Alaric sat across from Elina in the carriage.
She stared out the window, jaw tight. Arms crossed. Her scarlet hair caught the light filtering through the curtains, but her golden eyes remained fixed on the passing scenery, deliberately not looking at him.
The silence stretched thick between them.
Alaric leaned back against his seat.
Didn’t try to break it. Just let the quiet settle while the carriage wheels rolled steadily over the road.
Minutes passed. Then an hour. Then two.
The landscape shifted outside, city giving way to countryside.
Finally, the carriage slowed. The wheels crunched over gravel as they turned onto the manor’s approach.
Then stopped.
The coachman’s footsteps circled around. The door opened with a soft creak.
Elina didn’t wait. She hopped down imdiately, not bothering to use the step. Her boots hit the ground with purpose.
Alaric followed after. Took the step down, stretching slightly after the long ride.
When he turned toward the manor, he paused.
Selene stood near the gate. Her dark hair was pulled back, dressed in a deep blue gown. Several maids flanked her, standing at respectful attention.
"Mother!"
Elina’s voice lost its edge imdiately. She strode forward, closing the distance quickly.
Selene’s expression softened. Her arms opened.
They t halfway and embraced.
Selene’s hand coming up to cradle the back of Elina’s head, fingers threading through scarlet hair.
"Welco ho, my dear."
"I missed you," Elina murmured into her mother’s shoulder.
"Missed you too." Selene pulled back slightly, hands moving to cup Elina’s face. "You look well. The academy is treating you fairly?"
"Yes, Mother. Everything’s fine."
Selene smiled. Warm. Genuine in a way that transford her usually composed features.
"Good. Co, you must be exhausted from the journey."
anwhile, at back, near the carriage.
Alaric was watching the exchange, then his lips curled upward.
He walked toward them slowly. Then gave a mock bow.
"Didn’t you miss ? Dear Aunt?"
His tone carried playful challenge.
Selene pulled back from Elina. Turned her attention to him. Her green eyes assessed him for a mont.
She smiled. Though her lips twitched slightly at the corners.
"Of course. I missed you too, dear."
The words ca asured, composed.
Alaric’s smirk widened.
Without wasting a second, he closed the distance. His arms wrapped around her in a sudden, unexpected hug.
Selene stiffened.
"Alaric—"
"What? Can’t hug my favorite aunt?" His voice ca muffled against her shoulder. Still teasing.
Then her hands ca up, hovering uncertainly before settling lightly against his back.
Behind them, Elina’s expression soured imdiately. Her arms crossed again.
One of the maids coughed quietly, hiding what might have been a smile.
Selene’s posture remained stiff. But her hands patted his back twice. Gentle. Almost reluctant.
"Yes, well. Welco ho." Her voice carried forced warmth. "Now let go before you wrinkle my dress."
Alaric pulled back. Still grinning.
Selene smoothed her gown imdiately. Her composure sliding back into place like armor.
Her green eyes t his. Held there for a mont longer than necessary.
Then she turned. "Co. Both of you. Dinner will be ready soon."
She walked toward the manor entrance. The maids fell into step behind her.
Elina shot Alaric a glare before following.
Alaric stood there for a mont longer. His smirk fading slightly as he watched Selene’s retreating back.
Then followed them inside.
As they moved through the entrance, heavy doors swung open, revealing the familiar interior of Glimor Manor.
Guards stationed along the walls straightened. Bowed their heads as they passed.
"Welco back, young master. My lady."
Servants erged from side corridors. Maids curtsied. Stewards inclined their heads respectfully.
"My lady."
"Young master."
Elina walked beside her mother, their conversation flowing easily now. The tension from the carriage ride lting away in Selene’s presence.
"Professor Thorne actually complinted my essence control during the examination," Elina was saying, a hint of pride in her voice.
"Did he now?" Selene’s smile widened genuinely. "That’s quite the achievent. He’s notoriously difficult to impress."
They reached the main staircase. Selene paused there, turning to address both of them.
"Why don’t you both take so rest? Freshen up from the journey." Her green eyes moved between her daughter and Alaric.
"Then join in my study. We need to discuss the mine operations, there have been so developnts. And I’d like to hear more about how things are progressing at the academy."
Her gaze lingered on Alaric slightly longer.
Alaric yawned. Wide. Exaggerated. His hand ca up to cover his mouth belatedly.
"I’m tired. Gonna sleep early."
The words ca out flat. Dismissive.
He turned without waiting for a response. Started down the hallway toward his quarters.
Selene’s expression flickered. Her lips pressed together briefly, in mild irritation.
"Alaric—"
"Night, Aunt. Night, Elina."
He didn’t look back. Just kept walking. His boots echoing against the floor until he turned a corner and disappeared from view.
Elina glanced at her mother. Caught that brief crack in Selene’s composure before it smoothed over again.
Sigh!
Selene’s hand ca up. Adjusted a strand of dark hair that had fallen loose.
"Co, dear. Let’s get you settled."
Tap! Tap! Tap!
The sound of his boots echoed through the hallway as he made another turn. Deeper into the manor’s residential wing.
Yawn!
His jaw stretched wide. He rubbed at his face with one hand.
"I don’t wanna deal with anything right now." He ruffled his hair.
Then—
Thump!
A maid nearly stumbled into him. She’d been rounding the corner from the opposite direction, arms full of folded linens.
She jerked back. The linens shifted precariously but didn’t fall.
Her head dropped imdiately into a deep bow. "I’m so sorry! I didn’t see you."
Her midnight blue hair fell forward, obscuring her face.
Alaric waved his hand dismissively. "It’s alright."
The maid straightened slowly. Carefully adjusting her grip on the linens.
Her violet eyes lifted and t his.
Then stayed there.
She stared for a long mont. Too long to be casual.
Her eyes narrowed slightly. Studying his face.
Alaric raised a brow. "Sothing wrong?"
She blinked. The expression vanished instantly.
Another bow. Quicker this ti.
"Ah, I almost forgot." Her voice brightened, taking on that proper servant tone. "Welco back, young master. I hope your journey ho was pleasant?"
"Yeah. It was good."
His eyes tracked her features. The midnight blue hair. Those distinctive violet eyes.
Then recognition clicked in.
"It’s good to see you doing great too, Nyra."
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