Chapter 529 - Happy Birthday! (2/2)

Whenever I cry

Will you be there to guide me

All the way through, I wonder will you

Walk by my side, and follow my dreams...

”You're a very lonely person,” Luna commented after the song was finished. Her tone was flat because she was programmed to have zero emotions, unlike Aleksis, who was programmed to be expressive.

Alaric just smiled faintly at such blunt and unsympathetic sentences from his digital assistant. He then turned off Luna and turned on Aleksis.

”Aleksis, do you think I've become sadder recently?” he asked his more humane assistant.

”That's right. Since two weeks ago, you were having a harder time sleeping, you drank more, and used Holodeck more often...” Unlike Luna, Aleksis's tone was sympathetic. ”Seeing you like this makes me worry.”

”Why are you worried?” Alaric asked, trying to shake off the bitter thought that in his life, surrounded by such extraordinary power and wealth, there was only a computer beside him that understood him and worried about him.

”Because you're a very lonely person...” Aleksis whispered in a choked voice, ”Even though you have a family.”

Alaric was stunned by Aleksis's words.

He didn't feel like he had a family.

Ahh… Maybe what his assistant meant was his father and brother.

But they didn't know that he existed…

Or maybe they didn't want him…

”Are you not eager to see your father at all? To resolve the problems between you two? If I recall correctly, you tried to look for him several times but were unsuccessful. Why not meet him when the opportunity arises? You know he'll be at Medici Castle tomorrow for the birthday party - and the day after tomorrow for the wedding.”

Aleksis continued to speak as usual without interruption, incessantly convincing Alaric to come to the family event.

”Aleksis, can't you be quiet?”

”Sorry, Sir.”

Alaric finished his wine and sighed. For once, he finally admitted that Aleksis was right. He really needed to face his father and hold him responsible for all the suffering he had experienced.

***

October 2, 2049

.

Aleksis woke up because of the savory aroma of food. When she opened her eyes, she saw three faces staring at her from above with three pairs of beautiful sparkling blue eyes.

”Happy birthday!” All three exclaimed in a choir-like unison.

”Hey... You guys wake up so early,” Aleksis blinked, trying to adjust her eyes to the morning light coming from behind the big window curtain in her room.

When she saw the tray in Nicolae's hand containing breakfast, the bouquet of flowers in Altair's hand, and a large teddy bear in Vega's arms, Aleksis suddenly got up and sat on her bed. She was extremely touched because Nicolae and her two children deliberately made her birthday so special.

”Happy birthday, to our Sleeping Beauty,” Nicolae put the tray of food on her bed and kissed her. ”The kids and I woke up very early to prepare everything.”

”Thank you...” Aleksis whispered. She received the flowers from Altair and kissed her son's cheeks. Then, Vega's jumped to her bed and put the teddy bear beside Aleksis. ”Aahhh... My child, the bear is almost taller than you are...”

Aleksis ruffled Vega's hair and kissed the top of her head. She felt very touched because she was surrounded by her beloved family.

”Come on, you'll need a lot of energy, because today, we have a lot of guests,” Nicolae whispered as he sat beside her. ”Or would you like me to feed you?”

”Hush... I'm still healthy,” Aleksis grumbled. She hurriedly ate her food. ”Mmmm... so delicious!”

The three of them chatted while accompanying Aleksis as she ate in her bed and discussed today's important events. They were about to meet her extended family and make preparations for the wedding party the next day.

”After we get married, will you move to my room or will I be the one to move here?” Nicolae suddenly asked, ”We forgot to talk about it.”

Aleksis looked around and shrugged. ”I can move to your room. This is just a guest room, after all. There's no need to bother you to move here.”

”Ah, I'm glad to hear that.” Nicolae gave a big smile and nodded. ”Later, you can design it however you want.”

Aleksis nodded and continued to enjoy her meal.

Gosh… There's only one day left. Today is her birthday. Tomorrow, she'll be marrying Nicolae. Four years had passed, just like that.