Chapter 222: Uncovering

He does not hear anything. Does not speak, does not see. As if the world has gone terribly grey. Grief banged within his soul. Fierce and desperate. 

Shock seized Moulin's soul. And he suddenly felt too afraid to move. Eyes gray with despair. His knees grow weak, threatening to fall and crash. "M-My mother?"

Pola only nods, hiding her tears. She would have felt joy under different circumstances to see the young master's face once again. However, faced with the bleak household and the bodies infected and burned for carrying the Kron, they could not even smile. And so was the rest of the people in the estate. No cure has arisen to save the dying. Grief has swallowed the entire city and soon... the kingdom.

It was good that the young master was not here. Pola was relieved for the safety of the third young master. He does not need to see the suffering and grief. However, it was also not suitable for the young master not to be present in such times. Especially for the grand noble family who have longed for his presence. 

The Lady, the Lord, and his brothers are all very concerned about him. However, they could do nothing against the brute strength of the gazes of Hercullian eyes. Powerful and compelling, they were to strike fear into their hearts. But what they most feared was the life of their sweet youngest brother that was held captive but that man.

"N-No... That can't be..." Moulin shakes his head. His expression was lost between shock and grief. 

"I'm sorry, Young Master." Pola bowed her head, sniffling.

These mere words pierced through Moulin's stomach like a blunt spear. He paled. How? How did this happen? Where were his brothers? His father? If mother was truly ailing, then why did they not talk to him?

"Y-Young master... " She called between tears. "The Lady-"

"I will return," Moulin mutters. His mind, glazed and unfeeling. "Await my arrival. I will return as soon as possible."

Pola's eyes widened. Her mouth opened to speak when she caught a glimpse of the slightly ajar door. Although it was far, he could clearly recognize two eyes of burning gold. Glaring wildly. At that moment, Pola froze. She looks at her master urgently. 

"Young master, I-"

It was too late. The moment the doors of the halls were opened, the mirror's smooth surface turned black and rough. Texture like coal but as hard as rocks.  Pola's figure abruptly disappeared as the mirror transformed and dimmed. It was as though a curse was laid upon it. 

In the next few seconds, the whole mirror turned into a wall of black rocks. The transformation was fast, and Moulin only stood in shock. 

Suddenly, footsteps echoed loudly. They sounded intimidating in Moulin's ears. He only knew one person that could enter the treasury with ease.

Slowly, Moulin turned his head. His heart was pounding loudly. He was still in shock about the news of his mother. Fingers trembled uncontrollably, and his pupils quivered. Fear was so evident in his eyes. Hadrian could see it.

"You will leave?" The Lord's voice vibrated. Reverberating throughout the halls. His ominous tone made Moulin unconsciously raise his guards. 

"M-My mother. Hadrian, something happened to her..." He spoke in a broken voice. He did not even pay attention to how he looked as though he was drowning in fear. "Please... I need to go back."

"..." Hadrian furrows his brows. His heart ached as he looked at the despairing expression Moulin was showing him. However, the Fraunces estate is no longer safe for the youth. 

With a deep gaze, he spoke. "I cannot let you..."

Moulin felt like cold water has doused his body. His face paled significantly as he shook his head. "No, I need to return. I need to see her with my own eyes. You must understand." He staggered towards Hadrian with urgent steps. He kept shaking his head. Worry and fear marred his face. "I need to go."

"Moulin..." Hadrian furrows his brows. He tried to be as gentle as possible, but he couldn't. His eyes narrowed. "I cannot allow you to return." He repeated.

"You aren't listening to me!" Moulin snapped with ferocious eyes. His patience thinned considerably, and his fear turned into anger. "Have you not changed?!"

Hadrian steps closer. His eyes deepened. "I am trying." He said. " I am protecting you. If you go back, only will you be at risk of the kron; you will only be hurt. There is no cure for the kron. You have to understand..."

Moulin's eyes widened. He couldn't believe what Hadrian was saying. "You... You knew it all along?"

Hadrian didn't respond. Instead, he kept his eyes on Moulin's pale expression. The man's silence only proved Moulin's assumption. Shock filled the youth's being. His hands shook. Hoarsely, he spoke with unblinking eyes. "W-when... When did you..."

Moulin stopped when a thought emerges from his mind. 'Alaric...'

"Moulin..." Hadrian called softly as he reached out.

However, Moulin only slapped his hand away with a fierce gaze. Silver eyes burned with fury. With a clenched jaw, he hissed. "You dare hide this from me..." Pain was concealed underneath the outrage.

Betrayal in the guise of venom entered his heart. It hurt. Why? Why? Why would he do this? 

Hadrian paused and withdrew his hand. A sigh escapes his lips. "You would only be hurt if I told you. And as expected, you would want to return to your home desperately. I cannot allow you to."

"Then piss off!" Moulin snarled. Anger burned inside his chest. Rage flowed in his bloodstream. 

With rough steps, he strode past Hadrian; however, before he could walk a meter away, a large hand grabbed him by the shoulders. Moulin was quick to react and swiftly moved away and evaded the man's hold. He turned back, and a sword of ice materialized within his grasp. Eyes glazed with anger, Moulin slashed towards Hadrian's with a leap. 

Hadrian furrowed his brows and only retreated. 

"You hid this from me! Did you even think that I would want what you're doing for me?!" Moulin yelled. He paused in his steps, and the ice within his grasp shattered when he stopped. 

Silver eyes moistened in sorrow. With a trembling hand, he covered his face. His shoulders shook vulnerably. 

"Why... My mother... She... "

He remembers her warm smiles, the wise words, and that gentle gaze. Imagining her all covered with black veins, black liquid oozing out of all seven orifices of her head. Visualizing the gruesome sight in his head twisted his stomach.

Moulin's poor figure made Hadrian hopeless. He neared the youth with unhurried steps and slowly reached out with gentle fingers. "Moulin... It's alright..."

This time, the youth did not move. He stayed still, covering his face with tears pouring down his cheeks. Shoulder shaking as he silently immersed himself in grief. He screamed inside. Slightly hopeful and praying. 

Hadrian's words did nothing to calm the youth. But despite that, he could only pull Moulin in an embrace. Hugging him tightly with and gently. He took in Moulin's trembling shoulders and the spasms. 

"It will be alright..." Hadrian says gently in the youth's ear. "Please... Endure it..." He added.

Moulin, when lowers his hand, "What?-"

He was abruptly cut off when he felt a sharp strike at the back of his neck. His vision unexpectedly darkened. And his body sags.

Hadrian held him tight so he wouldn't fall to the floor. Staring at the youth's delicately unconscious face. Hadrian sighed with deep eyes as his smile fell.