The morning after Nico's arrival was uncharacteristically calm. The sun filtered through the trees, casting dappled shadows over the forest floor, and the air was cool but not cold—perfect for a day of work. Alaric found himself preparing breakfast with more thought than usual, as if the simple act of caring for someone else had drawn his attention into sharper focus. It wasn't that he wanted to change. He had chosen this life to escape, to be free from all the mess of relationships and the expectations that followed. But Nico's presence stirred something inside him, something long buried.
Alaric tried to ignore it. It wasn't a responsibility he wanted. He didn't want to fall into the trap of attachment, of caring for someone who could only disappoint him, like so many had in his past. Yet, as he glanced over at the boy, still fast asleep in the corner of the room, he felt an unfamiliar tug in his chest.
The boy—Nico—wasn't like the nobles Alaric had once known. He wasn't here to manipulate or use him for gain. He wasn't a pawn in some political game, nor a relative seeking a favor. No, Nico was just… lost. And there was something raw and untainted in that, something that spoke to Alaric's own hidden scars.
After breakfast, Alaric decided it was time to begin the day's work. He had plenty to do: wood to chop, plants to gather, and repairs to make on the small cabin. The forest was always full of tasks that kept him busy, but today, there was a gnawing feeling in the back of his mind—a growing need to face what was changing between him and Nico.
Nico stirred just as Alaric was about to leave the cabin, rubbing his eyes with the back of his hand. He looked up, confused for a moment before his gaze found Alaric. There was no question in his eyes, just a simple need—a request for guidance, for purpose.
"Good morning," Alaric said, trying to keep his voice neutral.
"Good morning," Nico replied, his voice small but earnest. "What are we doing today?"
The question caught Alaric off guard. He had expected the boy to linger, perhaps sulk in the corner, waiting for someone to take care of him. Instead, Nico was already offering to help, seeking a place in Alaric's world. It was the first indication of a shift, of something beginning to take root between them.
"We'll go gather some herbs," Alaric said after a moment, his tone warmer than he intended. He grabbed his satchel, holding it out to Nico. "You can help with that."
Nico's face lit up with a smile, and Alaric's chest tightened again. Why did that simple smile affect him so much?
The walk through the forest was quiet, save for the occasional chirp of birds and the soft rustle of leaves underfoot. Nico stayed close to him, looking up at the towering trees with wide-eyed wonder. It was a strange contrast to the harsh reality of the world outside the forest. There was no war here, no political schemes, no betrayals or battles for power. Just trees, earth, and the quiet rhythm of life.
The more time Alaric spent with Nico, the more he began to feel something unfamiliar—something he hadn't felt in years. A sense of belonging. Not to his old family, not to the noble title that had once been forced upon him, but to something simple and real. With each passing hour, the weight of his past seemed to lift ever so slightly, as though the forest itself was slowly erasing the scars that had run too deep.
But with that came an unease. A feeling that he was opening himself up to something dangerous.
After gathering the herbs, they returned to the cabin, where Alaric went to work preparing a small bundle to dry for later use. Nico sat nearby, watching him with interest, occasionally asking questions about the different plants. For a moment, Alaric let himself forget his earlier reservations, allowing himself to enjoy the simplicity of the task.
As the day wore on, Alaric found himself more at ease. Nico's quiet company had a way of easing his mind, and the boy's curiosity seemed to fill the empty spaces that Alaric had long neglected. He wasn't used to this—someone who wasn't asking for anything, someone who simply wanted to learn, to be present.
It wasn't long before the silence became comfortable, even companionable. The two of them worked side by side, each absorbed in their tasks but still aware of each other's presence. For the first time in a long while, Alaric felt a shift—a sense that maybe he wasn't as alone as he had once believed.
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As the evening approached, a distant sound reached Alaric's ears—soft, yet distinct. The sound of hooves.
It was strange. No one ever came this far into the forest. Not unless they had a reason. Alaric stiffened, his hand automatically reaching for the dagger at his side, even though the instinct felt absurd. Who could it be?
"Nico, stay inside," Alaric ordered, his voice low. Nico's eyes widened, but he nodded without question, retreating into the cabin. Alaric moved to the edge of the clearing, keeping to the shadows. He peered through the trees, his heart racing with uncertainty.
The rider emerged into the clearing, a tall figure cloaked in rich, dark green fabric. Alaric's breath caught in his throat. It wasn't just anyone—it was a soldier. And not just any soldier, but one from the nearby kingdom. One of the monarch's men.
For a moment, Alaric stood frozen, unsure whether to reveal himself or remain hidden. The rider's eyes swept the clearing, scanning the trees as though searching for something—or someone. Alaric remained still, heart pounding. He knew the monarch's soldiers. They were known for their cruelty, their unwavering loyalty to their rulers.
"What do they want?" Alaric whispered under his breath, more to himself than to anyone else.
His thoughts were interrupted as the soldier finally dismounted. "Hello? Is someone there?" he called out, his voice clear and commanding.
Alaric's hand instinctively tightened around the hilt of his knife. He was about to step forward, ready to face whatever confrontation lay ahead, when something inside him snapped. Why should I face this? Why should I face anyone?
But Nico's face flashed in his mind—the boy, innocent and eager, who had begun to trust him. And with that, a new resolve took root in Alaric's heart. He wasn't alone anymore.
And for the first time since his rebirth, Alaric stepped out of the shadows, fully aware of the world shifting around him.
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End of Chapter 3