20 || Chapter 19 Part 1 || The Arrival

"I am not wearing that..."

With such resolute words, Pola was heartbroken.

The day of the gathering had arrived and the sun had risen to midday. Within the private room on the third floor of the inn, a particular third young master stood unwaveringly glaring at a set of beautifully designed clothes eagerly presented to him by his personal maidservant.

Snow nuzzled snuggly into the pillows biting at the tasseled edges.

Moulin's piercing eyes glared like burning god-like flames with the need to engulf the luxurious outfit in front of him into ashes mercilessly. Didn't he make sure that there wasn't a single outfit like this in his luggage? How could he miss something as eye-catching as this?

With a sharp glance at Pola, he figured she might have hidden this behind his back before they had even packed for the trip.

Grudgingly walking towards the piece of clothing, he grabbed the sleeves and lifted it up in the air to examine it. What's this? No back? See-through fabric? Is this even considered a man's clothes? It's more like a piece of open lingerie for a honeymoon night!

An aphrodite maeruthan maybe a sex in between female and male but it had the equality of both sexes. The person was neither excessively feminine nor excessively masculine. All aphrodites were born male and they were to be raised as both a daughter and son. However, they were all preferred to be called a son regardless of their other sex by all the majority of humans, maeruthans, and by order of the imperial law.

This kind of clothing was simply disregarding his name as a man!

"Pola... why did you bring this with us?" He looked at her at the corner of his eyes. Of course, he wasn't mad at her for this flimsy thing and for the fact that Pola had tried her best for him but at the thought that some people have the desire to even create these all too feminine clothes for his kind. It was like a meddle pricking at the little bit of pride left in him.

"I thought that master would look absolutely stunning in it" She tugged at her sleeves, woefully. She blinked her bright eyes at him full of lost expectations like a fire doused with water. "Third young master refused to even pack an article of extravagant clothing. What would young master Moulin wear for the gathering then? I was afraid the other nobles would pick on my young master. The rumors about the young master hadn't even abated yet ".

Just thinking about other people muttering terrible gossips about her young master made her tremble with anger. The third young master wasn't like the version of himself before. He was kind-hearted, detached from strangers aside from his closest people, silent, and very considerate to her and other servants.

He was far from being unruly, demanding, and horribly mischievous. He was like a waterfall of pure crystalline water on deserted scorched land, reviving the life that was once lost. His temperament was like a white cloud of serenity and innocence. Others may not notice but after deep investigation, Pola knew about Moulin's letter to his father, the trinkets he made for his brothers, and the plain sapphire pendant necklace around Moulin's neck. It was crossing the line as a low born servant but she wasn't regretful.

Helplessly looking at Pola's troubled eyes, Moulin only felt touched by her sweet concern. He knew Pola was very attentive to him but he only discovered at this moment how deep her concern for him was.

With a fond smile at her way, Moulin exhaled in a helpless manner. "The clothes are too revealing why don't you choose something more simple yet elegant for me to wear? I understand your worries Pola but have a little faith in your young master for this night" He placed the clothes back on the bed. He then turns to her, a tender smile never leaving his face.

Like a surging wave had washed away the doubts in her heart, she relaxed at Moulin's gentle gaze. Her young master is really very handsome too! How did she miss this part of him? Even with his slender frame ladies will certainly mother around him!

Moulin: girl, what's with that weird smile on your face?

"As young master wishes " She lowered her head, internally worshipping Moulin for his beauty. Yes, it doesn't matter if it's extravagant or plain, she was sure her young master can bring down people on their knees in either of them.

"I'll prepare the wardrobe..." With quick steps, she hastened to pull out different garbs from the room closet. There must be something in here to her master's liking...

With a sigh, Moulin plopped down on the bed, slightly bouncing. He watched as his maidservant

looked over a set of fine exquisite jewelry and elegant shoes.

A slender hand palmed his clean forehead as he closed his eyes with only one thought in mind. After all this, he is going to run by himself and release every bit of restrained power inside him. He really wanted to test out his new weapon so badly...

••••••••••••••••••••••••

As the sky darkened after the setting sun, the Mystical City of Faerim lit up thousands of blue star-like lanterns in every part of the land. Like hundreds of thousands of bright stars glowing in the dark, lighting up every part of the city.

Every single crystal powered lamps and lanterns were replaced with ones emitting bright blue light to complement the glow of the precious moonflowers.

The moonflower blooming festival was a rare joyous occasion every person living in Faerim would celebrate. If one would roam through the wide bright streets they would notice a blue thirty-six petaled flower creatively painted on each door in every house of the streets of Faerim and hear the lovely solemn bells of the nearby temples. The beautiful notes of the giant harp played by the City temple prophets would wonderfully resound across the city.

The streets were almost crammed as people were patiently waiting for the Crystal shower to be conducted at the stroke of midnight. A single Moonflower tree was planted within the top floor of the light tower of the City temple. The room had no walls except for massive enchanted crystal glass windows which would magnify the light of the moonflower casting out beams of light all over the city. The blue glow of the flower is extremely rich in pure mana energy, within the beams of light it accumulates and becomes heavy. The accumulation of the energy became small tiny transparent crystals falling because of the weight like little drops of rain, thus the name, Crystal shower.

The sound of heavy clicks of hooves and the slight creaks of rolling wooden wheels all entered Moulin's ears. Currently, he was thinking about how comfortable a Vinch carriage was compared to an ordinary carriage. The carriage that was currently escorting both Emlen and Moulin was too shaky and uncomfortable. He could irritatingly feel every bump on the street through his seat.

"Are you nervous?..."

Moulin shifted his gaze away from the window to his second brother. "A little bit... ".

It wasn't a lie. He truly felt nervous about attending a huge gathering. The people attending aren't even ordinary, all are highborn heirs from powerful families. For a little shut-in person like him, this was making him more uneasy than attending a class reunion party. He bet Snow was probably having the time of his life at the buffet in the inn with Pola.

"Don't worry if anyone tries to speak nonsense at you, grand noble or not, I will personally make sure they can never stand on their feet again. They would dare to even mock a son from the Grand Fraunces household "

The nobleman sitting in front of Moulin had a threatening air around him. It was clearly fearful but it gave a kind warmth and comfort embracing the youth. Of course, as a son from the Noble Fraunces family, Moulin would not lower his head to anyone who would taunt him. He didn't want to make any kind of trouble but if they would ever cross a line, he could not back down.

The coachman pulled the reigns to a stop as the carriage arrived at the white steps of the Vernallia Gardens, guarded by three rows of knights. The garden was situated a few kilometers away from the main Vernallia manor. A line of different carriages trailed from the manor entrance until towards the Midnight Garden entrance. In Moulin's opinion, they were more than a hundred noble heirs gathering in the gardens tonight. He should have expected this. Luckily, there were more people so the attention could not be solely on him alone.

A footman from the Vernallia household quickly opened the carriage door in a respectful manner, awaiting the Fraunces noble children. A single footman was instructed and assigned to each noble family and lead them to the garden without mistakes, they were not allowed to speak, to hear their discussions, and to look at the nobles.

The second young master exited the carriage, impatient and elegant. His handsome countenance looked very masculine and grand. His glamorous suit paired with a regal ascot tie fastened with a zirconian gem pin. Beautiful golden swirls in his lapels made the man look elegant and splendid. He reached out a hand towards the open door only to freeze and take back his hand making the footman a bit confused. Emlen almost forgot that his brother hated to be treated like a lady almost notifying him daily.

As the footman waited, a slender foot clad in a blue high-quality azcrodile leather boot, with golden heels, and small sapphire buckles stepped carefully on the carriage step. Moulin emerged, his white braided hair dazzled under the moonlight and his stunning silver eyes emotionlessly glanced at the servant man grasping the door. His appearance stunned the footman who had forgotten his years of manners training, staring directly at the noble youth stepping down from the carriage leisurely.

Moulin had to admit Pola had done an exceptional job with his clothes. It wasn't too lavish and too simple, covering him from neck to toe. His midnight navy suit fit snuggly on his body highlighting his slender figure. Two golden necklaces, one short and the other long clasped around his neck along with his sapphire necklace and two sapphire stud earrings on his ears. The jewelry rosed his grand part of his appearance in a simple yet elegant theme.

"Ahem... " A cold throaty voice sounded completely startling the footman from his thoughts.

With a bland expression, Emlen's deep grey eyes drilled into the servant who had been staring at his brother longer than a servant should. The footman lowered his head, unglued his eyes from the little master, feeling the deathly gaze of the young lord and fearing his negligences. With a soft greeting, he respectfully urged them both to follow him as he hanged his head low.

The group of three proceeded into the stoned pathway with tens of thick arches supported by statue-like pillars of animals, green vines swirling around them. Glowing blue Crystal lanterns hanging at each side of the pillars. Roofless, open, and slightly chilly.

"We should consider hiding your hair. You're too eye-catching, little brother. I'm afraid of even letting you go off on your own leaving only a single guard to accompany you " Rumbled Emlen to Moulin with a slightly complaining tone. He pulled his little brother closer while glancing back at their carriage as it left to make way for another carriage belonging to another noble.

Moulin mentally rolled his eyes at his brother's exaggeration. Fixing his eyes at the servant walking ahead of him, he took notice at the cowering posture, looking very frightened as if he had committed a punishable act. Moulin very much understood why he was behaving that way. The Vernallia family always were strict when it comes to people and their social class. Their servants were treated worse than garbage while the masters were treated like kings and queens.

It wasn't really something Moulin should interfere with but he could not help but feel sympathy towards these working servants.

"I suppose eldest brother will be joining us a bit later..." Moulin tried to shake his thoughts off his head and glimpsed at Emlen who was glancing at his small silver pocket watch. Three hours till midnight...

"It seems so... "

As they were led through the arched pathway, the two siblings could hear the loud chatter of the nobles behind them, laughing obnoxiously like a group of barking dogs. But the pair paid no mind as they arrive in an open circular courtyard. An arched entrance much longer and wider, decorated with flowery budding blue flowers from thick climbing vines.

"Welcome to the Midnight Gardens, Milords" A hand gestured to the open entrance, the footman bowed lower waiting for Moulin and his brother to enter. He could not leave until they have passed.

Ignoring the man, Emlen entered with elegant strides, impatiently eyeing the garden entrance. As quick as a fox, Moulin handed the man a couple of silver, smiling gently and then entering without a second look. It was too unexpected that the servant wasn't given a chance to react as the young master left. A grateful emotion flashed in his eyes as the footman left.

Finally settling his heart, Moulin entered the garden feeling the barely solid grounds of grass and soil underneath his shoes. A bluish light was reflected on his moist pupils from the twinkling glow of each flower bud on every shrub and tree. It was like a magnificent starry garden giving out a fluorescence of bright blue to the entire area. He felt an ethereal ambiance exuded by these flowers and the rich pure mana almost covering the vast garden. It triggered Moulin's hungry desire of the sparkling buds as he eyed them.

"Moulin?..." Emlen looked back at his brother and surprisingly met Moulin's enthralled expression. His sparkling eyes had widened and mouth gaping with fascination as he whipped his head around like an adorable child.

Chuckling as he was wholly captivated by his brother's charming appearance, he led Moulin towards a stoned pathway heading towards the large Pavillion, melodious music sounding.

Fixing his expression, Moulin dragged his gaze away from the flowers patiently calming his self. His eyes narrowed as he took in the sight of a crowd of nobles gathering within the pavilion. Coldness gripped him as he hardened his look as if he was readying himself for battle.