Warm Eyes | Hyunchan ✅

III [Illusionary Dream]

Before his eyes opened, Hyunjin swapped sides in the bed, hoping to find himself in the hotel room and laugh at his ridiculous dream, but his expectations were dashed when he noticed the large window in front of him with gorgeous curtains hanging on it. He sighed and got up, still hoping he was dreaming, but the door quickly opened and a maid greeted him in a language he didn't understand. So he simply nodded at her, but the maid was taken aback; she gasped and exited the room, yelling someone's name. Hyunjin was alone in his thoughts, not wanting to get out of bed, frowning and running his hands through his hair. Suddenly Lord Nicholas burst into the room.

"Good morning, Samuel." With a big smile on his face, Lord Nicholas said. Hyunjin merely stared at him, unable to say anything. "Did you have a good sleep?" He continued.

"Why...?" Finally, Hyunjin opened his mouth. Lord Nicholas only stared at him, waiting for him to continue. "Why are you doing this?" Hyunjin asked.

"Doing what?"

"Keeping me here like this. You can't do this to a living person." Hyunjin sniffled.

Lord Nicholas stayed quiet for a while before he spoke again "I understand you have been through an accident but that doesn't let you speak to me like that. I hope you come to your senses." Hyunjin was shocked from the elder's reply.

"But you know who I am! Why are you faking it!!" Hyunjin almost screamed.

"Who you are? You're an eight years old orphan I found on the streets after your parents died while fleeing the country. You think you'd survive without me?" Lord Nicholas looked at Hyunjin with sharp and cold eyes. Hyunjin seemed shocked from that information as well. "If that helps you, breakfast will be served soon I hope you're ready before that. Your aides will help you." He said before getting up.

"Do... Do I call you dad in that case?" Hyunjin finally asked in a small voice.

"If you want to." Lord Nicholas smiled warmly as he left.

Reality hit Hyunjin hard when he learned that his parents were already gone, leaving him with nowhere to go and no place to return even if they were living. He didn't know who they were anyway. Were they his South Korean parents? While thinking about the possibilities, a tear dropped from his eye, which his maid observed.

"Young master!" She tried to say in her poor English. ".....Are you okay?" She asked with worried eyes. Hyunjin just sniffled and nodded his head in a yes.

Hyunjin was quickly escorted to the dining hall while he was dressed like a young prince from a fantasy novel. Breakfast was brief and quiet as Hyunjin was starving after not eating for an entire day, so he ate a lot quickly.

"We have a guest in the mansion, he didn't join us due to his routine but he will be joining us for dinner. I hope everyone will be prepared." Lord Nicholas said as he wiped his lips.

Hyunjin was so preoccupied with eating that he didn't hear half of what was said; all he knew was that there was a visitor. Hyunjin returned to his room after breakfast. He refused to eat lunch since he was too full from his large breakfast. He attempted to read a few books from his room's shelves, but nothing piqued his interest. He fell asleep in the afternoon because he was bored. The sun had already set by the time he awoke, and the mansion was quieter as the workers had returned to their barracks. Hyunjin rubbed his eyes as he rose from his bed; his throat was extremely dry, so he opened the door to look for someone. But to his surprise, the hall was empty and he didn't know where to find water.

That's when a boy his age, accompanied by a tall man, entered the hall. Hyunjin's vision was fuzzy, but it didn't prevent him from approaching the boy in need.

"Excuse me." He said as the boy turned his attention to him. "Do you know where I can find some water?"

The boy seemed surprised from the question, he was silent for a while before he opened his mouth. "Are you really asking me that?"

"I'm sorry.... I couldn't find my aides." Hyunjin said in a small voice. The tall guy beside the boy seemed nervous as he was trying to understand the situation.

The boy scoffed before saying "Go down-" he was soon cut off by a loud voice.

"Young master! What are you doing here?" It was Hyunjin's maid who was rushing towards him.

"I was really thirsty and you were gone...." Hyunjin said.

"I'm so sorry; I'll get you some water right away!" I apologize for this, young lord." She bowed in front of the boy. That's when Hyunjin understood the boy wasn't an ordinary person. He also instantly bowed.

"I sincerely apologize for my action!" He stated. Before walking away with the tall guy, the boy simply chuckled and said it was alright. Hyunjin had no idea who he was, but he recognized him as the same youngster he had seen rushing outside the bathroom the day before.

Dinner was served early and Hyunjin had to be present there as well. He sat beside Lord Nicholas and his wife and stayed put. Soon the young boy entered the room and Hyunjin understood that he was the said guest but his aide was nowhere in sight. The young boy took a seat in Hyunjin's opposite and as their eyes met, he smiled. Hyunjin just smiled back before looking otherways. 'He's just a child, why am I acting as if I'm a child as well' Hyunjin mentally facepalmed.

"Thanks for joining us, young lord Elyot. Hope you'll have a nice stay while you're here." Lord Nicholas said.

"I have been great, thanks for your hospitality, master." Elyot grinned.

'So he's Lord Nicholas' student' Hyunjin said taking a bite from his steak.

"You didn't tell me about young master Samuel, it's as if I wasn't allowed to know about him." Elyot spoke.

"I see you have met him." Lord Nicholas smiled. "Samuel." He called for Hyunjin as the younger looked at him in curiosity. "Meet the royal Duke Beauvarlet's heir, Elyot Beauvarlet. And young lord, this is my son, Samuel de Croix." He finished as Elyot simply nodded at Hyunjin. But Hyunjin was shocked from what he had just learned. 'The young lord was the duke's heir? Meaning he was almost a royalty? Did I somehow offend the royalty earlier?!' He thought to himself.

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