A woman sat under the pavilion in the garden. Two children were running around, laughing happily with each other.
A maid was pouring hot tea in a cup for the woman, more maids were standing behind her, and even more servants were scattered around the garden to help look after the children.
The woman's body slightly convulsed as she suppressed her cough but ultimately couldn't and coughed incessantly. Everyone paused for a few seconds, even the children before rushing towards her.
"Madam." The maid that was close to her, put down the teapot and gently stroked her back as the woman coughed. Everyone was extremely worried for her condition.
"Grandmother!" The children patted her chest gently. After a few seconds, the coughs subsided. The woman caught her breath and smiled. She touched the children's cheeks. "Thank you."
She raised her hand. "I'm fine." She reassured the servants. "I've asked someone to call the doctor Madam. The wind is getting colder. I think it's best to head inside." The maid suggested.
Another maid ran in with a thick cloak. "Grandmother, let's go inside." One of them said. "Okay. Let's go inside." She agreed. They helped her to stand, draped the cloak over her shoulders and supported her arm as they walked out of the garden.
A palanquin sat just outside. The woman was helped inside and the children climbed in after her. One of them handed her a hand warmer. "Mother, Father, Aunt and Uncle won't like it if you caught the cold, Grandmother."
The children were twin girls. Black hair, light blue eyes and tanned skin. "Madam, it's approaching lunch. Would you like to head straight to the dining room?" A servant asked from outside the palanquin. "Head over." The woman said softly.
The palanquin stopped just outside the dining room and placed on the ground. The children stepped out first and the woman stepped out. She reached out and held onto a thick arm.
"Rain." She smiled. "I'm over here mother." A voice sounded to her right. "I'm blind, not deaf." She reached out her hand in the direction of the voice. "You are Kain." Rain chuckled. "You're right mother." He confirmed.
"Of course, I am. I gave birth and raised you two. You think I don't know my own children?" The woman's smile widened. "Let's get you inside. The doctor is waiting to check your condition."
Rain was the woman's eldest son, father of the twins. He's tall, grey eyes, light brown hair and muscular. His wife, Varin had a shorter stature with light blue eyes, tanned skin and black hair.
Rain was also tall, one grey eye and one white eye. Black hair and lean but muscular. His wife, Soria was tall with dark green eyes, pale skin and black hair. The pair had one child, nearly a year old while the twins were seven years old.
They entered the room and sat the woman down. "Madam." The doctor bowed and gently placed his fingers on her wrist to check. After a few minutes of silence, the doctor pulled back.
"Madam's body is still recovering but it's extremely cold. If she catches a cold now, it'll be hard on her body and take several months for her to recover." The doctor looked at Rain and mouthed something silently. Rain nodded and the doctor left.
"Grandmother, let's stay inside for a while to play. Outside is getting too cold." The oldest, Sena said as he held onto her grandmother's hand. "Okay. I'll listen to you." She replied.
"Mother!" Soria called out excitedly as she entered. "Someone's here to visit you." A man and woman walked in. "Opal, I'm glad to see you in good health." The man said.
Opal stood up. "Uria and Vena. When did you arrive? I would've gone out to meet you." She said with a smile. "Precisely because we knew you would, that's why we didn't tell you. Soria and Verin would stop speaking to us if we made you sick while you're recovering."
Vena approached Opal and grabbed her hand. "Let's sit. We'll be staying for a few months this time around to help out." Opal's eyes furrowed. "Who's pregnant?" She asked.
"We both are, Mother." Soria and Verin spoke at the same time. "Really?" Opal reached out towards them and they held her hands. Opal touched their cheeks. "Stay out of the kitchen and live your lives like the rich women you are." Everyone laughed at her words but agreed.
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In the study, Rain and Kain sat talking. "I saw Naida with a set of people. You think they are going to make a move?" Rain asked. "Everyone knows who backs her. If they do, they'll die." Kain answered.
"If anything happens to Naida on our turf, it'll hurt our business." Rain said, he was annoyed but there wasn't much he could do. "We're not the only one thinking that. After all, she and mother are friends. Otherwise..."
"She normally visits mother every few days. Tomorrow, I think, is a day she'll come." Varin said as she stepped into the study. Rain stood and walked to meet her, kissed her forehead and led her to the chairs.
"Then when she leaves, we'll send some of our men with her. She may not need it but it's better to have more protection, in case." Kain said and Rain nodded. "I agree. We'll be more at ease as well." Kain stood up. "My wife is waiting on me. Tomorrow, older brother and sister-in-law." They nod and Kain left.
The next morning, right after breakfast, Naida showed up. "Opal." She smiled at the beautiful yet unfortunately blind woman sitting in front of her. "Naida. How are you?" Opal asked.
"Some troubles here and there but I'm doing well. How about you? How is your body?" Opal waved her hand. "Recovering but slowly." She said it as if it wasn't a big deal.
"How are things outside? Those boys refuse to tell me anything." Opal complained. "The war has reignited, but a new group of people have joined the fray, attacking Yalki directly. Now with the cold months, the citizens of Yalki will suffer because of their King." Naida shook her head.
"What about the starving citizens? How will they survive?" Opal asked. "I'm not sure." Naida sighed.
"How sad." Opal looked out the door, falling silent after saying those two words.