At that, Sera gave him a warm, reassuring smile and nodded slowly.
"Yes, my lord. I am devoted to you now. I will serve only you from now on. Whatever you tell me will stay between us. I promise."
Julian stared at her for a long moment, searching her face. Then he leaned in slightly closer and his voice dropped to a low, hesitant whisper.
"Yes… I still fantasize about Mother."
At that honest confession, Sera's eyes widened for the briefest instant, a flicker of genuine surprise and triumph breaking through her composure. It was there and gone in a heartbeat, replaced almost immediately by a understanding expression, as though she had expected this all along.
But inside, her heart raced.
This was it. The exact reaction she had been fishing for.
She forced herself to remain still. Any sign of eagerness now would ruin the moment. She could not afford to rush.
