Arie rolls about in bed, feeling so comfortable she doesn't want to wake up. She even burrows deeper into the warmth beside her. She reaches out, trying to draw it closer. Her hand makes contact with something firm, not squishy like her pillow. She frowns, wondering if the maids changed things in her room while she was gone. She opens her eyes to take a peek.
She's so shocked by what she sees she nearly jumps out of bed. She does a double take just to make sure she's in the right room. Could she have wandered into the wrong room last night because she'd been too tired? No, honestly, she doesn't even remember entering her room let alone wandering off into someone else's. If that's the case who can explain this? Why is Rei in her bed!
She's so confused all she does is stare at him in wonder. Somewhere along the line, she's mesmerized by his handsome features. It's one thing to see the hard efforts of the developers on a virtual screen. It's an entirely unique experience seeing the living, breathing complete package right in front of her. The fine line of his firm jaw, those high cheekbones, firm lips, and full shapely brows. It's like sleeping next to a marble statue created by one of the greats.
Her hands suddenly feel itchy, wanting to touch this piece of art for herself but when she's just about to poke the tip of his nose, those long eyelashes snap open revealing beautiful rubies. They stare at each other, crazy thoughts brewing in their heads at the same time before her fight or flight instincts kick into overdrive. Logical reasoning doesn't even kick in before she jumps out of bed and rushes out of the room like she's being chased by hellhounds.
Her reaction is so abrupt even Rei can't keep up. He watches her departing back in shock, his sleep-added brain only belatedly remembers she's only wearing a nightgown. This would be fine if it were a normal nightgown but lets not forget that Miranda threw all those gowns out. The ones left are meant to entice him. Arie only notices this problem when she's halfway down the hall and all the guards keep shyly turning away. It's only then she realizes she's only wearing a sexy neck plunging thin red gauze nightgown.
It clearly goes down to her ankles, yet the way it indecently hugs her curves while leaving nothing to the imagination with the sheer material makes it the opposite of modest. She desperately wants to hide somewhere, but her options are too frightening for her liver to handle. Does she dare return to her room with the protagonist still lying in bed, or does she brazenly continue forward, possibly exposing herself further? She pauses to consider things, unable to move out of shame, but also unable to return due to embarrassment.
"Don't just stand there looking dazed. Someone might think I bullied you."
Speak of the devil and he doth appear. Rei silently shows up behind her with a large robe, draping it over her shaking shoulders, and hiding her enticing figure. She sheepishly lets him lead her back to their room in a daze. She's so confused she doesn't protest as he presses her to sit down on a plush chair. Her heart keeps beating like a drum in her ears, making it harder to focus on anything.
'What do I do?'
She never expected their relationship to get so intimate so quickly. In fact, she'd been looking forward to their divorce at the end of the month. What's with this sudden change in atmosphere between them? As someone who's been in relationships she can tell. Something had changed. Nothing changed on her end so it must be Rei. The Rei from two weeks ago wouldn't look at her so affectionately.
"Why are you suddenly so silent?" Rei is puzzled by her silence. The former Arie would already be trying to seduce him with her womanly charms by now.
The current 'Arie' dare to do such a thing. Her aim has always been to live amicably with the hero, gain levels with his aid, and then send him off with his true love. She's still internally negotiating with the real owner of this body. This is not the time to playhouse. She can't remember it clearly, but something happened in her past life that's keeping her from even considering getting into a relationship right now. Why did the plotline have to derail so fast! Is this even scientific?
"You know, I always used to think I would love it better if you were quiet at times. Now, I realize I was wrong. I don't like not knowing what you're thinking at all."
'I know, me too. I wish I knew what's going on in your head hero.' She blinks in confusion at the bizarre situation.
"I still want a divorce!" she blurts out in panic. There, she said it. What better way to nip this budding affection than to remind him of their agreement.
"So, you can be cruel as well." He helplessly whispers, looking down.
"…"
what's she to say, there's no way anything good can come of this. She's just a ghost inhabiting the body of another, unsure of her own fate. It's best they never travel down this path than to create lifelong regrets later. Rei wasn't meant to stay with her to begin with, his true partner is Ayna and the four other heroines of the game. She's just the third party that was supposed to act as a steppingstone, easily discarded once her role's done.
Knock, knock
"Who is it?"
"It's Sena, the duke has summoned you both for breakfast. I'm here to dress the lady."
"Oh, Sena please come in!" Arie pretends to look apologetic for the interruption, but Rei can tell she's secretly relieved. She's not as good at hiding things as she thinks.
"This discussion isn't over dear wife." He chuckles, takes her hand and gives it a kiss before leaving the room for the maids to complete their task.
"My lady I'll go draw up your bath for you."
"Yes, please be quick about it. I can't keep my father waiting." She absentmindedly replies with a sigh, watching as he closes the door behind him, their eyes meeting at the last second. She frowns, beginning to wonder what could have changed his mind after only five days. It can't be love, just a slight interest in her recent change of personality perhaps. Whatever it is she can't let it grow any further. What can she do to correct this deviation of affection?
Troubled, she stiffly walks towards the dining hall. Her cheeks still burn whenever she sees a guard, remembering how unsightly she appeared moments before while running from Rei. She's grateful for their professionalism, afraid she's added another embarrassing incident to Ariellia's dark history within the castle.
"Morning my little moonshine! I hope you slept well. The trip back from Draghdom was more tiring than I expected." The duke gets up the moment she enters the room, rushing over to give her a big hug.
"I'm alright father, I don't mind the rough trip. How did I get back to my room, I don't remember it myself."
"Of course not silly girl, I hear your husband was kind enough to carry you back." David carelessly laughs at her startled expression. In his heart he is pleased that though their marriage may have started out rocky, at least these two kids are finally getting along.
'No way, he carried me all the way to our bedroom! I was filthy and probably smelled like a horse, ah!'
Her face heats up again as she begins to think of all the implications. Who bathed and changed her before putting her to bed? She can only hope and pray it was Miranda otherwise she'd die right here and now, forget the monster march, this humiliation is enough. No wonder she woke up in Rei's arms, blushing, she avoids her husband's heated gaze.
"Oh, good morning Neilos. How was your rest?" She tries to change the subject, using the green-haired dark elf as a welcome escape.
He openly blushes at the attention. "I slept well my lady, the duke's castle has such impeccable service I found myself lacking nothing."
"All is well then, I am happy to know you and your party were able to settle in for the night. When will we begin countermeasures against the monster wave?" She takes her seat at the table across from Rei. She purposely keeps her attention on Neilos and his companions from the guild, doing her best to avoid a certain person's gaze.
"I will be holding a war council with the generals in the den after breakfast. You are free to join my dear." As a father, David is aware of the awkwardness between the young couple, but he chooses to respectfully stay out of it.
"Good, I look forward to it." She nods her head, putting all her attention to finishing breakfast.
"You don't have to worry your pretty little head about a thing Arie, with the top members of the Skybird's guild here, we're sure to win!"
"Arie? Since when did a preening bird like you get permission to call my wife's name so informally?"
!
What an insult, from the protagonist no less. Everyone can see Neilos' face go from blue to red, thoroughly embarrassed.
"I've been meaning to say this for a while now, but who are you to have the mouth to say such things! I am an honored guest, what are you? Just a pretty vase willing to lower yourself to being a live-in son-in-law to climb the social ladder. Why should I be ashamed when you aren't!"
'…actually, technically he's a prince so I'm the social climber ah!'
At this point no one could keep eating, the mood was thoroughly ruined. All eyes were focused on the two men. The clinking of a fork and knife on a plate became crystal clear in the oppressive silence. The duke did not look pleased, much to everyone's surprise he turned his glare towards Neilos instead of Rei.
"Is it now the place of an honored guest to insult members of my family?"
'Shit, daddy is pissed.'
Why can't breakfast just pass peacefully?