CHAPTER 184: THE WEEK-LONG BREAK [3]

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."

Nyra nodded. "Yes, I’m doing well. Thanks for asking, young master."

Alaric shoved his hands back into his pockets. His shoulders relaxed slightly as he studied her.

"Others aren’t picking on you, right?"

Nyra shook her head quickly. "No, I’m completely fine."

She shifted her weight. The linens rustled softly as she adjusted her grip, redistributing the stack against her chest.

Then her violet eyes narrowed. Squinted slightly as she tilted her head.

"Can I ask you something?"

Alaric’s brow lifted. His head tilted slightly.

He pulled one hand free from his pocket and gestured loosely with it. "Go ahead."

"Do you know about Kael’Drath?"

The question hung in the air between them.

Alaric blinked. His eyes narrowed as he processed the unfamiliar words.

"What is that?"

Nyra’s violet eyes searched his face. Lingering on his confused expression for several seconds.

Then her gaze dropped. Her head lowered.

"It’s nothing."

She bowed again. The linens shifted in her arms.

"Sorry, it’s just—" She paused. Her mouth opened, then closed. "It’s nothing."

Another light bow. Perfunctory this time.

She turned on her heel and moved past him. Her footsteps quick and purposeful as she headed down the hallway.

Alaric watched her go. His eyes tracked the midnight blue of her hair until she rounded the corner and disappeared.

He just shrugged, rolling his shoulders once.

Then shoved his hands back into his pockets and started walking again.

But his mind circled back.

Kael’Drath?

"Hey system, do you know about Kael’Drath?"

He asked. But for a moment no reply came.

Only Silence.

One second. Then two.

Then—

[System level insufficient! Can’t provide the information]

The text flashed across his vision.

Tch.

Alaric clicked his tongue. His jaw tightened briefly before he forced it to relax.

The hallway ahead split into two paths. The right corridor led toward his chambers, his bed waiting after the long journey.

His feet turned left instead.

Toward the servants’ section.

The walls here were plainer. Less ornate. The paintings gave way to simple sconces that cast warmer, more practical light.

"I wonder what she’ll be doing," he muttered.

His voice barely carried in the empty corridor.

He moved down the hallway. His boots echoed softly against the stone floor.

After a few more steps, the corridor opened up.

To a balcony.

He paused at the threshold.

Evening light spilled across the space, golden and amber, painting everything in warm hues. The air here felt cooler. Fresher. A breeze drifted through, carrying the scent of the manor gardens below.

But his gaze was somewhere else.

Towards the girl that sat there.

She wore a black and white maid dress. Her posture was relaxed, leaning back in the chair like she’d finally earned a moment’s rest.

Silver hair glowing with the evening light. The strands fell loose around her shoulders, a few wisps stuck to her neck.

Her eyes were closed. Face tilted slightly upward toward the fading sun.

Beads of sweat dotted her forehead. Traced down her temple. Her chest rose and fell in steady, deep breaths.

The damp clothes outlined her figure, showing her moderate yet alluring curves. The kind of beauty that came from simply being rather than trying.

Alaric’s lips curved.

"Someone’s enjoying, huh?"

His voice cut through the quiet.

The maid’s eyes snapped open.

She straightened immediately. Her posture shifted from relaxed to alert in an instant as she turned her head toward him.

Then recognition hit.

Her eyes brightened. And a smile broke across her face.

"Alaric!"

She shot up from the chair, closed the distance between them in three quick steps and threw herself around him.

Thump!

Her body collided with his. Arms wrapping tight around his torso. Face pressing against his chest.

Her grip tightened. Alaric felt the dampness spreading. His previously pristine clothes slowly getting ruined.

But he didn’t pull away.

"Tch, now you ruined my newly bought clothes. I just wore these for the first time."

Alaric clicked his tongue in mock irritation.

Iris pulled her head back. Just enough to look up at him.

"So this is your response for seeing your friend after a long time?"

Her amber eyes met his. A hint of challenge sparkled there, mixing with amusement.

Alaric’s expression shifted. His lips curved into something between a smirk and a scowl.

"Know your place, servant." He gestured vaguely at their position. "You’re degrading my appearance."

The words came out flat. Iris’s cheeks puffed out immediately.

Her eyes narrowed. Then she tightened her hold. And deliberately pressed her face against his chest and rubbed her dirt-stained cheek against the fabric. Back and forth. Smearing more grime across the expensive material.

"What will you do now, young master?" Her voice came muffled but teasing. "Punish me? Huh?"

She tilted her head up slightly. Just enough for her eyes to peek up at him from beneath her lashes.

Her lips quirked. Challenging. Playful.

The evening light caught the smudge of dirt now streaked across her face. Made her silver hair seem to glow even brighter against the mess.

Alaric stared down at her.

Then tilted his head slightly. His eyes shifted past her shoulder toward the hallway entrance.

"You’re giving the others quite the material for gossip."

His tone stayed casual. Almost lazy.

Iris blinked. Her grip loosened slightly as confusion flickered across her face.

"What do you mean?"

Alaric just turned his head.

Iris followed the movement. Her silver eyes tracked the same direction.

Three maids stood near the corner wall. Partially hidden. Their heads pressed close together in hushed conversation.

One pointed.

Another covered her mouth with her hand. Her shoulders shook with what might’ve been silent laughter.

The third one’s eyes went wide when she realized they’d been spotted.

"Kya!"

Iris made a strangled sound.

Her face flushed up from her neck to her cheeks in seconds.

She broke away from Alaric immediately. Her arms dropped and she stumbled back a step.

Then another.

Her hands came up. Pressed against her burning cheeks.

"I—that’s not—we weren’t—"