Beside her, Gregoria looked equally stunned. His grandmother appeared younger than Regina despite being a generation older. Her blonde hair, so similar to Seraphine's, was styled in a loose ponytail.
She wore a gown of pale gold that seemed to shimmer with each breath, cut in a style that was both noble and alluring.
For a long moment, they simply stared at Julian.
Then Regina's composure broke.
"Julian?" Her voice cracked on his name, barely more than a whisper. A single tear escaped, trailing down her cheek. "My son... is it really—"
She didn't finish the question. With a choked sob, she launched herself forward, moving with inhuman speed. Gregoria was right behind her, both women crossing the garden in a blur of motion.
