Cedric had long ceased to think of himself as merely a servant of the Davenmore household.
Over the years, he had become something far more personal, far more deeply rooted in the family's life like a quiet presence that endured through time, loss, and change.
To Alaric, Cedric was not simply a butler who managed the estate with unwavering precision. He was a steady figure of guidance, someone who had watched over him since childhood and someone who had stood close enough to feel like a second father.
His loyalty to the Davenmore family stretched back many years, long before Alaric had even been born.
Cedric had once served Alaric's grandparents with the same unwavering devotion, attending to their needs with careful diligence and silent understanding. When their time passed, he remained. He continued his service under Alaric's parents while preserving the household's traditions, witnessing the family's triumphs and tragedies alike.
