The itch of boredom was beginning to crawl into Alaric's bones, and he could feel it. Spending each day at the mansion had become too suffocating and too routine for him to continue doing so.
In order for him to become more powerful and to have fun while doing it, he needed to travel more often and experience more of the entire world.
The question is, how can he convince his mother to support this idea?
After all, Lyra Steele was not the type of person who was readily persuaded when it came to impromptu escapades.
However, Alaric felt certain that he possessed the ability to influence others.
As is customary, he discovered his mother in the study, where she was surrounded by paperwork. Her expression was one of intense concentration, and her forehead was slightly wrinkled.
The neck of Alaric was gently cleared before he entered the room. "Mother," he began sweetly, "I've been thinking..."
In the midst of her paperwork, Lyra did not even raise her gaze. "That sounds dangerous, darling," she teased lightly. "What is it this time?"
Unfazed by her playful tone, Alaric looked at her with a smile. "It's just... don't you think it's time we went on a trip? You know, to see the larger cities? We've been cooped up here for ages."
Finally, Lyra gave him a glance as a result of this incident. She raised an eyebrow and placed down her quill. "A trip? To where exactly?"
"Anywhere! The capital, or even the bigger cities nearby," Alaric said, his tone full of enthusiasm. "There's so much to learn and experience beyond our little town."
Lyra reclined back in her chair, crossed her arms as she studied her child. "And what exactly do you plan to gain from this trip?"
Alaric quickly adapted, knowing how to play this game. "Knowledge, of course! You always said that travel broadens the mind. We can visit different markets, meet new people, see how things are run in different places. It's practical."
Lyra frowned, indicating that she was not convinced. "Your father won't be able to come, you know. He's busy with the estate and business matters. I'm not sure how safe it would be to travel without him."
Alaric witnessed his opportunity. "We'll bring guards, Mother. We'll be perfectly safe. Besides, the kingdom is stable right now—no threats lurking around."
The reluctant Lyra let out a sigh. "It's not just about safety, Alaric. Traveling is exhausting, and there are so many things to handle here."
"Please, Mother," Alaric pleaded with her while giving her a look that was both innocent and naive. "You deserve a break too. And we can bring Kara. She'll help out. You won't have to lift a finger. It'll be fun! And educational for me."
Lyra came to a halt when Kara was brought up. "You want to bring your maid? Well, I suppose that's not unusual." She tapped her fingers on the desk. "You're not going to give this up, are you?"
A winning smile appeared on Alaric's face. "Not a chance."
After a long breath, she let it out. "Fine. But if anything goes wrong, you'll regret dragging me along on this."
In a matter of days, everything was put into place. After Lyra had assembled a substantial escort of family guards, they embarked on their journey in carriages.
Lyra traveled on her alone, despite the fact that she had initially desired to travel with Alaric and Kara.
Notwithstanding that, Alaric had subtly argued that he required some space in which he could silently examine the world. However, his thoughts were everything but silent in actuality.
While Kara was sitting next to him in their private carriage, she fiddled with her hands and maintained an unnatural and rigid stance. "Sir Alaric," she whispered, glancing toward the door nervously.
"Relax, Kara," Alaric said with a grin as he moved closer to her. "We're alone here. No one will bother us."
As his fingers gently traced down her thigh, Kara's blush intensified and her breath got caught in her throat.
She understood what he wanted, and as always, she wouldn't turn him down. In the midst of the carriage bumping over the road, his hands strayed openly over her body, and Kara could only answer with bashful gasps.
Outside, nobody had any idea what was going on inside the carriage as the convoy made its way toward their first objective, which was Ironhall, a mining city that was well-known for its metals and weapon manufacture.
When they arrived to Ironhall, they were met by the sound of hammers clattering and the aroma of coal and iron in the air.
There were tall, gray mountains that encircled the city, and the tops of these mountains were covered with mining tunnels.
There were merchants, blacksmiths, and miners going about their business across the streets, which were humming with activity.
After making their way to the central forge, Alaric, Lyra, and Kara arrived at the place where the renowned Ironhall weapons were created.
While Alaric was making his observation, his gaze wandered more toward the local ladies than it did toward the armor and weaponry that were on exhibit.
"This place smells like sweat and steel," he said. He did a covert check on their status and saw that the majority of the ladies in this area had Appearance ratings in the range of 60 to 70, and Strength ratings that were far lower than 50.
On the other side, Lyra was expressing her admiration for the craftsmanship. "Look at the detail on this sword, Alaric. Even your father would appreciate something like this."
An absentminded nod was given by Alaric, but his attention was quickly diverted by a startling ruckus that occurred in the marketplace.
A merchant was being harassed by a bunch of individuals who appeared to be rough and who were obviously not locals. Their voices were loud and furious. While they were pushing him against a stall, the merchant appeared to be in a state of fear.
At the same time that Alaric's hand automatically went to his small dagger, he whispered, "It looks like trouble."
Lyra grimaced as she saw the unfolding of the situation. "Stay back, Alaric. We don't need to get involved in this."
But just as they were about to flee, one of the thugs caught sight of them, and his eyes immediately focused on Lyra's exquisite attire as well as the guards who were around them.
"Whoa, take a look at this," the man scowled. "It would appear that we have some very affluent people on our hands. I bet they have more gold than they do common sense."
The beat of Alaric's heart quickened. Danger was nothing new to him, but Lyra's presence made things much more convoluted than they already were. A moment before the situation might get more serious, the guards who were encircling them moved forward and drew their swords. The goons obviously hesitated, contemplating their options.
"Let's not do anything stupid," one of the guards growled, his sword gleaming in the fading sunlight.
The tension was palpable for a brief period of time until the goons muttered a curse under their breath and retreated, concluding that the situation was not worth the hassle they were putting themselves through.
Kara said, "That was very close," while she was clinging to Alaric's arm.
Alaric gave a smile. "Just a little bit of excitement. Nothing that we are unable to deal with."
Lyra nodded her head and showed a displeased expression on her face. "I wasn't interested in traveling without your father for precisely this reason," she said. "We should leave this city soon."
After that, they made their way to Crestvale, a charming city that is well-known for its thriving arts scene and stunning scenery.
A sea of wildflowers filled the undulating hills that surrounded Crestvale, and the city itself served as a center for artists, singers, and entertainers because of its abundance of wildflowers.
Over the course of their exploration of the city, they stumbled upon a vibrant performance taking place in the center square.
The performers consisted of a group of musicians and dancers who were entertaining a crowd. Lyra's expression changed to one of pure joy. "Isn't this wonderful, darling? Such beauty in their art."
Alaric said, "It's something," despite the fact that his thoughts were already straying and he was observing the throng.
Appearance scores were closer to 80 for the ladies in this area, indicating that they were more polished than those in Ironhall. Their Strength was still rather low, but the fact that they had such a wide range of personalities fascinated him.
As they stood there enjoying the performance, there was an abrupt change in the atmosphere.
An audible crack reverberated across the plaza, and the audience let out a scream when one of the enormous wooden platforms that the artists were use started to become unstable.
The structure was swaying in a perilous manner, and people were screaming as they frantically tried to get out of the path.
"Move!" Alaric shouted, grabbing Kara by the arm and pulling her to safety. Lyra's guards rushed forward, surrounding her protectively.
The platform creaked and groaned, its heavy timber splintering as it teetered on the verge of collapse. Several artists were still stranded on it, and their calls for assistance were being drowned out by the chaos that was occurring.
"Help them!" Lyra commanded, her voice rising above the noise. The guards didn't hesitate, rushing forward to help pull the performers to safety just as the platform came crashing down.
As soon as the dust had fallen, the plaza was a chaotic scene of shattered wood and individuals who had been rattled. Although she seemed pale, Lyra maintained her composure. "That could have ended much worse."
On the other hand, Alaric was ecstatic about the excitement of being in danger. "There is no doubt that it made things more interesting."
At long last, they made it to Aurelion, the capital city of the kingdom and the most important destination of their journey.
Throughout the streets of Aurelion, there was a flurry of activity, from well-dressed nobility to hustling merchants selling their products.
The majestic architecture of the city, which included both old stone structures and contemporary styles, was a reflection of the city's prominence and riches.
While they were strolling around the market square, Lyra was awestruck by the splendor that she saw. "Do you not find it jaw-dropping? No, it's been years since I've been here. Even now, it is just as lovely as I remember it being."
Alaric said, "It is impressive," despite the fact that his thoughts were once again focused on the women. Due to the fact that their appearance ratings frequently soared beyond 85, the noblewomen in this location carried themselves with an air of dominance.
On the other hand, their Strength remained a dismally low level, which was perfect for Alaric.
They were making their way into the royal gardens when all of a sudden, a yell could be heard. A group of troops ran passed them, their expressions gloomy as they did so. "What's going on?" Alaric asked one of the nearby merchants.
A worried mumble came from the merchant's mouth as he said, "There has been an incident near the palace. A thief tried to break into the royal vaults. The guards are searching the city for him."
"There's always some trouble brewing in the capital," Lyra mumbled, her gaze narrowing as she searched the crowded streets. "I hope this doesn't affect our visit."
Alaric grinned, seemingly undisturbed by the tension that was present. "Don't worry, Mother. We're here for the sights, not for palace drama."
Nevertheless, the mood in Aurelion had already begun to change slightly.
The previously bustling streets were now filled with uneasiness as reports of the burglar spread like wildfire across the neighborhood.
Rifles of rumors circulated from vendor to consumer, with each story being more inflated than the previous, while soldiers moved with a sense of haste on patrol.
Nevertheless, Lyra, Alaric, and Kara proceeded with their journey in the direction of the royal gardens. The security personnel who were around them maintained a vigilant check on the crowd, making sure that no one went too close to them.
They discovered that the gate to the grounds was restricted by a group of royal soldiers as they reached the entrance to the gardens.
An individual from the army took a step forward while extending their hand. "I'm afraid the gardens are closed to the public today. There's been an... incident."
Curiously, Alaric cocked his head to the side. "Is there any connection between this and the thief in question?"
The look of the guard became more tense. "It's best you move along, young sir. The situation is under control, but we're not allowing anyone near the palace grounds at the moment."
Lyra let out a gentle sigh before refocusing her attention to Alaric. "Well, sweetheart, it would appear that we will not be able to visit the gardens this time."
However, Alaric was not quite prepared to depart at that moment. "Are you sure there's no way we can enter? My mother was really looking forward to it. We've traveled a long way, after all."
The guard paused, casting a glance between them and the entrance to the gate. "I'm sorry, but orders are orders."
Lyra gently placed her hand on Alaric's shoulder and leaned in close. "It's alright, son. Let's not cause any trouble. There's plenty more to see in the city."
Although his mind was still racing with curiosity over the occurrence, Alaric reluctantly nodded. He couldn't help but think about the thief as they turned away from him.
What might possibly be inside the royal vaults that would be of such significance that someone would put their life in danger for it?
Even though the drive back to their carriage was uneventful, the tension that had been present in the air continued to present itself. As soon as they left the palace, Lyra appeared to have a more calm demeanor, and she started talking about where they were going next.
The suggestion that Lyra made was, "I was thinking that we could stop by the library. I've always been interested in getting my hands on some of the rare books on history that they have."
Alaric said, "That sounds interesting," despite the fact that his thoughts were already elsewhere. As they made their way through the crowded streets of Aurelion, his eyes occasionally strayed, and he casually activated his system in order to examine the ladies that were present in the crowd.
A large number of noblewomen and the daughters of businessmen were seen in the capital city.
They were all clothed in luxurious silks and decked with brilliant jewels. It should come as no surprise that their appearance ratings were fairly high, with several of them reaching the uncommon 90s or even the 80s.
Nevertheless, as was customary, their Strength remained below fifty, a fact that never failed to excite Alaric.
Despite this, the variety of personalities and levels of pride that these ladies had provided for some fascinating insights.
His train of thinking was disrupted by a loud disturbance coming from a street that was close. Several people had gathered in the vicinity of a wide open area, which was the location of a performance by a group of street performers.
When the performers were performing acrobatic acts and juggling flaming torches, there was a lot of laughing and applauding from the audience.
Kara pulled on Alaric's sleeve even though she had been strolling calmly next to him. "Sir Alaric, look! The performers are amazing."
For a moment, Alaric cast a cursory glance in the direction of the display. "They are," he accepted, but he was more concerned about the crowd than everything else. His eyes made a quick sweep across the features of those who were watching, assessing their current state. A number of ladies of the nobility had gathered together to see the performance, and their appearance ratings shone brightly in his eyes.
Something peculiar drew his attention just as he was ready to return his focus to the television that he had been watching.
One of the noblewomen was being approached by a man who was clothed in a long, black cloak.
This man was moving dangerously close to the noblewoman.
Alaric saw the man's hand as it moved toward the purse that the woman was carrying. It was a swift and unobtrusive movement that went unobserved by everyone else in the vicinity.
Alaric took Kara's arm without giving it any thought and then proceeded to go forward. "Remain close," he hushed in a whisper. Following that, he yelled out in a more audible manner, "Hey! Put a stop to that."
The cloaked figure froze for a split second before bolting through the crowd, pushing people aside as he made a break for it.
The noblewoman gasped, clutching her purse tightly, but the thief was already gone.
As individuals frantically attempted to get out of the path, the throng exploded into a state of mayhem.
During this time, Lyra watched with horrified eyes as Alaric's guards charged forward in pursuit of the robber.
"What in the world just happened?" Lyra inquired in a tone that conveyed her utter astonishment.
"Another thief," Alaric said in a composed manner. "Seems like this city has more trouble than we thought."
Exasperated, Lyra shook her head in response. "Why must every city we visit have some sort of incident?"
When Alaric heard this, he couldn't help but laugh. "It keeps things interesting, doesn't it?"
Kara, who was still clutching to Alaric's arm, gazed up at him with her eyes wide open. "Sir Alaric, that was so brave of you."
Alaric smiled at her in a nonchalant manner. "Just doing what needed to be done."
As the sun started to drop over Aurelion, the party made their way back to their carriage. Then Lyra got comfortable in hers, while Alaric and Kara got into the other. Once inside, with the doors closed and the city sounds muffled, Alaric wasted no time.
Kara finally found herself back in Alaric's arms, and she was reddening in an angry manner. She could feel his hands following her body's curves, his touch aggressive and tenacious. She said to him in a frantic voice, "Sir Alaric," as her entire body shook in response to his attention. "What if someone is able to hear us?"
Alaric said, "No one will hear," as his lips lightly touched her neck. "No one will pay attention. What's more, even if they did, it wouldn't make a difference."
Kara's face was flushed with humiliation and desire, and she bit her lip because of it. Her inability to resist him was unavoidable, regardless of how inappropriate it was. Her timid complaints were overshadowed by the intensity of the situation, and she just followed, enabling Alaric to act in any manner he chose.
Over the course of the subsequent few days, they continued their journey, with each destination bringing with it a new level of excitement.
A violent avalanche occurred as they were driving through the mountains that were located in the vicinity of Silverglade, which is a tranquil town that is well-known for its extensive silver mining. When boulders and other debris began to fall down the mountain, the earth began to shake, and their carriage was forced to come to a stop.
During the time that they were watching the boulders fall from a distance, Lyra had a pale complexion and was tightly grasping Alaric's arm. Despite the fact that her voice was shaking, she said, "That was too close."
"Just a bit of excitement," Alaric replied with a grin. "We're safe."
Kara, who was seated next to him, gave a mute nod, but her wide eyes displayed the horror that she was experiencing.
While they were at Ravenfall, a city that is well-known for its dark legends and frightening woodlands, they happened into a local festival that was honoring the history of the area.
The celebration was full of energy, with dancers reenacting old traditions of witches and spirits while costumed in masks and black feathers.
Lyra thought the festival to be intriguing, but Alaric was more interested in the stunning ladies that were present at the event.
When a fire broke out during one of the performances, however, things took a turn for the worst and became quite deadly. As the flames grew rapidly and started to threaten to consume the entire stage, the crowd went into a state of terror.
During the time when the citizens of the town were frantically trying to put out the fire, Lyra's guards moved quickly to lead them to safety.
Despite the fact that they had just witnessed a potentially dangerous situation, Alaric made a lighthearted remark afterward, saying, "That was quite the spectacle."
Exhausted, Lyra let out a sigh. "I think I've had enough excitement for one day."
Lyra was eager to go back home by the time their tour came to an end, but Alaric felt revitalized by the experience.
With each new place, he had the opportunity to gain new experiences, to observe new ladies, and to have a fresh sense of adventure. He had taken pleasure in each and every bit of it, particularly while Kara was by his side.
Alaric relaxed back in his carriage as they made their way back to their house, a contented smile flickering over his lips as he did so. It turned out that the vacation was all he had dreamed for and even more.