Meanwhile at the gardens, Gregoria raised an eyebrow. “Where are you coming from, Julian?” she asked, her tone light.
Julian gave a casual smile. “I just came from seeing the soldiers in the training ground,” he replied smoothly “They were eager to show off their skills, but I had to remind them who their true leader is.”
Gregoria chuckled softly. “Always so confident, aren’t you?” she teased, her gaze lingering on Julian with an amused glint. “You certainly know how to keep them on their toes.”
Gregoria gazed at Julian, as she observed the change in the way he carried himself. There was an undeniable shift in him. The young man who once seemed so innocent now appeared more commanding.
She couldn’t help but feel a flicker of concern. “Power seems to be changing you,” she said softly. “Remember to not let it consume you, my dear.”
Julian nodded at Gregoria’s advice, but as he did, his gaze momentarily flickered to her breasts, which were slightly visible from her work in the field.
Gregoria caught his glance and her eyes widened in surprise. A flush creeped onto her cheeks as she quickly adjusted her clothing.
Gregoria’s heart raced as she quickly processed what had just happened. Did he just glance at my breast? The thought struck her with surprising force, but she immediately dismissed it.
No, it must have been an accident. He’s my grandson, after all. She tried to calm herself, pushing the unsettling thought aside. It was only natural to catch a glimpse of something out of the corner of one’s eye, she reasoned.
Gregoria gave Julian a warm smile before speaking. “Alright, Julian, enjoy the rest of your day. I’ll go check on your mother. She seems unwell. I should see if she is resting.”
Julian nodded. “You too, Grandma,” he replied with a slight grin. “Make sure she gets some rest. She has always been so strong, but everyone has their limits, right?”
Gregoria smiled, appreciating his concern. “Thank you, my dear. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure she is well taken care of,” she said, then turned to walk toward the main house.
As she left, Julian grinned to himself with a mischievous glint in his eyes as he thought, I don’t even need to do anything… they’re already playing into my hands.
Gregoria made her way through the castle as she headed towards her son and daughter-in-law’s room. She arrived at the door and paused, her hand resting lightly on the handle. After a brief moment, she opened the door and stepped inside.
Her gaze immediately fell on Regina, who was sitting on the edge of the bed, her expression troubled.
She immediately voice her concern, “Regina are you fine?”
Regina’s heart skipped a beat as Gregoria entered the room, her body still flushed from the earlier moment of conflict.
She quickly tried to compose herself and replied, “I am fine, mother.”
Gregoria didn’t look convinced. She stepped closer, studying Regina with a knowing look. “You don’t look fine, dear. Is there something troubling you? You seem… off,” she said softly.
Regina took a deep breath, trying to steady her racing thoughts. “It’s nothing, really,” she said, forcing a small smile. “Just some fatigue, that’s all. I’ve been busy lately.”
Gregoria reached out to touch Regina’s arm gently. “You’ve been carrying a lot lately, and it shows. You need to take care of yourself, dear.” Her eyes softened. “Is there anything you want to talk about?”
Regina looked away for a moment, struggling to hide the turmoil within. “No… there’s nothing, mother. I just need some rest.”
Gregoria’s hand gently cupped Regina’s chin, guiding her to meet her gaze. “Tell me, Regina. What happened?” Her voice was soft, yet filled with an undeniable concern.
Regina hesitated, her heart pounding as she debated whether to speak the truth. The care in Gregoria’s eyes made Regina feel a warmth she hadn’t expected.
Finally, unable to hold it in any longer, she spoke in a whisper, “It’s Julian, mother. He… he is different now.”
Gregoria’s brow furrowed with a mix of concern and confusion as she softly asked, “You’re still hung up on that? Did me and your father-in-law not explain it to you?”
Regina shook her head, her eyes clouded with inner turmoil. “No, mother… it’s not that,” she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. “It’s just… something has changed in him. It’s not just his power.”
Gregoria’s frowned in confusion as she asked, “What do you mean?”
Regina took a deep breath, her hands trembling slightly as she spoke. “It’s his gaze, mother,” she said softly, her voice carrying a mix of uncertainty and sorrow.
“When he looks at me now, it’s no longer the gaze of a loving son… it’s different, almost… possessive. As if he sees me as something more than just his mother.”
She looked down, trying to compose herself, but the confusion and conflict within her were evident. She added, “I don’t know how to handle it, but it scares me, and I can’t ignore it.”
Gregoria’s eyes widened in shock as she processed Regina’s words. “What? He looks at you… not as his mother?” she asked, her voice laced with disbelief.
She stepped back slightly, her mind racing to understand what Regina had just revealed. “But that’s impossible, isn’t it? He’s your son, Regina… he couldn’t… could he?”
Regina nodded slowly, her voice barely above a whisper. “Yes, mother,” she confirmed.
Gregoria stood there, stunned with her eyes wide with disbelief. She opened her mouth, but no words came out. The shock of hearing such a revelation from her daughter-in-law left her speechless.
Finally, after a long pause, she muttered, “I… I don’t know what to say.”
Gregoria’s thoughts began to spiral as she recalled her earlier interaction with Julian in the garden. A cold shiver ran down her spine as realization dawned upon her. The way he had looked at her, the brief but unmistakable glance, it hadn’t been accidental.
Gregoria’s brow furrowed as a wave of worry and confusion swept over her. She looked at Regina intently, her voice filled with concern. “Is Alden aware of it?” she asked.
She couldn’t help but wonder how much her son knew about Julian’s behavior.
Gregoria’s expression softened as she absorbed Regina’s words. “No, mother, he is not,” Regina confirmed.
A heavy silence filled the room as Gregoria processed what she had just heard.
“I can’t believe this,” Gregoria whispered. She thought about how her son, Alden, would react if he ever found out. The situation felt increasingly complex.