The past five days have been hell. The heavy feeling that's been weighing him down since last night disappears at the sight of her. Cast against the warm glow of a pink sunset, he sees her lush curly silver hair dancing in the wind. Her radiant dark skin glowing brilliantly as though she were the embodiment of Selene herself. His throat becomes dry as he watches her slowly turn around, her shy amethyst eyes meeting his for the first time in days. He suddenly feels the need to engrave this moment in his heart. She's so lovely, getting so choked up by her own nerves that she starts coughing. This makes him frown in concern, ready to step in but she surprises him, rushing into his unsuspecting arms on her own accord.
The warm feeling of holding her slender waist close makes him forget the unpleasant presence of everything else. He feels his defenses weaken at the sound of her anxious heartbeat, is she excited to see him again? did she miss him as much as he missed her? The first few days, he told himself he wouldn't notice a difference with her absence. He'd been avoiding her for most of their relationship, there's nothing to miss, but those were all lies. When Anya ran away and he'd been confronted with the atrocities committed by his father, the first person he thought of was her. In the past several weeks while his entire life turned upside down only her affection for him remains unchanged.
She's only willing to accept a divorce to please him, that's how much she cares for him. In hindsight maybe he should cherish her shameless yet honest pursuit for his heart. Since the revelation of what the rose of unending woes does, he can't even bring himself to stay mad at the last conversation they had. Her sharp words that day were because of the curse, he knows the current Ariellia isn't malicious by nature. For all her flaws and his harsh criticism, other than kidnapping Ayna, Arie has never gone overboard. He pets her soft hair with great care, treating her like a safe harbor after the turbulent storm of the past few days.
"Rei?" She's puzzled by his silence, peeking at him through her long silver lashes with innocent curiosity.
"Ssh, you must be tired from your journey. Let's go inside, I'll have them draw up a bath so you can freshen up." He doesn't give her room to protest, just slips his hand beneath her knees and lifts her up in a princess-carry. She exclaims in shock, clearly wanting to argue but inevitably deciding to keep the peace. She shrinks into his arms instead, hiding her heated face in his broad chest. The familiar sight makes him chuckle as he deftly carries her into the castle without sparing a second thought to anyone else.
"Are you just going to ignore me, get back here you-!" A certain loudmouth elf is quickly muffled by his guild members. Neilos might be unable to read the room, but his guild members aren't blind, clearly this is a heartwarming reunion between husband and wife. They dare not interfere if they don't want to be skinned alive by everyone present. The unfamiliar green-haired dark elf and his group are long forgotten.
She must have been really tired, by the time Rei got to their bedroom Arie was already asleep in his arms. Yearning had clouded his eyes, making him miss her disheveled state outside. Now he sees the dark circles beneath her eyes and the stains on her riding clothes, he can't help but feel distressed. The city's safety is of upmost importance for the duchy, it's understandable for the duke to rush back to defend against the monster march but selfishly he wishes Arie didn't return with him.
A monster march isn't a joke. He's worried she might try to participate in the duchy's defense. She only started learning magic seriously recently, it's too soon for her to take on something like this. Monster marches are dangerous even for seasoned combatants like the duke and his knights. In the crazed mix of monsters there's no telling what level of monster will appear. If she tries to participate, he must try to dissuade her. The thought of her being in danger puts him in a sense of crisis.
Without a bath he can't place her on the bed yet, so he lays her down on the plush couch in their room instead. She mumbles a bit in her sleep, curling into herself and leans towards his warmth like a lost kitten. The sight brings a smile to his stoic face, subconsciously drawing him in as he watches her chest steadily rise and fall. Her long curly silver locks of hair splay out on the plush couch cushions like a moon blossom, painting a breath-taking picture. He must admit that he's been lying to himself about a lot of things. Ariellia is gorgeous, he can't keep denying it otherwise someone like the brash wild man from before might try to steal her from his foolish hands.
The thought of her being with another man after their divorce makes his stomach roll uncomfortably. Shifting to better adjust her position, he catches a stray lock of hair lying across her face, tickling her sensitive nose. He tucks it behind her long pointy ear, caught unprepared when she moves, turning and almost rolling off the couch if he weren't there to stop her. She must have felt his presence, mumbling something like she's talking to someone in her dreams.
"Get over yourself Wa'lay. I said I'll get the documents to you by Friday, stop pestering me or I'll quit."
?
Rei frowns, he can't seem to understand what she means. He knows no one of their age group by the named Wa'lay. Could it be someone from Draghdom? Impossible, she'd only been there for a day and already someone else is digging in his garden again! Come to think of it, the green-haired elf mentioned something about a promise to marry as children.
"Silly girl, just how many men do you intend to seduce before you're satisfied."
"…" she turns over again, pouting her lips as though professing her innocence in her sleep.
"…fine, you win. I might have really fallen for your charm."
He only intended to whisper his submission into her ear, he never expected her to turn at that moment. Soft lips press lightly against his, creating a new sensation he's never felt before. Rei's so shocked he can hardly move, rooted to that very spot on his knees. A raging inferno blazing in his chest, spreading to their locked lips. It's at this moment he knows he's done for, never to be saved from her careless snare. He completely lost to her.