"Take my hand, Seer" Moulin's soft voice like a whisper. His hand slowly lifted into the air, waiting. "Examine my internal body and see if your conjecture is true".
With raised eyebrows, Colahn looked at him in surprise. "But I cannot, young master. You have never known about it but when I had first inspected your internal body, I could not fully go beyond. There was something obstructing me, No matter what I did I couldn't go through it"
Moulin nodded, "Lady Phaelona did as well, but she managed to pierce through the barrier obstructing her. In truth, she was the very first person who knew I was an ability wielder"
Lord Fraunces widened his eyes, Phaelona did? He looked at his two sons who were as well astounded. Then he quickly noticed the suppliant look in Colahn's eyes as though he was asking permission. If it was what Moulin wished then he would agree almost immediately. He fixed his expression before nodding to him briefly.
Colahn bowed his head slightly before returning his gaze to the third young master in front of him. If Phaelona could do it, perhaps, he could. Damn woman, she should've told him earlier about Moulin's ability before all this had happened.
He reached for Moulin's hand, kneeling on one leg before the youth's feet. The third young master's hands were cold and soft as he enclosed it between his larger hands. With closed eyes, he steadied his breathing.
The office enshrouded by silence, avoiding any interruption…
Maxille glanced at his father, who was concentrating on both Moulin and Colahn, his eyes were dim in fear of the results. Maxille could understand. If his brother was truly a pured maeruthan, as Colahn had said, then there was no hope for them. He, along with Emlen and his father, refused to watch his brother take his last breath, his brother would miss everything in his life, he had already missed most of it when he was always ill and bedridden every year. And now that they thought heaven had blessed his little brother with enriching health and abilities, what unveiled beneath was a miserable cursed life awaiting his brother. The crude hands of death waiting to receive his little brother's youthful soul. He refuses to make it happen!
Long minutes passed, Moulin was dreadfully sweating, his shoulder's trembling as he endured the pain blowing up inside him. His fingers shooked as bit his lips, it felt like a thousand blades cutting into his guts, excruciatingly unbearable. But he persisted. He wanted to know the truth…
Maxille had sensed it. With his keen eyes, he noticed the slight tremble of Moulin's curved shoulders. His youngest brother was in pain!
"Stop! Let go right now!"
Colahn was already deaf to the outside world as he concentrated. His spirit sense seeping deeper and deeper as he plans to force himself through the barrier coating Moulin's internal soul. The moment he succeeded, Moulin grit his teeth a painful whimper had unfortunately escaped his lips.
Everyone except Colahn had noticed. The Lord quickly ordered, shouting at Colahn to let go but it was futile. He turned to Maxille and Emlen and they understood almost instantly. They marched around the two but before Emlen could wrench Moulin's hands free, a pale tender hand was raised halting their movements.
The three people stiffened. Silver eyes glared coldly at each of them. They glowered with anger and pain. With his eyes, Moulin relayed his thoughts.
Do not touch me...
The brothers were unwilling but it was the very first time Moulin had looked at them with such angered yet pleading eyes. If they really wanted to know about Moulin's circumstances they shouldn't interfere. They stayed rooted in their places, a sheet of reluctance coating their eyes. They wished to look away but couldn't, helpless.
Lord Dontae Fraunces picked his chair upright and collapsed helplessly, Moulin was enduring for his sake and for theirs. It was a painful sight but he could do nothing if it was what his son wanted.
And so they waited, patience thinning as time ticked by. Between a couple of whimpers and trembles, they restrained themselves. Moulin could not open his eyes anymore as they were shut tight, blood coating his inner lips as he bit to distract himself. Minutes and more…
A soft sigh sounded with the quiet room and a pair of exhausted eyes opened slowly. Colahn stared at Moulin.
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••
The leaves glistened with the morning dew and a fresh breeze blew gently on the white translucent curtains of tall crystal glass windows. Warm sunshine gently touched the foot of the massive canopy bed, curtains bound with hanging pearls. Soft rays reaching tenderly bathed the fragile feet hidden beneath the blankets.
As the sweet gentle beams of light reached for the lone figure stuck in a deep slumber, a beguiling sleeping face revealed itself from the soft covers. Pale slender arms reached over a head of white strands as the sleeping youth moved within the sheets.
"Hmnn…"
A throaty sound mumbled. Seconds passed before thick white lashes trembled. Moulin's eyebrows furrowed, uncomfortably feeling something rubbing on his cheek.
A tiny snout nuzzled gently upon a rosy cheek. Moulin could feel it, it was annoyingly disrupting his sleep. He decided to ignore it and forced himself to go back to sleep. This time not only was there nuzzling but something soft and damp touched his nose. Moulin could no longer stay asleep and his lids lazily opened, peeking at the annoying nuisance who dared to interrupt his sleep. He flinched.
What met his view was an adorable black nose that looked larger. It was only a few inches away from his eyes. Realizing that his master had awakened, Snow was thrilled and began to continuously lick the tip of Moulin's nose.
"Snow... " Moulin mumbled, scrunching his face. It was terribly annoying him.
Regardless of the definite deadly tone in Moulin's voice, the little fox kept licking and even dared to bite the tip of his master's nose. Moulin groaned, he laboriously opened his eyes and hissed "You little piece of- that's enough, stop it". Another lick. "Alright, alright, I'm up" he moaned.
Snow yipped merrily as Moulin heavily sat up on the bed, his bird's nest hair left the smooth softness of his pillows. The bratty fox then comfortably settled on Moulin's lap, playing with the strands of white hair that fell messily down Moulin's torso as if it were something interesting. Moulin's eyes were still dozy but a smile decorated his sleepy face as he watched the overly active ball of fur on his thighs.
"Young master! you're awake"
A voice full of blithe surprised the young man on the bed.
Arms heavy with a glass basin filled with warm water, Pola came into his view. Her freckled cheeks moved as she flashed a wide smile. She placed down the basin on a table and dried her hands with a clean towel. Pola ambled towards Moulin and with the back of her hand, she checked his temperature. Fortunately, his fever had gone down. She sighed in relief.
Moulin, however, was confused by her actions. Was he ill? That can't be right. He was perfectly fine yesterday...
YESTERDAY! What had happened? Moulin's forehead creased as he wracked his brain trying to remember the events from last night. Colahn had delved deep into his forefended internal soul. He remembered the extreme pain that had seem to imprint itself into his memories. It was unforgettable... but what had happened next? He was sure he saw Colahn open his eyes and...
"...!"
He Fainted?
He actually fainted? ...
What endurance! What training! His body never changed! It was still as useless as a chicken's!
"Young master?" Pola who was neatly arranging Moulin's hair paused. She had clearly felt her young master flinched. She furrowed her eyebrows. Yesterday, she was summoned so suddenly to tend to Moulin, who to her surprise, was unconscious the moment she had arrived inside the Lord's office. One could imagine her fear as her face paled when she, along with other servants, scurried to help her young master. It was unforgivable for a servant to intrude in the master's business but she could not help but question almost everyone in the room, especially the Head Seer.
She was almost dragged away by the Lord's order if it wasn't for Maxille placating his father for Moulin's sake. It was undeniably reckless for her, she was too overwhelmed by her emotions. But now she knew it wasn't a rational option. If she were to be helpful to Moulin, she needed to be more reasonable ad analytic.
"Young master, is there something wrong?"
Moulin flinched. He fixed his expression before his silver irises turned to face his personal attendant, "I'm fine...".
Before Pola could speak, a loud knock interrupted them. The door opened and the person who entered was none other than his mother. Lady Maxiel was holding a tray filled with a steaming breakfast. Two servants accompanied her as she entered Moulin's room.
"Mother..." Moulin says as he placed Snow off his lap, his eyes looked a the tray in his mother's hands. He turned to look at the two servants behind her with a questioning gaze.
"Oh, don't bother them. I wanted to bring you breakfast myself" She grinned, nodding as Pola who had stepped aside with a bow.
"How are you? Are you aching somewhere? You had me really worried yesterday. I was so worried I could not sleep comfortably last night" She gestured one of the maids behind her to place the silver bed table on Moulin's bed who immediately moved to do as instructed. Since Moulin was always sick there was a walk room of bed tables in the storehouse exclusively for him. She carefully placed the large tray on the table and caressed Moulin's hair, telling him to eat well.
"Mother, I am already of age" He smiled, glancing at the food before him. "You can start treating me like a man now, I am no longer a child" His eyes were smiling and there was a teasing tone in his voice that his mother had caught.
"My son, even if you grow to be as old as your father you will always be my adorable little darling..." She pinched his cheek until it turned red. Her delicate hands lifted a glass of milk placing it carefully beside his plate, "Now eat before we continue to converse. I have been meaning to talk some sense into you, you little sheep"
"...?"
Bite after bite, Moulin tasted every crisp of bread and savored every spoonful with smiling eyes. Yes, he was starving. A particular little fox also sat by his side as it ate happily. The pair looked quite adorable as they sat side by side on the large bed, it was a lovely sight.
"Full?..." asked Lady Maxiel. Pola and the two servants took the dazedly satisfied Snow, cleaned up, and arranged his bed before they exited the room with silent steps. Moulin felt something strange before he chucked it away from his mind.
"Yes, it was delicious" Moulin smiled. There was nothing more satisfying than a wonderful meal and a warm bed. As he stared at the Lady of the house sitting on the edge of his bed with a beautiful doting smile on her face as she looked at him, he felt even warmer inside. Even though he knew this family wasn't originally his, it felt like a dream come true to be loved and cared with pure sincerity. He didn't want to let go of any of them.
"Moulin..."
Once they were alone and everything was quiet, Lady Maxiel spoke his name as though like a whisper. She gazed at him with troubled eyes startling Moulin. He waited for her next words with unusual anticipation.
"I've heard about everything..." She says, "There was a recording of you and it has spread throughout the Noble circle... Your father and I were too late to suppress the matter. Even the Imperial Palace came to intrude earlier this morning... " She trailed off, pressing her lips together. No, her son doesn't need to hear about any of those things. He's probably confused right now, she didn't feel like it would be best to start with that news.
Shaking her head, she smiled as she took Moulin's hand between hers, "Now, I believe you are very curious about Colahn's findings yesterday"
Moulin opened his mouth but his mother interrupted him, "Yes, I know all about it. Save your excuses for later. I want you to be honest with me as we speak. I know it was you who initiated the examination but that was very reckless of you. You were probably nervous about Colahn's assumption about you being a pure Maeruthan. I will tell you everything about Colahn's findings from your internal soul if you would be honest with me. No excuses and lies. I'm your mother, whatever troubles you have you can speak to me first, alright?"
Moulin furrowed his brows, eye blinking nervously "Alright..."