|| Chapter 16 || Innocent and Pure Third Master

For the rest of the meal, a rat lowered his head and never spoke. The lunch was excellent. Their stomachs were filled and their expressions were full of satisfaction. The servants returned to take care of the table after the two families have had their meal, tucking everything to place while the two groups of people left the gazebo to stroll into the gardens.

Moulin conversed happily with Emlen as their group separated from their parents, who transferred to another location to talk privately. Maxille and Kleian went to join them walking at a steady pace as they both followed behind their parents.

Unfortunately, Ydris was left with them. Moulin doesn't know anything about how to entertain a villain. His jar of stress once again had been filled. Of course, he knew he couldn't just ignore him even if he wanted to. It would be against the gentle public persona that he had ever regret of having in the first place.

"How was the meal, second cousin?" Moulin turned to glance behind him causing Emlen to suddenly give his brother a look.

"It was quite satisfying" His reply was blank as if he didn't care one bit about the person in front of him.

Emlen scoffed, stepping on the grass with his little brother as he pulled him closer. If this annoying person behind him didn't wish to be with them, he could just have said it rather than trying to stick on them.

"How was your training?" Emlen asked.

"Oh, Third cousin trains?" Ydris suddenly neared them, his eyebrows lifted in curiosity.

"..."

"Oh, yes. I do" Moulin chuckled amusingly at Emlen's refusal to answer Ydris. This brother of his really does not show any restraint. "Was this unbelievable as well?" He raised an eyebrow jokingly catching the disbelieving look Ydris wore.

"O-Of course not, third cousin can train if he wishes to" He tried to honestly smile. "I wonder what kind of training third cousin has engaged himself into?".

"The kind that breaks your bones and tears your muscles" The white-headed youth finished with a laugh. Despite being older than Moulin for a year, this little cousin seemed very childish like a child unwilling to yield after a harsh scolding. No matter, he can entertain him as long as he wants.

Ydris pursed his lips as he looked away from Moulin strategically thinking of anything that could trigger him. "Second cousin, I heard that the Moonflower Gathering is drawing near. Do you plan on attending?" Ydris shifted his gaze to Emlen who didn't even give him a corner if his eyes.

"Do I even have a choice?" Emlen pinched the bridge of his nose thinking about how his mother reminded him about the event for almost four months now.

The Moon flower gathering...Moulin read about the occasion from one of the books in the library. Moonflowers were delicately planted in the Midnight Florae Gardens in the mystical city of Faerim. They were ancient flowers that bloom once every one hundred years. When plucked the flowers could live for a whole decade without withering. The buds would bloom by midnight, their centers rich with concentrated mana that could aid in one's cultivation and their petals had immense healing power that could regrow an amputated limb or to be an antidote for the deadliest of poisons.

The gathering was also supported by a tradition. One person would pluck a blooming moonflower and hand it to a special individual as an act of expressing love or interest. Grand Noble heirs mostly attended this gathering as well as other nobles from other races.

Moulin wasn't interested in the tradition but the flowers really captured his attention. If he could get his hand on one or two, he'll feed Snow a flower and then one for himself. That way that little fox wouldn't be much of a useless brat anymore.

"It seems you are interested in going, Moulin" Ydris narrowed his eyes in amusement. "But I heard that Quade and his fiancee will be attending the gathering as well. If you go, wouldn't it cause a big gossip with all the other nobles? The chatter about you hasn't really died down yet".

Emlen froze. The topic of Moulin's big scene in the Accrius engagement ceremony was a subject he really avoided to be heard by Moulin. He and Maxille had been silently preventing Moulin from hearing any news about Quade, even silencing the servants around the estate. His eyes seethe as he scowled at Ydris who paid no mind at him. If it wasn't for his uncle and Kleian he would have bashed Ydris' head on the ground.

" Who?..." Moulin snapped out from his thoughts as he turned his eyes back on Ydris. "I'm sorry I was lost in my thoughts..."

Stunned, Ydris forgot his words as his face reddened in irritation. This bastard... he gritted his teeth holding back the urge to strangle the boy in front of him. "There's no need to feign ignorance, Moulin. We know you still have some hidden feelings waiting to be released, Isn't that why you trained so hard? to forget those feelings?". He couldn't help but let go of a bit of ridicule as he said those words.

Emlen was clenching his fist ready to pounce on him. He was about to open his mouth, forgetting every bit of appropriateness, when calm silver eyes halted him.

A soft laugh escaped Moulin's lush lips as he serenely gazed at the rat in front of him. "You are really funny, second cousin. I trained to become stronger than my past miserable self. I think I don't have time to think about the past, unlike other people who only care about gossiping about other people's lives like ..." He paused to think and thoughtfully smiled back at Ydris "... a rat".

Ydris flinched at the word. His anger bubbling inside his chest and his face reddened madly. " Moulin! Don't think that I don't know what you mean!" He shouted loud enough that the nearby servants to hear his outburst.

Moulin furrowed his eyebrows and a lost expression quickly replaced his smile "Second cousin, why are you shouting? Let's calm down, alright? There's no need to cause a scene. I wasn't involving you about anything" Moulin worriedly reached out towards Ydris only to see him raise his hand ready to strike.

Before the hand could land on Moulin, Emlen grabbed Ydris's hand in a tight grip.

"Ydris!"

The cousin froze of the deep penetrating voice of his father. With his hand still in Emlen's deathly grasp, he turned his head to meet his father's furious eyes. A chill ran down his spine as he processed about what led him to lose his composure. The fire in his eyes hadn't receded as he shifted his gaze back on Moulin's concerned look.

Lord Fraunces and his wife were deeply insulted by their nephew's act against their son. Their precious Moulin was once again bullied by this ungrateful person! Twice! They will not allow this!

The group only came back to check on their other children only to see Ydris raising his hand ready to attack Moulin. If Emlen wasn't there to stop him, Moulin could've been hit!

"Brother, I believe this son of yours seemed to be poorly disciplined..." Lord Fraunces mercilessly spoke. His eldest son, Maxille, sharply glanced at his uncle.

Lord Deilin was glaring wildly at his second son with the urge to slap him. "Forgive me, I will strictly and personally discipline him when we return".

Lady Maxiel rushed to her delicate son, glaring daggers at the frozen nephew. Emlen let go of Ydris's hand giving him one deathly scowl as he walked towards his brother.

The Uncle and Aunt, as well as Kleian, looked at Ydris disappointingly. The latter felt like his whole body had been swallowed by cold waters, dragging him to drown in the depths. This wasn't how he expected the situation would advance. Moulin was supposed to be the one who should be judged by these looks. It wasn't supposed to be him.

"Ungrateful... you dare to hit my son? I wonder how Moulin should be compensated?" Lady Maxiel glanced at Lady Ether with a smile that wasn't a smile. Of course, the latter knew what the Lady was hinting.

With a sigh, Lady Ether calmly looked at his son, Ydris. "It seems my son should be disciplined very thoroughly. Forgive me, Moulin. Please accept the Moonflower Gathering Invitation instead of my second son. I hope this will be enough compensation for my son's rudeness" With a bow, she handed Moulin a purple-red invitation, sealed with a golden moonflower stamp.

"I-I couldn't--"

Moulin's words were interrupted by his mother's sharp glare and he immediately swallowed his refusal. "Thank you, Aunt". He smiled gratefully at her.

His Mother and Lady Ether had a close relationship. As close as blood-related sisters, no matter the difference of their status.

Lady Ether smiled. Moulin's resemblance to Maxiel was almost uncanny. She thought it was very cute. She almost pitied her trouble making second son.

Ydris stood frozen on the ground unable to discern the situation currently happening. He had worked hard to be approved by his father for that single invitation. The gears inside his head were creaking as if a pebble was stuck between the metal making him unable to think clearly. He was left in that state as he was dragged away until their family had left the Main Fraunces Manor.

After exchanging farewells with Lady Ether and her family, Lady Maxiel winked at Moulin amusingly. Moulin was stunned at his mother's strategic way of getting him an invitation. Even her husband only sighed helplessly as he watched his wife's victorious smile. A very cunning mother indeed...

"Mother, I believe that is enough tricks for one day..." Maxille noted Moulin's clothes. It seems his mother would stop at nothing when it comes to his third brother. The eldest son thought he should buy more conservative clothing for Moulin, not one tight garment.

Moulin held the invitation in his palm carefully. At least, his mother saved him the trouble of getting his hands on an invitation. How fortunate he was today. He gets to trap a rat and was given a rare invitation for an important gathering. His silver eyes gleamed in anticipation of what the future has to give him. The family of five entered the foyer and began to separate individually.

Moulin walked with soft delicate steps. His footsteps, in soft clicks, rang across the halls. His slender figure shadowed on the smooth marbled floor as the afternoon light gleamed around his frame like a halo. His glistening silver pupils lowered, curtained by his light eyelashes.

Moulin read the invitation in his hands relaxingly as he ignored the glances of wonder from passing servants.

The Gathering was held at the end of the month when the moon would shine it's brightest. Even the royal princes were attending. The Vernallia Family really had outdone themselves this time. This noble family was incredibly loyal to the Holy Temple. They were one of the earliest Grand Nobles in the kingdom of Aurona, religiously dedicated to the Temple. Their residence was located in Faerim city, dutifully guarding the Midnight Florae Gardens where the Moonflower Gathering would be held two weeks from now.

With a smile, Moulin felt refreshed about the thought of traveling outside the estate. He wasn't thinking negatively about the manor, it was because of the watchful eyes tracing him where ever he goes like hawks. It was rather obvious that a number of guards had been keeping watch on him ever since he came back so a change of scenery might be a great idea to loosen up. He was also dying to try out his bow in a large isolated area.

Suddenly, Moulin felt softness around his ankles. He halted his steps and lowered his haze to meet a pair of silver eyes identical to his. "Snow...".

The moment the little fox had woken up without his master beside him, he darted out of the door and spotted his master concentrating on a letter while walking gracefully. Snow tipped while adorably rubbing his head on Moulin's ankles, begging to be lifted like a little child.

Rolling his eyes, Moulin bent to pick the little white fox off the smooth floor, tucking Snow snuggly in his arms. "Snow, Do you want to pick flowers with me?..." Moulin hugged the bratty fox who licked his cheek, wetting the side of Moulin's face.

The white-haired young man carrying his fox walked down the halls, merrily. They were oblivious of the pair of suspicious eyes watching them through the windows.