I AM A MAGE BUT WITH MILF SYSTEM

The atmosphere shifted from tense anticipation to celebratory energy in an instant. Even the knights and maids standing along the walls allowed small smiles to break through their disciplined expressions.

The Duke stood tall, basking in the moment. Olivia smiled gracefully and nodded to the crowd, though her cheeks carried a faint flush that only a few might notice. Vanessa clapped along with the others, her smile wide and genuine as she looked at her mother with open admiration.

Liam, however, clapped mechanically. His expression remained composed, but his eyes never left Olivia. The cheers around him seemed to irritate rather than inspire him. Louisa noticed the tension in his jaw, and before he could create a scene, she leaned slightly toward him and whispered beneath the noise of the crowd.

”Control yourself,” she hissed. ”You are staring too openly.”

Liam did not respond immediately. He simply took a slow breath and finally tore his gaze away from Olivia. But the damage was done. Louisa’s heart continued to pound with unease. Her husband’s obsession was becoming a liability at the worst possible time.

The Duke then raised his hand, silencing the crowd. The cheers gradually died down, though the excited energy in the hall remained palpable.

”Today marks a new chapter for our family,” the Duke continued. ”With my wife’s breakthrough and our son’s already proven strength, the Astran Duchy stands stronger than ever. We will face whatever challenges come with the King’s visit with confidence and unity.”

More applause followed, though this time it was more measured. The mention of the King’s visit brought everyone back to the present. The envoy was still expected at any moment, and the political implications of the delayed royal visit hung over the celebration like a shadow.

Louisa forced a smile and clapped along, but her mind was elsewhere. She needed to speak with Liam privately as soon as possible.

**

As the hall settled into silence once more, Louisa stole one last glance at Julian.

He sat quietly on his own chair, seemingly uninterested in what was going on around him. His posture was relaxed, almost casual, as if the arrival of a royal envoy was merely another mundane event in his day.

That man — no, her nephew — was the key to everything.

**

It was exactly five minutes after the Duke’s speech that the envoy from the royal palace entered the grand hall.

The march was led by a middle-aged man wearing the knight’s armor of the royal family — pristine silver armor with subtle hints of deep red along the edges and joints. An insignia of the royal family, a golden lion clutching a sword, was emblazoned prominently on his chest plate.

A sheathed long blade hung at his waist, its hilt ornate and built with gold. He carried his helmet tucked under his right arm, revealing a stern face with sharp features. His aura was oppressive and commanding, immediately pressing down on the entire hall like an invisible palm as soon as he entered.

Behind him walked three imposing-looking knights, all giving off the same oppressive aura as their leader. They moved in perfect synchronization, their armor clinking softly with each movement. The four men advanced through the center of the hall with an undeniable presence that made every conversation die instantly.

They stopped at the base of the stairs leading up to the Duke and Duchess. Then, without wasting any time, they bowed deeply in unison.

”The envoy from the royal castle greets the Duke and Duchess of Astran,” the middle-aged captain declared.

A few murmurs began passing around the lower tables.

”Look, he is bowing,” someone whispered.

”I thought he was going to be the arrogant type,” another voice added quietly.

cough cough

The murmurs continued for a few seconds, filled with surprise and speculation, but a single cough from the Duke was enough to silence them completely. The hall fell back into respectful quiet as everyone waited to see how the Duke would respond.

The Duke studied the four envoys with clear interest in his eyes. He was particularly focused on the middle-aged man, who, according to the reports, was surely the captain serving under the Left Guardian.

He concentrated on the man’s aura, hoping to sense that corrupting presence that Commander Aldric had described earlier. However, unlike his expectations, he could not find anything overtly wrong.

Sure, the man’s mana felt certainly weird and strange — heavy, almost stagnant, like still water that had not seen sunlight in years — but it did not give out any special feeling of corruption or evil.

Was he hiding it? the Duke thought, his brows furrowing slightly.

The commander was not the type to lie, and he was certainly strong enough to not be easily deceived. So the only plausible explanation was that the captain was deliberately hiding his true aura. The thought sent a ripple of unease through the Duke.

If this man could mask his power so effectively in front of so many high-ranking mages, then he was far more dangerous than he appeared.

The captain straightened up from his bow.

”My lord Duke, my lady Duchess,” he said. ”I bring formal greetings and apologies from His Majesty the King. The delay in his visit was due to unforeseen matters of state that required his immediate attention. He has sent me to express his deepest regrets and to assure you that the visit will take place as soon as the situation stabilizes.”

The Duke nodded slowly, his face showing nothing but polite acceptance.

”We understand completely,” he replied. ”The King’s duties come first. We are honored that you have come all this way to deliver his message personally, Captain…”

”Captain Elandor Voss,” the man supplied with a small bow of his head.

”Captain Voss,” the Duke repeated. ”Please, be seated. We have prepared a place for you and your men. After you have rested, we can discuss the details of the King’s upcoming visit.”

Captain Voss bowed once more before leading his three knights to the seats prepared for them on the side of the raised platform. The hall remained silent as they took their places, the oppressive aura around the four men making everyone feel slightly on edge.