Little cousin, here I come

"This is the town young master,"

Lloyd looked at the partisan who stood right before his window. Eyes narrowed, his gaze diverted to the landscape of a town nearby. With hopes of relief, he sighed. Unfailingly, his little cousin was going to be found and he couldn't just wait to apologise.

Midnight Blue divinity sipped into the Zodyrs within Lloyd's hold, his blue eyes now locked on it. He'll have to contact his foster father on how far they had gone.

"Yes Lloyd," A particular voice came from the artifact he held. His father's image within the obsidian artifact.

"We have arrived, father." Lloyd spoke up.

" What did you see?" Lord Dane voiced out inquisitively.

A glance at the town's landscape and back to the Zodyrs before him "It is a little town within the elven region."

" Name?"

" Vermis county my Lord," one of the partisans chipped in, barbarically, but shuddered at the cold glares of Lloyd. That was mannerless of him to chip in without being asked. Had he forgotten his place?

"I'm sorry, Lord Dane and young master Lloyd" A slight bow only Lloyd could see. " I deserve to be punished,"

"You might seem to have forgotten your place but beware of next time." Lloyd spat with disgust before continuing his conversation. Lord Dane just laughed. He wasn't mindful for scolding, his missing son was more important and the only key to bring his beloved wife back to him. Besides, Lloyd had already done it.

"Vermis county is it?... Strange?"

Unconsciously, the lips of the foster young master twitched, "What happened father?"

Lord Dane cleared his throat, hinges of doubt crawling their way back to his optimistic spirit. How possibly could Francis end up in such place? Judging from the place where the attack happened, it deemed almost impossible to arrive at the Vermis county on foot. Regarding on how fragile his son was. An egg which could easily crack. However, he could only hope that his son was going to be found within this county. Yes. He was. And things would be settled out.

"Nothing. Son. Make sure to send my regards to the Moonshine Domicile during your return."

"I will father." Young master Lloyd deliberately replied with a dashing smile.

Lord Dane continued "And you could as well get some alluring jewelries afterwards. They would be of great use to me."

Lloyd gave a throated chuckle on hearing that. He knew fully well what his dad  planned on doing. Trying to reconcile with his wife with jewelries. Was she ever going to fall for that?

He smiled afterwards."I will. Really alluring and beautiful one's." 

Having a few more conversations, their interaction came to an end. Mind flowing with active thoughts, Lloyd dropped the obsidian artifact beside him and motioned the Coachman to keep the carriage moving... Little cousin. Here I come.

Woof!

The chuckle of a little boy followed up. That was Robin. Eradan sat close to Andrew while they both watched the wolf and Robin play. It was a very adorable sight capable of melting the strongest of heart.

Woof! It barked as Robin pulled one of its three tails. Eradan was suddenly taken aback. This was the first time he had noticed the amount of tails this creature had. Bright blue eyes were astonished.

"It's unbelievable." Eradan turned to meet Andrew's awed gaze at the creature. His lips curled, suppressing the urge to laugh at Andrew's amused face. His eyes forming a thin line.

"How were you able to control and tame it?" This was the umpteenth time Andrew had asked that question since they woke up for the day. His previous ones were on how he found it and all that— which he patiently answered. However, for the umpteenth time, there was no reasonable answer for the taming. The only thing he could say was that he felt a connection with it.

Andrew hummed after hearing his reasons. Same. just like previous one's. His eyes never left the dazzling sight of the wolf.

Eradan on the other hand began to recollect those words he had heard from that stranger who almost killed him. He assumed that it was the best time to find out some hidden mysteries he wasn't aware of.

Wait!

A forgotten thought rushed into his memory.

Wasn't Cupid known as the Roman God of love? And precisely, the son of Venus... The goddess of lust and love.

Unfortunately Eradan had already spoken up before he considered his thought.

"What is a Cupid?"

"Hm?..." Andrew's amber eyes fell on him. Andrew wanted to be sure if he had heard him correctly.

"What. is. a Cupid?" Eradan reluctantly repeated.

A sudden knock came on their door, getting all their attentions. The creature growled at the sudden interruption, hints of territorialism.

"I'll answer it," Andrew got up and motioned to the door.

Eradan: great! Just great!

Eradan caught a glimpse of a weird figure while Andrew opened the door before shutting it immediately. Something was off? While watching the creature and Robin play, with anxiety, he awaited Andrew's entrance.

Few minutes had passed yet Andrew hadn't entered. And when he did, Robin was dragged along with him, heading back outside. While Eradan sat patiently within their cottage, this wolf's beady eyes were locked on him. What was wrong? And why was his playmate taken?

Eradan frowned when he suddenly heard a whimper. It was definitely going to be from Robin. He blandly walked towards the door, ears placed on it. He had to know what was going on even if it meant eavesdropping.

"As ordered by the Moonshine Domicile, he would be taken to the Hopran Sanctuary" He heard a rough voice say.

Robin's whimper resonated, becoming louder.

"Why? Hasn't the deity enjoyed enough servants already... Why more?"

Eradan could make out Andrew's voice while his brows creased. Deity? What really was within this creepy world? He had just stayed here for months but he couldn't just understand how mysterious this new world was?

"As recorded on the previous badge, few had been slained due to their impudence and naughtiness. Hence, A make up badge is need for her priestess."

"..." Andrew sighed in utmost defeat. There was nothing he could do. If their priestess needed more servants, who was he to refuse? However, the only thing Andrew hoped for was Robin's survival. Andrew could remember when he was sent to serve their priestess. The pain and agony he passed through. A hell for the less privileged orphans.

He couldn't just imagine the peril Robin was about to pass through.

"He would be sent tomorrow." Andrew said quickly and the individual cladded in a white outfit tilted his head, a brow raised. Andrew could sense doubts in his action so he decided to clear things out.

"... You have my word." He glanced at the minions who followed this white clothed man, popularly known as Raniel Elander. The lower Noble Elander domicile within the Vermis county. They were said to be oppressive to orphans.

A hiss followed, coming from this Lower Noble...

A scrutinizing gaze was casted on Andrew and his environment, preparing him for the worst. The facial features of this individual in white clothing's scrunched up in disgust. Such filthy and classless foundlings. Why were they even alive in the first place? Abominations without parents.

"Do not falter your words... Foundling." He said and Andrew twitched. Mocking chuckles escaped the lips of those minions making this noble satisfied. He folded his arm.

An aggressive counter sprouting up from the depth of it's abyss. A notion to maim and ridicule this individual was what Andrew could think of. How could he? Just because he was an orphan.

"Humph!" The individual scoffed, his eyes all over the place." Foundlings are really meant for filthy places... This... A typical example."

Those minions laughed hard and loud startling the sullen wolf within Andrew's home. It wanted to growl but Eradan quickly had it pacified. He didn't want his eavedropping to be blown.

Andrew had to keep calm and endure such insult. limbs and teeth clenched while his eyes burned with rage. The veins on his temple, visible. He wasn't going to react nor make a scene. A restrained huff was made while Robin was pulled closer to him.

"The sky doesn't seem happy today, you should perhaps, retire early." Fake smiles shielding murderous intent were displayed.

Without telling, this individual read into Andrew's words. His lips curled knowing the effect of his gleeful words on the other. Aware that the other couldn't do anything, he was going to drop a departing scorn before he left.

"Yes, the weather indeed doesn't seem happy..." He glanced around once more " And a blissful pleasure it is to leave an abominated household."

Andrew's eyeballs itched and flamed in fury. His limbs craving to feast on this individual though they couldn't. His clenched fist figdeting, while his nail buried into it. Robin's shoulder was also at loss as he firmly grabbed it.

Hands behind the back, this individual left the scorching sight of Andrew, satisfied with his earlier action. His minions with him, all laughing hard. Picking on the less fortunate was a blissful thing for this Noble. He totally enjoyed how hopeless they were whenever he picked on them. His words sharp and aching.

Watching this monument and his minions walk out of sight was a big relief to Andrew. If he had stayed any longer, he would have forgotten his class and deal him a serious blow. One that would graze his dentition off their sockets.

...?

A slight tug reminded him of the little boy before him. Amber eyes lowered on grey eyes.

"Daddy, where is he taking me to?" Robin's grey eyes melted Andrew's demeanor. His once fury composure had disappeared, now replaced with pity and grief. He knew that this was the last time he was going to talk nor relate to Robin.

This little one was to stay in the sanctuary for eighteen years. Eighteen years of purification from their abominated nature. The nature of being an orphan and a foundling.

Resting an arm on his knee, he scruffled Robin's hair. "You would be going for a visit to the Elven sanctuary. A very beautiful place it is"

Andrew's heart pricked him, but he had to lie for the sake of this little one. He just hoped that Robin was going to survive.

"But I don't want to go papa, I want to stay with you and mummy." Robin's voice contradicted his reply. Andrew turned shades of red at Robin's statement. A sratch at the back of his head. Did him and Francis really look like a couple to him?

Andrew had to admit having hints of attraction for Francis but he couldn't show or say it. He was afraid of his reaction or response to him. Maybe I'll let him know at the right time.

" Don't worry boy, you would be back immediately. And we'll both be here waiting for you." Andrew watched Robin's face lit up again.

" Really?"

" Yes. Now let's get in and prepare for your Hopran adventure"

He held Robin who's ecstatic mood pricked his heart, and walked inside. He outrightly brainwashed this child and mentally blamed himself for it.

Upon entering the room, it was strangely calm and chilled. It deemed to be missing something. It wasn't the creature who's mood lit up upon spotting his playmate. It was Francis.

On the spur of the moment, currents carressed Andrew's childish face drawing his attention over. The window. Francis left through the window... Why?

MORGAN