Alaric's hand tightened on the back of Julian's chair, his knuckles turning white. He knew his brother's 'conditions' always came with a hidden poison.
Julian felt it as well, the threat looming in this 'condition,' but he was not afraid.
"What is the condition, Your Majesty?"
"Since you are so fond of the Duke's protection," the Emperor continued, "you shall remain at his estate. But, to ensure your 'trauma' is truly healing, you will report to the Palace every three days to fulfill your duties as the Royal Tutor. If you miss a single day, I will assume the Duke is once again 'refusing my mercy,' and I will not be so patient a second time."
It was a tether. A way to force Julian into the Emperor's reach while keeping Alaric right where he wanted him to be.
He still won't let go of the Royal Tutor offer. He's so persistent. Julian thought, biting the inside of his mouth. A golden cockroach.
