Alex looked up at Amber and grinned.
"Aunt! I'm starving! Bake me some cake and roast chicken, please!"
Amber laughed, brushing his hair back fondly.
"Yes, yes, I'll start cooking now!"
The doctor began checking through her bag, preparing to leave. Alex turned to her.
"Hey, doc! Have dinner with me tonight?"
She paused mid-step. "Why?"
Alex chuckled. "Do sister and brother need a reason to eat together?"
She blinked, surprised. "Did you hear that subconsciously? Tell me, Alex."
"Not exactly," he said, giggling. "But after resting enough, I can kind of hear things in my sleep."
She smiled warmly. "Alright then. I'll be waiting, little brother."
"Deal," Alex said with a nod.
Xander stepped over, removing his shirt. With a quiet whoosh, warm water materialized around them, spiraling in the air before drenching them both in seconds.
"Haaach!" Alex sneezed.
"Haaach!" Xander echoed, and they both laughed.
"Damn, we caught a cold, kid!" Xander grinned, setting Alex gently back on the bed and patting his head dry with a towel.
Ben peeked over at Amber and grinned mischievously.
"My dear ladies, if you'd kindly exit the room."
Amber narrowed her eyes playfully. "Sneaky kid!"
The doctor smirked. "Stop being cheesy, Ben."
Once they left, Ben locked the door, then walked over to the bathroom, grabbing a toothbrush and handing it to Alex.
"Here. Do it. Your breath stinks."
Alex rolled his eyes. "I know, I know." He began brushing while sitting up on the bed.
Xander took off his shirt again, and this time Ben and Alex both stopped and stared.
His body was a sculpted map of strength and history—scars carved across hardened muscle. A chain hung around one wrist, with a sword and flower emblem etched into it. Across his back was a bold white stigma: a crown, a throne, and swords encircling it in sharp symmetry.
"Whoooa, Dad!" Alex whistled. "You just rocked the room! Did you know that?"
Xander laughed. "If you want a body like this, train hard, kid."
"Woooo, Uncle Xan!" Ben cheered. "You just broke the mold for every bodybuilder ever!"
Xander chuckled. "Alright, alright—stop hyping me up. You're late for training and school."
Ben sighed. "Uncle… can't you keep one secret for five minutes?"
Xander ruffled his hair. "Sorry, kid. But seriously—don't be late."
Alex watched the banter from the bed, his smile fading just a little.
"School? What school are they going to? Are they having fun without me?"
The thought stung more than he expected.
He looked at Ben and raised an eyebrow.
"So you guys are just… chilling at school, huh?"
Ben walked into the bathroom, leaving the door slightly open.
"Alex, I think we're in trouble. A lot of people are looking to make a move on you."
Xander handed Alex a bucket of water. "Rinse your mouth."
Alex obeyed, spitting the water out. "I haven't even seen those people. They don't know me."
Ben reappeared, drying his face.
"They know your name. That's enough, Alex."
Alex gave a crooked smile.
"I'm just Alexander Foster Cane. It's not like my parents are mega-famous like Uncle John, or that we're swimming in money."
Ben started pulling on a shirt.
"Yeah… don't you know? That's exactly why people care."
"So... my average peaceful life and simple dream life got totally wrecked," he muttered.
Xander chuckled. "Alex, we're one of the top richest business families in the country."
Alex sighed. "Well, I'll just hide my name and roam free. It's not like Dad went around spreading my name at school or anything."
Xander burst out laughing. Ben, now dressed in his sports clothes, groaned. "Man, Alex, you're lucky! Escaping training like this..."
Ben helped Alex walk slowly to the dining table. Gwen and Athina were glaring silently at the doctor. Alex leaned closer to Ben.
"What's up with the girls?"
Ben nodded toward them. "Don't be careless. Eat fast, then dip."
Alex sat beside the doctor. "Did someone die? Why is it so quiet in here?"
Amber gave him a sharp glance. "Alex, don't say things like that at the dining table!"
"Sorry! Won't happen again," he replied quickly.
Amber stood by his side and began feeding him. The doctor glanced over.
"Miss Amber, may I?"
Amber chuckled. "Of course."
The doctor took the bowl and began feeding Alex herself. When a bit of meat stuck to his lip, she wiped it gently with her hand.
"Come on, Alex, open up," she said warmly.
Alex glanced at her curiously. "Hey, doc-sis… what's your name? And how do you know my mom?"
She laughed softly while feeding him. "I'm Mandora Clifedge, of the Clestrial Dronds Clan."
Alex blinked. "Ahaa… What's that? Where's it from?"
She laughed again. "It means I'm not from Earth. Your mother—she was my master, my adoptive mother."
Alex's eyes lit up. "Wait—so that makes you my real elder sister?"
She nodded, smiling. "Exactly. That's why I've been caring for you, you idiot. What, you think it's just because you're cute?"
Everyone around the table burst out laughing. Alex winked. "Sooo… you think I'm cute, huh, sis?"
Mandora rolled her eyes and laughed. "Okay okay, punk—you look cute. I admit it."
Alex grinned and kept chewing. "You know, Alex," Mandora said fondly, "you really do resemble Mother. Even in your foolishness."
He tilted his head. "What do you mean?"
She just smiled, wiping his mouth again, then stood to wash her hands. After a quick rinse, she returned to eat in a hurry. When she was done, she looked back at him.
"Remember, Alex. No walking or running. Stay seated. Got it?"
She leaned forward and kissed his forehead before rushing out.
Amber glanced at Xander. "She handles Alex like a pro."
Sam chuckled. "Of course she does. Even when Anna was on missions, Mandora was the one taking care of Alex. Ever since the day he was born… he clung to her like a magnet."
" me ! how can i not remember that ! " alex asked
xander laugh and say "it was when you are years old ! you can't remember it !".
sam look at alex and say " look alex ! you know she always nagging me and your mother about you ! "
alex look at xander and ask " what about father !".
sam laugh and say " ofcourse ! you father only two duties ! one is to protecting ! universe and playing with you and caring your mother ! of course you sleep on your father chest !". alex nods and say " humm ! that clearly understand how i remember his warmth !". alex look at xander and say " dad why don't we go some fun ride togeather !". " yep ! let go now !", xander drink water and stand up ! he slowly walk to the room . he come out with a wheel chair. he carefully place alex weel chair , he give alex cooling glasses and put on one . " sam i leave the training for you ! i am on leave !".
sam stand " hey ! it was cheating ! it's not fair !".
" every thing is fair in love !", xander with laughing
then he push wheel chair and running out . sam nods and say " damn ! now it was messed up again !".
amber ask " why did you worry about him !"
sam drink the water and say " when he decided to have fun ! he will do anything ! "
xander and alex were standing at the bus stop and looking for the taxi . " alex ! where we go now ! " .
alex look at xander and say " don't it was comfortable ! if we bring the car !".
xander took alex and say " ok lets buy a car then for you !".
alex look at xander and say " dad! why should we need it !".
xander ruffelded and say " there is a time i am strugguled eat on this planet ! this money i alone work and it's my hardwork kid ! spend it like you want !".
the taxi stop and xander help to sat in car . alex check for car in the phone , " dad lets go to mustang showroom !".
Xander peeked at his phone and smirked. "Good selection."
Ten minutes later, their car rolled to a stop in front of the Mustang Ford showroom, surrounded by sleek, flashy vehicles gleaming under the sun. Alex's eyes widened as he pointed at a muscular open-top model.
"That one!" he said with excitement.
Xander nodded and walked over to the owner. After a short conversation, he returned with the keys swinging in his hand. He pressed a button—and the floor began to shift with a deep hum. From beneath, a hidden platform rose, lifting the car up like a prize being presented.
Alex's expression was priceless—pure wonder mixed with cool confidence.
Xander walked over, gently lifted Alex from his wheelchair, and settled him into the passenger seat. Then he slid into the driver's seat and hit the ignition. The car roared to life like a beast let loose.
He turned to the owner. "I'll take this one today. Make sure the one I ordered is at my house by 7 a.m."
The owner gave a respectful nod. "It'll be there on time, sir."
The car's doors slid down with a smooth, silent motion. Lights flickered on ahead of them, revealing a tunnel.
A grin stretched across Xander's face.
Alex buckled up and grinned back. "Dad… do you love cars this much?"
Xander chuckled. "Kid, wait six years. Then ask me that again—when you really feel it."
The engine growled and the car launched forward with insane acceleration. A flash of light at the end of the tunnel gave way to public roads. Xander checked his watch.
"Alex, wanna swing by your school?"
Alex grinned. "Before they even think of making a move on us… let's go scare them a little."
With that, Xander closed the rooftop and steered the car toward a shopping mall.
As the car pulled up out front, Alex blinked. "Dad, why are we here?"
Xander gave him a sideways smirk. "When you're in Rome... act like a Roman."