"Why were we really summoned here, Your Highness?"

It was Moulin who spoke. There was a hidden depth in his eyes as if there was a deep well filled with Inquisition. His expression was momentous, not giving a bit of attention to the man sitting beside him, quietly weaving his fingers on the long white strands that fell from Moulin's ponytail.

Inhaling a lungful of air, words flowed endlessly. Like a crystal river filled with wistful sorrow. Clarity filled th prince's eyes as he spoke the hidden reason why Auronian sentinels were sent to aid for Thundralln's troubles.

"I have a sister." He began. His voice, dripping with heaviness. He was about to relay the secret that he and his family had been hiding for years.

As expected, Moulin's eyes widened. The imperial family in Thundralln -as he had learned- had no female offsprings. Three princes, one the crown prince of Thundralln, heir to the throne. The other two were outstanding warriors and protectors of the kingdom, loyal to their first brother. Moulin had never known of a princess. Perhaps there was something involve for her existence to be concealed from the world?

"For what I am about to say afterwards, I beg of you to keep it hidden from anyone..." Nordehl lifted his head. His bright emerald eyes turned fearless and stern, indicating that the matter that would be conveyed to the pair was highly confidential. Moulin nodded his head, complying with the prince's conditions.

With a sigh, Nordehl continued. "Twenty years ago, she was birthed during the night of the Halthor, The Passing day of the elven folk sacrificed in the Red War, The night was mournful for that same night my sister was born my mother's life was taken. We never blamed my sister, she was a bright blessing. However, our oracle foretold the tragedy of her youth. She would die by the scarred hands of an unknown man. We were anxious for her life. We had already lost our mother. We could not bear to lose her too. Growing to the fine woman she grew with my mother's likeness. We had kept her existence hidden from the world for fear of her life just until she would reach maturity. However..." Nordehl's voice was hoarse as though there was something clogging his throat. He continued. "... Three weeks ago, her chambers were raided. Even our most skilled warriors guarding her quarters were slaughtered. For days we expended all our strengths to find her. Even my third brother had journeyed beyond Meian to seek for a master that could trace her. He hasn't returned since then..."

His frame grew weary as he raised a hand to his head, brows sullenly curved, eyes growing red. "My father has not been feeling well ever since her disappearance. Each day he offers gifts to the gods and then prays. He broke not long after. I have been stabilizing the kingdom in his stead. Although I wish to go out and find her myself, I cannot for more and more problems are arising within the kingdom. The Kron is something my people have feared the depths of their bones. But without a cure, I can only do what I can..."

Moulin began to process the elf's words. His expression softened. Was that why he went to find Hadrian? To seek help from him? However...

Moulin turned to the man who looked quite uninterested. There wasn't even a wrinkle of pity on his string brow. Moulin could only soften for the prince. What was he thinking, being all jealous because of the poor man? Thinking back Moulin could only shake his head and berate himself.

"I'm sorry. You must have been devastated." Moulin softened his expression with a loosened sigh. He let his shoulders slack as he properly faced the prince sitting before him.

"Thank you..." Nordehl gave a smile. "I plan to discuss this matter with Sentinel Rowan and Lady Relena as well. When I recognized the Lion of the Hercullio during the welcoming, I hastily came to present the lord with some gifts and seek his help..." His voice gradually decreased as his face turned red in embarrassment. He didn't expect he would encounter the lord's affair instead.

Coughing, Moulin quickly switched the subject, "It would be our honor to aid you, your highness..."He glanced at the man beside him who innocently smiled at him. Moulin looked at Nordehl and decided, "This foolish Lion will help as well..."

Nordehl almost choked his tea as Moulin's words sank in his ears. To actually address the lord in such manner, this youth was really courageous! Indeed, he was Lord Hercullio's beloved! Nordehl expressed his gratitude with endless praises as he kept pouring Moulin some tea. After the nth time, Moulin declined Nordehl's offer to pour him some tea, instead, he asked the prince a question.

"What did your sister look like?" Moulin's intention was to liven the atmosphere and if he could drag, Hadrian into the conversation.

Nordehl paused and his eyes instantly brightened. His elegant features were greatly magnified making Moulin feel a slight joyful.

"She's got the most beautiful smile, like the dancing wildflowers in great plains of Hul'Mer. Her hair, like waves of woven gold. She looked just as beautiful as mother... " Nordehl then stopped as he gazed at Moulin.

Moulin furrowed his brows when the prince abruptly stopped. There was a slight hesitation in those emerald eyes. Moulin pressed, "What is it?"

"It's..." Nordehl gave out a strange smile as he looked at Moulin.

"Her eyes... were a rare silver as well..."

...

Moulin stared unmovingly. His brows knitted. He unconsciously raised a hand to his eyes.

Silver?

"Your eyes greatly reminded me of her-" Nordehl's breath hitched as he saw the deathly glare from his kingdom's hero. The prince quickly shifted the subject with a sweaty forehead.

The evening was getting late and Moulin knew he should return to his room. He thought if he went a bit later, Snow might run off to find him. Like Moulin, the little brat could not sleep without his master. Before leaving, Hadrian gave Nordehl a nod lifting the elf's spirits. Nordehl could not stop babbling about Hadrian's phenomenal feats occasionally mentioning some of the Lord's affairs. Moulin's eye had twitched once or twice before finally silencing the prince with a deep glare. Oblivious to Moulin, a smirk graced the Lord Hadrian's lips, he uttered a couple of words to Nordehl before returning to his lover's side. In the end, their silent exchange was caught by Moulin.

Moulin didn't know what was the subject of their whispers but he could see the faltering smile on the prince's grateful countenance before Hadrian teleported them back to the courtyard. The youth gave Hadrian a suspicious look before marching to his quarters.

That night Moulin didn't sleep until dawn. Bringing the sleeping fox into his arms, he lowered his head while pondering. Why did it bother him? He had felt a dreadful feeling of the disappearance of the elven princess. What of it if she had silver eyes? Why was he too bothered by it? With a groan, Moulin narrowed his eyes.

Somehow deep in his heart, he wondered about the man with wound-stripped arms that had lunged at him back in the mirror realm during the trials. After he had encountered the original soul, Within the dilapidated temple, A creature with red glowing eyes... Who owned arms marred with wounds...

'She would die by the scarred hands of an unknown man'

...

Moulin shook his head. No, it could not be...

However, who was to say it wasn't?

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

By the time everyone had awoken, Rowan, Relena, and a couple of sentinels had gone to seek the prince's presence. Until they returned the rest were to prepare for their new tasks.

From where the sentinels of dragor were sparring while occasionally challenging some of the Leonile sentinels, A hasty figure was suspiciously darting his eyes around. His amethyst eyes were rich with impatience and determination as he searched across the yard. Callun had lost the chance to converse with Moulin along time ago and he wasn't going to waste this day repeatedly failing each time.

"Who are you looking for?" One of Callun's friends asked as he neared his friend.

"Who do you think I'm looking for?" Callun impatiently replied.

With a laugh and with the faint malice in his eyes, the man spoke to his friend. "Ah, your beloved Aphrodite? You must thank me. I personally told our friends to keep those Leonile people off the living quarters. Why do you think we are challenging them today? That little beloved of yours is probably inside his room, afraid of the sun shading his skin. Go and receive him". He smacked Callun's back with a grin.

Ecstatic, Callum thanked his friend and immediately ran off towards the building. His eyes were bright and desirous as he traveled through the wooden buildings until he arrived at Moulin's door. Clearing his throat, Callun could feel a tingle in his fingertips as he reached to open the door.

Callun's fingers stopped. He felt a strong ambiance of mana enveloping the room from the inside. Instantly, the young master quickly retracted his hand. He knew if he would touch it, his presence would immediately be known from the person inside. Was there something important Moulin had to perform for him to cast a barrier around his room?

.. .

Within the thin walls of the sentinel's room, silver eyes glared at the figure sitting on his bed. The tug on the young man's lips was annoyed. There was the presence of dark circles beneath his eyes, indicating his lack of sleep. His long hair had fallen past his shoulders, it was brushed well before the youth had worn his guild's uniforms. He didn't bother to clean off the grim in his boots and pants as he sat at the desk found at the corner of the room. The tall panes of the windows brought forth a warmth from the daylight beams passing through it.

Moulin helplessly turned his gaze away from the man sitting negligently on his bed. Hadrian had questioned about his lack of sleep last night and none of Moulin's alibis had work. In the end, he had to... to... to seal the man's lips with a kiss to silence him. All was well at the end. Hadrian finally let it pass and sat on Moulin's bed while taking out one of Moulin's books to read.

Although Moulin could still feel the unrest emitted from the expressionless man on the bed, Moulin only knitted his brows as a smile adorned his lips. It made him feel giddy about Hadrian's concern. He knows he shouldn't be like that but he could not help it.

He pulled out the messaging relic from his void pouch Emlen had given to him before his departure. The artifact was circular and flat , easy to hold on his palm. It had the color of amber which shined brilliantly when touched by the light. On its center, a blue gem was embedded and in a form of a ring, runes were carved on the surface. This device was something Moulin did not know of. He didn't even know how to activate it.

Pressing his lips together, Moulin curiously rubbed his chin with his finger as he leaned nearer to observe the little thing. He was unaware of the amused look a particular man was giving him from behind.

Lifting a finger, Moulin touched the gem at the center. His curious action led to the faint glowing of the gem as it let out a small glowing ball to hover in the air. With a flash, the orb expanded and a transparent yet clear image of a person was seen before Moulin's eyes.

Blinking, Moulin gasped. "Brother?"

Emlen eyes were filled with emotion as he opened his mouth. Suddenly, he narrowed his eyes cautiously as if to clearly see the image.

"Moulin... Who is that behind you?"

___________