Alaric didn't even stop to process what his eyes had just witnessed. He marched down the grand corridor with heavy, fast strides, his dark fur mantle billowing behind him as he practically stormed away from the guest wing.
His mind was completely reeling from the sheer domestic chaos of his own estate.
He needed to find Julian. Right now.
He took the sweeping stone stairs two at a time, bypassing the servants who bowed to him, until he reached the entrance of the main parlor where Julian was peacefully organizing his lesson plans for that morning.
Alaric threw the doors open, his chest heaving slightly as he stepped inside.
Julian looked up from his desk, a soft, welcoming smile instantly gracing his lips at the sight of the Duke. "Lucien? Back so soon? I thought you went to discuss something with the Emperor—"
"Julian," Alaric interrupted, closing the doors behind him with a sharp snap and walking straight toward the scholar's desk with an intensely serious expression.
