The emperor's update didn't come as a surprise to Alaric. He knows that an incident of this scale isn't going to be simple to investigate. It was likely an intricate plan, one that took months to put together. Alaric doubts that they were sloppy enough to leave behind a paper trail or evidence of communication between those involved.
As he thinks about it, a feeling that Alaric hasn't felt in decades starts to bloom in his chest.
Rage.
A desire for revenge.
It simmers in him, beneath the worry he feels as he watches Lenore. As he makes sure that she's still breathing. As much as he wants answers—to dig into the case himself and uncover who dared to hurt his wife—he knows that his place right now is at Lenore's side.
