Kain tightened his grip on his shoulder. "This is the will of the prophecy. The curse will end only if a mother takes the seed of her son. It is not a sin—it is salvation. And you…" His lips curled into a predatory smile. "…you will be the one to deliver it."
Without waiting for his son's answer, Kain simply turned and walked away, his footsteps echoing faintly in the hallway.
For a long moment, Julian sat in silence, staring at the space where Kain had stood. Then, a low chuckle escaped his lips, growing until it blew into full laughter. He leaned forward, clutching his stomach, as though he had just heard the grandest joke in the world.
"What am I doing?" he murmured in amusement. "What madness is this?"
He straightened a little, covering his mouth with his hand, though the grin refused to leave his face. "…this is going to be fun."
Pushing himself up from the bed, Julian stretched his arms high, his muscles still aching after the long night before.
"Alright then. It's time to go to the breeding hall."
With a final glance around his room, he turned toward the door and swiftly slipped out of it. As he entered the kitchen, his eyes immediately caught the sight of Annie and Kain. They stood close near the table, their voices low as though whispering something romantic with each other.
Annie's cheeks were painted with a soft blush, her hands moving nervously with a piece of cloth. Every so often, her eyes darted away, as if embarrassed by Kain's words. Kain on the other hand, leaned in just slightly, whispering something with a smooth, teasing tone.
So, he's already executing his plan huh, Julian thought to himself, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "Lets have some fun then."
Cough, cough.
He cleared his throat deliberately, breaking the silence between them.
"You seem to be having fun, mother and father," he teased, dragging out the words with a sly smirk. "Almost like… hm, a loving couple sneaking around."
Annie jumped, nearly dropping the cloth she had been holding nervously in her hands. She took few steps back from Kain, her face now flushing like a tomato. She spun around and when her eyes fell on Julian, they widened just slightly before she quickly composed herself.
"R-Rael… you're awake," she said, forcing a nervous smile.
Julian's smirk widened.
"Awake? No, no… I think I'm dreaming. Because what else am I supposed to think when I walk in and see my mother blushing while whispering with my father?"
"Rael," Annie snapped softly, her voice breaking with embarrassment. "That's nonsense. We were simply talking, nothing more!"
"Talking?" Julian repeated, enjoying the way she desperately tried to hide her embarrassment.
He stepped closer, circling around them. "Is that what they're calling it these days? Whispering with flushed cheeks, leaning close together…" He leaned in just slightly, smirk tugging at his lips. "Tell me, what exactly were you planning?"
Annie's blush deepened furiously. "Y-you Rael, how dare you—! Don't talk such foolishness!"
But Kain was smiling now. He chuckled as he leaned casually against the table, clearly enjoying his wife's flustered state.
"Careful, Annie," he said with a teasing glint in his eye. "The boy might have caught on to us."
"Kain!" Annie gasped, her hands flying up to cover her burning face. "Don't encourage him!"
Julian laughed outright, delighted by her reaction. "Oh no, father's already betrayed you. Makes me wonder—were you two perhaps… plotting something? Maybe a secret rendezvous? Or worse—trying to rekindle your old flames?"
Annie's face was scarlet now. "Stop it this instant, Rael! You speak nonsense—how could you say such things to your own mother?"
Julian tilted his head, pretending to think. "But mother, you do look younger lately. Maybe father noticed too, hm? Who could blame him if he wanted to claim you all over again?"
"Rael!!" Annie stomped her foot, completely undone now.
Kain burst out laughing, unable to restrain himself any longer. "Boy, if you keep teasing her like this, she really will faint."
Julian smirked. "Maybe that's the plan, father." He then stepped closer, the intensity of his gaze making Annie squirm.
"Look at you, mother," he murmured, his voice low and smooth. "Blushing like a concubine being courted. Was father whispering sweet things to you… or were you begging him to?"
Annie's lips parted in shock. "R-Rael!" She clutched the cloth in her hands as though it were a shield, her knuckles turning white. "You shouldn't—how dare you say such things!"
Julian tilted his head, pretending to ponder, but his eyes gleamed wickedly. He circled behind her, his shoulder brushing hers ever so slightly. She tensed at the contact, her breath quickening.
"I only speak what I see," he whispered, close enough that his breath ghosted near the nape of her neck. "A woman flushed, trembling… ready to be taken."
Annie gasped, spinning toward him. "S-stop it! I am your mother!"
"Mother?" Julian repeated, grinning as his eyes swept over her. "No… right now, you look more like a woman who doesn't know whether to slap me or… melt."
Her hands flew up to push him back, but the touch lingered a heartbeat too long, as though her palms wanted to feel the warmth of his chest. She pulled away quickly, her face flaming.
Kain leaned against the table, watching the exchange without a word. He was surprised by Julian's sudden boldness but could not help but feel an increasing curiosity of where this would lead.
"K-Kain…" Annie stammered, turning toward her husband, begging him to intervene. But Kain remained still, his lips curved in the faintest smile.
Julian stepped closer again, forcing Annie back against the table. Her legs wobbled as he leaned down, his lips brushing dangerously close to her ear.
"Tell me, mother… when he leaned in just now, what did you hope for?" His voice was soft, lewd. "His kiss? His hand slipping lower? Or were you secretly wishing it was mine?"
Annie's eyes widened, her body jerking as though struck by a lightning. "Rael!! Her cry was breathless, half rage, half disbelief.