Regina’s teasing smile faded quickly, her expression turning serious. She looked at Julian with a mix of concern and frustration.
“You nearly died, Julian,” she said sternly, her voice filled with worry. “Do you even realize how close you came to losing everything? This isn’t just a game.”
Her eyes locked onto his, and the weight of her words hung in the air.
Julian, despite his weakened state, flashed a tired grin. “Yes, Mom,” he said, his voice laced with exhaustion but still carrying a hint of defiance. “But a man’s gotta show off sometimes, right?”
Regina sighed, her expression softening just a little. “There are other ways to show your strength, Julian.”
Julian nodded, his voice quieter this time. “Yes, Mom. I’m sorry,” he said, looking down slightly, acknowledging the worry he had caused.
Regina’s eyes narrowed, her tone firm as she asked, “How did you get that power, Julian?”
Her concern was palpable, mixing with curiosity and a hint of fear. She looked at her son, waiting for an answer, knowing this wasn’t something that could be easily explained.
Julian looked at his mother, his expression serious but calm. “Some things are better left unexplained, Mother,” he said softly, yet with a weight in his voice that hinted at the dangers and secrets behind his newfound power.
He didn’t want to lie, but he also knew the truth could cause more worry than comfort.
Regina stared at him for a moment, her eyes searching his face for answers, but she could sense that this was one battle she wouldn’t win right now.
Regina sighed and nodded, her voice softening but still firm. “Okay, Julian, but remember, don’t be reckless like you were today. You may have power, but you need control. We can’t afford to lose you.”
Her eyes lingered on his wounds, a mix of concern and maternal protectiveness evident in her gaze.
Regina grinned, her playful tone returning.
“You know, the Duke of Ethwer already hates you. He’ll probably come to kill you if he finds his daughter in your bed like this,” she teased, arching an eyebrow at Julian.
Julian replied confidently, “Let him come. A man’s gotta protect his woman, don’t you agree, mother?”
His expression was serious, showing his determination. He glanced at Julia and Isabel, a hint of possessiveness in his gaze.
Regina teased with a playful smile, “You must have quite the skills to bed two women at once.”
Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she regarded her son, both proud and amused by his newfound confidence. The lightheartedness of her comment eased the tension in the room.
Julian glanced at Regina’s black gown, which elegantly highlighted her figure and revealed a hint of cleavage.
With a sly smile, he remarked, “Well, I am blessed in many ways, mother.”
Regina’s eyes widened in surprise, and her cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and disbelief.
“Julian!” she exclaimed, her voice a mix of shock and reprimand.
She hadn’t expected such a bold comment from her son, and the implications of his words hung heavily in the air.
“That’s quite a thing to say!” she added, trying to maintain her composure while feeling the heat of the moment.
Despite the initial shock, a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips, revealing a hint of amusement at his audacity.
Julian’s gaze lingered a moment longer on Regina’s cleavage, her soft curves highlighted by the elegant black gown she wore.
A cheeky smile spread across his face as he added, “You are blessed too, Mother. I mean, look at you. You carry yourself with such grace and poise, and that gown only highlights your beauty.”
Regina, still taken aback by his earlier comment, couldn’t help but feel a mix of pride and surprise at her son’s boldness.
“Flattery will get you nowhere, Julian,” she said, half-heartedly trying to sound unmoved but unable to hide the hint of a smile.
Julian chuckled, appreciating her reaction. “But it’s true! You’ve always been beautiful, and it’s no surprise that I take after you in some ways,” he teased, his eyes glinting with mischief.
Regina shook her head, laughter escaping her lips despite herself.
“Just remember, there’s a line you shouldn’t cross, young man. I may be your mother, but that doesn’t mean I won’t put you in your place if you step too far out of line!” she warned, her tone light but carrying an underlying seriousness.
Julian raised his hands in mock surrender, his grin wide. “I promise, Mother, no more comments like that… for now.”
Regina’s eyes widened in shock, the teasing tone of her son’s words hitting her like a cold wave. A mix of embarrassment and disbelief washed over her, yet a small smirk tugged at the corner of her lips despite herself. She knew Julian had a knack for pushing boundaries, but this was on a whole new level.
“Julian!” she exclaimed, half-heartedly scolding him while trying to suppress a laugh. “You really need to learn when to stop, don’t you?”
He leaned back slightly, the glint of mischief in his eyes as he continued, “But can you blame me? It’s hard not to admire such beauty right in front of me. It runs in the family, after all.”
His playful grin was infectious, and despite her best efforts, Regina found herself chuckling at the absurdity of the situation.
“Flattery will get you nowhere, young man,” she retorted, though her tone lacked any real bite. Instead, she felt a warmth creeping into her cheeks, a strange mix of pride and embarrassment for her son’s boldness. “Just remember to keep that charm for the ladies, not your mother!”
“I can’t help but try to charm a beautiful lady, even if the lady is my own mother”, Julian said with a grin.
Regina chuckled, a mix of amusement and embarrassment in her eyes.
“Is my charm working on you mother”, Julian asked with a playful smile.
Regina raised an eyebrow, a mix of surprise and amusement dancing in her eyes.
“You think you can charm your own mother?” she replied, a playful smirk tugging at her lips.
“Well, you certainly have a way with words, Julian. But remember, flattery will get you nowhere with me.” She crossed her arms, pretending to be stern, but the sparkle in her gaze betrayed her amusement.
Julian couldn’t help but notice the way her gown shifted, displaying her big breast as she crossed her arms. The sight made him momentarily speechless, a playful grin creeping onto his face.
“Well, it seems my charm is working after all, isn’t it?” he teased, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
“How can anyone resist such charm? You might be trying to act tough, but I can see it’s not that easy when you’re this stunning.”
**Author note: I have added the character illustration and possible harem members so make sure to check it out.
