a gorgeous white by Heather_anare

269: Sound the horns

A fierce arrow pierces through the air. It hissed sharply and swiftly stabbed the central mark of the target.

A faint gust of wind surrounds the lone figure standing at the center of the empty arena. Moulin's white hair elegantly flutters behind him. Normally, it was braided. However, Moulin could only sigh because of one overly attentive woman as his typical hairstyle was altered. The side of his head was braided to his scalp. The two braids met at the center of the back of his head, letting the longer part of his hair cascade down his back. Moulin wasn't used to such style. However, he wasn't bothered by it, for his vision would no longer be covered by his bangs.

Moulin rolled his shoulders and reached for another arrow from his quiver, slung against his back. His hand only grasped empty air, and he realized he had used up all the arrows. As his gaze returned to the rows of round targets in front of him, Moulin sighed. Perhaps, he'll take a break.

Moulin intertwined his fingers and stretched them above his head. With a groan, he turned back, walking towards one of the rooms beneath a viewing tower.

Arriving, Moulin took off the quiver's strap before setting it down on one of the benches. Suddenly, he stopped his movements.

"..."

Straightening, Moulin narrowed his eyes as he turned his attention to the doorway. "Come out."

"..."

Stepping out from the wall was Verun. He scratched his head with a flushed face. It was the first time he was trying to hide from someone he liked. He didn't think Moulin was so perceptive to notice him so quickly.

Although he received Moulin's glare, Verun's expression remained unchanged. He spoke softly, "Hello, young lord."

"Ah, the Veresyah heir." Moulin exhaled, but his wariness didn't lessen a bit. "What do you want?"

"I... " Verun hesitated. "I only want to see you, my lord."

"..." Moulin raised his brows. See me?

"Well, you've seen me. Is there anything else?"

"..." Verun blinked. Normally, others would have reacted differently. Verun should have known Moulin wasn't just any other person. "Ah, forgive me for disturbing you..."

Seeing that he couldn't let Moulin become more and more hostile to him, Verun decided to retreat. There's always a next time.

He turned around and began to walk away. However, before he could walk far, Moulin suddenly called.

"Verun!"

The veresyah flinched. D-Did he just say my name? Verun became stiff. Hope suddenly bloomed inside his heart. Is this a chance?

He turned with beaming eyes. "Yes?"

"You should stop. You can't win me over." Moulin declared flatly. His tone was neither cold nor warm. It was as though he was just giving advice to a child.

Verun blinked as he absorbed the words carefully. Finally, a frown occurred on his face. He felt wronged. "I know that... but I want to try."

"Even if you could never impress me? Even if I am committed to another?" Moulin sighed. "You can't go after someone who's already in a relationship. Especially, me." Moulin knitted his brows. "Trust me. You don't want to get between us. Consider this an advice..."

Finishing his words, Moulin turned around and began to organize the equipment he used. Verun lowered his gaze to his feet. The gold in his antlers was glistening exquisitely. He was carefully sifting through Moulin's words no matter how reluctant he was.