Chapter 443: Lisa and the trade deals
Julian folded his hands behind his head. “Prepare my finest attire. Let’s see what the Apollo is up to.”
Eliz gave a small smile. “Understood, my lord.”
Julian stretched his limbs slowly, the laziness of sleep fading as he prepared for the day ahead.
“First things first—the trade negotiations,” he said with a decisive tone. “Let’s go, Eliz.”
He moved toward the door, opened it, and walked out into the corridor.
Eliz followed closely behind, her footsteps soft but steady.
Julian glanced around the grand hallways, then asked, “Is the Duke Hans himself here today?”
She shook her head gently. “Not the Duke, my lord. But his wife, the Duchess of Hans, is present.”
A slow smile curved Julian’s lips. “Oh, that’s interesting.”
They continued walking through the corridors, the silence of the morning lingering in the air. Soon, they reached a guarded chamber where two soldiers stood alert. At Julian’s approach, they bowed low and opened the heavy doors.
Inside, Julian’s eyes imdiately found the woman seated at the circular table—a picture of noble grace and control. Her posture was practiced, as if she had done this thousands of tis before. When their eyes t, a flicker of excitent passed through her, but she quickly masked it, restoring the calm composure expected of a duchess.
Julian returned her polite nod with a slight bow of his own, stepping forward. Eliz followed silently, standing a little distance away from the table, her expression neutral but attentive.
Julian took the seat opposite the duchess, the heavy wooden door closing softly behind them, sealing the room’s quiet tension.
Without hesitation, the duchess—Lisa—rose gracefully, then practically leapt forward to Julian with a bright smile. “Husband, I missed you,” she said warmly, her voice laced with genuine affection.
Inside, Julian’s eyes imdiately found the woman seated at the circular table—a picture of noble grace and control. Her posture was practiced, as if she had done this thousands of tis before.
When their eyes t, a flicker of excitent passed through her, but she quickly masked it, restoring the calm composure expected of a duchess.
Julian returned her polite nod with a slight bow of his own, stepping forward.
Eliz followed silently, standing a little distance away from the table.
Julian took the seat opposite the duchess, and the heavy wooden door closed softly behind them.
Without hesitation, the duchess—Lisa—rose gracefully, then practically leapt forward to Julian with a bright smile.
“Husband, I missed you,” she said warmly, her voice laced with genuine affection.
Eliz froze mid-step, eyes wide in disbelief. “What the fuck? Husband? What—?” she whispered under her breath, her surprise barely contained.
Julian’s lips curved into a soft smile, unfazed by Eliz’s reaction. “I missed you too,” he replied smoothly, eting Lisa’s gaze.
Eliz shifted uneasily to the side, masking her shock behind a faint cough.
Lisa chuckled softly, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Oh? Did you now?” she teased. It seems you’ve found a new companion for your bed,” she added with a sly smile, her gaze flickering toward Eliz.
Eliz felt her cheeks burn instantly, a rush of heat flooding her face. She quickly averted her eyes, lowering her gaze to hide the flush.
He’s sleeping with the duchess? Her mind raced. No wonder he dominated so easily yesterday…
Julian smiled wider, wrapping his arms around Lisa’s waist, pulling her close.
“Well, soone has to keep company when you’re away, don’t they?” He murmured in her ear,”
He planted a soft kiss on her neck, causing Lisa to let out a small, breathy gasp.
He then smoothly shifted his focus back to business. “Enough teasing. What’s this trade deal the Duke of Hans has brought forward?” he asked.
Lisa stepped back gracefully and reached for a drawer beside her. She withdrew a carefully folded docunt and laid it out before Julian.
“You’ll be surprised,” she said. “The Duke is bending over backwards to secure your favor. This deal could be very profitable for you.”
Julian’s gaze sharpened as he scanned the docunt, absorbing the details of the proposed trade routes, taxes, and partnerships. His mind began to race, already envisioning the potential growth in wealth and influence this alliance could bring.
The Duke of Hans was clearly making a serious effort, and Julian was more than ready to take advantage of it.
Julian smiled as he leaned back in his chair. “Well, of course,” he said. “The Duke needs to profit too, doesn’t he? Let’s not be greedy.”
He cast a sideways glance toward Eliz.
“Eliz, send word to the Four Guardians. I want them dispatched to Hans imdiately. They’re to assist in training the Hans military. After all, their army is ours now, too.”
Eliz’s brows furrowed subtly, concern flashing in her eyes. “But, my lord,” she said, her voice calm but uncertain, “without the Guardians, your protection here would be significantly weakened. What if—”
Lisa let out a soft chuckle, interrupting her. She stepped closer to Julian, placing a hand on his shoulder.
“Oh, dear Eliz,” she said with a teasing glint. “The last thing you should be worried about… is Julian. If anyone’s a danger to others, it’s him.”
Eliz tilted her head, lips parting as if to respond, but she gathered herself and instead gave a formal bow. “As you say, Your Grace.”
Yet even as she turned to carry out the order, her thoughts spiraled. He’s powerful, yes. An archmage… The title alone carried weight across the continent. But archmages are not gods. They are not invincible.
Still, Eliz said nothing more. She simply walked toward the door and cast a final glance before slipping out.
After she left, Julian leaned back and patted his lap with a smirk. Lisa’s eyes lit up as if she had been waiting for the invitation all night. She settled onto his lap, her fingers imdiately reaching into his hair, gently combing through the soft strands.
“You seem very serious about developing the duchy,” she murmured, her voice low and teasing. “What’s on your mind?”
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