...

A sharp gasp. It was abrupt.

Messy silver hair coiled down his slender shoulder as a few droplets dripped down his forehead. His cheeks were moist and pale from the harsh temperature of the area. Slightly moist from the watery mist that brushed his face. A fragile chest rose and lowers, gradually growing steadier. Wrapped in a warm cloth, his delicate and slightly shivering hands were place on his stomach. Moulin's lips parted as he breathes. His silver eyes, wide and moist. Staring above him were massive leaves, used to make a cover from the rain. It was supported on the branches of a tree and tied with what Moulin had recognized was a fabric of an elegant-looking cave.

The sound of the raging rain entered his ears. It sounded unforgiving and threatening. It was intimidating. He was lying down, he realized. Fat droplets of rain crashed on the damp earth. Although the rain sounded like it would flood the whole forest, Moulin realized that the place he was laying down on was dry and warm. He winced as he felt a brief ache piercing his head. Confusion molded his expression as he held his head.s

What happened?

"You're awake..."

Almost immediately, the youth's gaze shifted beside him. What met his eyes was the uncertain expression of the Guild Lord of Guild Dragor in front of him. Scarlet eyes stared at him calmly. However, the reassurance in his eyes was hard to miss. As always, his scabbard gilded with white gold laid on top of his legs. He was squatting beside Moulin, resting his legs from standing all the time. Auburn strands fell handsomely on his forehead.

Lord Ordan sighed.

Moulin sat up from where he laid and confusingly scrutinized his humid surroundings. It was raining hard and thunder roared in the skies. It was treacherous enough to scare away all the humungous beast dwelling deep in the forest. The grassy earth was soaked. The mud appeared like it would drown you when you step on it.

"Ao!"

Moulin turned his head but froze when he felt a hefty weight jump on his lap. Moulin's eyes softened as he is gaze at two little brats worriedly starting at him with their beady eyes. A smile broke on his face and he raised both his hands to rub the two on their furry heads. At the same moment, Moulin took advantage of the silence and deeply recalled the events that had transpired last night.

The boiling pain beneath his skin. Excruciating and unbearable. He couldn't remember what happened next...

His brows curved upwards as he turned his head to Ordan. "How long was I unconscious?"

"Since the Lord returned with you in his arms last night." He replied. "You were in so much pain that you tried to scrape off the skin of your arm. We head to restrain you."

Moulin felt like his ears were deafening as he processed the words. With great hesitation and fear, he turned his gaze to his left arm. Truly, multiple red lines were marring his arm. On those red lines, the skin had broken and tiny smears of blood could be seen. His heart thundered. The marks on his skin were still conspicuous. It stayed there like a curse on his body.

"Where is Lord Hadrian," Moulin asked as he still kept his eyes on his arm.

"Off to search for a herb to relieve your pain..." Replied Lord Ordan as he intently stared at Moulin's worried that expression. "The marks on your left arm are abnormal. If it causes you pain, then it is nothing but a curse. It was put there intentionally. There is a probability that it may be a mark to trace your location..."

"What?" Moulin veins pulsed in his neck as his eyes widened in shock.

Ordan nodded. "Although it is just an assumption, there is a possibility that it is true." He then stood and carefully tweaked a small blue gem, tied with a string, hanging on a small branch of the tree.

Moulin narrowed his eyes at it and realized it was the gem on his messaging relic that he uses to communicate to his brothers three times a month.

Before Moulin could open his mouth, Ordan spoke. "I found this in your void pouch and thought it might help us in this unfortunate situation. The am no artificer but I know how to alter the utilization of a mana crystal briefly but effectively." He glanced at the youth. "This will keep warm and protected just until the rain will end."

With a nod, Moulin could only let the man do what we needed to do. Truly, they needed anything to aid their survival in the forest. Since Moulin was already adapted to the survival life many months ago, and although quite satisfied with his life in aristocracy, he remained unbothered by the harsh conditions of the forests.

Moulin welcomed Snow and the little wolf in his arms as he quietly stared at the forest ahead of him, through the heavy curtain of rain.

He hoped Hadrian would return...

•••••

A few hours later, Hadrian emerged from the forest. His whole body was drenched under the rain yet his expression was calm. His lustrous golden eyes seem to gleam even through the curtain of rain. His gait was slow yet full of strength. He had a sword in one hand.

When Moulin saw his figure, he places Snow and the pup on the ground before standing up. He felt like his eardrums would explode from the sound of his heartbeat.

As golden eyes spotted the slender figure standing under the leaf cover that protected him from the rain, his steps turned hurried and he was running. When he entered beneath the warm cover from the rain, body emerging from the curtain of rain, his hands held Moulin's arms almost painfully. Moulin furrowed his brows as he ignored everything and lifted a hand to rest his palm on the man's cold cheek. He flinched when he felt the temperature of the man's body.

"You..." He frowned. His lids slightly lowered a droplet fell from the tip of the man's nose. "You are cold. Why did you have to go out there under this rain?"

Hadrian only stared at Moulin's face. "Are you alright?"

For a brief moment, Moulin paused. His eyes softly gazed into those vibrant pools of gold. "I'm alright.. "

For the first time in several hours since Moulin collapsed, Hadrian, breathe out a sigh of relief. There was a terrifying thought in his mind as he recalled the distorted expression on Moulin's face as pain consumed him. He felt like he could not breathe, only when Moulin touched him with his warm hands and the light on the youth's eyes did he felt at ease again. Even though he knew this moment was only temporary.

'I will protect you, no matter how much it takes...'

With a determined expression, Hadrian held Moulin's hand and kissed his knuckles. "We are going to leave this area. Vampirian tigers are currently heading to here at this moment. We can exit the rain if we go west."

Moulin nodded. Vamparian tigers were as huge as elephants. In this weather, they were best hunting for prey. He turned his head and found Ordan's back facing them. Shock molded his expression when he forgot Ordan was with them. Moulin's expression changed when he stepped away from Hadrian. He was too distracted by Hadrian's appearance to notice Ordan by his side.

No, he couldn't have seen it. Moulin convinced himself and proceeded to tuck away their things.

"We will depart right now..." Hadrian spoke to Ordan who nodded with an uneasy expression. As he worked to removed the blue pendant from the tree branch, he glanced at Moulin. Uncertainty flashed in his eyes.

It took them not long to completely finish. The rain was unavoidable. If they wanted to hurry, they have to get wet.

As the three of them began to leave the area, their footprints became puddles as they hastily left. The mud drenched their legs and the rain was freezing. It was Lord Hadrian who navigated and led the way. Passing countless trees that all looked similar the longer they moved. In less than an hour, they arrived at a river.

Strangely, the rain didn't reach the opposite side of the river. The current was calm, undisturbed by the freezing wind of the rain. It seems they have arrived at the right place. Without hesitation, they crossed the river. The water level reached Moulin's chest. He had a bit of trouble walking when a particular snow-white fox was sitting on his head, looking majestic on his master's pedestal head. The wolf pup on the other hand was held by Hadrian. However, the poor pup was only held by the scruff of his neck. Nevertheless, the little brat looked like he was having fun.

They successfully crossed the river and excited the rain. The soil was dry beneath their feet and the vegetation looked strangely healthy. Although they were relieved, the clothing sticking to their skin was uncomfortable.

"Let's take a rest" Hadrian declares as he walked toward Moulin who was concentrating on taking off his soaked boots. The youth sat on a rock. His clothes sticking to his body, emphasizing the slenderness of his figure. Snow jumped off his master's head and joined the little wolf who was abandoned by Hadrian. At the sight of his friend, the wolf pup happily scurried towards the fox and together they shook off the droplets of water on their bodies. Their fur puffed with dryness when they were done.

"How are you?" Hadrian asked as he reached Moulin.

"I am fine, Milord." Moulin gave a smile. "I'm alright."

Hadrian frowned at how Moulin addressed him but their concern filled his eyes as he began to examine the youth himself. Relieved that Moulin was truly alright, Hadrian took Moulin's wet cloak and laid them on a rock to dry. He narrowed his eyes at Moulin's body, "Rest and cover yourself with ghe cloak when it's dry..."

There was no way he'd let the youth strip himself just to dry his clothes.

Watching Hadrian and Ordan took off their shirts to dry them, Moulin frowned. He felt envy creep into his heart as he started at their muscled bodies filled with explosive power. He looked at himself and frowned. His feminine-like body...

He turned his gaze away, watching Snow and the wolf play. Trying to distract himself before he let his jealousy overwhelm him.

Snow and the little black wolf began to roll on each other happily.