The Alchemists

The festive wedding party was the subject of much discussion. In just two years, the Schneider family had thrown two weddings. The first was a wedding celebration between Aleksis and Alaric.

Although the two had actually been married a long time ago, the two families only found out and then announced it to the public ten years later.

Now, the Schneider family's second child, who was still very young, London Schneider, was married to a girl who was also very young. This was truly a rare event among the alchemists.

Usually, people from this clan would only look for a serious partner when they were very m.a.t.u.r.e, at least fifty years or even one hundred years old. They also would not immediately get married but entered a relationship for a long time to get to know each other well, because, for the conservative clan members, marriage was once for a lifetime.

The relationship could last for decades, even up to centuries, before they finally decided to get married. However, the children of the Schneider family were quite different from the rest of the Alchemists. They fell in love and formed relationsh.i.p.s with their partners, just like ordinary people, at a young age.

Now, as the only unmarried child of the Schneider family, many people focused their attention on Rune. They were curious to know whether Rune would also get married quickly, like his two siblings. The young man was only 26 years old, and he often became annoyed if people kept asking him the same thing.

"I'm still very young and I love science," he always replied to their questions, dismissing the notion that he was in a hurry to get married like Aleksis and London. "I'm married to science, like my uncle, Aldebar."

"Ahh .. too bad ..." A lot of people became disappointed at his reply. They remembered that Aldebar was also very handsome and impressive, but he never cared for a single woman. He was one of the most famous bachelors in the Alchemist clan. And during his 300 years of life on earth, never once he was associated with any women in their clan.

"Congratulations, once again ... to the newlyweds, London Killian Schneider, and Elle Marianne De Maestri ..." said Billie Yves after she finished singing several of her hit songs, followed by a thundering applause by the enchanted audience. She smiled sweetly and pointed at L, who was standing next to London, watching every word that came out of Billie's lips like listening to a goddess. "L ... would you like to go on stage and sing this next song with me?"

"Ah .. are you serious? Me?" L's eyes went so round. She was very surprised because Billie talked to her personally and even invited her to a duet.

London smiled and nodded, encouraging L to go on stage and share her beautiful voice with Billie Yves to their guests. Finally, with a trembling step, L sauntered toward the stage. London, who was following her, suddenly embraced L's waist with both hands and carried the girl up onto the stage before L had time to look for the stairs.

"Come on, amaze everyone," London whispered excitedly into his wife's ear. Billie Yves reached out her hand and helped L get on the stage and then stood beside her.

"Hi, L ... I really like your voice. Will you sing the next song with me?" Billie asked, smiling broadly. L nodded awkwardly. Her expression clearly implied that the girl still couldn't believe that she would sing with her idol.

Billie Yves took L's hand and signaled her accompanying musicians to play the intro. Starting by the piano, then followed by guitar, then the complete band accompanied the two talented girls sing a hit from Billie's first album, a song called "You Are Enough".

Suddenly everyone was transfixed in their place listening to the golden voices of the two girls, complementing each other. It was a very beautiful rendition.

London hurriedly took his cellphone and captured the moment. He was sure that L would be eager to see the recording of her singing with her idol singer, so London took the initiative to record it for L. He even changed positions to get the best angle.

Ahh .. L's face on stage, looked so happy. London was delighted because he knew how happy L was with their wedding. Her rare smile kept appearing on her face tonight.

He will never forget this night, forever.

***

Jean-Marie was almost ten years old, and the older she was the more beautiful she looked. Her beautiful curly hair hung down to her waist and made her look like a princess. Although her appearance looked elegant and feminine, Jean-Marie was still the Little Monkey who was naughty and often made her parents massage their temples.

Jean and Marion really hoped that their second child, a boy, would be calmer and more manageable than Jean-Marie. They named him Jean-Henri, to continue the tradition.

Marion, who was so fond of her husband's French name, Jean-Pierre, insisted their children should follow his name. That was why their first child was named Jean-Marie, and now their second child was named Jean-Henri.

"Ahhh .. so cute ..." Finland exclaimed when she saw Jean-Henri. Although the baby boy was only three months old, Jean-Henri already looked so handsome.

Her hair was thick and curly like his sister's, and he had a pair of bright blue eyes just like their mother's. His face had a hint of Asian features, inherited from his father. He was also a very smiley baby. Everyone agreed that Jean-Henri was super adorable.

"Thank you," Marion said, beaming at the praise. Any mother would be proud to see her child being complimented by others.

Terry and Nicolae had returned their nephews to Alaric and Aleksis and were now sitting together, enjoying wine while chatting. They planned to return to New York the next morning.

Terry was very busy with work, while Nicolae always felt sad when attending a wedding. Two years ago, he was supposed to marry Aleksis but had to cancel it the day before it took place. Until now, it was still not easy for Nicolae to forget the incident.

Tonight's events also reminded him of his own wedding to Marie that took place suddenly and held in a very simple condition ... and was later annulled by his wife. He admitted that all of that was his own fault ...

That's why he and Terry decided not to linger in Stuttgart and immediately returned to their home in New York.

"By the way, I didn't see your father. Where is he?" Terry asked suddenly. He looked around here and there to look Lauriel but could not see him anywhere. "Has your father gone home first?"

Nicolae realized that his father was already gone. It was quite unusual of him. Nicolae had thought Lauriel would stay longer. Apparently, his father had left.

"Father already said good-bye," said Alaric. "He has to go to China. You and Terry were busy with the three girls, so father didn't talk to you."

"Oh ..." Nicolae remembered that he, Terry, and Rune had spent a lot of time hanging out with Shekina and her two friends. "Why doesn't he go home to Grosetto? What's in China?"

Alaric just shrugged. "Father didn't say. But I know Rosalien lives in China."

"Oh .." Nicolae could only nod. He remembered seeing his father at the party with Rosalien. The two of them looked really cool, standing together and not saying anything. Even the other guests seemed impressed with the two people, and no one dared to disturb them.

Rosalien and Lauriel did look very compatible, and their movements even looked similar. Did this mean Father already found a new woman who filled his heart? Did this mean that he finally had truly let go of Mother and was now moving on with his life?

Nicolae could only ask the questions to himself.