Lucius nodded quickly, scurrying to the chair and sitting perfectly still, his book clutched to his chest. He watched Julian’s every move, his gaze heavy with a silent, intense loyalty that made Julian’s chest ache. At 57% Affection, Lucius had become so loyal to Julian that anyone would think he had brainwashed the boy during their classes.

How would Julian defend himself to that? He had bribed the boy with gifts, he might say. And there was a nice honey cake to add to it. And above all, he had helped the boy reconcile with his father during a war he didn’t know he was fighting.

Julian turned toward the small side table where a porcelain tea set sat waiting. His hands were still shaking, just a fraction, as he reached for the kettle. He hated this—the way his heart hammered against his ribs at the mere thought of the Duke, the way the Emperor’s golden gaze felt like it was still burning a hole in his back... and the way he had to act extra cautious in the presence of the Young Lord, so his mask doesn’t fall, and the boy doesn’t see him for who he really is.

’I have to focus,’ Julian told himself, staring at his reflection in the polished teapot. ’The children... the Emperor... the Duke. I’m drowning in their attention, and it’s definitely not a good thing.’

Julian used the tea time as an opportunity to catch up on their lesson that was proving difficult to hold while they stayed at the palace.

He checked Lucius’s tea time manners. He didn’t know how long they were going to be in the palace, or the capital, but he wanted that while they were there, no one found an excuse to criticize the Young Lord, and thankfully, Lucius was such a fast learner.

He watched the little one sip the tea with a stiff grace, but it was better this than nothing. He might not be fluid right now, but with more practice, he was sure Lucius would become a master at it, that even the capital children would pale in comparison.

"That’s very good, Lucius. I’m impressed," he praised, sipping his own tea and wondering when would be a good time to introduce the gold star reward.

He watched Lucius blush at the compliment and smiled. Well, maybe when they return to the North. Then, he remembered the Emperor’s children.

"By the way, Lucius, have you made any friends yet?" he asked, and Lucius suddenly hid his face behind his teacup, shying away from the question. Julian sighed. "I told you before, shying away or hiding doesn’t solve anything. If you want to make friends, extend your hand. And if that’s too much to do, then at least take the hand they extend to you, okay?"

Lucius nodded gently, but Julian knew he wouldn’t be doing a lot of hand extending, so it was better to give up on that idea. He just wished the Young Lord would at least take the hand of the other children when they ask him to play with them.

He watched Lucius pout and then reached his hand out to stroke his hair.

"I’m not scolding you, okay?" he said, hoping to reassure the boy. "Playing with your peers is fun, and that’s why I want you to make friends. I want you to have as much fun as you can before we return to the North," he hoped Lucius would get the message, but then Lucius pointed at Julian’s wrist, and then pointed back at himself. "Ah, you’re asking why we don’t play with each other instead?"

Lucius nodded.

"Well, it’s because Lucius is a child, and I’m an Adult. Children play children’s games, while adults play adult games. Besides what we learn during classes, I don’t think you’d want to be around me since I’m older and boring." But Lucius shook his head. "What? I’m not boring?" he laughed as Lucius nodded. "Well, thank you. But you still have to get along with your peers."

Lucius pouted, dissatisfied, but Julian knew that the moment he started playing with his peers, he’d understand the kind of fun he was referring to. And it definitely wasn’t the kind of fun Julian could present.

After dinner, which they shared in Julian’s room since the Duke was once again too busy to join them, Lucius began to feel sleepy. He needed to take his bath before sleeping, but the young boy was already deep into sleep town, and Julian would hate to wake him up. So, he closed the book he had been reading, Lucius, and carried him to his bed.

Just before he lay him down on the bed, he pursed his lips, looking at the changed sheets. It still felt so sinful.

The boy’s breathing was shallow, small puffs of air that did nothing to settle Julian’s racing heart. Julian finally placed him down on the bed, only to find Lucius’s small hand clinging to his sleeve.

Gently, Julian pried the small fingers away before finally breathing a sigh of relief. He tucked the boy’s hand under the heavy silk duvet and stood up, his body straightening as he watched the sleeping Lucius a moment longer.

He needed something to occupy his mind, something to distract him so he wouldn’t think about the duke any longer. And then, he recalled he had a potion to make.

That’s right. This was the night he would have a goodnight’s rest. And thanks to that, he wouldn’t have to worry that Lucius was sleeping right next to him.

He turned around, bringing out the alchemy set from his inventory, as well as the ingredients. He placed them on his table, and boy, did they look out of place. It was a mess of glass tubes, a burner, and copper, sitting atop a desk meant for writing poetry.

"System," he whispered, the word barely a vibration in his throat. "Open shop!"

The purple window flickered into existence, casting a ghostly light over his mismatched eyes. He quickly bought the ingredients that were available in the system shop.

> [Item: 1x Heart of a Northern Pine 100 SP — Purchased.]

> [Item: 3x Sun-Seeds 150 SP — Purchased.]

> [Current SP: 105]