"Young Master-!"
"Brother-!"
As Hazel and Somir screamed in horror and fright, something passed through them amidst the chaos.
"Go, little one." A soft and gentle voice murmured.
Swish-!
Within a split second, it was already before Samiel's falling figure, more precisely under him.
Thud...
Samiel's figure landed on something soft and warm. More importantly, he was safe.
"..."
The silence blanketed the whole room and the hall.
"Neigh!"
Until it was broken by the melodic sound of a magical creature.
Samiel blinked his eyes a couple of times as he found himself safe and healthy. Slowly lifting his head, he carefully looked around. The air was filled with a sense of tranquility, and the surroundings seemed to glow with an ethereal light. As his gaze wandered, he noticed a majestic creature lying beneath him.
{Unicorn?} He mumbled inwardly. "Nya?"
"Neigh!" The little unicorn replied to him with its own happy voice.
Tap... Tap...
Slowly sounds of footsteps echoed from the door's side. As Samiel turned his head toward that direction, he saw someone unexpected. A woman was walking toward him while carrying his brother, Somir, who had a scared yet relieved expression. Hazel was also following behind her with a panicked expression.
"Nya?" Samiel's eyes widened in surprise. He felt his heart clenching in an unexplainable emotion. {G-grandma?}
"Hello, my cute baby!" The woman smiled gently while waving her hand. "It is me, your grandmother."
{...} Tears started to come out of Samiel's eyes unknown to him. {I missed you...}
"Huh? Why are you crying?" His grandma asked panicked. "Were you scared? Don't worry you are safe now."
{She hasn't changed at all.} Samiel smiled faintly.
Aside from her caring nature, the beloved grandmother of him possessed a timeless beauty that defied her age. Despite the passing years, her features retained a youthful glow, as if touched by a gentle breeze of eternal youth. Her eyes, a captivating shade of deep blue, held a twinkle of wisdom and warmth, drawing others in with their magnetic charm.
Her lustrous hair, flowing in waves of vibrant blue, cascaded down her back, framing her face with an enchanting allure. Each strand seemed to shimmer with a hint of magic, reflecting the light in a mesmerizing dance of hues.
Her complexion, smooth and radiant, bore the marks of a life well-lived, etched with lines that spoke of laughter, love, and the wisdom gained through experience. Her presence exuded a sense of tranquility and grace as if she carried the secrets of the universe within her.
Clad in flowing garments of soft pastel hues, Helene moved with a grace that belied her age, her every step imbued with a quiet strength and elegance. Her attire, adorned with delicate patterns and intricate embroidery, mirrored the beauty of the natural world, reflecting her deep connection to ... the cycles of life.
Despite the passage of time, her appearance remained a testament to her inner vitality and the timeless spirit that resided within her.
She was another beacon of love, guidance, and unwavering support for Samiel in his memories.
"Neigh!" The young unicorn neighed once more looking angrily at her.
"Huh? He is happy?" Samiel's grandmother asked surprised.
"Neigh!" The young unicorn replied as if it understood her words.
"Oh, ok. I will take him now." She chuckled.
"Come little girl, hold the big one for a while." She then called out for Hazel who was looking at Samiel and unicorn with an intense gaze.
{Cuteee!} Hazel thought.
She was unaware of someone calling her. {I need to capture this!}
"?" Samiel's grandmother looked at Hazel's action with confusion. She mumbled. "What is she doing?"
"Grandma... I..." Somir shyly spoke catching his grandma's attention. "I can stand myself."
"Oh! Is that so?" The grandmother smiled even more. "Ok, you have become a big boy, huh?"
Then she gently put Somir on the floor.
As soon as Somir landed on the ground, he ran toward his little baby brother. Then he cried out in a loud voice. "Wahh! Brother!"
He then hugged the baby Samiel, ignoring the angry unicorn.
Little Somir's act catches their grandmother and Hazel off guard.
"Hehe. They are so cute." The grandmother chuckled in happiness. "It is good siblings are getting along well."
"They are really close my Lady," Hazel spoke from the side, while her gaze was still on the three. "They spent the days together. Young Master Somir wants to sleep with the baby as well, but Head Maid doesn't allow it."
"You like them?" The 'old' lady asked in a playful voice.
"Yes, I love them," Hazel answered subconsciously. "They are like my little brothers."
"!" The Lady was stunned for a moment, as she didn't expect such a straightforward answer from her.
"Alas, if one of them were your age, I would have taken you as a granddaughter-in-law." She then spoke, disappointment evident in her voice.
"Yeah..." Hazel muttered.
"Huh-?" Suddenly she blinked a couple of times, then she started to blush as she realized what she had said.
"I-I'm sorry! I wasn't thinking straight!" She hurriedly started bowing 90 degrees to the lady non-stop. "I'm sorry."
"Relax." The grandmother said pointing the tip of her finger toward Hazel. In a split second tiny white light shot out from it and hit Hazel's forehead.
"..." Hazel suddenly stopped her actions as she found her more relaxed and rational. "Sorry for my behavior once again." She respectfully spoke.
"It's good you calmed down." The grandmother laughed. Then he pointed her fingers toward Samiel and Somir. "But is he always like this?"
"Hmm?" Hazel let out a confused sound and looked at the children.
"Ah!" She exclaimed as she understood what the lady meant.
"Yes, my Lady." She then explained. "Young Master Samiel is exceptionally intelligent and what should I say... Ah, yes! Mature! He is more mature. I sometimes think he isn't a baby but a young man."
"Oh, that's interesting." The 'old' lady muttered as a strange light passed through her eyes.
While his grandmother and maid were talking about him, Samiel was busy patting his brother's head as if he were comforting him.
"Wa! Wa!" (There, there. I'm ok.)