I AM A MAGE BUT WITH MILF SYSTEM

Chapter 745: Genuine admiration

Vanessa was quiet again. She leaned forward and rested her chin on her hand, deep in thought.

"Continue what you are doing," she said finally. "I will not assign any specific tasks for now. But if you find anything unusual, report it to me immediately."

Sera nodded quickly, her expression brightening with relief and renewed purpose.

"Yes, my lady."

Vanessa waved her hand lightly, dismissing her. Sera bowed deeply, walked to the door and closed it behind her with a soft click.

Once she was alone, Vanessa remained seated for a long time, staring into the flickering flames of the fireplace. Her mind worked slowly, carefully weighing the new information that Sera had brought her.

Kraven still desired their mother.

That single truth changed many things... and explained even more.

***

Meanwhile, the news of the King’s delay had already reached Julian’s quarters.

A servant had delivered the message just half an hour earlier, bowing deeply as recounted everything in detail.

At first, Julian was surprised. A sudden week-long postponement of a royal visit this important was highly unusual. But as his sharp mind worked through the implications, everything began to make sense.

Someone had interfered.

He did not yet know who this "someone" was, but it was not something major enough for him to worry about right now. The delay gave him extra time... time he could use to his advantage.

He freshened up, washed away the remnants of the night’s sleep, and dressed in simple but elegant formal attire. He looked every bit the noble heir.

Stepping out of his room, Julian began walking down the corridor with no particular destination in mind. But unlike any other day, today he had a goal.

He had finally decided to do some serious research on the Servant of Death.

The investigation had stalled partly because he had been waiting for the King’s visit to bring the Crown Prince within range.

With that delayed, he needed other avenues. He needed information, and the people most likely to have relevant information were the ones who had been inside this kingdom long enough to have witnessed things that did not make it into formal records.

The only people he believed he could get answers from were the Duke, the Duchess, Vanessa, and possibly Louisa and Liam.

He was especially interested in what Liam might know. The man was ambitious, cunning, and had deep connections. But since they were currently enemies, Julian had not yet had the chance to question him directly.

As he walked absently down the corridor, he suddenly noticed movement ahead.

Commander Aldric was moving through the corridor with four of the Duke’s soldiers behind him. Judging by their pace and the travel coats two of the soldiers were carrying folded over their arms, they were heading for the gate.

Julian quickened his steps and caught up with them smoothly.

The moment the soldiers noticed the young lord approaching, they stopped and bowed deeply.

rustle rustle

Commander Aldric in particular had changed noticeably since their duel. Where once there had been wariness and slight disdain, there was now clear respect and attentiveness. He treated Julian like a true young lord of the house.

"Young lord," Aldric greeted, bowing his head. "Do you require anything of us?"

Julian shook his head lightly.

"No. I simply saw the Commander and his men rushing and couldn’t help but ask. Is everything fine?"

Aldric exhaled slowly.

"You have heard the news, right, Young Lord?"

"The delay. Yes."

"The Duke has ordered an immediate delegation to the capital," Aldric said. "To present the duchy’s position directly and gather whatever information can be gathered about the reasons behind the postponement." He paused. "I will be leading it personally."

Julian’s brow rose slightly. "You personally, Commander?"

Aldric’s face remained solemn. "Yes."

"That is a significant commitment of resource," Julian said. "Sending the Duke’s most senior military commander to the capital the day the King’s visit is delayed will be read as a statement by everyone who sees it."

"That is precisely why the Duke chose it," Aldric said. "A junior envoy would signal uncertainty. Sending me signals that this duchy takes the situation seriously and is not rattled by a change in schedule." He looked at Julian steadily. "The Duke believes the delay was not accidental. He wants the capital to know that he knows."

Julian absorbed this.

It was a good move. Clean and direct and exactly the kind of signal a man like the Duke would send when he wanted to communicate capability without aggression. He had underestimated his father slightly, he noted, and corrected the assessment.

"How long will you be gone," Julian asked.

"Four days at minimum. Six if the situation in the capital requires more time." Aldric paused. "The Duke will hold the castle in my absence. Your presence and support during that time would mean a great deal to him, young lord. Whatever you may think of the political situation here."

Julian looked at him.

The request was genuine. He could hear it in the tone of his voice.

"You have my word," Julian said.

Aldric held his gaze for a moment, then nodded with trust in his eyes.

The young lord has really changed.

He bowed, the soldiers bowed and they continued down the corridor toward the gate.

Julian watched them go.

Aldric leaving meant the Duke’s military position inside the castle weakened by a measurable degree for the next several days.

As that thought took root, Julian’s eyes widened slightly.

Liam would know this within the hour. And once that first thought connected to the next one it was like a dam breaking, everything flowed through the gap in rapid succession.

He stopped walking.

Liam had done this.

There was no other explanation that fit the shape of it cleanly.

The delay was too timed, too precise to be considered a coincidence.

With Julian’s emergence as an Arch Mage, Liam had been losing ground steadily. The breakfast revelation had dismantled the succession argument he had been building around Marcus. The duel had dismantled whatever remained of the argument that Kraven was unsuitable.

If the King had arrived on schedule, the visit would have confirmed Julian’s position.

So Liam had moved the King.

Julian did not know how but he was sure this was exactly what had happened.

He stood in the corridor and felt something he rarely permitted himself toward opponents.

Genuine admiration.