Holt, along with other Knights and maids, was standing in front of the Bloodworth Estate.
"The Duke and Young Master should be here soon."
As soon as Holt had said that a carriage stopped in front of the Bloodworth Mansion's gate.
Since the door didn't open for some second, Holt opened the door and stood aside.
As the Duke got off the carriage, he left everyone's eyes widened.
Holt looked at him dumbfounded.
In their whole lives working in the Bloodworth Estate, they haven't seen anyone walking even a bit closer to their Duke.
And right now, their Duke was in front of them, walking with a sleeping man in his arms.
Magnus, in his confident demeanor, held the sleeping beauty Adonis in his strong arms and walked towards the Estate.
Everyone was in such awe that they forgot to follow the Duke and now the Duke was already some meters away from them.
Holt was the one to come to senses first.He ran to catch up with the Duke.
"Follow."
His command broke others out of their daze too and they followed.
When Holt caught up to the Duke, he said,"Duke, let me carry the Young Master to his room. You might be-"
His words were stuck on his cord when Magnus gave him a glare.
He had been with the Duke enough to know that the Duke absolutely hated his advice.
He smiled and changed the topic,"Duke, did you have dinner or should get something prepared for you and the Young Master to eat?"
"No need."
Magnus stopped and said,"You may retire now."
"Then have a good night, Duke."
Magnus left.
Holt turned around to the servants following him and said,"You guys may retire for the night too."
They all bowed to him and said,"Have a good night, Sir."
Magnus opened the door to Adonis's room with much effort and placed the man on the bed.
Adonis stirred at the sudden change and held the warm arms, sleeping soundly.
Magnus was slightly pulled down. He stared at the face which was just some inches away from him.
Adonis was gentle but determined. He was innocent but intelligent. Kind but strong. And most of all, he was the type to be comfortable with the person he was.
Confident in his own skin.
Magnus for some reason had become quite fond of him. Maybe a little bit too much to contend it in his heart. His fondness was overflowing making him want to do things with, to and for Adonis.
He caressed his little lamb's face and said,"Should I wait or should I make the moves? I want to make swift moves but I'm scared that you'll run away."
He bent down and kissed his temple, then kissed his eyes.
Maybe it was because of the kiss or he saw something in his dreams, but Adonis smiled.
Magnus slowly took his hands out of Adonis's grasp and caressed his face.
"Sweet dreams."
He left the room.
Adonis woke up feeling warm and giddy. Maybe he had a beautiful dream yesterday. He smiled looking at the brightly lit room.
He was jolted and scared when he felt something stir beside him. He cautiously removed the blanket to see Osiris sleeping soundly beside him.
He smiled and lied beside his angel boy.
After a while, Osiris opened his eyes and climbed on the lap of Adonis who was half lying on the bed.
Rubbing his eyes, he put his head on Adonis's chest and said,"Mommy, why were you so late yesterday? I missed you."
Adonis caressed the boy's hair and said,"Mommy and daddy had to do a bit of a task yesterday so it became a bit late. Did you eat well?"
Osiris teared up. He nodded his head and spoke in a depressed tone,"Mommy, do you not like Osiris anymore?"
"Why are you asking that, baby?"
"Because daddy said you're leaving today. Do you not like me anymore?"
Adonis cupped his cheeks and smiled.
"It is true that people can leave the person they like. But my baby, I love you. And love, it doesn't decrease but rather keeps on increasing everyday. Mommy can never stop loving his baby boy."
"Then why are you leaving?"
Adonis for a while didn't know what to say. He opened and closed his mouth, trying to find words to answer his curious little boy but couldn't.
Just then, the door to the room opened and Magnus entered the room.
Osiris looked at him with teary eyes and said,"Daddy, why is mommy leaving us?"
Magnus came near him and sat down. He held Osiris's hands and spoke slow but calmly,"Mommy has to go."
Adonis's heart thumped.
"He has some work to do. It cannot be done when he's here. You remember what I told you right?"
Osiris nodded his head and said,"Movement is necessary to get the work done."
"That's right. So don't be sad. It'll be hard for him too."
Osiris nodded.
Adonis knew that already but hearing it coming from Duke's mouth, made his heart ache.
Magnus stretched his hands and said,"Come. Let's get you ready. We'll have lunch together and wish him best wishes for work."
Osiris went into Magnus's embrace.
Magnus looked at the Adonis whose eyes were filled with tears and left the room.
"Daddy, I won't be able to see mommy now?"
"Who's said so?
Osiris looked at him curiously with his peach blossom eyes.
"Then can I see Mommy again?"
Magnus looked at Osiris and said,"I'll definitely bring mommy back. Because both of us can't live well in his absence."
Osiris instantly became happy.
As Adonis watched Magnus and Osiris leave, he couldn't help the tears falling down from his eyes.
He was accustomed to being called 'Mommy', he was accustomed to waiting for the Duke, he was accustomed to them eating together.
His heart was accustomed to care for these people.
He wanted to be with them. But he knew that wasn't possible.
After the Knights' training is finished, he won't have any reasons to even come here. And Duke and Osiris also didn't have any reason to visit him. He had to live just like that. And after some time, both Osiris and Duke will forget about him.
Tears started falling out of his eyes uncontrollably.
Adonis realised he likes him.
He loved the Duke too.
He loved both Magnus and Osiris.
But what needs to be done should be done.
You cannot expect changes if you stay in one place. For change, movement is required.
With the intention of accepting the harsh reality, Adonis wiped his tears.
He went to the bath and got ready. Eyes still a bit puffy, he went to the breakfast table.
He wanted to savour these moments well.
He may not be able to again.