บท 14: Chapter 14
"An uprising?!" Nadia's tone dropped to a whisper, she quickly closed her mouth. "Aid, watch your mouth. What you're saying is too dangerous to be said aloud."
Aidan picked up one of the guns and examined it closely. "Is this the time to be afraid? We need to take action."
I leaned in. "Do you know how to use it?"
He furrowed his brow, studying the gun in his hand. "Oops," he muttered as the weapon slipped from his grasp. I might have dismissed it as a harmless mistake if I hadn't seen his hand tremble.
Nadia took his hand, but he quickly pulled away. She studied him for a moment before letting out a sigh. "This is the fourth time."
"Fourth time of what?" I asked.
"His hands tremble to the point of not being able to hold an object. The first time it happened, he lied to me and said that it just slipped."
I smacked his muscular arm and snapped, "Why would you lie about that?"
Nadia suddenly changed the subject, reminding us of something far more important than politics. "Are there any updates on the blood test?"
"My mom said she needs more time, but I'll check on her."
I got up and was about to turn around, but Aidan's sudden seizure stopped me. It was mild enough not to make a scene, but it was an unfamiliar sight. I couldn't help but worry about his condition.
"Does this happen a lot too?" I confirmed with Nadia.
She shook her head. "No, never."
"He seems to be getting worse. You should visit the doctor," I suggested.
Aidan groaned. "We can't." His seizure stopped but his breath was uneven.
"Why not?" I asked, concerned.
Nadia's expression turned dejected. "Our parents were demoted today. They don't work in the Parliament anymore."
Once Aidan calmed down, he adjusted his seating position and said, "Actually, we're here to ask you for a favor."
"What is it?"
"Pachis is dead. She was scheduled to be sentenced next week but was killed in prison. The government hasn't caught the killer, or perhaps they intentionally overlooked this issue. This event only solidifies my suspicion that President Irwing is behind all this," he explained.
Prime Minister Pachis was killed? Shouldn't this news be enough to turn Genesis upside down?
Aidan continued, "I knew it was happening, but to experience it myself is a pretty hard pill to swallow. To see the huge notice stamped on the door, telling us to move out by this week at the latest, was tough.
"Of course, there are no more neighbors to see us being humiliated and escorted out when the time comes. And of course, we are lucky enough that our parents weren't fired, just demoted. But still, my parents took it hard."
Aidan paused for a moment, gathered his thoughts, and said, "This is shameless of us to ask, but can you provide shelter for our family for the time being?"
To support his brother, Nadia added, "We believe that Zone A is being cleared off. Only those on the President's side are allowed. My parents have been objective throughout their tenure, loyal only to those with real authority. It is possible that our lives are now in danger. If the President chooses to eradicate her opponents once and for all, the Bathory family will perish."
"I can fend them off alright, but Nadia fears for our parents. And the NSS has the advantage of technology in their pocket," Aidan said.
"I have zero problems with that. It should be okay with my mom too since you're both like her own children. I'll talk to her later. When can you move in?"
***
This was the first time I had seen the Bathory parents.
Noi, the mother, had dark hair which Aidan had inherited. Her attractive lips perked up at the edges, reminding me of Aidan. It seemed that more than half of his prince-like traits came from this beautiful woman.
While her doe eyes went to Nadia, emphasizing her doll-like features.
On her side was Reuben, the father. At a glance, it was clear that Aidan had inherited his towering height, while Nadia had his bright hair.
Despite their similar physical features, the parents were nothing like their children.
Noi bore a haughty air, especially the way she fixed her blazer, which was too lavish in this shabby house. She also had a look of disdain when she inspected the interior.
My mother cleared her throat uncomfortably when Noi eyed us up and down in turn.
It was only when Nadia elbowed her that Noi softened her gaze.
On the other hand, Reuben was the opposite of Aidan; quiet and submissive. Even though he had a bigger frame, he stood behind Noi as if using her as a shield.
"Please make yourself at home," I said.
Noi looked around, confused that there was no chair to sit on until her kids showed her how to be comfortable in this small place.
She mimicked Nadia, sitting on her folded knees, although she didn't look thrilled in that position.
"Sorry for intruding," she said in a robotic tone, out of courtesy. The way she carried herself made it clear that she thought of herself as superior to us.
Even though she was no longer important to the Parliament, she still considered herself at least above us, the inhabitants of the Copper Zone.
"Are you sure this place can accommodate us? Where is my room? Where is my husband's room? And the kids'? Oh, I also need a separate room for work," she demanded.
Mom tightened her fists under the table. She gritted her teeth, swallowing the seething anger she felt.
"You've worked in the government for years, yet you don't seem to have a clue about the structure of Zone E and its apartments. This house has only two rooms. One is the bedroom for my daughter and me. The other one is my office," Mom spoke sharply.
Originally, my mother hated the government and all matters related to it, including officials. I didn't know what kind of wrong they had done to her in the past to make her this resentful.
When I asked her permission to welcome the Bathorys into our house, we got into a heated argument. She was adamant about keeping them away from us. I had to remind her of the twins, who had been nothing but generous and polite.
"Then we'll stay in your bedroom. My work is essential, so during my stay, I'll be using your office," Noi said.
My mother slammed the table. The sheer insolence of this person!
If she wasn't the twins' mother, I would flip the table right now and kick her out in the most dramatic fashion.
"Mom! How could you--to the person we're indebted to..." Nadia shook Noi's hand in embarrassment.
"What? I may live in a less-than-ideal place now, but I still have to work, don't I?"
"You're being very rude. Tesla is kind enough to let us in. Let's get along with her family, Mom. This is best for the long term," Nadia kept nudging Noi to stop.
Noi's eyes lit up. "What kind of outrageous notion are you blabbering about? Long-term? We won't be here for long. Right, dear?"
She asked for support from her husband, who remained silent.
"Once I've settled everything with Rob--I'm sure he would understand--we'll leave immediately," she declared.
"Still..."
"Where would we go? You better stop with your nonsense, Mom. Can't you see that the government has thrown you away? We're never going back to Zone A," Aidan barked.
"No!" Noi's lips quivered. "We will. It's just a matter of time."
No matter what Noi wanted, Mom had already decided. "Your family take the bedroom. My daughter and I will sleep in my office. If there's nothing else, I should return to work."
She went to her work chamber.
Noi and Reuben went into the bedroom, leaving only the twins and me in the living room.
Nadia squeezed her fingers. "I'm sorry about my mom's attitude."
I let out a deep breath. "I've never been rich so I can't say I understand how she feels."
"No, it's not your fault. No matter what, she shouldn't cross your boundaries like that," she said.
During the short silence, we heard Noi say something in the bedroom. It must not have crossed her mind that the walls were thin around here, unlike the robust foundations of houses in Zone A.
Noi's voice was not entirely clear, but it was enough for us to hear every word.
"Shelvy said that someone returned from the exploration."
I exchanged glances with Aidan and Nadia. Did she mean a member of the teams that Prime Minister Pachis sent out before?
No way! Someone came back alive?
To be continued...
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merakifiction
merakifiction Don't forget to check out my other book, Princess Assassin.
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