Chapter 232: Meeting In The Empire

Chapter 232: Meeting In The Empire

Once the misunderstanding was cleared up, Drexel started feeling a twinge of guilt about abandoning the lunch still waiting for him back home.

"Arix, next time you’ve got something important to say, could you spill it sooner? I haven’t even had lunch yet," Drexel grumbled, trying to shift the blame.

For the past six months, getting to enjoy Evelyn’s cooking again had been a rare treat. And now, thanks to a twist of fate, he’d missed out.

When Arix heard about the lunch, she pouted, looking even more upset than Drexel.

"You didn’t even give me a chance! You looked ready to snap someone’s neck the whole way here. How was I supposed to say anything?" Arix muttered, her voice weak as she touched her empty stomach.

On the jump ship, eating was a no-go, but you could drink nutritious fluid. Unfortunately, she hadn’t packed any in her Space Button, so hunger was her current companion.

Drexel didn’t have any of that fluid either, but he ducked out for a bit and returned with two strawberry-flavored ones.

"Where’d you get these?" Arix asked, brightening up as she took one and looked at him curiously.

"Traded for them, of course. We’re not the only ones on this ship," Drexel replied like it was the most obvious thing in the world.



Then, with a curious look, he asked, "Arix, I’ve been wondering. With how innocent and trusting you are, how did you survive on Planet Waste all these years?"

Planet Waste wasn’t as deadly as Planet Void, but it was still no walk in the park. Without a sharp mind and a cautious nature, you might not even realize how you ended up dead.

But with Arix’s pure-hearted nature, it seemed more likely she’d spent the last ten years being coddled by a big, protective family rather than toughing it out on Planet Waste.

Arix awkwardly touched her nose, unsure how to respond. The truth was, the real Arix had lived on Planet Waste for ten years. But her? She’d always lived in a loving family, whether in the interstellar world or the present day. She was used to the care and affection of her elders and younger relatives. Hardship wasn’t really in her playbook.

Even during summer jobs, her overprotective family made sure she only worked in their own pharmacy so they could keep an eye on her. It was more of a life experience than an actual job.

Luckily, Drexel seemed to pick up on her hesitation and, not wanting to press further, changed the subject. "Never mind. You’re fine as you are. Let’s not dwell on the past. We’ve arrived at the capital planet of the Empire of Sacred Moonlight, Arix. Time to get off."

Arix nodded, grateful for her brother’s understanding. She didn’t really want to keep secrets from Drexel, but explaining everything was just too much. It involved time travel, soul exchange, and a mysterious grandpa...

Just thinking about it made her tired, so she decided to keep things under wraps.

As soon as the two stepped off the warp machine, they were greeted with a pleasant surprise—standing on the platform, waiting for them, were their older brother Kellan and their cousin Targon.

"Kellan! Targon!" Arix and Drexel called out in unison. Excitedly, they rushed forward, each taking one side of Kellan for a big, joyful bear hug.

Targon stood off to the side, feeling a bit left out as the two hugged Kellan. Realizing he wasn’t getting any love, he awkwardly pulled his arms back and gave himself a small, self-comforting hug.

Meanwhile, Kellan held his brother and sister close, his calm, handsome face softening with a warm smile. "Alright, alright, you two are grown now. Stop acting like kids."

After clinging to Kellan for a bit longer, Arix finally let go, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Kellan, why are you in the Empire too? Is Grandpa here as well?"

"Grandpa had to stay home to take care of things, so he couldn’t make it. I had some time off, so I decided to come," Kellan explained, still smiling.

"Tsk, tsk, poor old man! Can’t even make it to his own granddaughter’s engagement party. How tragic!" Drexel teased, though there was a touch of sympathy in his voice.

"Huh? We’re all here in the Empire, but we left Grandpa behind. Won’t he be mad at us?" Arix asked, a sudden wave of guilt growing inside her.

Kellan thought of their grumpy old grandfather and chuckled knowingly. "Who knows?"

"Alright, enough about Grandpa. Arix, Drexel, let’s head back. Everyone’s waiting for you," Kellan said, his voice gentle.

"Yeah! The family even prepared a big welcoming feast. As soon as you’re home, we can start eating!" Targon added eagerly, practically drooling at the thought of the feast waiting for them. He quickly pulled out his Lev and motioned for the three of them to get in.



Hearing about the feast, Arix and Drexel, who had only had a single nutritious fluid to drink, perked up immediately. They exchanged a quick glance before both scrambled into the Lev, excited at the thought of a real meal.

As for their grandfather back in the Alliance, he was completely forgotten in their excitement over the feast.

Kellan, still standing there, shook his head with a fond smile before joining them in the Lev.

...

In their rush to grab a bite, Arix and the crew quickly made their way back to the Tiger Clan.

The welcome feast was already underway in the clan’s main hall. By the time Targon led them inside, the long table was buzzing with guests. Everyone from the Tiger Clan had already settled in, snacking on food and exchanging stories.

The moment Arix walked in, the room lit up with excitement. Clan members flocked around her, their voices overlapping in a chorus of questions and concern.

"Arix, how’s life over at the Alliance?"

"Arix, is anyone giving you trouble there?"

"Arix, dear, why don’t you just stay in the Empire? You’ve lost so much weight since you went back to the Alliance. Your second grandfather’s beside himself with worry."