The Alchemists

　　Rose and Rune ate their breakfast of sandwiches and tea sitting on the balcony of their East Village apartment. At the end of this spring, the sky looked very clear and there were many green trees that were pleasing to the eye. They decided to enjoy the view outdoors.     

　　The occasional cool breeze made Rose take the initiative to wear a blouse made of thin fabric, while Rune wore a polo shirt made of cotton.  After they finished their breakfast, the two of them were still sitting relaxedly,  feeling the warmth of the sun in the morning. Rune used this moment to give Rose good news.     

　　"This morning when I woke up, I checked my phone and got the news that my mother has given birth. We have an invitation to come to Germany," said Rune.     

　　Rose smiled at that. "Really? That's very happy news. Congratulations!! Is it a boy or a girl?"     

　　"Thank you. It's a girl this time," said Rune. "We can get ready and I can finally ask you to go with me and visit my parents. The timing is just right."     

　　Rose nodded. "Alright. I'll clear the days ahead for our joint visit to Germany."     

　　Gaining approval from Rose, Rune tried to contact his siblings. He confirmed whether they had received this good news or not.     

　　Just as he took out his cell phone from his pocket, his cell phone rang with Aleksis's name displayed on the screen. Rune answered the call.      

　　"Good morning, Rune. Have you heard the latest news from mom?" asked Aleksis.     

　　"Hello, Aleksis." Rune rested his back on the sofa and his body relaxed again. "Yes, Rose and I are planning to visit Germany soon. I want to introduce Rose and visit our new sister."     

　　Hearing that, Aleksis was happy and asked Rune and Rose to go together with Aleksis and Elios Linden's families. "Shall we go together tomorrow? I hope you lovebirds don't mind joining us."     

　　Rune happily accepted the offer. "Sure, I don't mind."     

　　"Then you can start packing, okay. Don't be in a hurry."     

　　"Ahh... thank you. Say hello to everyone..." Rune hung up the phone.     

　　Rose who was watching him could secretly guess the conversation the man was having.     

　　"So, what happens now?" The girl asked casually as Rune tucked his phone into his pants pocket and turned to Rose.     

　　The man said, "We have to get ready quickly. We will leave tomorrow."     

　　"That's right, we can get ready from now on so that tomorrow we can leave immediately," said Rune.     

　　Rune and Rose got up from their seats. They went into the room in the loft and prepared their bags and clothes for the trip.     

　　In addition to getting to know Rune's family more deeply and meeting their newborn sister, they had previously planned to spend the holidays when they arrived in Germany. So, they needed to prepare enough outfits for the trip.     

　　***     

　　Rune and Rose went to the airport in the Linden family's private car. The trip to the airport took half an hour.      

　　This time, they didn't go to the international terminal to check in as usual. The car would go straight to the runway. The plane staff would handle all their paperwork while Rose and Rune could quickly relax in the cabin.     

　　When the black luxury car had stopped, Rune got out of the car first. He then stretched out his arms to help Rose get out of the car.     

　　Their closer interaction made Ireland and Scotland who were waiting for them come rushing over.     

　　"Good morning Aunt Rose, Uncle Rune," Scotland and Ireland greeted the two of them. "Nice to see you guys again."     

　　"Good morning," said Rose. "Are you guys taking school off?"     

　　"Yeah, we got permission from the school for a family event," Ireland replied.     

　　Not long after, they heard footsteps approaching them from the direction of one of the cars that had been waiting at the airport first. Rune and Rose turned to the source of the voice and saw Aleksis walking towards them with Elios Linden.     

　　"Hey, Rose, you look beautiful today," Aleksis greeted her. Rose's cheeks blushed at the compliment.     

　　"Hey, Aleksis..." she waved at the older woman. "You look great too."     

　　Rose was delighted when the twins greeted her and then followed by Aleksis Linden. Her heart was at peace every time she met the family, although Rose still felt some distance from Elios Linden. The man was so quiet and didn't seem to want to be bothered to be friendly.     

　　It took a while before Rose could get used to his distance and realized that's just who he was. Elios didn't like most people. He only liked his family. Rose learned not to take it personally.     

　　The driver immediately took their bags from the car, following the family as they walked to the plane to load their belongings. They would depart for Germany on a private plane owned by the Linden family. Their destination was Stuggart.     

　　Upon entering the plane, Rose was amazed because the interior was very different from most private planes she had seen. The design was truly exclusive and comfortable.     

　　As a girl from an aristocratic and wealthy family, Rose had been on private planes often, especially when traveling with the Medion royal family entourage.     

　　Rose also had very wealthy friends, George and Peter, who came from famous and wealthy families. They too had private jets. However, the Linden family's private plane was still far more luxurious and comfortable than the king of Medion's, and so were the planes owned by her friends.     

　　Inwardly, Rose felt even more impressed by Rune's attitude. The young man was very modest, even though the wealth his family owned was so amazing.     

　　In addition to that, Rune was also open and friendly. He could easily mingle with anyone and become good friends with them easily. Outsiders would absolutely not expect his background to be of such.  Though, if he wanted to be arrogant, Rune could have done it but he didn't.     

　　This young man was really humble and pleasant and Rose liked him very much.