Chapter 66: An Audience With The Emperor... Again

Julian pursed his lips but then hissed.

He didn’t know if it was his imagination, but his lips felt incredibly soft this morning and a bit... swollen? It couldn’t be, right?

Was it just a side effect of the potion?

He touched his lower, a strange sensation filling him, and he immediately let go, squeezing his hand into a fist as he made himself believe nothing had happened.

Oblivion is bliss, he thought.

He had been no different from a dead man as he slept, so he had no idea what the Duke had done to him in the middle of the night.

He had no idea the Duke had crossed over the bed, climbing over Lucius and hovering above Julian, staring at his peaceful face as he slept. He brushed Julian’s face, caressing softly and gently, like he was scared Julian might wake to the gentle hot stroke of his thumb.

Then, his eyes fell on his lips.

Those lips that he could not get enough of.

He brushed them more blazingly than he did a while back, having nothing to hold him back this time.

What he wanted to do back then, as he looked into the eyes of the obviously weary Julian, he would do it now.

And so he crashed his lips on Julian. It began lightly, a soft brush, then a nibble on Julian’s lower lip before he deepened the kiss, tasting every corner of his mouth, confident that Julian would not wake up.

And if Julian woke up... he would have to cross that bridge when he got there.

The Duke did not taste the remains of the potion, since it had all dissolved into Julian’s system.

And it was thanks to his potion that he could kiss Julian to his heart’s content, before dropping his head on his shoulder, panting into his neck in jagged, uneven breaths.

He was a mess. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Julian did not wake up despite all of that, despite the Duke’s lips on his, his hand on his chest pinching his nipples, and while the Duke sucked on his neck, leaving a visible mark he knew would cause Julian to worry once he found out.

But without knowing how the mark came about, Julian would only assume it was a mosquito. He thought.

Julian was very oblivious to all of this.

He had been so vulnerable at night, sleeping like the dead, but even if he knew that the potion would cause him to sleep like the dead, he would not hesitate to drink it since he cared about having a peaceful sleep first and foremost.

Feeling refreshed, like his entire body system was renewed, functioning like the average man after a good night’s sleep. He felt happy.

He was ready to go about his day with a gleeful heart and live out this refreshing feeling. But as he stretched his arms far above his head, a knock came on the door, and a voice followed right after.

"Master Astrea? The Emperor has requested your presence in the Audience Hall." The maid announced, and Julian froze in place.

The who?

"He says the ’investigation’ requires your testimony."

The joy died instantly, replaced by the dread of the previous day.

Why was his life so difficult?

Couldn’t he enjoy one peaceful moment without bad news ruining it all?

And so, Julian had to prepare himself to meet the Emperor with a heavy heart.

The heavy doors of the Audience Hall groaned as they swung open, the sound echoing off the vaulted marble ceiling.

Julian stepped forward, his boots clicking with a sharp, rhythmic precision against the polished stone. He was once again back in the hall that had gold leaves hanging around, the place where he had met the Emperor for the first time, and he knew his life was in danger with this man involved.

What did he want this time?

Was he going to try to use the fact that Julian had black hair to talk about the thief again?

What testimony could he possibly give when he had no involvement in the case?

He definitely said that to rattle Julian.

Thanks to his mental stability returning to peak condition, he wasn’t rattled, and he was confident he wouldn’t fall into a frantic panic like he did the previous day, even though the Emperor made a misleading statement.

At the far end of the hall, Emperor Aurelian sat upon the Sun-Throne, his gold-embroidered robes spilling over the dais like liquid fire.

To his left stood the high-ranking ministers who had been in a conference meeting with him, their hushed whispers dying out the moment Julian entered. His aide Rowan stood among the monsters with a notepad in his hand, taking note of all the things the Emperor was planning to put off today... again.

To his right, Duke Alaric stood like a statue, his face looking like he had been brooding until now, asking himself why he had to be involved with the Emperor’s conference. His blue eyes fell on Julian, and his brooding expression eased.

Julian didn’t give him the satisfaction of a eye to eye staring contest. He walked to the center of the hall and performed a bow so technically perfect it was almost an insult to the Emperor, who expected him to falter.

"You summoned me, Your Imperial Majesty," Julian said, his voice steady and clear.

Aurelian leaned forward, his chin resting on a propped hand. A slow, dangerous smile spread across his face.

"Master Astrea. You look remarkably refreshed. I trust you’re finally feeling well."

The Duke’s jaw tightened, a muscle jumping in his cheek, but Julian didn’t flinch.

"Yes, your majesty. The Palace air is quite invigorating. How could I not feel well when resting here?" Julian replied smoothly.

"Is it?" Aurelian chuckled, the sound chilling.

He did not say a word after that, leaving Julian to wonder for what reason the Emperor had summoned him.

And then, after observing Julian for a moment, he finally spoke up,

"My children..."

Julian nearly flinched, feeling the hair on his neck stand. He knew it. He knew it would become an issue, but he didn’t listen to his instincts and let his teacher spirit take over.

He would pay a price for that. Surely.

"My children seem to be acting differently after a specific ’encounter’ yesterday."