Mellifluous melodies surrounded the entire pavilion like charming whispers, pleasantly imprinting into one's heart. A band of musicians played at the near side of the pavilion under a comfortable silk tent, concealing the performers yet their music rang clear in the air. The massive rectangular pavilion supported only by rows of glass-like pillars catching the blue glow of moonflower buds, bending it's light within and expelling a rainbow gleam.
Chatter, laughter, and whispers almost deafening the music effortly played. A glamorous crowd of young men and women babbled, exuding luxury, and some faking smiles with the only intent to gain connections within the noble circle. In Moulin's eyes, they were like vines eager to find a tree to climb. It was both interesting and unpleasant to look at.
Moulin silently tried to conceal his presence but his overly beauteous profile caught numerous eyes without difficulty, rendering his efforts useless. It was extremely easy to spot him from the sea of young people. His dazzling white hair seemed to glow against the lights, awfully eye-catching and captivating.
White hair wasn't entirely common in the kingdom, people believe the color was unusual and strange, that it didn't fit well with most skin colors. Yet, the Moulin handled it with grace and style.
A number of astonished people who seemed to recognize him could only watch, afraid of the severe grey eyes of the man beside Moulin. However, it could not stop the whispers exchanged by most of the crowd noticeable by Emlen. His hands were itching but he knew he could not lose his calm.
On the other hand, a certain youth paid no mind as he mulled over about not attending the buffet at the inn they were staying. Moulin looked over outside the pavilion half excited over the blooming flowers and half regretting ever decidedly wishing to attend the gathering.
"Isn't that the third young master of the Fraunces family? He looks so different... " A woman whispered to her companion.
"He certainly looks lovely. But his new appearance clearly won't wash away what he has done..."
"I don't think it's just the look. He really is different..."
A sharp ear clutched their conversation. A tall man with handsome features quietly searched the area, halting when he finally spotted an attractive young man calmly gazing at the gardens. A corner of his lips twitched unconsciously, Quade had not expected that Moulin would be attending the gathering as well.
Moulin's transformation caused quite the shock. The white hair looked genuinely natural, not a hint of falseness distinguished. His unusual calm air prickled Quade's eyes, this noticeable change was like a cloud of gloom enshrouding him.
Moulin looked too calm under the numerous judging gazes around him. It wasn't his natural reaction.
"Dear?... " A delicate softly spoken voice called out beside him. Maelina Gorianna, Quade Accrius' fiancee, grasped his arm. Her lavishly painted nails pressed into his arm uncomfortably, she frowned when she noticed Quade's attention was averted at somewhere else. Following his gaze, her eyes narrowed and flashed afterwards. She certainly knew that seemingly familiar slender frame.
Maelina intensely loathed Moulin to the bone ever since the day this pest kept pestering her fiance. Moulin's family was not the only dominant Grand noble of the Imperial Court, The Gorianna household had stood tall for years within the Left Imperial Court. They also had the strength to collide with the Fraunces family with words alone.
Moulin's family might be more powerful than hers but his stupidity allowed her to drag him down into the mud. It has been a few months, Moulin has returned. What foolish performance is he going to show next?
Smooth footsteps strode on the white alabaster dais as the Vernallia heir welcomed the guests present. His voice directly caught the attention of the crowd as the band halted their music.
The man ended his speech, wishing the guests a pleasant evening as he brought out a large crystal hourglass flipping over where the sand had weighed within the top glass. Setting a two hour time until midnight where the flowers would bloom the brightest.
On cue, the people scattered as they explored the vast gardens as soon as the man exited. Some had gathered in groups while others walked alone. Moulin also wished he could go on his own but he needed to lose a certain person overly sticking to him like tree sap. Fortunately, he found a group of people trying to catch his brother's attention. Moulin recognized them as Emlen's acquaintances from the academy.
"Brother.." Moulin tugged slightly on Emlen's sleeve as he gestured his eyes at the people nearing them, whom Emlen noticed.
Hesitation flashed in the second young master's grey eyes as he glanced at Moulin. Maxille hasn't arrived yet, he absolutely could not leave Moulin alone.
Moulin brought out his trump card, flashing his sparkling silver eyes at Emlen. He was thankful to be able to learn this admittedly useful skill of the little bratty fox. Pursing his lush lips, he blinked his moist silver eyes at him "Don't worry, elder brother. I won't go far from here. I'll only be exploring these parts of the garden and I can take care of myself just fine. Alright?" His eyes almost had the word 'please' written across his pupils. If this doesn't work, I will really make a scene... Moulin threatened silently in his heart.
"Alright..." Emlen slumped his shoulders in defeat. Moulin's adorable look almost made him fall down on his knees. Too bad his eldest brother could not even receive this kind of precious treatment.
A giant smile shaped Moulin's lips as soon as the word was spoken. His eyes formed beautiful crescents, happiness swirling deeply. The delightful expression stunned Emlen stiff as he watched Moulin swiftly disappear on him into the gardens before he could utter a word. The smile deeply imprinted in his heart made him dazedly unaware of his friends closing in on him confusingly.
"Emlen, are you alright?" One of the three asked, looking at his friend's strange expression.
"My brother is a treasure from the gods..." He muttered...
...
Concurrently, the same treasure from the gods ambled on the grass instead of following the stoned trail of the garden.
The tips of his dainty fingers brushed against every petal as he curiously passed by several flowery shrubs. The blue buds of the thirty-six petaled flower looked swollen as if it would burst at the faintest touch. Moulin could feel the energy within the flower giving rise to his strong desire of plucking every bud in the garden.
As he walked, his long braided hair swayed alluringly. A few pairs of eyes could catch sight of him as he strolled like an ethereal spirit of the night, disappearing in the trees. The third young master of the Fraunces family is a well-known beauty, like a helpless delicate doll making one who sets their eyes on him dote him to the end of their life. However, apart from his looks, he was born with an exceptionally rude tongue and a dreadful personality. Everyone in the circle was entirely aware of his character ever since the mess during the Accrius-Gorianna engagement ceremony.
However, they were currently tight-lipped when they felt the calm solemn air of the youth unexpectedly deterring them from speaking ill to him.
Moulin could feel their gazes drilling into his skin. Despite his peaceful countenance, he was internally uncomfortable with all their unwanted looks assessing him. He ventured deeper aiming to find a desolated place where he would come across none of these people.
The leaves rustled as the night wind caressed every tree and plant as if in comfort. Moulin knew about patience and the good of it but he could not tolerate being stepped and trampled on because of his weakness. In the eyes of all the people he had met so far undeniably viewed him as delicate, vulnerable, and particularly reliant on his family. It seems only he, himself, knew of his strength and vitality. That is why these moonflowers will aid him in his cultivation...
Patience. Of course, there were only two hours left, what was the rush? Well admittedly, he was also looking forward to the majestic scene of blooming moonflowers around him.
'Snap!'
Moulin halted.
Even without stretching his mana, he could sense a figure hidden behind him. He was too deep in his thoughts, completely oblivious of anyone daring to sneak upon him. Regardless, he was calm, bored even. Lazily turning around, his hair-rising frosty gaze fixed one a single tree where a shoulder was exposed. The owner was unmindful of his exposure.
"Why are you hiding?..." asked Moulin with folded arms.
There was a moment of silence before the person finally revealed themselves. The leaves rustled with slight movements. Moulin could hear a hopeless sough escaping into the air.
"I'm sorry...I was just curious... "
It was a thin young man, a blush painted his angelic face. His pale amber eyes, bright and gleaming, implying his wielder characteristic. The curly raven bangs covering his forehead made him look childish. Oh, but despite his child-like face, he was a few inches taller than Moulin. Even boyish men look more developed than him... How maddening.
"Curious? So you followed me?" Moulin narrowed his eyes.
"I only wanted to find someplace quiet... and... you seemed to know where you were going so... " His voice faded off as he lowered his head as if he was afraid of facing Moulin's gaze. "I'm sorry... "
This familiar action reminded Moulin of the footman who led them to the gardens, lowered gaze and cowering appearance. It was pitiful... but there was something completely off about him.
Easing his expression, Moulin watched his thin frame as he spoke. "Why are you apologizing?..."
"..." The raven-haired paused. "I-I... thought you were angry... "
"Angry? Why would I be angry?... " A chuckle startled the worried young man. Shaking his head, Moulin smiled and met his amber eyes. Stray tendrils of hair fell on his clean forehead as they were pulled by the wind. "Forgive my earlier hostility. It makes me uneasy to realize someone was sneaking up on me ".
The nightly breeze blew around the area as the raven-haired man quickly waved his hand in front of him out of embarrassment. "N-no, It was my mistake. I shouldn't have alarmed you. It was very rude of me... I'm sorry"
"It's strange..."
"Huh?..." The amber-eyed youth stared at him.
Moulin's smile faded as he scrutinized the young man's eyes. "... You seem apologetic but your eyes... hold something completely different"
Something flashed on the youth's eyes quickly disappearing but Moulin could effortlessly notice it. Turns out there wasn't a single pure soul around here. It was a pity. Moulin was quite hooked with this youth's delicate face and his lovely eyes.
The heavy stomps on the ground interrupted the pair as a certain lady entered the area waving her luxurious fan. A few people followed her lead as each of them appeared out in the open. Moulin expressionlessly shifted his gaze at them internally swearing at the female leading the group.
"Moulin, look how pitiful this young man looks, why are you making things hard for the lad?..." Maelina expressed a scolding expression at the third young master, internally scheming.
Moulin only revealed a blank look as if what he was seeing was drudging, boring him to death. It seems this boyish man in front of him was a part of some ploy this woman schemed for him. It's really frustrating to be forced to face a couple of rats more than he can take. He wasn't even in the mood to entertain them, playing with their filth.
"Alsander, it must have been hard for you. You can stop apologizing. A certain person who particularly lacks compassion should be admitting their guilt instead" Her sharp eyes fixed at Moulin as if itching to knife him. This time she will really humiliate him and drain his every bit of confidence until he would no longer dare to reveal his face to the public ever again.
"Maelina, it's 'nice' to see you again. Although, I wonder why were you eavesdropping on our little conversation?" A smile broke on Moulin's face as he glanced at the handful of people she had brought with her.
"I was only worried about you. Precisely worried about what scene would you dare to cause next and it appears that my intuition was correct" She furrowed her eyebrows, feigning concern over Alsander's side. A couple of whispers sounded behind her making her smile proudly. Although she was slightly concerned over Moulin's all too calm expression she stood her ground knowing Moulin would always snap as long as she was involved.
"And what crime did I possibly commit to being forced to admit my guilt, Lady Gorianna? From my perspective, there wasn't anything happening worth to catch a crowd's attention, is there?..."
A few murmurs of realization sounded, Maelina reddened with anger. She was alarmed by the fact Moulin wasn't as stupid as he was before. He wasn't even showing a hint of discomfort as if watching a show of his own amusement. His words made it sound like she was the one making all the fuss over something barely important. Wasn't he a fool?
"...Don't think of us as stupid, Moulin! If it wasn't for you my engagement wouldn't be an embarrassment! And now, you can't even lower your head to this poor young man. Aren't you too conceited?" She finished, unaware of her clenching fist.
Moulin furrowed his eyebrows. She's even changing the current subject? Does she think that childish strategy would work?
"That is right! Many people suffered because of your arrogance"
"Even trying to covet other's significant others. Aren't your jewelry enough for you?"
"With your conceited nature, no wonder most people tend to hate you"
"You're bringing shame to the Grand Fraunces Household if you even refuse to admit your guilt!"
The last one ticked him. Moulin's eyes blazed.
He had almost forgotten that her pawns were as brainless as her. These little simple-minded idiots even dared to bring his family name against his words. How courageous of them, to think that they were just dust compared to his nobility. Even completely disregarding their status-
"Can You People Shut up?!..."
...
...
Moulin had only opened his mouth when a voice boomed in the surroundings. He was startled as well as the rest of the people in the area.
At the corner of his eye, A pair of bright amber pupils flared with annoyance, bitterly glaring at the group of dumbfounded women.