Chapter 263: Morning & Confessions.
Morning broke, painting the castle in soft hues of gold and gray, as the remnants of last night’s rain lingered in the cold, crisp air.
Alaric stirred first, his natural discipline urging him awake before the rest of the castle.
Without waking Salviana, he dressed in simple training attire, his dark hair slightly tousled, and made his way to the castle’s training hall.
The hall was dimly lit, the only sounds coming from the rhythmic dripping of water outside and the faint hum of the wind.
’Good morning, your highness,’ ’Good morning your grace,’ rang in the area as Alaric arrived. He shook his head and told them to resume training.
His eyes fell on his cousin, the second prince, Spencer but he ignored him. If he had nothing to say he didn’t like bringing up conversation with the man as salviana had told him about how he ignored her the day he hadn’t come back early form the war.
He couldn’t forgive him.
Alaric began his routine, his breaths controlled as he worked through stretches, sword drills, and sparring dummies.
The cold air prickled against his skin as he jogged laps around the hall, his muscles warming with every stride.
"Should’ve brought a cloak," he muttered to himself, shaking off the chill with a roll of his shoulders. As a vampire he got cold easily.
Despite the weather, there was something invigorating about the solitude of early mornings—a brief moment to clear his mind before the chaos of the day began.