As Alaric started down the long corridor, he tugged on his gloves, adjusting them with slow deliberation, and straightened his collar, his gaze focused ahead.
'You haven't taken from her yet,' Lucius's voice echoed in his mind, laced with judgment. 'Odd for you, really.' As Lucius knew of vampires, he found it unnatural that Alaric hadn't yet drawn blood from Salviana.
'Why isn't that a question?' Alaric replied coldly, eyes narrowing at the empty stretch of hallway. The subject had crossed his mind too many times.
'Alaric, you know you'll have to eventually. Avoiding it doesn't help,' Lucius pressed. Lucius had never understood why Alaric had married Salviana if he wouldn't even tap into her potential. He had honestly believed that was why he picked her. She was a divine lady—her blood could bring unparalleled clarity and strength to his dark, convoluted origins, origins he was desperate to uncover.
But Alaric scowled, his hand clenching slightly. 'Just shut up and why are you here, anyway?'
Lucius dropped the blood topic, sighing. 'I need your help,' he muttered finally.
'You know I'm not killing for you,' Alaric retorted, irritation evident.
'It's not as if you don't enjoy leaving them drained and empty,' Lucius shot back grimly, a hint of mockery dancing in his tone.
Alaric let out a long breath. 'What do you want?'
'We're going to the Goliaths,' Lucius stated, eyes glinting with anticipation.
Alaric paused, brows knitting together. 'And I'm supposed to know who that is?'
Lucius gave a dramatic sigh, rolling his eyes. 'No.'
Alaric shook his head, already dreading whatever scheme Lucius had concocted. The Goliaths sounded like trouble, yet with Lucius's mysterious tone, they were likely even worse than he imagined.
They continued down the hall in silence, the air between them thick with unspoken questions and tension. This day was shaping up to be far more eventful than Alaric had planned.
~~~{────────────
Bedroom, Salviana's Chambers.
Wyfkeep Castle, Wyfellon.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~}~~~
As Silence settled over the chambers at the absence of Alaric and the dawn's first light crept over the horizon, Salviana called for her maids to begin preparations for the day. They entered her chambers in a quiet flurry of bows and curtsies, each carrying an array of silks and tools.
She watched them, her expression careful and composed, hiding the apprehension she felt each time Priscilla, moved a little too close. Though Priscilla tended to her dutifully, Salviana remained wary; the maid had spread one too many rumors about her husband, Alaric, and the peculiar habits she had developed, like trimming Salviana's hair without permission.
Yet Salviana hesitated to dismiss her outright. Alaric could expel anyone from his quarters without question, but Salviana had yet to find that same authority within herself.
The routine unfolded in silence. Sarah, bubbly as ever with a contagious smile, hummed softly as she adjusted Salviana's gown, while Emma, ever responsible and poised, focused on arranging her hair into intricate braids, securing them with delicate pins adorned with pearls.
Priscilla, meanwhile, kept her silence, her brows knitted in a faint frown, her gaze shifting between Salviana and her reflections in the mirror. It irked her, clearly, that there was no hint of discord between Salviana and Alaric, no juicy drama to carry through the castle halls.
If anything, the quiet affection they shared seemed to unsettle her more.
When they were finished, Salviana stood before the mirror, draped in an elegant morning gown of soft lavender, and thanked her maids with a gentle smile. She moved to the breakfast table as they filed out, leaving her in a rare moment of solitude—until a knock echoed from the door.
Salviana had just lifted her cup of tea, savoring the delicate scent of lavender and honey, when Princess Abigail swept into the room. Salviana felt a small thrill of surprise; she had tried twice this week to visit the princess but hadn't managed to catch her at home. Today, however, it seemed Abigail had come to her instead.
"Oh, I hope I'm not intruding, Lady Salviana," Abigail said, her voice smooth as she gracefully entered the room, her emerald gown flowing around her like water. She had a warm smile, though her eyes held an intensity that lingered a beat longer than expected.
"Not at all, Princess," Salviana replied politely, gesturing to the table. "Please, join me."
They sat across from each other, a lavish spread of fruits, pastries, and delicately arranged meats and cheeses between them.
The maids poured tea into dainty porcelain cups, filling the room with the faint aroma of lavender and honey.
As they started their meal, Salviana noticed the way Abigail's gaze seemed to rest on her a bit too long, drifting over her hands as she poured tea, trailing along her arms, lingering on the curve of her collarbone.
It made Salviana self-conscious, and she found herself tugging at the lace collar of her dress, as if to shield herself from the intensity of the princess's stare.
Abigail smiled, sensing her unease. "It's been far too long since we last spoke. I've missed the opportunity to truly get to know you," she murmured, her tone as warm as it was smooth, her gaze sliding from Salviana's face to her exposed wrist as she lifted a piece of fruit to her mouth.
"Oh, I didn't realize you…felt that way, Princess," Salviana replied, a touch flustered. She took a sip of tea to steady herself.
Abigail's smile deepened, her hand reaching across the table to lightly brush Salviana's fingers. "Please, call me Abigail. We're family, after all." Her thumb traced small, slow circles along the back of Salviana's hand before she withdrew, and Salviana swallowed hard, confused by the peculiar warmth she felt under the touch.
"Alaric left the castle this morning," Abigail continued, as if she hadn't noticed the effect she'd had. "I saw him in a royal carriage just as I arrived. How fortunate—I get to have you all to myself." Her gaze was playful, but there was a suggestive quality that made Salviana's cheeks warm.
"Yes, I believe he's attending to some matters in town," Salviana said, offering a small, uncertain smile.
What was happening?