Meanwhile, in Grosetto, Marie and Summer really enjoyed staying in the Medici family castle. They explored the grove behind the castle, went boating on the lake at the foot of the hill, picked wildflowers to put in vases, and then went on picnics on the Butterfly Hill.

Nicolae spoiled them both to no end. He cooked for them and taught Summer how to make pizza, took her to see butterflies, went fishing with her, and did various fun activities together.

All the servants in the castle were very fond of Summer. The little miss was so cute and adorable. She immediately became the belle of the castle, and everywhere she went, everyone complimented and admired her. Nicolae is very proud of his child.

After they had lunch, Nicolae received a notification from Luca that his father had arrived from China. He happily invited Marie and Summer to come out and greet Lauriel.

"Father, you have arrived. How was the flight?" Nicolae asked as he watched Lauriel get out of the car. His father looked very fresh and his long hair, which was usually messy, today just looked neat. It looked like Lauriel was deliberately making an extra effort with his hair than usual to meet his new daughter-in-law and granddaughter.

"Everything's fine," Lauriel answered. He widened his eyes and looked at Marie, standing behind Nicolae with a shocked expression and slightly opened lips.

The girl was shocked to see Lauriel looking the same age as Nicolae. If she had not been told in advance about the Alchemists' secrets, she would have thought the handsome man in front of her was a university student or at least a fresh graduate.

Even though she had seen Lauriel through Virconnect, but when Marie could meet him in person, she still felt shocked and did not expect her father-in-law to look so young and handsome.

In many ways, Lauriel's face looked very similar to Nicolae. However, their personalities and styles seemed very different, so they appeared contrasting each other.

"Wel-welcome, Uncle Lauriel," Marie said. She walked forward and reached out to invite Lauriel to shake hands to introduce herself. She did not expect Lauriel to approach her and immediately hugged him warmly.

"Marie? Welcome to our Medici family," Lauriel said in French. He patted Marie's shoulders and then let go with a thin smile. "I'm happy to meet you."

"Ah, I am also happy to meet you, Uncle," said Marie haltingly. She was still in a daze. She couldn't believe her vision.

Lauriel nodded. "I think you can start calling me Father. You are my daughter-in-law and my granddaughter's mother, after all. We are a family."

"Ah ... okay, Uncle ... uhm, Father..." Marie smiled broadly at Lauriel's words. Subconsciously, the corner of her eyes turned watery.

Marie never knew her father because he passed away when she was still in her mother's w.o.m.b. The only family she had was only her ailing mother who finally died six years ago.

Lauriel then crouched down and approached Summer who was watching him with her rounded peach eyes. The little girl was very amazed to see Lauriel. She realized that this man looked very similar to Uncle Nic, who turned out to be her father.

"Hello, Summer sweetheart ... How are you? This is Grandpa Rory ... You're so beautiful," Lauriel said, ruffling Summer's hair gently. "Will you give Grandpa a hug?"

Summer was stunned by Lauriel's words. As far as she knew, grandpas were old men, with a beard, a wrinkled face, and white hair.. like Santa Claus...

But why did the young man in front of her asked her to call him Grandpa?

However, there was something familiar with this man. His smile that adorned his face made him look like an angel. It fascinated Summer, and a moment later, she had advanced and embraced Lauriel's neck.

"Ahhh ... you're so sweet," Lauriel was delighted to see Summer's initiative and then immediately got up and carried the little girl with his right arm. He then turned to Nicolae and Marie. "Let's go inside. I want to discuss your wedding."

Nicolae and Marie nodded together. Somehow their faces blushed in unison. Lauriel was not a man of small talk. He remembered Nicolae saying that he wanted to formalize his marriage to Marie this summer in Grosetto. So, of course, he would make sure their wedding could take place soon.

After a short rest, Lauriel invited Nicolae, Marie, and Summer with Luca to have tea together to discuss Nicolae and Marie's wedding plans.

"I will discuss this with Caspar. You can just choose a good day. Later, Luca will help arrange all the preparations," Lauriel said while sipping his tea.

Marie turned to Nicolae. "Who is Caspar?"

"Oh, that is Uncle Caspar Schneider, he is the clan leader," Nicolae answered.

Marie was stunned. She remembered that Alaric, Nicolae's younger brother, was married to Aleksis Schneider, the Schneider family's only daughter.

"Is ... the Schneider family also ... uhm ... members of the Alchemists?" the girl asked curiously. She initially thought Aleksis was just like her, an ordinary girl who married into the Alchemist clan. She did not expect the girl's father to be the clan leader.

"That's right. Uncle Caspar has been the clan leader since the end of World War 2, after his father died in the war," Nicolae explained. "He is kind and amiable. You will definitely be happy to meet the Schneider family. They have some younger children too. They could be your new friends in the clan. Their grandchildren are also the same age as Summer..."

"Ahh .. I understand now. It's interesting," Marie said.

"Thank you, Father. Marie and I have talked about this. We want to get married a few weeks from now. You don't need to throw a massive wedding and invite everyone. I'm sure it will be difficult to gather everyone in Grosetto with a last-minute notice like this. For Marie and me, the only thing that matters is that Marie and Summer could be acknowledged by the clan and get the immortality potion," Nicolae said.

Under the table, his hand clasped Marie's hand gently.

"All right. How about the end of July or August 1 on your birthday? There is still enough time to prepare for the wedding reception and invite people. You must not forget to invite Ned and Portia," Lauriel advised the couple. "I remember Portia nagging me for a long time because I forgot to invite her when throwing your 100th birthday party years ago."

Nicolae nodded with a smile. "Of course not. I will invite Auntie Portia in person. Wow ... Your idea is good too. Alaric and I will be exactly 111 years old soon. Marie and Summer are the best birthday presents I have ever received in my life."

Marie smiled at Nicolae's enthusiasm. She squeezed the man's hand tenderly and looked at him with a happy smile.