11 || Chapter 11 || Not A Helpless and Coquettish Little Girl

Bright silver eyes widened. Moulin clearly recognized that voice and to whom it belonged to. It was none other than the heir of the Noble Fraunces Household and Moulin's eldest brother. He always looked forward to meeting this man face to face but this wasn't how he expected their reunion to be! Why was he here? How did he get here? How was he able to find me?

Moulin was too distracted with his thoughts that he didn't notice Maxille had strode towards him. Strong and warm arms wrapped around him into a tight hug making him flinch. The stern elder brother that rarely showed his true emotions was now hugging Moulin with unrestrained joy and relief.

"Thank God you are alive..." Maxille whispered to his little brother. He would've been surprised by the tremendous change of his brother's looks but all that didn't matter to him right now. He has found Moulin and he will take him back home where he can be safe and no harm will ever come to him again. He was finally relieved from all the fear and distress oppressing his heart ever since Moulin disappeared. His little brother was safe and Maxille could hear the beating of Moulin's heart loud and full of life.

However, the only reason why it was so loud was because the latter did not know how to react with this startling intimacy. The cold could not stop his face from sweating nervously.

In his previous life, Moulin was an orphan. He was raised in the orphanage, abandoned by his mother who was too young to raise him by herself. Moulin was small, introverted, and timid, the perfect victim to be tyrannized by older children. Even until his death, he has never received the familial affection he had always wished for. And faced with this unexpected situation, he honestly did not know what to do. Yet this felt like the chance of finally having his wish granted.

Moulin's arms wrapped around Maxille's back in response. He felt warm stirrings in his heart like a pleasant and sweet overflowing river. This is actually nice...

Jonac and the rest stared shockingly at the pair of brothers in front of them. T-the third young master is alive?! They could not believe that the young man in white was actually the young master they spent weeks of searching. Thank goodness they hadn't stopped looking, the leading knight was about to suggest of calling off the search the longer they stayed in the north. Right now, he just felt foolish. He could not imagine the life their pampered young master had to go throughout the days living here.

Pulling away, Maxille carefully held his younger brother's shoulders and examined him from top to bottom. His eyes revealed an intense concern that Moulin could not help but stop him. "I'm fine, elder brother". The address was very foreign to Moulin yet it felt pleasing to say.

Maxille narrowed his eyes at him, wondering if Moulin was actually denying his miserable life here in the woods. The sharp gaze of the young Lord's grey eyes fixed on Moulin as if penetrating deep into his skin and entering his soul. "I am neither harmed nor unwell. I am truly alright" Moulin defended, trying his hardest to convince the tall man in front of him. Why does he felt like he had done something unforgiving?

As expected, Maxille still finds him unbelievable even after the words he told. Surviving in the woods is not as easy as living in the mansion. Maxille frowned as he tightened his grip on Moulin's shoulders. "Your hair and your eyes..." This time he closely inspected his brother's countenance. Moulin previously had the same ash brown hair like his mother and the grey eyes of his father but now but what replaced it was thousands of elegant silver-white strands and striking silver pupils. There must be some kind of explanation for this. Stern eyebrows draw in as he wondered why Moulin's appearance seemed very similar to...

"Ao!"

The young lord gazed down and his eyes met with the same silver pupils identical to his brother's. Snow rubbed his furry head on Moulin's calves seeking the attention of his master, who gladly lifted him with his slender arms. The pair of the young man and his fox both stared at Maxille warmly. The picture of the two of them was absolutely stunning that even the knights from far away could not help but stare at them intently. The fox was actually the third young master's beast!. Their thoughts had gone erratic like a waterfall of freezing water heavily pummeling them into the ground.

Moulin had much to say but helplessly found himself dragged by the group towards the temporary headquarters Maxille had settled miles away from the cave. They prepared a wooden tub enough for five people and filled it with steaming warm water. Moulin was in a daze, stripped naked, and bathe by a few female helpers. The aromatic warm steam moistened his fair unblemished skin and coated him in a seductive haze. He looked extremely vulnerable with his wet eyelashes and the rosy glow of his skin, captivating the helpers serving him. In addition to his dazzling hair and eyes, they were very hooked. But for the youth, the never-ending voices of these people would haunt him in his sleep...

"Young master, how is the water?..."

"Young master, would you like to try these sugar lilies scented oils?"

"Young master, your skin will flourish even more with this Phoenix glass soap!"

"It must have been hard for you to bear alone all your troubles, Young master"

"It is time to dress you, young master"

Finally, Moulin managed to send them away by dressing on his own. He almost forgot he was now the rumored sickly and lavish third young master of the Fraunces family. Honestly, how could one become mature and independent with all these pamperings! It was no wonder the original became extremely spoiled and naughty. If he could name one thing he really hated to be, its to be spoiled rotten. Soon, he was escorted into a tent where he could sleep comfortably. Inside was a wide bed with big luxurious pillows and exotic furs. Place by the side of the tent were his things packed from the cave. A small ball of white slept comfortably on the bed, fed and satisfied. With a blank expression, the annoyed Moulin was examined by the doctor and finally left him to rest.

Lying on the bed with limbs spread and eyes staring into space, Moulin had to admit he was beyond comfortable after the warm bath. He smelled of lilies and honey-dipped diamonds though. Snow was sleeping like a baby by his side which was kind of cute, he couldn't help but poke the fox's snout. At the moment, there was one thing weighing on his mind almost bringing down his whole brain. How the heck should he explain himself?! It's not like he could tell them the truth! His reputation would sink even lower with his new name of Crazy and Insane spoiled young master. Maybe he could just stick with being a dumb know-nothing-about-himself young man and earn the sympathy of other people. "..." Could that work?

"Moulin..."

Moulin jerked out of bed, startled by the sudden intrusion. The newly dressed older brother entered the tent with long strides and leisurely sat on the soft bed. Moulin lowered his head bracing himself of the incoming storm of questions as he slowly sat beside his elder brother. The atmosphere turned tense as silence fell over them.

"..."

"..."

Snow's tiny snores were the only sounds heard within the wide and warm tent.

"I'm sorry, Moulin..." Maxille started, releasing the regrets amassing in his heart. "For those cruel words I said to you before you departed and for everything I have done against you. It was reckless and foolish. I hope you would find the heart to forgive me". The guilt was very evident in his eyes, swirling into the depths of his heart. Moulin felt touched by his concern and love that he could not deny the smile on his face as he warmly watched his brother.

"... It's alright, eldest brother. Your words were also true. I was too naive and improper. I shouldn't have acted rashly. My mistakes and faults will be something I will use to better myself" Moulin gazed at his dainty fingers. They were slender and delicate but held great power. "I will become better..."

"..." Maxille was stunned, speechless. The baby brother who always whined about not getting what he wanted and frowning at the plainest luxurious clothing was now admitting his faults and promising with a determined expression. "A-are you alright?" He reached out to check the temperature of his forehead.

"Huh?... I'm fine" He blinked, confuse about Maxille's actions. Dodging his elder brother's hand he rasped "I'm not a child anymore, elder brother".

"..." Once again, the young Lord was astonished. "...right"

Perhaps, this was some minor change and should revert back when Moulin comes back home. Yes, that's probably it. Maxille settled his mind and cleared his throat as he looked back at Moulin.

"What happened to your hair and your eyes?" Maxille asked Moulin.

"I..." The youth's eyebrows knitted and his pink fingers fiddled with the hem of his sleeves. "...I don't know... I was already like this when I woke up one day" It was true though that he wakened with white hair and silver eyes. He just didn't mull over it thinking that perhaps it was a side effect of the transmigration.

Maxille helplessly accepted his little brother's situation. Of course, he wouldn't know. Moulin must have been shocked when he first saw his appearance. This child had never spent too much time outside the estate because of his poor health. He was sheltered, pampered, and doted. He could neither go to school nor attend to banquets. "I understand. It's not something to be worried about. You are safe now and I will take you home back to mother and father".

Mother and Father...

That's right he had a family now. A smile painted his lips, feeling a soft warmth in his heart.

"Moulin...I am going to ask you a question"

"What is it?"

"Will you tell me the name of the person who saved you and kept you by their side through all those weeks? We would like to express our gratitude to them for rescuing you. It wouldn't be proper if we don't thank them before we leave tomorrow" Maxille gave out a gratifying smile. They would be given a grand gift by himself, representing the Fraunces House.

"..."

Moulin turned as silent as the night. He really finds this extremely offensive. Does he really not look like the kind of person to survive by himself? Was he some kind of helpless and coquettish little girl who relies on people to keep her fed? Elder brother, you are really fortunate to be related to me. If it were some stranger, I wouldn't even bat an eye when I pummel them to the ground. Taking a deep breath in a calming manner he spoke "Brother..."

"Yes?..."

Moulin flashed a charming smile at the man before him "There was no other person...".

"..." With a crease between his eyebrows, his grey eyes narrowed at Moulin in confusion "...Come again?"

Moulin's smile twitched "There is no other person, elder brother. It was just me and my little snowy friend in those woods by ourselves"

"...Then those fur cloaks..."

"I skinned them myself from the wild bears I encounter within the woods"

"...And the frozen meat?"

"And the fish" Moulin added pointing out his index finger "There were only a few animals roaming during the day so I could only catch a small number of them. The fish, however, was very easy to catch in the river" A proud grin shaped his lips as he narrated his life to his brother who was already stupefied by the great amount of information as Moulin kept boasting.

"I don't understand. Are you telling me that you have been independently living all on your own? With no one aiding you?"

Moulin nodded with a smile. Aren't I amazing? Of course, this third young master is no longer the kind that cowers and whines like a child. For goodness sake, I am a grown man, not a child. Of course, the rest had no knowledge of the 25-year-old soul inside this frail body.

"That..." The change was too much to take in. Maxille had invariably thought that this little brother of his was very unintelligent in the ways of surviving. He was certain that a frail body like this could break at the slightest cold or heat. Moulin had neither the stamina nor the mana to survive alone by himself. But like a lightning bolt had struck his entire body, he was stunned at the information he was currently receiving. It was truly impossible, right? Even Emlen would agree to it.

"I know what your thinking" Moulin sighed. It seems that it takes solid evidence to prove himself but he wasn't going to show his ability, at least not yet. "I'll explain it to you later..."

"Indeed, you should" Maxille hesitantly agreed. If it was too much for Moulin that he would feel uncomfortable sharing it with his elder brother then perhaps Moulin will tell him the truth at a later date. "Get some sleep, Moulin. We will leave tomorrow" He caressed his little brother's soft hair realizing how he missed him very much that he could still remember the exact feeling of Moulin's soft hair. With a warm smile, he turned to leave.

"Elder brother..." Moulin called out.

"Yes?" Maxille turned to look back at him.

A shy smile stretched Moulin's red lips as he spoke "Thank you for finding me".

With such a lovely smile and sincere words, Maxille had to hold back the urge to hug his brother again. He cleared his throat and turned away, muttering a soft 'good night', quietly leaving the tent with red ears. He had done so many embarrassing things tonight that if Emlen would know about it he would not recognize him as the stern eldest brother anymore.

He should send a message back to his father about the wonderful news. The Master of the house would certainly not sleep a wink as soon as he heard this. Nonetheless, Maxille should still send this great news of finding Moulin and maybe his mother would finally be at ease. It has been a long tiring day but it was a miracle for Maxille.

The eldest young master can finally be reassured and sleep peacefully. . . after ordering several guards to watch over Moulin's tent of course.