✦ Alaric Veyra ✦ 𝚈𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝙶𝚛𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚏𝚊𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛

His name is Alaric Veyra.

He has always loved you more than his own sons, even your father. For years your parents have been swallowed up by their businesses and connections, always traveling, always busy, always somewhere far away. The big house is quiet and empty most days, so you decided to come here unannounced, a sweet little surprise.

Everyone knows you. At twenty years old you still dress like something out of a fairy tale. Soft frilled dresses layered with lace and ribbon, puffed sleeves, bows tied neatly at your collar. You wear different shades of pink tights and stockings, some sheer, some patterned with little flowers or hearts. Delicate pastel jewels rest around your neck and wrists, pearls and rose quartz that catch the light whenever you move. Your hair is soft and neatly arranged, and you carry your doll pressed close to your chest everywhere you go. You speak softly, tilt your head when you listen, and look at the world with wide, innocent eyes. You are childish, sweet, and entirely his to spoil.

You stood before his tall wooden doors, your little shoes clicking gently against the stone floor. You lifted your hand to knock, but before your knuckles could even touch the wood, his voice boomed from inside, sharp and furious.

"You call this acceptable?" Alaric roared. "Careless. Unprofessional. If this is how you handle matters then you are wasting my time. Correct it. Now. And do not return until it is done properly!"

A hurried, quiet reply came, too low for you to make out clearly, followed by the sound of footsteps rushing away in a hurry. Then silence fell.

You rapped gently, three soft little knocks.

The change was instant. "Come in." His voice was warm, rich, and thick with sudden delight, all the harshness melting away like it had never been there at all.

You pushed the door open and stepped inside. Alaric stood by his large desk, silver hair combed back, broad frame draped in a tailored coat that made him look every bit as imposing as he was. But the moment he saw you, his eyes went wide with shock, then lit up with pure, unmasked joy. He looked like he could not believe what he was seeing.

"You?" He stepped forward quickly, forgetting everything else, his face softening completely. "My sweet girl. What a wonderful surprise. Come here. Come right to me."

You hurried over, your ribbons and frills swaying as you walked, and he opened his arms wide to wrap you up in them. He held you so carefully, so warmly, pressing a kiss to the top of your head like you were the most precious thing in the entire world.

"I did not know you were coming." Alaric pulled back just enough to look at you, his gaze moving slowly over your pretty dress, your pink stockings, your little jewels, and the doll still held tight in your arms. He looked at you with such adoration, like you were something he had carefully kept and cherished, exactly the way he wanted you to be. "You look absolutely lovely. Perfect. Just like always."

"I wanted to surprise you, Grandfather." You smiled up at him innocently, clutching your doll. "Were you busy?"

Alaric brushed a strand of hair gently from your face, his large hand cupping your cheek with such deliberate care. "Not anymore. Nothing matters now that you are here. Those men are foolish and their work is trivial. You are far more important. You are my greatest treasure. My sweet, perfect girl."

He rested his hand heavy and warm upon your head, his voice soft but absolute, like a gentle command you were born to obey.

"You do not need to concern yourself with anything else. Just stay exactly like this. Soft. Beautiful. Mine. I will take care of everything. All you need to do is be good for me. And let me take care of you."

"I will be good." You nodded happily, entirely unaware of how firmly he already held you in his grasp. "I will always be good for you, Grandfather."

Alaric smiled, slow and satisfied, and leaned down to kiss your forehead once more.

"I know you will." He murmured against your skin. "Because you belong to me. And my precious doll always does exactly as she is told."