Inside a spacious bedchamber, a young man could be seen sleeping on the bed. His eyebrows were furrowed as if he was experiencing a nightmare.
Suddenly, his eyes sprung open and he abruptly sat up straight.
Looking around, he was confused and disoriented.
He clutched his head and organized his messy thoughts.
I thought I died after getting shot by an arrow. How did I survive?
Alaric could still vividly remember the last scenes before his death. The comrades who died for him, the enemies he had slaughtered, and the arrow that ultimately killed him… He remembered it all.
While he was recalling the scenes of that battle, a series of knocks on the door pulled him from his thoughts.
"Come in."
Alaric was surprised by the young voice that came out of his mouth.
A young maidservant pushed open the door. She bowed to him the moment she stepped inside the room.
"My lord, it's almost time for breakfast."
When he saw the familiar yet unfamiliar face, Alaric was shocked, disbelief written all over his face.
"Nana?"
His voice trembled as emotions welled up in his heart.
The young maidservant was embarrassed when she heard this endearing nickname.
Just as she was about to say something, she saw Alaric slowly approaching her, his eyes filled with a mixture of joy and guilt.
"I-is… it really you? You're alive…"
Alaric's voice choked as he stared at the young girl.
She was Elena. She has been with him since her parents sold her to his family. She was only six years old at that time, while he was ten.
At first, he didn't like being around with her. He felt that she was a nuisance, but Elena's sincere and innocent heart moved him.
He didn't treat her like a servant. He cared for her like she was his real sister.
However, something tragic happened. This innocent young girl later committed suicide after being repeatedly abused by his uncle. She was only seventeen when she died. He only found out the true reason for her suicide a few years later when his uncle, with a slip of his tongue, accidentally mentioned it in his drunken stupor.
Looking at Elena's childish face, Alaric took her in his arms and embraced her tightly.
When he felt the warmth of her body, he could no longer hold back his emotions as tears slid down his cheeks.
"M-My lord?"
Elena raised her head in surprise when she felt him trembling. And when she saw that he was crying, she was flustered.
"W-Why are you crying, my lord?"
Hearing her worried voice, Alaric smiled as he gently stroked the back of her head.
"I'm just happy to see you again. I missed you so much, Nana…"
He could still remember the days when he cried every time he visited her tomb.
The remorse and the regret from his past life made him even more emotional.
Elena was embarrassed and shyly lowered her head.
"S-Stop saying such embarrassing things, my lord. And please don't call me Nana in front of other people."
Looking at her pouting her lips and hearing her shy voice, Alaric felt the warmth that he had been seeking for a long time.
He wiped off his tears with his hands.
"Yes. Yes. I won't call you Nana in front of other people." He smiled as he gently brushed her hair with his fingers.
"Hmph! You're teasing me again!"
Elena looked away from him, feigning anger with her arms crossed.
"Alright. Alright. I won't tease you anymore."
Alaric squeezed her bulging cheeks which earned another glare from Elena.
Suddenly, Alaric saw his reflection in the mirror.
He was stunned.
In the mirror was a young face, handsome and filled with vigor- silver tousled hair, chiseled jawline, and a pair of crimson-colored eyes.
It was far from the haggard and depressed face that he was used to.
"Elena, what is the date today?" He asked, his voice shaking with uncertainty and confusion.
"The date? Hmm… It's the third of August, Year 208 of the Astanian Calendar."
"Year 208?!" Alaric's eyes widened.
Countless thoughts flashed in his mind in that instant.
He had actually traveled 10 years into the past!
Just then, he remembered something important. He grabbed Elena's shoulders and asked with a hint of anxiety in his voice. "Where are my parents?"
Elena was bewildered. He was acting a bit strangely this morning.
"His lordship and the madam should be at the dining hall by now." She responded.
Without bothering to change his clothes, Alaric hastily stepped out of his bedchamber and headed to the dining hall, a mixture of excitement and apprehension settling over him.
"My lord! Wait for me!" Elena called out, but he didn't stop.
The servants in the hallway were surprised to see him running in his nightwear, but Alaric ignored them and headed straight to the dining hall.
As soon as he got there, he saw a middle-aged man with a gaunt face. With broad shoulders and visible battle scars on his arms, he looked incredibly intimidating. This man was none other than Baron Lucas Silversword, the current head of House Silversword.
The baron was known as the Shield of the North because of his commitment to defending the northern border of Astania. His strong martial power also solidified his position as one of the greatest warriors in the empire.
However, five years later, in the year 213 of the Astanian Calendar, the mighty baron would die and leave the world, full of regrets.
Upon his death, House Silversword fell into the hands of his uncle and Alaric's mother died a year later due to her grief.
Sitting beside the baron was a woman who looked to be in her late twenties.
Her long black hair fell over her shoulders and she had a pair of obsidian eyes that radiated with gentleness. She carried herself with grace and she had this unique charm of a mature woman. This woman was Alaric's mother, Maria Keller.
Maria Keller was the daughter of a rich merchant. Just like her merchant father, she was also skilled in business management. It was because of her efforts that the impoverished House Silversword was able to accumulate a decent amount of wealth in recent years.
Seeing his parents alive and well, Alaric felt the urge to cry once again.
Dad… Mom…
He had so many words to say, but it was stuck in his mouth.
"What are you standing there for? Sit down."
The baron's stern voice drifted into his ears.
His father was just as he had remembered, strict and cold. However, Alaric knew that behind his stern face was a loving father and husband who would do anything for his family.
Alaric held back his emotions and took a seat beside his father.
"Why are you still in your nightwear?"
Maria asked with concern as she stared at her son's face.
Lucas didn't say anything, but it looked like he also wanted to hear Alaric's explanation.
"About that… I woke up late…" Alaric found a random excuse.
"You should sleep early tonight. It won't be good for your body if you always sleep late." His mother reminded him.
"Yes, mother." Alaric smiled as he nodded his head.
At the corner of his eyes, he noticed Elena sticking her head out by the door, peeking at him while making a funny face.
Alaric beckoned to her. "Nana, come and sit beside me!"
Elena was so shocked by his words that she immediately hid herself.
Seeing this, Alaric chuckled and shook his head in amusement. "Dad, Mom, I'd like to invite Elena to dine with us."
Lucas and Maria were already aware of the close relationship between Alaric and his young maidservant. In truth, they were already planning to make her his concubine as soon as she reached a marriageable age.
"Alright. She can join us to eat."
Lucas nodded. He then made a hand signal to the old butler who was standing behind him.
"Elena, come in and sit with us," Maria called out gently, while the old butler quietly grabbed a chair for Elena.
The young maidservant who was hiding outside jolted when she heard this.
Oh my god!
She was screaming nervously in her heart.
She never thought that Alaric would actually boldly ask the baron and the madam to let her join them for breakfast.
Left with no choice, Elena nervously entered the dining hall. She bowed at Lucas and Maria, her eyes shifted with anxiety.
Meanwhile, the old butler placed a chair next to Alaric and returned to his spot behind the baron.
"Come here, Nana!" Alaric patted the empty seat next to him. He even pulled it closer to him.
Elena blushed in embarrassment when she heard him calling her with that nickname.
Grr!! I told him not to call me that in front of others!
She timidly lowered her head and walked towards the empty seat.
After sitting down, she didn't even dare lift her head.
It was the first she had sat with them at the dinner table so she couldn't help but feel uneasy.
"Relax. We are just going to eat."
She felt Alaric's warm hand patting her head.
"Stop teasing her. You are only making her uncomfortable." Maria gave him a look of reproach.
"I-I'm fine, madam. Lord Alaric isn't making me uncomfortable. I'm just a little bit nervous." Elena spoke in his defense.
Alaric smugly smiled at his mother.
Watching them bicker, the baron's lips curved upwards.
A while later, the servants came in to bring their food.