The ceremony was finally over, and it felt like it went okay, even if things were a bit tense. Asimi carried Alaric out of the big Hall with her head held high, acting like she didn't even care about what Prince Julios had said. All the nobles in their fancy clothes and sparkly jewelry bowed as she went past, and the regular people behind the gold rails were whispering, trying to see the new baby one last time.
But the palace wasn't going to forget what happened, and Asimi definitely wasn't forgiving anyone.
The hallway was huge, lined with big marble pillars that had sun and moon shapes carved into them. The floor had a long blue rug that made their footsteps quiet, and it had silver threads that looked like stars. Asimi's helpers followed right behind. A nurse, some ladies who were smiling a bit too much, and three guards who kept looking around like they expected an attack.
Alaric was wrapped up in soft cloth that smelled like lavender. He could feel his mom's heart beating pretty fast against him, even though she looked calm. She held him really tight, like she was afraid someone was going to try and grab him.
A group of nobles was waiting at the corner, acting like they were just hanging out. "Congratulations, Empress-Consort," one lady said with a fake-looking smile. Her hair was up in a big knot with moonstones. "He sure is... striking." Asimi didn't stop. "Thank you, Lady Veyra." "The people will love him," another woman whispered, looking at Alaric like he was a prize. "He's so unusual with that hair." Asimi just kept walking. "Unusual isn't always safe," she said back, and her voice sounded sharp.
Once they got away from them, one of the ladies-in-waiting whispered, "They're like vultures, already circling him." "Let them," Asimi said. "Vultures are easy enough to shoot."
They finally got to the nursery wing. It was warmer there and smelled like milk and clean blankets. The walls had pictures of the goddesses on them, making it look friendly, but Alaric knew better. The doors were big oak and bronze, and guards were standing right there.
Inside, the room was massive. There was a fire going in the hearth and the ceiling was painted with gold stars. A mobile with silver moons and gold suns was spinning over the cradle. A young maid with blonde hair and amber eyes was busy moving stuff around.
"Gina Othel," Asimi said, and the girl stopped and bowed fast. "You're in charge here now. Make sure there aren't any 'accidents.'" Gina looked up and nodded. "Yes, Empress-Consort."
Asimi put Alaric in the cradle very carefully. She looked like she didn't want to let go. Then she looked at the other servants. "Everyone out. Now." The nurse looked confused, but they all scrambled out when Asimi gave them a look. Only Gina stayed.
Asimi went over to the fire. "They already started," she muttered. "Everyone heard what the Crown Prince said," Gina replied, standing by the cradle. "They're going to keep talking." Asimi looked at the girl. "My son isn't going to be prey." "Then we'll make this room a trap," Gina said. She didn't sound like a regular maid; she sounded tough.
Asimi pulled a little glass bottle out of her dress. It was the water from the blessing earlier. "The priests said this was holy water, but..." She gave it to Gina. Gina didn't drink it—she dipped a silver pin in it and held it over the fire. The pin turned dark and started to smell really bitter and gross. "Poison," Asimi whispered, and she looked like she wanted to scream. "Not enough to kill him," Gina said quietly. "Just enough to make him a sickly baby so people think he's weak."
Asimi poured the whole bottle into the fire. It hissed and turned blue for a second. Then, Asimi started to sing a soft, pretty song. It wasn't just a lullaby; Alaric could feel the magic in it. It made the whole room feel heavy and safe, like a big warm blanket.
"No one speaks of this," Asimi told Gina. "I won't tell a soul," Gina promised.
Asimi kissed Alaric's forehead one last time. "Sleep, my little star," she said. "Outshine them all." Then she left, and the heavy door shut.
Gina didn't go to sleep. She sat in a chair by the fire and just watched the room. Alaric was tired, but he couldn't stop thinking. Poison in the water? People trying to hurt a baby? This place was crazy.
Then, that glowing box appeared again in front of his face.
[System: Initializing...]
It looked like a video game screen. Alaric—or James, really—stared at the words.
[Host: Alaric Voss Ecthellion] [STR: 22] [DEX: 16] [CON: 16] [INT: 12] [WIS: 20] [CHA: 10]
Alaric almost wanted to laugh. Twenty-two Strength? He was a baby! He could probably bench-press his own cradle if he could just get his arms to move right. It was a min-maxer's dream.
The screen flickered and showed two "Hidden Gifts" that weren't ready yet. Then it disappeared as soon as Gina looked his way. Alaric laid there, looking at the gold stars on the ceiling. He was small and stuck in a cradle, and people were already trying to poison him.
But he had his stats now. And he wasn't going to be a victim forever.