Chapter 211: Infection


    "My precious son, how are you?"


    Her voice sounded like siren songs and the strum of melodious harps. Her words echoed vibrantly. It vibrated within Moulin''s heart, resounding strongly. The youth who stood before the mirror inhaled sharply. As though he was mustering all of his courage to reply to his mother. Slightly, delicate fingers trembled, and he refused to let any tears fall. But regardless, he knew his mother would want him to. To let go and cry in her arms.


    But she wasn''t here.


    Silver eyes lowered. A guilty expression filled his face as he slightly bent his neck. He wanted to cry out so much, but he clenched his hands and held all of them in.


    From the other side of the mirror, Lady Maxiel''s heart ached at the vulnerable form of her youngest child. She sat at her husband''s desk. A circr mirror, mounted on a golden stand, was situated on the desk before her. Fiddling on her skirt were her hands, hidden under the table.


    "Raise your head, Moulin." She said while revealing a warm smile. "And look at me..."


    Lips pressed together. There was reluctance. However, Moulin raised his head and revealed his tearful eyes. Like dazzling liquid silver, swirling, filled with sorrow. Flesh-eating guilt and unwanted confidence. For some time, he had wondered if choosing was correct. Was he wrong?


    ...


    "I''m sorry..."


    He subconsciously voiced out. Forcefully steeling himself to face the woman within the mirror.


    Lady Maxiel furrowed her eyebrows. A wrinkle on her fair forehead. With helpless eyes, she sighs. "Why are you apologizing?... "


    "I''m sorry for leaving home. For being unfilial, disrespectful, arrogant. I''m sorry for abandoning my family... I''m sorry for hurting you..." Moulin mutters as he raised a hand to cover half of his face. His gaze lowers, and he bit his lips.


    "..."


    Lady Maxiel widened her eyes. For a brief moment, her gaze flickers ahead of her before she returns to watch her son.


    "Moulin... you did not hurt us..."


    The youth only responded with silence and a lowered head. He didn''t believe it.


    Seeing this, Lady Maxiel smiled helplessly. "Truthfully, your disappearance shocked us."


    The youth flinched. However, thedy''s words continued.


    "But it didn''t make us hate you. We would never hate you, Moulin. We love you so much that it is too difficult even to dislike you."


    "Please, don''t jest," Moulin furrows his brows as he lifted his head. There was a hint of reluctance in his voice. Lady Maxiel didn''t miss it.


    A chuckle left thedy''s lips. Her eyes turned warm and relieved. Like a warm gushing spring, water had burst out of the earth. With a smile, she spoke. Her hand stopped moving asfort settled in her heart. She could not help but find her son''s reactions cute.


    "My son, how are you?"


    Moulin paused for a few seconds before he wiped the damp corners of his eyes. "I am well, mother..."


    With hesitation, he continued. "How... Is father and my brothers?"


    Maxiel knitted her brows as her eyes slightly turned hooded. "They are well. However, barely bright than they used to. It seems that it proves your presence in this household vital. They act like little boys grumbling and sulking."


    Moulin wrinkled his forehead. His mother''s joking voice didn''t prate his head. Instead, he thought that the statement was dreadful and unbelievable.


    "Do they..." Moulin hesitated with pursed lips.


    His mother shook his head, perceiving what his son really meant to say. "No, they don''t hate you, Moulin."


    "But... They must be very disappointed..."


    "Perhaps..." Lady Maxiel straightened her neck and stared at the view before her. The ''sulky little boys'' were sitting on the velvet couches with lowered heads as they carefully listened to Moulin''s voice. Their simr gray eyes were downcast. Worry, fear and sorrowyered their eyes.


    Moulin sighed. He stared at his feet.


    "However, they waited every day for you to return home. Wild dogs, they are. Foolish and stupid. Letting a woman to quiet their fits and p them awake." She narrowed his eyes, noticing the men in the room flinch at the disappointed tone of her voice. "Moulin, you should never grow up to be like those fools. Don''t learn from their stupidness." Her eyes softened, and her smile grew wider. "Be who you want to be. Whoever it is you want to be with, I''m sure... " Lady Maxiel''s eyes slightly became reluctant and sorrowful, "He would treat you well... I believe you..."


    Moulin''s eyes moistened as he heard those words. Surprise and shock filled his countenance as well. "Mother... Are you..."


    Lady Maxiel smiled, "I think he is a good person. Last night, he came to greet us. Although it was unannounced, he treated us well. I believe there is... a little good in him." Inside her chest, her heart pounded.


    Suddenly, the atmosphere within the study turned grim. Lord Fraunces grasped the armrest of the couch tightly. His knuckles turned white at the force. Emlen and Maxille''s expressions weren''t less simr to their father''s. The punk marched in here unannounced along with his knights! They were outnumbered and cornered. If it weren''t because of that bastard''s spy, they would have had the upper hand.


    Before the massive mirror, Moulin''s eyes were wide and bright. Disbeliefyered his face. A bright flush spreads it from his rosy cheeks. What he heard... seemed unbelievable to him.


    "Thank you, mother." Moulin could only speak these words. Unsure of what he should reply.


    His mother epted their rtionship?


    Hadrian visited themst night?


    Moulin stopped. That night... Was the night Hadrian didn''t return as he had promised Moulin. Silver eyes widened in realization. It turns out he had... Went to the estate?


    Warmth spilled inside his chest.


    A sudden smile broke unto his face. Moulin didn''t know. Hadrian had actually visited his family to clear things out.


    However, it sounded unnatural and sudden. How could his mother ept him so easily?


    Furrowing his brows, Moulin worriedly faced his mother. "And father? My elder brothers?"


    "They are well. I believe..." Lady Maxiel forced out a smile.


    "Oh..." Moulin expected that answer.


    His father couldn''t possibly forgive the son of the madman that murdered his father. But Hadrian isn''t his father. Although they shared the same blood, Hadrian wasn''t that kind of -


    Out of the blue, the memory of the ck de, raised to the air to draw blood and kill a life, shed into his eyes. Ruthless and without hesitation.


    Moulin shook his head. An awkward smile graced his face. Slowly, he lifted his gaze and softened his eyes.


    "Are you alright? " Moulin asked, quickly switching the topic. "I... heard the matter of Kron breaching the estate''s walls."


    His mother stopped. Her lips parted as her eyes slightly widened in surprise. It must have been that man Hadrian who have told him. With a sigh, she nodded. "Yes... We are well."


    "Then... perhaps, I cane and visit you-"


    "NO!"


    The word echoed powerfully within the vast room, like the roaring thunderps of dark clouds and the bellows of giant ferocious beasts. It made the walls vibrate with might. And Moulin''s heart as well.


    The youth stiffened at the loudness of his mother''s voice. Confusion and shock filled his appearance. His foot took a step backwards. His mother''s strong reaction made him waver.


    Lady Maxiel abruptly stood up from her seat, knocking down the chair and holding the mirror tightly. Her fingernails scraped the mirror''s surface, threatening to break the ss surface. But the thought that she could never see her son again if the mirror shatters made her stop. Fear gripped her heart.


    Moulin''s surprised expression finally entered her eyes. Fear filled her mind, and he desperately whispered, "No. Y-You must not. Don''t return. Don''t think of doing it. It... It''s dangerous. It would be best if you stayed safe. You will be alright if you stay there..."


    "Mother?" Moulin blinked in confusion. "Is it because of the restriction from the pce? I can be discreet. It won''t be a problem to-"


    "Moulin..." Lady Maxiel steeled her expression. "Listen to your mother. It is dangerous here. Please..." Her eyes seemed like they were pleading. "...Don''te."


    ...


    Why?


    Wariness enveloped his spirit. But he... A good son to his kind mother must heed his elders.


    Therefore, with a slight bow of his head, he responded. "I understand, Mother..."


    ...


    "Moulin. My sweet child..." A smile stretches in the Lady''s gentle countenance. There was guilt hidden behind those worried eyes, but she didn''t regret her words. "It''s for your safety..."


    "Mn..." Moulin nodded with a lowered head.


    Am I doing the right thing? Lady Maxiel thought worriedly. Helplessness faintly adorned her features. "I would like it if we have more time to talk, Moulin..."


    The youth instantly lifted his eyes. "You''re leaving?"


    "You are situated somewhere very far from here. The mana won''tst, my dear." She exined. "Please... Come to me tomorrow..."


    "Yes, Of course! I will, mother." Hope filled the youth''s eyes. He nodded his head. "I won''t bete..."


    After a few exchanges of farewells, The mirror returned to its original state. However, Moulin kept his eyes on the mirror. He was staring and feeling as though his mother''s voice lingered in the air.


    I won''t bete...


    Moulin slowly covered his face with both hands. His expression was unknown.


    Meanwhile, behind the doors, A particr young man stood before the tall windows. The daylight casted a halo around his back. Majestic and dominating. One would be fearful of approaching him.


    He was still and calmly staring at the view of the ocean and the sky. Like a firm pir, he could not be moved.


    But when faint footsteps entered his ears. The man slightly lowered his gaze. It was when the doors of the room opened that he turned around to meet the face of the person he was waiting for.


    What weed him was the youth''s arms, stretched out, and abruptly embracing his waist. The lovely young man pressed his soft cheek on the lord''s muscr chest. A smile adorned his face as he closes his eyes.


    Lord Hadrian raised his brows slightly, "How delighted you are..."


    "Thank you..." Moulin whispered.


    Hadrian stopped. His golden eyes scrutinized the youth. A brilliant gleam shed within it. "Anything for you..."


    A scoff. Moulin pursed his lips. How unoriginal...


    .............................


    Crash!


    The couch exploded into fragments against the terrible strength of Lord Dontae''s foot. Wood and torn fabric littered the carpet.


    He cursed under his breath as he lifted his chin and held his forehead. Distress and frustration filled his expression. "He dared to fool my son!"


    "Father." Maxille stood up from his seat. A ferocious aura surrounded him as he clenched his fists. "It appears Moulin isn''t aware of our situation..."


    The second young master, Emlen, held his head with both hands as he sat. Boiling rage filled his veins. "How can he? The fucker has manipted him. Moulin cannot escape from him. And even if he does, ''he'' will find Moulin."


    "Silence all of you..." Lady Maxiel sat on the chair her attendant had fixed for her. "Moulin isn''t a fool. I know he wille to." With worried eyes, she nced at her husband. "Trust him..."


    ...


    Lord Dontae stared at his wife. A sigh escapes his mouth as he pinches the bridge of his nose. "Yes... Lord Hercullio might have threatened us with Moulin''s life, but Moulin isn''t one to be easily fooled. Perhaps, he''s already suspected him."


    The three men continued to converse while the attendant offered tea to Lady Maxiel. "Madam?"


    Lady Maxiel stared at the cup of tea and sighed. "Thank you..." Their hands brushed as she epted the cup of tea.


    The liquid could barely soothe her heart as she drank it. Thedy helplessly lifted her eyes and nced at the maid. "Are you cold?" Slowly, she scrutinized the maid''s fully-clothed body. Even her neck was covered with a high cor.


    The attendant stilled. She paled but forced out a smile. "Yes, mydy..."


    Lady Maxiel muttered to her pieces of advice before she joined her family''s discussion. The female servant pulled the cuffs of her sleeves nervously.