The silver-colored limousine entered through a white, ornate gate into a large mansion painted in shades of brown, white, and cream. Before reaching the building, a wide lawn flanked either side of the driveway, filled with vibrant flowers and horticultural plants pruned into sculptures—each depicting a woman watering plants.
Near the entrance stood a grand fountain. The limousine veered slightly and parked before the steps. Madam Begonia stepped out, followed by Reggie, who was now carrying the unconscious Iode, and Nivea.
Two maids emerged from the mansion to greet their mistress. Dressed in traditional black-and-white maid uniforms, the maid on the right wore glasses and had brunette hair, while the one on the left had jet-black hair.
"Welcome back, Madam Begonia. I hope your meeting with Water Pharmaceutical Company went splendidly," said the maid on the left, bowing slightly.
"Indeed, Sofia, it was splendid," Madam Begonia replied warmly.
"May I ask, madam, who are these people?" the right maid inquired politely.
"Oh, these are my children. I met them on my way home and decided to adopt them," Madam Begonia said.
"Hi! Nice to meet you. My name is Reginald, but call me Reggie. This sleepyhead behind me is Methuselah," Reggie said with a smile, motioning to Iode.
"And I am Nivea," said Nivea, giving a polite nod.
"It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Emily. I'll do the honors of leading you to your rooms," the right maid, Emily, offered.
"Please do. And when Iode wakes from his slumber, do let us know so we can introduce you to the rest of the staff," Madam Begonia said.
"Iode?" the two maids asked in unison.
"Pay no mind to this little runt—his name isn't Methuselah. It's Iode," Madam Begonia clarified.
"Oh," the maids replied, slightly taken aback.
The six individuals entered the mansion.
"I'll lead you to your rooms," Emily repeated.
"Madam, should we take Master Iode to the hospital?" Sofia asked with concern.
"There's no need for that. See? Hear that? He's sleeping peacefully like a baby. All he needs is a soft, cushioned bed," Reggie replied.
"If that's the case, please follow me. I'll show you to your rooms," Emily said. Each of them was given a separate room, though Reggie insisted on having one directly next to Iode's.
Later that day, Madam Begonia gathered the staff to introduce the newcomers.
"As of today, three new masters have joined this household. Everyone, please welcome my children!
"The red-haired boy is Reginald Raubenheimer. The red-haired girl is Nivea Raubenheimer. The third is asleep, but he goes by the name Iode Raubenheimer. Please treat them as you would me and my granddaughter, Amica."
The mansion staff clapped and welcomed the new arrivals. However, a young girl with blonde hair and blue eyes stood silently among them, frowning. She wore a middle school uniform—a blazer over a long-sleeved shirt and a pleated skirt. Madam Begonia gestured toward her.
"I don't need a brother or a sister," Amica snapped. "I'm better off alone. Aren't you okay with just me? You and I have always been together. Are you just going to forget about Mom and Dad by adopting riffraff? They'll never get my approval!"
With that, Amica turned and stormed off to the second floor, slamming her bedroom door behind her.
"What a little runt she is," Reggie muttered under his breath.
"Like you're one to talk," Nivea quipped.
"I'm sorry," Madam Begonia sighed. "She's been having a hard time accepting others ever since the tragic event that took her parents away. I'll go speak with her."
"No, Grandma. Please let me. Girl to girl—let me handle this," Nivea said with a firm yet gentle tone. She tied her hair into a ponytail and headed upstairs.
An hour later, both Nivea and Amica returned downstairs, laughing together about something they'd said. Madam Begonia, Reggie, and the staff in the living room were stunned.
"Whoa… Am I seeing things? Amica—my beloved granddaughter—is actually getting along with someone other than me and the workers? This is a dream come true," Madam Begonia said, tearing up as she blew her nose loudly into a tissue.
Reggie looked at her with a slightly disgusted expression. 'Does she ever wonder where her granddaughter's behavior comes from?' he thought.
He walked over to Nivea and whispered, "Did you compel her or something?"
"Nope. I talked to her the old-fashioned way—with a few white lies," Nivea replied with a grin.
Reggie smirked. "That's my dear sister."
The following day arrived, and Iode finally opened his eyes…