The Alchemists

It must be fate. Lauriel saved Aleksis before she was born and loved her like his own daughter. Years later, the girl was the one who brought his long lost family back together.

Aleksis found his first son, Nicolae, and married Alaric, his second son. She also gave Luna's ring to Alaric when she was twelve and received Luna's hair from the man when she was twenty. Both were given as a token of love for each other.

And now the circle was complete. They have finally been reunited. Today was truly the happiest day in Aleksis' live. The man she loved, her godfather that she admired, and her best friend were all connected in a beautiful web surrounding her.

She wouldn't wish for anything else in life.

Being in familial warmth, Aleksis' birthday party went on merrily. She received various beautiful gifts from her cousins, brothers, and uncles. But of course, they all knew that the best gift for Aleksis that year was Alaric's return to her life.

"It's already late. It's about time we go back to the hotel. We'll come here again for the wedding tomorrow," Portia said after dinner. She turned to look at Nicolae and invited him, "Why don't you come with us to the hotel? We haven't had any chance to talk with you. I really want to hear your story."

Nicolae nodded. He knew that Portia had good intentions by inviting him to spend the night in their hotel. It was so Nicolae wouldn't have to feel awkward in Medici Castle, as the wedding preparations that had initially been for him were now to be for Alaric.

"I'll go with Aunt Portia and Uncle Ned to town. We'll come back here tomorrow," Nicolae told his father. He then nodded to Alaric, "You can sleep in my room while getting ready, or just choose one of the guest rooms that you like."

Alaric nodded but remained silent.

Some guests went to the city to rest in their respective hotels, while others stayed in the east wing of the castle, which was reserved for guests and relatives.

"Who do you want to sleep with tonight? Mommy or Grandma?" Finland asked her two grandchildren.

Vega and Altair happily rushed to Finland and exclaimed, "Grandma!!"

"Good for you. Mommy needs to sleep peacefully so she can get ready early for the wedding tomorrow," Finland patted the two.

Alaric only looked at the enthusiasm of his two children with a little jealousy. He really wanted to sleep with his children, but it seemed he still had to be patient because they were still unused to him. Aleksis, who saw his expression, immediately took Alaric's hand and invited him to approach their two children.

"Okay. Remember, don't be naughty, you two... You can sleep with Grandma tonight." She kissed Altair and Vega's cheeks and hugged them. She then signaled Alaric to do the same.

The man crouched down and hugged Altair, who returned his hug warmly. Vega was still hesitant, but Alaric didn't compel her. He just stroked his daughter's head and allowed them to go with Finland.

"It would be better for the bride and groom to have a rest so you won't be exhausted tomorrow. Don't stay up late." Finland reminded both of them before leaving while holding Altair and Vega's hands.

Aleksis was stunned to hear her mother's words. Her cheeks turned red. She knew what Finland meant. Since meeting her husband again today, the longing she had been holding for ten years was indeed difficult to contain. Indirectly, her mother had just advised the two of them to just rest and not vent their deep longing and desires towards each other.

Just now, the two of them kissed in front of their parents after talking about the wedding, because they felt so much longing for each other.

"The tradition is that bride and groom are not to meet each other before the wedding day," Aleksis whispered into Alaric's ear. The man just shrugged.

"That doesn't apply to us because we're already married," he said in an uncaring tone. "I want to spend every second with you. I don't want to be away from you again..."

Aleksis swallowed. She glanced around and realized that people had deliberately left the two of them alone. Her relatives knew how long they had been separated. They had the right to be reunited.

"Uhm..." Aleksis finally nodded after thinking for a while. She also didn't want to be away from Alaric, even for one second. "Let's just rest in my room then."

A smile adorned Alaric's face when he heard Aleksis' words, and he kissed her on her lips. He then ordered Aleksis, his digital assistant, to arrange for staff to get his clothes from the hotel and all other necessities.

"Who's that?" Aleksis asked when she heard Alaric speaking to his watch. Alaric just smiled and put his arm around her waist.

"My digital assistant. I made it based on your personality because I've always missed you." He then stopped walking and turned his body towards Aleksis, "I'm glad that I've met the real Aleksis now. I don't need it anymore."

"Hey... Is that so? Are you really going to discard me after everything?" grumbled Alexis, his digital assistant. "I'm angry."

Alaric pressed his assistant's off button and shook his head towards Alexis, pretending not to hear his digital assistant's voice. "You don't know how happy I am today."

They walked hand in hand to Aleksis' room in the west wing, conversing in quiet voices about how they were for the ten years they hadn't met.

"I can't wait to show you Altair and Vega's photos and videos," Aleksis whispered excitedly while she keeping her voice quiet. She didn't want to attract the attention of the servants passing by.

"I can't wait to see them," Alaric voiced out, feeling touched. He really wanted to see everything about his children and Aleksis while he was gone. The feelings of happiness in his chest were indescribable. "I think it'd be better to wait until we go home. You can share it with me through Holodeck. I want to see everything and be part of the experience."

Aleksis had heard about the technology, but she had never tried it. "Ah... That's one of the products of your company, right? I'm happy to be able to share that experience directly with you."

Alaric faintly smiled and nodded, "You might not know this, but I created Holodeck just so I could repeat my memories with you because I missed you so much. I'm glad you'll be able to use it to share memories with me."

Aleksis was stunned to hear her husband's honest statement, a wave of emotion bursting into her heart. She stopped walking and hugged Alaric for a long time.

"Thank you for always loving me so deeply. Thank you for having no other women in your life," Aleksis whispered to Alaric. She was grateful that during the ten years they were separated, Alaric didn't open his heart to anyone else, so when they were reunited, they could both return without burden.

She couldn't imagine how it'd be if Alaric had a relationship with another woman or even married her. It would be complicated for them to get back together, just like how it was when Aleksis almost married Nicolae.

"How could I possibly be with another woman?" Alaric whispered, kissing the top of Aleksis's head. "You're the only woman I love in this world."

Again, they emotionally kissed in the alley connecting the hall to the west wing. The servants who passed by pretended not to notice and immediately rushed off, not wanting to ruin the two's moment.