A deep chuckle, laced with amusement entered Moulin's ears. It was deep and almost enticing.

"You seem quite attached to that little book in your hands" His eyes glanced at the clasped notebook in Moulin's hands.

Moulin's eye twitched. His grip tightened on the book behind him. Inwardly, he was growing hostile.

Hadrian deepened his smile, "Your vigilance makes me want to wrench the secret from your hands. What do you want to hide to put on such an expression?"

"It's none of the Lord's business. Each of us carries a secret in our hearts. What makes me no different?" Moulin took a step back. It took an effort to relax the crease of his brows and straighten his expression. Calmly, he bowed to the Lord respectfully. "I welcome my Guild Lord. What owes me the pleasure of seeing the Lord in my room?" There was a hint of sarcasm in his voice as he spoke.

Raising an eyebrow, Hadrian tilted his head languidly. A hand on his hip, he stood laxly as he imprisoned Moulin under his gaze. "Can't I check on the new member of my Guild?"

"I am not your only recruit, Milord"

"Yet you're the only one who intrigues me. Aren't you delighted?" Hadrian gave a smile. "Fix your speech. We both know it isn't your real one. Who calls someone a pervert and addresses them as their Lord at the same time?"

Moulin could not help but scoff. He shook his head. He silently cursed the man's ability to teleport. Bickering with this man a minute longer would probably make him pop a vein. He decided to turn away and ignore the man. However, Hadrian didn't want to just shut up and keep silent.

"What is your goal, young master? Surely, you wouldn't want to join my guild just because of some debt I made you pay last night. Even a child would recognize a jest." Hadrian stepped closer. "Or... Is it because you find our meetings pleasing?"

Looking at the man's arrogant face, a corner of Moulin's lip lifted. His eyes held disbelief and anger.

Pleasing my ass!

"I find your disappearance pleasing! Stop mouthing out your stupid arrogance. Whatever is my goal isn't something you can help."

Something flashed briefly in Hadrian's eyes and the man took a step closer. "Are you sure?..."

"I am-"

Bang! Crash!

Moulin flinched at the sudden sound coming from outside the door of his room. He shifted his attention instantly.

Hadrian expressionlessly glanced at the door, uninterested. He already expected the result of the situation.

There was a scuffle happening outside. Shouts and desperate voices began to noise out.

"Catch it-"

"-don't let it get away!"

"Stop!"

Moulin furrowed his eyebrows. He stepped away from Hadrian and headed towards the door. "What is going on out there?"

Sighing, Hadrian uttered something Moulin could not understand.

Moulin immediately opened the door and-

"Watch out!"

Something quick hastily pounced on Moulin, knocking him down on the floor. His butt hit the floor heavily making him groan. His forehead creased in confusion "What-"

"Ao!"

Moulin's curses immediately vanished as he lowered his gaze and stared at the furry ball of white now licking his face with its tiny tongue. He blinked feeling the wetness on his cheek.

"Snow?"

The little fox lifted his head and licked the tip of Moulin's nose. He yipped happily as he nuzzled his head under Moulin's chin feeling the warmth of his master. He curled himself on Moulin's chest, satisfying his longing for his master.

"Ah... "

The twins were gaping at him. Tyve was on his knees as he was crawling. Sweat covered his forehead. Troid was behind his brother, panting. There was a bit of redness on his face. Other people had surrounded Moulin's door out of curiosity. Their gaze focused on the quick little demon and the white-haired youth on the ground.

"I-is... " Tyve pointed a trembling finger at the fox on Moulin's chest. "Is that yours?"

Moulin glanced at Snow, unblinkingly. "...Yes"

Troid sighed heavily. He waved his hand to dismiss the other members who were also exhausted after chasing after the small demon around the manor. Before touring Moulin around the manor, Varick had instructed him to take care of the beast. Although it was Troid's specialty of taming magical creatures, he was completely helpless with the little fox's speed and mischievousness.

The moment he started putting him on the floor, the fox rushed out of the ajar door without a thought. Tyve and Troid have never put so much work into annihilating enemies but a mere beast drained all of their energy in only an hour!

The twins simultaneously gritted their teeth, as they glared at the fox happily napping on top of their new guild member. Snow was well aware of their spiteful gazes, but he was too happy to even throw a little growl.

As the other people left with tired expressions, Tyve and Troid never shifted their gaze away from the fox.

Moulin lifted Snow, cradling his small form in his arms. He lifted his eyes and met the gazes of the two brothers. "I apologize if he had troubled you."

"Troubled us? No..." Tyve smiled at Moulin. However, his sinister eyes glanced briefly at Snow who was sleeping soundly. "...not at all."

Moulin bit back a smile. He slightly nodded his head, "Thank you for bringing him to me... "

"You're welcome... " Troid grinned. Suddenly, he froze.

His blue eyes grew wide as he stared at the person far behind Moulin. It was hard to notice him with Moulin blocking the way but Troid could clearly see the boiling gold in those eyes. As though Tyve could feel his brother's discomfort, he followed his brother's gaze and stiffened.

The two were standing like stoned statues before Moulin's door, unmoving. Afraid that if they move a single muscle, they would be electrocuted to death! They swallowed.

Lord Hercullio was standing laxly inside Moulin's room. His golden eyes were brewing murderously as they locked on the twins. It was the common I-Know-what-you-have-done look for anyone but if the Lord would wear the look, it was as if you could predict your nearing demise. The twins paled, their eyes darting back and forth from Moulin to Hadrian.

Moulin noticed their stiffness and his eyes narrowed. He slowly glanced at Hadrian behind him who immediately gave him a bright smile. It was dashingly swooning. Moulin didn't react.

The twins, on the other hand, widened their eyes as if they were struck by lightning! They could not help but tremble at the sight of the Lord's innocent smile. They gaped. Disbelief carving their faces.

Smiling! Their Lord was smiling!

Moulin shook his head and turned his attention to the brothers in front of him. His eyes grew sharp and his expression turned stern. There was not a hint of vulnerability in his face. Itching to kill, It was as if he was a murderer who had caught his victims.

Tyve and Troid flinched. Why was his look even more sinister than their Lord's!

"You saw nothing... " Moulin spoke unhurriedly. As though, to carve the words into the brother's hearts.

"Ah...H-haha. Yes, of course." Tyve answered. Troid nodded in agreement.

Moulin stared at them for a couple of seconds.

He beamed at them. With a bright smile, he nodded slightly, "Enjoy your day..."

He closed the door with a gentle click.

...

A couple of seconds after the door closed. Tyve and Troid simultaneously looked at each other. The moment the scenes had been processed in their brain, they spoke softly.

"That was Lord Hercullio, right?" Tyve asked.

"Yes... I believe it was... "

Tyve pressed his lips together, "Does that mean the recruit, Moulin, is the Lord's lover?! What Varick said was true? Lord Hadrian had truly fallen for someone-"

"Quiet down!" He pulled his brother away as they walked down the hall.

"Do they have sex-"

"Shut it!"

Moulin listened as the footsteps faded away from behind the door. His face was dark. His eyes were seething.

He turned with a scowl on his face as he confronted the impassive man. "Do you understand what they are talking about?"

Hadrian glanced at Snow in the youth's arms. "Don't be angry. Varick isn't one to keep his mouth shut. I could do nothing... "

"Nothing?" Irritation pricked at Moulin as he raised an eyebrow. "My first day here and I already hear people talking about me and you. Honestly, I want to freeze you and then shatter you into bits!"

"How hurtful... " Hadrian furrowed his brows as he smiled. He walked towards Moulin unhurriedly. His towering form was intimidating, "No one knows of our meetings but me. Varick chatters about nonsense most frequently. So don't worry, nothing is spilled."

The Lord brought a hand on his shoulder gently.

"..."

Moulin sighs. He lowers his head to stare at the little sleeping fox in his arms.

The corner of his ears reddened in realization. Why was he angry? Truthfully, there was nothing between Hadrian and him. Why was he acting like someone had witnessed their forbidden love?!

Clearing his throat, he lifted his gaze. There was a bit of redness on his cheeks. "Forgive my rudeness. I was not thinking straight."

"I find your anger quite adorable..." The lord smirked. "Shall I frequent my visits to bring out your spite and rage again?"

Moulin glared, "You wouldn't dare... "

Hadrian released a hearty laugh. It was loud and oozing with amusement. Confusion etched Moulin's face. Which part of that was hilarious?

As the Lord finished, he gazed at Moulin's eyes. Staring intently, he gradually neared his face. He brought his mouth near the youth's ear.

"What're you doing?" Moulin blinked as he leaned back. The man's breath was tickling his ear.

Hadrian smiled. His golden eyes gleaming brightly. "Attend the assembly tonight. Don't be late."

As the words finished, the man stepped back and disappeared with a flash of light.

Moulin covered his ear with his hand, as though he could still hear the husky voice of the lord. His eyes were unfocused as he stared at nothing.

...

His silver eyes narrowed.

"Stop treating me like a woman!"