Julian turned to her, a bit caught off guard. “I didn’t mean to interrupt your conversation,” he said trying to sound casual.
“Oh no, you haven’t interrupted anything, Your Grace,” Rose replied with her smile warm and inviting.
She seemed genuinely pleased to see him, and that made Julian’s heart flutter again though he couldn’t quite shake off the jealousy.
Edwin stood beside her with a friendly smile on his face. Julian forced a smile back.
“Is this not your first war, Your Grace?” Rose asked as her eyes locked onto Julian’s.
“Yes, it is,” Julian replied feeling the weight of her gaze.
Rose nodded as her expression softened with understanding. “It’s a lot to take in. Just remember, you’re not alone in this. You have us by your side.”
“Thank you, Rose”, Julian replied. Rose nodded and smiled at him with warmth.
Julian’s heart fluttered, and he felt the urge to understand her relationship with Edwin. Unable to hide his jealousy, he managed to ask, “What is your relationship with Edwin?”
“He’s just a good friend,” Rose said. She caught the hint of jealousy in his voice and laughed lightly. The warmth in her tone was reassuring.
“Are you jealous?” Rose teased with a playful glint in her eyes.
Julian was caught off guard and stumbled over his words. “No, why would I be?” he replied trying to sound nonchalant but the suddenness of the question made it awkward.
Raphael couldn’t help but laugh at the exchange, and soon Rose joined in. Her laughter rang like a music in the night. Julian felt his cheeks heat up, and he couldn’t help but chuckle as well, even though he was a bit embarrassed.
“Rose, be safe out there. This war might be more dangerous than we all think.” Julian’s expression shifted to seriousness as he looked at Rose.
She met his gaze, and a blush crept onto her cheeks at the warmth of his concern.
“I will, Your Grace. I promise to be careful,” she replied.
Rose was genuinely with touched by his care and sincerity.
Julian felt a wave of relief wash over him, and a small laugh escaped him. “Good,” he said.
Rose then said, “I will have to leave, Your Grace.”
Julian felt a pang of disappointment and immediately whispered in a low voice, “Stay for some more time.”
Rose who did not quite hear him, asked, “Your Grace, did you say something?”
Quickly trying to fix his voice, he replied, “Have a good night, Lady Rose.”
Julian forced a smile hiding the urge to ask her to stay just a little longer. He watched as she turned to leave and slowly departed from his sight.
Raphael noticing the departing figure of Rose said, “My Lord, why don’t you just confess to her? With your status and charm, who would even resist you?”
Julian’s eyes turned solemn at the thought. “You are right,” he replied. “I am blessed with status and charm.” He laughed softly while adding, “With just one word, there will be thousands of ladies ready to willingly give themselves to me. And I’ve certainly used my status and charm to charm ladies and have my way.”
Despite his bravado, a flicker of uncertainty crossed his mind. He knew he could have anyone he wanted, but with Rose, it felt different. There was a deeper connection he didn’t want to ruin with mere charm and status.
Julian chuckled darkly as he shook his head. “I have fallen so deep into lust that not even my moral conscience can hold me back.”
He laughed again as the memories flooded back to him, his passionate night with Eleanor, the lingering thoughts of his mother, Regina, and even the thought of his grandmother, Gregoria, being on his mind.
“Maybe I’ve become too reckless,” he said as a wry smile played on his lips. He continued, “But that was my own choice, and I will continue on that path even in the future because that is who I truly am.”
“But when I look at Rose, I feel at peace. My heart flutters in a way that has never happened before; I feel a pull toward her, an unexplainable pull.”, he said as the figure of Rose took over his mind.
Turning to Raphael, he asked, “Do you think she is unaware of that?”
Raphael considered for a moment before replying, “I think she might sense it, my lord. You’re not the only one with feelings. She is a soldier and she is perceptive, she probably notices how you look at her.”
Julian continued, “Right, she knows how attracted I am to her. She knows that her life and all her problems could be melted away with just one word from me. But you know what she calls me?”
Raphael replied, “Your Grace.”
Julian chuckled, “Yes, she calls me ‘Your Grace’ as if to remind me of my title and how worlds apart we live. And she has her own dreams, and until she achieves those, she won’t indulge in any fantasy, be it with a duke or the king. And that makes my heart flutter even more.”
He sighed, a mix of admiration and frustration in his voice. “There’s something about her ambition and independence that draws me in. It’s like she’s a challenge I can’t resist, and that only makes me want her more.” Julian felt a sense of longing swell within him, knowing that Rose’s strength made his feelings for her even more intense.
He then looked up at the night sky with a thoughtful expression on his face. “I am a walking contradiction,” he admitted softly. “But even if it’s just once, I want to feel what it’s like to truly love someone. I want to make her mine, not with my status or charm, but with my heart.”
Julian’s gaze lingered on the stars, each one twinkling like a distant dream. “I want her to see me for who I am, beyond the title and the power. I want her to know that I can be more than just a duke; I can be someone who cares deeply.”
Julian then laughed shaking off the seriousness of the moment. “Well, let’s go have some food before sleeping,” he said with a playful glint in his eyes.
Raphael chuckled, still contemplating over his lord’s heartfelt words. “That sure was a nice speech, my lord,” he teased.
Julian smiled back and with that, they made their way to the camp’s dining area.
