"In fact, I was thinking we could skip the heavy theory today and spend some time in the library looking at the old maps of the Continent. Would you like that?"
Lucius's eyes lit up at the mention of the maps, and he nodded so hard his hair flopped over his forehead. The lingering shadow of yesterday's sadness seemed to vanish, replaced by the relief of having Julian back at the table.
Julian reached out, ruffling the boy's hair with a gentle hand. "I told you, didn't I? I'm not going anywhere. We're a team."
He glanced at Alaric, who was watching the exchange with a profound sense of peace. The Duke reached across the table, his large hand briefly covering Julian's on the white linen cloth. It was a public gesture—unusual for a man of his stature—but it felt almost right.
"I'll let you get to your 'research' then," Alaric murmured, his thumb grazing Julian's knuckles one last time before he stood to attend to official matters.
