The strength buried underneath those powerful arms vibrated. Moulin could feel it as he was enveloped in the warmth that had appeared out of nowhere. As though he weighed nothing, the person circled his arms around his lithe body. The touch was burning. Heart pounding heavily. Moulin's silver eyes looked up at his savior as he clutched the two books in his hands tightly. Words could not describe the bubbling emotion in his chest. Wreaking havoc in his mind, Moulin could no longer determine the emotions he felt.

Silence descended.

The arms around Moulin belonged to the man whose face was most familiar to Moulin. His deep golden pupils were staring down at Moulin's silver ones with hidden emotion. The man's thoughts were unknowable. It was always unknowable. His hair was as dazzling as the threads made from the purest form of sun rays. Under his daring stare, one would kneel in submission. The ambiance of a beastly conqueror. The mortal form of a god.

Moulin felt perplexed as he looked at Lord Hadrian in silence. Inwardly, he believes that the man had many hidden intentions during their recent interactions. It was strange for a Guild Lord to become so familiar to his sentinel. It was questionable. Perhaps it was because of the previous interactions that brought them together? Or did the man felt indebted to him?

Admittedly, Moulin didn't think of him as someone terrible. Although many hearsays were swimming around the man, Moulin didn't believe every word was true. Not one spoke of how vulgar this man's thoughts were. Neither did it describe a hint of gentleness of the man.

"Clumsy..." Lord Hadrian spoke. "How unelegant... "

Moulin stared at him blankly. Irritation unearthed in his narrowed eyes.

"Please put me down, Milord " They were only three words but it was enough for Hadrian to sense the irritation in the youth's voice. However, instead of doing what he was told, Hadrian leaned his head black slightly as he looked at the two books In Moulin's folded arms.

Moulin sighed as he struggled out of the Lord's arms as hard as he could until he was finally released. His shoes reached the polished floor and he quickly picked up the two other books that he had left on the floor.

"I apologize for troubling... " Moulin nodded at him. He was reluctant of course.

"Why the formality?" Hadrian gazed at him. "We have already become so intimate... "

"There is no intimacy between us..." Moulin stared at him. "I am a polite junior sentinel, Milord. You are my master. Let us not discuss things that should never be discussed."

"If you are speaking about things that should be discussed privately then I can consent to that..." Hadrian smiled as he watched Moulin flinched while he picked up the orb on the floor. "...but I need to watch you closely..."

Moulin frowned. He slowly lifted his head and exhaled. Pieces... Pieces... Why was he always giving me pieces of something only he can figure out himself?

Moulin looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "Are you smitten with me, Milord?"

That should not be the case, right?

"How bold of you to assume that... " Hadrian walked towards him. Intentionally slowing his steps. His eyes stared at Moulin unblinking. There was force in his footfall.

There it was again. Oppression. Moulin didn't move a muscle as the lord walked towards him. Slow yet it was very anticipating. Moulin had to keep himself from showing a hint of fear and intimidation. He offered his composed expression and unyielding posture. Standing without surrender to the magnetic eyes that seem to always pull him down. This was a different feeling he had never experienced even in his previous life.

"There are people around here... Mind the words you speak..." Moulin reminded as he gazed at Hadrian. His voice was soft but filled with warning.

"Exactly why we should be quiet and soft with our voices... You don't want anyone to know about our private meeting... I am well aware of that... " Hadrian stood before Moulin. One more step could have brought their bodies together.

Hadrian imprisoned Moulin under his gaze as though this was how it was supposed to be. It bothers him. The call in his heart. Sometimes it kept him from sleep. Other times it frustrates him so much it triggered his bloodlust. Whatever it was... It was irritating. Ever since he was young, the call was locked inside. After he found his cultivation, it unearthed. Like an itch.

He could withstand it as he grew. It slightly faded as he grew. It was confusing but Hadrian could endure it to the point it didn't bother him much. However, everything went south when Moulin from the Northern Mountains came. The call grew stronger and stronger as each day passes. Never subsiding if he could not see the youth within his sight.

This time, he could not help but speak the words in his head.

"There is a sickening call inside my mind and I abhor it. Although that is the case, I can't bear to part with it..." His speech was slow as if to give Moulin time to take in his words.

You've got mental problems then...

Moulin furrowed his eyebrows. "I don't understand why your difficulties would involve me?"

He glanced at the books in his arms. He needed to bring this back to Tessley right away.

"Can we continue this conversation at another time? I am hurrying to finish my task." Moulin took a step back to create some distance between them.

However, just as he did so, a strong hand abruptly locked on his thin arm to stop his movements. Moulin immediately raised his vigilance towards the man. He stared at him with fire in his eyes as he held the hand keeping him from walking away. Unfortunately, Hadrian's hand was like thick metal cuffs keeping Moulin from moving.

"Remove your hand, Hercullio..." Moulin narrowed his eyes threateningly.

Hadrian paused slightly as he heard his name spoken from the glaring youth's mouth. Fire burned and scorched inside. Something unknown and dark resurfacing from the depths of his heart. Although it wasn't his first name, it was enough to calm himself.

Hadrian loosened his grip but did not entirely let go. This made Moulin even furious.

"Let me go! You little-"

A hand covered his mouth making him muffle all the curses about to escape from his mouth. His eyes widened in anger and the surface of his palms started to spread frost. He was abruptly pulled against a warm chest and he heard quick movements before a flash of light blinded his eyes. Their figures disappeared in a blink.

"Moulin?" Jagra's voice called out from behind the bookshelf. He stepped turned to look and noticed no one was there.

Strange...

He swore he heard a Moulin's voice. His expression turned worried when he spotted Moulin's list of books on the floor. He picked it up with furrowed eyebrows. Did something happen?

..................

"Ugh!"

Moulin stumbled as he stood. Fortunately, Hadrian held his arm to keep him from falling.

Clutching the books in his arms he jerked away from Hadrian's hold once the lord was distracted. Taking a step back, Moulin glowered at Hadrian. "What was that?"

Feeling the emptiness in his arms, Hadrian lowered his hands. "We were close to being discovered because of your loudness... ". He turned his attention away from Moulin.

Moulin stopped. " What?... "

Hadrian stared deeply at him. Silent and impassive. Meanwhile, Moulin narrowed his glossy silver eyes at him.

Moulin was infuriated. He didn't show from his face the pain from his upper arm where Hadrian had held him. Seriously, the man's grip was strong enough to bruise.

"Aww... "

Moulin flinched as he instantly whipped his head to the side. Hadrian kept his gaze at Moulin.

Freio giggled as she propped her chin on her palms while she tilted her head as she laid on her stomach. Her brown curls bouncing adorably. Her eyes narrowed at Hadrian while she grinned wildly. Her green flowy knee-length dress fell on the table she was lying on. Her bare feet swung in the air behind her.

"What a sight this is! I didn't know you were the Lord's beloved... " She pressed her lips in excitement. Delight flickered in her eyes as she looked at Moulin whose expression broke into a frown. Freio giggled as her eyes flashed, "... Don't worry I will silence myself of what I have witnessed of course."

Finally, Hadrian glanced at Freio. His eyes were smoldering with fire that Freio could feel the sudden fury from where she was. "Speak of this to no one... I am serious, Freio. Or I will have your body mauled by dogs."

Freio frozed. She paled and she sat up with a forced smile. "Yes, of course..."

Geez, she was only having fun...

"Moulin... " Hadrian turned to Moulin who flinched once his name was called.

"What?... "

"..." The lord stepped closer to him. His domineering gaze looked down on the youth. "If you want your little pet back... come to my quarters tonight... "

"What-"

Flash!

Moulin covered his eyes with his arm as the Hercullian Guild Lord disappeared with a flash.

...

Moulin lowered his arm. His unfocused eyes stared openly.

Pet...

His eyes widened in realization. "Snow!"

"Oooooh... " Freio covered her mouth in delight. Her fingers tapped on the table's wooden surface with glee. "A night with the lord!"

How explicit!

Moulin glared at her. His fists clenched.

"Moulin?"

A voice sounded from behind a bookshelf. Tessley came out with a raised eyebrow. "You're back?"

Moulin straightened with a forced smile. He held the stack of books in his hands. "Ah, yes..."

"That was fast..." She gestured for him to bring the books to her.

Moulin acted like nothing had happened and it was an amusing sight for Freio as she giggled internally. Interesting! She had not known much about the gossips beyond the library doors but now she got herself exclusive information everybody would be dying to know about. Too bad she could not chatter about it openly or the Lord would truly get rid of her.

She sighed...