Chapter 58 Julian Stands His Ground
The echo of Didier's yelling was still clinging to the air of harbour. Gisella was shaking, not out of fear, but out of sheer annoyance. Didier stepped forward again, face bright red, his hands ready to grab Gisella's arm by force.
Suddenly, Crash!
Julian stood up. The wooden chair behind him toppled over, the sound echoing loudly in the silence. He didn't say a word, but the air in the warehouse shifted. Heavy. Suffocating. The stench of fish seemed to be covered by the predatory aura radiating from his body.
"Don't touch her," Julian's voice was low, gravelly enough to make Didier freeze in his tracks.
Didier widened his eyes. "You... you dare oppose me? You're just a lowly commander!"
"I don't care who you are," Julian stared right into Didier's eyes. No respect, no fear. Just the intent to destroy anyone stupid enough to cause a scene on his turf. "Get out of here, or I'll drag you out myself."
Didier lunged, but before he could move, a cold voice broke the tension.
"Enough."
Claus walked. His steps were silent on the filthy wooden floor. Julian glanced at him, then quickly straightened his posture and bowed his head in a soldier's salute.
"General," Julian said shortly.
Claus just waved his hand dismissively, signaling he had no patience for formalities in this heated situation. After that, he stood right between Julian and Didier. His face was blank, but his eyes were sharp, locked on Julian.
"Remember your place, Commander," Claus sneered with the most annoying tone on the planet. "Your hands are for holding swords, not for threatening the Crown Prince." ...
Julian snorted, but he didn't pull back his aura.
Suddenly, Gisella moved.
From my hiding spot behind the crates, I almost screamed. Gisella didn't run behind Didier; she stepped forward. She stood in front of Julian, a shield between the rough Commander and the raging Prince.
"Enough, Didier!" Gisella shouted. Her voice wasn't shaking anymore. She looked at Didier, her fiancé, with a look that was completely foreign. "Stop acting like a damn child! He's just doing his job, and I'm here for business!"
Julian was stunned. He looked down at Gisella's small back in front of him.
A back that was holding off Didier's rage for his sake.
All his life, Julian had stood alone. He was hated, feared; no noble had ever wanted or dared to protect him.
And now, the most spoiled princess in the palace was putting herself on the line for him?
Claus froze where he stood. His eyes darted to Gisella, then to Didier. He saw something wrong.
Gisella wasn't looking at Didier with that adoring gaze anymore. The "simp" sparkle that used to be there whenever Didier walked by was gone. All that was left was pure, unadulterated disgust.
Claus narrowed his eyes. Damn it, he thought. She really doesn't love him anymore.
"Gisell, are you out of your mind?" Didier asked, his voice low and dangerous. "You're defending him? This brute?"
"I'm defending the truth," Gisella retorted.
Claus held his breath. He just realized something far more dangerous than this fight. The marriage plan, the "simp" bond that made Didier so arrogant it was all shattered. And for some reason, seeing Gisella protect Julian made Claus's chest ache.
"Messy," Claus whispered to himself. "This is going to be a complete disaster."