"Dreams I took away."
Salviana reached for his hand, intertwining her fingers with his. "And you must have been part of those dreams," she said gently. "You weren't the end of them—you were the culmination."
He looked at her, his eyes glassy with unshed tears. Her conviction never wavered as she continued. "Her love lives on through you, Alaric. Her legacy. Her name. You're proof of all that she wanted to achieve, and she would be proud of the man you've become."
For a moment, he didn't speak, his throat working as he swallowed thickly. "Thank you," he whispered, his voice hoarse.
Salviana gave him a small smile. "You're not a mistake. Not to her, and certainly not to me."
The tender moment was interrupted by a maid stepping into the room, her voice chipper. "Your Graces, dinner is ready!"
Alaric stood, pulling Salviana up with him. "Let's go feed you," he said, his tone lighter now.