Silence followed Julian’s words. No one could question him if he said it like that. Pressing further would be disrespectful to the Empress present there and seen as intentionally speculating about the Emperor’s private affairs while in the Palace grounds.

Julian did not give lady Selene the satisfaction of an exposed secret or a narrowed eye that often came with guilt. He didn’t even look at her, instead, he decided to use his own mind, whatever was left of it, to shift the mood of the gathering.

"The orchids in this Conservatory are quite remarkable, Your Majesty," Julian said, his voice a smooth, scholarly tone. "To maintain such vibrant life against the palace chill is a testament to the care of your gardeners. The sight alone is a far better tonic than any medicine I could receive."

The Empress let out a slow, shallow breath, her shoulders losing part of their rigid tension.

"You have a glib tongue, Master Astrea," she murmured, her dry throat affecting the fluidity of her voice. "And perhaps it is that very eloquence that has had such an impact on my daughter. Even Cassian... I have always worried for the boy, but he is coming along well under your tutelage. You have my gratitude."

"I am merely doing my duty, Your Majesty," Julian replied, his voice a smooth, practiced cadence as he inclined his head. "Though I must admit, the Prince and Princess’s sharp minds makes the task far more rewarding than most. They are bright children, all they needed was the right stir."

The Empress’s gaze softened—a rare, genuine flicker of warmth that seemed to thaw the icy atmosphere Lady Selene had tried to cultivate. Seeing the change in the Empress’s mood, the other noble ladies shifted their sails instantly.

"If you can find ’reward’ in tutoring the Royal children, Master Astrea, then you truly are a saint of academia," Lady Genevieve chimed in, her earlier suspicion replaced by a greedy curiosity. "My own nephew, the young Count of Corvus, has gone through four tutors in two months. The last one left in tears after the boy replaced his ink with squid bile."

"Oh dear," Lady Elara exclaimed and the ladies chuckled quite amusingly. "Hes so mischievous."

"My brother feels his child is beyond tutelage, but do you perhaps have a secret for subduing such... spirited temperaments?" Lady Genevieve asked.

Julian felt the corners of his mouth twitch in a faint, small, reflexive smile.

"No secret, My Lady. Only the understanding that a ’menace’ is usually just a child who finds the world far less interesting than they are. One must simply find a way to make the lesson more troublesome to avoid than to learn."

A ripple of polite, surprised laughter went around the table.

"Heavens, I wish I had your patience," Lady Selene said, leaning in, her barbs and thorns tucked away for now. "My youngest daughter refuses to touch her history books. She says they smell of dust and dead men. Perhaps once your... obligations here are concluded, you might consider a brief visit to the House of Winifred? We would pay handsomely for even a week of your influence."

Julian lifted his tea cup with grace, took a slow sip of his tea, the warmth grounding him.

"The invitation is most flattering, Lady Selene. Though I fear the Grand Duke of the North might have words if I were to extend my stay in the capital any longer than necessary."

The mention of Alaric was a delicate touch—a reminder of his protection without sounding like a threat.

"Ah, I’ve heard so many things about your relationship with the Grand Duke," Lady Elara mentioned. "It wouldn’t be too much to probe into your private life just a little, right?"

Julian did not respond at first, but then he gave a small slow nod.

"Pardon me if I am unable to respond to any questions I find uncomfortable," he said politely but this was more than enough to blaze the flicker of curiosity in the ladies.

Their eyes glinted, losing their composure entirely, like they were some hard core yaoi fans.

"So, is it true that you were the one who brought the Grand Duke out of mourning?" Lady Elara asked and all their ears shot up.

Even the Empress seemed to be interested in this kind of gossip.

Well, women will be women.

"I do not know if to take the full credit," Julian said as he picked a cube of sugar with the utensil and dumped it slowly into his tea. "But I was there. I told him a few things because I could not bear to watch the boy, my student, crying on his birthday for a sin he did not commit." His gaze grew solemn, thinking back to that very day. "My heart grew heavy and I sought out the Duke. It wasn’t easy since the Duke is quite stubborn," the memory now made him laugh. "But it worked out."

"And then was that when he began to show interest in you?" Lady Genevieve asked, quite bluntly and Lady Selene spread her lace fan over her face.

"It was such a remarkable feat." She claimed. "Even I would swoon for the very person who pulls me out of depression."

Julian gave a small nod, a smile of verification with no words said.

"Oh my, that’s so romantic." Lady Elara said. "To become the beloved of the most powerful man after the Emperor irrespective of your gender must be wonderful."

Yes, it would’ve been wonderful. If only the Emperor was not after that happiness.

"Ah, I still remember hearing about what happened during the hunt," Lady Selene added, closing her fan. "Word of mouth says the Duke searched for you so frantically and when he did, he held you like no other." She grinned. "You definitely have him wrapped around your fingers, Master Astrea." 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

"Ah, if it wasn’t for the Duke, I would’ve been dead by now." Julian said, his fingers sliding softly around his teacup, a sweet smile playing on his face and color coming back to that deathly pale skin. "I truly have the Duke’s favor to thank."

The ladies giggled.

​The Duke had been so blatant, so dangerously clear in his devotion to Julian Von Astrea. He had screamed it loud without even declaring it and everyone heard it loud and clear.

After all, he had defied the Emperor—his own blood—on multiple occasions because of Julian Von Astrea, and eventually led his knights to the palace gates for the sake of that same lover.

Was there a more romantic tale in all of Viremount history?