The Alchemists

Lauriel could only shake his head as he watched the events that had happened so fast. All of a sudden, the atmosphere became tense. He didn't know that Alaric could be that ruthless when angered ...

Caspar who could read his mind immediately nodded at him, silently agreeing with his sentiments. 'He is just like you',  he said without a sound.

Ah ... maybe he is like the old me, Lauriel thought. He had always been a quiet person and didn't like to talk much. He also rarely got angry, but once his anger was provoked, he would always make sure that everyone would tremble in place.

Now he was a lot calmer and not as ruthless. Come to think of it, he hardly got angry in the past ten years, except yesterday when he saw Marion who had lied to him about Alaric for a decade.

He now hoped that time could make Alaric become softer in nature and happier with Aleksis and their children. After the wedding, there were still many things to be discussed. The clan leader candidates, the various RMI automation projects that were worrying Caspar, and many more.

After the incident with the Blue family, Alaric was in no mood to linger around so he invited Aleksis into the castle, leaving the guests relieved when they saw him disappear from sight.

Lex and Moira angrily brought their daughter home. They ignored Ned who tried to calm the situation down.

"Never mind ... you saw how that child looked for trouble on her own," Portia commented. She paid no more attention to the Blue family and immediately approached Vega and Altair who seemed amazed by what they just witnessed. She knelt before the two children and calmed them down. "Kids ... you don't need to be afraid. Your father was angry because you and your mother were insulted by someone. He will never be angry at you."

Altair nodded first, followed by Vega.

"But Daddy Nic is never angry," the little girl said suddenly.

"Hmm ... Daddy Nic and your father have different personalities. But I'm sure Daddy Nic can also be angry if someone says bad things about you."

Vega looked down sadly. She remembered how her mother did not end up marrying Nicolae. Portia noticed her sad expression and could not help but sigh deeply. She could see that the situation between the father and daughter pair was quite complicated. She could only hope that they would not experience prolonged grief.

Nicolae came closer and lovingly carried Vega in his arms. "What's wrong with you, Little Princess? Is anyone bothering you?"

Vega buried her head on Nicolae's shoulder and cried. "I want to stay here ... We should have moved here, right? Why aren't Daddy Nic and Mommy getting married?"

Nicolae who was still in the process of forgetting his sadness due to the cancellation of his marriage to Aleksis, now felt his heart being broken into little pieces. He also loved these two children and had imagined a lifetime with them.

"Hmm ... you can always stay here. This is your father's home too. Vega, you just talk to your father, Alaric ... Daddy is sure he would want to live here with you," he said to her softly. "Daddy will also visit often."

Vega didn't reply and continued to cry. Even Altair, who was starting to accept Alaric as his father, was now sad. It was a fact that for the past four years Nicolae had spent a lot of time with them, going on adventures with them, and looking after them.

Indeed, the situation had become sad and complicated for many people ...

***

The party finally ended and the guests all left. Yet for the Schneider and Medici families, things were still far from over. They gathered in the large reception hall and talked about Aleksis and her children, more specifically about their family arrangement.

"Finally, it's over," Finland sighed, sitting on the comfortable sofa in the hall and taking off her shoes. "Now we only need to discuss technical issues after the wedding."

Alaric who was sitting next to Aleksis nodded. "Actually, I want to bring Aleksis and the children with me."

He saw how Vega hugged Nicolae tighter and his heart clenched in sadness. He hoped that one day his daughter would be able to love him the same way she loved Nicolae. However, he knew it would take time. For now, he could only endure the longing and pain.

"Aleksis and I talked about it and we have reached a decision ..." Alaric turned to Aleksis who nodded softly, "I know it will be very difficult for the children to part with Nicolae right away ... therefore I hope he would let Altair and Vega stay over this year. Aleksis and I will visit every month, trying to get them used to my presence ... Next year, we will talk again. "

Everyone was very surprised by Alaric's decision. Nicolae lifted his face, not with a look of surprise but p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e. He was very happy since he would at least not be separated from Altair and Vega so suddenly.

Since yesterday, his heart was feeling pain from imagining how he would have to separate from the woman he loved and the children whom he had long considered his own. One year transition should be able to give him enough time to slowly let them go.

The decision to let him spend more time with Altair and Vega was quite wise, because at least, they could say goodbye to each other properly. However, the same could not be said true for Aleksis. If Nicolae had to slowly let go of her, surely it would feel even worse, because he was sure that if he often met the girl, his love would never subside.

"I agree," Nicolae said quickly. He kissed Vega's hair and whispered to her, "Ssh ... you can stay with Daddy Nic. You don't have to feel sad anymore, okay, Darling?"

"Hmm ... well then … I agree." Lauriel nodded in satisfaction, "I figure, you are not in a rush to go away, right? We have only met yesterday. Please stay here, even for a week. There's a lot I want to talk about with you."

"I also want to invite you to Stuttgart," Caspar said, following Lauriel's words, "We also want to know you better."

Alaric also nodded. He knew to marry Aleksis meant he had to accept her family too, which meant he also had to improve his bad relationship with Caspar.

Finally, it was decided that for a week Alaric and Aleksis would remain in Medici Castle to spend time getting to know his father's family, after which they both would go visit the Schneider family in Stuttgart, while Altair and Vega would remain in Grosseto with Nicolae and Lauriel.