"You may be different, but I don't see a reason to fear you. You've never directly given me one." she said. She knew what being different felt like and how it could make you want to be evil.
'She really is fiery,'
He blinked at her words. Her trust in him, despite everything, made something in his chest tighten. He didn't deserve it, but here she was, offering it freely.
Once she finished adjusting his coat, she smoothed her palms down the front, and Alaric felt her touch linger. She looked up at him, a quiet smile tugging at her lips. "There," she said, her voice soft. "Ready for the day."
For a moment, he didn't move. Then, slowly, he reached for her hand, taking it in his own. Her skin was warm against his cold fingers, and he marveled at the contrast.
He brought her hand up to his lips, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. It wasn't an act of passion but of something deeper, something gentler—a promise, perhaps, that he didn't fully understand yet.
"I won't be staying late at work today," Alaric told her, his lips brushing against her skin as he spoke. "I'll be back at the mansion before nightfall."
Her heart fluttered at the closeness of his voice, the warmth of his breath against her hand. She found herself nodding, words momentarily escaping her.
"Good," she whispered, her voice almost trembling. "I'll be waiting."
As he stepped back, their fingers slowly slipped apart, and Alaric adjusted his coat one final time before heading for the door.
Salviana followed him to the entrance, standing just a step behind. The morning light streamed through the windows, casting a soft glow over the hallway, illuminating the space between them.
With all the guards and chambermaids around Alaric didn't care, He paused at the doorway, turning to look at her once more. For a brief second, their eyes met, and an unspoken understanding passed between them.
They were learning, slowly but surely, what it meant to be with one another.
"Take care," she said softly, her voice laced with a quiet hope.
Alaric gave her a nod, something close to a smile on his lips, before stepping out into the world beyond the castle's walls.
Salviana stood there, watching as he disappeared from view. She felt a strange mix of emotions—contentment, curiosity, and something that felt a little like longing.
She stayed there for a few moments longer, her hand resting on the doorway.
There was a warmth in her chest, something that lingered even after he had gone. For the first time in a long while, Salviana found herself excited for what was to come.
The thought of her husband's smile, his brief but tender touch, sent a flutter through her.
She felt light, like she could float. Inspired by the gentle shift in their relationship, she wanted to dance, to let the joy fill her limbs.
Her feet moved across the cold stone floor as she twirled in the soft morning light, a quiet laugh escaping her lips. There was no sadness in her today, no heavy thoughts clouding her mind.
In fact, she was… happy.
Truly, deeply happy.
It was strange, now that she thought about it. The quiet, lingering sense of contentment settled within her like an old friend.
The dark castle, once a place of brooding, now seemed less daunting. But Salviana wouldn't dwell on the strangeness of it.
No. Today, she would embrace it, let herself be carried by the tide of her own happiness.
Her duties as a princess called to her, the responsibilities of her new life whispering in the back of her mind. She would focus on those, fulfill them with grace and poise.
Yet even as she thought of her royal tasks, her thoughts inevitably drifted back to Alaric.
She had learned much about his vampiric nature over the last few weeks—the coldness in his touch, the strange, ageless look in his eyes, the way he carried himself like someone who had seen lifetimes pass by.
But there was still so much she didn't know, so many parts of him hidden in the shadows. She was curious now, more than ever.
Who was he when he was with others?
What face did he show to the world?
And she knew just who to ask.
Salviana rushed toward the maids' quarters, her heart racing with an inexplicable urgency. She needed answers—answers only those who had known Alaric for longer than she could provide. Spotting Sarah near the entrance, she called out breathlessly, "Sarah!"
The maid turned around, startled by the sudden approach. Her wide eyes met Salviana's, and she offered a small, nervous bow. "My lady?"
Priscilla, who had been passing by, slowed her steps, her ears perking with curiosity as she lingered just within hearing range.
"I need to know more," Salviana continued, the urgency in her voice unmistakable. "About Alaric. Please, if you don't mind."
Sarah blinked, her expression shifting from confusion to concern. "More about… Lord Alaric?" she asked hesitantly.
Salviana nodded, lowering her voice. "Yes. Anything you can tell me. I want to understand him better."
The maid's eyes darted nervously, as if she were weighing her response carefully. "Oh, my lady, I would love to help, but I've been ordered to accompany the others to the marketplace this morning. Perhaps… when I return?"
The disappointment in Salviana's chest was instant, but she forced a smile. "Of course. Another time, then. Have a safe trip."
"Thank you, my lady. You are always so kind," Sarah said with a grateful nod before hurrying off.
Salviana stood there, exhaling softly, her hopes for answers fading as quickly as they had come. She was about to turn back when a soft voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Your Grace, I can help."
She froze, the words hanging in the air for a moment before she turned to find Priscilla standing behind her. The maid wore a small, cautious smile, her hands clasped tightly in front of her.
This maid didn't normally look that kind, why did she want to help?