Chapter 214: Sovereignty

"Everything unfolded with the death of your grandfather."

The man's words flowed out with ease. The tips of his midnight hair caressed the rough body of the tree. Sunbeams gently dappled over his form like a twinkle of light. 

Inside the youth's mind, Moulin felt slightly conflicted in confused. However, there was no change on his expressionless face as he listened. His bare hand reaches to caress the white and black fur of the wild little beasts slumbering by his side. There were no obvious questions that wished to escape his mouth. Moulin knew Aedion would give it to him if he waits.

Once more, Aedion spoke with a low voice, and the young man with exquisite features and eyes of silver listened quietly. 

"A long time ago, The Fraunces and The Hercullios had a bond. There was peace between ours and your people since the end of the Red War. They were sworn brothers."

Moulin lifted his eyes and stared ahead. "Our families?"

"Our grandfathers." Aedion glanced at Moulin with a warm smile. 

This time, Moulin was filled with shock and surprise. There were no records of alliance between the Fraunces and the Hercullios. But to think that Lord Hendrick had a close bond with his grandfather stunned Moulin. Even within the original soul's memories, there was no mention of the history between the two families. The first time Moulin had heard of his grandfather was when Maxille told him their grandfather was murdered by the hands of Hadrian's father, the previous Lord Hercullio. 

Aedion continued, unaware of Moulin's thoughts, "Your grandfather and Lord Hendrick grew up together. They are like brothers. Even despite the curse of madness Lord Hendrick had possessed, except your grandfather, no one else was there to put him to ease."

Moulin furrowed his brows. 'The curse of madness...'

"And older they grew, they were still close. Even after marriage, even when they sired children. At first, they wanted their first sons to get along as well. However, it could not be done. The blood curse that flowed within my grandfather's blood was possessed by my uncle... Lord Hadrian's father."

Moulin inhaled, "The curse... It's hereditary?"

The man nodded. "Firstborn of the carrier will obtain the curse as well. Even if the child is killed, it would only return to the carrier until he sires another. Lord Hendrick learned to live with the curse. Before, we were also not one to leave behind those people with our blood." He sighed as he held his head. Lifting his gaze to stare at the filtering leaves with blank eyes blankly.

"Lord Hadrian's father was different. He was incapable of controlling his mana and powerless against the surge it brought to him. He was aggressive and violent—the treacherous power to steal one's ability. But regardless, Lord Hendrick cherished his firstborn, and it was that love that triggered everything. The violence, the evils he made, Lord Hendrick let him go. Even when he abused his own children, illegitimate or not, Lord Hendrick pardons him. It was until Lord Hendrick visited your family's estate that he brought his son with him. To introduce to him to your grandfather."

Aedion lowers his head. His expression concealed from Moulin's view. "Your grandfather was a brave man, I heard. A loving father and a wise leader. Your father was a better example of him."

Moulin smiles faintly, recalling his father's warm gaze despite his stern expression. 

"It was that night." Aedion suddenly spoke heavily, "For a mere spill of wine, for a few words of mercy, did my uncle killed a servant before your family's very eyes. Your father wasn't one to let it slide. So he fed wood to the fire. The events were quick, and one could not entirely process how the situation would quickly unfold... A sacrifice was made. Fraunces blood spilled. And your father lived to grow with a scar in his heart."

Moulin clenched his fists. It was true... 

His grandfather did die at the hands of Hadrian's father. 

With a long sigh, Aedion glanced at the youth's expression. And just as he expected, he witnessed the unsettled expression on the young man's delicate features. With guilt in his heart, Aedion continued. 

"My grandfather was also devastated by the happenings that night. It pained him to lose a friend and a brother."

Suddenly frigid wind swept throughout the area. The leaves rustled, the roses and branches swayed against the forceful gust. It was brief, but it brought a sense of intimidation to Aedion. He watched as the young man abruptly rose from his seat and took in a deep breath. 

"..." Moulin exhaled.

He now understands why his father and brothers were so against Hadrian. To watch a family member die to save their lives, it was an excruciating sight. It would have broken them. Yet, his father stayed strong to protect his children, raised them into the powerful me they were. Dismay filled Moulin's expression. Distress swirled within the rings of silver within his eyes. 

"Moulin-" Aedion called and abruptly shut his mouth. He didn't know what came to him when he saw the sorrow within the youth's eyes. Did he pity Moulin? Feel guilty?

The man could only rise from the soft grass and slowly. Silence settled between the two people as they stood. 

"What did he do?" The youth's voice seemed to ring in Aedion's ear. 

"Pardon?"

Moulin swiftly turned to face him. His silver eyes deepened in color. "What did he do to Hadrian?"

This question seemed to weigh a thousand tons in Moulin's chest. With a maniac man as his father, there was no way he had not made Hadrian suffer.

Aedion stared at Moulin quietly. There was dismay within those sea-green eyes. A soundless turmoil settles inside his gut. He wasn't sure how to reply.

However, Moulin waited. His eyes could penetrate deep into Aedion's soul. A shudder crept up the man's spine the more he was under that daunting gaze. He felt a force urging to break through his brain. It was compelling and frightening.

Before Aedion could speak up, a voice bested him.

"I was thrown to the forest to die alone and beaten until I my legs broke." 

The sudden voice made Moulin widen his eyes in shock and surprise. He turned to his right to see the familiar predominant stature. Striding towards them with an aura of might and ascendancy, Lord Hadrian Hercullio, wearing a cold smile, met Moulin's shocked gaze. The ends of his crimson cape almost met the ground as he moved forward intimidatingly.

The sight before him made gruesome bitterness and overflow from his heart. Venom filled his veins, and his eyes gleamed with a murderous light. 

"Hello, my love..." He spoke in a cold voice.

Out of the blue, the scene when Hadrian acted to kill Lady Heizea on the spot flashed in his mind. Moulin furrows his eyebrows as he unconsciously steps forward, shielding Aedion from Hadrian's view. His body had moved on his own, disregarding his thoughts. 

It was the youth's sudden actions that added fuel to the lord's fury. The cords of his neck turned visible as he took menacing steps towards Moulin, who unyieldingly stood before his way.

"Do you know what you are doing, Moulin?"

"He didn't do anything. We were just talking." Moulin muttered with narrowed eyes. "I forbid you to kill anyone as long as I'm here."

"Forbid me?" Hadrian stared at Moulin with a cocked eyebrow. He glanced at Aedion, who was standing with a pale expression and a bent neck. Rage seeped in his veins.

Golden eyes darkened. Anger emanated from his figure as he released a compelling aura of oppression. Aedions knees crashed to the ground with a loud crack. It seemed that he had broken his knees.

"Hadrian!" Moulin glowered as be gritted his teeth. "What are you doing?"

"You cannot forbid me for punishing my people, beloved." Hadrian narrowed his eyes. "This is my sovereignty."

"I am your Lord."