And so the life of Julian as the son of the Duke continued in the castle of Astran with new tales and twists every day.
One whole week had passed since the arrival of the envoy from the royal capital. The days were peaceful and strangely silent, with nothing of major importance happening inside the castle walls. The usual undercurrents of tension between the Duke's faction and Liam's side had dimmed into an uneasy truce.
Yet beneath that calm surface, something felt off.
One thing in particular had caught Julian's sharp eyes: the Duke.
Duke Astran had become increasingly secretive. He rarely socialized anymore. Breakfasts and dinners were often taken in his private study or skipped entirely. He rarely attended formal gatherings. When he did appear, his expression was distant, his words brief and cut short as though his mind was constantly occupied elsewhere.
