I AM A MAGE BUT WITH MILF SYSTEM

Chapter 884: The formal banquet with royal family

Before the moment could stretch further, she lifted one hand and pointed toward a young man standing beside the royal carriage.

“That is my grandson,” she said. “Do try not to start a political incident before lunch.”

A few nervous smiles flickered and died.

Then a young man stepped forward.

Julian recognized him at once. The same pale face as the one from Kraven’s memory. The same refined posture. The same smile that almost reached his eyes, but never fully did.

The Crown Prince of Hermes.

He stepped closer to his grandmother and bowed first toward the Duke, then toward Olivia.

“I greet the Duke,” he said.

His voice was smooth, practiced, and pleasant in the way court-trained voices often were.

Then he turned slightly toward Olivia. “Lady Olivia looks more beautiful with every passing year.”

The Duke returned the bow.

“It is good to see you, Your Highness.”

Olivia smiled as well.

“I am glad you think so highly of me, Your Highness.”

The Crown Prince laughed softly, as if the exchange pleased him. Then his eyes turned to Julian.

At that instant, a scorching heat tore through Julian from the inside.

It was sudden and violent, as if someone had set a fire beneath his ribs and forced it upward through his chest and throat.

Moreover, the black flame sealed within Kraven’s sea of consciousness reacted at once. It surged beyond its limit, making it hard for Julian to breathe and even see. Sweat formed along his brow. His complexion darkened under the strain as he locked every muscle into place and refused to let the reaction fully surface.

T.. the black flame, he thought. It is reacting to his presence.

He forced his breathing to remain steady and dragged his expression back under control before anyone else could read too much from it. When his eyes returned to the Crown Prince, the young man was already watching him with a faint smirk. He knew what had just happened.

That smirk lasted only a second.

Then the Crown Prince turned to Vanessa.

The shift in his manner was immediate.

“Lady Vanessa,” he said with a slight bow. “It has been too long.”

Vanessa returned the gesture with flawless composure.

“Your Highness. Welcome to Astran.”

“I had heard the duchy was preparing thoroughly,” the Crown Prince continued, “but seeing it in person is another matter. The courtyard alone would put several capital receptions to shame.” His smile deepened a little. “Or perhaps I am simply glad to see my betrothed standing at the center of it.”

A few of the nearby nobles brightened at the affection in his tone. It was always good to know that there was genuine love between the two future leaders of the kingdom.

“House Astran is honored by your presence,” she said. “And by His Majesty’s.”

“And I am honored to be received so well,” the Crown Prince replied. “There are many in the capital who speak of duty as if it were only a chain. Standing here, I am reminded it can also be a bridge between houses.” His eyes rested on her a moment longer. “I look forward to speaking more once we are inside.”

Vanessa bowed her head.

“As you wish, Your Highness.”

The Queen Mother watched the exchange with open approval, while the King appeared satisfied to let the younger generation complete the necessary public gestures. Around them, the courtyard remained silent, letting the two do their work.

Julian, still cooling the violent heat under his skin, kept his face carefully neutral. The Crown Prince’s public manners were clean. His timing was clean. Even the way he had looked at Julian and then turned away had been clean.

Too clean.

At last the Duke stepped forward.

“Your Majesty. Your Highness,” he said, bowing once more. “The sun is already high, and the journey from the capital is no short one. Please, allow us to receive you properly inside.”

The King gave a mild nod.

“Yes. Lead the way, Duke Astran.”

The Crown Prince’s smile remained in place as he offered Vanessa a final courteous glance, then turned to follow the royal party. As the formation began to shift toward the main hall, Julian fell into step with the rest of House Astran.

**

The banquet began beneath the warm lights of the dining area.

Long tables had been arranged, each one covered in deep crimson cloth and set with polished silverware. Mana lamps burned along the walls in warm gold, soft enough to flatter yet bright enough to reach every corner.

At the high table sat the King, the Queen Mother, the Crown Prince, the Duke, the Duchess, Vanessa, Julian, and the highest ranks of both households. Below them, nobles, officers, and selected retainers filled the hall.

Servants moved in silence. Platters of roasted meat, steaming rice, fruit, and wine were brought out one after other.

The King lifted his cup only slightly before speaking.

“It is a rare comfort,” he said, “to sit in a hall that still understands the meaning of loyalty. Too many houses remember the crown only when they need it.”

A polite murmur of agreement moved through the upper table.

The Duke bowed his head. “House Astran has never required reminders, Your Majesty. Our strength exists to serve Hermes.”

“Yes,” the King replied. “And Hermes endures because houses such as yours still believe that.”

The words were warm.

Julian listened without interrupting. He ate little, drank less, and kept his attention distributed across the table. The Crown Prince sat to Vanessa’s right and was speaking with her in a low and pleasant voice.

From a distance it looked ideal: future husband and future wife, well-matched under royal light.

Julian did not trust the picture. Every so often the prince’s gaze drifted, not long enough to cause offense, but often enough to suggest that Vanessa was only one of the things he was measuring.

Olivia, seated nearer the Queen Mother, maintained an elegant ease that few women could have managed under such scrutiny. The two of them exchanged occasional remarks about the journey, the state of the southern roads, and the changes in the capital’s court fashions.