CHAPTER 219: FALL OF VALTAIR [15]

The carriage rolled through empty roads. Dark countryside giving way to familiar territory.

Alaric sat alone now. Leaned against the seat but not relaxed.

His eyes tracked the passing landscape through the window. Trees. Shadows. Empty fields bathed in moonlight.

Someone could be following me?

He’d already dropped Teryn and Delphine at their place.

Watched them stumble inside, Delphine still half-asleep, Teryn supporting her weight. He had made sure that they were secure before leaving.

Now it was just him and an empty carriage heading home.

His hand rested near his coat.

Minutes passed. The road stayed empty.

Just silence and wheels turning.

Nothing. No one’s following.

Alaric’s jaw loosened slightly.

The Queen is just... letting me leave? No tail? No surveillance?

Either she trusted him more than made sense. Or—

She doesn’t need to follow. She can probably track me whenever she wants.

That thought was less comforting.

But still there was no immediate threats. No ambush waiting.

Then the manor’s outline appeared ahead.

The carriage slowed. Approached the entrance.

Alaric straightened. Adjusted his mask one final time before removing it completely and tucked it into his coat.

The gates opened and the carriage stopped inside.

Alaric opened the door himself. Stepped down onto familiar ground.

One week... That’s all the break was granted by academy.

And I dismantled a Count’s network. Made a deal with the Queen. Added seeds of doubts between him and his allies.

He smiled waving his hand through his hair.

All in seven days.

Then he looked up at the manor. Dark windows. Most of the household was already asleep.

Tomorrow I go back to the academy.

He moved toward the main entrance.

The doors opened before he reached them. Guards stationed inside straightening.

"Young master. Welcome back."

They bowed. Respectful. Professional.

Alaric nodded. Stepped through into the entrance hall.

A few servants were still moving who had their night shift.

Most had already finished their duties.

They bowed as he passed.

Alaric moved through familiar corridors, toward his room.

The manor was quiet except for his footsteps.

Just as he passed the balcony entrance—

"Stop!"

A firm command cracked through the silence.

Alaric halted. Froze mid-step.

He turned his head slowly and saw Selene stood there.

Her backlit by moonlight streaming through the balcony windows.

Arms crossed, dark hair loose around her shoulders, she’d clearly preparing for bed but hadn’t gotten there yet.

Still dressed in her evening gown. Deep green. The one that made her eyes more vivid.

And those eyes were glaring at him.

Not the composed, controlled expression she usually wore. This was raw. Annoyed. Maybe even angry.

Before he could mutter any word—

"Where were you?"

She started moving toward him. Her bare feet silent against the floor.

Alaric spoke. "I just had some work."

"Work." She repeated. Flat. Disbelieving.

She kept coming closer. Each step deliberate.

"Where were you?"

"I said—"

"What work keeps you out until this hour?" Her voice rose slightly. Not quite yelling but close. "It’s past midnight, Alaric. The entire household is asleep."

Another step closer.

"What were you doing?"

"Things that needed to happen at night..."

She was right in front of him now. Face to face. Close enough he could see the exact shade of green in her eyes. The flush of color on her cheeks from anger or worry or both.

Alaric raised a brow. Kept his expression neutral despite the proximity. "I just said. Some work."

"What work?" She demanded again. More insistent this time.

Then she paused. .

Sniff!

Her eyes went wider as she took a sniff form him.

"Why is there..." She leaned in slightly. Sniffed again. More deliberately. "Why is there women’s perfume on you?"

Oh. Fuck.

Alaric blinked.

Vivienne. Delphine. Half a dozen women I danced with or talked to at the gathering.

Of course there’s perfume.

His mouth opened. Trying to form words. But—

Selene’s hand shot out and grabbed his arm with surprising strength.

"Come with me."

She turned. Started walking. Pulling him along like a misbehaving child.

"Aunt—"

"Don’t ’Aunt’ me right now." Her voice came sharp.

She tugged harder when he tried to slow down. Practically dragging him through the corridor.

Toward her study. Then opened the door and pushed it open without releasing his arm.

Then she pulled him inside.

Slam!

The door shut behind them. Loud in the quiet manor.

She finally released him. Moved to stand between him and the exit. Arms crossing again. That glare returning with full force.

"Now." Her voice carried that dangerous calm.

"You’re going to tell me exactly where you were. Who you were with. And why you smell like a brothel."

"I don’t smell like a—"

"Alaric. The truth. Now."

The lamplight caught her features. Made her look both beautiful and terrifying.

Alaric looked at her and sighed.

"I was having business meetings. With some guests."

"Business meetings." She repeated. Flat. Skeptical.

"Yes. Some were female." He gestured vaguely.

"The market’s unstable right now. So ee had to talk and ngotiate. For longer periods than usual because everything’s complicated."

"If you were just talking!" Selene’s eyes narrowed. "Then why do you smell like them? Why is their perfume all over you?"

"Some perfumes are stronger than others." His voice stayed even. Reasonable. "Close conversations in crowded spaces. It transfers."

She hissed through her teeth. Disbelieving.

Alaric tilted his head. Let a small smile curve his lips. "Are you jealous?"

Then her hand shot out. Grabbed his ear. Yanked.

"Ow! What the—"

"What the hell are you babbling about?" Her voice rose.

Face flushing with anger or embarrassment or both. "Why would I be jealous of you? Why?"

"Because you’re acting like one!" Alaric hissed. Grabbed her wrist. Tried to pry her fingers away from his abused ear.

She twisted harder. "I’m being responsible! Making sure you remain pure!"

"Oh really?" He finally got her to release his ear. Smirked despite the pain. "That’s what this is?"

She yanked her hand free from his grip. "What the hell are you thinking?"

But her blush was deepening. Spreading down her neck. Betraying her words.

"You’re engaged to a Duke’s daughter!" She stepped back. Put space between them. "You should remain pure. That’s what noble engagements demand. And I am being... I’m just being responsible about it!"

The words came out too fast. Too defensive.

Alaric’s smirk widened. "Yeah. I believe you."

His tone made it clear he absolutely did not believe her.

"I’m serious!" She crossed her arms again. "This isn’t about... it’s just proper... you need to."

He stepped closer. Cut off her stammering with proximity.

"Sure, Aunt." His voice dropped lower. More intimate. "Whatever you say."

"Don’t... don’t use that tone with me—"

He stepped closer again. Right into her personal space.

"Alaric, I’m warning you—"

His hands came up. Cupped her face before she could pull away.

"What are you—"

He leaned in. Pressed his lips against hers.

In a quick and brief peck.

Selene went completely still. Her eyes wide as saucers.

Then—

"Mmmph!"

She pulled back. Stumbled. Her hands coming up to her lips.

"Y-You..."

Her face had turned crimson.

"You can’t just—" She was squealing now. "That’s not... you’re engaged!"

She kept backing up. Hit the desk. Nearly knocked over the lamp.

"Alaric!"

But despite the outrage in her voice, she was blushing so hard she could barely form coherent sentences.

Her fingers touched her lips.

Alaric just stood there. Smiling. Satisfied.

"Good night, Aunt Selene."

His tone was innocent. Pleasant. Like he hadn’t just completely short-circuited her brain.

Then he turned. Walked toward the door.

"Wait, you can’t just, come back here!"

But he was already opening the door. Stepping through.

"ALARIC!"

But he didn’t stop. Just kept walking. That smile never leaving his face.

Behind him, in the study, Selene stood there.

Face burning. Heart racing. Hand still pressed against her lips.

"That.. that boy—"

Her voice came out too breathless.

----

Tap! Tap! Tap!

The sound of footsteps echoed as Alaric made his way to his room.

And shut the door behind him.

Sigh!

He let out a heavy exhale. And scratched his head.

What an interesting day.

Then he moved to his bed and dropped on his back.

And began racing his mind.

The alliance with queen... I can level up my system quickly. Just need some minor things to be done and, boom!

He just stared at the ceiling for a moment and then gave a mental command.

Status.

[STATUS]

Name: Brandon ___ (Past Life: Alaric Noir)

Race: ____

Age: _____

Bloodline: _____ (Partially Awakened)

Title: Slave, Model Servant, Prince of Blackthorn, (The Fallen King)

Essence Path: The Path of #$#&##@##

Sub-Path: Flame, Lightning

Rank: C

EXP: 11,200/15,000

Stats:

STR: 145 (Max)

AGI: 145 (Max)

END: 145 (Max)

WIL: 145 (Max)

CHA: 272

INT: 145 (??) (Max)

Free Stat Points: 283

DP: 26,700

Skill Tree:

Intermediate Lightning Spells (D): Lightning Bolt, Static Shock, Spark, Jolt Step, Static Field

Intermediate Fire Spell (B): Fireball, Flame Arrow, Burst Step

Scorchblade Arts (S): 1st Form – Flame Blade, 2nd Form – Flame Slash, 3rd Form – Blazing Mirage

Dominion’s Gaze (A)

Regnant Strike (B)

Obedience Chains (A)

Gluttony (S)

Subjects (S)

Scanner

Shop: Advanced Tier Items

Captivated: 1

Subjugated targets: 1/3

DP Exchange: Available

Fuse: (Usage: Once a day)

System Level: 4

Next Upgrade: 100,000 DP

??? (System Level 5 required)

------------------

Chapter End.

{A/N}

Sorry guys there will be only one Chapter today.

As I’m not at home and can’t write more.

That’s it for now. Bye bye.

Thanks for reading.