Alaric's early years were defined by routine: lessons with tutors, play with siblings, and observation of his parents' duties. He learned to ride on wooden horses before he could walk confidently, to read from illuminated manuscripts, and to speak to servants and nobles alike with respect and authority.
The family dinners were lessons in etiquette, conversation, and strategy. Seraphine and Liora guided him with patience, correcting missteps in speech and table manners. The younger siblings followed, learning from both example and gentle correction.
Yet, amidst lessons and duties, there was joy. Alaric discovered the simple pleasures of childhood: chasing after the chickens in the courtyard, hiding in the hayloft, reading by candlelight, and listening to the tales of distant lands told by traveling bards.
At night, when the household slept, Edric and Mariel shared quiet moments, speaking softly of the future, of duties, and of love. These moments, though private, shaped the children indirectly, reinforcing the family bonds that would define the Valemont legacy.