CHAPTER 48: CALL ME MOTHER

Myris’s actions, of course, remained unknown to the people in the Lily Estate; they now had more "important" matters to complete. "Lord Julian, you must always keep your back straight," Alice corrected him from behind.

Julian had lost count of how many times he’d heard that. His originally handsome face now looked a bit disheveled, his beautiful features appearing as if they had endured some form of torture.

In his previous life, though he had received brief training as a server, it mainly focused on simple things like smiling at everyone and speaking in a gentle, pleasant voice. His boss only required these two points and didn’t even teach him anything else.

It was almost late at night. Alice had taught him etiquette movements for about two hours after dinner. Julian grudgingly memorized them with his eyes closed.

Recalling it, there was a heap of messy requirements, even precise degree measurements for body movements. The short two hours brought Julian more psychological torment than physical.

Lady Catherine, sitting nearby and glancing at a book, occasionally pushed her glasses up and looked over. Several times she opened her mouth to say something but ultimately closed it again.

Checking the time, she feigned a headache, pressing her forehead. After standing up and stretching, she looked at the two gently and said, "Alice, it’s getting late. That’s enough for now."

Alice looked as if she wanted to say more but held back, finally nodding respectfully and saying, "Very well, madam."

"Lord Julian, this is also the young lady’s wish. I hope you can understand."

Before leaving, Alice looked at Julian, hesitating before speaking.

Seeing the head maid, who had casually messed with him on their first meeting, now behaving so carefully, Julian felt both tired and extremely amused. He shook his head, indicating his understanding.

After Alice left, Lady Catherine approached him at some point. A cool hand rested on his forehead, a comfortable current of magic flowing through his body, easing his physical fatigue while also helping Julian activate his Holy Mark.

"What powerful control," Julian mused, closing his eyes in comfort.

"Why are you so kind to me?" Unable to help himself, Julian relaxed and asked the question.

But as soon as it left his lips, Julian regretted it.

This kind of question, ninety percent of the time, would cause discomfort to the person being asked. It was truly impolite of him to ask it in a moment of relaxation.

Indeed, Lady Catherine was now genuinely troubled. Besides her excellent first impression of Julian, that damp experience definitely brought her soul closer to him. Something she had almost forgotten was once again brought up by Julian. Standing behind him, she was momentarily lost in thought.

"I’m sorry, I just..."

"Why apologize? The reason is very simple, you know..."

"Oh?" Julian blinked, turning to look at the lady.

"I treat Losiya as my daughter. Since you have such a relationship with her, you are naturally like my son," Lady Catherine said without a blush or racing heart.

After all, these were her true feelings, albeit a bit one-sided.

"Is that so..." Julian thought of Lady Catherine’s warm embrace today and couldn’t help but lose himself for a moment.

Lady Catherine looked at Julian’s profile. A sudden, inexplicable surge of courage rushed to her head. As she spoke, she felt her voice tremble slightly.

"Actually... you can call me ’Mother.’ If you feel shy, you can say it in private. Outside, you can still address me normally."

The room was exceptionally quiet at this late hour. Their breathing intertwined, clearly audible to each other. Lady Catherine distinctly felt Julian’s breathing becoming more rapid.

After a moment, Julian hesitantly turned around. A soft, trembling voice escaped his lips: "Mother... Mother?"

Facing such a gentle and captivating child, hearing him utter the words she most wanted to hear, Lady Catherine was instantly stunned. As she lost herself, her sea-blue eyes glimmered with faint starlight, appearing as if they held clear dewdrops.

No, not "as if." After Julian was tightly embraced by Lady Catherine, he clearly felt a few wet drops stain his clothes.

After a moment’s thought, Julian extended his arms and returned Lady Catherine’s embrace, relishing her deeply soothing warmth. He felt as if he were truly a child lying in his mother’s arms.

"Good child, call me ’Mother’ again," Lady Catherine cooed, rubbing his cheek like she was coaxing a baby.

Julian hesitated for a moment, then his body was immediately held even tighter by her. Burying his face in the lady’s neck, Julian narrowed his eyes before softly saying, "Mother..."

"Good child... good child..." Hearing Julian’s sugary-soft, intimate voice, Lady Catherine gradually became enraptured.

"You are truly my darling..."

Lady Catherine, overcome with emotion, directly embraced Julian’s face and kissed him several times, leaving clear lipstick marks.

Julian had, at some point, found himself in Lady Catherine’s lap. His legs occasionally brushed against her thighs, and his shoulders touched her proud "snowy peaks." Surrounded by a delicate fragrance, he too was clearly moved.

Just as he was about to turn his head, his eyes widened instantly.

By accident, his lips directly met Lady Catherine’s. After their lips touched, both were incredibly startled and immediately sprang apart.

Julian was speechless. Kissing a cheek could still be seen as an elder’s affection for a junior; after all, the Sakura Roland Empire did have a formal cheek-kissing custom.

However, a kiss on the lips was a big problem. Lady Catherine had clearly frozen up too, remaining silent for a long time.

Finally, Julian’s eyes darted around. He took the initiative to break the awkwardness, intimately leaning close to Lady Catherine’s beautiful face and gently kissing it.

"What are you standing there for?"

Lady Catherine finally came to her senses. After meeting Julian’s gaze, she suddenly noticed Julian winking at her. Looking down, her heart pounded faster and faster, and all sorts of chaotic thoughts flooded her mind.

This child wouldn’t... Oh dear!

Fortunately, Julian immediately cut short her reverie, gently saying, "Isn’t it perfectly normal for a mother and child to touch lips?"

As if to ease Lady Catherine’s awkwardness, Julian even took the initiative, leaning close to Lady Catherine’s lips and gently brushing them.

Lady Catherine’s legs pressed together tighter and tighter, afraid to accidentally let go.

Julian also faced the same awkwardness, his knees bending as he instinctively took a step back.

In this ambiguous situation, the two surprisingly had an unspoken understanding. After a moment, they exchanged goodnights and then each left.

Upon returning to her room, Lady Catherine closed the door and leaned against it, her legs so weak that she involuntarily slid to the floor. On the carpet where her bottom rested, a dark, damp mark was clearly visible.

"Hah... Hah..."

She cupped her face in her hands, emitting a shy sound from her mouth.