The Alchemists

Aleksis was sad to see her brother's gloomy expression. "That's good progress. Lily will be healthy soon. Time goes by really fast when you have children, really."

London nodded in agreement. "Later, when Lily is healthy, I'll take her to Singapore so she can get acquainted with her two cousins."

"Actually, we plan to go to Germany in two months... We can meet there too," Aleksis replied. She then sat on the sofa, next to her husband who no longer looked angry. Aleksis patted Alaric's hand gently and turned to him while discussing their flight plans back to Europe. "We're going to Europe to meet Alaric's foster children and give them their immortality potions. Isn't that right, Sweetheart?"

Alaric nodded.

"In two months, the children will be old enough to travel. The long journey can be comfortable for them," he replied.

"Oh... that's very good! Let me know the exact dates so I can welcome you in Berlin," London exclaimed happily. "I really want to introduce L and Lily to you."

"Of course." Aleksis nodded. "By the way, what did you want to ask when you were contacting Alaric via Virconnect just now?"

London immediately felt bad. His purpose of contacting Alaric was to ask for information regarding  L's family murder, but he had unintentionally offended his brother-in-law's feelings. He was too ashamed to trouble him now.

"Does this have something to do with that singer?" Alaric asked, staring intently at London.

Because he had asked about it straightforwardly, London couldn't move in the end. Leaving aside his hesitation, he finally told Alaric and Aleksis everything that had happened then asked for their opinions.

"Hmm... murders that are carried out so openly are usually only done by the mafia or people who deliberately want to spread fear. We used to do it smoothly. Most of our victims were made as if they were in an accident or committed suicide." Alaric then shrugged, "A murder of a family of judges so openly, it should be either done by amateurs or they deliberately did it to make a statement. My guess is the mafia."

"Hmm... I'll find out whether L's father had ever handled cases related to the mafia during when he was alive." London nodded.

"You can contact Mischa to ask for help with that. She still has a lot of connections in the underworld," Alaric said. "He'll be more than happy to help."

"All right, thank you..." London nodded. "And... sorry for earlier."

Alaric just snorted lightly.

The Virconnect connection was then turned off.

In Singapore, Aleksis could only shake her head at her husband's attitude.

"You know, people will make comments like that without us being able to prevent them. It would be better to be more relaxed about our children..." Aleksis commented. "You can't possibly kill people who offend Ireland and Scotland now, can you?"

"Why can't I?" Alaric replied in a monotone voice.

Aleksis just laughed. She knew her husband was joking with his style that always looked dead serious. "Hush... the children shouldn't hear you talking about killing people. Let's put Scotland in his bed. Now it's your turn to prepare the children's bath."

Alaric nodded. He moved very slowly and put the baby in the crib next to Aleksis then kissed his wife and walked to the bathroom.

***

After listening to Alaric's explanation, London decided to contact Mischa. As usual, he wouldn't ask Jan to do this task because it was associated with former members of the Rhionen Assassins. He knew that Jan still harbored hatred towards them. That's why London deliberately contacted Mischa himself.

"Hey... coincidentally, I have a conference in Berlin next week. We can meet to discuss it. I'll try to find out from my connection in Paris," Mischa said casually. He had never met London officially, but Alaric had told him about the needs of his brother-in-law, and Mischa was eager to help.

"Thank you very much," London nodded. "I'd love to meet you if you come here. See you next week."

Mischa waved and ended the connection.

Ugh... London really hoped to find a bright spot in the murder case of L's family. He wanted to be able to please L by revealing the mystery that happened in her past so that she would be able to make peace with her life and start a new life with him.

After clearing things up, London coordinated with Jan to prepare his proposal. As soon as everything was settled, he went home to pick L up to eat together at the Blue Sky Restaurant.

"Hey... wow, you're ready. So beautiful!" London exclaimed in awe when he saw L in their living room already looking beautiful in a blue summer dress. At a time like this, L's body shape was almost back to normal and her every curve made London's imagination go crazy. "I'll take a shower first then..."

He had to swallow hard and rush into his room to wash up and change into nice clothes. He must look as handsome as possible tonight. He mustn't take the slightest risk.

"Let's go," he said happily after making sure he looked good in an expensive white shirt and light gray suit. His appearance looked casual but elegant. For a moment, L stared at him.

"You look different," L commented

"Oh, do I?" London did realize that compared to when they first met, London's appearance now was almost like his normal self. He no longer wore his sunglasses, and his clothes had begun to be fashionable again. He wanted L to slowly get used to his real self, that's why he no longer intentionally made himself look poor. "Do you prefer the current me or the old me?"

L just shrugged and didn't answer. She put on her shoes then walked out of the house to the VW London car parked in the yard.

[Jan, we've moved there. Is everything ready?] London hastily sent a text to Jan to coordinate.

[Everything is ready, Sir. The most romantic proposal of the century will start soon.]

Ahh... just wait, L. Tonight, you'll no longer be able to refuse. I'll propose to you properly, London thought happily.