> [NOTIFICATION: Relationship Milestone Reached]

> [Target: Grand Duke Alaric — Affection Level: 90% (+2% increase)]

> [Status: Soul-Bound Devotion / Unbreakable Trust]

> Note: The "Northern Duke" has completely surrendered his heart.

Julian wasn’t even surprised anymore. He already knew all of this. But there was one thing that bothered him.

If the Duke was already this obsessed with a 90% affection level, then how would he be like at a 100? He didn’t even want to think about it. The Duke could very well overturn the Capital for his sake.

He shuddered. He definitely didn’t want that to happen.

"Your Grace," Julian called, and Alaric looked at him. "The chair must be uncomfortable. You should sleep on the bed as well."

The Duke opened his mouth to speak, likely a refusal, but he stopped and then scratched the back of his neck.

"Alright," he said and walked around to get in bed as well, lying on the other side next to sleeping Lucius.

Just as Julian was staring at the Duke, who wouldn’t take his eyes off him, the system window flashed before his vision again.

Ding

> [EVENT NOTIFICATION: Title Acquisition]

> New Title Gained: [The Duke’s Lover]

> Effect: Mental fatigue accumulates 10% slower while in the Duke’s presence.

> Reward: 200 SP

Julian blinked at the screen. The reward was modest, but the title itself felt like a heavy weight settling onto his chest. The Duke’s Lover.

It was no longer just a flirtation or a one-sided pursuit; the system had officially recognized the shift in their status. He glanced at Alaric settling into the large bed. They were a little distance apart, but it felt like he was in his space, his hand on his waist and his breath on his face.

Was this what it felt like to like someone? He wondered.

The feeling was warm, sweet, and worrying at the same time. He couldn’t stop himself from worrying about the actions the Duke could take at any moment. He couldn’t help but worry that the Duke was getting into something dangerous... and it was all his fault. He was the one driving the Duke to the edge of the cliff.

He bit the inside of his mouth.

"Are you worried?" the Duke suddenly asked, as if he could see the worry written all over Julian’s face.

"Yes, Your Grace," Julian answered.

"Don’t worry. I’ve never started a losing battle in my life," he said, his gaze sharpening. "Ever."

"I believe you, your Grace. But I can’t help worrying. It will probably subside by the morning." Julian said, shifting subtly in a way that did not affect his wound, but he still felt the throb. There was no way to move without feeling the pain.

"Then get some sleep." The Duke said, and Julian nodded. "By the morrow, you’ll be one day closer to being free from the pain," he added, and Julian thought about it.

Living without the pain anymore... how great it would feel.

"Is there enough room?" Alaric asked, his voice low as quietness descended on the room, save for the sound of the crackling fire and their heartbeats.

"Plenty, Your Grace," Julian whispered back.

Between them lay Lucius, the small bridge that had brought these two unlikely worlds together. The boy let out a soft, contented sigh in his sleep, his hand subconsciously reaching out to grab a fistful of Julian’s sleeve.

Alaric’s gaze softened at the sight of his son, then returned to Julian.

"Julian," he called, and Julian opened his eyes. "Why do you keep calling me ’Your Grace’?" He asked, and Julian froze. "We are past a Lord and his retainer, are we not?" he asked, but Julian couldn’t find his voice. "So, call me by my name."

Julian’s heart was racing. He wanted him to call him by his name? But...

"Your Grace, it wouldn’t be proper. Especially in formal settings. What would others say?"

"I don’t remember ever listening to what others said," he said. "And I have no plans on hiding our relationship either."

Julian’s eyes widened. Was he saying he planned to make it public that he had a man as a lover? And not just any man, his son’s tutor?

Was he joking?

No, he wasn’t. That serious gaze in his eyes as he stared and waited for Julian to respond made it clear that none of his words were said lightly.

Julian’s heart raced even more. He didn’t know if he was ready for this. This relationship.

"Your Grace, you may not be bothered, but I am constantly conscious of the way others look at me," Julian said, looking at the Duke with that same serious gaze he was using to look at him.

The Duke went silent for a brief moment, thinking and considering on Julian’s behalf. He would hate to make him uncomfortable.

"Then," he spoke, his voice light, vibrating through the pillow. "While we are alone. When it’s just you, me, and Lucius, call me by my name. Please."

Julian looked at his pleading eyes, this big man looking like a wolf abandoned in the snow. He was cute.

Heat crawled up Julian’s face, and then he turned his head the other way.

"Alright," he said. "When it’s just us, I shall call you by your name."

His heart wouldn’t calm down, and it was at this point that he realized... He was in trouble.

"Good night," he began, gripping the sheets and hiding his face as he finally called his name in a silent and soft whisper. "Lucien."

The Duke’s heart exploded at that moment, the blood in his veins pumping faster than normal, but he did not act on it. His fingers were tingling, his toes were curling, and there was a nagging sensation in the pit of his belly pushing him to hurry and hold that man, but he clenched his fists.

’No, not yet,’ he thought, staring at the redness of Julian’s pale neck and ear. ’If I rush now, I will only end up breaking him. I have to be patient, so I do not break Julian.’

He reached his hand slowly and patted his head, forcing Julian to bite his lips to avoid making a sound or acting out.

Then, the Duke whispered,

"Goodnight, Julian."

But even as they said their goodnights, neither side found sleep easily. Their hearts were doing a parade, and their minds were playing about.

What can I do to make this man lying next to me the happiest in the World?