Inside a spacious bedchamber, a young man could be seen sleeping on the bed. His eyebrows were furrowed as if he was experiencing a nightmare.

    Suddenly, his eyes sprung open and he abruptly sat up straight.

    Looking around, he was confused and disoriented.

    He clutched his head and organized his messy thoughts.

    I thought I died after getting shot by an arrow. How did I survive?

    Alaric could still vividly remember the last scenes before his death. The comrades who died for him, the enemies he had slaughtered, and the arrow that ultimately killed him... He remembered it all.

    While he was recalling the scenes of that battle, a series of knocks on the door pulled him from his thoughts.

    "Come in."

    Alaric was surprised by the young voice that came out of his mouth.

    A young maidservant pushed open the door. She bowed to him the moment she stepped inside the room.

    "My lord, it''s almost time for breakfast."

    When he saw the familiar yet unfamiliar face, Alaric was shocked, disbelief written all over his face.

    "Nana?"

    His voice trembled as emotions welled up in his heart.

    The young maidservant was embarrassed when she heard this endearing nickname.

    Just as she was about to say something, she saw Alaric slowly approaching her, his eyes filled with a mixture of joy and guilt.

    "I-is... it really you? You''re alive..."

    Alaric''s voice choked as he stared at the young girl.

    She was Elena. She has been with him since her parents sold her to his family. She was only six years old at that time, while he was ten.

    At first, he didn''t like being around with her. He felt that she was a nuisance, but Elena''s sincere and innocent heart moved him.

    He didn''t treat her like a servant. He cared for her like she was his real sister.

    However, something tragic happened. This innocent young girl later committed suicide after being repeatedly abused by his uncle. She was only seventeen when she died. He only found out the true reason for her suicide a few years later when his uncle, with a slip of his tongue, accidentally mentioned it in his drunken stupor.

    Looking at Elena''s childish face, Alaric took her in his arms and embraced her tightly.

    When he felt the warmth of her body, he could no longer hold back his emotions as tears slid down his cheeks.

    "M-My lord?"

    Elena raised her head in surprise when she felt him trembling. And when she saw that he was crying, she was flustered.

    "W-Why are you crying, my lord?"

    Hearing her worried voice, Alaric smiled as he gently stroked the back of her head.

    "I''m just happy to see you again. I missed you so much, Nana..."

    He could still remember the days when he cried every time he visited her tomb.

    The remorse and the regret from his past life made him even more emotional.

    Elena was embarrassed and shyly lowered her head.

    "S-Stop saying such embarrassing things, my lord. And please don''t call me Nana in front of other people."

    Looking at her pouting her lips and hearing her shy voice, Alaric felt the warmth that he had been seeking for a long time.

    Alaric held back his emotions and took a seat beside his father.

    "Why are you still in your nightwear?"

    Maria asked with concern as she stared at her son''s face.

    Lucas didn''t say anything, but it looked like he also wanted to hear Alaric''s explanation.

    "About that... I woke up late..." Alaric found a random excuse.

    "You should sleep early tonight. It won''t be good for your body if you always sleep late." His mother reminded him.

    "Yes, mother." Alaric smiled as he nodded his head.

    At the corner of his eyes, he noticed Elena sticking her head out by the door, peeking at him while making a funny face.

    Alaric beckoned to her. "Nana, come and sit beside me!"

    Elena was so shocked by his words that she immediately hid herself.

    Seeing this, Alaric chuckled and shook his head in amusement. "Dad, Mom, I''d like to invite Elena to dine with us."

    Lucas and Maria were already aware of the close relationship between Alaric and his young maidservant. In truth, they were already planning to make her his concubine as soon as she reached a marriageable age.

    "Alright. She can join us to eat."

    Lucas nodded. He then made a hand signal to the old butler who was standing behind him.

    "Elena, come in and sit with us," Maria called out gently, while the old butler quietly grabbed a chair for Elena.

    The young maidservant who was hiding outside jolted when she heard this.

    Oh my god!

    She was screaming nervously in her heart.

    She never thought that Alaric would actually boldly ask the baron and the madam to let her join them for breakfast.

    Left with no choice, Elena nervously entered the dining hall. She bowed at Lucas and Maria, her eyes shifted with anxiety.

    Meanwhile, the old butler placed a chair next to Alaric and returned to his spot behind the baron.

    "Come here, Nana!" Alaric patted the empty seat next to him. He even pulled it closer to him.

    Elena blushed in embarrassment when she heard him calling her with that nickname.

    Grr!! I told him not to call me that in front of others!

    She timidly lowered her head and walked towards the empty seat.

    After sitting down, she didn''t even dare lift her head.

    It was the first she had sat with them at the dinner table so she couldn''t help but feel uneasy.

    "Relax. We are just going to eat."

    She felt Alaric''s warm hand patting her head.

    "Stop teasing her. You are only making her uncomfortable." Maria gave him a look of reproach.

    "I-I''m fine, madam. Lord Alaric isn''t making me uncomfortable. I''m just a little bit nervous." Elena spoke in his defense.

    Alaric smugly smiled at his mother.

    Watching them bicker, the baron''s lips curved upwards.

    A while later, the servants came in to bring their food.