Julian’s heart thudded in his chest. Why was he so deaf to his own warnings?

Maybe it was because he never imagined the Emperor would notice right away that there was a change in his children’s behavior.

He couldn’t even picture the Emperor being affectionate to his children, save for the excessive affection he had for Lucius, who was a replica of the Duke.

"How so, Your Majesty?" Julian responded, keeping his head straight.

He knew he hadn’t done anything wrong, so he had no reason to bow his head in guilt.

"Well, for a start, this morning, the Prince and Princess refused to break their fast until they had practiced what they called ’The Perfect Mirror.’ They were so polite to the Head Maid that the poor woman began to cry, thinking she was about to be executed."

A ripple of low laughter went through the ministers, but the Emperor’s eyes remained sharp on Julian.

"They tell me you gave them a gift after they let you stay in their territory the other day," Aurelian continued. "A secret way to stand so that no one can make them feel small. It is a fascinating concept, Master Astrea."

"I merely shared a perspective, Majesty," Julian said, bowing his head a little low. "A Prince should never be made to feel small, even by his own silence. I just made the Prince aware of that. I did not mean to insult the crown in any way."

Julian knew the Emperor was nitpicky, so before he could make an issue out of it, he had to explain himself as clearly as possible.

Emperor Aurelian’s smile vanished, replaced by a predatory intensity. He stood up, descending the steps of the dais.

Every eye in the room followed him. He stopped inches from Julian, much like the Duke had the night before, but where Alaric brought heat, the Emperor brought a cold, pressurized vacuum.

"The investigation into the ’Black-Haired Thief’ is ongoing," Aurelian whispered, loud enough for the Duke and the rest of the ministers to hear. "But I find myself less interested in the missing treasure and more interested in... Your talent."

That didn’t sound good, no matter how Julian tried to look at it.

"It would be a waste to let such a gifted teacher return to the frozen lands of the North so soon."

Julian shifted.

It’s the safest place in this world as far as I’m concerned. He thought.

Duke Alaric stepped forward, his hand instinctively dropping to the hilt of his sword. "Brother, Astrea is a member of my house. His duties are with my son—"

"I know, I know." Aurelian interrupted, not even looking back at the Duke. "And I feel that is precisely why he should stay," he continued. "You should think of others who need your talent, Master Astrea. The capital has a lot of opportunities for you."

All of which Julian was trying his best to run away.

"Don’t you want to be bestowed the title ’Royal Tutor’?" Aurelian’s voice was smooth, like honey poured over a blade. "The one who has the privilege of educating the royal bloodline. It is a position many would kill for, Master Astrea."

​The hall fell into a heavy, expectant silence. The ministers began to murmur, their eyes darting between the Emperor and the fourth son of House Astrea.

It was a king-making offer. For anyone else, it would be the pinnacle of a lifetime; for Julian, it felt like a rope being looped around his neck. One missed step, and he’d be left hanging.

Only death awaited him on that route.

He wanted a quiet room in the frozen North, far away from the Protagonists and the bloody plot that was evidently trying to claim his life.

​Julian lowered his head in a deep, measured bow. "I am deeply humbled by Your Majesty’s generosity. Truly, it is an honor," he began, his voice steady, and the Emperor tilted his chin up, knowing this is how it should be.

No one could turn down fame and honor. But nothing prepared him for what Julian was going to say next.

"However..." Julian continued, "I must respectfully decline the honor."

​The murmurs stopped instantly. A chill swept through the hall in an instant. The Ministers exchanged looks of sheer disbelief. How could he reject such an honor? Was he foolish?

​Aurelian’s smile didn’t falter, but his golden eyes sharpened, pinning Julian to the spot. "Decline? You would choose the frost of the North over the grace of the Capital?"

​"My loyalty and my duties currently lie with Young Lord Lucius, Your Majesty," Julian replied. "To leave him now would be a failure of the very discipline I teach."

​"And if I were to make it an order?" Aurelian’s voice dropped, the playfulness vanishing. He looked at Julian like he would choke him with that very discipline he spoke of. "If the Emperor commands you to stay, does your ’discipline’ allow for treason?"

​Julian froze. The air in the room seemed to thicken, pressing against his lungs. He didn’t know how to answer that in his favor. In this world, an Emperor’s whim was law, and he was just a man with a system and a secret.

​"Brother."

​Duke Alaric stepped forward, his steps seeming aggressive as he moved between Julian and the Emperor, his broad shoulders shielding Julian from the Emperor’s weight.

​"Are you truly so short on staff that you must steal a member of my house?" Alaric’s voice was a low growl, his hand resting openly on his sword hilt. "Astrea is a member of my house. He belongs to the North."

​Aurelian stared at his brother for a long, agonizing moment. The tension was a physical cord stretched to the snapping point. Then, suddenly, the Emperor threw back his head and laughed. It was a bright, hollow sound.

​"Steal? Heavens, Brother, you’re being so sensitive, and that was harsh," Aurelian said, waving a hand dismissively as he retreated toward his throne. "I was merely putting it out there. Master Astrea is remarkably competent; it would be a crime not to offer him the best. But," he paused, settling into the gold-leaf chair and looking down at Julian, "...do give it some thought, Master Astrea. It would do you and your family great Grace."

Julian’s breath hitched. He was mentioning his family all of a sudden. This wasn’t going to involve his father, would it? That was the last thing he wanted.

​The Emperor didn’t wait for a response. He leaned back, his eyes dancing with a new, dark amusement.

"Now! Since we are all so gathered and ’loyal,’ let us prepare for tonight. The Imperial Night Hunt begins tonight. Brother, I look forward to seeing your great bow skills once again, so do not sit this out. Be sure to attend," his eyes darted to Julian. "And you too, Master Astrea. I reckon there is a lot to learn from you, even in the wild.

That statement sent chills down Julian’s spine. Why does he have to be involved? He doesn’t even know how to hunt.

Then, to make sure Julian did not sit out the hunt with one excuse or the other, the system chimed, opening its translucent window in front of Julian’s vision.

> [MANDATORY QUEST GENERATED: THE IMPERIAL HUNT]