A Chemist's Interstellar Saga

Chapter 144: Meeting Amethyst Again
Chapter 144: Meeting Amethyst Again

Seeing Drexel’s downcast face, Sunak’s anger melted away, a grin spreading across his face. ”I’ll let you off this time. But mess up again, and I’ll tell your mother,” he said, chuckling.

Drexel and Arix nodded vigorously, their voices overlapping as they promised, ”We won’t do it again!”

Sunak’s expression turned serious. ”Alright, I’ll take your word for it. The ceremony is soon, so stick around. If I catch you wandering off, you know what will happen,” he warned, even miming a throat-slashing gesture.

The two siblings gulped, shaking their heads quickly. ”We won’t, we won’t,” they echoed.

”Okay, off you go,” Sunak said with a satisfied smile.

They bolted, feeling as if they were hearing the sweetest music, racing back home.

Sunak watched them flee as if wolves were on their heels, finally letting out a hearty laugh.

Three days later, on the eve of the blessing ceremony, the entire Empire buzzed with anticipation. From commoners to nobles, everyone was busy preparing for the grand event.

Homes were alive with activity. Adults cleaned and decorated with new posters of Sylvana, the Moon Goddess, while children donned fresh clothes, excited for the upcoming ceremony.

Arix and Drexel, heeding Sunak’s stern warning, had stayed home these past few days.

Fortunately, after the ceremony, they would head back to the Alliance. On this last day, Krylak finally lifted their house arrest.

”I’m visiting the palace today to say goodbye to Cassian’s parents. Want to come?” Arix asked, checking the gifts for Cassian’s parents in her Space Button.

As she prepared to leave, she turned back to Drexel.

”Cassian’s parents? The Empire’s Alpha Leonidas and Luna Amethyst? You know them?” Drexel asked, astonished.

”I’ve met them a few times. They’re nice,” Arix said, smiling at the thought of the contrasting couple.

”Then I’ll come too. I’ve never met Alpha Leonidas and Luna Amethyst,” Drexel said, excitement lighting up his eyes.

”Alright, I’ll wait for you at the main gate,” Arix replied, heading off to ask the butler to arrange a beast-drawn carriage.

”I’ll be quick.” Drexel dashed to get ready.

Soon, Drexel and Arix were in the carriage, arriving at the palace gates.

As they stepped out, Cassian, who had been waiting, opened his arms and greeted Arix with a warm smile, ”Arix.”

”Cassian.” Arix leaped into his arms, playfully nuzzling him. ”Were you waiting at the gate just for me?” she teased.

Cassian affectionately patted Arix’s fluffy head, his voice dripping with tenderness. ”Yeah, I just wanted to spend more time with you.”

”Tsk, listen to this sweet talk. Cassian, come clean, how many young women have you charmed with these lines?” Arix teased, raising an eyebrow playfully.

Cassian sighed and gently tapped her head. ”None, but I wish there was one. Sadly, that one person is too smart to be wooed.”

”Why are you tapping my head then?” Arix pouted, rubbing her head and glaring at him with mock indignation.

Cassian sighed again, ruffling her hair soothingly. ”Sorry, Arix, I was too hasty.”

”Hmph, I’ll let it slide this time. But if you do it again, we’ll be at odds for a whole week,” Arix said, feigning magnanimity.

Cassian laughed softly, then ruffled her hair once more. ”Alright, let’s go meet Mother and Father. Drexel, you come too.”

Drexel, feeling a bit jittery about meeting the Empire’s high-ranking figures, nodded and followed them calmly.

As they walked through the palace, Arix and Drexel witnessed Cassian’s influence firsthand. Everyone they passed, from maids to ministers, greeted him with deep respect, to which Cassian responded with polite nods.

After about ten minutes, they found Alpha Leonidas and Luna Amethyst in a garden, admiring the flowers.

”Oh, isn’t this little Arix? Come here and let me have a good look at you,” Luna Amethyst’s eyes sparkled with joy when she saw Arix, beckoning her over.

Arix, beaming, darted out of Cassian’s arms and leaped into Luna Amethyst’s embrace.

”Auntie, did you miss me?” Arix asked in a sweet, childish voice.

”How could I not? I missed you so much, you little rascal, always forgetting to visit,” Luna Amethyst replied, tapping Arix’s forehead with gentle reproach.

”I missed you too, but I got into trouble and Uncle Krylak grounded me,” Arix pouted, snuggling closer.

Luna Amethyst laughed, remembering the incident. ”Was it about the IRMA matter?”

”Yeah, Auntie, do you think I was too harsh? Kares is from the Empire after all,” Arix asked, worry in her voice.

Luna Amethyst smiled and lifted Arix to look her in the eyes seriously. ”Arix.”

”Hmm?” Arix shrank back, her eyes darting around, unable to meet Luna Amethyst’s gaze. The thought that Luna Amethyst might dislike her because of the IRMA incident made her heart sink. Her mood plummeted, and her expression grew dim.

Noticing Arix’s drooping ears, Luna Amethyst felt a mix of exasperation and heartbreak. ”Arix, what I meant to say is, even if you hit Cassian, I wouldn’t be angry. So why would I care about Kares? He means nothing to me.”

Hearing this, Arix’s eyes instantly lit up, her energy returning. She snuggled closer to Luna Amethyst, her voice sweet and affectionate. ”You’re the best. I like you the most.”

Overjoyed by Arix’s sweet talk, Luna Amethyst showered her with endless endearments and affection.

Arix’s face brightened with relief. ”Thanks. That means a lot.”

”Anytime, my dear. Now, let’s enjoy this beautiful day,” Luna Amethyst said, giving Arix a warm hug before setting her down.

Arix and Luna Amethyst were as close as real mother and daughter.

Drexel was instantly curious and nudged Cassian with his elbow, whispering, ”Is my sister really that close with your mom?”

Cassian looked puzzled and asked back, ”Yes, but why ask?”

Arix was so likable, and Cassian thought his mom naturally liked her as everybody else would; if someone didn’t like Arix, the problem had to be with themselves.

Watching Cassian, who seemed to adore Arix even more than he did, Drexel felt a bit defeated.

He quickly lifted his chin with a proud expression and said, ”Of course! My sister is so adorable. If someone doesn’t like her, they must have something wrong with them.”

Drexel felt a bit guilty, thinking he might have exaggerated a bit. But to his surprise, Cassian nodded in agreement, ”You’re right. Anyone who doesn’t like Arix must be a bad person.”

Although Drexel agreed that Arix was great, he didn’t think it was to such an extreme extent. He had a wild guess, that Cassian clearly had some kind of predisposition. Otherwise, how could he see Arix through such rose-colored glasses that even her brother felt a bit inferior in comparison?

’Yikes! Better keep a distance from him, just in case it rubs off.’ With this thought, Drexel quietly moved a step to the side.

Cassian didn’t even notice Drexel’s movement; his attention was fully on Luna Amethyst and Arix. Arix and Luna Amethyst continued their affectionate exchange for quite a while.

It wasn’t until Luna Amethyst accidentally looked up and noticed the new guest today. She gazed warmly at Drexel, smiling as she greeted him, ”You must be Arix’s brother, right? No need to be shy, come over and sit. Cassian, you too, come sit.”

Cassian smiled and pointed Drexel to a seat. ”Thank you, Luna Amethyst,” Drexel said shyly, performing the Empire’s salute before sitting down next to the two big shots with Cassian.

Luna Amethyst studied Drexel for a moment and nodded slightly. Her smile deepened as she said, ”No need to be so formal. Just call me Aunt Amy.”

”Alright, thank you, Aunt Amethyst,” Drexel responded, feeling both flattered and a bit overwhelmed. Even at home, his mom wasn’t this gentle with him.

He was moved to tears—Cassian’s mom was really nice! Luna Amethyst nodded at Drexel, then turned her gaze back to Arix in her arms. She asked fondly, ”Arix, are you here to say goodbye today?”

”Yeah, I’m heading back to the Alliance the day after tomorrow. These are my parting gifts for you.” Arix nodded and then hopped onto the table. From her Space Button, she pulled out the gifts she’d prepared and handed them to Alpha Leonidas and Luna Amethyst.