As they stepped into the palace, they were greeted by an air of elegance and sophistication. The interior was no less enchanting than the exterior, with marble floors reflecting the soft glow of crystal chandeliers overhead.

Xiran and Aselia couldn’t get enough of its grandeur, their eyes tried to take in every minute detail.

Elaborate silver mirrors hung on the walls, adding an illusion of endless space and light. The furniture was meticulously chosen in ivory and silver accents, providing both comfort and opulence.

"Seems like you are royalty, no wonder you always carried that air of regality about you," Aselia teased, murmuring in his ear and he couldn’t hide that haughty smile that was trying to escape him.

"Yes, I am the long-lost prince of this planet, finally returning home," he whispered back to her with a wink.

An elegant woman followed by two girls made her way towards them. Her graceful white gown flowed behind her. The silverish hair was neatly tied in a thick braid, and white flowery beads were embedded in it.

Her eyes were a shade of darkest grey, almost slate grey but they sparkled with a blend of excitement and love.

"My Sera!" She exclaimed with her open arms and Sulran rushed to her.

"My Sernera!" He took the woman in his arms and joined his forehead with her. Everyone halted seeing the lovely couple share this intimate moment.

The affection they held for each other ran deep, their hearts easing, a calmness washing over them having their better half back in their embraces. Their faces held all the emotions as Sulran lovingly clasped the woman’s face and placed a soft kiss on her forehead.

Xiran and Aselia watched in awe and knew they were communicating without speaking, their bond had transcended to a point where they didn’t need words to communicate especially with the kind of powers Sulran possessed.

He clasped the woman’s shoulder and turned her so she could face Xiran and Aselia and spoke in a language which Aselia didn’t understand but Xiran did. He was introducing them to her. The smile she held deepened with every word Sulran said, her eyes danced with jubilation and they could see how elated she was at that moment. Her hand covered her mouth in shock when Sulran told her that they had travelled across galaxies to be there.

"Savut Husia!" She greeted in a beautiful melodious voice that seemed so otherworldly.

"Hello! My lovelies," Xiran translated for Aselia.

"This is my Sernera; Nirjla," Sulran introduced and Nirjla rushed forward and elegantly placed soft kisses on Xiran and Aselia’s foreheads, making them blush a little. Sulran laughed at their reactions as Nirjla continued to speak in her language. Showing her motherly affection.

"It’s very nice to meet you," Aselia replied, unsure of what to say as Nirjla affectionately clasped her hands.

"She says you have the most beautiful pair of eyes she has ever seen and a radiant smile," Xiran translated again and Aselia awkwardly smiled back at the classy lady.

Sulran then asked Nirjla to take Aselia and Xiran along and help them get freshened up and settled in a room.

"Rest for tonight. Don’t hesitate to ask for anything you will need. Tomorrow I will show you around the place and meet the rest of the family," Sulran lightly thumped at Xiran’s shoulder and he nodded in agreement.

He wanted to visit his ailing mother and inform her about Surilla. This was going to be difficult and he wanted to do it alone.

Nirjla was more than happy to be the perfect hostess. She led them along the pristine corridors as she passed orders to the two girls that followed her.

They reached an enormous white door with silver vines intricately embedded in it. One of the girls opened the door and Nirjla led them inside the spacious room.

White orbs the size of a coconut, made up of some unknown material were kept on round structures which they assumed acted like lights. Girls picked them up one by one and shook them, they began to glow with a silver radiance.

Xiran and Aselia were rooted to their spot, taking in all the tiny details of the room. There were no beds just circular bedding or mattress covered in white and silver sheets and circular pillows.

White canopies hung from the ceiling around the bedding, created from the finest materials with tiny baby blue flowers on them. A ceiling-to-floor window was located directly behind their bedding. Silverish grey curtains hung along its length.

"Have some rest. I will have fresh clothes and food sent to the room very shortly. It’s getting late and you people must be tired after the ordeal. We will have a morning meal together with the whole family. A maid will wait outside your chambers, let her know if you need anything," Nirjla informed Xiran, knowing he understood her.

"We are much obliged. Thank you for the hospitality," Xiran answered her with the utmost respect, showing what a gentleman he was.

"Nêi ghui (no problem)," Nirjla hugged Aselia one last time. Inspecting her dress, "What a beautiful colour, it matches your eyes. Sadly, we don’t have this colour in our world," she praised her nightie. And Xiran translated.

"Next time I will come to visit, I will bring a lot of dresses for you. This time was a bit accidental," Aselia answered and Xiran narrated again.

Nirjla beamed at her answer and thanked Aselia for her kind words. She ensured they had everything they needed before heading out with the girls and closing the door behind her.

There was what seemed like a rocking chair in the corner, Xiran went and slumped on it, Aselia followed him and he collected her in his lap and slowly began to rock them back and forth. He was very quiet, and Aselia could sense the budding tension.

"Talk to me," she said, turning slightly towards him.

"I am excited and yet agitated at the thought of meeting my family. And I would be needing blood soon, Leia. I can’t keep drinking from you. How will I ask them for blood? I am afraid of their reaction," he sighed.

"Talk to your uncle in private. He will understand. And if you are not comfortable, just drink from me, Xiran. I don’t mind, you know that," she leaned closer and plastered a small kiss on his cheek. Xiran was about to answer her but they were interrupted by a knock on the door.

Aselia left his lap and went on to answer it. Two beautiful girls had brought them fresh clothes, shoes that looked like sandals and two trays of food. She invited them inside and they neatly hung the clothes near the washing area and placed the food on the table. Then one of the girls handed Aselia a small circular box and indicated to her arm, telling her it was a healing balm for it.

They silently bowed before leaving and Aselia thanked them with a gracious smile, before opening the box and applying the white gel it contained on her arm. It soothed her and she knew her wound will heal soon.

"Xiran, come let’s freshen up and eat something," she advanced to where he sat and dragged him out of the chair. He unwillingly got up and they advanced to the wash area. A white wash basin and a white round white, silver bathtub and a toilet made up the wash area.

Both of them washed themselves and changed into the light attire that had been brought for them.

There were white gowns of very flimsy material and hardly covered Aselia’s private assets and he could still see her tops. Xiran didn’t want her to walk outside, donning such a revealing garment. So he began muttering under his breath, a frown etching on his face. Aselia could sense his grumbling and wanted to laugh. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"This is a night attire, there are other gowns the girls brought. They are not that revealing and see-through. This one was sent just for your eyes," she nudged him with her elbow and he visibly relaxed.

"Oh! I didn’t want to gouge out someone’s eyes here. People here seem peaceful," and Aselia couldn’t stop laughing at his jealousy.

"You are too much, come eat," they settled on the carpeted floor near the round table on which their food had been served and began to uncover the dishes.

Like everything else there the food was mostly white, off-white and light blue in texture. There were few what seemed like meat dishes and some were veggies of unknown taste and origins. Both of them were hungry so they tried everything and the taste was not as bland as they had thought it would be.

"Well, at least they have animals here. The meat proves it. Maybe you can ask for some animal blood," Aselia pointed to the white meat they were eating which tasted similar to duck meat and Xiran astoundedly stared at her.

"What?" She inquired, shrugging her shoulders.

"I don’t consume animal blood. It makes me gag and has much less nutritious value. For the love of anything holy, I can’t consume any blood after you. I just take it as medicine now," Xiran placed his spoon down in exasperation. He knew he had just burdened her and Aselia could read his truths in those boisterous orbs.

"Then drink from me whenever you want, there is no stopping you. I replenish quickly," she patted his hand, trying to ease his fears.

"Let’s worry about that tomorrow. I am full for today," Xiran was still conflicted so he wanted to sleep on it. He hadn’t slept for two days now and with the time difference between the planets, he wasn’t even sure how long he had been awake.

They both got up and made their way to the soft bedding.