As the night settled over Easvil estate, Julian’s grin grew wider as his thoughts turned to the next step in his grand scheme. “I guess it’s time to grow the seed even more,” he said to himself.
Julian then made his way to his parents room and softly knocked on the door. “Father, its me.” he said.
Alden’s voice rang from inside the room, “Enter.”
Julian entered the room and his eyes briefly flickered over Regina, who stood there in her nightgown. Her figure was accentuated by the soft fabric.
Alden was seated by the window. He looked up with his brow furrowed in curiosity. But it was Regina who felt the weight of Julian’s gaze, and she couldn’t help but wonder what had brought him here at such an hour.
Julian flashed a charming smile and said, “Father, I want our family to help the county at the outskirts of our duchy.”
Alden raised an eyebrow at Julian’s request. The suddenness of the proposition caught him off guard.
Julian stood tall as his usual confidence radiated from him, yet there was an underlying seriousness to his tone that made his request feel more like a command than a simple suggestion.
Alden leaned forward, considering his son’s words carefully before replying. “Why the sudden interest in that county, Julian?” he asked, his voice low and steady.
Julian looked at his father with unwavering resolve. “The countess is a dear friend of mine, and I have promised to help her.”
Alden studied him for a moment, then gave a slow nod. “If you say so.”
Alden then paused for a moment and turned towards his desk. “Julian, wait here for a moment,” he said, before walking over to his table and rifling through a drawer.
Julian’s gaze slowly shifted to meet Regina’s, and the air between them seemed to thicken with unspoken tension. Her heart raced as their eyes locked.
She tried to steady herself, but something in his intense stare made it hard to focus.
Julian then deliberately lowered his gaze and rested it on her breasts, making her skin tingle.
Her nightgown was comfortable but revealing and the swells of her breasts were almost visible to the hungry gaze of Julian.
Regina’s breath was caught in her throat as her instincts told her to look away, yet she couldn’t tear her eyes from him. Her skin flushed with a mix of embarrassment and an unsettling thrill.
Julian’s attention was unmistakably focused on her breasts, and though she wanted to call him out, a part of her couldn’t help but feel conflicted.
Her breath grew shallow as she felt her nipples respond to his gaze, hardening beneath the fabric. It was a sensation she had felt before, but never like this. Not from her son.
She panicked and quickly looked away. Her eyes darted around the room as if searching for something to break the tension. Anything to distract herself from the forbidden thoughts that had started to creep into her mind.
Alden’s voice pierced the silence, pulling her back to reality. He approached them as he held a box in his hand. Inside, a gold medallion that was adorned with the family’s crest shone brightly.
“This is the symbol of our family’s legacy, Julian,” Alden said, his voice firm. “When the time comes for me to pass on the title of Duke, you will bear this proudly.”
Julian took the box as his smile grew into something darker. “Thank you, Father,” he said “I will indeed await that day.”
He then bowed before moving towards the door and exiting the room.
Regina watched as his footsteps echoed in the hallway and the door softly closed behind him. She took a deep breath and tried to calm the storm of emotions swirling within her.
“Despite my initial fear, I believe he will make us all proud,” Alden said as his eyes remained on the spot where Julian had been standing.
Regina’s gaze lingered on Alden. The pride in his eyes was evident as he spoke of Julian’s potential.
Her heart tightened as the guilt ate at her. She wondered if Alden would still feel this way if he knew the true nature of Julian’s ambitions and the dangerous path that he was walking.
You don’t know, Alden she thought bitterly. You don’t know the darkness he has embraced.
The room fell into silence as Alden extinguished the last of the candles. Darkness wrapped around them and the only sound was the soft rustling of sheets as they settled into bed.
Regina laid still, her thoughts racing despite the silence of the night. Alden’s breathing slowly steadied, and she knew he was already drifting into sleep. But she couldn’t escape the turmoil inside her.
She turned her back to Alden as her mind swirled with conflicting emotions. Her thoughts were unsettled as the lingering sensation of Julian’s gaze on her breasts was still vivid in her mind.
Her breath caught slightly, and an unfamiliar warmth spread through her. She tried to focus on the steady rhythm of Alden’s breathing beside her, but her mind kept drifting back to Julian.
The more she thought about it, the more she felt her body responding, and she realized with a shock that her nipples had indeed hardened again, poking against the thin fabric of her nightgown.
The realization brought a flush to her cheeks, and she buried her face in the pillow, willing the feelings to go away. Yet, they only grew stronger, as if her body was betraying her.
Her hand slid up her side, pausing for a moment at her waist before continuing its journey to the swell of her breast. She bit her lip to stifle a moan as her fingers made contact with the sensitive flesh.
“No,” she whispered. But even as she said it, her hand began to move in slow, gentle circles, her thumb brushing lightly against her nipple.
The fabric of her gown grew damp with her arousal, and she knew that she was losing the battle.
“Ahh…” A moan escaped her mouth, but she quickly stifled it, hiding it in the folds of her pillow. Her eyes squeezed shut as she tried to banish the images of Julian that had taken root in her mind.
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AUTHORS NOTE: Check the Auxiliary Volume for chapter schedule.
