I could really give a good goddamn

He had tried to take a few hours to cool his head and that hadn't been enough. He took a couple more and that still didn't quite cut it. He had never experienced the kind of heartbreak and rage toward one individual like he had when he figured out what Aranea had done. He stalked around the whole perimeter of the pack several times hoping to walk it off and that did basically nothing to help him calm. If anything it just allowed him more time to think, more time to internalize his hurt. He went to the training fields and tore apart a few of the dummies and that did help some, but not enough to fully bring him back down to earth. It was inexcusable and heart wrenching and he could barely convince himself to even go back into the castle because he knew he'd have to face Aranea again.

Ulric had avoided pretty much everyone for most of the day, stewing in his own anger until it had settled into a deep, low ache. He had already made up his mind of what he had to do, though it still wasn't easy for him. Despite how furious he was, he was still too soft, too kind. It reminded him of when he had discovered the truth of how his sister had let her children die out of spite. He had lashed out at Philomena then, leaving them both scared, which was what he was trying to avoid, but at this point he had to do something. This had effected him too much and he refused to be drug back down just when things were beginning to turn around in his life.

With a heavy sigh he walked back into the castle, hesitating in the main entryway for a long moment before forcing himself down the hallway toward the infirmary. It was later in the day now, the sun nearly gone and darkness pulling at the sky. When he walked into the ward he saw Gwynevere lingering off to the side, sorting through some herbs, but Aranea was still where he had left her. He gave the healer a glance, nodding toward the door for her to leave. The Carpathius girl gave him a questioning glance, but complied and left him alone in the room with Aranea. He steeled his nerves and turned to face her, gritting his teeth as that anger he had been nursing started to flare again. There was a pause while he tried to sort out his emotions and failed. "Why?" he demanded, his tone cold and hard. He had blamed himself for most of their time together and the fallout that had created, but this he took no responsibility for. This was entirely on her shoulders and he needed to know why. It wouldn't change the outcome, but it was a question he needed answered for his own sake.

Ulric Adravendi