The lord's eyes were layered with a faint suspicion as they stared at the young man wearing a surprised expression Moulin. His gaze darkened. Arms crossed over his chest; he watched and waited for Moulin's response silently.
Return home? Was he thinking about leaving him? A storm brewed in Hadrian's golden eyes. His towering form intimidated Moulin slightly.
"I... decided to go home once this mission is finished..." Moulin furrowed his brows as he briefly lowered his gaze. He tried to keep a determined expression; however, his nervousness overcomes his courage. He could only honestly speak while hoping that Hadrian would accept his decision.
His delicate fingertips pressed on the hard wooden surface of the desk slightly.
How long was Hadrian standing there? How come I wasn't able to sense him? How much did he hear?
At the exact moment, Snow and Keir were silently sitting on Moulin's bed. Aware of the strange tension enveloping the room, they stopped playing and watched the scene before them curiously. During Hadrian's silence after Moulin's response, both the little pups glanced at each other.
"...?"
Hadrian turned his gaze away. His expression, dull and unreadable. When he finally spoke, Moulin slightly stiffened. Hadrian behaved as if he hadn't notice Moulin's reaction and continued, "The reason why you only asked for Valcan's cure when the crown prince was offering you a reward was because of your ill mother..."
"Yes..." Moulin nodded with a lowered gaze.
"Were you planning to leave without telling me?"
With widened eyes, Moulin hastily responded. "No, you know I can never leave without my lord's consent. I was planning to tell you sooner when the situation of Thundralln would abate..."
"As your lord?" Hadrian gradually took a few steps closer as he continued to speak. "How about as your lover?"
A crease appeared on the youth's pale forehead at the man's words. "What are you talking about? Lover or Guild Lord, Of course, I was planning to tell you..."
Just how much did he hear? Moulin wondered.
"There is no use asking those questions to yourself," Hadrian smirked. He knew very well what Moulin was silently thinking. Every curve of his skin, every crease on his flesh, I would perceive Moulin's thought through the youth's expression. Although others might find those details insignificant, Hadrian would see through Moulin's smile, his frown, his anger, and even his passionate expression. All of this was like a puzzle Hadrian would never tire of solving.
However, little by little, Moulin was becoming more and more unpredictable. Those little details weren't enough to convince the Lord of the Hercullio Household anymore.
He needed more.
Moulin slightly narrows his eyes. Hadrian seemed to always to discover his hidden thoughts. Inside, Moulin could not help but feel exposed and vulnerable under that meticulously analyzing gaze.
With a sigh, the youth turned away and continued to clean up his desk. "I am planning to leave. However, I can only do it with your consent 'unfortunately'. Getting through the mana-repelling barriers at the borders would be greatly difficult. So I plan to..." His eyes darted at Hadrian briefly at the corner of his eyes. Lush lips pressed together with hesitation as he forced out the words from his mouth. "... to bring you with me. Teleporting... should... be easier..."
Snow and Keir tilted their heads innocently.
"..."
...
