After helping her father claim an entire galaxy and subsequently registering it with the Universal Accord Commission, the Knight princess had nothing else to do. Her first instinct would have been to return to Alexander's side.
However, she decided to hold back, seemingly.
Claiming a galactic territory was but the first step in managing it. Forces would have to be deployed all over the galaxy, and that required a lot of manpower and energy. This was where Julia stepped in.
With her abilities, she could cut travel time short, clear out monsters and void creatures who dared to challenge her might. Julia did everything she could to help her family's forces take absolute control over the galaxy.
Several months of work had allowed the Knight forces to progress a lot faster. The central star system chosen to be the heart of the Knight forces had already achieved a level of development no less than what was already in the Empire.
With awakened individuals at the helm, projects that would have taken years to see results only took a few weeks to months. Lord Lucas and other members of his family had never been so busy rebuilding the Knight legacy into what they hoped it to be.
The kind of resources at their disposal was no longer limited or restricted by a governing body — they decided everything. At the same time, they needed to regulate everything so it did not spiral out of control.
Too many resources in the hands of their subordinates would collapse the system they were trying to build. Moderation was key. Naturally, it did not mean they were stingy.
The galaxy had been named the Starry-Knight Galaxy, and the central star system hosting the main family evidently carried a similar name — the Knight Star System. Lord Lucas sat in his new spacious office in the gradually budding grand mansion being built on the home planet.
More than a mansion, the building resembled a sophisticated, castle-like design spanning several hundred acres. The castle was more than fifty per cent completed, and would soon be the heart of the Knight's power.
Surrounding the land were vast stretches of grasslands, natural forests, mountains, and water bodies, enhancing the castle's grand beauty. The planet was a thriving new ecosystem that was bound to become a paradise in the coming years.
"Come in."
Lord Lucas responded to the knock without lifting his head from his work. The Knight head had a lot of work on his shoulders, far more than he thought possible. Many duties required his personal touch and could not be passed to his subordinates.
"A-Alexander...?"
Lord Lucas stuttered as his eyes fell on Alexander, entering and closing the door behind him. He expected to see one of his many administrative assistants. Quickly, he rose to his feet. However, Alexander gestured for him to relax.
"No need to stand, Mr. Knight," Alexander revealed a small smile as he made his way towards Lucas's desk. "I'm only here as Alexander, Julia's boyfriend."
"In that case, have a seat." Lucas offered as he sat back in his chair. "I presume you're here for Julia? I'm sure she's somewhere around the mansion."
"Yeah... But she doesn't know I'm here, not yet." Alexander answered before Lucas could send a message out. "I'm here to speak with you, Mr. Knight."
Noticing Alexander's tone, Lucas nodded and gave his undivided attention. "What can I do for you, Alexander? While I doubt anyone can do a better job than you yourself, you wouldn't be here otherwise."
"You misunderstand, Mr. Knight." Alexander smiled slightly. "I'm not here for any work. It's about something we spoke about some time back."
Lord Lucas did not immediately recall what Alexander meant by his words. However, after a bit of thought, his eyes widened in realisation as his lips curved into a bright smile.
"You don't mean..."
Alexander's smile widened as he stared at the man's speechless expression. At the time Lucas had had the conversation with him, he was still unclear as to what he was or how powerful he would be.
Regardless, Lord Lucas had enquired about Alexander's plan for his daughter, Julia. He had no issues with their relationship but wished to see his baby girl married to the person she genuinely loved.
"Hahaha... Finally!"
Lord Lucas suddenly leaned back in his chair and let out a hearty laugh. He knew this was an eventuality, and it still made him very happy. His little girl was going to be a wife, and to Alexander no less!
Ah, his joy was indescribable. For a moment, he even forgot about Alexander, who sat across from him, silently watching.
Although Alexander sat directly in front of Lord Lucas and observed his reaction, even allowing himself to feel what the man was feeling to some extent, it still eluded him somewhat.
'You can't truly understand that feeling without actually being a parent yourself.' Alexander mused silently. 'But I can tell he simply wants the bragging rights that come with calling me a son-in-law.'
"Ah, Alexander..." After what felt like an eternity of bliss to the Lord of the Knight family, Lord Lucas snapped out of his reverie and cheerfully expressed. "I can't describe how happy you've made this old man. I know Julia will be overjoyed to be your wife, and as her father, how can I stand in the way of my daughter's happiness?"
The response was always going to be a yes; both men knew this. However, tradition was the way to go. Alexander desired to take Julia from the Knight family into his family, the Grays. Naturally, he needed the father's permission.
"Thank you, Lord Lucas." Alexander swiftly stood up and bowed, expressing his heartfelt appreciation for his permission. "I promise to make Julia the happiest woman in this universe and beyond. Never will she ever go through pain by my side; this I vow."
This time, Lord Lucas remained seated, silently watching Alexander make his vow. The proud smile on his face could not be hidden through it all. He was truly happy, and nothing was going to change that.
"I know you will, Alexander. I know you will..." Lord Lucas nodded, accepting Alexander's pledge. "Please, sit down. We're going to be family soon."
Watching Alexander sit down, Lucas looked to see if he had something on his person. He didn't dare use his senses on Alexander. He did, however, make his actions obvious, making Alex chuckle softly.
With a gentle gesture of his right hand, Alexander raised it towards Lord Lucas. Lying in his palm was a serene white engagement ring box. Before Alexander could even open it, Lucas could feel the slightly cold magical energy the box gave off.
Lord Lucas did not doubt that whatever material Alexander carved the ring out of would be extremely valuable. Under his nervous gaze, the box slowly opened to reveal the ring it held.
The inside of the box had the same shade as the box itself. However, that was not what caught Lord Lucas's focus. The moment Alexander revealed the ring, a slight cold energy suffused into the office, making Lucas swallow nervously.
Buried inside the pillow was a ring unlike anything Lord Lucas had seen before. The ring was as clear as a diamond but with faint swirling frost patterns deep inside, as if tiny snowstorms were trapped within. Under light, it refracted with an icy blue shimmer rather than rainbow colours.
"I call the gem Julite, a material of my creation." Alexander leaned forward and explained the properties of the diamond-like jewel. "It's more valuable than the most valuable naturally formed material in our universe. It's the only one of its kind."
Lord Lucas did not need to be convinced twice to know Alexander was right. As a wealthy man, there was almost no treasure he hadn't laid his eyes on. Moreover, this was something only Alexander was capable of doing.
"This is a gem that cannot be destroyed, even with the strongest of flames in existence." He would know, after all, his Nexis Radiant formed the core of the gem.
"It continuously radiates a chilling aura that instils no sense of discomfort at all. Instead, it forms an invisible protective shell around the wearer and resonates with the wearer's mana signature."
The more Lord Lucas heard, the faster his heartbeat increased. He could feel the energy the ring radiated and could not help but be mesmerised by its sheen and swirling frost patterns.
"Hehe, Alexander..." Lucas took his gaze from the gem and looked at Alexander. "You've truly outdone yourself. I-I don't even know what to say. This is one hell of a gem you've created and named after my daughter."
"Only the very best for her, Lord Lucas." Alexander grinned with a reminiscent light in his eyes, staring at the gem. "Julia has been by my side when no one wanted to be. She has shown me love I never believed possible and devotion that bordered on insanity."
"Hehe, yeah..." Lord Lucas laughed at the mention of madness, leaning back in his chair. He more than anyone knew how crazy his daughter was. "Julia is... Well, she is one of a kind, and I know you two will be happy together."
Looking at Alexander in the eyes, Lord Lucas let out a proud sigh and added. "I'm proud to be called 'father-in-law' by you, Alexander... I'm proud to call you... son"
"Thank you... Father-in-law." Alexander said as he stood up, putting the engagement box in his pocket. "You'll have a front-row seat to the proposal when it happens."
"Then I'll await the good news."
Lord Lucas beamed as he watched Alexander leave his office. Never had he felt so proud in his life. There was no one out there who was better than Alexander. Even if there was, he would still choose Alexander.
'Julite, huh...' Lord Lucas recalled the priceless gem he saw moments ago. 'Has a nice ring to it.'