Chapter 310: Self Deprecating Thoughts
"Oh—Your Grace! You’re back."
Alaric barely stopped walking as he asked, "Where is Salviana?" His tone was cool, controlled, but his urgency bled through in the clipped way he spoke.
Sarah blinked, shaking her head. "I—I’m not sure, my lord. I haven’t seen her since earlier."
His jaw tightened. Not here.
He gave a curt nod and moved past her without another word, his strides quickening. Where are you, Salviana?
His mind raced, already considering where she could have gone, who she could be with. But deep inside him, something unsettled stirred—a feeling that something was off.
He should probably check the bedroom,
Alaric ascended the stairs two at a time, his patience running thin. His instincts were already on edge, and every wasted second gnawed at him.
As he reached the next floor, he almost collided with Thalia, one of the chambermaids, as she struggled to carry a pile of soiled blankets and bedspreads down the steps. She gasped softly at the near miss, her eyes flicking up to meet his.
For a moment, she hesitated—too long.
Alaric caught the brief flicker in her expression, something almost wary, almost knowing. Suspicion.