Silver eyes were brimming with suspicion as they stared at the person of royalty before them. The youth's deep gaze made the prince as still as a tree trying to resist the storm threatening to uproot it. Understanding Moulin's doubts, he composes himself while still presenting the purple gem to the young man.
The prince stretched out his fingers, and his mana thrumd in the air surrounding Moulin. His mana morphs into dust-like particles, fluttering in the air and transforming into three magic runes
"No, it is not like that, young master. You see, this is a concealnt shard. It doesn't constrict your mana at all. I swear it. The charms cast are for your protection, tracking, and mana analysis. Nothing more." The prince explained.
Moulin narrowed his gaze and eyed the gemstone. It doesn't seem to be a mana stone. Perhaps just an ordinary gemstone that was infused with charms. When one looked at it closer, one would see a vibrant blue hue swirling within the gem. Moulin felt the power thriving within. Nevertheless, Moulin felt unsettled.
Prince Vascilicus furrowed his brows, uneasily observing the young man's expression. If Moulin were to reject the stone, he didn't know how he would persuade the youth. But he would try all he could.
"Where will you embed it?" Moulin questioned.
Surprised by the unexpected question, the prince blinked. "Oh?"
"Its design doesn't look like any kind of mana jewelry." Tessley thoughtfully spoke, leaning to get a closer look at the artifact. The Royal Alliance must have used a lot of resources to create this gem to monitor Moulin.
The prince awkwardly glanced at both of them and stuttered as he tried to explain. "This gem will be implanted into the skin. I've been assured it won't cause any pain. It needs to be positioned where the focal and concentrated mana within your inner soul is situated so that it can perform effectively. It is important that the young master must wear it every day."
He pointed at the center of Moulin's chest, "Here."
The silver-eyed young man fell into a contemplative silence, eyeing the gemstone. On his chest? It was the first ti that he'd tried these kinds of magical contraptions before. Typically, ordinary mana accessories didn't necessitate constant wearing. Yet, for this particular gem artifact, it appeared challenging for the wearer to remove it independently.
Moulin subconsciously touched his chest. It felt quite uncomfortable to have soone other than Hadrian touch a vulnerable part of his body.
"Young master?"
In the hushed stillness, the three people awaited his approval, sensing a gradual chill perate the room. It wasn't a good sign.
Moulin blinked slowly and raised his head with a sigh, "Alright..."
Prince Vascilicus' eyes brightened while a sense of relief washed over him.
"It will require another party with seer skills to help the young master wear the gemstone on our body. However, we can't afford to have a stranger beco acquainted with you, particularly given our imminent departure tomorrow. The other magic users and seers are occupied with preparations for the farewell.
I've heard Lady Tessley is recomnded for possessing so skills, and I trust she'll be able to handle the task proficiently."
"?" Tessley raised her brows in surprise. She nodded, "I will do my best."
Moulin and Tessley transferred to the bedroom, leaving Sir Ordan and Prince Vascilicus patiently waiting outside.
With a slight frown, the youth unbuttoned his upper clothes, only bare enough to reveal his pale chest. Tessley coughed, glancing at the young master's body in admiration before carefully removing the gemstone from the ornate box.
"The Royal alliance truly put an effort into this. I didn't believe they had enough resources to craft such refined mana stone." Tessley explained while delicately holding the gem's two elongated points between her thumb and index finger.
"It appears they are rich enough to create this after all." Moulin eyed the stone that Tessley began to place against the center of his chest.
The blue and purple hue glowed slightly, reacting to its host. It cast reflections of light to dance against the youth's smooth skin.
Uttering a small spell, Tessley pressed the gem against the skin. He experienced a brief discomfort as the gem's point made contact, but soon after, the touched area went numb, and a radiant glow enveloped the gem as his body absorbed it.
In under a minute, the gem beca partially embedded in the young man's chest. Tessley finished up and checked the gem and Moulin's skin for any reactions; seeing none, she allowed Moulin to adjust his clothes.
When the door opened, Prince Vascilicus hurriedly questioned Moulin and Tessley if there were any abnormalities. A sigh of relief escaped him upon receiving reassurance. Curiously, Ordan was conspicuously absent from the room.
The gem tingled slightly, making Moulin subconsciously touch his chest. Strangely, it felt weightless, as if the gem wasn't present. Yet, he sensed a soothing flow of magical energy surging within, calming his emotions.
It still felt weird to him. Like an object being branded...
When the prince was about to ask Moulin how he felt, a sudden commotion noised from beyond the doors, reaching their ears. There were endless incoherent shouting as though soone was trying to force themselves into the room.
The three probed with their awareness perception, but before it could reach the door, an explosion of mana spread out, nearly knocking them off their feet. A gust of wind burst the door open.
Ordan guardedly retreated into the room while the intruder stord inside.
"Where is my son?!"
A woman dressed in elegant clothes, hair neatly tucked in a clean updo, raged inside. Her voice resonated within the room, knocking into their ears.
"M-Mother?" Moulin spoke with wide eyes.
The mont Lady Maxiel heard his voice, she spotted him. "My son."
She reached Moulin in only just a couple of steps and pulled him into a quick hug under the eyes of the three people. anwhile, another figure entered the room. Lord Emlen walked inside with a nervous expression.
"Are you alright? Why are you so thin?" Lady Maxiel fussed while she examined Moulin's face, sandwich between her two hands.
"I'm alright..." Thin? I don't feel thin at all.
His two guards and the Prince were still as a rock, observing the situation with surprise.
Ordan admitted, "I couldn't stop her..."
Moulin observed Emlen, who wore a guilty expression. It dawned on him that his mother had figured out the reason behind his frequent absence. While his brothers attempted to shield her emotions, Moulin realized they couldn't conceal his situation from her indefinitely. It seems his second older brother had succumbed to her first.
Moulin cast a quick look at the prince, who promptly gave a nod and gracefully excused himself. With a gesture, he sent away Ordan and Tessley so he could have an intimate, private mont with his family.
"How did this happen? Why you?" Lady Maxiel was on the brink of tears while Moulin led her to the sofa.
"Fate has different paths for , Mother," Moulin explained, heartbroken by the sight of his mother's beautiful, tearful face. "But don't worry. I am well, and they are taking care of ."
"They are taking you away from . How is that alright?"
Emlen couldn't bear it anymore and intervened. "Mother, I told you, you must relax. Moulin's only going to a safer place. If he remains here, he will be constantly targeted. Although I hate that they're sending him away, if it ans he will be safe from harm, I can do nothing but agree."
Moulin thought, 'If you knew where they would be keeping , I wonder how you would react?'
Their mother listened but could not help but feel unsettled and sad. She held Moulin's hands tightly, unable to let go. Her dearest youngest child was going to be sent away, far from her. She couldn't accept it.
Moulin sighed and revealed a soft, reassuring smile, "Mother... believe in . I will be alright."
"Your precious son isn't easy to ss with," Emlen spoke and glanced at Moulin. There was pride in his eyes. "He's stronger than before."
Lady Maxiel looked at her son intently, mapping his mature features. So different than his younger self. He had gone through countless battles without her by his side. He had grown strong and even more beautiful. 'My dear Moulin...'
"Mother will trust you." Lady Maxiel spoke tremblingly. "How can my son not be strong? A child of our family must be dragons and phoenixes. Just... be careful. I don't know what I would do if anything would happen to you."
Moulin nodded and allowed himself to yearn for her embrace. Lady Maxiel smiled softly while she tenderly stroked her youngest son's head. She decided to be stronger for all of her children. So when her husband finally wakes, he will be at ease knowing they are safe and guided.
It's only a pity Moulin wouldn't be able to see his father awake.
Lady Maxiel stayed for a couple of hours, refusing to leave his son's quarters. In the end, Moulin only implored his guards to allow her to stay for dinner. Emlen reluctantly left for he had so unfinished work. He cast one last glance at his younger brother and their mother, imprinting the the harmonious atmosphere in his mind, before he left.
It was late when Moulin walked his Mother towards the door.
"There are little to no information that the seers got from your father's frequent examinations. I fear it is sothing dire." Lady Maxiel inford with a woeful sigh.
Worry etched on Moulin's expression. A though abruptly ca into his mind. "Has Erthyl been accompanying Colahn to father's session?"
"Erthyl? The quiet boy? Oh, yes."
Moulin smiled, "He might be able to help Colahn. Erhtyl has peculiar eyes. If only that man wasn't so stingy to that child. Please pass him these words."
Although confused, Lady Maxiel nodded and was finally escorted away.
Moulin returned to his bedroom and laid down. It was only at night did he let himself wallow in heartache. There were no tears though. Just enduring the painful aching in his chest, biting him. Who knows when he would be able to see his mother again?
Sir Ordan paused at the door before he would retire for the night. His sharp eyes glanced at the youth on the bed, his back turned towards him. Hesitantly, he spoke. "We will depart at dawn, young master..."
"Yes..."
"..." Ordan turned his head. "Good night."
The door closes and Moulin was alone once more.
...
The soft scratching of a fountain pen sounded within the dim room, only illuminated by a single oil lamp. The table was strewn with a multitude of docunts awaiting scrutiny. A man, adjusting his glasses, wrote with a stern expression that could instill fear in anyone.
A knock on the door interrupted him and a person erged.
"My Lord, the instrunts are ready."
Colahn nodded and stood up from the desk. The seer escorted him to another room were a certain slumbering child had woken up from the noise.
"Did I wake you?" Colahn asked helplessly while he adjusted the blanket from the sofa. "i'm sorry you had to sleep here. I'll take you to back after this is over."
Colahn pulled away but was stopped when a small hand clutched at his robe. Erthyl rubbed his eyes as he shook his head, refusing to be left alone.
Colahn's eyes softened. His duties stretched into the late hours, and by the ti he reached Moulin's father's bedroom, night had already fallen. He had dragged Erthyl with him all day. In the end he had tucked the child to sleep in one of the adjoining room of Lord Dontae's bedroom. As the night wore on, nearing dawn, Colahn continued his labor, steadfast and undaunted.
Colahn, unable to part with Erthyl, took the child along into Lord's bedroom. Seating the now wide-awake Erthyl by the bedside, he instructed a subordinate to fetch a soothing drink, hoping it might hasten the child's sleep. Once drowsy, Colahn planned to return him to the adjacent room.
"Stay here for a mont..."
Colahn began to work, taking up one of the magical instrunts his people had just modified to be used to delve into the Lord's conciousness. He turned his back to the bed.
Erthyl blinked, observing Lord Dontae's ashen face in the candlelight. His pupil, usually quivering with fear, now held a dark and unsettling reflection. Abruptly, a firm, disgusted frown replaced his usual timidity.
He reached out a hand, trying to reach for sothing in the air above Lord Dontae's slumbering body. He leaned closer to the lord.
Colahn paused as he felt sothing strange in the air. He turned around.
"Erthyl? What are you doing?"
"..!"
Startled, Erthyl flinched in fright and accidentally fell upon Lord Dontae's body.
A surge of pure mana erupted in the room, toppling Colahn. It felt like a dam had shattered, and the icy mana spilled beyond, reaching even the hallways and startling the guards.
The seer who had approached the door a second before the incident hastily bursted into the room. "My Lord! Did sothing happen- AAAAAH!!"
The seer fell back and scread. Alard by the noise, Colahn hurriedly looked towards the bed and froze in shock.
A sinister and nightmarish entity hovered nacingly over the bed, its grotesque form shrouded in an almost ethereal translucency. As it opened its mouth, revealing two rows of razor-sharp teeth, the trembling child, paralyzed by fear, locked eyes with the monstrous apparition looming above.
As it opened its mouth, revealing two rows of razor-sharp teeth, the trembling child, locked eyes with the monstrous apparition looming above. Erthyl was frozen in fear.
With a blood-curdling roar that reverberated through the room, the creature extended its bony claw nacingly towards Erthyl. Wanting to tear the boy limb from limb.
"..!" Colahn imdiately evoked his mana, casting a quick spell to attack the ghostly creature. The pure mana instantly set the creature on fire.
It's piercing cries almost made their ears bleed. Despite engulfed with its murderous and vengeful desire to kill, it was easily destroyed. The spell ripped it into shreds.
When it finally dissipated, Colahn hurriedly took Erthyl into his arms. The boy cried out in his embrace, shaking in fear. While he consoled the child, he extended his awareness to identify any anomalies.
In the next second, the guards had entered the room, shocked by the concentration of energy. The seer by the door had fainted.
"What in the world..." Colahn muttered, sensing chaotic mana surging within the boy in his arms.
Countless thoughts swirled inside his head. Shocked by the incident, he couldn't even steady his breath.
Then, his eyes accidentally fell upon lord Dontae's face.
Colahn froze.
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