Third Person's POV
Years had passed since the Ravencrest attack, the memory of blood and fire fading into the background, much like the forgotten graves of the fifteen who had fallen. After a proper burial, Novius made the call to leave, the weight of loss hanging on his shoulders. Elowen had been instrumental in the move to Greystone, her swift efficiency seeing the family settled into their new home within days.
Greystone, nestled on the edge of the kingdom, offered little excitement. Its quiet streets were more accustomed to the occasional trader passing through than visitors seeking out this lonely corner of the realm. But that suited them just fine. Here, they could breathe.
Alaric, now a healthy young boy, had thrived. The scars of the Ravencrest attack didn't cling to him—no nightmares, no flinches at loud noises. It was as if the horrors of his early childhood had slipped away like a bad dream.
Elowen came by a few times every year, spending just enough time to enjoy with her grandson. Despite the tragedy, the boy had grown into himself, being a bright child.
It was a peaceful evening. Steam rose from the hot springs, the warmth mingling with the crisp night air, creating a soft mist that shrouded the women soaking inside. Wrapped in towels, they reclined against the smooth stones, their laughter and conversation flowing as easily as the surrounding water. The gentle ripples mirrored the ease of their companionship.
That is until the door slammed open with a crash.
"No! No, I'm not—!"
Alaric's desperate cries filled the air, bouncing off the walls and echoing.
Xironia dragged him in by the wrist like a cat hauling in an unwilling kitten. His arms flailed, legs kicking out at nothing, but there was no stopping Xironia's relentless grip.
The women present in hot springs all paused, eyes wide, as they took in the absurd sight.
"No!" Alaric yelped. But no one moved to save him.
With a wicked grin, Xironia unceremoniously tossed him into the steaming water, his body flailing mid-air before he hit the surface with a mighty splash. The hot springs erupted into giggles as Alaric resurfaced, spluttering and red-faced, his dignity drowning somewhere in the deep end.
"I don't want to be here!" Alaric protested, flinging water from his hair like a drenched puppy. "I could've gone in with Father."
"That doesn't entertain me, now, does it?" Xironia's voice oozed amusement as she glided toward where Elowen sat, her body sinking into the warm water with a sigh, her muscles visibly relaxing as the heat washed over her. The steam curled around her figure, accentuating every movement as she leaned back with a contented hum.
Alaric found himself smack in the center of the onsen, the focal point of their teasing circle. Behind him, Lily's wide grin gleamed like a cat ready to pounce, while Nessa's gentle smile offered him no refuge. Her calm demeanor almost made him more nervous, knowing that even the gentle ones were enjoying his plight.
In front of him, Xironia and Elowen sat with languid grace. He shot a pleading look toward his grandmother, but Elowen merely raised an eyebrow. Her chuckle was soft and indulgent as if savoring his discomfort.
Without warning, a feather-light touch traced his bare back, sending a shiver down his spine. Alaric's whole body jerked in response, nearly launching him from the water.
"Oh, please, Alaric," Aurelia purred, her voice as smooth as the steam rising around them. Her fingertip continued its slow, deliberate path down his back, her tone filled with mockery. "It's just a bath. Don't be so shy."
He whirled around, arms flailing, trying to find some balance in the water. His wide-eyed stare met Aurelia's, and she gave him a sly grin, her towel slipping dangerously low as she leaned in, eyes glinting with mischief.
"You've been around us this long and still can't handle a little relaxing time together?" Aurelia teased, flicking water at him playfully, her chest barely contained by the thin fabric. Alaric's face flushed deeper as he struggled to pull his gaze away.
"This is not normal!" Alaric groaned, the words slipping from his lips as he tried to scoot sideways. But every movement only seemed to make matters worse. Each shift in the water seemed to draw more attention to his predicament, especially when Aurelia leaned in even closer, her lips a whisper away from his ear.
Aurelia smirked, her breath warm against his neck. "Oh, come on, don't act like this is your first time. We've all seen everything you want to hide... No need to be so uptight."
His cheeks burned, his body betraying him as he tried to back away, only to find himself stuck between Aurelia and the edge of the onsen. The heat of the water didn't help; it only made everything feel more intense—more electric.
From behind, Lily piped up, her voice dripping with laughter. "Besides, if anyone should be embarrassed, it's us, don't you think? We are the ones who need to be wary about hiding... stuff"
Alaric turned his head, shooting her a look that was half-annoyed, half-exasperated. "I feel pity for the children that will starve in the future. Hiding something that doesn't exist, Heh." His eyes traveled down, landing on her modest chest with a grin that had the entire group giggling.
Lily's face turned crimson, her hands reflexively coming up to cover herself as she sputtered, "W-what did you just—!"
"Perfect," Xironia muttered under her breath, her lips twitching with amusement as she leaned back against the edge of the onsen. "This is exactly the entertainment I needed."
Elowen, equally amused, nodded in agreement, her soft chuckle joining the chorus of laughter as Alaric slowly found a way out of the situation. Aurelia giggles as she leaves him and walks back to her spot.
Alaric had retreated to the farthest, quietest corner of the hot spring, away from the women's chatter. He'd decided that if he couldn't escape entirely—a hopeless endeavor with his mother, grandmother, and Aurelia around—he might as well sink into the warm bath and pretend he wasn't there. The heat worked quickly, softening the tension in his muscles, the water rippling gently as he submerged himself up to his shoulders. His eyes fluttered, half-closed, the steam rising in soft, lazy waves that blurred his surroundings.
But as his mind began to drift, so did his gaze, landing on two figures relaxing beside each other.
Eirlys, sitting across the hot springs, was a vision of serene beauty. Her hair, loosely tied into a bun, left stray strands framing her delicate features. Her cerulean eyes, usually so vibrant, were now half-lidded in peaceful contemplation. Alaric watched her lift her hands, cupping the warm water, and tip her head slightly. The curve of her exposed neck sent a strange shiver down his spine. She let the water cascade down her skin, the droplets lingering on her pale, flawless flesh before slipping between the inviting curves of her bosom, disappearing into the thin towel barely clinging to her body.
Alaric swallowed, his throat suddenly dry, as if the steam had stolen the moisture from his mouth. His gaze, traitorous as it was, traced every curve, every line of her body, lingering at the tantalizing points where the water met her skin, hiding and revealing in perfect measure. He knew he should look away, but his mind was blank, captured by the mesmerizing movement of water and skin.
But just as he tried to tear his eyes away, Aurelia's presence demanded all his attention without a word.
She was lounging with effortless grace, her elbows propped on the smooth stone floor, her head resting lazily in her hands. Alaric's eyes, drawn downward, took in the way her body arched—almost like a cat stretching lazily under the sun. Her hips hovered just above the water, wrapped in a towel that did little to hide the sensuous curves beneath. The dip of her waist and the flare of her hips were framed perfectly by the shimmering surface, teasing at the secrets just below. Her lavender hair floated in the water, like silk strands drifting with the gentle waves.
Alaric's gaze traveled upward, slow and hesitant, like he was walking a forbidden path. He took in the gentle rise and fall of her chest as she breathed, the delicate line of her shoulders exposed, and then, inevitably, he reached her lips—soft, pink, and slightly parted. He couldn't help but stare, utterly entranced by the way they seemed to beckon him closer without moving at all. For a brief moment, everything else disappeared. There were no voices, no warmth of the onsen—only those lips.
But then, those very lips curled into a teasing smile, snapping Alaric out of his trance. His heart lurched as he realized Aurelia was watching him, the corner of her eyes glinting with amusement. She knew. She had seen everything.
Alaric's face turned redder than the setting sun, his cheeks burning hotter than the water around him. He dropped lower into the water, desperately trying to disappear, sinking until only his eyes and the tip of his nose remained above the surface. His muffled groan bubbled through the water, little air pockets popping as they surfaced around him.
Alaric excused himself from the onsen as soon as he heard Nessa mention she was leaving. His heart pounded in his chest, and before anyone could catch him, he bolted. His bare feet slapped against the cool floor, each step faster than the last. By the time Nessa stepped out, Alaric had already disappeared, leaving her wondering if he had run away in embarrassment or if something else was on his mind.
Later, after the women finished their leisurely soak, the men took their turn in the hot springs. Alaric had managed to calm down by then, though the memory of the earlier scene still burned in his mind. Dinner time came swiftly, and everyone, except the maids and butlers, sat around the grand dining table. The aroma of roasted meats, fresh bread, and rich sauces filled the room, but Alaric barely touched his plate.
Xironia noticed his scrunched-up face and the way he was merely pushing his food around. "Alaric, are you feeling okay?" she asked, her voice gentle but concerned.
He waved her off quickly. "I'm fine, just... not really hungry."
Nessa frowned slightly. "Is the food not to your liking?" she asked, her voice soft, but there was a hint of disappointment in her tone both she and Lily were the ones who normally cooked the food, and their young master not liking it meant they needed improvements but right now that wasn't the case.
Alaric shook his head, trying to be reassuring. "No, no! It's really delicious, but I just don't have an appetite." He gave her a quick smile.
Suddenly, Aurelia, sitting beside him, leaned in close. Too close. Her forehead pressed against his, and Alaric froze in place, feeling her breath on his face, sweet and intoxicating. His mind began to cloud over again, the warmth of her proximity making his pulse race. She stayed like that for a moment, her eyes studying his face, before she finally pulled away with a sly smile.
"You're fine," she said, her tone teasing, she knew the effect she had on him. "No fever."
Alaric squirmed in his seat, his face flushing bright red. "I think... I'm going to sleep," he stammered, before jumping up and rushing out of the dining hall. His footsteps echoed down the hallway as he fled to his room.
Nessa watched him go with a faintly sad expression, "It's not the food," Novius reassured her with a smile.
Everyone else continued their meal, talking and joking around, the mood light and filled with laughter despite Alaric's sudden departure. The evening passed pleasantly; the family enjoyed each other's company until it was time to retire for the night.
In his room, Alaric lay sprawled on his bed. He clutched the fabric of his shirt, staring up at the ceiling with an expressionless face, before finally drifting into a restless sleep.
The next morning was another peaceful one. Birds chirped outside, their songs a soothing backdrop to the quiet household. The maids were already up, bustling about with their morning tasks, while Xironia, Novius, and Elowen sat lazily on a couch, each holding a newspaper. The rustle of the pages and the occasional murmur of conversation were the only sounds inside the cozy room.
Aurelia, on the other hand, was enjoying the outdoors. She sat on the porch swing, a soft breeze playing with her hair as she read a book, the gentle motion of the swing adding to the peaceful ambiance of the early day. The serenity was perfect—until a sudden, ear-piercing scream shattered it.
"EEEK!"