Cloaked Heart

.·:*¨༺ Twenty-Four ༻¨*:·.

As the son and heir to the title Baron of Montgomery, it was only normal for the young Corwinn Lee to attend assemblies in the court, where he met the other young nobles of the beau monde. One of them was Deegun Rhys Westerveldt, the youngest son of Viscount Westerveldt, whose older brother was recently announced to the title.

At first glance, Win thought that Gun was a patsy, however, he was mistaken when he witnessed him stand on his ground without holding back. The youngest son of the Westerveldt household had an inferiority complex when it concerns his rather small stature and effeminate figure, causing him to be alone most of the time. Win was perplexed by his character and intrigued at most. Yet, at once, he declared that Gun was the kind of person he would like to get well-acquainted with.

And he was awarded that prospect one day when a group of young aristocrats harassed the young noble enquiring rather aggressively about his relationship with the son of the Duke of Vanderveer. Win courageously stood up on his behalf and what comes after the verbal argument turned into a provocation. Five versus two. In his defense, Win's knowledge of this kind of encounter was often met with disastrous results, and he was not about to wait for the other party to land a strike on his face, which most strangers in the ton consider as special. So, he punched the first boy who came towards them, and what ensued was a brawl that could have taken a deadly turn if Bright's group did not arrive to halt the nonsense.

Gun was not accustomed to such a pugnacious act and he had a notion that he would hear from his house steward soon enough. Being with Win that day ignited a fire within him and for once, he would like to do something he has not done before, that did not involve the use of his mouth.

This was not the first time that Bright encountered Win, their first meeting was not at all grand but it was... extraordinary. It was also this time that Bright fixated his dark eyes on the heir of the Baron of Montgomery and recalled how he found those golden hazel orbs striking. Nonetheless, he stood out from the rest of the boys because of his orange head. Yes, back then, Win's hair was too orange in spite of the owner's declaration that it was indeed copper brown. Bright did not care that time-a redhead was a redhead.

"If we tell anyone about this, they will be punished," said his cousin, Off, and Bright knew what he was after somehow. Even without words, he could tell his cousin had a crush on the youngest son of the Westerveldt House.

"Carrot," Bright Lucas turned to the young Corwinn Lee, this was the second time they have conversed though after their initial meeting, Bright had never stopped watching Win from afar. Back then, he still could not comprehend the sudden enticement. "I am speaking with you, carrot."

"I do not wish to speak with you!" The stubborn Win would not hold back in his judgment. Yet, he too could not deny that he had been watching Bright the same way Bright had been watching him. In his resolve, he vowed never to admit this. No matter what!

However, the heir of the Marquis of Vanderveer simply sneered at his antagonism. "You already did. Come now, our words hold more power than yours. Those brats will talk and your father will be called out. Imagine the outrage that will follow when they heard the heir of the Baron of Montgomery acting like a barbarian in the court."

Win reacted with a distinct scowl that was too familiar for Bright to ignore. It was not his nature to break character, but he fought the urge to stifle a laugh and at the same time, he felt something warm rising in his chest at the adorable sight of the other. He halted when he realized that he had thought the son of the baron, adorable.

"What of it?" Win proceeded to argue much to Gun's chagrin. "They've started it. We were only defending ourselves."

"By giving them a taste of your fist? Not to mention, you granted the first blow."