The moonlight cast a cold, silvery sheen on the bronze weathervane atop the tower's spire, and the locust leaves rustled in the night breeze.
The evening breeze, carrying a rich floral scent, passed through the alley beside the church and brushed over the three people beneath the locust tree.
Fafner frowned, one hand sweeping back his silver hair draped over his shoulder, the other tightly pressing down his fluttering skirt:
"Why did you call me out here? What do you want to do?"
As he spoke, he looked around warily.
He awkwardly pressed his legs together, revealing long, slender white legs beneath his skirt, and the golden-threaded roses embroidered on the edge of his white socks appeared and disappeared with his restless pacing.
Mil folded his arms, his gaze somewhat mockingly appraising him from head to toe; aside from that stubborn look in his eyes, there was not a trace of a boy about him.
No wonder those priests liked young boys; this delicate figure, long legs, slender waist…
Wait, he was a priest himself, wasn't he?
Thinking of this, Mil's raised Corners of mouth suddenly dropped, and he cleared his throat, saying:
"Don't worry, the maids won't find out. I heard... this should be your first time going out alone?"
"Um... I guess so?"
"Hmph, no wonder your demeanor is so much like a girl's. How can you become a man without experiencing independence?"
Mil sneered, his Corners of mouth rising again. This kind of personality, this age, after long-term suppression, is most easily swayed by rebellion…
Lilith, standing beside him, observed Fafner's figure and spoke with some confusion:
"This... isn't just about his demeanor, is it?"
"You wouldn't understand!"
Mil rolled his eyes, then suddenly stepped forward and patted Fafner's shoulder:
"Didn't you say you wanted to be a man like me? I'll give you some proper training!"
"How will you train me?"
Fafner's eyes were somewhat wary. He originally wanted to dodge Mil's hand but still patiently stood still.
"Since I'm training you, from now on, you have to listen to me! Can you do that?"
Mil's gaze was somewhat strange. Although Fafner hesitated, he still nodded.
This was the first step in PUA for rebellious teenagers: first, make him acknowledge you as his big brother!
Seeing his scheme succeed, Mil began to give commands:
"Sit down... Stand up... Turn around... Shake hands!"
After speaking, he held out his palm.
Fafner's shy eyes were mixed with anger; he felt as if this guy was training a dog…
Yet, like a young girl invited to dance at a ball, he gently placed his four slender fingers onto Mil's hand.
Lilith covered her mouth, her shoulders shaking with laughter, but Mil was full of surprise:
"You call this a handshake?"
Saying that, Mil roughly gripped his hand firmly, scolding:
"This is a handshake!"
"I know! It's just, you, you're making me a little nervous!"
Looking at Fafner's flushed face, Mil suddenly remembered something and asked:
"Before, I heard that maid next to you say you're not used to physical contact with men? What's that about?"
"It's just that... I'm not used to it! Serena generally doesn't allow me to have contact with other boys. The noble Dragon Royal Family cannot be defiled by sweat and dirt!"
As he spoke, Fafner frowned deeply and proudly raised his head, his bright eyes reflecting the cold moonlight.
Mil scoffed:
"So girls are fine?"
"Ordinary girls aren't allowed either; it must be beautiful girls, they are flowers and smiles!"
Fafner placed one hand lightly on his chest, the other open, as if he were praising something magnificent…
If he were in men's clothing, at this moment, he would surely resemble a refined playboy?
But with his current pleated skirt, long hair draped over his shoulders, and naturally bright, large eyes, he felt more like an arrogant princess.
Mil, however, put an arm around Fafner's shoulder:
"That's why you're like a little girl! If you can't interact with others like a normal boy, then do you think you can become a normal boy?"
"Does that really matter?!"
Fafner's expression seemed somewhat disgusted, but Mil said nothing, just put his arm around him and walked forward:
"Let's go!"
"Where?"
Fafner's steps were somewhat unsteady, his knees occasionally bumping together.
Mil hadn't really thought of a destination. He walked and pondered, then suddenly asked:
"Is there anything you usually want to do, but that maid always forbids you from doing?"
"Well... there used to be, but now there's basically nothing. How about taking me to a tavern to see?"
"Let's go!"
Saying that, Mil suddenly gave Fafner's skirt a hard slap...
"Slap—!"
Fafner trembled all over, his face instantly turning red, and he covered his backside, scolding:
"What are you doing?!"
"Don't be so jumpy. It's normal for men to pat each other on the butt. Since you want to be a normal man, learn to adapt!"
After speaking, Mil suddenly remembered something else…
He opened his magic pouch, pulled out a black cloak, and had Fafner put it on.
Then, he continued to hook his arm around Fafner's shoulder and walked forward.
Along the way, Fafner kept looking left and right, and every now and then, he would look back behind him.
Lilith, who was following behind, crossed her arms over her chest and sighed, saying:
"Don't worry... If your maids really do find out, I'll be the first to notice. Looking like this won't help."
Only then did Fafner feel a little more at ease.
Summer nights always felt exceptionally cool, with a feeling that permeated one's heart…
The holy city, bustling during the day, was now utterly silent.
Although Mil had his arm around his shoulder, Fafner felt his shoulders unusually light for the first time.
Looking at the bright moon in the night sky, he felt an indescribable sense of freedom, as if the whole world belonged to him.
He felt like there were so many things he wanted to do, but for a moment, he couldn't think of anything.
The three walked, and before leaving the noble residential area of the Holy See District, they passed Mil's home—Laiyata Estate.
"Meow—!"
An orange cat darted out from the carved iron gate, its golden-green heterochromatic eyes glowing in the dark night. It lay on the stone steps covered with wisteria petals and, upon seeing Mil, jumped up and meowed twice.
Mil instinctively stroked the cat's head, but Fafner suddenly stopped in his tracks:
"Is this... your family's cat?"
"Not really. This cat just hangs around our yard every day, a greedy cat that freeloads."
Mil shrugged his shoulders, but Fafner's eyes were full of envy. After swallowing, he asked:
"Can I pet it too?"
"Why ask me? I'm not responsible if it bites you."
After speaking, Mil spread his hands and shrugged. Fafner, meanwhile, walked over to the cat on his own, squatted down, and his fingertips trembled slightly above the orange cat's fluffy fur.
The orange cat suddenly rubbed against his porcelain-white hand, and the boy gasped, retracting his hand.
Mil and Lilith exchanged glances, and Mil asked:
"What's wrong? Are you not allowed to have pets at your house?"
"Miss Serena never allows me to touch these animals…"
As he spoke, Fafner himself didn't realize that he pouted, his face full of grievance.
The two stood by and watched Fafner pet the cat until the cat couldn't take it anymore and actively squeezed through the iron fence to escape. Only then did Mil pull Fafner and continue walking towards the tavern…