Chapter 144: eting Athyst Again
Seeing Drexel’s downcast face, Sunak’s anger lted away, a grin spreading across his face. "I’ll let you off this ti. But ss 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 ho.
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.
Hos 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 ho 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 co?" 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 Athyst? You know them?" Drexel asked, astonished.
"I’ve t them a few tis. They’re nice," Arix said, smiling at the thought of the contrasting couple.
"Then I’ll co too. I’ve never t Alpha Leonidas and Luna Athyst," Drexel said, excitent 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 ?" she teased.
Cassian affectionately patted Arix’s fluffy head, his voice dripping with tenderness. "Yeah, I just wanted to spend more ti with you."
"Tsk, listen to this sweet talk. Cassian, co clean, how many young won have you chard 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 ti. 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 et Mother and Father. Drexel, you co too."
Drexel, feeling a bit jittery about eting 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 Athyst in a garden, admiring the flowers.
"Oh, isn’t this little Arix? Co here and let
have a good look at you," Luna Athyst’s eyes sparkled with joy when she saw Arix, beckoning her over.
Arix, beaming, darted out of Cassian’s arms and leaped into Luna Athyst’s embrace.
"Auntie, did you miss ?" Arix asked in a sweet, childish voice.
"How could I not? I missed you so much, you little rascal, always forgetting to visit," Luna Athyst replied, tapping Arix’s forehead with gentle reproach.
"I missed you too, but I got into trouble and Uncle Krylak grounded ," Arix pouted, snuggling closer.
Luna Athyst laughed, rembering 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 Athyst smiled and lifted Arix to look her in the eyes seriously. "Arix."
"Hmm?" Arix shrank back, her eyes darting around, unable to et Luna Athyst’s gaze. The thought that Luna Athyst might dislike her because of the IRMA incident made her heart sink. Her mood plumted, and her expression grew dim.
Noticing Arix’s drooping ears, Luna Athyst felt a mix of exasperation and heartbreak. "Arix, what I ant to say is, even if you hit Cassian, I wouldn’t be angry. So why would I care about Kares? He ans nothing to ."
Hearing this, Arix’s eyes instantly lit up, her energy returning. She snuggled closer to Luna Athyst, her voice sweet and affectionate. "You’re the best. I like you the most."
Overjoyed by Arix’s sweet talk, Luna Athyst showered her with endless endearnts and affection.
Arix’s face brightened with relief. "Thanks. That ans a lot."
"Anyti, my dear. Now, let’s enjoy this beautiful day," Luna Athyst said, giving Arix a warm hug before setting her down.
Arix and Luna Athyst 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 soone didn’t like Arix, the problem had to be with themselves.
Watching Cassian, who seed 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 soone doesn’t like her, they must have sothing wrong with them."
Drexel felt a bit guilty, thinking he might have exaggerated a bit. But to his surprise, Cassian nodded in agreent, "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 extre extent. He had a wild guess, that Cassian clearly had so 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 movent; his attention was fully on Luna Athyst and Arix. Arix and Luna Athyst continued their affectionate exchange for quite a while.
It wasn’t until Luna Athyst 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, co over and sit. Cassian, you too, co sit."
Cassian smiled and pointed Drexel to a seat. "Thank you, Luna Athyst," Drexel said shyly, performing the Empire’s salute before sitting down next to the two big shots with Cassian.
Luna Athyst studied Drexel for a mont and nodded slightly. Her smile deepened as she said, "No need to be so formal. Just call
Aunt Amy."
"Alright, thank you, Aunt Athyst," Drexel responded, feeling both flattered and a bit overwheld. Even at ho, his mom wasn’t this gentle with him.
He was moved to tears—Cassian’s mom was really nice! Luna Athyst 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 Athyst.
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