It was comforting.
The soft light of the snowy weather passed through tall crystal windows and an ambiance of serenity and calm enveloped the entire room. It was much comforting for the weary heart of a white-haired youth who sat on the chaise couch with uncertainty. The quivering silver within his eyes strained on the carpet. Lips pressed together in worry and doubt.
This was the look Lady Maxiel saw when she returned with a tray of medicine and bandages. Her eyes softly softened as she sighed.
"Moulin, dear."
The youth immediately raised his gaze. He stared as his mother carefully placed the silver tray on the table beside the couch before she sat beside him with concerned eyes.
"Tell your mother what happened." She tried to look as gentle as possible. Her precious youngest son mattered to her more than those two older brothers of his who appeared more like giant untamed dogs before her eyes.
There was hesitation in Moulin's chest. What should he do? He came here to talk to someone but his mother was just not the right person for this. Moulin's mind blanked. Indeed, in front of his mother, he was as flustered as the shyest child in the realm.
Lady Maxiel revealed a helpless expression. "Why do you hesitate?"
She gently held Moulin's hands worriedly frowning when she saw the blood on her son's palms. A blue ribbon was trapped within Moulin's clenched fists. Lady Maxiel had to gently coax Moulin to open his hands so she could treat them. The youth, helpless against her warm gaze and soft voice, conceded and opened his palms.
"Your hands are wounded..." She drew her brows together as she carefully picked up the blue ribbon stained with deep crimson. Moulin flinched when she did.
His mother paused her movements when she noticed Moulin's unusual reactions. His silver eyes were staring at the blue ribbon that she held between her fingers. Hopelessness and reluctance layered that pure gaze. The lady's eyes caught every single bit of oddity on her son's face. An assumption rose from her heart and she blinked, hiding her surprise.
Ah...
A smile graced her calm countenance. Her eyes warmed as she softly spoke to Moulin, "Don't worry, I won't take it away. I will give it back once we finish treating your wounds, alright?"
Moulin was silent for a few seconds before he nodded. Chuckling, Lady Maxiel placed the blue ribbon on the tray and then dampened a clean cloth to wash away the dried blood staining her son's delicate hands. Her movements were careful and elegant. While she smeared medicine on Moulin's hands, she was mindful of Moulin's somewhat lost expression.
"Now..." She began while her hands busied themselves in wrapping the bandages on the fragile palms of her beloved son. "Tell me what happened..."
"It..." Moulin swallowed as he lowered his head. "It was an accident. I was careless."
Lady Maxiel chuckled as she shook her head. "My son, I am your mother, not a stranger. Although I may be born half Maeruthan, I can sense the lingering faint fragments of soul mana on your little fingers. I tell you, that I know this isn't an accident out of carelessness."
Moulin stiffened. His heart pounded in his chest as a flustered expression replaced the confident serenity on his face.
The Lady laughed briefly as she stroked her son's wrapped hands. Her eyes glanced at the ribbon lying on the tray. The blood had dried on its shiny fabric. Her eyes gently stared at it. "Is it a gift from someone special?"
Once those words were spoken, Moulin stiffened. His fingers pressed on his knees.
Moulin's silence amused his mother greatly. Ah, her son had fallen in love. She could not mistake the panic and the embarrassment on that youthful face.
