The agenda of the family gathering concluded even though it had not started amiably. The Elders of the Clan of Kandas: Ziron, Anton, and Priscilla and the witness from the clan of Kantes, Muriel has reached into an agreement to present the problem to the council of elders.
First, the council will be involved to confront the clan who started an internal fight, and acquire the support from outside clans to condemn the actions of the traitor, the sub-clan of Pas-ang.
Second, to warn every clan of a threat. A Kaleshing that has resurfaced after a decade long of absence produced a threat not only to the Clan of Kandas, but for the whole clans of Cordella. Ten years prior to this day, the summoning of Kaleshing, the spirits of the dead, has been utilized by a few. Those who wield these Kaleshing were deemed powerful, thus feared, and respected. Though they were few, they were stronger than the other clans combined.
But too much power, over time, bears arrogance to its owner and arrogance bears leniency. The lost of control of the Kaleshing lead to that night where fire burned and turned one clan's existence into ashes. Since then, the summoning of Kaleshing has been forbidden.
The Elders and their children knew of this story. But their children's children were kept hidden from it. Never again should a Kaleshing be summoned, why plant interest to curious children. A consensus among the clans was established: the history of the Kaleshing and its summoners are not to be spoken. However, some bits of history leak as tails, legends, and bedtime stories.
After the lunch, the senior members went to their own circle to discuss trivial matters while the younger ones were left to socialize. After his display of subtle power, Dmitry has piqued some interest from among his generation. Though Emy was expected to keep him company, others volunteered to do the same as well out of varying reasons. Luther, who sensed a bond between Dmitry and Emy, silently sat with them, observing. Rue, who has noticed this, decided to stay on the table, seeing that she is quite entertained with the situation. Melissa, on the other hand, has other intentions to get to know this Dmitry.
Like Ruben and Lannis who decided to leave the tables and wonder around the manor, Jade, unnoticed by many, wondered to the glasshouse, seated on the edge of the fountain, and contemplated on things. But not all ignored her absence.
"This new cousin of yours is interesting," Andrei who was walking towards where Jade was said nonchalantly.
The girl smiled wryly, "You think so too?"
Andrei was not pleased with the girl's reply. Although her smile was wry, in his eyes, if her gaze is directed at him, then that is all that matters. He cannot understand his feeling for this frail girl. He is a young man whose good looks and status have become his pride. This display of pride has also attracted women to him. But not with this girl. Her lack of interest in him has awakened a desire in him to catch her attention.
Andrei, who sat beside Jade, towered over her. He thought how opposite Jade was to him. He was tall for his age and she was short for hers. Her fair skin contradicted his brown complexion, that ran in his family. His strength made bare in her fragility. In his fantasies, these opposites attracted him to her.
"I feel bothered." Andrei commented.
"By what?" Jade replied.
"The girl I like is living with a man, who by women's standards is attractive and who is practically a stranger to her."
Jade laughed genuinely. She laughed at how ironic this was to her. Because rather than being attracted to the man, she was more suspicious of the stranger. She even laughed of the thought of Andrei confessing that she is the girl he likes.
"You better level up then, he is winning Emy's attention."
Andrei was disappointed with her reply, but he knows that this was just a simple playful teasing from Jade. He put his palms on each of Jade's shoulder and turned her to face him.
"Not her. The other twin."
Jade did not only feel that those words were sincere. She heard the sincerity from his thoughts, ever since when they were young.
'I want you'
The girl sighed and with her cool and pale palms, she raised them to tuck Andrei's face.
"What can I do to change your mind? You should have someone better fit to stand beside you once you take over your clan. Don't you hear the whispers among our people? I have this curse that keeps me young but not immortal, and this curse will not allow me to bear one's child. Should you make that risk for your entire clan?"
Andrei knitted his brows. He enjoyed the privileges his status gave. But with these privileges come the required responsibilities. Jade drilled it into his mind ever since he started courting her, that she cannot bear him, or anyone a child and an heir is important for their type of society.
Andrei held on of her palms and gave it peck. "There are many ways to fix that."
Of course, with today's technology and modern medicine, there might be an answer to his desire. But for how long can she give him her life? There is no good assurance. Though Jade seemed to stop aging, it doesn't make her immortal. Quite contrary, she might not live pass 30.
Jade pulled back her hands, "Perhaps. But why desire a fleeting moment with me when someone else can spend eternity with you?"
The recipient of those words was not a sentimental man. The words pierced his heart, but he opted not to show it to Jade, whom he knows is also hurt by the truth of her own words.
Like a couple in their own world, they were returned to reality, after both heard someone clear his throat. Ivan was standing a meter away from them.
"Forgive me for bothering both of you, but Sir Andrei, your grandfather wanted me to fetch you. It's time to go home."
Andrei clicked his tongue, "I guess this ends our date Jade. I will see you soon, during the council."
Jade responded with a smile, then she accompanied Andrei and Ivan as they exited the glasshouse. "Take your time walking back to the manor Jade. I know how much you love being in the glasshouse. Just make sure to not let yourself get cold."
Andrei pat her head before he walked away from her. Indeed, Jade took her time passing through the aisle of flowers and orchids. She can hear the engines of the automobiles starting. She presumed that guests have started leaving. She stopped halfway towards the glasshouse's door, when she heard a familiar voice coming from the doorway.
"I think that you have been kept in the glasshouse for far too long, little girl." Dmitry commented with that blank smile of his.
Defensively, Jade replied "What do you mean?"
"You have a shallow understanding of romance."
The comment ticked her nerves, "Do you find enjoyment in eavesdropping on people's conversation?!"
Dmitry chuckled, "Don't you?"
Jade realized that for now, she cannot let her temper get the best of her. She ignored the man and walked pass him. Though she expected it she still felt uncomfortable when Dmitry walked behind her as both are heading to the manor which also now is Dmitry's home.
As if the man is trying to test her patience, Dmitry nonchalantly commented, "Though procreation seem to be the physiologic function of each gender's reproductive systems, humans have risen above among the beasts by reasoning that there is more than reproduction. Don't you think so?".
Jade stopped and faced Dmitry. "I never thought that you would be a romantic. Of course, humans are above beasts. Humans have emotions. I am not denying that. I am just denying him of an unproductive future with an unfunctional human."
Dmitry was taken by surprise, as he saw the girl stand her ground while making her reply. While, uncomfortably, Jade saw a new expression from the man. 'Why does he look like his proud?'
The man took one step forward. She had the urge to step back. But if she had done so, then she had admitted defeat. Thus, she remained where she stood. Dmitry looked down on her, stooping his head a bit to level her gaze.
"All men die, sweet. Some die in their ripe old age, some die young. That just means that every moment spent with you is worth having."
As she heard him finish his sentence, an aching pain visited her head. She flinched and held her temples with her finger pads.
"Another headache?" Dmitry reached out his hand to lead Jade back to the manor, but he felt a slap on his hand.
"I can go in myself. Thank you."
Still massaging her temples, Jade turned and walked towards the manor.
Dmitry, this time, did not follow behind. He stood there and gazed upon the frail girl walking away from him. He could not help but let out a grin.