The Alchemists

"Is something bothering you, Madam?" Ben asked when Finland entered the car with a rather sour face.

"It's okay, Ben. Everything's fine." Finland shook her head and smiled, "Is Caspar still at home?"

"Yes, he was very busy today at home," said Ben, smiling meaningfully.

"Oh, did he work from home?" Finland asked in surprise.

"He canceled all his meetings and work today, because he was very busy at home."

Finland did not understand how Caspar could be busy if he wasn't working.

Did Caspar cook for her? But Finland clearly told him that she would have dinner with the LTX people at De Lune Restaurant.

Hmm... weird.

They arrived at the Rose Mansion at around 9pm. As usual, the atmosphere was quiet, and it was rather dark in the courtyard. Finland thanked Ben, got out of the car and walked to her pavilion to place her belongings before looking for Caspar in the main house.

When she walked through the rose garden, she heard soft music starting to play. She paused and tilted her head to find the source of the sound.

Hmm... classical music.

Who would play music at this hour? Was it the neighbor next door? Maybe Caspar would buy the house next door because they played music loudly at this hour, she thought to herself.

Suddenly, several tiny lights lit in the garden in front of Finland. The girl was surprised to see it. She did not remember that there were lights there before. She walked closer to examine the lights when suddenly more lights lit up in front of her.

She was amazed. Slowly Finland walked forward, and as she walked, more lights were lit... It almost seemed like an endless show of lights.

The garden began to brighten and she could see that the lights were placed between the roses, like the sparkling lights on the Christmas tree.

She moved forward and more lights lit in front of her. She finally continued walking towards her pavilion and more lights were turned on in front of her. It also illuminated the road in front of her. The lights stayed on even after she walked passed them. She felt like she was in a fairytale world, or at the light festival... it was really beautiful and breathtaking.

Strangely, the sound of classical music that she had heard earlier became increasingly clear as she walked towards her pavilion.

Maybe the music came from...

When she arrived in front of her pavilion, Finland saw a group of musicians in a mini orchestra playing music in the courtyard. There was a conductor directing them, and a piano player, cellists, violinists, flute player, and even a harpist. What was with all this?

The surrounding little lights that sparkled around the garden and pavilion made the atmosphere very romantic.

Finland covered her mouth in surprise... This was very unexpected...

Was this what kept Caspar busy all day?

Subconsciously she started looking for the man. She walked into her pavilion to look for Caspar. When she passed by the musicians, the conductor and the musicians nodded their heads in respect. They all bowed courteously as she passed. This felt so over the top.

"Finland..." she suddenly heard Caspar's voice from behind her. It turned out that the man had been behind Finland ever since she entered the rose garden, and was walking behind her towards her pavilion. Caspar tried his best to hold back his laughter when he saw Finland advancing slowly to see the lights turned on in front of her.

The girl turned and looked at Caspar who was dressed in different clothing than usual. He wore a white long-sleeved shirt decorated with lace, which made him look like a prince from the Victorian times. He was very elegant yet casual at the same time.

Everyday Caspar looked very handsome and perfect, and Finland did not know that he could even look more beautiful if he tried a little. Like tonight...

"Am I surprising you?" Caspar asked, opening his arms to show signs that he wanted to embrace Finland.

The girl blushed. She was stunned to see how good looking the man in front of her was, then walked slowly into his arms.

"Yeah, I'm a little surprised... What's this for?" Finland asked as she buried her head in Caspar's chest.

"Do you like it?"

"It's a bit over the top... But yes, I like it," Finland nodded with a smile. "What is this for?"

Caspar let go of her arms and he held Finland's hands. He stared at her like a puppy who just met his master after being left to go abroad for months.

"I love you," he said softly. "I have never met a woman who can draw my heart so strongly, like you. I can't stop thinking about you... I want to marry you and have many children from you."

Finland gasped.

"Err... wait a minute... what… is this..." she swallowed hard, "Are you proposing to me?"

"Finland, dear... please marry me. I can't live without you."

Finland didn't exactly remember what happened after that. Her mind immediately went blank. She faintly heard the classical music played by the orchestra behind her, then Caspar came down on one knee and took out a ring with the biggest diamond she had ever seen. The diamond was soft pink in color, which was very rare.

Finland did not remember her answer, but suddenly Caspar placed the ring on her ring finger. The man kissed her hand, got up, and kissed her lips passionately.

They kissed for quite a long time, rocking slowly back and forth to the music, surrounded by thousands of lights that adorned the rose trees around her pavilion. The romantic songs played by the orchestra made the moment even more surreal.