That was why Olivia could feel the fear without understanding its true root.
She only saw a husband growing unstable with the King under their roof.
Julian kept his face calm. "Sit down, Mother."
Olivia hesitated, then moved to the chair near the bed.
Julian closed the distance between them and knelt before her. From that lower position he looked up into her face, close enough that the worry in her eyes was impossible to miss.
"You are overthinking it, Mother," he said in a soft tone.
Olivia shook her head.
"No, Kraven. I am not. He really is acting out of line. I have known him for many years. For him to become suddenly unreadable… that is not nothing."
Julian chuckled, the sound oddly gentle and almost out of place for the discussion they were having.
"You are under stress, Mother. That is why you are reading too much into it."
His hands reached for hers. He held them first, then caressed them slowly, his thumb moving over her with care.
