Chapter 56: Like A Servant To His Master

The lord looked imposing and dignified in Moulin's view from below. Like a mighty king looking down on his subjects as they knelt before his feet. The man's powerful figure was reflected in Moulin's silver eyes.

Moulin furrowed his brows in confusion as he looked around. Completely throwing away his attention to the man before him.

He was in some sort of room, a cramped room filled with tall wooden shelves willed with small figurines and a large old desk placed by the window. The chandelier above them gave a warm atmosphere and the scent of paper and books entered Moulin's nose.

H-how did he get here? Where was he? He was certain that he was resting under the willow tree earlier. He absolutely didn't dream it!

Hadrian stared at the confused look on the youth's face. Moulin didn't even think about getting up from the floor. He was stuck in his thoughts, completely unaware of the deep look Hadrian was giving him. A corner of the Lord's lips quirked up as he scrutinized the pitiful youth.

The youth's long wavy hair was in a mess and the neckline of his shirt was loose and open. The white exquisite skin and the delicate clavicle were vulnerable under Hadrian's golden gaze. Before his thoughts would wander in the wrong direction, he shifted his attention to the youth's face which happened to more captivating, shoving more coal into the fire.

Unable to bear it any longer, Hadrian reached out a hand to help the youth up. He guessed that if he wouldn't do anything, Moulin would completely forget his existence in the room. "Come, stand up."

Moulin stared at the open palm and a wave of realization immediately hit him hard. He jerked back and looked at the Lord with wide eyes. Fortunately, it was a face he was deeply familiar with in his heart.

Questions started pouring into his brain and before he could say anything, Hadrian had already grasped his arms, carefully pulling him up on his feet. The heat of his touch made Moulin shiver other than the chilly wind that had enveloped him back in the courtyard which didn't faze him.

As Hadrian pulled the youth to his feet, his gaze lowered, and noticed Moulin's bare feet. The pink toes were muddied, curling out of discomfort. The Lord frowned as he met Moulin's gaze.

"Why are your feet bare?"

Moulin lowered his gaze. His cheeks reddening with embarrassment. "I... got lost... "

He was like a kitten, waiting to be punished. Although he looked pitiful, there was an unyielding look in his eyes. As if he didn't want to accept the current situation happening to him.

"The young master got lost? Where was your brother? I believe he wouldn't leave his helpless dear brother alone in a very foreign place." There was a smile as he spoke.

Hadrian's tone was as if telling Moulin that it was in fact his fault for being so reckless and getting himself lost. Moulin rolled his eyes as he pulled away from the Lord's grasp. "I would've found my way if it wasn't for my hunger-"

Knock!

Knock!

"My Lord?"

Moulin flinched. He immediately shut his mouth as the lord and he looked at each other. Hadrian's expression was blank despite the situation. On the contrary, Moulin looked like a thief about to be caught in the scene of thievery.

Moulin stepped behind a wooden display cabinet the moment he heard the door about to be opened. His movements were quiet as he threw a glare at Hadrian.

"Don't come in... " Hadrian spoke. His eyes never leaving Moulin.

"?..." Varick was confused as he removed his grip on the handle from behind the door. "Is everything alright?"

"Why do you ask?" Hadrian glanced at the door, impassively. His tone was irritated.

Varick frowned. Because he thought he had heard another voice, he believed there was someone other than his lord inside. "Forgive my rudeness." He muttered.

He was trying to be a dutiful knight! Now even his concern was not recognized. His posture drooped silently as he turned to walk away.

"Bring me a basin of hot water and a clean towel." His master's voice entered his ears before he had even taken a step forward. Varick looked back and tilted his head. Hot water?

Moulin blinked as he peeked at Hadrian from behind the cabinet. His silver eyes gazed curiously.

Hadrian glanced at him. Carrying a hint of amusement, his eyes deeply stared into Moulin's silver ones.

Varick opened his mouth to asked but guessed that he might infuriate his lord so he threw away the idea. "Yes, right away. Does my Lord need anything else?"

"A warm meal as well..."

"...?" Varick furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. Didn't he just finished his dinner earlier? Why was he starving again? This was the first time he had heard of his lord's bottomless stomach.

"Yes, I will be right back..." Despite his suspicions and unusual ideas, he dashed away in the halls, heading towards's the kitchens.

When Moulin heard that Hadrian was going to send in some food, his stomach growled loudly. He held his belly as his ears turned red in shame. He didn't want to come off so lousy in front of the Lord. It made him look even more stupid than he already was.

"You wandered barefooted, got yourself lost, and even starved yourself?" A deep voice spoke in front of Moulin.

Moulin flinched and lifted his gaze to face Hadrian. He turned away and nodded.

Hadrian could not restrain a smile. "How strange. You act so strangely now that you left the mountains. I wonder if you grew unaccustomed living in your family's manor."

Moulin raises an eyebrow at him.

The Lord chuckled and pulled a chair beside the wooden desk next to him. "Sit... "

He eyed the Moulin's muddied feet. Somehow the layer of filth tainting the pale skin beneath it irked him.

Moulin hesitated before finally seating himself on the chair. His eyes gazed at the blank pages of the books scattered on top of the desk wondering if he had abruptly intruded in the Lord's work. The cushion he was sitting on felt soft and comfortable.

A knock on the door made Moulin flinched. Hadrian went to received the basin and the tray of food before shutting the door close. The door slammed in front of Varick's hopeful face, leaving the poor knight listless. Did he actually deserve that?

Moulin's brows raised in surprise. "How admirable of you. Won't he be suspicious of your affairs inside this room that you're keeping him from entering?"

Hadrian gave him an amused look. "If the young master wants it. Then I can let him witness our 'affair' and perhaps he wouldn't tattle about it to the other servants. Although I wouldn't mind them discussing my amours, I doubt you wouldn't mind as well."

Moulin tried to smile, "I do. Very much... because none of this was on purpose and this isn't an affair"

The Lord grinned. Although he was suspicious of how Moulin had activated the portal to his old study, he kept the questions aside just until the young man would finish eating.

"Hungry?... " He pushed the meal tray towards the young man.

The steam of the broth and the three types of desserts by the side made Moulin drool. His stomach rumble loudly, reaching Hadrian's ears. He ignored the amused look on the man's face and cleared his throat before nodding. He could not hide the craving in his eyes as he stared at the food as If he would finish it in one gulp.

"Eat." The lord said.

Without further ado, Moulin picked up his spoon and began to eat with big mouthfuls. He didn't care about looking proper in front of anyone anymore. All his attention was focused on finishing the delicious meal offered to him. He closes his eyes in satisfaction. Tears almost fall from his eyes as he savors each spoonful.

He's silent. Moulin could feel the warmth entering his stomach. The joy of fulfillment layered the surface of his pupils.

Lord Hadrian watched him as he ate, noticing the watery corners of the youth's eyes. How hungry was he to become tearful after a few spoonfuls of food? Nevertheless, it brings a sort of relief to Hadrian. However, that wasn't the only thing he was going to offer the youth.

"...?" Moulin stilled.

He felt something wet caressing his foot and he looked down. Disbelief instantly etched his face. He ceased the spoon closing into his mouth.

"What are you doing?" He asked.

From below, The lord lifted his gaze. A soaked towel in one of his grasp and a basin with the other. He was on one knee, sleeves rolled up to his shoulders as he stopped his movements.

"Your feet..." Under the questioning gaze of the youth, he calmed his heart. "... needs to be cleaned." With that, he lowered his head to continue as he held Moulin's ankle.

...?

Moulin was already used to be served but seeing the man most superior to him in rank, physique, and ability, attending to him, gave him a new level of disbelief and shock. He blinked.

How was he supposed to react? Of course, he turned away and continued to eat his fill!

His stomach was more important than the man kneeling and cleaning his feet. Although he hates to admit it, seeing this lofty man lower himself like a servant to his master gave him a feeling of satisfaction and delight. It wasn't so bad.

Hadrian smirked at Moulin's indifferent reaction. His eyes scrutinized the pale feet in his hand as he carefully wiped off the grime around it.

The toes were pinkish, curling at every touch of the warm towel. The delicate soles of the youth's feet turned reddish as the heat caressed it. The sight was tantalizing even for the young lord. Perhaps even a light press would bruise the delicate skin. Any mark would look so alluring on it.

His eyes narrowed. The golden depths of his pupils deepened even more as his rough fingers brushed the bridge of the pale feet, a blush spreading from the toes. The smooth curve of the feet felt soft against his palm.

Moulin only smiled a bit as he felt a tickle.