The faint shuffle of fabric reached the youth's ear. Even breaths and the slight tremble of lashes signified the young man's awakening. It was the gentle but distracting sound and the dim yet evident light from the windows which awoke the slumbering maeruthan on the bed. With a groan, Moulin slowly opened his eyes.
His hands subconsciously searched for sothing on the bed, lightly patting the crumpled sheets. The realization awoke him.
Steadily rising, Moulin turned to his side, where he rembered Hadrian had fallen asleep last night. But he wasn't there. Where is he?
Then, the sound of footsteps caught his attention. It ca from beyond the bedroom entrance. When the doors opened, a familiar person erged.
"Have you awakened?"
His golden eyes are deep yet bright. The regal ensemble he wore only enhanced the commanding presence he brought into the room. Dressed nobly in his elegant attire, Lord Hercullio crossed the threshold and reached the bed.
"How long was I asleep?" Moulin asked with a soft voice. With one look, one would know he had just woken up. His long hair was ssy, and sleep had yet to leave him.
"It hasn't been a few hours since sunrise."
A gentle kiss was placed on his forehead. It took a few seconds for Moulin to comprehend the lord's affectionate actions. Silver eyes only blinked sleepily.
Then, as though he was struck by a thunderbolt, Moulin gasped. "Tessley and Sir Ordan! They will be looking for . I must go."
"Don't worry. I have sent word that you will spend the entire morning in my suite. Your guards will arrive shortly." Hadrian reassured, gently caressing the youth's soft cheek.
Will no one protest?
The question was plastered on the oblivious youth's face.
"A change of scenery will lighten your emotions. Take a mont to unwind and stay here. It'll benefit us both," Hadrian expressed. "You must be hungry. Hurry and wash up. We have to fatten you up."
At the end of his words, Moulin felt a pinch on his cheeks before the man straightened and left the room.
Blinking, Moulin touched his cheek in a daze. He patted both his cheeks and murmured, "Am I growing thinner?"
After watching up, Moulin found a set of his clothes folded on the bed. He skillfully put them on and looked at his reflection in the mirror. He slled like Hadrian: an earthly cooling fragrance and a faint scent of sandalwood.
The doors to the dining room opened. Moulin walked inside unhurriedly and scanned the area. A familiar welcoming face brightly greeted him.
Lord Hendrick grinned. "Ah, my dear. Co and sit!"
"My lord..." Moulin stared at him with a look of surprise. It's been a long ti since he had t Hadrian's dear grandfather.
"You must be hungry; co and take a seat." The older man's gentle eyes captured Moulin's attention instantly.
Although he had aged much, the man looked as regal as before. He did not look frail, but seed quite healthy and robust. A warm aura surrounded the old man.
The table was filled with rich food, and a set of utensils was already prepared for him. The delicious sll made Moulin's stomach rumble. The older man sitting at the table couldn't help but laugh, and Moulin could only pull himself together with a red face. He sat as elegantly as he could.
"My grandson only inford of your presence an hour ago. Fortunately, we had ti to dine together." Hendrick smiled and started to cut his food.
He was in good spirits. To be able to share a al with his grandson's future wife was an impressive feat. Since Moulin's return, they haven't been able to interact properly, especially given the recent challenging circumstances. Fortunately, his grandson had presented him with a valuable opportunity, and Hendrick was determined to make the most of this chance.
Moulin responded with a kind smile. With Hendrick's friendly urging, Moulin ate.
"Good morning, my lords."
A familiar voice greeted, followed by entering a certain person. Moulin lifted his gaze and sees Varick, garbed handsoly in his uniform. While approaching with unhurried steps, the man smiled at the two people at the table.
"Varick, it is a splendid morning indeed." Lord Hendrick grinned while glancing at the beauteous youth at his side.
Moulin was about to ask about Hadrian when the man himself walked into the room. Lord Hadrian Hercullio t Moulin's eyes as he approached the table. Just as Moulin was about to utter a word, Hadrian leaned in, capturing Moulin's lips with a swift and unexpected kiss.
"Good morning..."
The youth froze.
Hendrick's eyes are bright and proud while Varick only cleared his throat as he stationed himself further from the table.
A red flush filled Moulin's face. He was embarrassed and tried his best to act natural. That kiss was uncalled for!
Hadrian took a seat opposite Moulin, and the trio gathered for a leisurely breakfast together. Faced with the two prominent n from the Hercullio Arch nobility, Moulin could not help but feel out of place. Although the grandfather and grandson possessed a unique aura, Moulin could see the similarities in how they eat and act.
Both cut their at gently yet accurately with two strokes. Moulin even witnessed them drinking at the sa ti. Moulin couldn't help but wear a faint smile as he observed these mirrored gestures.
Varick positioned himself by Hadrian's side, taking on the responsibility of detailing the day's plans. As Varick unfolded the schedule, elucidating each point with precision, Grandfather Hendrick absorbed the information, his interest piqued by the combination of engaging conversation and delightful flavors.
"My Lord, you have yet to finish packing your study. If you fail to finish it today, you know you will regret it later." Varick reminded Lord Hendrick.
The old man only scoffed. "I know when I'm going to finish it. It's just a few old things."
Hadrian indifferently gave a side-long glance. "Garbage will not sort itself."
"..."
Moulin tilted his head, turning to Lord Hendrick. "Do you need help, My Lord?"
In an instant, Lord Hendrick's eyes brightened. "Ah, if it's not too much trouble, my dear. Please. It is too difficult for an old man to do alone."
Moulin nodded with a smile.
Varick and Hadrian resisted the urge to react. The man, who was hell bent of doing the work himself for fear of anyone touching his precious relics, strangely asked for help. This sly old man...
Hadrian did not refute. Moulin would need sothing to distract himself. It is an excellent opportunity.
After the al, Hadrian ca behind Moulin and said. "I will take my leave. Your guards will arrive shortly, so there's no need to worry."
"I will be fine..." Moulin showed a helpless smile and shalessly reached out to pinch the man's cheek. "Go on and attend to your duties."
Moulin imdiately turned around after exacting his revenge. Oblivious to him, the edges of his ears reddened tenderly.
Hadrian paused for a few seconds before revealing an amused smile. He turned to Varick. "Let's go."
Varick jumped in response, nodding quickly as he hurriedly followed the High Lord out of the room. Watching the scene, Lord Hendrick glanced at Moulin in amusent. Ah, young love. Perhaps it would not be long before the two would tie the knot. The family will expand rrily.
...
Lord Hendrick led Moulin towards his study. The old patriarch warmly ignited a compelling conversation about his 'heavy' task. Moulin learned that he wished to accompany Hadrian to the stronghold. However, the High lord was against it. In Hadrian's absence, soone had to stay and take his place as the High Lord of Helios. Unfortunately, Lord Hendrick was the person burdened with the duty.
Varick was another trusted aid, but he refused and chose to follow Hadrian to the stronghold, swearing his everlasting loyalty to the High Lord.
Moulin lowered his gaze. The individuals set to join the alliance within the Royal stronghold were those prepared to confront death. Whether enticed by potential rewards or motivated by the urge to battle demons, it was certain that death lood on the horizon for them.
When they arrived at the lord's study, Moulin didn't expect to face a storage room.
"..."
Truthfully, if lord Hendrick did not emphasize that this room was indeed his study, Moulin really wouldn't believe him. Columns of books and thick docunts stood stacked, and chests, untouched and covered in a layer of dust, were arranged in a similar fashion. Unidentifiable artifacts were scattered across the floor and piled in corners.
Altogether, Moulin could hardly believe this was his grace's study.
"Don't mind the things on the floor. I've been attempting to sort them by category. Well, I'm still working on it. I hate to leave this work to a stranger's hands. One never knows what they might handle," Lord Hendrick huffed while he trudged towards the lonely desk at the end of the room.
"..."
They probably need an army to empty out the room.
"Co on. Keep up."
Moulin blinked. He assessed the room once more before resigning to his fate. Moulin carefully followed Lord Hendrick, but found it difficult to move around the ss. Only after he copied the man's weird way of trudging through the clutter did Moulin, reach the desk.
Lord Hendrick tasked Moulin of collecting the scattered things that fell out of the chests and to clean up the tables filled with stacks of untouched books and papers. When Moulin got there, he counted the number of opened chests. There were more than twenty of them and looked as though soone was frantically searching sothing inside and ended up emptying the whole chest.
Every single one of them was in the sa state.
"..."
Moulin began to regret asking for help.
...
After two hours, Moulin rolled his shoulders in an attempt to ease of the aches in them. He groaned and rubbed his face, trying to rub off the weariness in his mind. His bottom ached from sitting too long and he swore his face was filled with streaks of dust.
Cough!
Moulin coughed and shook his head. He smiled helplessly. Well, it was better off than doing nothing for a whole day. To distract himself from his helpless situation, Moulin succumbed into his curiosity.
His eyes gaze at the elaborate spines of the thick books aligned at the end of the table. Books about dicine, law, business. and history. So were researches about creatures and mana. Old docunts mostly took up the entire space of the table. Moulin glanced at the last open chest and started to pack the books inside it.
He almost finished up when a golden glint among the old worn tos caught his eye. He squinted his gaze slightly and dug through the pile underneath the table. His hand pulled out a leather chest adorned with golden locks. Its front is embellished with the Hercullian Family crest. Moulin turned around to look for Lord Hendrick, but realized that he was the only one in the room.
"..."
Dainty fingers carefully caressed the dusty chest. Hesitantly, he blew off the dust and toyed with the locks. It wasn't even locked properly. The opening had a gap which fueled Moulin curiosity even more.
Moulin slowly pushed open the lid and was greeted by a puff of dust.
Cough! Cough!
Moulin squinted his eyes while waving away the dust. His nose was itchy, but he ignored it and looked over the contents of the chest.
A golden shine was reflected within his silver pupils. One would think he had found treasure. However, Moulin wasn't sure what he had discovered. The contents seed very expensive.
A few books and papers and a large rolled up object which seed to be made of so thick material. It is when Moulin touched it and wiped off the dust did he realized it was weaved wool. Compelled to discover, Moulin carefully lifted and unraveled it. His heartbeat quickened abnormally.
A gasp left his mouth.
A luxurious tapestry depicting a realistic golden dragon spewing scorching flas unto its demonic enemies. The creature's scales shimring with a lifelike brilliance. The majestic creature soared gracefully above a sea of golden clouds, creating an ethereal gateway to what seed like the celestial realms.
The picture oozed with might and glory, eradicating malevolence with every flaming lick. The gold seed to be infused with mana, giving the dragon a breath of life.
srised, Moulin looked in awe, unable to tear his gaze away from the awe-inspiring spectacle that unfolded before him.
"Ah, you found it."
Moulin jumped in fright. He snapped his head towards the voice with wide eyes.
Lord Hendrick bent down with a smile on his face.
"It is our family's precious heirloom."
Heirloom? Moulin blinked, recovering from his shock.
The lord turned to gaze at the tapestry in Moulin's hands. His eyes deepened and undescribable emotions surged inside him.
"Our family's great master. The Golden Dragon of War."
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