The coffee almost spilled from Sardon's cup when he heard a familiar roar that surprised him. The shout echoed throughout the household. Awhile ago he saw his father walk down the stairs and open the front door. He knew at that moment that Dmitry arrived at the manor. But he did not expect the Elder to react that way. Immediately Sardon got up from where he was leisurely seated and ran towards the door.
His heart seemed to stop as he saw his youngest daughter nestled on the servant's arms, pale and frail.
"What happened?" he panickily asked the nurse who was standing beside Ivan, "Is she okay? Let's call the doctor."
Hannah sighed. Expecting the reaction, she had already prepared an explanation, "Forgive me sirs, it was me who took her to the greenhouse to lighten her mood this morning. The little miss did not sleep well last night. She said she was a bit worried that her sister and her grandfather came home late. I did not know that it would be tiring her. But rest assured sirs, she said she was just having headache and felt nauseous and requested to return to her room."
Dmitry who ushered himself in was trailed by Ivan who was preparing to go upstairs. Hannah continued to explain, "Let me check up on her sir then call the doctor."
Sardon nodded and while both went up to Jade's bedroom, Jade's mother and sister came down having the same reactions as Sardon. "What happened?!", the two asked at the same time.
"Faint spells, I guess." Sardon answered with a calm voice.
Emerald looked at Jade and she saw again how fragile her sister is. 'With just a little push she might break like a glass vase'
Unknown to her, Dmitry was objectively watching the interaction between the family members. His gaze immediately caught Emy's attention.
"Dmitry?!"
Dmitry grinned while the rest of people suddenly looked at Emy whose reaction was unbecoming of her.
"What an energetic family you have Uncle." Dmitry commented while patting the Elder's shoulders.
"This is not the welcome I have wanted to give you though"
"Is she okay?" Emy asked as she saw Jade now lying in bed. Hannah, who was beside her, looked at the small portable monitor. "Her heart rate and blood pressure are stable. Her oxygen a bit low, but this level is acceptable for her condition. The young miss just needs to rest."
"We will still call the doctor! I will not put my confidence on you!" Marie shouted, "Why would you bring her to the greenhouse early in the morning! It is humid and cold out there! I thought you were bright but actually you're an imbecile!"
The barrage of insults pricked Sardon's auricles, "Enough!"
"She is okay Marie. Ms. Hannah said so, right? Let Jade rest for the mean time.
Marie furrowed her brows and looked at her husband with dismay. "Fine. But I will still call Cyprus."
Sardon heaved a heavy sigh as he saw his wife storm out the room while dialing furiously on her mobile phone. He hoped that his wife's call will not disturb Cyprus at this time. Though the man was their family physician, he was still a busy cardiac surgeon.
"I'm sorry Ms. Hannah, Mama didn't mean those words," Emy tried to sooth the woman's embarrassed face.
Hannah smiled and shook her head, "I understand where Madam is coming from. It was really my fault."
Emy just offered a wry smile as a reply. Though she wanted to comfort the nurse with a lie, she also believed that Hannah should not have invited her sister in the greenhouse so early in the morning. Though it was summer, the mornings in Cordella can be quite chilly especially after a heavy rain.
Downstairs, Dmitry and Ziron were silently sitting in the living room. Each savoring a cup of brewed coffee.
"Uncle, aren't you going to check-up on the little miss."
"They are overreacting. The nurse said Jade was fine. Though Hannah spoils Jade sometimes, she is an excellent nurse. My son and daughter-in-law are just overprotective. It wasn't enough for them to hire a private nurse. They even moved here from their own house so that the child will not be left alone while they do their jobs"
Dmitry put down the now-empty cup in the table and leaned his back languidly against the couch, "I see. Like a flower in the greenhouse."
"Ha?" Ziron asked to confirm the mumble he heard.
Dmitry shook his head and the Elder saw Dmitry fix his gaze on the staircase. Emy, now wearing her jeans instead of her nightgown, stood to greet them.
"Good morning grandfather. Good morning Dmitry". Emy greeted them making sure her voice did not seem awkward from being shy. She still does not feel comfortable with Dmitry being so near to her. The man's gaze could kill.
Ziron, who was keenly observing the reaction from Emy, chose to interrupt the moment, "and Jade?"
"Ms. Hannah said she is okay. Mama just called Dr. Syprus. It seems Jade didn't need any urgent attention, so he said Jade can go to his clinic this afternoon. Just to be sure."
While Emy explained the situation to the elder, her audience caught the attention of Sardon and Maria going down the stairs together. As they reached the living room, the two greeted the two men sitting in the couches.
"We'll be going with her," Maria said, still with irritation in her eyes.
"No, you, Sardon and Emy will be staying here. Let Hannah bring Jade to the hospital. A family member came to visit. Be courteous."
"But,.." Marie was about to start an argument, but Dmitry interrupted, "Uncle, it's okay. The little miss needs her parents more."
Ziron stood up and walked towards the dinning room passing through Sardon, Marie and Emy, "That is final. It is time you let the girl fend for herself. We will not always be with her. Now let's have breakfast."
Though the mood was sour after Ziron's comment, the family gathered in the dinning room for breakfast. One house helper kept pacing back and forth the kitchen delivering plates with sumptuous viands.
"It's late for introductions. I want all of you to welcome Dmitry. Marie and Emerald, I am sure you have heard already from Sardon. Dmitry is the grandson of your grandaunt Selena. Treat him as member of the family from now on."
Marie offered a graceful nod while Emy offered a shy smile.
"Dmitry, after all, will be staying with us"
Emy choked on her juice. She did not expect this part of the 'welcoming'. Even Sardon and Marie were surprised. It seems that this young man has won the good graces of the Elder.
Dmitry did not bother the looks on the people's eyes and elegantly consumed the food in front of him. Noticing the bewildered gazes, Ziron continued to explain, "Because of the recent attempt on our family, I asked Dmitry to watch over Emy and to train her at the same time. Emy you need to control your Kowadja. Stop being an embarrassment to me."
Emerald's cheeks burned both from her grandfather's insult and from the revelation that this young man, Dmitry will be living with her.