He quickly got out of the bed and freshened up. He splashed cold water on his face from the basin, washing away the last traces of sleep and tension. His changed into fresh clothes - a simple yet elegant dark shirt and trousers.
knock knock
As he was about to finish dressing, a soft knock ca from the door.
"Young lord, it is , Sera," a beautiful, soft voice rang from outside the door.
"Co in," Julian said calmly.
The door opened quietly and Sera stepped inside. She was wearing her usual seductive maid uniform... the one that accentuated her figure in all the right ways. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, perhaps from hurrying through the corridors. She closed the door behind her and gave a respectful bow.
Julian turned to face her.
"Is soone at the castle?"
Sera nodded, her eyes eting his for a brief mont before lowering respectfully.
"Yes, young master. The commander has returned with an envoy from the capital. He says it is an official knight from the palace, sent to deliver a formal apology for the sudden delay in His Majesty’s visit."
Julian raised an eyebrow, his interest clearly piqued.
"An envoy?" he repeated.
"Yes," Sera confird. "Considering how abrupt the delay was, it seems His Majesty wanted to show proper courtesy. This knight is apparently the captain of the army led by the First Guardian. He arrived with a small but elite escort early this morning. The entire castle is already buzzing with the news. The Duke has called for a formal reception in the main hall within the hour."
Julian remained silent for a mont. An official apology from the palace, delivered by a high-ranking captain under the First Guardian - this was not a small gesture. It suggested the royal family was trying to maintain good relations despite whatever internal crisis had caused the delay.
Or perhaps they were trying to hide sothing.
"Interesting," Julian murmured. "The First Guardian’s personal captain. That is quite the high-ranking ssenger."
Sera nodded again. She had learned by now that Julian’s calm exterior often hid sharp calculations.
"Should I prepare anything for you, young master?" she asked softly. "Lady Olivia sent word that she wishes to see you before the reception. Lady Vanessa has also been asking about your condition since the duel."
Julian’s lips curved into a faint smile. The won were moving as expected. Olivia’s concern was genuine, while Vanessa’s interest was likely still tied to her intelligence gathering.
He then turned his full attention to Sera, who was still standing near the door, waiting patiently for his command.
"Sera. I have a task for you."
Sera’s eyes lit up imdiately. A soft, knowing smile touched her lips as she bowed gracefully.
"Yes, my lord," she replied, her voice now sweet and slightly husky. "How should I serve you?"
There was a clear undertone in her words. She assud this was another personal request — perhaps sothing intimate. After their previous encounters, she had grown used to being called for such reasons. Her cheeks flushed faintly with anticipation as she waited, already imagining what he might ask of her this ti.
Julian noticed her reaction and smiled inwardly at how predictable she had beco.
"Monitor the envoy who just arrived with Commander Aldric," he ordered plainly. "Report every detail to . Who he speaks with, what he says, how he behaves around the Duke, Liam, and the others. I want to know everything."
"..."
Sera blinked.
The seductive smile on her face faltered for a mont, replaced by visible confusion. She straightened up slightly, tilting her head as if she had misheard him.
"Monitor... the envoy, my lord?" she repeated, her voice losing its previous sultry tone. "You an... spy on him?"
Julian nodded once.
"Nothing interesting," he said simply. "I just want to see if they behave in any strange way. The timing of this envoy’s arrival is too convenient. I want to know exactly what kind of man he is and what ssage he truly carries from the capital."
Sera remained quiet for a few seconds, clearly processing this strange request. She had expected sothing far more personal, but, he was giving her a genuine intelligence task. It surprised her, but she quickly regained her composure.
"I understand, young master," she said, bowing again, though this ti with more professionalism than seduction. "I will keep my eyes and ears open. The envoy is currently being received in the main hall. I can start imdiately."
Julian gave her a small nod of approval.
"Good. Be discreet. Do not let anyone notice that you are watching too closely. Especially not Liam’s people. Report back to before the evening al."
Sera hesitated for a brief second, as if she wanted to ask sothing more, but she ultimately held her tongue. She bowed one final ti.
"As you wish, my lord."
She turned and left the room quietly, closing the door behind her with a soft click.
Julian knew Sera was still loyal to Vanessa at her core, but she had begun showing cracks in that loyalty. The more ti she spent with him, the more she seed to waver.
Giving her real tasks like this would help bind her closer to him. Even if she reported so of it back to Vanessa, it would only serve to keep his sister suspicious and off-balance.
Julian walked over to the window again and looked out at the bustling castle grounds. The arrival of the envoy had stirred the entire duchy. Servants were moving faster, guards were more alert, and the atmosphere had shifted from quiet waiting to cautious anticipation.
He could feel the suffocating aura from earlier still lingering faintly in the distance, like a shadow that refused to disappear completely.
**
Fifteen minutes later,
Julian was currently walking through the corridor that led to Olivia’s and the Duke’s private quarters. Sera had ntioned earlier that his mother had suddenly summoned him. After their last intense mana transfer session in his room, they had only exchanged a few brief contacts here and there. She had never approached him directly, and Julian had not gone out of his way to seek her out either.
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