Chapter 773 Jade Key
The children were initially silent not because they disliked Yumi, but because they feared exactly what Natalie assured them will not happen.
Emboldened by her mother’s promise, Sophia stepped forth and patted her chest. “As I’m not the youngest anymore, Mommy, I will do my best to care for my little sister Yumi. We will include her in our games and share all of our delicious food with her!”
Yumi gazed at Sophia and found her anxiety disappeared instantly despite being initially intimidated that the latter was a little older than herself. Instead, she returned Sophia’s toothy smile.
“Thank you, sister.”
Xavian and Clayton also gathered around to introduce themselves.
“I’m Clayton, the second oldest out of the four.”
“I’m Xavian, and I’m only seven minutes younger than Clayton.”
Yumi nodded after each introduction, earnestly trying to match the name with the face.
Franklin’s turn came last. With a wary glance at Yumi who was as good-looking as his sister Sophia, he said slowly, “My name is Franklin.”
Though she was aware that Franklin treated her differently than the others, Yumi still smiled sweetly at him. “Hello, Franklin. You must be the oldest.”
Natalie had Gavin prepare a set of clothes for Yumi.
As the four children were at that point still sharing one bedroom, Natalie decided that since the boys and the girls would have to have their own separate bedrooms anyway. With that notion in mind, she had Gavin prepare a room and move Sophia’s things in next to Yumi’s.
After Gavin brought the clothes, Natalie took Yumi into the bathroom.
“Did you give birth to all four of them, Mommy?” Yumi asked curiously as she sat in the bathtub.
“I did,” Natalie said with a nod. “They were born at almost the same time. Only Xavian and Clayton lived with me at first. Franklin and Sophia have only come back to me recently.”
“How lucky of them,” Yumi sighed. “I can’t see my mother anymore.”
Natalie froze in her act of rinsing the girl’s hair. “Yes, you can,” said Natalie slowly, careful to shatter her innocence. “Didn’t you tell me that she became a star in the heavens? Whenever there are stars in the sky, it’s your mother missing you and dropping by to check up on you in secret.”
Yumi nodded vigorously. “She does! She winks at me!”
As Natalie was toweling Yumi dry after the shower, she caught sight of an ancient-looking jade in the shape of a key hanging around her neck.
The pattern engraved on this jade was exquisite. At the spot where the handle was sat the sculpture of a phoenix. The inclusion of a tiny ruby in its eye sockets was all it took to bring it to life.
The dragon is the emblem of Chanaea while the phoenix is the emblem of Loang. This is no ordinary jade. The phoenix totem is auspicious to them.
Natalie was stunned at the realization that Yumi hailed from Loang.
Moreover, she could tell that the jade key was not of ordinary quality at first glance. The near-universal custom of entrusting a child with a valuable artifact was definite proof of her noble parenthood.
Unlike Chanaea, the system of monarchy had not been abolished in Loang. Absolute power still lay in the hands of the king.
A thought flashed in Natalie’s mind. Whoever she is, Yumi is definitely of no ordinary birth.
“Mommy,” Yumi called, conscious that Natalie had been staring at the jade key around her neck.
Natalie grabbed Yumi’s shoulders. “This key looks very valuable, Yumi,” she began seriously. “It must be of great significance to you. I would hate to see it lost or damaged. How would you feel about entrusting it to my care? When the time is right, I’ll return it to you.”
Yumi’s little hands clenched around the jade key in response.
After a long time, she stammered, “Can I… can I trust you?”
Natalie’s eyes twinkled with determination. “Yes, you can. You have become my child from the moment I signed the papers.”
