"Aren't you busy, Your Grace?" Julian asked.
"Would you like me not to be busy?" Alaric responded, and Julian looked past him at Lucius, still standing at the door, waiting for the conclusion.
"That's not an answer, but if you're less busy, I think it would be fine if you joined for classes." He said, sighing in defeat, and the Duke turned to break the news to his son.
"When I am less busy, I will join your classes," he said, and Lucius's face lit up.
He nodded and quickly rushed out after the prince and princess.
Once the doors clicked shut and they were alone in the heavy silence of the library, Alaric didn't pull the collar away or make a joke. He simply reached out and caught Julian's hand, lacing their fingers together over the yellowed map. Then, he placed his other hand gently on his waist.
