I AM A MAGE BUT WITH MILF SYSTEM

Chapter 653: Father and Grandfather

Eva led them through familiar corridors—Julian recognized every painting, every posters, every detail. This had been his home for the first decades of his life.

The three daughters followed behind, their eyes wide as they took in the luxury and history surrounding them. This was so different from the Throne of Gods.

”Eva,” Julian said as they walked, ”how have you been? Really?”

His sisterʼs expression became more complex.

”Honestly? Terrible. After you disappeared, after Mother and Grandmother and Eleanor all vanished, Iʼve been trying to hold things together. Managing the household, representing the family at court, keeping Father and Grandfather from completely falling apart.”

She squeezed his hand tighter.

”Iʼm the eldest. Itʼs my responsibility. But Julian... I was so scared. I thought I would loose my little brother. I thought...” Her voice broke again. ”I thought I would never see you again.”

Julian pulled her closer as they walked, wrapping his arms around her shoulders. ”Iʼm here now. And Iʼm not going anywhere.”

”You better not,” Eva said fiercely. ”If you disappear again, Iʼll kill you myself.”

They reached a set of double doors leading to their fatherʼs study. Eva paused there, taking a deep breath to compose herself.

”Are you ready?” she asked Julian. ”Fatherʼs going to be... emotional.”

”Iʼm ready,” Julian confirmed.

Eva knocked twice, then opened the doors without waiting for a response.

”Father,” she called out, her voice carrying a strange mixture of joy and urgency. ”Father, you need to come here. Right now.”

From inside the study, a deep voice responded.

”Eva, Iʼm reviewing the search reports. Unless itʼs urgent—”

”Itʼs Julian,” Eva interrupted. ”Heʼs here.”

There was a long moment of absolute silence.

Then the sound of a chair scraping against the floor, papers scattering and finally the heavy footsteps rushing toward the door.

A man appeared in the doorway.

His face was similar to Julianʼs but while Julian was young and vital, this man was weathered by time and responsibility. Multiple wrinkles lined his face, particularly around the eyes and forehead.

His hair, which had once been the same blonde as Julianʼs, was now heavily streaked with white.

But his eyes were sharp, intelligent, and currently filling with an emotion so powerful it threatened to break the manʼs composure.

Duke Alden Easvil.

Julianʼs father.

For a long moment, father and son simply stared at each other across the doorway. Aldenʼs face went through a rapid transformation—disbelief, shock, hope, and finally, overwhelming relief.

”Julian?” The name came out as barely a whisper.

Then something broke inside the dignified Duke.

He crossed the distance between them in three long steps and pulled Julian into a crushing hug.

”My boy,” Aldenʼs voice cracked completely, tears streaming down his weathered face. ”My son. Youʼre alive. Youʼre home.”

Julian felt his own chest tighten with emotion as he held his father. The man was trembling, his body shaking with relieved sobs that heʼd probably been holding back for months.

”Iʼm here, Father,” Julian said quietly. ”Iʼm safe. Iʼm home.”

Alden pulled back just enough to grip Julianʼs shoulders, his eyes scanning his sonʼs face.

”We searched everywhere,” Alden said, his words tumbling out in a rush. ”Every forest, every road, every possible location.”

His grip tightened on Julianʼs shoulders.

”I thought—” His voice broke again. ”I thought I had lost you. Just like Iʼve lost Regina. Just like Mother is missing.”

Julian felt a flash of guilt at that.

”Regina and Mother—Gregoria—theyʼre lost as well, Julian,” Alden continued. ”The same night you disappeared, they vanished too. No note, no explanation. Itʼs like the entire family is being torn apart.”

He looked at his son with haunted eyes.

”First you, then them. I thought—I feared—that something terrible was happening. Some curse, some enemy, something that was taking my family from me one by one.”

Julian placed his hands over his fatherʼs, meeting his eyes steadily.

”Theyʼre fine, Father,” he said with quiet certainty. ”Regina and Gregoria are both safe. I promise you. Theyʼre not in danger.”

Aldenʼs brow furrowed with confusion. ”How do you know? How can you possibly—”

”I canʼt explain everything right now,” Julian interrupted gently. ”But I give you my word—theyʼre safe. Theyʼre together. And when the time is right, theyʼll return or send word. But theyʼre not in danger.”

Alden studied his sonʼs face, clearly trying to understand what Julian wasnʼt saying. But the relief of having Julian back seemed to outweigh his confusion about the women.

”I believe you,” Alden said finally. ”I donʼt understand, but I believe you.”

He pulled Julian into another embrace, this one less desperate but no less emotional.

”Thank the gods youʼre home,” he whispered. ”Thank all the gods.”

From inside the study, another voice called out.

”Alden? Whatʼs all this commotion? Whoʼs—”

An elderly man appeared behind Alden in the doorway, leaning heavily on a cane. His hair was completely white, his face deeply lined with age, but his eyes were still sharp and alert.

Duke Augustus Easvil. Julianʼs grandfather.

He peered around Alden, saw Julian, and froze completely.

”Julian?” Augustusʼs voice was barely audible, trembling with disbelief. ”Is that... is that truly you, boy?”

Julian smiled at his grandfather ”Itʼs me, Grandfather. Iʼve come home.”

The cane clattered to the floor as Augustusʼs hands flew up, one covering his mouth, the other reaching toward Julian as if to confirm he was real.

”By all the gods,” Augustus breathed, tears immediately filling his ancient eyes. ”Our boy. Our Julian.”

Alden released Julian enough to allow the old man to approach. Augustus moved with surprising speed despite his age, his hands shaking as they gripped Julianʼs face.

”We thought you were dead,” Augustus said, his voice breaking. ”Your father hasnʼt slept more than an hour since you disappeared. He has been tearing himself apart trying to find you.”

Julian felt another pang of guilt. His death and absence had devastated his family in ways he hadnʼt fully anticipated when he had made the choice to teleport others away for their safety.

”Iʼm sorry,” Julian said quietly. ”Iʼm sorry for the worry Iʼve caused. But Iʼm here now. Iʼm safe.”