...
"My clothes?" Silver eyes blinked. The youth stared at the calm young woman before him for a few seconds.
Wearing a calm expression, Lady Celeste nodded. "Yes. For to show you, I'm afraid I must request you to remove your garnts."
A crease appeared between the youth's slender brows. He felt a brief sense of apprehension as he looked at her. However, the priestess didn't seem to sense the strangeness of her request. Furthermore, she suddenly stood up and slowly approached him, making Moulin a bit nervous. Nevertheless, his emotions didn't show on his face, and he silently began to unbutton his shirt.
Fair skin was gradually revealed to the warm air of the room. The vibrant sunlight caressed his skin, making him appear otherwordly and ethereal. There was softness in his muscles and fluidity in the shape of his bones. Lady Celeste assessed his body with her gaze until she noticed the crystal shard embedded in his chest. Moulin felt her eyes fall and silently observed her expression.
What was she planning to do?
The priestess went and sat on the space beside him. Her deep eyes had a calm inquisitiveness in them. Moulin wondered what she was currently thinking.
"May I?" She spoke, and the silent youth nodded in response.
Her fingertips reached out and gently touched the cold surface of the crystal. At that mont, Moulin felt a sudden wave of coldness wash over his body. Then briefly, powerful energy thrumd enthusiastically inside him. He felt his flesh shake and his mind buzz.
Startled, Moulin recoiled from her touch and grasped his chest. Lady Celeste's eyes widened slightly. "Did you feel that?"
With his brows drawn together, the youth narrowed his eyes at her. "...What did you do?"
"The strength of your feeling tells that, deep down, you have already recognized." Lady Celeste withdrew her hand, restoring her composure.
"What did you touch.." Moulin unconsciously touched the crystal on his chest. Was it supposed to do that? He thought this thing only monitored his mana and tracked his location.
The priestess looked away and reached out to pour herself a cup of tea. She spoke. "It was your divine essence. I rely tested your awareness of the celestial vein inside you. You must recognize the remnant of the divine in your flesh and soul and use it to bridge the gap between your mortality and the blessing."
Moulin frowned, turned away, took his shirt, and began dressing. "And how exactly do I do that?"
"Call for him."
Moulin's fingers on the last button stopped. He turned to face the expressionless priestess beside him. Call Morhas?...
...Can he do that?
As far as he rembered, Morhas had been silent for too long. Ever since he forcibly separated himself and Moulin long ago, the youth hadn't heard of him.
"Don't underestimate your voice's worth." Lady Celeste spoke, pulling Moulin from his thoughts. "The task may be arduous, but with strong focus and faith, it is not impossible. You have communicated with Galadin before, have you not?"
Moulin gave a deprecating scoff. "It is different. Galadin was willing to communicate with ."
"And Morhas does not?"
"..." Moulin furrowed his brows. "I don't know. He does not speak to . At least, not anymore."
Lady Celeste keenly listened for more, and with hesitation, the youth began narrating his experiences with previous dreams of Morhas and his soothing guidance. The words flow effortlessly from his mouth, and as one listens longer, it is as though they were there to feel and experience it themselves. Celeste's eyes deepened as she lowered her gaze, touching her chin, thoughtfully.
When Moulin finishes, he hears her speak, "The acts of the upper realms are difficult for us, re mortals, to comprehend."
Moulin lowered his gaze, but before he could wallow in helplessness, Lady Celeste continued. She raised her head and gave him a proper look. "But perhaps, with you, it would be different. As the world has beco more and more unpredictable, the impossible isn't far from reach."
She slowly offered him a half-filled teacup. "As you share his divine vein, you, and none other, can find a way. For the only person who can unravel the walls between you and your patron is none other than yourself. And my role shall be your guide by your side."
Moulin took in her words. Comfort filled his chest although his face didn't show it. But then he felt confused. This woman had seed to garner hostility against him. Although it seed unnoticeable, Moulin was perceptive enough to feel it multiple tis. Or perhaps, he had misunderstood her?
"Tomorrow, we shall begin by cleansing your ridians." She began while she glanced at the bright windows, illuminating the study. "Furthermore, you will find it helpful in your training with His Holiness, Na'El. The court is expecting results as soon as possible."
Silver eyes deepened, "Are they going to interfere?"
"No," Lady Celeste shook her head. "They will convey the results from your seclusion on the day the Silver Scepter will be formally announced to the public."
At the sa ti? Perhaps to comfort the people with the presence of the legion and my role. Moulin lets out a breath. He felt as though he was carrying a thousand boulders on his shoulders. The pressure forces him down no matter how hard he tries to keep himself upright. However, his face remained calm and unperturbed. If only one could unravel the firm mask and discover the turmoil within.
Lady Celeste shared a few pieces of advice with him, secretly realizing how quieter the young man beside him had beco. The skin between her brows wrinkled as she watched the youth caress the snow-white fox resting on his lap.
As the sunset rays started to show through the windows, Moulin stood before the door and bade goodbye to the elegant priestess.
"Starting tomorrow and every day after, I shall be here at this very hour, waiting." She spoke so gently as though comforting a troubled child. Moulin hoped he wasn't that child. A few comforting words seed far from helpful at the mont. But she put up with him despite her secret hostility, perhaps, he was just thinking too much.
Moulin smiled before he left the room walking, through the loneso hallway. Snow didn't scurry past him like he usually did but kept the sa pace as his master's. The little beast tilted his head, ears drooping slightly. His beady eyes looked concerned and confused. Moulin noticed this and sighed.
I shouldn't be stuck anxious, he thought to himself as he bent down to pick up the little creature into his arms. Instead of feeling like this, he must work hard, clear his mind, and keep his heart at peace.
"Awo?" Snow's little nose nudged Moulin's chin.
The corners of the youth's mouth turned up, "We're okay..."
'We're alright...' Moulin continued walking as his shadows stretched across the floor.
"His downtrodden expression could wilt flowers" Na'El lowered his gaze from the little figure walking through the windows. He stood in the distance while gently stroking a delicate plant's little leaf. The woman by his side gradually shook her head with a sigh.
"His progress is well. But his heart is difficult to ta. It is like a vibrant candle fla, a gentle breeze could extinguish it."
Na'El smiled, "My Lady, although that is the case, this delicate fla could also scorch wastelands if provoked."
"But it is rebellious and righteous." Lady Calanthe nodded. As she spoke, the wooden staff in her grasp thrumd silently. She agreed, the young man was determined as well.
Na'El only turned away. "The court seed more accepting of the Silver Scepter's progress. But Lord Hyantor's actions are causing trouble. How do you think the n would fare before the rage of darkness?"
"Ah, their determined eyes are more than a comfort. They will do well with the venerable golden dragon's guidance."
"Lord Hercullio is unstable." Na'El declared.
"It is a setback we can overco. I heard my dear friend was finally found." Lady Calanthe's eyes are filled with mirth. Even the staff in her hand, began to shake.
The elven oracle blinked and revealed a sincere smile, "I am gladdened. It seed he never lost hope even when stranded. His presence shall be a great aid to Lord Hercullio."
"I agree."
The two imrsed themselves in the silently thriving garden. A single moon flower swayed towards them as if hearing their conversation. Its vibrant center shimred casting dust of pure mana into the air.
The days within the realm passed. Moulin realized the day within the realm could be different from the world outside. The thought made him anxious causing him to destroy the mind forge's formation multiple tis. He was able to compose himself before Na'El's watchful observation. Gradually, his hold on his emotions beca smoother.
Lady Calanthe's fervent teachings slowly beca stricter the deeper they ventured into the book of Orchaedia. In one instance, the youth spoke the wrong wording and almost covered the realm in flesh-eating frost. The panic in his eyes disappointed Lady Calanthe when she destroyed the spell with a single tap from the end of her staff. The gentle scolding he received felt more shaful than any hurtful scolding he had received throughout his life. From that mont on, Moulin felt himself beco stricter with the use of his mana, no longer allowing his emotions to influence his spell castings.
Slowly, Moulin felt more whole. His parents were well and he knew his brothers could take care of themselves. Although he missed his interactions with the soldiers and people he held dear in his heart, he knew they were more focused on their role in this war.
However, a certain person frequently drifted into his mind. One night, Moulin found himself sitting by the windows gazing down at the garden where he could observe the twinkling lonely flower.
"It has been too long. Does he not have the gall to face anymore?" Moulin muttered. His beauteous face remained calm and a serene aura surrounded him. If only one could not see the deep silvery pupils darkening.
"Young master, the lord..." Ordan who had just entered the room was frozen in his steps.
The hesitating tone in his voice dissipated the youth's anger, instantly replacing it with worry. Moulin turned around and faced him. "What happened? Did sothing happen to him?"
Recalling the corruption in Hadrian's body, Moulin was struck with concern.
Noticing the strangeness in the youth's voice, Ordan approached and pressed a gentle hand on his shoulder, distracting Moulin from his thoughts. "Lord Hercullio is well. However, he has been kept busy with the legion's affairs."
The youth's brows furrowed slightly. He felt a bit relieved with the news but he wanted to know if Hadrian had even spared so ti to take care of himself. "I take it he hasn't been sleeping well?"
Ordan hesitated. "He's... been staying up late quite frequently, yes. But Sir Varick is there to watch over his health."
Although his health seed to be the last thing in the lord's mind, a month had already passed since the legion had been ford. They were making great progress but it was far from reaching the High Lord's expectations. Lord Hyantor has strengthened his alliance with Helios through armory production and it caused so tension between them and High Table. It seed like Lord Hercullio had his hands tied between losing Lord Hyantor's support and losing the royals' trust.
"If his absence has upset you, I shall inform him right away." Ordan lowered his head.
Moulin shook his head and drew his gaze back to the window with deep eyes. "No, have Colahn stationed by his side with Varick."
Ordan's eyes are filled with confusion. He spoke as his brows were drawn together. "Colahn? The seer? How can he-?
"Hadrian will understand. Tell him I gave the order. And also..."
Ordan watched as Moulin suddenly stood up, taking sothing from the bedside drawer before handing it to him. It was a small thrice-folded paper. What made it interesting was the thin layer of frost encasing the folded letter. When Ordan touched it, he expected the biting cold to attack his fingertips. Instead, it had a soothing cool touch, comfortable against his skin.
"Don't get any ideas of opening it. I'll know. Deliver it to him." Moulin spoke, glancing at a certain white fur-ball climbing unto the bed, patiently staring at him with round eyes.
Ordan's gaze lowered. "If you wish, I can tell you expected his presence-"
Moulin shook his head once more, "It is not necessary. He must focus on his task as I will do with mine. Let him take his ti. There are matters more significant that must be resolved."
The man t Moulin's unwavering gaze, trying to find a trace of reluctance. Unfortunately, he found none.
"I will do as you asked, young master."
The youth smiled faintly.
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