Five Crowns and a Rose V

No matter how hard we try. No matter how hard we strive. Sometimes, life is just against our wishes. One thing that we should never take for granted is--- time.

TIME. Time to spend and time to keep.

"Father, don't be stubborn! Let them do their job!" Jason scolds the Founder.

Since that confrontation in my office a couple of months ago, Jason has been staying with him in the Blue Building's penthouse. Jason relented until I told him about our father's wish.

The lords often pay him a visit. Though his disease still remains a secret, he agreed to receive medical care during his terminal days.

"Founder, don't worry! I will make sure that your secret will be guarded well," Leo assures.

"What's the use of all this medication if one day I will die?" he says.

"Founder---"

"Forget it! Don't waste your resources on dying patients like me!" he scoffs.

Even with his condition, he still manages to scold and yell at his grandsons.

"Son, pass me that orange you bought for me," he says in a warm voice. Jason and Leo look at each other.

"Why? What's the use of eating if you'll die anyway?!" he scolds.

"Leonard, what should I do?" he suddenly says.

"Founder, please drink your medicine~," Leo says while giving him his medicine--- not to cure him, but to lessen his pain.

Jason winks at Leo, who is trying hard not to smile.

"Whoah! Founder only listens to you," Leo blurts out as they drink tea in the living room.

"Tsk. Jealous?" Jason teases.

"Na... we understand! We had our fair share of his attention. It's your time to create memories," Leo answers while tapping Jason's shoulder. He nods and smiles.

"Which is better, here or mansion?" Leo asks.

"Hmmmm... here coz it's more peaceful. Away from your craziness," he replies.

"Ei~ just say that you're closer to your father!"

"Anyway, did you review? Exams will be next week already!" Jason suddenly asks.

"I hate exams! I love the week after~" Leo replies.

Everyone's busy with their exams. They postpone their party, couples refrain from dating and some even skip their meals.

Something that I am proud of as a mom and as an aunt is their responsibleness towards their studies.

I am about to sleep when I receive a call from Jason.

"Sis, what do I do?! Come down here."

"Jason~ calm down!" I say as he sounds so anxious and he is panicking.

"Come down here! Father... is not breathing!" he mumbles. I hear him whimper.

"Calm down. I am on my way!"

I rush down the stairs. I meet the lords in the living room with questions on their faces. I can see that they seem to have an idea, but just waiting for my confirmation.

I nod.

They have already been expecting for this moment, nevertheless, they're still shocked by it.

"I have to go down there. My brother is shaken," I tell them as they all stand up.

"We will come with you!"

We drive down and go straight to his penthouse. We find Jason, crying beside our father's bed while holding his hand.

I hug him as he cries his heart out. The lords are also in tears as they stare at their lifeless grandfather.

"Mom, you have to call his doctor," Leo says.

Not long after, the doctor comes in. He declares him dead.

"Thank you so much for your great work and for keeping his secret all this time," I say as I shake the doctor's hand.

"My deepest condolences to you and your family. He fought well. I've never heard him complain despite the unbearable pain he suffered from!" he says. He bows his head and leaves.

After receiving a call, my brother fly and the Earl and the Countess of Gloucestershire arrive.

"How are you?" Rob asks.

"I am okay, but..." I reply as I turn to Jason, crying silently in the corner. The Earl walks and sits with him.

"No one knows how painful this is for him. I promise on father's grave to find out what really happened to our little brother and make anyone who did this pay!" he growls.

I nod as I tap his shoulder.

The university morns upon hearing its founder's death. Candles and flowers flood the gates. Classes are canceled as we lay him to his final resting place.

"Walk with me," the Earl tells the lords, leaving me and my brothers, standing around our father's grave.

"If I die, sympathy overpowers. Hades is alive!" Jason blurts out.

"What?" Rob and I ask.

"That's what he kept telling me whenever we sat down for a cup of tea. I don't understand," he sighs in frustration.

"That's his only joke that I never find funny!" Rob replies. We chuckle at Jason's distorted face.

"That's a joke?"

"Yeah~ father thought so!" I say.

"Nice ring!" Rob comments while looking at Jason's ring. He lifts his hand to give Rob a closer look.

"Sophia gave it to him as a welcome gift!" I tease.

"Interesting!" Rob says as he smiles.

"I know that smile. You're having a wrong context!" he says.

"You are the one overreacting. She seems thoughtful! That's all~" Rob comments. Jason raises his arms in surrender. We laugh.

"Uncle! Now that grandpa is gone~ are you staying with us?" Mon asks as we sit in the living room.

"Maybe for a few days," Jason replies.

"Or maybe, we can stay at grandpa's penthouse for a few days!" Jay says.

"No. You can stay there, after it's cleaned up," I comment as I stand up.

"And I want to speak to the ladies. Tell them to gather at the study in 5 mins," I say. They look at each other with questions on their faces.

In the study room...

"How are you all doing?" I ask as they take their seats.

"Good."

"Anyway, our condolence to you and your family! The Founder will surely be missed~" Sophia says in a warm voice.

I look at her.

"Thank you so much... for everything! Thank you for making the lords realize that they are not the center of the universe," I say warmly.

They smile at me.

"And thank you for loving them!"

Letizia coughs while Camille and Primrose look down. They look worried--- more like scared.

"Loving them isn't something I have to be mad at," I comfort.

"However, this will be the last week you'll stay in this mansion. I hope you enjoy the rest of the days."

They look flustered. Then, they look at each other.

"Your relationship with them isn't for me to decide. Once again, thank you!" I say. They go out.

I exhale while looking at them shed tears.