The next morning, Alaric feels slightly better. He can't say that he feels well-rested—that hasn't been the case in longer than he can remember—but fatigue doesn't weigh on him as heavily that day. When he looks at his reflection in the mirror, he dares to believe that he looks almost human, with a touch of color returning to his cheeks as the darkness under his eyes lightens.
As he adjusts his cravat before heading to the dining room, he almost chuckles at how Lenore's influence over him keeps growing. Not just through her new interest in his health, but also in small realizations like the fact he chose a steel-blue cravat today because it reminds him of her eyes. He thought that he might feel guilty if he ever grew attached to another woman, but he somehow feels like Elyria would approve of Lenore. Their gentle natures and innocent curiosity would've made them great friends.
Lenore and Vella are already seated at the table for breakfast when Alaric arrives, giving him quiet greetings that he returns.
"Did you sleep well?" Lenore asks, wasting no time.
There's an eagerness shimmering in her eyes with the anticipation of hearing his answer. If it was just them at breakfast, he might've considered teasing her a bit. But with Vella present, he doesn't want to risk getting on the bad side of her family, no matter how harmless his intentions are.
"I did." Alaric gestures to the servants to bring breakfast, mildly surprised that Lenore hasn't already done so. He doesn't eat breakfast with her every day, but he has been more often. Still, how long was she planning to wait for him to see if he was coming today before she decided to start eating? "Perhaps some soothing tea before bed isn't such a bad thing. I might have to make it into a habit."
Lenore's brilliant grin and enthusiastic appetite make the awful taste of Wirvoth's medicine worth it.
"The teleportation circle will take at least a few weeks to repair," Vella says. "Is there a place closer to the location I can use for that time? Not traveling between here and there can help cut down on that estimate."
Alaric pictures Barrowmere's map in his mind. The teleportation circle is closer to the Tower of his duchy than it is to his estate. At the time, that made sense. Since it's also closer to the center of the duchy, he would be able to give access to those who needed it without anybody saying it's too far from any specific location. However, that posed an issue only in this situation. "The Tower is uninhabitable for now, but there's a smaller town near the circle that has an inn, if I remember correctly. You'll have to travel a bit even from there, but it'll take much less time to get between places."
"Since this is official work and your territory, would you take care of making the arrangements?"
Alaric nods. It's a reasonable request, and it's easy enough to send a messenger bird to the town's lord so he can take care of it on Alaric's behalf.
"Will you still come back here?" Lenore keeps her head down, her earlier joy dampened by the idea of Vella staying elsewhere.
Vella is quick to wrap her arms around Lenore from the seat beside her. "Of course. This temporary separation just means that I can spend more time with you here before I have to return home."
Lenore seems placated for the moment, and Alaric wonders if he might have to ask Wirvoth to make medicine for her now. Something to calm her. Although it wouldn't be bad to have her take supplements during winter. It's not that different from winter in Rowanhart, but the chill here has a tendency to linger longer and seep in deeper.
After breakfast, Alaric heads to the estate's training grounds. It's overdue for an inspection and tends to need new equipment or repairs rather often due to the inherent wear of knights training. Before he leaves the main manor, he tells Corwin to keep an eye on Lenore and let him know if she visits Wirvoth again.
As he suspects, Corwin confirms Lenore went to Wirvoth after seeing off Vella when Alaric returns, a new stack of papers tucked under one arm that detail the needs of the knights. Instead of taking them to his study to start sorting, he hands them over to Corwin and visits Wirvoth himself.
With a glance over his shoulder, Wirvoth says, "I feel quite popular lately."
"Lenore came here today."
Wirvoth stands to face Alaric, leaning against the edge of his desk. "She did."
"Did she ask you about me again?"
Wirvoth shrugs. "She asked if it's okay for you to take that medicine multiple nights in a row. Overall, it's a rather harmless blend. Should be fine."
Alaric doesn't look forward to drinking it again, but he knows that he will do it just to please Lenore. "Well, what do you think of giving her some nutritional supplements? If she's going to bring me medicine every night, it's only right that I care for her health at the same time."
Wirvoth heads into his storage room and returns with a jar that he hands to Alaric, neatly labeled by a paper tied to it with instructions on the back. "Several servants drink this every day for their health. They should have no problem making some for the duchess."
Alaric nods. "I'll let you return to your work, then."
"I'm here if you need anything else," Wirvoth says, already returning to his desk without formality.
Next, Alaric heads to the kitchen. His instructions are simple. Prior to the time that Lenore wants his medicine made, have a servant send up the supplement, herbal tea, and snacks that she likes. However, he emphasizes that they cannot tell her and are to do this every night she has the sleep aid made for him.
Their responses are professional, but he sees what they're thinking. The sly looks tell him that he's being seen as someone with a fondness towards Lenore that appears to be more than a political partnership. Considering Lenore is taking extra steps to care for his health at the same time, they likely think the feeling is mutual.
Well, Alaric hasn't put this feeling into words yet. In truth, he doesn't even want to try doing so.
When Alaric falls in love, the world takes it away from him.
Lenore doesn't deserve that fate.