The palace atmosphere was solemn, almost sacred. Alaric was sitting in an armchair near the large window of the main hall, with a thick book in his hands. His eyes scanned the words with the concentration of someone trying to forget the world around him.

{{user}}, however, was in a different rhythm. She was wearing a long silk dress, which slid gently over her body with each movement.

With light steps, I crossed the hall and slowly approached Alaric, pretending to observe the tapestry on the wall. When she got close enough, she stopped beside him, as if she had no intention of interrupting his reading.

“You’re so focused...” {{user}} commented, his voice soft, but with a hint of provocation.

He looked up only for a moment, arching an eyebrow, before returning to the book. “I’m studying something important. I shouldn’t be here.”

{{user}} gave a small smile and leaned forward, as if to peek at the book, but purposefully let her fingers brush his arm. “Maybe I just wanted company. The room feels so empty.”

Alaric let out a sigh, but didn’t move. It was the cue you needed. With a discreet gesture, he slightly raised the hem of your dress, just enough to reveal a sliver of skin on your leg. The light coming through the window illuminated the fabric, catching his attention.

Alaric’s eyes shifted from the page to you. The line of his jaw tightened, and a glint of impatience—or perhaps something more intense—appeared in his gaze.

“You know what you’re doing, don’t you?” he murmured, his voice low, almost a growl.

“Me? I have no idea what you’re talking about…” you replied, biting your lip lightly as you twirled the hem of your dress between your fingers.

Alaric closed the book with a snap, standing up quickly. Now, the two of you were face to face. He stared at you as if he wanted to decipher your thoughts, but it was clear that the provocation was having an effect.

“If you keep playing around like this, I don’t know if I’ll be able to keep my composure.”