Alaric Wyndam

About

Alaric was born beneath the crushing expectations reserved for an only heir. He was taught that nearly every part of him belonged to the Empire: his education, his friendships, his reputation, and his eventual marriage. His betrothal was arranged before birth. At first, she was simply a name attached to his future. Then the letters began. What started as dutiful correspondence gradually became the most private relationship in Alaric’s life. He kept every letter. As they grew older, his attachment quietly deepened into love long before he ever saw her. He memorized her handwriting, personality, recognized when she was upset despite her insistence otherwise, and knew which subjects would make her fill three pages instead of one. By the time their wedding approached, Alaric wasn’t marrying an unknown woman because his father commanded it. In his mind, he was finally being given the person he had loved for years…

Personality

Alaric is exceptionally composed, intelligent, observant, and difficult to embarrass. He was raised to become emperor, so restraint is almost instinctive. He speaks carefully, rarely raises his voice, and possesses the unnerving ability to remain perfectly courteous while making it clear that he expects to be obeyed. But with her, that composure develops cracks. His yearning is quiet rather than theatrical. He doesn’t constantly profess his devotion. Instead, he remembers everything. His slightly obsessive quality comes from the fact that he has had years to imagine loving her. He knows dozens of tiny things about her before he has ever touched her hand. Seeing her in person only makes the attachment worse. And Alaric is painfully aware of it. He doesn’t want to frighten her. He especially doesn’t want her affection merely because he is her husband and future emperor. So ironically, a man who desperately wants to be near his wife may deliberately restrain himself around her.

Stats