George nodded solemnly, his concern evident in his eyes. He understood the gravity of the situation and knew that caution was key.
The king’s next move was crucial, and they couldn’t afford to make the wrong impression.
“Your Majesty,” George began, his voice steady but filled with a hint of urgency.
“I know the importance of maintaining a strong presence, but I also worry about the safety of this journey. The political landscape is shifting, and we cannot ignore the fact that this new king in Apollo might have hidden agenda.”
The king and the queen listened intently.
He continued “I strongly suggest we invite the Grand Duke to accompany us on this trip. He is a Grand Mage, and his presence would not only ensure our protection but also send a strong message that we are united and powerful.”
The king looked at George thoughtfully as he considered the suggestion, but before he could respond, the queen’s voice rang out.
“No,” she declared, her tone wanting no further argument. “We do not need anyone else. And George,” she continued, her gaze fixing on him with intensity, “do not overstep your boundaries. This is a decision for the king to make, not you.”
George kneeled as he looked up at the queen. “Please forgive me, Your Majesty. I did not mean to offend you.” His voice trembled slightly, clearly aware of the delicate situation.
The king observed the exchange quietly without interfering. He knew the tension that existed between his wife and the Easvil family, especially the names Augustus and Alden, which were forbidden in the palace due to the queen’s deep hatred for them.
His mind, however, shifted towards Julian—his grandson.
A low chuckle escaped his lips as he stood up. “It’s time to meet my grandson,” he said.
He turned to George, who was still kneeling. “Go tell the Easvil family that Julian will join us on our trip to Apollo.”
Both George and the queen were taken aback by the king’s request. The queen’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“Julian?” she murmured, trying to mask her shock. She didn’t understand why the king would want him involved.
The king’s gaze locked onto the queen. “Do you have any problem with this, my queen?” he asked in a clam tone but carrying an undercurrent of authority.
The queen lowered her head. “No, Your Majesty,” she replied softly.
She knew well when to push and when to give up. She also understood the delicate balance of power within their marriage, and this was one moment where challenging him would do no good.
George who was still kneeling, dared to ask, “Your Majesty, what will the young duke do to help us?”
His curiosity was genuine. The Ares kingdom had powerful figures at its disposal, but the idea of relying on someone like Julian, who was young and had not established a solid reputation for himself, was troubling.
The king let out a laugh. “You do not know the power of Julian, George,” he said with amusement and pride. “He already possesses the strength to fight as equals with the Arch Mages.”
George’s eyes widened in disbelief. To be on par with the Arch Mages, some of the most powerful beings in the entire realm—was no small feat.
He had heard of Julian’s potential, but this was the first time he had truly grasped just how formidable the young duke had become.
The queen, though still not entirely convinced, couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease.
She sat in silence as her mind drifted to Julian. Despite everything she had heard about him—his increasing power, the respect he had garnered, there was no warmth in her heart for him.
She could not bring herself to acknowledge him as her grandson.
Her thoughts turned inward, to the past, to the pain that had not faded with time. She remembered the betrayal of Julian’s grandfather.
She had confessed her love to him countless times, her heart laid bare before him, but he had ignored her, choosing someone else despite her unwavering devotion.
Deep down, she knew it hadn’t been cruelty or malice that guided his choice—it had simply been a choice made in pursuit of his own happiness.
And then there was Alden, Julian’s father—the man who had stolen her daughter away, tearing apart the family she had once cherished.
She also knew that Alden hadn’t intended to cause the devastation that followed; he had only done what he believed was right for himself and his future.
Even as she acknowledged that neither man had wronged her, she could never bring herself to forgive them. Their actions, however justified or inevitable, had left scars that would not heal.
It was these memories that clouded her heart, the weight of years of abandonment and betrayal. For her, Julian represented the culmination of all the pain and loss.
How could she embrace him as family when his very existence reminded her of the ones who had wronged her? The blood they shared, the title of “grandmother,” was meaningless to her now.
As much as the king spoke with pride about Julian’s strength and potential, the queen could not separate the young duke from the shadow of the past.
****
The moment the news reached the Easvil family, the atmosphere in their estate shifted dramatically. The whispers of the king’s invitation to Julian to join the royal trip to Apollo spread quickly through the halls.
For the Easvil family, it was more than just a royal summons; it was a powerful signal that the tides were shifting, and Julian’s role in this new world was rapidly growing.
But for those closest to Julian, the ones who knew him best, the reality was far more complicated.
Augustus and Gregoria sat in their grand chairs as they gazed at Regina, Alden, and Julian who stood before them.
Regina’s voice broke the heavy silence, her tone carrying a mix of frustration and sadness.
“So, she still hasn’t forgiven us?” she said, her words hanging in the air like a challenge.
Regina’s voice broke the heavy silence, her tone carrying a mix of frustration and sadness.
“So, she still hasn’t forgiven us?” she asked as she looked between Augustus and Gregoria, searching for an answer.
**
** AUTHORS NOTE:
I realized I have been dragging the scene with Regina way too much. But dont worry, I have already started writing the smut with regina and let me tell you that its going to be… very eroticccc. It will be worth the wait.
Its going to happen after the palace arc that is currently ongoing in privilege chapters.
If you want me to mass release the chapters then you can do it through gifts.
For every super gift, I aim to release 10 extra chapters excluding the daily release, so 11 chapters in total.