Soul Detection Activated!

The troops led by Prince Leonard soon caught up with the main army. After marching for 3 weeks, they finally reached Tournesol, the capital city of Soleil Kingdom. The citizens of Tournesol welcomed the war heroes grandly. The royal palace welcomed the whole army waiting with a big banquet. The King summoned Prince Leonard and the higher-ups of the army to the audience room.

The prince arranged for Huvel to stay in his own mansion before he went to see the King. Huvel looked around the mansion as if it was his own house. From the decorations, furniture and the number of servants, he could guess that the prince was wealthy despite being neglected by the King.

"Such a good mansion!" He thought on his way back to the room prepared for him. "He's much richer than I thought. I hope he gives me a big mansion, at least as good as half of this."

"Sir Huvel, I prepared some refreshments for you. May I come in?"

"Please come in."

Although Huvel told the maid to come in, he was uncomfortable when he was alone with the maid in the room. It had been a long time since he was alone with a woman in the same room as he only had male servants in his house. The maid gracefully poured some tea into a cup. But Huvel could not see her well and just recalled the time when a girl in cute maid dress picked up a knife and suddenly shoved it into his chest.

Huvel waved his hand and made the maid went out. He had his snacks by the window and enjoyed the scenery outside. After a short while, he faintly heard a violin playing. His heart throbbed strangely with the sound of violin.

"This…?" Huvel knitted his brows. "Is this the signal from Soul Detection?! Is there a toy boy… no, a lover of the Goddess of the Underworld nearby?"

He followed the sound. The sound came from the garden in front of the mansion. Huvel saw a boy in a pavilion playing violin when he reached the middle of the garden.

"What a cute toy boy!" Huvel exclaimed. "He looks so cute and delicate, unlike the men I saw at the side of the goddess! Will he become like those men when he gets older since the goddess seems to be into hunks? What a waste for that cute face!"

The boy who was playing the violin elegantly looked to be about only 11 or 12 years old. His light blonde hair was dancing with the evening breeze. The long lashes complemented the loveliness of his big eyes. His skin was pale and the cheeks had a slight touch of pink. He was yet to go through the teenager transformations so he was quite small in size. The small, vibrant blue waistcoat and short pants on him made him looked very similar to an adorable doll.

The boy noticed Huvel and stopped playing violin.

"Hello, sir." He greeted Huvel. "Are you a guest of His Highness?"

"Yes, you can call me Huvel. What's your name?" Huvel approached him with a smile.

"Just Huvel?" The boy rubbed his lower lip with his small finger. He then removed his finger from his lip and placed his fist on his chest. He bowed with a bright smile and said, "My name is Hugo Franklyn. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Sir Huvel."

Huvel confirmed that Hugo Franklyn was indeed locked on by Soul Detection. His heart ached when he thought about how he had to send such adorable little boy to the after-life. He could not set his mind to do it. Moreover, he found the boy in Prince Leonard's yard so he dared not act rashly.

"The pleasure is all mine, little cutie." Huvel sat on a chair near Hugo. "You are very good with violin for your age. Care to tell me about your practice?"

The boy was very energetic and friendly. He began talking to Huvel comfortably in no time. From their conversation, Huvel learnt that he was a distant relative of the first prince from his mother's side. Hugo was the youngest of his six siblings. When his parents died in an accident, Hugo was just 8 years old. The Queen took him in since she loved him and he had talent for music.

When he became 12, the Queen sent Hugo to the first prince's household. So he was basically a retainer of the first prince. Huvel sighed in relief. Getting little Hugo might be easier than he thought.

"So, you have never left the royal palace ever since you entered?" Huvel patted the boy's head.

"His Highness, Prince Leonard, said he will give me a mansion in the countryside. Do you want to go see it with me?"

"Really?! Can I go? I'd love to…"

"Get your hands off him, you rotten!"

The one who entered the garden with a cry was the owner of the yard, Prince Leonard.

"What do you think you are doing, Huvel?!" He continued; his eyes stared at Huvel with disdain.

Huvel was dumbfounded. He stood rigidly until the prince removed his hand from the top of Hugo's head.

"It's not what Your Highness thinks!" Huvel tried to explain. "I just find him adorable, but I have no bad intention!"

"Humph! I find it hard to believe!" The prince snorted as he calmed down a bit. He turned to Hugo and asked, "Hugo, tell me, what did this man say to you?"

"Oh! Your Highness, did you hear what Sir Huvel said? He said he will bring me to visit the house in the countryside that you will give him!" Hugo replied cheerfully without realizing the tension in the air.

"SIR HUUUVELLL!!"