A Gorgeous White

Chapter 22: The Amber-eyed man

The previously cowering posture and lowered head faded away as if it was never conducted, replaced by an erect stance, proudly lifted chin and deep gleaming amber eyes. Alsander tilted his head irritatingly at the group of irking women, a scowl etched on his face.

The youth only wished to witness something interesting during this dull gathering only to be stuck in this predicament. Truthfully, he feigned to look like a terrified naked rabbit just so he could spice something up for entertainment. As absurd as it sounds, young Alsander wanted nothing than to play and watch pitiful nobles amusingly humiliate themselves, choking with shame.

No matter how powerful and unreadable these aristocrats try to be there was always a way to break them. Family, love, money, fame... they were all the same.

The little girl from the Gorianna family was too dumb and reckless to see through his intentions. So when she asked Alsander to lead Moulin into her trap, laughter almost broke out from his lips as he internally complimented her for her boneheadedness. He couldn't wait to witness their childish play, preparing the small recording crystal on his brooch. How laughable would they look once he would spread this news all over the circle? It would be exhilarating!

However, Maelina's little prey appears to be not as easy as he thought. Where did the once foolish high-tempered young master go? The alarming cautiousness and the deathly blade-like pupils were like a giant bloody dagger centimeters away from cutting his throat. The threatening air of the third young master almost broke his mask as if the youth could see through Alsander's scheme as easy as peeling off fruits. No matter how much he would try to conceal the evil in his eyes, Moulin could descry his suspiciousness.

Yet despite that, Moulin was calm. Even though he was skeptical of Alsander's intentions, he spoke decently, either to avoid conflict or to fish out Alsander's true intentions. Either way, the young master with unreadable silver eyes was as indecipherable as the most difficult rune puzzle. As if a new door was opened inside Alsander, there was a wanton need for unraveling this beautiful person in front of him. His intuition drew in towards Moulin like a magical sensor as though a lifetime of discovery awaited him.

Just as he thought of rewriting his plans, the ladies interfered like a group of rats eager to be skewered by him.

As the garden was doused in silence, Alsander huffed out an annoyed breath. He briefly glances at Moulin before returning his gaze at the dumbfounded ladies in front of them.

"A-Alsander, what did you say?" Maelina broke the silence as she recovered from her scare. What the hell was the boy trying to do?

Scoffing, he shook his head never breaking eye contact with her "You're not only dumb but deaf as well? Do you ladies not have anything else to do other than interfere with other people's business?" His amber eyes glimpsed at her pawns, smirking. "Do you even hold the right to dare to speak ill of the young master? Need I remind you of your standing, you are only black mud incomparable even to swine feed. You bear no right to lecture a grand noble with your spiteful tongues. Even if you belong from a branch of a Grand Noble family... " A red glint flashed in his eyes as he started at Maelina. "... you have no worth than the Main Family".

"YOU!!! " Maelina seethed with rage as she threw away her fan. His last words were like a blade striking home into the sore part of her heart. So what if she was only from the branch family?! She was a Gorianna! The Gorianna head was her uncle! She had grand noble blood inside her veins!

The girls behind her began to step away from her as she burst in anger.

"Y-you...Who do you think you are?!" One of the girls yelled at Alsander.

"My, how rude. Did you really think I was a lowly third-class noble?..." With a roll of his eyes, he brought up his hand revealing a golden pocket watch, the golden chain dangled down his arm. Intricately carved upon the golden mirror-like surface on the watch was an extremely familiar crest.

A thirty-six petal flower embraced by the crescent moon and engraved into the holy chalice of the temple. There was only one Grand noble family with the moonflower in their Family crest.

"A Vernallia noble?... " The previously courageous girl stuttered, sweat moistened her head as her hands trembled. Embarrassment washed over them like a surging wave.

"You told me you were only a third-class noble!" Maelina almost screeched. This was a bluff! He was certainly bluffing, right?...

"Mind your tone, Lady Maelina. I have already recorded this conversation. If you all do not wish to be escorted out of my home, I suggest you quietly leave before I force you to. One more word and I will personally take care of you myself" He hissed. His threatening eyes seemed to itch with the need to skin them bloody.

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Moulin: ...

Maelina's words were stuck inside her throat as if clogging her airway. She was played. She was played dirty and no matter how much she wanted to uphold herself she knew the result would only be her humiliation. Her family could not bear to go against a Grand noble family supported by the temple. And if word gets out how she suddenly picked a fight with Moulin for no reason, the Fraunces family would hunt her down. She didn't even have an excuse for her behavior.

Reluctantly lowering her head she apologized with her friends. Teeth gritting, fists clenching, and voice swearing, she asked for forgiveness.

"I believe I am not the only one who deserves your apology... " Alsander grinned at them. He gets to do something interesting after all.

The group flinched as they glanced at Moulin, who had been silent like an entertained spectator. With trembling lips, they reluctantly apologized. Minutes ago they were yelling at him and now, here they are bowing their heads like ignoble people apologizing.

"Please excuse us... " Maelina concealed the bitterness in her eyes as she turned away, scrambling out of the area as if her feet were on fire. Her pawns quietly followed her, afraid of the consequences of their actions if word would spread out how they had offended a son from

the Vernallia family and the Fraunces family.

As the women left to god-knows-where with their tails tucked between their legs, the surrounding became as quiet as the night. There wasn't any awkwardness present between them, instead, a solemn air engulfed the pair. A gentle nightly breeze blew around them as if coercing them both to speak.

Moulin silently gazed at the raven-haired youth who somehow refused to meet his eyes. He wasn't mad, he wasn't offended and neither was he impressed about Alsander. Although Alsander was possibly a shrewd aristocrat who enjoys humiliating other nobles, Moulin wondered why he wasn't victimized by him. Wasn't it more entertaining to watch Moulin and Maelina rip off each other's throats like how Alsander had looked forward to? The confrontation between the love rival third young master and the beloved Fiancee? Instead, Alsander humiliated said 'beloved Fiancee' and defended said 'love rival', what would he benefit from that?

Pondering, Moulin's gaze turned intense. Alsander could feel the knife-like stare as if it was burning its way through his garments. Finally deciding to break the silence, He cleared his throat and checked the time in his golden pocket watch.

There was only an hour left for the moonflower blooming.

"Alsander Vernallia..."

Alsander flinched almost dropping his family heirloom. Fixing his posture he turned to finally meet Moulin's striking silver eyes.

"Moulin Sill Fraunces... " He nodded in greeting.

"That was quite a show... " Remarked Moulin with eyebrows lifted. "You surprised me... ".

"You were wary of me. You knew I was up to something"

"Your eyes were the only ones honest"

"... My intentions were shameful and I deeply apologize for that" He bent into a deep bow which startled Moulin. They didn't even interact that much and now this man looked as if he had committed an irredeemable crime against Moulin. Hasn't his scheme ended yet?

Moulin's forehead furrowed in confusion as he pressed his lips together "You didn't exactly wrong me, Young master. I truly don't understand the meaning behind your actions".

Alsander straightened his body with a shy smile on his face. He felt so awkward after being discovered that he could not help but apologize. "I was just making myself feel better..." A finger scratched below his ear, a habit of being nervous. Moulin Fraunces really have such beautiful eyes.

"Do you feel better now?..."

"Yes, thank you..." He nodded, glancing at Moulin with wondering eyes. The third young master does not appear to be like how the rumors described him. He had a calm regal air fitting of a noble, there was no malice and arrogance. Like a pure spirit descended from the

Divine Heavens.

Moulin felt Alsander's scrutinizing gaze, he could not help but smile at the amber-eyed youth. If you ignore the young man's height, he would be mistaken for a kid with his babyish face. Alsander's eyes were like the swirls of scorched desert sands, it was mysterious and captivating. As if selfishly hiding an unknown paradise oasis in the vast arid desert.

"Young master, do you want to walk with me?..."

The Vernallia son grinned like a child as he nodded. He walked by Moulin's side as a large number of questions crammed inside his head.

As the two walked deeper into a secluded area, Alsander began to initiate a conversation with Moulin, of course, avoiding any gossipy subjects. One sentence after another, Moulin could even keep up with his chatty way of speaking as he threw back comments and opinions. He spoke like a sweet chiming bell and kept a small smile plastered on his face. It was best to keep a calm expression.

The more the two talked, Moulin's expression began to soften bit by bit. Alsander could finally make him giggle after a while of trying to effortly relax Moulin's guard.

"Do you mind if I ask something personal?..." He asked, tilting his head towards the third young master.

"If it isn't too personal, yes "

"Your hair and your eyes... did they alter naturally? I recall having heard that you inherited your mother's hair color, as does your eldest brother" A questioning look faced Moulin.

"... "

This part. Moulin hadn't really concluded a solid excuse for his physical change. Of course, he also wondered why he hadn't thought of one sooner.

"Yes... it did. It's a long story... " He dished out. His eyes drifting away from Alsander.

"I understand. I didn't mean to be too forward, it's merely that ever since your disappearance people thought you were dead. And now months after, you suddenly appeared along with this unusual change of yours... It makes people curious" Alsander spoke with a strange smile, glancing at Moulin at the corner of his eye.

"Perhaps, people like you. Some people do not seem to find me only out of their curiosity. I have been meeting a lot of strange people lately " A smile graced his lips as he thought of how frustrating it was to deal with troublesome people. That was why he really didn't want to socialize...

"If that is the case, why do you attend the Moonflower gathering? The place is filled with wicked gossips and nonsense chatter" Alsander's gaze was unfocused as he tried to discern Moulin's little situation. "... unless you're here only for the flowers".

Feet halting its steps, Moulin slightly smiled as he faced Alsander. He knew if their conversation would last a little longer Alsander would be fishing out answers from him so he decidedly agreed on ending their talk. "You are quite an inquisitive person, Young master"

Alsander perceived the strange tone in Moulin's voice as he spoke. He figured it was because of what he said. It seems Moulin's guard had rebuild itself against him. He wanted to know more by running out the clock but it seems it could not be done. He was reluctant. He wasn't sated. It would be nice if he could control his words.

" I will gladly welcome you for a visit to the Vernallia manor at any time. I would really like to know you better... " He helplessly sighed.

Moulin could notice the dejection in his eyes. It almost made him crack a smile. The Vernallia noble in front of him looked like an unfortunate puppy. "Unsatisfied?... "

Flinching, Alsander glanced at him, head downturned. "Yes... "

He was honest and he could not help being honest. Even though Moulin had seen through him once again, he held no shame of his honesty. Moulin was like the only person, second to his siblings, that could handle and adapt to his Inquisitiveness.

'This feels like coaxing a little puppy' Moulin soughed internally. "Well, I would really like it if you would visit me as well, Young master--"

"Alan... "

"Pardon?"

Bright amber eyes blinked at him, almost imploring "You can call me Alan if you're not troubled with making a friend with a Vernallia noble..."

"A-Alan..." Moulin almost could not process Alsander's straightforwardness. He had on a very rare surprised face as he stared at him.

"I'll come and visit sometime then we'll--"

Ding!

A sharp chime-like sound interrupted Alsander's words. He frowned almost instantaneously of the familiar and bothersome sound coming from his pocket. Muttering a faint 'excuse me' he fished out the pocket watch from his suit jacket, eyebrows creased together as he checked the time.

After a moment of thoughtful silence, his eyebrows rose in sudden realization. He had completely forgotten a certain person threatening to murder him if he would once again forget what he was ordered to do. Sweating nervously, he swiftly tucked the watch back and faced Moulin. Reluctance blanketed his eyes.

"I'm sorry, It seems I am needed elsewhere. If the young master has time, would you mind if I come back to find you? I'll just have to fix something quickly... " He spoke with eyebrows knitted of worry.

"I don't mind. Something must have worried you. You must hurry... " Moulin gave Alan an encouraging smile as he nodded at him.

"I'll see you again then, Moulin" He waved as he sprinted through the bushes, creating loud rustling sounds of leaves. His footsteps gradually faded away as Moulin was finally left on his own under the silence of the night sky and surrounded by the glowing buds of wondrous flowers.

Relaxing his facial muscles, Moulin sighed out of relief. Although he had a great time conversing with the young Vernallian son, Alsander was too strong at pressing out answers from him. The maeruthan had the talent of possibly interrogating someone to their death and Moulin did not want to end up taking caution too much. He would probably insult Alsander if he did.

Rolling his shoulders, the silver-eyed youth walked with soft steps on the darken grass letting his feet bring him towards somewhere unknown to him. His braided hair swayed with each step and he hummed a soft tune as he walked. Snow was probably sleeping by now... or maybe not. His little bratty fox had never slept without his company before. Even Moulin would feel uncomfortable without snuggling Snow in his arms. It would be best if he'd return as soon as he picks the blooming moonflowers. All this silence was making him a bit sleepy.

Moulin blinked his eyes as he felt stepping on some cold hard ground instead of the soft grass beneath. Furrowing his eyebrows, he realized he had arrived at a circular desolated enclosure. The floor was stoned and a large fountain was fixed at the center, it took most of the space of the courtyard. Enclosed with tall green hedges and blue budded vines crawling all over them like decorated swirls.

Strange. Moulin didn't hear the sound of water as he walked.

A sudden movement behind the other side of the fountain could be noticed as Moulin narrowed his eyes. The water was quite clear and there was something deeply familiar creeping into his gut.

He wasn't alone....

Moulin released a tiresome groan. Can't he stay in a place by himself for once?