"By the way," she said, glancing up at him with a mischievous smile, "you can call me Alina."
Julian turned his head slightly to meet her gaze, his own eyes glinting with appreciation.
"Alina..." he repeated slowly. "What a fine name," he added with a smirk. "Just like you."
Alina flushed but didnât shy away. If anything, she walked even closer, her hips brushing his lightly as they moved.
As they neared the table, all eyes shifted toward themâsome curious, others wary. Alina beamed brightly, her energy drawing the attention of everyone instantly.
"Hey everyone!" She chirped, her voice cheerful and full of charm. "Meet my new friend. Heâs a noble from a nearby viscounty. Heâll be joining us."
There was a moment of silence as the group sized Julian up. Aryaâs gaze lingered a second longer than the others, her expression unreadable.
Vigg looked unimpressed but polite. A few of the noble boys exchanged glances, but it was the girlsâespecially the one beside Aryaâwho leaned in with interest.
Julian smiled confidently, bowing slightly at the waist. "A pleasure to be among such distinguished company," he said smoothly.
Alina gestured to each person at the table. "This is Aryl and Vigg, the marquisâs children," she said. "And thatâs Liora, Nessa, Calen, and Torrâsome of my closest friends."
Vigg gave a nod, his posture straight. "Welcome," he said coolly, his tone formal but distant.
Clearly, he wasnât used to strangers suddenly showing up, especially escorted by someone like Aliinaâwhose boldness always seemed to surprise even those who knew her well.
Aryl, however, tilted her head slightly. Her gaze stayed fixed on Julian, studying him like a puzzle with too many missing pieces.
"A noble from a nearby viscounty, hmm?" she murmured. "You carry yourself like someone more... seasoned."
Julianâs lips curved, amused by her observation. "Seasons come and go, my lady. But perhaps this one has just begun."
A small ripple of laughter broke among the groupâmostly from the girls.
Alina took the seat beside Julian, leaning slightly toward him. "Heâs not just charming," she said playfully. "Heâs interesting. Isnât that right?"
Julian raised an eyebrow, glancing at her. "You flatter me too much, Alina. But Iâll do my best to keep up with your expectations."
Nessa giggled, clearly intrigued, while the boys exchanged another round of silent looks. Calen crossed his arms and studied Julian but said nothing. Torr, more relaxed, simply poured himself a drink and leaned back.
Meanwhile, Julianâs eyes lingered on Aryl. Raven-dark hair, piercing dark eyes. Her face was smooth, carrying a cold beauty that didnât try to charm but still demanded attention.
She wasnât wearing a smile, and that made her all the more alluring.
Julian leaned back slightly, his gaze unashamed as he studied her. Then, with a faint smirk playing on his lips, he spoke:
"Hm... Lady Aryl," he said. "If you wore black lipstick, I believe you would have that perfect gothic touch. Mysterious, cold, and absolutely striking. You already have the eyes and the aura for it."
The table grew quiet for a second. A few eyebrows were raised.
Aryl blinked, surprise crossing her expression. It wasnât often people spoke to her like thatâboldly, without hesitation. Her lips twitched, almost amused.
"Gothic, huh?" She murmured, tilting her head. "I suppose Iâll take that as a compliment."
Julian met her gaze. "You should. Not everyone can pull it off. But you? Youâd redefine the look."
Alina, still clinging to his arm, pouted slightly but said nothingâher eyes darting between Julian and Aryl with a mixture of curiosity and playful annoyance.
Vigg, however, had his fists clenched under the table, the smile on his face a little too stiff. His eyes hadnât left Julian since he arrivedâespecially not since Alina introduced him and Arylâs attention shifted.
Julianâs casual charm, his confident smile, the way Aryl seemed just a bit too intriguedâit all
fucked
with him.
He watched as Arylâs lips curled ever so slightly at Julianâs comment. That tiny reaction lit a fire in Viggâs chest.
Why is she smiling like that? She never looks at anyone like that.
Julian might have come off as just another noble brat, but something about him set Vigg on edge. It wasnât just jealousyâit was possessiveness. He had always thought Arylâs smiles were only his to enjoy.
And now some stranger was pulling them out with ease.
"Hmm, Julian, right?" Vigg spoke, his voice tight and edged with barely hidden hostility.
"Since youâre just from a viscounty, maybe learn to hold your tongue when speaking with someone from a higher house. A handsome face like yours might lose all its allure without a tongue, donât you think?"
The words dropped like a blade on the table. Conversations died mid-sentence. All eyes locked onto the sudden tension.
Alinaâs cheerful expression faded. Her brows knit together, and she placed a protective hand on Julianâs arm.
"Vigg!" she snapped, her voice unusually sharp. "That was uncalled for."
She turned toward Julian, her expression softening as she leaned closer. "Ignore him. Heâs just a little too used to everyone kissing his boots."
Julian simply smiled, calm and unfazed, though a glint of amusement passed through his eyes.
Aryl, however, had enough. Her eyes settled on her brother. "Thatâs enough, Vigg." Her voice was soft, but there was weight behind it.
"He was just making conversation. If you canât handle a few words, maybe youâre the one who should hold your tongue."
Vigg turned to her, mouth slightly parted in disbelief, but he didnât respond.
Aryl then looked at Julian and offered a small smile. "Donât mind him. Heâs always been... possessive."
"Itâs okay, Lady Aryl," Julian said with a calm smile, his voice smooth as ever. "Iâm used to things like this happening."
His tone was polite, even pleasantâbut Aryl wasnât fooled. A strange chill crept down her spine as her eyes lingered on him. The way he held his smile... it was too calm, too practiced.
And then she noticed itâjust barelyâa faint tremor in his fingers as they rested on the edge of the table.
He was angry.