"Your Grace," a servant whispered from the hallway. "The Marquis Astrea and his sons... they have returned."
At such an hour?
"They are asking for an update on Master Julian's condition. The Marquis says he cannot rest until he sees his son's face."
Alaric's jaw set into a hard, jagged line. He thought of the Marquis's face—the man who had barely looked concerned when Julian's horse had made its way back without its rider, and Lucius showed up with tears as he pointed at the woods. He did not move a muscle or even send a search party.
The Duke had been too alarmed to think about it then, thinking he might not have known it was his son involved, but after seeing Julian's expression as he mentioned his father, he confirmed it.
That man wasn't here out of care of 'parental duty', he simply wanted to ride on the coattails of his son now that he seemed useful.
