The king nodded approvingly and said, “After the war, I will officially announce your promotion.”
The viscount and viscountess bowed deeply. Their gratitude were visible in their voices as they replied, “We thank you, Your Majesty. This is a privilege beyond what we could have hoped for.”
The king gave a satisfied smile. “We shall rest here for a few hours before resuming our journey to the city,” he said.
The viscount beaming with pride, said, “Your Majesty, it is our honor to host you and your noble dukes in our humble abode.”
The viscountess stepped forward, her face lit with genuine warmth as she added, “Your Majesty, we have prepared a feast in honor of your visit. It would be our greatest pleasure if you and your esteemed company would join us.”
The king exchanged a nod with the dukes showing his approval, and replied, “Very well. We shall join you.”
Julian followed closely behind the king and the dukes as they entered the grand dining hall. The atmosphere was lively, with rich aromas filling through the air. The table was adorned with an array of dishes.
The king and the dukes took their seats at the head of the table. Across them, the viscount and viscountess. Servants moved quietly, pouring wine and setting delicate plates before the guests.
Julian took his place besides his father.
The viscount bowed his head respectfully, saying, “Your Grace, Duke Alden, we extend our heartfelt congratulations on Lord Julian’s powerful awakening. His accomplishments have already spread far and wide.”
Duke Alden nodded with a proud smile, glancing at Julian. “Thank you, Viscount,” he replied warmly. “Julian’s dedication has indeed brought honor to our family. His journey is just beginning, and I believe he will achieve even greater feats for the kingdom.”
Julian acknowledged the praise with a respectful nod.
The viscountess smiled warmly. Her eyes sparkled with hope as she looked at Julian.
“I hope Lord Julian will take his time to teach magic to our children,” she said, her voice sweet and inviting.
Julian’s gaze momentarily drifted caught by the way her dress highlighted her figure, drawing his attention to her cleavage.
He quickly shook off the distraction and replied, “It would be my pleasure to share some of my knowledge with young minds. I believe teaching them can inspire a new generation of mages.”
The viscountess smiled at him, clearly pleased by his response. “Our children would be honored to learn from you, my lord. Your skills are remarkable, and I’m sure they would benefit greatly from your guidance.”
Julian’s gaze continued to linger on the viscountess, appreciating her mature figure.
A chuckle escaped his lips as he thought, Should I try my luck with her?
Just then, their eyes met, the viscountess noticed the hunger and lust reflected in Julian’s eyes. It was a familiar look, one she had seen many times before from men who were captivated by her allure.
She felt a wave of discomfort wash over her, realizing how blatant his stare was, especially while she sat beside her husband.
How inappropriate, she thought, cursing him silently. He really is quite bold to shoot me such a glare while I’m here with my husband.
As the viscountess grappled with her feelings, anger flared within her. Does he think he can do whatever he wants just because he is the future duke?
The thought flared with in, and her initial flattery quickly turned into disgust. The viscount sensing her sudden shift in mood turned to her with a concerned look.
“What’s wrong, dear?” he asked, his voice filled with genuine worry.
“Nothing, my dear,” she replied as she forced a smile, but her heart wasn’t in it.
The warmth of her husband’s presence contrasted sharply with the memory of Julian’s lingering gaze, and she felt a wave of disgust wash over her.
Julian leaned back in his seat with a mischievous smile creeping onto his lips as he pondered the challenge before him.
Look what we have here, someone who is hard to get. He couldn’t help but feel that this conquest might be more enjoyable than the others.
I hardly believe seduction and charm will work with a woman like her, he thought as his mind raced with possibilities. I need something more. The thought of bending her will intrigued him, and he chuckled softly to himself. Something that will force her to comply with me.
The feast continued with laughter and conversation but Julian’s eyes remained fixated on the viscountess. Each time their gazes met, he noticed the disdain in her expression, a silent rejection that only seemed to fuel his interest.
Her disgust intensified with every lingering look he cast her way, especially when he shared a joke or a story with a charming smile.
He could sense her discomfort, the way she shifted in her seat as if trying to distance herself from his gaze, but the challenge only made him more determined.
He leaned in closer as he flashed a charming smile and said, “Viscountess, the food sure is tasty.”
His tone was light, but there was an underlying implication that made her skin crawl. She could sense what he truly meant beneath the surface, and a wave of extreme disgust washed over her.
*How dare he be so bold?* she thought, her mind racing with indignation. *And he calls himself a noble, a future duke?*
Despite her inner turmoil, she maintained her composure and replied with a warm smile, “Thank you, Lord Julian.”
It was a polite response, but her eyes betrayed her feelings, flickering with annoyance as she averted her gaze.
