Julian stood frozen for a moment, his mind racing. The royal decree had come out of nowhere, and now, thoughts swirled in his head. Am I about to meet my grandfather, the King? he wondered, a mix of shock and curiosity running through him.
He had heard so much about the king's power, his commanding presence, and his authority over the kingdom, but meeting him face to face? That was something entirely different.
As the murmurs around him grew, Julian kept his expression steady, though inside, the weight of what was to come pressed on him.
Julia, with a proud smile on her face, said, "I guess His Majesty finally noticed your talent, Julian."
Her voice held a mix of admiration and excitement, as if the royal decree was a validation of everything she already believed about him. Isabel, standing beside her, nodded in agreement, though there was a hint of worry in her eyes.
Julian smirked, though inside, the thought of meeting the king brought a sense of unease. "Maybe," he replied, but his mind was already on what this royal summons might mean for him and his future.
As the royal carriage disappeared into the distance, the tension in the air thickened. Duke Alden and Regina exchanged uneasy glances, both of their faces reflecting the shock of the sudden royal summons.
Regina, with worry in her voice, asked, "What do they want with Julian? This is so sudden."
Alden, trying to keep calm, replied, "Maybe... maybe they've finally forgiven us."
His tone, however, hinted at doubt. The uncertainty of the royal family's true intentions weighed heavily on them, and they knew this could either be an opportunity or a trap.
Regina's eyes glistened with a mix of sadness and worry as she looked at Julian. Her expression softened, the weight of a mother's concern visible in every glance.
His words carried a mix of pride and caution, as everyone present understood the weight of Julian's emerging power and the attention it would draw from not just the royal family, but from all corners of the kingdom.
The nobles nodded in agreement, acknowledging that Julian's rise could shift the balance of power in ways they had yet to fully grasp.
Marcus, however, had an ugly expression as he watched the scene unfold. His jealousy and frustration simmered beneath the surface, feeling overshadowed by Julian's growing reputation and power.
The attention and praise that Julian received only fueled Marcus's resentment, as he clenched his fists, vowing silently to find a way to surpass him or bring him down. The tension in his gaze was clear to those who noticed, marking the beginning of a dangerous rivalry.
Isabel and Julia, on the other hand, were filled with joy and determination. Seeing Julian's growing strength and the recognition he was receiving only fueled their desire to become stronger themselves.
They shared a quiet moment together, exchanging glances of understanding and silently vowing to support Julian while also pushing their own limits. Their resolve to grow more powerful and stand by his side was stronger than ever.
The Duke of Ethwer wore a deep frown, his expression dark with the bitterness of defeat. Watching the celebrations around him, he couldn't shake the frustration of having lost his influence over the situation.
His daughter, Julia, had aligned herself with Julian, and now the young man's power was undeniable. The defeat stung even more, knowing that his plans had been derailed by the rising star of the Easvil family.
As the various dukes and their families made their way back to their respective dukedoms, there was an air of tension hanging over them.
Whispers and murmurs filled the carriages, as everyone seemed to realize that something monumental was on the horizon.
The royal decree calling for Julian, the rising power of the Easvil family, and the unspoken rivalries between the great houses all hinted that the kingdom was bracing for a significant shift. The feeling of unease was shared among them, knowing that soon, events would unfold that could change everything.