The sound of trickling water drops on the cast stone three-layered fountain eased the tension on Moulin's face. Feet planted on the dim stoned floor, the little third young master narrowed his eyes at the concealed person vaguely visible behind the curtain of water hiding him. From Moulin's perspective, it seems that the other person hadn't noticed him yet, which gave a slight relief.
With a smoothened forehead, Moulin dragged his eyes away in search of another path that would direct him to an alternative place. The garden was impressively tremendous so he didn't need to dwell over this single place. He can't believe how childish his thoughts must've been earlier.
As he was about to turn and walk away, heading towards an open pathway by his right, a sudden strong aura abruptly caught him in his place, heavy and powerful. Moulin had reacted a second too late. His fingers dug into his palms, his eyes dilated. It was as though gravity wanted to pull him down on the ground, A deep sense of fear and oppression hovered around his heart like a black mist. His mind was downtrodden by the concentrated awareness of heeding a being most sovereign, superior to him.
A maeruthan. A powerful one.
With this deathly threatening aura, the owner should be hostile, releasing his aggressiveness. Why, however? Moulin hadn't done anything impulsive against him.
Moulin shook his head, his eyes glaring along with the moonlight, he'd be damn as to let someone suppress him for no reason. If this asshole refuses to withdraw his manic aura Moulin's mind might be penetrated and forced to heed his will. Yet the only way to protect himself is to counter the stranger by releasing his aura as well. Hesitation flashed through his silver eyes as he grits his teeth in reluctance. It was too soon to divulge his being as a maeruthan.
A sharp headache akin to a cut in the throat entered his head and Moulin knew then that if he would not take action any sooner, his mind will be held.
Breaking any bit of hesitation left inside him, he released his aura and a soothing sense of tranquility entered his internal body. He fought defensively, clashing with the other person with no means to harm. Little did Moulin know that the mana kept and restrained inside him had been too pent up, bubbling and boiling like hot water. As if it would explode at the slightest movement. The release of his aura had triggered the wrong move resulting in a wide blast of repressed energy throughout the garden. A gust of silver light blew across the surrounding hedges, stretching further and further.
The flowers grew brighter and brighter as the gust blew through them, a hint of silver sparkling and gleaming on budded petal tips. From various locations throughout the garden, maeruthan noblemen and noblewomen felt the sudden anomaly, most startled and some calmly suspicious.
A particular pair of silver eyes widened in shock. Body stiffened into stone and mouth gaping, too horrified to even react. Moulin didn't know. He absolutely did not know! How could he not have known? It was his own damn body!
The blast had even stretched throughout the garden! It was pure concentrated energy. It was strange how he didn't felt anything as he had suppressed his cultivated energy. Not a single bit of discomfort or any doubtful hint within.
"You..."
...
Lifting his gaze up, bitterness evident deep in those blade-like eyes, Moulin clenched his hands with a deathly calm face. Of course, he wouldn't have resorted to his earlier judgment if it weren't for this punk--
...
Wait...
...
He could recognize those sun-like golden pupils anywhere.
With one look, Moulin was turned mute. His previous words clogged up within his throat as his face broke into astonishment. Wide-eyed, he pointed with a slightly shaky hand.
Hadrian?
Synchronous with the strange and unexpected situation a soft glow illuminated every flower as if on cue. Moonflower buds unhurriedly opened, eliciting a soft radiance brighter than before. The bluish bright glow had bathe every tree and plant like a mystical sea of light, enveloping the entire Midnight Florae garden.
As the flowers opened fully, A soft shimmer of white danced around the beautiful gem-like centers of the flowers, exuding pure concentrated energy greater than any magical herb in the kingdom. The light alone could attract ability wielding races from kingdoms far, far away.
The scent of pure delectable energy momentarily distracted Moulin as the fluorescence of light bathes the distinct frames of the pair of people. While the shorter man had promptly shifted his silver gaze away from the other, Hadrian, the lord, stood steadily as he admittedly received a certain scene in front of him that would imprint itself like an everlasting unfaded mark in his mind.
As a few months had passed, He had attempted to visit the hidden frozen lake, intent to once again see the youth only to face a deserted cavern left with hints of being unattended for a long time. A complex feeling welled up inside as he stood in front of the glacial cave silently. Countless questions filled his mind endlessly out of an unknown reason he could not determine. There was something crawling deep inside him, he did not understand.
Attraction shouldn't be the word used to describe it, he had only met Moel a day less. Yet why was he looking for him? What was he doing here?
There was a calling in his heart. For a man who lived his whole life spiritually immersed in ancient mana cultivation, it wasn't strange to sense something as odd as the unusual feeling inside him. However, why did it involve Moulin? Suspicions came down like a strong tide.
Nevertheless, looking at the silent, beguiling, and cautious youth, easily distracted even when in front of someone like Hadrian, it was strangely stimulating.
"Moel..."
πππ--what?..
Blinking his questionable eyes, a crease appeared between Moulin's eyebrows as he stepped nearer to get a closer look at the person before him. "I really didn't expect you to be here...". Assessing the lord in front of him, he shamefully sized him up from head to toe.
Moulin should've known there would be a great possibility Hadrian would attend the Moonflower gathering, but the man was titled as a perverse eyesore in his heart that it was easy to forget him. He was still oh so glorified by the heavens with his magnanimously styled golden hair and superior stature even wearing simple informal clothes that didn't lose to the previous outfit he had worn when Moulin had last seen him. His eyes, golden liquid rings filled with limitless strength and ruthlessness. Moulin could still feel shivers and prickles on his skin every time the man would gaze upon him.
"..." Hadrian studied the youth in front of him as well as Moulin did to him. Eyes scrutinizing while he wore an unreadable expression. "It's surprising to see how you weren't what I had believed you would be...". His stare dimmed slightly as he took in Moulin's appearance.
Catching the hint from the man's tone, Moulin frowned "Does it bother you that I do not meet your satisfaction, Milord?". Funny, I find it really fulfilling to witness your discontent.
"Bother me?" An amused glint flashed abruptly in Hadrian's eyes as he relished the relief of hearing the youth's sharp tongue that had restored itself in his memory. "On the contrary, I find it quite intriguing. Your new look rather fits you nicely. Though, I am deeply curious about what noble identity you might be carrying".
"I'd rather not tell..."
"Oh? Then I assume that the name you gave me might not be your real name as well?"
"I'd... rather not tell..."
"You also fabricated your origins, even resolutely speaking as if it was the truth"
"..."
A laugh between amusement and disbelief noised into the night. It was loud enough to bring a hint of redness into Moulin's embarrassed face.
A soon as the laughter died down Moulin frowned, silently condemning the man in front of him. Where exactly was the funny part of his words?
"Having fun?" Cocking an eyebrow, Moulin asked.
The amused golden-eyed man pulled up a corner of his lips.
"Forgive me, I find your every expression quite entertaining" His eyes narrowed in crescents as he stared at the youth. The young man's silver eyes had irritatingly glowered at him yet it held a sweet bewitching glare as if desperately urging him to possess them. With looks as charming as the youth in front of him, it would be strange to think Moel hadn't been betrothed yet.
Abruptly, an odd suggestion arose in his mind. Hadrian could consider the strange idea in his mind but he should bring it out someday when the time is ripe.
"Isn't it appropriate to introduce your real self, ypung master? I can't continue to address you with your ππππ name now, can I?"
That does sound more appropriate. The cat was out of the bag already anyway. Pressing his lips, he was not too convinced with telling his name to this suspicious man, who he barely even know. Isn't he a nobleman? then shouldn't he recognize me already? It was impossible to not recognize him after being guarded like a hawk by the known second young master of the Fraunces Family.
With Moulin's sudden silence, Hadrian creased his forehead. Isn't it just a name? why was he hesitating?
"Moel... "
"A proper introduction should be properly replied as well, Milord"
Pausing his words, Hadrian closed his mouth. The amused glint in his soul-hooking eyes recovered along with a smirk on his face. "Indeed, it will"
A twitching corner of the lip, Moulin glanced at the sky now dreadfully remembering how much of an annoyance this man was to him in the littlest hours they had conversed before. Immeasurably handsome yet devilishly evil, he supposes. Admittedly, this man was possibly more of a devil than his ex. Although, who was he to judge someone he barely even knew. Moulin straightened his gaze at Hadrian thinking in his heart that this situation would become even more irritating as it is now if he kept countering the man.
"From the Grand noble Fraunces Family, Moulin Sill Fraunces..." He neither bowed nor lowered his head. Smiling eyes and a gentle-like smile.
Hadrian took a moment and his brows lifted in surprise. "Ah, the wedding breaker?... "
(# ^ β‘^ )
"IT was an engagement cer-- Ugh... nevermind..." What was the use of explaining it to him?
"... Why were you in the northern--"
"It's a long story..." Moulin snapped having enough of his questions. In turn, he closed his mouth and waited for Hadrian with a bored gaze.
Catching Moulin's impatient expression the man almost wanted to crack a laugh as he amused himself with Moulin's spiteful yet charming look. Hadrian was internally confused about why he was hooked to those alluring silver eyes and appealing face but he paid no mind, proceeding with playing with this little doll.
"Hadrian Leonil Hercullio" He introduced, flashing a rare dashing smile. Like saying something simple and unimportant, Hadrian kept his eyes as he spoke.
So his real name really was Hadrian. Moulin had originally thought otherwise because who in their right mind would give away their real name to an unhesitant murderer at first sight? Isn't he too incautious? Nevermind that, why did he feel like he was forgetting important?
"Hercullio?... " A slight frown etched Moulin's face. Where did he hear this from? It was at the tip of his tongue, he could not point it out.
"I am uncommitted to anyone as well"
Moulin paused and gaze upon his arrogant face. "I didn't ask".
"Thought you might be interested"
"Well, I'm not" snapped Moulin. "... and even if I were, I would gladly dismiss the idea of committing myself to a man I just met".
"Isn't that frequently popular these days? Engagements and arrangements... first sight attractions and whatnot" Slow unhurried steps made their way closer.
Moulin lifted a corner if his lip as he restrained a snort "I didn't believe you'd be the type to be interested in these trends. I'm not very intrigued by societal popularities like how I do not wish to understand your current implications...".
Moulin paused to realized there were only a few inches between him and the man before him. Grimacing, he blinked his eyes at the man in confusion, definitely not liking what he was doing.
Hadrian smiled, aware of how his presence affected the boy before him. Putting up a strong front while hiding the quiver in his heart, it was very delightful. Most people we're only inclined to avoid his gaze and cower in fear. Even his own grandfather avoided picking a fight with him. Surprisingly, this feeble looking boy stared dauntlessly at him as if wanting to prove his bravery. Any true man would want to conquer this type of stubbornness.
"What are you doing?" Icy words escaped Moulin's mouth before he could stop them.
"Assessing the goods"
If this man weren't some noble Moulin would have mercilessly punched him until his nose bleeds dry. Was he looking for death?
Oblivious of his overly disliking expression, Moulin glared openly at the man. Hadrian grinned.
The Fraunces family was one of the ten chosen Grand Nobles from the eighty-one well-known aristocratic families in the Auronean imperial court. Hadrian had certainly heard about the boorish third son of the Fraunces. Yet seeing the boy for himself, his doubts arose about the rumors circulating within the circle. Moulin was certainly different from what the rumors had described at first sight. But Hadrian did not care, the boy was unique as he, himself, had declared; I am unique because I am who I am. Hadrian knew how peculiar this young man before him is.
The calling in his heart grew stronger the longer he stared at the enchanting swirls of silver in Moulin's eyes.