NOVEL NEXT Shift in Balance
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.
"I don't want you to go, Julian," she whispered, her voice trembling. "What if they haven't forgiven us? What if this is something else entirely?"
Despite her composed appearance, the fear of what might happen to her son gnawed at her heart, and she felt powerless in the face of the royal decree.
Julian's brow furrowed in confusion as he looked between his mother and father.
"What is this all about? What have they not forgiven you for?" His voice was firm, but there was a hint of concern.
Regina exchanged a tense glance with Alden, both hesitating. Regina sighed, her eyes filled with the weight of an untold story.
"It's... complicated, Julian. There are things from the past, things we never spoke of." Alden nodded, adding, "Your mother's right. We'll explain everything soon, but for now, just know the royal family hasn't always been kind to us."
As the banquet hall emptied, the atmosphere grew tense with uncertainty. Conversations faded, and the sense of urgency became palpable. The royal decree had cast a shadow over the gathering, leaving everyone on edge.
Shortly after, it was announced that the summit at the royal academy had been concluded immediately, adding to the weight of the situation.
Julian, still processing the shock of the royal summons, stood silently, knowing that the coming days would bring revelations and challenges he hadn't anticipated.
As the Easvil family prepared to leave, Julian bid farewell to Isabel and Julia. The two girls, with hopeful expressions, asked him to marry them soon, their bond with him growing stronger after everything they had shared.
Julian gave them a reassuring smile and promised he'd return soon. With that, he turned and joined his family as they headed back to their estate, his thoughts already drifting toward the future and the challenges waiting for him in the royal capital.
After the Easvil family departed, Duke Norish, observing the events, turned to his fellow nobles and said with admiration, "Our kingdom has birthed a rare talent."
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.