With the king's approval, Alaric gave a final nod to the guards. They led Priscilla away, her sobs growing faint as she was dragged out of the grounds and toward an uncertain future.
As the guards began to lead Priscilla away, Alaric lifted a hand, halting them. His voice was firm but low. "Bring me a pair of scissors."
The command sent a murmur of curiosity through the crowd, they wondered what he was about to do. He had said just now that he'd spare the maid but why was he asking for a scissors? The ones with the most imaginative minds thought perhaps he wished to plunge it in her throat. While others thought he was simply trying to scare her as they waited with bated breathes.
After a brief moment, a maid hurried forward, offering a small, silver pair of scissors.
Alaric took them with a nod of thanks, then turned to Salviana, who watched with a mix of confusion and worry. She didn't want anything gore in front of her. She blinked while Alaric leaned closer, he whispered to her, "I know you wouldn't feel right doing this yourself, so I'll do it for you."
Without further explanation, he approached the trembling Priscilla.
"Your grace, forgive me," She backed up slightly, her face a mask of terror, but Alaric extended the scissors to her, his eyes cold. "Take it," he ordered, his tone brooking no refusal.
Priscilla hesitated, her hands shaking, but she obeyed, reaching out to grasp the scissors as though they burned.
She looked up at him with pleading eyes, hoping for mercy, but his expression remained as hard as stone.
He didn't care about such measly evils.
"Cut it," he commanded.
She blinked, her face pale with shock. "W-what do you mean, Your Grace?"
"Your hair," he clarified, his voice biting. "You've been so eager to cut, pull and comb out pieces of my wife's hair, haven't you? Consider this… a lesson in karma."
Salviana's eyes widened, she knew she'd told him but she didn't think he took it that serious.
Priscilla's face crumpled with despair, and a small, desperate whimper escaped her lips.
She hesitated, her fingers trembling as they gripped the scissors, but Alaric's gaze remained steady, unyielding. Slowly, reluctantly, she lifted the blades to her own hair.
Tears spilled down her cheeks as she began to cut, each slice releasing strands that fell limply to the ground, her wails mingling with the snipping sound as she watched her treasured locks fall.
The crowd watched in silence, both horrified and mesmerized, while Alaric stood unmoved, his expression still and resolute.
Priscilla sobbed, clutching the scissors tightly as she cut more and more, her once-prized hair left in shorn patches that fell to her shoulders in an uneven, jagged mess.
When it was finally done, Alaric turned to Salviana and reached for her hand. "Come," he said softly, and without sparing Priscilla another glance, he led his wife away.
Salviana looked up at Alaric, a mixture of gratitude and unease in her eyes. He met her gaze, his expression softening as he reached for her hand, guiding her back inside.
"You didn't have to go that far," she murmured, still processing everything that had just unfolded.
"I did," he replied, his tone gentler now. "For you."
Salviana glanced back only once, catching the sight of Priscilla, broken and humiliated, being led from the grounds, her cries still echoing faintly in the distance.
As they walked together, Alaric's grip on her hand was warm and steady, a silent reassurance that he would always be there to protect her, no matter the cost.
He knew this would draw attention to her but say he was already a centre when she married him.
~~~{─────────────
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"I have someone to introduce to you," Alaric announced after breakfast, where Salviana had eaten heartily, a satisfied smile on her face.
"Now?" she asked, surprised. Did he have friends she hadn't yet had the chance to meet?
"Yes. Come along—you look exquisite," Alaric replied, his eyes lingering on her with admiration.
She smiled but narrowed her eyes playfully. "Why are you telling me only now?"
Alaric feigned a dramatic gasp, pressing a hand to his chest. "You mean I haven't told you before? Forgive me, my wife. You are exquisite."
She chuckled, warmth lighting her gaze. "Thank you, my dearest husband. And might I add, you look quite handsome yourself."
Alaric felt a rush of color creep up his neck at her compliment, and he adjusted the collar of his shirt, feigning nonchalance. Clearing his throat, he took her arm in his, guiding her down the halls toward the chambers where Jean resided.
As they walked, he suddenly came to a stop. The chorus of hurried footsteps skidding to a halt behind them was almost comical. Alaric turned slowly, fixing the guards trailing them with a narrowed gaze. "You don't have to follow me around."
Salviana clutched his arm tighter, a playful gleam in her eyes. "Alaric, they're my guards. They're following me, not you."
He raised an eyebrow, glancing down at her. The soft curls of her red hair brushed against his shoulder, and for a brief moment, he was distracted. "And you're with me," he replied, as if that settled the matter.
She leaned her head gently against his arm, turning to the guards with a smile. "If you could, please take the day off. I'll be with my husband, and I assure you, he's in good hands."
The guards exchanged uncertain glances, clearly hesitant.
Alaric looked down at her, an amused expression softening his features. "What do you mean?"
"Do you not want my care and attention all to yourself?" she asked, her voice soft, her gaze warm and teasing.
Alaric found himself unable to resist a smile. "All day?"
"As my lord wishes," she replied, her lips curving as she bit back a smirk.
Alaric, feeling his face warm slightly under her attention, glanced back at the still-standing guards, his expression hardening again. "Why are you still here?"
"Of course, my lord," they stammered, quickly bowing and making their exit.
As the guards walked away, they cast wide-eyed glances back at the couple, murmuring to each other in surprise.
They had never seen the third prince look so flustered before. By noon, there would surely be rumors flying through the castle about this new side of Alaric.
Alaric however was finally enjoying the honeymoon phase of his marriage with Salviana.