Chapter 276: Let Me Talk To Them


    The ominous ticking of the clock sounded dreadful to one''s ears. The daring silence was the only thing against it. As usual, no moonlight beamed through the ss windows, no matter how clean and shiny it was.


    A man sat on his chair and turned his grey eyes to the windows. The line of ck, a portion of the ck cloud ring, entered his gaze. It was thinner than before, as though fading away. It sparked the curiosity of hundreds. The ck cloud ring was gradually disappearing. They didn''t know if it was a good sign or not. Maxille didn''t care to pay attention to it. His mind remained to be drawn by his little brother''s appalling words.


    However, Maxille remained calm despite the horrid look Emlen was directing at Moulin. The second lord widened his eyes in disbelief. He looked as if he would choke as soon as he allowed himself to breathe.


    Moulin sat quietly with a worried expression. Truthfully, Hadrian had suggested informing his brothers about Moulin joining the expedition. However, Moulin thought chaos would break out if Hadrian did. Thus, Moulin decided to tell Maxille and Emlen himself. And he was sitting on the couch, finishing his words and patiently waiting for their response. The silence was dreadful. He could not but brace himself. Emlen looked as if he would go off like a bomb. Maxille was strangely calm... A bad thing, Moulin thought. He could not read his eldest brother''s expression.


    "Do you know what you are saying?" Maxille finally spoke. His voice is stern but not cruel.


    Feeling tested, Moulin nodded. His heart is drumming. "Yes..."


    Emlen sank to his seat. He ran a hand over his face, lowering his head. Moulin was slightly worried as he took in the sight of Emlen. Was it too much for them to bear?


    "You..." Emlen suddenly spoke. He refused to meet Moulin''s eyes. Head lowered, and a cloud of gloom surrounds his body. Moulin shifted ufortably. An uneasy feeling washes inside him. Will he be receiving a scolding again?


    A deep sigh escaped Emlen''s mouth. It was loud and somehow made Moulin nervous.


    Grey eyes finally lifted, smoldered with intensity. "Do you have any idea how dangerous the expedition is? Of whates at the border of Meian?"


    Moulin furrowed his brows, and he nodded. "I understand..."


    "Do you really?" Emlen muttered. "You have not a single idea about what''s out there. The kron, malibreeds, malefics, demons, thieves, and not to mention those sick bastards who seize survivors."


    Ellen sped his hands together. He lifted his eyes. It was as if he just saw the morbidity before him during those eight dreadful years. The fear in his eyes for Moulin was exceptionally evident, exposed to Moulin''s eyes. His voice was hoarse as he spoke. "Why do you want to go?"


    Moulin stopped. His silver eyes lowered, and he stared down his hands as Emlen''s intense gaze grew even more profound.


    A five-second silence filled the entire room.


    Emlen''s eyes narrowed. "It''s because Hadrian, isn''t it?"


    Moulin furrowed his brows. He gave a faint smile. "Do you think I''m foolish?"


    Emlen gritted his teeth. "This isn''t a joke for you to-"


    "I think..."


    Maxille''s voice suddenly rose. Moulin and Emlen were silenced as they turned to their eldest brother. The Fraunces Lord sighed as he faced his brothers. "Moulin should go..."


    ...


    Moulin blinked. Emlen''s eyes widened.


    "What?!" Emlen''s voice boomed throughout the room. The shock appeared to electrify him, making him jerk up from his seat. He couldn''t believe what Maxille had said.


    "You''re considering this?! Are you out of your mind?"


    "Emlen... " Maxille drew eyebrows together. A frown formed on his face. "Calm yourself before I make you." He warned before he continued. His grey eyes nced at Moulin with a severe look.


    "The expedition must not fail. The person who can ensure that is Lord Hadrian himself. With Moulin''s aid, the journey will hopefully be smoother. Moulin might not have honed his abilities for thest years, but he''s more powerful than he is before. He''s also a purifier. The group will need him, and they will not bear to reject his aid."


    Emlen was persistent. Anger filled his eyes. "Do you even hear yourself? He had just returned to us. He was ''dead'' before he came back to us. He had just returned from beyond the walls, and now... you want to send him back out there? And for god sake, it''s the Meian borders! People die even before they could cross it." He red at Maxille.


    He continued, "I am not underestimating Moulin''s power. However, the risks are too great."


    Grey eyes quivered as they shifted to Moulin. Dread swam within those ashen pupils. "I don''t want to lose you again."


    "Brother..." Moulin furrowed his brows. His fingers clenched, and his thoughts were chaotic. He didn''t want his family to worry about him anymore, and yet here he was, troubling them with his decisions. He hadn''t changed.


    "That''s why you will be protecting him during the journey." Maxille''s voice abruptly cut off Moulin''s thoughts. The eldest brother tilted his head with raised eyebrows.


    "..."


    Moulin blinked. Wait...


    Emlen clenched his jaw. His gaze was as sharp as a de, seeing where this conversation was going. "I will not allow Moulin to join this expedition. It''s too dangerous."


    "It''s not up to you, is it?" Maxille sighed. "With you there beside him during the journey, I will be at ease. Furthermore, I am certain Lord Hadrian will do everything if it means to protect our little brother from harm. We have seen quite enough proof."


    Maxille sighed. He leaned back, gazing at his young brother. "You understand..."


    "..."


    Emlen clenched his fists. He didn''t respond. Letting out a sigh, he nced at Moulin before he turned around and left the office.


    Moulin sighed as he kneaded his temples, softly muttered. "I am not a child."


    Maxille shook his head as he rose from his seat. "You being our precious little brother does not change. In our eyes, you are still our family''s child. Mother would agree if she were here." He chuckled faintly.


    Moulin furrowed his eyebrows as he stood up. "I didn''t know Emlen would join the expedition."


    "He''s a strong warrior. He''s been to thends even before Helios was built. Emlen is skilled in navigating through terrains. They need him." Maxille pped Moulin''s shoulder with a gentle look in his eyes.


    However, Moulin wasn''tforted. The thought that his elder brother will be joining him in this life-threatening journey worries him.


    The softness in Maxille''s eyes grew. He chuckled as he rubbed his younger brother''s head. "Look, if Emlen hadn''t joined the group, I wouldn''t agree to send you out there. At least, I will be at ease to know you will protect each other and return safely to us."


    Moulin nodded. "I promise we wille back safely."


    "I will remember this. You better not break it." Maxille smiled. Afterwards, he turned back to his desk to collect his coat. "Let''s go."


    "Where?" Confused, Moulin watched as Maxille approach him with a smile.


    The Fraunces only gave a smile. "Join me in my visit to father''s room. I only hope he''s awake at this time."


    Hearing about visiting their father together, Moulin walked by his brother''s side. They left the room together, leaving the warmth of the dim light within the office.