A Chemist's Interstellar Saga

Chapter 115: Cassian Meeting Scion
Chapter 115: Cassian Meeting Scion

Targon lingered nearby, observing the scene unfold for what felt like forever.

He wanted to say something but hesitated. He felt overwhelmed, like he’d eaten a huge ostrich egg, or worse, been force-fed one. The guilt gnawed at him, ’Did I really just give Arix to someone else?’

As he pondered whether to try and fix things, a sudden chill ran down his spine. Targon froze and slowly turned around, dreading what he might see. There, standing in the doorway, was Scion.

No one knew for how long he had been standing there.

Scion’s eyes were locked on the two embracing. He didn’t move or speak, but Targon could feel the coldness radiating from him. Trembling, Targon managed to whisper, ”Cousin Scion...”

But Scion paid no attention to Targon. His gaze stayed on Arix and Cassian. ”Arix, it’s getting dark. Time to go back,” Scion said, though his eyes were fixed on Cassian.

Arix lit up at the sound of his voice. ”Scion! Are you done with your work?” she asked, excitement evident in her tone.

”Yes, it’s time for dinner. Let’s head home,” Scion replied, his voice warm as he looked at Arix. Then he turned to Cassian, his tone turning cold and businesslike. ”Your Highness, you should return early too. It’s not safe out here.”

Cassian’s arms tightened around Arix for a moment before he let go, handing the little cub to Scion. He reached out to ruffle Arix’s hair but stopped when Scion’s hand intervened.

”Your Highness, Arix is a girl. It’s better to keep some distance,” Scion said, his face unreadable.

Cassian’s eyes darkened briefly, but he pulled his hand back. He gave Arix a gentle smile. ”Arix, I’ll come to see you again tomorrow.”

”Okay!” Arix chirped, waving her little paw from Scion’s arms.

The moment Scion had Arix, his polite demeanor towards Cassian disappeared, replaced by a frosty look. Without another word, he turned and walked out the door with Arix.

Arix wanted to say a proper goodbye to Cassian but found herself cut off by Scion once again. Used to this, she simply pouted a bit, not complaining.

Targon watched as Scion and Arix left without even acknowledging him. He then glanced at Cassian, who remained standing there. Targon felt invisible, like a ghost in a scene meant for four people.

”Does Scion really care for Arix that much?” Cassian asked, staring after the pair with a strange expression.

Targon looked around to make sure no one else was nearby before finally confirming that Cassian was indeed talking to him.

Feeling moved that someone had remembered him, he poured his heart out. ”Yeah, he really cares about Arix. You know, I stay by his side a lot, and I’ve never seen him smile. But today, I saw him smile at Arix several times. He even came to pick her up just now. Normally, he wouldn’t care if we didn’t come home.”

He wanted to continue, but Cassian interrupted, ”Enough, you don’t need to say more.”

Cassian’s lips held a smile, but the chill emanating from him was no less than Scion’s earlier.

Targon shivered, feeling as if winter had come, making him freeze multiple times today. He resolved to have a bowl of ginger soup when he got home to warm up.

”Um, if you don’t need anything else, Your Highness, I’ll head back now,” Targon said, wrapping his clothes tighter around himself, feeling that he might catch a cold if he stayed any longer.

”Yes, thank you for today,” Cassian replied with a forced smile before turning to leave. As he turned, the smile vanished from Cassian’s face.

’Scion, huh?’

Cassian recalled Duke Glendale’s words earlier today.

At first, he didn’t believe it. After all, anyone could have designs on Arix, except for Scion, who was never on his radar. But witnessing Scion’s actions just now forced him to accept the reality: Scion might indeed have feelings for Arix. Perhaps even Scion himself hadn’t realized this yet.

Watching Scion, who was no less capable than himself, Cassian felt a deep sense of jealousy. But thinking about Scion’s future as the Pontifex, Cassian’s lips curled into a strange smile. A man destined to devote his life to the Moon Goddess—if he lost to such a rival, he might as well step outside and let an insectoid finish him off now.

Meanwhile, Targon, seeing the now-empty doorway, felt an overwhelming sense of loneliness. He closed the door and hurried to catch up with Scion and the others.

”What’s holding you back there, Targon?” Arix said. She perched in Scion’s arms, looking at Targon with some disdain as he finally caught up.

”You have Scion to carry you; I don’t,” Targon replied, his tone dripping with jealousy.

”What are you talking about? Sorry, can’t hear ya,” Arix teased, sticking out her tongue at Targon before deliberately snuggling closer to Scion.

Finally, she flashed a mischievous smile at Targon, showing her teeth in a way that invited a playful scolding.

The flames of frustration in Targon’s heart flared up instantly, reaching towering heights. He wanted nothing more than to grab the little cub and give her a good spanking.

However, just one more look at Scion’s impassive face doused Targon’s fury as quickly as if he’d been hit with a fire extinguisher.

With a deadpan face, Targon silently mouthed to Arix, ”Just you wait!”

”Hahaha!” Arix laughed uncontrollably at Targon’s frustrated expression, knowing his desire to smack her was tempered by his fear of Scion. She laughed so hard that she almost exposed her belly.

Scion glanced down, noticing the little cub’s exposed belly. He gently covered it with his sleeve. ”Arix, stop messing around. And never expose your belly to an ’enemy’ like this,” he said softly.

”Okay, Scion,” Arix replied obediently, settling back down.

Scion patted her head gently and continued walking towards the main hall. The family gathered there for their weekly dinner, and today happened to be the day.

The hall was already filled with many members of the family. They all seated around a long, wide wooden table, chatting as they waited for the food to be served.

Scion found his seat and sat down with Arix in his arms. ”Arix, did you have fun today?” asked one of her grandfather’s brothers. The old man was sitting at the head of the table, looking kindly at her.

”Yes, I had a lot of fun. Targon took me to play, and there were so many fun things to do,” Arix responded sweetly.

”That’s good. Arix, you should consider this your home. Don’t feel shy or reserved,” the old man said with a warm smile.

”Okay, thank you,” Arix nodded her little head adorably.

Sitting aside, Targon felt a pang of sadness and grabbed a drumstick for himself. He thought to himself, ’Clearly, I’m the most miserable one today. Why didn’t Grandpa care about me too?’

But he had come to realize that Arix must have some sort of magical charm. With her around, even his dearest Grandpa treated him as if he were invisible.