The morning sun shimmered on the rooftops of Vareth as the small house stirred with an unusual liveliness. The twins were darting around, stuffing blankets and wooden cups into a basket, while Rin folded food containers with methodical, practiced hands.
Alaric watched from the doorway, arms crossed, trying not to look too pleased each time Rin handed him something to carry.
"You're grinning," Rin muttered without looking up.
"I am simply breathing," Alaric replied.
"Well, breathe quieter."
Rin's aunt peeked in from outside, curious about the commotion. Rin turned, expression softening.
"We're heading out for a picnic near the stream. You should join us, Aunt."
She lifted an eyebrow and waved her hand dismissively. "No, no. I won't interfere. You all go enjoy yourselves." Then sheleaned in and whispered, "Especially if someone is trying very hard to impress you."
Rin's ears warmed instantly. "Aunt. Stop."
She laughed and shooed him away. "Go. Enjoy the day. Young people like you shouldn't overwork."
With the picnic basket in hand, Rin returned to see Alaric helping the twins fold the blanket—except they weren't folding anything. They were wrestling in it.
"Your Highness," Rin sighed, "you're encouraging chaos."
"I call it morale-building," Alaric replied with a straight face.
Rin clicked his tongue. "You look far too proud of yourself."
"Maybe I am."
Rin ignored the flutter in his chest and started walking. The twins led the way, Alaric followed beside Rin, and the sun broke through the trees warmly as they headed toward the stream not far from the wooden house.
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The spot they chose wasn't far from the wooden house—a gentle stream cutting through smooth rocks, sun sparkling on the surface. Birds chirped overhead. The twins threw off their shoes to splash in the shallow water while Rin laid out the blanket.
Alaric watched them with a softness Rin refused to acknowledge.
They ate peacefully. Rin nagged the twins about chewing properly; Alaric teased Rin for fussing; the twins declared that the food tasted better because Mister Al helped. Rin refused to admit it, though he silently agreed.
It was almost perfect—
Until someone called from behind them.
"Master Rion!"
Rin's shoulders stiffened. The twins turned first, excitement flashing across their faces.
"Thomas!"
They ran and hugged him tightly—too tightly for Alaric's liking. A small flare of irritation prickled in his chest, though he kept his expression neutral.
Thomas laughed, ruffling their hair. "I was disappointed the shop was closed again," Thomas said to Rin. "Thought I'd missed my chance to see you today." Then he added, a little too casually, "Good thing I ran into you here."
Alaric shifted closer to Rin almost instinctively.
Thomas cleared his throat. "Ah, right. I should introduce her. This is Elise—my distant relative."
The woman stepped forward, eyes bright and eager.
"I'm Elise," she said with a bright smile. "A distant relative of Thomas. I've heard so much about you, Master Rin. I'm very interested in herbal medicine and… if you would allow it, I was hoping to become your apprentice."
Rin blinked, startled. "You flatter me. My skills are not that amazing. And I have no plans to take an apprentice."
"Oh." Elise's disappointment was visible, but she recovered quickly, gaze shifting toward the twins. "They're your children? They're adorable."
"Yes," Rin replied simply.
Her smile widened—then she looked toward Alaric.
"And is that your husband?"
Rin coughed on air. Alaric froze. The twins' eyes sparkled like stars.
"No," Rin snapped. "He's just an acquaintance."
Thomas suddenly looked relieved. Too relieved.
"Yes," Thomas added awkwardly. "They're just… acquaintances."
Elise nodded, but her gaze lingered too long on Alaric's eyes—eyes that were brown now, thanks to the medicine Rin secretly applied last night. Riven's were the same.
Suspicious.
Elise curtsied again. "Well, I hope we'll meet again, Master Rin."
Thomas said his farewells, dragging Elise gently by the wrist.
But before they could take more than three steps, Alaric's voice cut sharply through the air.
"Wait."
Elise stiffened.
Alaric approached her slowly, eyes narrowed—not threatening, but assessing.
"Just a question," he said softly. "Why did you call him Master Rin?"
Elise's face paled.
"I—I just misheard it! Thomas mentioned his name and I thought it was Rin, not Rion—my mistake!"
Her words tumbled out too quickly. Too rehearsed.
Rin's fingers curled against the blanket. Alaric's gaze sharpened even more.
"I see," Alaric murmured.
Thomas looked between them in confusion, not understanding the weight behind the simple exchange. Elise bowed again and rushed off, practically pulling Thomas away with her.
Silence lingered after they left.
The twins were too distracted with throwing pebbles to notice.
Alaric leaned closer and whispered, "Be careful."
Rin didn't look at him, eyes fixed on the water, jaw tight.
"I know."
Because both of them felt it—
There was something wrong with Elise.
Something too deliberate in her slip.
And the way she looked at Alaric… at the twins… at Rin's eyes…
None of it was accidental.
The peaceful picnic no longer felt peaceful.
And Rin could sense, deep in his bones, that this was only the beginning of whatever danger Elise carried with her name.
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