Chapter 266: Exposing Joy

The white curtains layered the tall glass windows. Legs were swinging as a young girl sat at the edge of the wooden table. She was calm, yet a frown decorated her face. A pout on her lips. She seemed aware of the clutter on the table yet did not mind the mess. An hour, she has spent organizing the information the mages had given to. But although she was finished, she wished there was more to do. 

Why was she stuck with a tedious job while her father gets to have an exciting one?

At last, a sigh escaped her lips, and she groaned in annoyance. 

A pair of fluffy black cat ears perked up from her raven hair, and she paused. There was a red ribbon tied at the end of her tail, one that matched the red hairclip that held her bangs to the sides of her face. Her friend told her it would make it less of a bother. 

Phuna's lips twitched. That reminded her. What was taking him so long?

"Phuna..." 

A voice called, and the catgirl immediately perked up. She turned, beaming. "Father!"

The man who emerged from the doorways smiled faintly. He looked neater and less intimidating. However, the mysterious cold aura around him remained. Back when they were traveling, Varion didn't care if he wore unstitched clothing. There were times that he resorted to only tying a beast hide around his waist when the rest of his clothes were dirty. Phuna almost wanted to throw him off Nhetecra for it.

A few days have passed since they've arrived in Helios city. While Moulin was unconscious, they were allowed to dwell within the Three Towers as Moulin's companions. Not long after, they were designated to separate tasks they must perform if they wanted to stay. Varion snd Phuna already expected this. They were already lucky enough to enter the city, and every foreign person must take a job or be expelled.

They benefited greatly from being Moulin's companions. Being in the towers offered them various benefits. Phuna gets to work as with the mages while her father became one of the talented beast tamers in the district. 

Seeing his daughter, the man approached her holding to mugs off hot chocolate. 

"You really did get it! How?" There were stars in Phuna's eyes as she reached for her mug. Varion muttered a soft 'It's hot' before handing it to her. With a grin, Phuna chuckled as she blew the warm smoke from the mug. The sweet scent engulfed her senses, making her drool.

"Because your father is capable," Varion responded. He drank from his own cup. After making sure Phuna was carefully drinking, his eyes shifted to the papers spread all over the round wooden table. "You're finished?"

Phuna smiled as she nodded. "Uh-huh. Isn't you're daughter capable as well?"

Varion shook his head as she continued to chuckle.

Knock! Knock!

Two consecutive knocks sounded from the door. Both father and daughter paused and turned their attention. 

With a creak, the door opened, and a red-headed girl entered the door nervously. 

"Phuna?" She called. The girl hastily bowed as she greeted Phuna's father.

"Yeah?" Phuna recognized her friend. "What is it?"

"Someone is asking for you. I don't recognize them." 

Blinking, the cat girl's ears drooped. Confusion filled her face as she glanced at her father. Varion nodded to her, and together they finished their drink and left the room. Their building wasn't far from the courtyard. They walked a couple of minutes before arriving. 

Amidst the murmuring people within the area, three figures stood out. They waited before a stone fountain, water trickling on their shadows. One particular person with silver-white hair and dazzling silver eyes caught the attention of the pair of father and daughter. 

Phuna and Varion stopped. 

"..."

Then with wide eyes, Phuna began to run towards the slender figure who finally noticed her presence. "Moulin!" Phuna yelled with bright eyes. It was really him!

Moulin chuckled as he received the power hug from the teenage catgirl. He stroked her hair and laughed, "It's me."

Then, Phuna abruptly pulled away. A disapproving expression filled her face as she met Moulin's gaze. "Why did you visit us now? Do you know how long I've waited?"

"A few days?" Varion suddenly spoke. He approached Moulin with a smile. "It's good to see that you are well."

"Thank you. I hope you are doing fine within the Towers." 

Phuna piped, "It's more than just fine!"

Moulin chuckled at how he missed her positive energy. When Phuna finally noticed the two men behind Moulin, she paused to look.

A pair of intimidating golden eyes met her gaze. Phuna furrowed her eyebrows as she confronted Hadrian's dominant presence. Lord Hadrian gave the nod to both the daughter and father. 

Varion was more attentive to the Lord's presence. He knew very well who he was—the High Lord of the Towers, Lord Hadrian Hercullio. The one behind him must be his right hand, Lord Varick. 

Varion offered a bow to both men. 

The two must not notice the eyes they were attracting. The courtyard was almost deserted, avoided by the passing souls who didn't dare get in the two Lord's way. However, the admiration and reverence in their eyes were unmistakable. It was a rare occasion to see the High Lord personally. It was too rare!

"I haven't had the chance to express my gratitude for saving my lover's life." Hadrian began. His expression was cool but not dominating. "If there is anything you need, you can name it. I will grant it."

"!!!"

His words didn't just cause an explosion within the Phuna and Varion's mind but to the rest of the audience as well.

L-LOVER??? WHO?!

Everyone was frozen. It felt as though the sky was falling, and they were too dumb shocked to move. 

Finally realizing that he had forgotten to respond, Varion spoke. "I... It is I who should be thankful, My Lord. The young lord has saved my life."

"But if there is anything you need, seek him" Hadrian gestured to Varick, who stepped forward. "He will bring it to you."

"Hadrian..." Moulin sighed. Silver eyes glanced at the man who suddenly grasped his waist. He raised an eyebrow. 'Seriously?'

The Lord only smiled as he whispered a few words in the young man's ear. 

"Let them watch. I know you're not even the least bothered about it."

Moulin wanted to pinch the man's arm, yet he chuckled instead. 

Their interactions caused a more explosive reaction from the curious crowd. Ignoring the commotion, Moulin turned to Phuna and Varion as he let his man silence the surroundings with one glance. 

"I came here to talk to you about something..." Moulin gently said.

Glancing at her father, Phuna said. "What is it?"

Calmly, Moulin softly spoke.

.............................

"Hah! Hah!" 

Two figures ran through the sea of Veresyah people. A feline beast girl and a tall man. They did not stop. Their heart was rapidly beating as they ran and ran. A few Veresyahs gasped as they were bumped by the two.

Moulin and the others weren't far behind them, but they kept a slow pace as they followed the pair.

Finally, they entered a small field. There were no people except a couple of Veresyahs standing before a giant moaning creature. Horns curved upwards, pointing at the sky. Golden orbs were glowing within its dark hollow eye sockets. The ropes were untied, and the earth titan was free to move as he pleases. The Veresyahs at the side had erected a barrier in case the earth titan would go man again. 

Varion's steps slowed down. His eyes were wide as he gazed at his giant friend that he thought had perished to save their lives. On the other hand, Phuna was running towards Nhetecra with teary eyes. 

With a wave of Hadrian's hand, the barrier collapsed. Nhetecra, no longer restricted, approached the teenager with a beastly whine. He moved like an ape, his knees creating craters on the ground as he neared the running beast girl. 

"Nhetecra!" Phuna yelled as her arms finally reached the earth giant's nose. Finally, tears streamed down her cheeks.  She felt the warm air pass her body, and she cried even harder. "You dummy! I was so scared!"

Nhetecra leaned his head closer to her embrace, releasing a slight whine. 

Varion was walking slowly. When his eyes stared into the golden orbs of Nhetecra's eyes, he felt a long severed connection repairing itself. A deep sigh escaped his mouth. Sensing his master's presence, Nhetecra made a soft noise as he welcomed Varion's touch. The man stroked the earth giant's nose gently—a relieved smile forming on his lips.

Watching the scene before him, Moulin smiled softly. 

"They wouldn't have reunited if it wasn't for you..." 

Hadrian spoke beside Moulin. His eyes grew deep as his thumb drew circles on Moulin's waist. 

"I'm glad they reunited," Moulin said as he leaned on Hadrian's chest. "I blamed myself for being too late in rescuing Phuna's father. If I had not hesitated, Nhetecra wouldn't have disappeared, and Phuna and his father wouldn't have to grieve."

Hadrian smiled faintly, "Now, they are reunited because you brought them together. It's time to stop blaming yourself."

"Mn..." 

Although the skies were dim, the scene before Moulin's eyes seemed to make everything brighter. The Veresyahs couldn't understand what was unfolding before their eyes, but from the atmosphere alone, they could understand. 

When Moulin had returned to his room, the skies were already darkening. A wash of orange painted the clouds. It looked breathtaking.

Moulin was leaning on the banister. The orange hue bathed his features exquisitely. Streaks of bright gold decorated the silvery strands of his hair. 

"Ao?" Snow was sitting beside Moulin's feet, hoping to catch Moulin's attention. Kier, who never left Snow's side all day, sat beside the snow-white fox as well. Only, he was hoping to grab Snow's attention. It was an interesting sight. 

"What's in your mind?" 

Moulin smiled when he was pulled by Hadrian's magnetic voice. "I thought you already know?"

Hadrian began to approach Moulin and Snow was ready for a fight. Unfortunately, Kier carried him away before he could bare his teeth. 

Strong arms embraced Moulin from behind. Hadrian's lips hovered above the juncture of Moulin's neck, and his nose inhaled the sweet lavender scent of his lover's hair. "I don't read minds, my love. However, I know your look when you miss someone." Feeling Moulin stop, he continued. "It's your father."

"..." Moulin turned to him. "you're clearly reading my mind."

Hadrian smiled. "If I did. I would have burrowed deep  and pour out those thoughts you hide deep in your heart."

Moulin smiled, "I'd be glad if you did."

Moulin leaned against Hadrian's chest, immersing in soothing caresses Hadrian was giving him. Finally, Moulin spoke. "I will visit my father often."

Hadrian hummed in agreement. "If it helps you feel better..."

"And you will accompany me..."

"..." Hadrian paused. 

...

Receiving his silence, Moulin could not help but find it amusing. "Will you decline my wish?"

...

"... I wouldn't dare." Hadrian sighed. 

Moulin chuckled. Hearing Hadrian's words and feeling his touch. He felt his mood brighten.