Chapter 206: Little Snow Blossom Moumou

It was difficult to hear for loud voices filled the entire hall. The savory aromatic scent of food filled in the air, making it hard for one to contain their hunger. Rows of long wooden tables and benches filled the stoned floor. Moulin's ears could catch the creaking of the wood as almost a hundred people with alarming muscled limbs sat on those creaking benches. 

Their laughs and their conversations were loud. Men and women alike, gobbled their food as they spoke to their companions with hearty smiles. Other slammed the tables with their wooden mugs as they boasts about themselves and the challenges and missions they have accomplished. Currently, Moulin was silently trying to carry a wooden tray filled with ten full mugs of wine and a whole roasted chicken, steaming delightfully. It was a funny sight to see such a slender person carrying something so heavy.

Staring at the food also made Moulin realize that he hasn't had breakfast yet. 

He has spent a full hour in this inn-like dining hall, serving food, cleaning up tables, balancing plates, and picking up fallen utensils on the floor. He didn't even have time to stop and think as voices began to call for him from the people at the counters and the knights at the tables.

Moulin abruptly stopped in his steps. 'Wait, why am I spending so much time here anyway?'

"Oi! Here!" A loud voice boomed. At the far side of the hall, one large hand began to wave at Moulin.

Moulin blinked. He moved his feet and carefully evaded a servant girl carrying a stack of wooden bowls who almost bumped him.

The servant girl stopped and examined Moulin worriedly, "Sorry, Are you alright? You're not hurt?" Other servants began to look at him in concern.

A smile stretches on Moulin's face. "I'm fine, don't worry."

He has to admit, most of the workers here are friendly and caring. It made it fun to continue pretending. 

Relief filled her face, and she nodded to him before hurrying to deliver the plates to the counters. The other resumed their work as well. The smile on the youth's face didn't fade away as he started to head to the knight's table. 

"Ah, finally! I'm starving!" A blonde knight stared as Moulin carefully began to put the mugs and the plates of food on the table. The platter smoothly scraped the wood, and the bountiful scent of food made the bulky warriors drool hungrily.

Moulin poured wine on an empty cup and passed it over to the hand, reaching out for it. Fingers brushed. Moulin stopped. The youth lifted his silver eyes and stared at the man before him, who was scrutinizing him intently.

"What strange eyes you got there, lad." The man smiled. His handsome features looked even more captivating when he smiles. "I have traveled a lot, and I have never seen someone as enchanting as you. How come I only noticed you today?"

"I'm… new here…" Moulin slightly furrows his eyebrows and nods at the man. The table had gone silent.

Moulin retracted his hand, swiftly picked up the tray and left. He heard laughter bursting from behind him as he walked away. His lips twitches once he reached the kitchens. It seems some of those knights were heartbreakers. He leaned his shoulder on the stone wall and placed the tray on a rack. 

While he wiped his hands on his dirty apron, he stared at the rowdy dining hall filled with strong people. What made him even more curious was the fact that they were carrying their weapons with them as they dined. There was an unsheathed sword on a table and a bow laid on top of it. There were also arrows that spilled from their quiver to the floor. A servant yelps when he felt his ankle pricked by an arrowhead.

Honestly, someone could get dreadfully hurt if this keeps up. 

"Hey, did you hear about the Lord's return?" 

Moulin's ears perked up as he picked up a conversation of a few knights sitting not far from the table.

"Yes, I already do." The man cocked an eyebrow at his friend.

"I heard he brought someone with him. Perhaps, a lover."

"You should quit interacting with those maids." 

"I'm serious! The head maid told me herself! It's really a kept lover!"

Kept? Moulin frowned.

"That person even dined with the masters last night. Perhaps, a wedding maybe right around the corner."

The man almost spat out his wine, "Bah! Nonsense! No maiden is brave enough to face Lord Hercullio. And even if there were, they would just be cast aside. No lesser than those money-grubbing wenches."

"There's still Lady Heizea, you rat!"

The man stopped and nodded, "Hm, perhaps the Lady may have a chance. The firstborn of an Archnoble family in the right court with the Hercullio's side. Strong, a beauty. Lord Hadrian wouldn't find another person like her."

Moulin narrowed his eyes. The frown on his face darkened even further. He recalled the woman that came to interrupt their dinner last night. Darkness swirled within the silver rings in his eyes.

"Look here, lads! Look what I found sneaking under my table!" 

Suddenly a roaring voice resounded throughout the halls. It was so loud that it reached the kitchens where Moulin was standing. Curious gazes turned to look at a knight standing on the bench with an amused grin.

Surprisingly, it was also the knight that flirted with Moulin. The youth narrows his eyes as he watches the man suddenly raised his arm, lifting a particular little furball by its scruff. Its snow-white fur looked soft and precious. It only took one look for the knights around the dining hall to have the urge to covet the cute little thing. 

On the other hand, the 'little thing' doesn't seem to like being lifted by a stranger. Its beady silver eyes gleamed with killing intent as it squirmed to be released.

"Oh, feisty little thing." The knight grinned-a string of laughter fields the tables around him.

Moulin's eyes were wide in shock. 'What the hell is Snow doing here?!'

"Bram, let me have a look at the little thing!" A tall woman yelled as she eyed the snow-white fox. She placed her spear on the table-the clattering sound of plates noises.

"This one is mine, woman! If you want it, you're going to have to fight me for it!" Bram laughed as he picked up his sword.

Suddenly, more people began to crowd the knight as they neared the little creature. Their thoughts swirled about the pure-white fur of the little beast. How much money could they earn when they sell it? They doubted they wouldn't make thousands if they sold the beast to a noble.

"Sir!" 

A clear voice sounded across the hall. It sounded like the chimes of bells or the clinks of glassware. It didn't take a second for the whole area to be enveloped by silence. Even the passing servants stopped in their tracks. 

The knight Bram and countless others slowly turned their heads and spotted a slender figure wearing a dirty apron. Round silver eyes blinked as they stared at Bram. They were filled with warning and anxiousness. The knight felt a sense of thrill wash over his body when he met the youth's gaze. However, it was not only him, but the other men intensely scrutinized Moulin's body as well. 

Bram grinned, "Do you want to say something, Little Snow Blossom? Everyone is ready to hear it." He gestures to his fellow men around him. Chuckles resounded around him.

Moulin didn't waver. Not even a little bit of embarrassment could be seen on his expression as he stared at Bram. "Sir, that beast is mine. Please, release him."

Bram widened his eyes, "Yours?" He lifted the fox, who growled at his face. "Hm, How can I belie-"

"Ao! Ao!" Snow barked as he faced Moulin. He whimpered pitifully and yet fearfully. Master will surely punish him after this! But... it feels good to be cared for by master~

Hm, let's stay helpless for a while. Hehe...

"Oh..." Bram frowns. The fox clearly showed its fondness to the young man. However, he couldn't give up. He amusingly stares at the captivating youth that had caught his eye since a few hours ago. His lips curls into a smirk, "Little flower, I really am reluctant to hand this over to you. How about... give me something in return?" 

Wolfish whistles sounded in the air. They leered at Moulin's dainty figure delightfully. However, Moulin didn't look to be affected by their foolish jokes and interested stares.

"I can fight you for it..." He only answered.

...

A three-second silence filled the area. Everyone stared at the young man incredulously.

Laughter then burst all over the dining hall. The servants chuckled at the youth's joke. When the knight, Bram, ended this laughter he grinned cheekily. "Oh, really? How amusing. I'm looking forward to it. But how can I be a generous person if I won't give a little flower such as yourself a chance?"

Moulin raised his brows. Expressionlessly, he stared at man. His lips parted as he waited with a tilted head. 

The knight glanced at his friends, who told him to stop bullying his little flower. Bram only chuckled as he lifted his head. "Aright, I will give you ten seconds to take this little beast from my grasp. That is if you can. I will not move or resist at all." He lifted his head and stood up on the table. "Afterwards, let's play a game."

Placing a hand upon his belted waist, Bram lifted Snow as he stared at the youth with excitement. His expression conveys a 'what-are-you-waiting-for' look. His friends chuckled at his foolishness. If Bram likes the lad, why can't he go for him like he always does? Honestly, what a fool.

Moulin exhaled. Annoyance brimmed in his blood; however, he also thought how funny the situation was. Yes, it would be hilarious to see how I smack the smirk off their faces.

Three seconds passed, and Bram thought that Moulin was finally giving up. He felt slightly disappointed. Such a shame, he wanted to touch the young man when he'd approached. Perhaps, Bram would even ask for his name and where his quarters were.

He sighs, "Snow blossom, I was joking how about-"

Woosh!

A fierce freezing wind suddenly swept past every single person within the halls!

The plates clattered, and the furniture creaked as their legs scraped the stoned floor. A sheet of frost spreads outwards from the surfaces of the tables. The people were confused, but they clearly witness a blurred figure swiftly rush toward's Bram at tremendous speed.

Bram stiffened in surprise. 

His eyes widened, and it felt as though the world became lethargic and cold before his eyes. He could see pure-white hair lustrously swaying before him. The weight in his grip vanished, and he held his breath when striking pairs of silver eyes glanced at him before swiftly vanishing within his sight.

BANG!

The wooden doors of the halls slammed open from the inside.

Through the open doors, a chilly mist along with the frigid wind escaped the dining hall. Beyond the doors was an open outdoor hallway before a wide courtyard. Numerous people jumped in surprise, startled by the noise. Confusion and curiosity filled their faces.

Skillfully, a slender figure landed in the floor of the open walkway. Kneeling on one knee, Moulin carefully lowers his arms. Worry filled his eyes. The little snow-white fox blinked in surprise. Giddily, the little brat licked the tip of the youth's delicate nose. Moulin smiled. His eyes squinted into crescents. "Don't look so happy; I'm still angry at you. Wait till we return to the room."

Snow blinked. He pitifully batted his lashes while whimpering.

Rolling his eyes, Moulin stood up from the ground.

"Hah!"

A voice sounded behind him. Slightly turning his head, Moulin raised his brows.

With slow strides, Bram, exited the doors along with his friends. They carried their weapons with an intrigued gleam in their eyes. Moulin wasn't the slightest fearful of their advances. However, he leaped backwards toward the open courtyard. The fresh air filled his nostrils.

"I never thought a small creature like you would be a maeruthan of ice." Bram grinned at the youth, who only stared at him expressionlessly. Thrill filled his veins.

With sharp eyes, he smirked at Moulin. "However, the game hasn't ended yet, little blossom. You have your chance,"

He raked his eyes all over Moulin's figure.

"My turn..."