He had gained valuable information today, but the cost had been higher than expected. The library held secrets, but accessing them would require patience and preparation. He could not afford reckless mistakes.

He carefully placed the book back inside the cabinet and sealed it once more, making sure the locks were restored as closely as possible to their original state. He stepped back and studied the cabinet for a long moment, his eyes scanning every detail until he was satisfied that nothing appeared disturbed.

Only then did he turn away, moving toward the staircase leading back down to the first floor.

As he descended, the soft creak of the wooden steps beneath his boots was the only sound in the otherwise still library. The mana lamps along the walls burned low and steady, casting a warm amber glow across the polished stone.

He was still lost in thought when his eyes caught a movement near the main door.

Someone was standing just inside the entrance, as if they had been waiting there for quite some time.

The moment he drew closer, he recognized her immediately.

Louisa.

She was dressed to command attention, every detail of her appearance chosen with the precision of someone who understood exactly the kind of power she wielded.

A deep maroon corset hugged her figure tightly, cinched at the waist to accentuate her curves and push her full, mature breasts upward in a deliberately alluring display. The neckline dipped low enough to reveal the soft, pale swell of her cleavage, the fabric straining just enough to tease without crossing into something that could be called overtly scandalous.

Completing the look was a long, flowing emerald skirt that shimmered subtly under the mana lamps, catching the light with every small shift of her weight. A high slit ran up one side, revealing smooth, toned legs that appeared and disappeared with each movement as though she had rehearsed even that.

Her hair was styled elegantly, falling in loose waves over one shoulder, and a necklace rested just above the line of her breasts, drawing the eye exactly where she wanted it.

Julian’s mind raced as he watched her cross the short distance between them.

What is she doing here?

The library was not a place for casual visits, especially not for someone like Louisa.

Judging by the way her face lit up the moment she saw him descending the staircase, it was clear she had been waiting specifically for him.

Meanwhile, the advanced soldiers standing guard at the door were doing their best not to stare.

Their postures were rigid, their eyes fixed at a point somewhere on the far wall, but Julian noticed the tension in their jaws. They knew the consequences of being caught ogling Liam’s wife. One wrong glance could cost them their positions. Possibly far worse than that.

Louisa, of course, was fully aware of the effect she had. She stood with perfect poise, one hand resting lightly on her hip, the slit in her skirt parted just enough to remind every man in the room that she had chosen to let them see.

Julian reached her and offered a slight, respectful bow.

"Aunty," he greeted calmly. "It’s great to see you here."

Louisa’s smile widened warmly, though her eyes held a sharper, more calculating glint hidden just beneath the surface. It was the kind of warmth that looked genuine to anyone who wasn’t paying close enough attention.

"Oh, Kraven," she said sweetly, stepping closer to him without any hesitation. "Come accompany your old aunt for a while."

Without waiting for a response, she slipped her arm through his, hooking it possessively as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

The movement pressed her soft breast lightly against his arm and he could immediately feel the warmth of her through the thin fabric of her corset. She smelled faintly of expensive perfume, something floral and unmistakably seductive.

Julian allowed the contact without resistance, though his mind was already working.

This was by no means a coincidence. Louisa did not do anything without purpose.

They began walking together down the corridor, away from the library. Louisa kept her arm linked with his, her hip brushing lightly against him with every step, close enough to feel deliberate but measured enough to maintain the appearance of something innocent.

The corridor was quieter than the main wings of the castle.

"I heard about your duel with Commander Aldric yesterday," she said, breaking the comfortable silence between them.

"The entire castle is talking about it. They say you pushed him quite hard. Even made him bleed. Is that true?"

Julian glanced at her sideways, keeping his expression perfectly neutral.

"It was a spar," he replied evenly. "Father wanted to see what I was capable of. The Commander was kind enough to indulge him."

Louisa laughed softly.

"Kind? Aldric is many things, but kind is not one of them. You must have truly impressed him if he went all out."

She squeezed his arm a little tighter as she spoke, her fingers moving in slow, teasing circles. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"And you... you really are an Arch Mage now. My nephew has become quite the prodigy."

Her tone was warm and almost affectionate, but Julian could sense the layers beneath it. She was testing him. Probing to see how he would respond to her closeness, her praise.

They continued walking through the quieter corridors of the eastern wing. The guards they passed bowed deeply, but their eyes lingered just a fraction too long on Louisa’s figure before snapping forward again.

Julian remained silent for a few more steps, letting her guide the pace of their walk and the rhythm of the conversation.

He was in no hurry.

Then he spoke.

"Aunty, you didn’t come all the way to the library just to congratulate me on a spar. What brings you here?"

Louisa tilted her head slightly, looking up at him with that soft smile. Her body pressed a little closer to his arm as they walked, so naturally that someone watching from a distance might not even notice.

"Can’t an aunt simply want to spend time with her nephew?" she asked, her voice carrying just the right note of innocence. "Especially one who has returned after so long and shown such... remarkable growth."