Red Diamonds

Chapter 4: Ethan's home search

Every day Ethan would go to the greenhouse. To his servants, it was common. Ethan is more often in the greenhouse than in his own house and no one can set foot in the greenhouse, without Ethan's permission. So Ethan was calm when he had to hide Malvia.

Malvia was still sitting on the ground with her hands and feet tied to iron chains that had been smeared with vervain. His ankles and hands were bruised and injured. She felt pain in her wrists and legs, sometimes grimacing in pain. But he doesn't care. He chose to be tied up like this. Malvia admits that Ethan was right. He was too weak to travel and also he let himself be bound so that he would not get out of control. Even though he had learned self-control, he was currently injured and living in a human environment.

Ethan gives Malvia blood three times a day. At first he was confused and doubtful, where Ethan got the blood from. Malvia knew for sure that the blood Ethan was carrying was human blood. But Malvia finally gave up. It doesn't matter where Ethan gets the blood. The most important thing is that thirst is fulfilled and it can be cured immediately. At the moment the condition is even better. Although the wound had not been completely covered, but he had already started to recover.

A knock on the door sounded clear and rhythmic. One middle-aged woman walked up to the front door and opened the door. Some men stood at the door.

"Good day, is Mr Sanders home?" ask the man who is standing at the front. His appearance was much classier than the other men who came with him.

"There's sir. Please enter. I'll call you." said Esther. The man nodded and went into the house with another man, while Esther walked into the study room inside the house.

Tok tok tok tok

"Lake in."

Esther opened the door a little.

"Mr Ethan. There's a guest for you" said Esther. Ethan looked at Esther with a frown on his forehead.

"Who?"

"Prime minister Rouglas, sir."

"All right, I'll be there soon. Make them tea. Thank you, Ester."

Esther immediately went and did as she was told. Ethan comes out of his study and meets with the prime minister Rouglas.

"Prime minister." Ethan reached out his hand and was immediately greeted by the prime minister.

"Mr Sanders. How are you?"

"Okay, sir, it's an honor. Please sit down."

"No, thank you. We just want to do it immediately."

"soon?" Ethan is a little confused.

"I'm here to ask for permission to inspect your home, Mr. Sanders." Rouglas spoke directly to the point. "You know about vampire hunting, right?"

Ethan nodded. "Yes, of course."

"We're looking thoroughly into the entire region. Your home is the most vulnerable area because it is close to the Andaria forest. Was there a problem all this time?"

"No, certainly not" said Ethan trying not to get nervous. Malvia is still in her greenhouse at the moment, of course she is nervous.

"Then can I check out this house? You can help me by gathering the workers in this house."

"Yes, of course, sir. Please. Where can I collect them?" ask Ethan.

"Last page, please. Come gentlemen. We got permission from the owner. Have the searchers start searching." Rouglas ordered some men nearby. The men immediately left the house.

"Ester!" call Ethan. Esther came shortly.

"Yes sir?"

"Call the other workers and collect them he's backyard." orders Ethan and immediately goes after Rouglas.

Some people search the house even to the basement. Unpacking every gap that exists. But Nihil, found nothing. Rouglas was busy asking the servants. While others began to cast aside the forest and backyard.

"Mr Sanders, what is it?" ask Rouglas. He pointed at the greenhouse. "Everything's been checked. That's it."

"It's locked, sir" said one of the men.

"That's where the herbs I planted, master and some medical instruments. I purposely locked it so that no thief would enter. Herbaceous plants are now very expensive. They need special care to plant them. So you can't just open the door. If you want to check, I can open the door." Sanders reached into his pocket, looking for the key. "But I ask to be careful and not many people come in, because some plants are very fragile" explains Ethan.

Ethan, unlock the lock from the greenhouse and open it. Not yet into the stinging smell already smelled. Several people covered his nose including Rouglas.

"Indeed the smell of master, some herbaceous plants do smell very bad. You can ask my servants. It smells like that." explains Ethan again. "Please check it out."

Rouglas went inside just a few steps and stopped. The deeper it stung the smell, making Rouglas unable to stand it. Rouglas went back outside.

"How's mister?" ask one of the men.

"No need to check. Let's go.," Rouglas left. Ethan quickly locks the door and leaves. Inside the greenhouse Malvia breathed a sigh of relief.

"Mr Sanders, thank you for giving us permission to inspect your home. I'm sorry if we interrupt" Rouglas said, extending his hand.

"No problem, sir. Glad to help. We'll let you know if anything suspicious happens." Sanders welcomed Rouglas' hand.

"I'm sorry."

Rouglas walked away from Ethan's residence.

"Hows it? Is there anything suspicious?" rouglas asked some of the men. All the men shook their heads compactly. "There is no sir. Everything's normal."

"What do you mean, Eugine? What was it in nature?"

"His engagement, killed by a vampire."

Rouglas. "really?"

"really. Of all of us, I'm sure he hates vampires the most."

"so... You're right."

"Then what about the greenhouse? I'm sure there's nothing."

"Nothing suspicious of course. Just plants and beds?"

"I've heard since her fiance died, she's gone workaholic. He sleeps more often in the workspace and the greenhouse. It's so sorry."

"You're right. Let's go. We'll look elsewhere."

"Good sir."

...***...

Ethan went into the greenhouse again. He opened a bag of blood and put it in a large glass.

"W-what.. They're gone?" ask Malvia.

"Hm... It's." Already."

"Ahh... I thought it was gonna get caught. Why did they suddenly come? And why didn't you tell them about me?"

Ethan brought a large glass of blood and gave it to Malvia.

"Drink."

Malvia quickly took it and drank it. Ethan stood up and walked towards his desk.

"Hey! You haven't answered me." said Malvia. He wiped the blood on his lips.

"It's only natural that they come and check my house. In addition to my house close to the forest, now there is also a massive vampire hunt. And I told you I wouldn't turn you over to anyone." Ethan sat on the chair and put on his glasses. He checked several rolls of paper on his desk. Malvia was quietly observing him. He keeps wondering who Ethan really is. Well he knows Ethan's human and a doctor. But that's all. Even he really still can't believe that the reason Ethan saved him is because he's a doctor.

"When are you planning to release that chain?" ask Ethan. He looked at Malvia from behind his glasses. Malvia stared at the chains that bound her wrists and legs. "You're almost healed. You are also routinely fed blood. Shouldn't that chain not bind anymore?"

Malvia remained silent. Ethan's right. He should have been let go.

"Do you want me to let go?" ask Ethan. Malvia looked at Ethan for a moment then nodded her head. Ethan stands up and takes the key. Ethan opens all the chains that bind to Malvia's body. "Are you okay?" ethan asked while looking at Malvia's wrist. Malvia nodded.

"Let's come with me." Ethan stood up, put his glasses on the table and left.

"Where are you going?" ask Malvia who is standing. Ethan stopped his steps and looked over.

"Clean yourself" Ethan said, then walked back. Malvia, who was hesitant at first, began to follow him. Arriving in front of the house, Ethan opens the door.

"Come in." Ethan. Malvia just stayed in place. She doubted. "Come in. I know you can enter a man's house only if you let him in and I let you in."

"Are you sure?"

"Sure miss. Come inside."

Malvia took a deep breath and put her foot inside the house. Malvia is quite surprised by Ethan's treatment of letting her into the house. It's natural law for vampires that if they break into an ordinary human house, they must get permission from the owner of the house.

Ethan asks Esther to prepare hot water while Malvia waits in one of the rooms. Ethan also gives Malvia a new dress for Malvia to wear. More precisely, the used dress belonged to her fiance first.

"Master.. What's... You all right? Why did you bring that girl home? Who he is and I don't know if you just went out."

"Ester, you always have a lot of questions" Ethan said, laughing.

"A-ahh sorry sir. Just--"

"I'm just walking in the woods, Esther. He seemed to be being chased by bandits. Tomorrow I'll report to the sheriff. I just feel sorry for him that's why I brought him home." explains Ethan.

"But are you sure he's after the bandits? He could be a murderer or.... A vampire? Look at her pale skin." guess Esther. There was worry on his face.

Ethan laughed again. "Well.. Judging from his thin body, I don't think even he can beat a single man. And if he's a vampire, I'll find out more than anyone. You know that."

Esther lowered her head. He's sorry he brought up vampires in front of Ethan." I'm sorry sir."

"Don't apologize, Esther. I know and understand if you're worried. But relax. Everything's fine." said Ethan, trying to appease Esther, who was like her own mother. Esther sighed.

"Alright sir. I trust you. Excuse me first, I have to prepare dinner."

Esther left Ethan alone. Ethan poured liquor in his glass and stood in front of the window and stared out the window. She also has no idea why she let Malvia into her house, saving her and even giving her shelter. After all that happened, he should have hated vampires, right? But strangely he couldn't do that to Malvia. Like there was an interest in him. Did ya?

...***...