Meanwhile, Christophe, who had also caught sight of the children, looked like he had seen a ghost. "That scent...! What..What is this?"
Excitement and shock arose. "Holy cow!"
He took in a good look, his eyes widening. "Oh my goodness, Your Grace! Look at this! Those eyes... and the hair, oh la la! It is a perfect fusion of both your features! They are masterpieces, I say! Masterpieces!"
Sebastian squinted at the quadruplets. How in the world was this even possible?
"Enough. Stop speaking."
Those words startled Christophe so much that he blinked. "You cannot be serious."
Sebastian inhaled deeply. Was this a joke?
"Look at that! The resemblance is divine!" All Christophe did was hype the situation.
Sebastian kept silent. But he never took his eyes off the quadruplets. The longer he looked at them, the more he wondered. "Where is their mother?"
The moment he asked that question, those pairs of eyes met his and curiosity shot straight through them.
"Oh? Do you think..." Christophe burst out laughing with an uncontainable excitement.
"Go and examine the coach, Chris." Sebastian said nonchalantly and walked over to the quadruplets before Christophe could even register a response.
Christophe's face fell, his smile crumbling into a sullen pout. "Fine," he huffed, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
As the Duke's right-hand man and best friend, he was rarely seen without a smile, but now he looked like a thundercloud.
Snorting dismissively, he turned on his heels and strode away, his long strides carrying him towards the train where the Duke's attendants waited. The other courtiers and guards parted to let him through, their faces sympathetic but also wary.
No one wanted to be on the receiving end of Christophe's wrath when he was in a mood.
Sebastian approached the children, their scent enveloped him, filling his heart with strange warmth and delight....
It felt natural.
"Hello," the frail child waved to him so shyly. Strick by strand, his hair was curly. And compared to his brothers, who were bubbling with energy, this little one seemed gentle and reserved, his demeanor subdued.
Sebastian cocked his head. Now that he was close enough, he could see the burning resemblance.
This little one... He was the spitting image of her, with his sun-kissed blonde hair and piercing ocean blue eyes. The resemblance was uncanny, and Sebastian's heart skipped a beat as he gazed into the boy's eyes, seeing a sparkle that transported him back to memories of her.
He felt a sense of gratitude wash over him, thankful the sparkle in his eyes was a beacon of innocence, untainted by corruptions...
However, there was no doubt that he was a mini version of his mother.
It couldn't be!
"Where is your mother, little one?" Asking, he patted the boy's head.
"Mummy went to get some food." He responded with a bashful smile.
"Can you tell me your names?" Sebastian was growing genuinely interested in them. They were really cute and well-groomed.
Wait! What was he thinking?! There were so many children in the world! They couldn't just...!
He lowered his head so shyly in response, "Lucien."
Sebastian could not stop himself from laughing. "How are you, Lucien?" He scooped up the little one into his arms.
"Hungry." Lucien smiled.
Sebastian raised his brow. "Oh?"
"I am Adrien, Monsieur. Will you join us for lunch? Mama can also get you some food." Adrien proposed, bowing his head politely. He could clearly tell that the unfamiliar man was a noble judging by his appearance and aura.
"Food?" Sebastian stared.
"Hello, my name is Alexandre. You look rich! May I have your pocket watch?" Alexandre's eyes expanded as he gazed at the pocket watch in awe, brightening them to the point where the gold reflected in them. "I want it! How much do you want for it? Shall we trade my shoes for it?"
"Do not be rude! Ask for the jacket instead! I am sure there is something more valuable in the pocket!" Leon yelled at Alexandre. He then cleared his throat and waved at Sebastian, lowering his voice. "My name is Leon."
Sebastian could not take his eyes off them. Adrien, Alexandre and Leon all had raven black hair and bright silver eyes.
To be honest, it was terrifying. Even for him.
"It is a pleasure to meet you all. My name is Sebastian."
"Sebastian?" Lucien gasped.
"Yes," He nodded.
"Hello." Lucien waved, chewing his lower lip so shyly.
Sebastian chuckled at the cuteness.
"Are you coming with us? We are visiting our Grandparents." Adrien asked, cocking his head.
"Your Grandparents?" Sebastian wondered what they meant.
Why were they telling him this?
"Do you want me to call Mama?" Alexandre suddenly asked, jumping with excitement.
Their remarks caught Sebastian off guard. They were so young but their minds worked so quickly. For him, everything was happening so fast.
But... These weren't his children... They could be anyone's children. It couldn't be her...
"No. You do not have to." He responded reluctantly, still holding Lucien closely.
"Why?" Lucien asked. "Mama will be happy to meet you."
Sebastian smiled. These kids were something else. Nonetheless, calling their mother meant meeting her after ten years.
And he was not ready for that.
No wait! They couldn't be! It couldn't be her! Why was he thinking about her? It wasn't possible! There was no way she...
"MAMA!!!" Leon screamed out of nowhere.
"Mama?" Struck by his abrupt call, Sebastian's eyes widened. Clearly, he was the most cunning of them all.
Without warning, she arrived in front of him, looking exactly like the belle he remembered. The stunned look in her ravishing ocean blue eyes, the contorted expression on her face, the way the wind whipped her blonde hair....
It was her!
Shock and excitement filled up his soul! And he just wanted to hold her in his arms... He just wanted....
Sadly, the next thing she said hit him square in the face.
"Y...you kidnapper! Let go of my child right now!"