This now confirmed the relationship between the two, namely Rhionen Industries and Rhionen Assassins. Nicolae could use it as evidence to uncover the big technology company's dark secrets...

Nicolae tapped on Terry's shoulder and signaled the young man to look at his laptop screen. Terry turned his head, and when his eyes caught sight of what Nicolae wanted to show him, he hurriedly hung up his phone.

"I'll call you later." He then turned his attention completely to Nicolae's laptop. Involuntarily, his hands covered his mouth in surprise, "This means they are indeed related ..."

"That's right. He said he will grant whatever I ask ..." Nicolae said quietly. He and Terry looked at each other, "I could collaborate with Aldebar ... Providing his location information to Alaric. But we still have to make sure that Aldebar remains safe. As for compensation, I will request complete information about Rhionen Assassins. Information in exchange with information."

"You think he'd be honest? He could give us false data," Terry argued.

"Of course I will verify all the information he will provide, false or not. I'm not that stupid," Nicolae replied. "Did you forget who I am?"

"Ugh ... okay. Try asking if he is okay exchanging info." Terry eventually nodded.

Nicolae quickly typed a reply to Pavel and mentioned his conditions for cooperation. After pressing the SEND button, both of them then waited.

***

Aleksis paced back and forth the living room followed by Little Siegfried Prince. Both of them looked funny as they were walking back and forth, like a steam iron, making Lauriel who was researching several medicinal plants nearby baffled.

"You look very nervous. What's the matter?" he asked her.

"I'm bored at home ..." complained Aleksis. Lauriel banned her from leaving while Carl and Sascha were with Terry and Nicolae chasing the criminals who wanted to kidnap her.

Aleksis couldn't stand having to stay still for a long time. She also couldn't ask for help from Takeshi or Mischa, because she knew they were injured. She also couldn't contact them without her phone-watch.

"Be patient until Nico and Terry come home," Lauriel said to soothe her. "I  have also received answers from several members of the Wolf Pack. Tomorrow, two people will stop by here."

When Lauriel's cellphone rang, he hurriedly picked it up. There was Nicolae's voice on the other end of the line, giving a report of what he discovered. Lauriel nodded slowly and said a few sentences before hanging up.

"Any news?" Aleksis asked, feeling hopeful.

"Bad news. One of the criminals was found dead, after being tortured quite horribly," Lauriel said. "Looks like someone has gone ahead before us, beating the bad guys who wanted to kidnap you. Apparently, besides us ... there is someone else protecting you."

Aleksis covered her mouth with the back of her hand. Had somebody truly overtaken them ...? Who? Alaric's men?

Does it mean, even though Alaric was in England, he was still ensuring Aleksis's safety and trying his best to keep away anyone who wanted to bother her or do anything harmful to her? The thought made a beautiful smile form on her lips.

Ah ... she couldn't wait to contact Alaric.

"Do you know anybody else protecting you besides us?" Lauriel asked moments later, staring directly into Aleksis' eyes.

The girl was stunned. Ouch ... Was there a need for Lauriel to ask her this bluntly? Aleksis could not lie to her godfather, but she also did not want to tell him about Alaric now.

She must first change Alaric's image in the eyes of her family so she could bring him to meet them as her husband.

To Lauriel's question, Aleksis looked down and then nodded slowly.

"I know..."

"Is he Prince Siegfried?" Lauriel questioned once again.

Aleksis paused for a long time, then nodded slowly. "Indeed he is ..."

Lauriel sighed. He tried not to sound judgmental when talking to Aleksis. After all, he was very fond of this goddaughter of his and did not want her to feel uncomfortable when opening herself up to him.

Yet inwardly, he was disappointed because it seemed Aleksis had already set her heart on another man. The disappointment was because he actually hoped she would fall in love with his son, Nicolae.

"Is he nice to you?" Lauriel inquired again.

The girl bobbed her head. "He is kind to me ..."

"Do you like him?"

"I really like him ..."

I love him, Uncle Rory ... Aleksis told herself inwardly.

The man nodded. "I remember a little about him. We met 18 years ago ... Now he must be a lot older. You could pass as his daughter..."

I don't care , Aleksis said to herself.

She could not refute Lauriel and could only bite her lip nervously. She did not know where her talk with Lauriel would be going.

"My father is 400 years older than my mother..." Aleksis started. "I don't see what the problem is. Nico is also almost 100 years old ... He is much older than me."

Lauriel smiled as Aleksis used his words against him. "That's true. But Prince Siegfried is not an Alchemist like us."

"Indeed. But does it matter as much as someone's character and personality? Alexei Meier is an Alchemist and he has a young and perfect physique ... but what happens now? Uncle punished him for his crime." Aleksis could not accept that Lauriel questioned Alaric's physical appearance which was considered older than her. She felt the need to defend herself.

"I don't like humans, you know that. I only tolerate a few people. I have lived for more than 500 years and met so many people. The last thing I'd care about someone is his or her physical appearance. You should understand that," Lauriel stated later. "I don't mind if your Siegfried Prince is older."

"Actually, Prince Siegfried also hates humans ... many things about him remind me of you," replied Aleksis. "He is also very kind to me. Please don't tell me to stay away from him ..."

"Do you know who he really is? He might have something to do with the assassin organization, Rhionen Assassins, Aleksis. That's what makes me worried. I don't care about his looks or anything, but as your father, I don't want to see you suffer or live in danger. " Lauriel began to massage his forehead. He realized that Aleksis was a stubborn girl.

"He won't let me live in misery or be in danger," Aleksis insisted. "He loves me very much."

Lauriel was somewhat surprised to see his goddaughter's persistence in defending Prince Siegfried. He could only wonder how far their relationship had progressed.