Morning arrived in Ravenna without compromise. The sun rose as it always did, yet its light seemed reluctant to touch the castle walls, which were far more familiar with shadow than warmth. A thin mist lingered low across the courtyard, turning the landscape into an old painting that had not yet fully dried.
Alessandro Vittorio di Ravenna stood near the window of his chamber, gazing outward with an expression that remained, technically, cold. Yet upon closer inspection, there was a faint dullness in his eyes, like someone who had awakened far too early and was entirely unprepared to face the world. He despised the fact that his body felt heavy this morning, as though he had trained with a sword all night without rest, despite having done nothing so reckless.
Across the room, Elena Rosalinda della Fiorenza stood with perfect posture, her face refreshed as though the sun itself were an old ally. The morning light brushed gently against her hair, making her appear far more alive than she had the night before. If the evening had left her tired and easily hungry, then daylight seemed to repay that debt with generous interest.
---
Alessandro stepped away from the window, then halted abruptly. The world tilted for a fraction of a second, brief enough to ignore, long enough to offend his pride. He straightened his shoulders at once, refusing to acknowledge even the smallest weakness.
Elena noticed without saying a word. She did not rush toward him, nor did she ask with unnecessary alarm. She understood that for a noble of the North, there were things more painful than dizziness, one of them being noticed while experiencing it.
"Did you sleep well?" Elena asked gently, as though it were the most ordinary question in the world.
"As usual," Alessandro replied shortly.
Elena nodded and offered a small smile. She did not argue or press further. In her mind, she recorded a simple observation. He lied with remarkable elegance.
---
The elders' decision the previous night had resulted in Alessandro and Elena being strongly advised to remain within the castle grounds until further study could be conducted. A suggestion which, in practice, meant they were confined together under a level of discreet supervision that was anything but discreet.
They walked side by side toward the breakfast hall, maintaining a distance calculated with precision that was beginning to feel absurd. Servants bowed a little too deeply, other nobles suddenly found their cups endlessly fascinating, and whispers bloomed again like uninvited spring flowers.
Alessandro usually took comfort in such order. Today, even the sound of his own footsteps felt too loud.
"Lord Alessandro," Giuliano murmured, appearing exactly when he was least needed, "you look rather pale."
"I am always pale," Alessandro replied flatly.
"Not this pale," Giuliano grinned. "Usually you resemble a marble statue. Today you look like marble that desperately needs to sit."
---
They reached the long table filled with breakfast offerings. Warm bread, fresh fruit, soft cheeses, and brightly colored drinks were arranged with care. Elena regarded the food with calm interest, while Alessandro eyed it with an entirely unreasonable level of caution.
He reached for a cup of tea, then paused mid movement. His hand trembled slightly, barely noticeable, yet enough to make his brow crease. He set the cup back down as though nothing had happened.
Elena watched him again, this time more carefully. Daylight was clearly on her side, while Alessandro appeared like someone unfairly dragged out of his own domain. There was something deeply ironic about the heir of the North weakening beneath the sun, and Elena had to restrain the urge to smile too openly.
"Is Northern tea too bitter?" she asked lightly.
"No," Alessandro replied at once. "I simply do not require it yet."
Giuliano let out a soft scoff. "You are staring at that tea as though negotiating with it."
---
They sat down. At least Elena did so with grace. Alessandro lowered himself into his chair with extraordinary control, as though gravity were a personal adversary. Once seated, he felt the drowsiness return, impolite and uninvited.
Elena ate at a steady pace, her thoughts clear, her body light. She felt the strength of daylight flowing through her like a calm river, granting her focus and clarity that felt almost unfamiliar after the chaos of the previous day. In this state, she could think, plan, and most importantly, observe.
Alessandro spoke little. Normally, his silence carried authority. Today, it felt more like endurance.
"Would you care for some fruit?" Elena asked, sliding a small plate toward him with an effortless motion.
"I am not hungry," Alessandro answered automatically.
Elena nodded. "Very well."
Several minutes later, Alessandro realized he had already eaten a slice of apple without noticing. He paused mid chew, then continued with an expression entirely neutral.
Giuliano nearly choked on his bread.
---
After breakfast, they were instructed to take a walk through the castle gardens, a decision likely made by someone who believed fresh air to be a universal solution. Ravenna's gardens were vast and meticulously maintained, with tall trees casting long shadows that usually brought Alessandro comfort.
Today, sunlight filtered through the leaves, scattering warm reflections that felt draining rather than pleasant. Each step grew heavier than the last, and Alessandro began to resent the fact that Elena looked increasingly energized.
Elena walked half a step behind him, adjusting her pace without being asked. She did not take control, nor did she fall behind. The distance felt right.
"If you would like to rest," Elena said suddenly, "that bench appears quite sturdy."
"I am not tired," Alessandro replied immediately.
Elena smiled faintly. "I did not say that you were."
Alessandro paused, then continued walking. Five steps later, he turned toward the bench as though the decision had been his alone.
Giuliano clapped softly. "Progress."
---
Alessandro sat with a posture that was almost painfully rigid. His eyes closed for a fraction longer than a blink, and Elena noticed. She sat on the same bench, maintaining a respectful distance, then opened her small fan. She fanned herself and just slightly in Alessandro's direction, as though by coincidence.
The cool breeze helped, and Alessandro acknowledged it with quiet reluctance. He did not open his eyes or offer thanks, but his breathing grew steadier.
Elena glanced at him briefly, ensuring he did not feel diminished. She did not wish to care for him in a way that drew attention or wounded the pride of someone already unsettled.
"Northern weather can be rather challenging," Elena remarked lightly.
"I am not usually affected by weather," Alessandro replied quietly.
"Usually," Elena repeated gently.
---
The silence that followed was calm rather than awkward. Leaves rustled in the wind, birds sang without concern for politics or curses, and for the first time since the ritual, Alessandro felt he did not need to remain fully alert at every moment.
He opened his eyes and looked at Elena. There was calm in her expression, intelligence that did not overwhelm, and empathy that did not announce itself. Alessandro was unaccustomed to this kind of attention, attention that did not demand or judge.
"Thank you," he said at last, his voice low and sincere.
Elena turned to him, slightly surprised. "For what?"
"For not turning it into something larger than it needs to be," Alessandro replied.
Elena smiled, warm and genuine. "Some things are easier to endure when they are not magnified."
From a distance, Chiara observed them with bright eyes. "Oh," she murmured to Leonardo, "this is becoming interesting."
Leonardo nodded quietly. "This is called trust."
Giuliano grinned. "I call it sunlight conquering snow."
---
When they finally stood and resumed walking, Alessandro's steps remained heavy, but they no longer felt solitary. He allowed Elena to set the pace without comment, and Elena did so without appearing to lead.
Beneath the midday sun, a small balance began to form. It was not dramatic, nor widely noticed, but it was real enough to be felt by two people bound by something greater than their own will.
And for the first time, Alessandro Vittorio di Ravenna trusted someone, not because he had to, but because he wanted to.