The color drained from the youth's beauteous face. The lady's words continued to sink deeper, and in his mind, he tore them apart, trying to grasp the aning. Then they are laid open for him, revealing to him through a shock—their intentions.
Moulin had long known that he would be contained. The alliance would do their best to hide him away like a lord would in fear of theft for his precious jewels. But they would hide him in fear of defeat, in fear of the demons winning. In fear of the end of their lives.
This ti, the gravity of his situation seed a thousand tis clearer and heavier to him.
"I will never be released, will I?" He spoke after the long silence.
Lady Klaria, who had been trying to read his thoughts, hesitantly shook her head. "No. You can't leave until we have won. I am sorry."
Moulin abruptly stood up from his seat, startling the people within the room. His silver eyes are trembling. His fists clenched, and he took a breath, forcibly trying to calm himself down.
I will live like a prisoner. Trapped and isolated from the world, never to see those close to again. Hidden in a place not even they could reach. How could Moulin bear it? Even with just the thought of it... made it hard for him to breathe.
"It will be alright..."
Lady Klaria rose, extending a comforting hand toward the anxious youth. Witnessing the intense emotions in Moulin's eyes, she worried he might take drastic actions. "Our most powerful mage will visit you constantly. You will not be alone. In this way, your safety will be ensured."
"Is it my fate to be concealed like a worthless possession?" Moulin narrowed his eyes.
Suddenly, the temperature plumted significantly. The breeze entering the room from the balcony seed to grow extrely cold. Ordan and Tessley, who stood guard, imdiately sensed the strange phenonon. Klaria, too, was not oblivious to the unusual occurrence. The youth's mana was subconsciously activating.
"What? No. All of this is for your protection. It would be best if you understood your importance in winning his war against our enemies. If you are captured, then it is over. Think of all the lives who are counting on us to end the cruel reign of the malefics."
When Klaria saw an opening amidst the youth's frantic emotions, she hastily continued.
"For several years, we have endured. Our tranquil world has been ravaged by the Kron, and our kind has been rcilessly slaughtered by demons. And now, they are planning sothing more sinister that could cause the extinction of all that is left. We are given the chance to end this, but the odds are grim without you."
At the end of her words, Moulin paused. Moulin absorbed the weight of her words, and a realization slowly dawned on him. He closed his eyes, gathering himself.
"Forgive for my reaction... It was thoughtless of ."
Lady Klaria's deep blue eyes widened briefly, "It's alright, young master. Anyone in your shoes would react the sa."
Moulin did not respond. He couldn't accept it easily. Endure. It is for the sake of the people...
"..."
The High Lord of Ralor sighed helplessly. She knew Moulin wouldn't lightly accept what they had planned for him. But even if she wished to give him ti to accept his fate, she couldn't. Their departure was in a few days.
Lady Klaria excused herself to allow Moulin so ti alone. Perhaps he'll calm down tomorrow.
When the High Lord had left, a heavy silence engulfed the room. Moulin turned and headed towards the bedroom with long strides. The little snow fox, resting on the couch, abruptly rose and scurried towards his master.
Tessley broke the silence and stepped forward.
"Moulin, it's not as-"
"Please don't disrupt my rest. I want to be alone." Speaking in a polite tone, he stopped and turned to her.
Tessley watched as Moulin gently picked up the white fox from the floor. "But-"
Silver eyes gazed deeply at her. One would find it hard to determine his genuine emotions. He was stoic, and Tessley felt that if they talked to him further, he would keep his silence.
Helplessly, they could only watch as the youth locked himself inside the bedroom.
Ordan and Tessley exchanged gazes.
The female sentinel sighed and paused abruptly when she noticed speckles of white fluttering around them. When a breeze entered the area, the two shivered.
Snow?
...
Moulin sat on the bed and embraced Snow. His fingers ran through the soft fur coat of the quiet snow-white fox sitting on his lap. The alliance had more resources than Moulim thought, enough to be able to create a hidden domain strong enough to nullify his magic and conceal his presence. From the sound of it, it wasn't that impressive. But mana crystals are so scarce these days.
Moulin shook his head. He shouldn't underestimate the capabilities of the imperial family of Aurona.
What would beco of him? When he's imprisoned in the domain. To spend who knows how long inside.
"..."
With a sigh, the youth let his back fall on the mattress. His eyes are staring into space. It was not like him to be so unwilling and hesitant, especially during dire situations.
Perhaps it was because he genuinely did not want to be separated from his friends and family.
The youth pursed his lips.
"Ao?"
A magnified view of Snow's nose filled Moulin's vision. The fox had climbed on top of his chest and tilted his head as he looked at Moulin in sorrow. His beady silver eyes reflected Moulin's emotions effortlessly.
"I'm alright." Moulin reached out a hand to scratch underneath the fox's mouth.
He Moulin was to be detained... What would happen to Snow?
...
Several hours passed, and the skies were dyed a dark blue. Night ca and until then Moulin has not conceded to his situation. Although he knew he was going to go through what the leaders planned for him, he remained unresolved to his circumstances.
The more he thought about it, the more unbearable it was. Facing his reflection in the window, Moulin decided to close off his thoughts and empty his mind. This was giving him a headache.
Ordan, who went to see off Tessley to clean up the dining table, paused when he spotted Moulin staring at his reflection in silence. The youth had been silent for a long ti now. It unsettled him.
"Young Master, do you need anything else?" Ordan asked.
Moulin glanced at him. "No. You two may retire. Thank you for today..."
The silver-eyed young man remained polite despite the turmoil in his heart. Ordan kept his neutral expression but could not help but want to say sothing to him.
He admitted that he didn't want Moulin to interact with the outside world, but it unsettled him to watch the youth being too reserved and closed off.
"Ao!" Snow barked, bringing Ordan back from his thoughts.
In the end, the man composed himself and excused himself from the room. He felt the cold warm his breath.
"Good night, young master."
...
The night deepened, and Moulin did not move from his spot before the window. He looked as though he was waiting. The lamp on the bedside table caressed his entire form, glazing his silvery hair and light clothes with a warm glow. He appeared like a lost fairy, sad and hosick.
Snow, who was curling itself on the sheets, whined pitifully.
A shift in the air made him perked his ears. Silver beady eyes scanned the room before drowsily resuming his sleeping position.
Moulin shifted slightly when he sensed the familiar mana seep into the air around him. The youth gradually relaxed his stiff shoulders and stared at the additional figure in reflection on the glass window.
"Hadrian..."
The man hadn't worn off around him when the High Lord, fully dressed in his noble attire, approached the loneso youth. Lord Hadrian Hercullio wrapped his arms around the youth's slender waist. Both, now engulfed in each other's scent, breathed. There was relief in it. Relieved from the longing.
"Are you angry?" The High lord's deep voice filled Moulin's senses.
Moulin furrowed his brows, "No. I ... assu you knew?"
"No. I knew after I threatened her to spill." Hadrian replied. "However, I had a vague idea."
...
Moulin stared deeply at Hadrian's reflection. His eyes scoured his features, his defined cheekbones, his concrete jaw, his aquiline nose, and the calm expression he wore.
"... You don't seem to disagree with their thods."
Hadrian's eyes deepened. The pair of golden orbs glowed strangely. "Is it too much for you?"
Moulin paused. He recalled Lady Klaria's imploring words. "No... It doesn't seem much different than my situation right now. However... It unsettles that I won't be free to see you and the people dear to ."
Moulin closed his eyes, "Has the alliance decided it?"
"...Yes."
Moulin bitterly shook his head. Of course, they had. Perhaps he would be presented to most of them after arriving at the stronghold. He wasn't looking forward to it.
Until the war is won...
Captivating silver eyes beca solemn, "We better win this war."
"We shall..."
"When it ends, I will go anywhere I please, and no one will stop ."
"You shall..." There was a faint smile on the lord's face.
Moulin tilted his head back, resting his head on the man's chest. He breathed in Hadrian's scent and favored the man's presence as though he was recharging his energy.
The room was sohow stifling. The suffocating feeling tightened his chest. Moulin wished to be free from it.
At the right mont, he heard Hadrian speak lowly in his ear.
"Do you want to sleep in my quarters?"
Moulin's eyes snapped open. Silvery pupils glowed brighter than the moon. His incredulous expression was priceless.
"Sleep in your room?"
Sleep in... did he think Moulin was in the right mood?
Hadrian nodded. "A change of scenery might release you from your constricting thoughts."
"Oh..." Moulin blinked.
He cleared his throat under Hadrian's amused golden gaze and spoke, "Sure, that would be... nice..."
Then he paused, "But Ordan and Tessley might-"
Whoosh!
Moulin was interrupted when mana washed all over them. The lightness of his body surprised him briefly before his vision changed. A fresh, cooling scent filled his nostrils.
In the next second, he stood in Hadrian's arms beside a giant bed in a vast room.
Hadrian's quarters.
Moulin chuckled. Sigh, what he would give for that ability...
Hadrian led Moulin to sit on the bed before he went to freshen up and change into comfortable clothing. The silver-eyed youth made himself comfortable by lying on the soft sheets.
When Hadrian returned, the man leaned one shoulder on the bedpost while amusingly admiring Moulin's relieved expression.
"Feeling better?"
Moulin buried his face in the blanket and said muffledly, "You were right. I feel a bit better."
Then he turned his face. "And a bit sleepy too... "
The golden-haired nobleman paused and sighed, "A pity. There's nothing to be done then. Let's sleep."
'What's a pity?' Moulin shot the man a questionable look.
The older man climbed onto the bed and nestled beside Moulin, who imdiately clung to him. Relishing the warmth of the youth's body, Hadrian pulled him into his arms.
"Much better..." Moulin whispered. His heart ward. Gone were those annoying thoughts. He might think about them on another ti, but for now he focused on comfort of the bed, the coolness of the air, and the warm of Hadrian's embrace.
The High Lord gazed into those enchanting silver pupils doused in drowsiness. The young man's rosy and comfortable countenance made Hadrian want to shower him with all the world's wonders. If there were so even left. It mattered not. Moulin looked perfect in his arms.
Moulin felt lighter. The unease in his heart gradually eased.
Perhaps he only needed a few minutes of cuddling with Hadrian to soothe his chaotic mind.
"Thank you..." Moulin whispered.
Golden eyes softened.
"Sleep..."
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