The morning sun filtered through the curtains of Alaric's room, casting a warm, gentle light across the space. Alaric awoke with a sense of tranquility, the remnants of his dreams fading as he stretched lazily. The previous day had been a whirlwind of events, but today was a holiday, and he looked forward to a day of relaxation.
He shuffled downstairs, still in his pajamas, and was greeted by the comforting aroma of breakfast. His mother, Maria, was in the kitchen, humming a cheerful tune as she prepared a spread of pancakes, eggs, and bacon. The sight of her bustling around the kitchen brought a smile to Alaric's face, and he felt a pang of gratitude for the normalcy of his life.
"Good morning, Mom," Alaric said, taking a seat at the breakfast table.
Maria turned with a bright smile. "Good morning, sweetheart. I have something for you. It came in the mail."
