Night drew into the sky. Every evening within the manor felt as if it was shrouded with frightful silence as though a beast would be lurking within the walls of the estate. However, this night was better than it was before. There was no appalling silence that plagued the nearly empty hallways and no darkness that would shroud even the darkest place within the manor.

Why was this the case? It was because it was the night of the Ecklarian snow.

The dark sky, covered by the clouds of pale gold, seemed to enchant one's eyes. Locking them in their magical splendor. The Eve of Ecklarian has come and one would be a fool not to recognize the beauty of the twilight heavens. Every page and servant who would wander through the halls, passing every window and looking at the skies of gold, would pause and admire its beauty before realizing their loss of time and then they would hastily hurry.

...

"We should make sure to avoid every single person. I cannot risk getting your identity exposed." Lush lips of rose whispered. Silver eyes were layered with a hint of concern and thrill. His fingers gently tucked every single strand of his hair within the shadows of his hood.

Moulin stopped when large fingers reached out to tie the golden ribbon of his cloak. Elegantly and skillfully tying the laces together. With ease and grace.

Hadrian was wearing a long black hooded cloak. The ends of the long fabric gently rested behind his ankles. The golden swirls within his eyes deepened in amusement. Although he too was eager for the trip his beloved had proposed, it seems that Moulin was more delighted and enthusiastic than him.

Hadrian withdrew and his hand instinctively rose to caress the rosy cheek with his knuckles. A smile graced the youth's expression. Silver eyes were filled with affection.

"Y-Young master..." A meek voice called out with a stutter. Both men turned their gaze and saw Pola who was nervously biting her lips.

"What is it, Pola?" Moulin pulled away with knitted eyebrows. He slightly pulled away from the lord in front of him before turning his gaze to his anxious attendant.

The young woman lifted her gaze and glanced at Hadrian. Her fingertips fiddled with her skirt as she spoke. "Do you really think it is alright for you to go out tonight? The Lord strictly forbids anyone from leaving and entering the estate at night. Although it is the Ecklarian snow, we need to be very careful."

Moulin shook his head with a smile, "We won't be gone for too long, Pola. I promise. We will return as soon as we can..."

Although Pola remained nervous, she trusted her master's words. "Alright..."

"Good." Moulin walked towards her and patted her shoulder to cheer her up. "Don't be so worried. Nothing will happen."

"Okay..."

Pola felt a bit lost as she gazed into her master's striking silver eyes. This was her precious young master. He would keep his word.

Moulin smiled softly. Pola always looked very worried when it comes to him. Whenever he wasn't within her sight, she would become flustered and anxious. Moulin was always grateful for her care and trust. Pola was like a sister to him. A very protective one.

A chuckle left Moulin's lips. Before he and Hadrian teleported away from his chambers, he carefully told Pola to watch over the two pups while they were out. Blinking, Pola only nodded in obedience.

The moment Moulin and Hadrian had disappeared from her sight, she slowly turned her head to stare at the snow-white fox and the black wolf on the bed. Snow was innocently blinking his round beady eyes at Pola while Keir wagged his tail with a soft bark.

Sigh... Although it was good that she was able to spend time with the adorable ones, she could not help to keep worrying about her master. With heavy steps she approached the bed, hoping that the two pips wouldn't be too mischievous around her.

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

There were barely any people walking on the brick streets of the city. The shops weren't closed but there were barely any customers that would enter. The warm light emitted by the lonely-looking lamp posts of the streets. As the Lord of the Zenin City, Lord Fraunces had restricted people from frequently leaving their homes at night. During the day, he had dispatched knights to roam the city to investigate and trace people that were infected by the Kron.

Everyday shops would have customers go through special examinations with the use of mana stones to detect any impurities within both Maeruthan and non-maeruthans.

The silence of the streets didn't bring any sort of ominous or dreadful feeling. Instead, a calm and relaxing atmosphere floated in the air as the ground waited to welcome the touch of the first golden snowflake. On every terrace and balcony, on every porch and doorstep, one could see a single cylinder-shaped lantern. The blue paper that coated the lit lantern was painted with intricate designs of gold paint. Little laces hanged at the center of the frame within the lantern where a tiny blue pearl was placed.

Heavy footsteps noises within the calm air of the streets. Two soldiers wearing the emblem of the Grand Fraunces family were carefully eyeing the streets. Their swords hanged at their belt, clinking as they moved. They silently passed a dark alley. Unaware of the people hiding from their sight.

"I do not see the reason why we should be hiding, my beloved," Hadrian whispered in Moulin's ear who was silently peering past the wall of the alleyway with suspicious eyes.

Hearing the man's husky voice and feeling the hot breath on his ear, Moulin slightly jerked away from Hadrian with a frown. "I just don't want anyone to see us!"

The Hercullian Lord straightened his back with a raised eyebrow, "Is the young master so famous, that every single soldier under his father's hand could recognize him with a glance?"

"Who do you think is the only person with white hair in the Grand Fraunces Household?" Moulin retorted with a huff. He grabbed Hadrian's hand and hurriedly pulled the man as he swiftly ran out of the alley.

Hadrian chuckled, "I'm afraid you're forgetting that you're wearing concealing your hair, my adorable one."

Moulin frowned. A blush suddenly painted his soft cheeks. "Stop it with those strange endearments"

"I thought you find it appealing."

"If the mood was 'appropriate' then I would." Moulin scoffed as he shot Hadrian a glare. "Now, keep your mouth shut..."

"And if I refuse? Would you do something appropriate to silence me?" Golden eyes deepened expectantly.

"Ugh, Honestly..."

Hadrian chuckled. He interlocked their fingers as they turned to another empty street.

Moulin didn't have previous experience in roaming Zenin City. He only relied on the body's memories. Hopefully, he would arrive there before the snowfalls.

Feeling the warmth of their hands, Moulin released a sigh. His footsteps began to slow down after a few minutes when he realized he could not sense even a single knight nearby as they walked.

And in the silence, he and Hadrian walked. Their steps were soft but the noise was enough for them to hear each other's breath.

Walking on the empty streets, hand in hand, side by side. Relishing the sounds of the other's breaths.

"Where do you want to take me, Moulin?" Hadrian asked. The gentle smile on his face was hidden but the fondness in his voice was evident. It tickled Moulin's ears making the youth secretly smile.

"A place..." Moulin whispered.

Hadrian grinned, "Tell me where it is and I will take you there..."

Moulin shook his head. Within Hadrian's eyes, the movement appeared endearing. Like a little child refusing to return home after playtime. Hadrian felt Moulin's slender fingers gently tightening on his hand.

Silver eyes dazzled as they caught the faint light emitted from the lamp post they just passed by. With a soft voice, Moulin spoke. "You always take me to places. This time, let me take you..."

There was a pause. Moulin's words were like a warm flame that thawed the frozen heart within the man's chest. A sweet cure of a deplorable poison. It erupted fascination. Triggered obsession. How touching it was. It fed the smoldering fire. Hadrian deeply gazed at the young man walking beside him.

To say these words, Hadrian already figured how embarrassed Moulin was right now. Beet-red.

Hadrian smiled.

Not long after, Moulin's steps gradually slowed down. Silver eyes stared at the vast area with awe.

It was a wide-open area stretching as far as several hundreds of meters. Wide canals surrounded the plaza and beautiful stone bridges were built over them to bring people to the other side. What was more breathtaking was the blue luminescent glow of the clear waters of the canals. It moved like dazzling waves of sparkling sapphires. The ambiance brought to the plaza was serene and ethereal.

Ecklarian Plaza. Yes, this was where the Ecklarian lanterns were supposed to be released to float to the skies when the golden fall would start to fall. There was a large marble platform at the center of the area surrounded by the canals. Normally people would gather on the platform every year. Couples were more common to than family members or friends visiting the plaza. Currently, it was deserted.

It was Moulin's first time to be here. The original owner of his body especially avoided places like these. However, Moulin wouldn't.

With bright delighted eyes, Moulin faced Hadrian with a smile and quickly pulled the man to cross the bridge.

"You wanted to bring me here?" Hadrian turned to roam his eyes all over the plaza. Truthfully, it didn't matter to him where Moulin would take him. It would be a simple quiet meadow or the sleazy red district area, as long as Moulin was there with him, it would be delightful. Hadrian could not suppress a smile.

Previously, he had found such thoughts distasteful... Right now, it was utter satisfaction.

He watched the beautiful young man in front of him lead him towards the mirror-like platforms of the plaza. The pale golden clouds bathed their figures with a warm harmonious glow. As thought, they were standing on the still golden oceans of heaven.

Eyes filled with mirth, Moulin never let go of Hadrian's hand. His expression expressed innocence and awe at the dazzling sight above them. The illuminating skies of gold.

"Breath-taking..." Moulin muttered.

"Indeed..."

Moulin stopped. Slowly, he lowered his gaze and met his lover's passionate eyes. Saturated with the golden hue around them, the Hercullian Lord before him looked even more majestic. Powerful, beastly, and ruthless.

And this man was his...