The sun hung up at the sky. Faint breeze rustling the tree leaves.
Then a carriage rolled to a stop at the front of an estate.
Two figures descended from the it and stood there for a moment.
"How are you feeling, returning to this place again, not as a mere slave, but as its next heir?" Selene asked with a mild curiosity.
Alaric just shook his head, "Nothing different, same as before."
She nodded, her lip curling to a sly smirk then they made their way inside through the iron gates that the guards opened for them.
As they passed through the corridors, maids bowed respectfully toward Selene, though their eyes lingered on Alaric with mild curiosity.
As if thinking...
Who is this handsome stranger with their lady?
Then after few moments they reached an oak door and then entered inside the room.
There a man sat slouched on the sofa, eyes closed as a maid worked at his shoulders with practiced hands.
Selene settled gracefully into the chair across from him, while Alaric took his place beside her. With a subtle gesture, she dismissed the maid.
The woman bowed and slipped out, closing the door with a soft click.
Ferick’s eyes fluttered open, immediately focusing on Alaric with a raised brow.
"Is he the one you were talking about?"
Selene nodded, then let a carefully crafted sadness creep across her features. Her voice took on a trembling quality as she began her tale.
"Yes. This is Alaric." She paused, as if gathering strength. "Son of my cousin and a friend they were from the northern territories. Merchants who dealt in rare silks and spices."
Her hands clasped together, knuckles white. "Bandits attacked their caravan three nights ago. When the guards found the wreckage..." She let her voice break slightly. "There were no survivors except for Alaric, barely clinging to life."
She reached over and placed a gentle hand on Alaric’s arm, fully embracing the picture of a grieving aunt.
"I couldn’t bear to leave him to the mercy of strangers. He’s all that remains of my sister’s bloodline."
Then without missing a beat, Alaric let his head drop onto her shoulder with a soft thud.
"Thank you, aunt," he murmured, adding a mock sniff. "I don’t know what I would have done without you."
Selene’s lips twitched at his unexpected commitment to the performance, though she quickly cooled her expression back to maternal concern and let him stay there.
Ferick reached for a goblet from the nearby table and drained the wine in one long gulp.
His bloodshot eyes gleamed as he leaned forward.
"About the Duke," he said, voice slurred but sharp. "What you told me earlier... Is it true?"
Selene nodded solemnly. "Yes. Duke Garran has given his consent to the agreement."
A predatory smirk tugged at Ferick’s lips. "Hehehe..."
Then his gaze shifted to Alaric, scrutinizing him with an odd mix of discomfort and vague disdain. Something soured in his stare, like a man who didn’t quite enjoy seeing another figure nestled so naturally at his wife’s side, even if it was her so-called nephew.
"Very well then, lad. Let’s proceed with the damn ritual."
Selene’s grin threatened to break free, but she masked it swiftly, returning to her grieving facade.
"I’ve already spoken with the priest. He can perform the ceremony this evening."
Ferick nodded, adjusting his collar as he headed for the door. But before leaving, he cast Alaric one final look, his lips curling, not quite a sneer, but not approval either.
"You’d better not disappoint me, boy. No loafing around under my roof."
With that, he stepped out, leaving the room.
Click.
Just as the door clicked shut behind Ferick, Alaric lifted his head from her shoulder and fixed his gaze on the closed door for a heartbeat.
Then clicked his tongue in disgust, crossing his arms.
"Fucking mongrel."
Selene closed her eyes and muttered in a low voice, "His time will come soon."
Then she turned her head toward towards Alaric, her brow arching with a mixture of amusement and warning.
"You’re being quite bold lately, boy."
Alaric blinked, feigning perfect innocence. "What do you mean, milady?"
Then, without missing a beat, he reached for her hand, slowly, deliberately and clasped it gently between both of his.
"Or should I say... dear aunt," he added, voice dipped in mock sweetness. "I’m just playing my role."
She blinked, studying him for a long moment. Yet she made no move to pull her hand away. Instead, she let the moment stretch, their hands entwined in stillness.
Then a sly smirk tugged at her lips.
She curled her fingers slightly against his palm, returning the gesture.
"Oh, boy," she said softly, eyes gleaming with something dangerous. "Do you even realize what game you’re playing? Or more importantly—"
She leaned in just a little, her voice now barely above a whisper.
"Do you know exactly whom you’re playing with?"
Alaric’s lips curled into a smirk, eyes gleaming.
"Should I be afraid, dear aunt?"
Selene’s eyes glinted dangerously.
"You’re not just playing with fire, boy. You’re dancing with an inferno."
Without warning, Alaric leaned in until his face was mere inches from hers, close enough that she could feel his breath against her skin.
Her eyes widened slightly as she got caught off guard by his sudden boldness.
His voice dropped to a whisper that matched her own. "Then it’s a good thing because. I don’t burn easily."
A moment passed between them.
Then—
Knock! Knock!
The sharp sound shattered the tension between them like glass.
Selene’s gaze snapped toward the door. She immediately pulled back, releasing his hand as she rose to her feet with practiced composure.
"Come," she said, though her voice wavered just slightly. "I should introduce you to the household staff."
[Main quest: Subjugate Selene Glimor (73% Progressed)]
[+90 DP]
Alaric’s grin turned predatory as he stood slow and deliberate.
"As you wish... dear aunt."
And then he followed her outside.
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x- End -x
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