Lucius nodded quickly, scurrying to the chair and sitting perfectly still, his book clutched to his chest. He watched Julian's every move, his gaze heavy with a silent, intense loyalty that made Julian's chest ache. At 57% Affection, Lucius had become so loyal to Julian that anyone would think he had brainwashed the boy during their classes.
How would Julian defend himself to that? He had bribed the boy with gifts, he might say. And there was a nice honey cake to add to it. And above all, he had helped the boy reconcile with his father during a war he didn't know he was fighting.
