Two days had passed since Maverick awoke, and Julius, now returned to his royal duties, sat silently at his desk, eyes scanning through a stack of documents with a distant intensity.
His assistant and Ardent Pitt worked nearby, exchanging glances but staying silent, knowing better than to disturb him. Julius's expression, cold and unreadable, kept them from uttering a word. As the afternoon stretched on, he finally placed his pen down and rose.
"I'm done with the work today. I'll leave the rest to you," he said, his voice clipped. He turned to leave, but Ardent stepped forward, catching his arm.
"Your Highness, a word." Ardent gestured for Julius's assistant to leave the room, waiting until the door closed behind her before continuing.
Julius sighed impatiently, his gaze steely. "Speak now."
Ardent observed him, narrowing his eyes. Something was different—Julius's once vibrant hair had taken on a grayish hue. "What happened to your hair?" he asked.
