Days passed by. As the buds sprouted, the frigid winter quietly loosened its hold over Avaloria City, giving way to the tender warmth of spring.
The streets that shimmered with frost before now bloomed with colors. Soft petals fluttered as flowers and trees were given new life.
Lariette's days unfolded in a gentle rhythm, much like the changing season. Her mornings began with a cuddle from Ruediger before they had breakfast together.
While the Elsher family hadn't bothered Lariette, the same couldn't be said of the Alvords. But Ruediger had stopped caring about them.
Whenever Matthew and Vincent tried to play tricks, his men would quickly nip them at the buds[01].
Then, their lives settled into a comforting calm. What happened at the beginning of the year had long left their minds.
None of them wanted to dwell on the past, especially when it would chip into their happiness.
