Morning broke gently over the Kurogane mansion, its rays filtered by heavy drapes. Alaric stirred in his bed, blinking away the remnants of a dream. He had barely dressed when a knock came at his door, followed by Gilbert's familiar voice.
"Master Alaric, everyone is downstairs. Your mother is speaking with relatives, Lady Morgana seems deep in thought, and... Lucy is imitating her."
Alaric smirked, running a hand through his disheveled hair. "Let me guess, she's pretending to be as regal as Grandma?"
"Precisely," Gilbert replied, his tone laced with quiet amusement.
"Lead the way, Gilbert," Alaric said as he finished buttoning his shirt.
