It appears she's been too naïve. She'd hoped she could simply cut ties with Rei and live an independent life on her own terms as a divorcee. She never factored in the fact that she might just be hopping out of the frying pan and into the fire. Her value as a duke's daughter doesn't decrease just because she was once married and divorced. Eligible bachelors such as Neilos are still waiting in the wings for their chance at her hand. Once remarried, she would still have to face the role of being a wife to another man. How horrifying!
"It seems we simply weren't fated for each other that way, I'm quite happy in my current marriage." She gives him a big pearly white smile.
'That's right, I'm happily married so don't get any funny ideas kid.' Internally Eren curses the young Neilos' for his persistence.
"I'm very curious of the man that managed to rob me of your hand in marriage. I intend to visit Rahnoff soon with my father. Perhaps I might get the chance to test his mettle with a duel when I come." There's a smirk on his boyish face. He's clearly daydreaming of winning her over by humiliating Rei in a duel. Ariellia is ready to dissuade him from such delusions when another elven male walks into the room. It's the mayor Takao, finally joining them now that the sun is going down. He's similar to his son with short braided green hair, but his eyes are dark brown unlike his son. It's likely Neilos got his pretty green eyes from his mother.
"Ah, who is this! Is that our little Arie? Look how much she's grown! Why, you're already a lady now." The rough man ignores all formalities and begins to praise her appearance with gusto, his loud voice easily fills the room. "I have always said I wish I had a daughter as beautiful as you to feel fulfilled in life. This brat over here only knows how to shoot arrows, not cute at all. Duke Garrod you are truly blessed by Selene indeed."
"Thank you mayor Takao for hosting us, I pray Selene continues to bless you with many prosperous nights." David goes up to shake hands with the old elf, looking much younger in comparison as he greets him with a traditional blessing of the region.
"Indeed, the Evernight lady has been good to me and mine. It is great to see you again duke, may you live long before entering the veil." Takao, a devout follower of Selene and the everlasting church, smiles broadly in appreciation. His sweet and soft demeanor does a swift 180 turn the moment he lays eyes on his rascally son. "What's this I hear of a duel boy? You barely reached level 20, yet you still have the galls to run your mouth before our guests."
"It is as the lady says, please forgive me. My prior comments were unnecessary." Confronted by his father, the green-eyed elf seems to get a hold of himself, establishing some proper social distance.
"So how is he, this new son-in-law of yours? Do you think he could take my son in a match? That might be fun to watch." Eren has no memory of Takao, but he appears to be a lively man that loves to be entertained.
David takes his eager words in good spirit with a grin of his own. "The boy's not half bad, I think you would be impressed. He's a fast learner, he might catch up to Neilos soon. My daughter has always had an eye for good things."
"Oh, I really look forward to meeting him then. This silly boy of mine may not look it, but he just got appointed as the new guild master for the Skybird's guild. It's one of the three large guilds in town." As expected, when two proud fathers begin to gossip the conversation always shifts to bragging about their children. "Don't listen to this little fool's grumblings, I would have attended the wedding if it weren't for the sudden market disruptions."
David frowns, his countenance becoming more somber. "What do you mean, is it serious?"
Takao sighs, pulling out a long smoke pipe. "It's not to that point yet but it's almost damn near it. My city is no stranger to foreign travelers looking to sell their wares, but lately the market seems to be flooded with unfamiliar faces. We've had a lot of people suddenly go missing. It's been giving me a headache just trying to keep the peace."
"Would you like assistance, I can send some of my best knights?"
Takao waves off the duke's offer. "I'm grateful for consideration but I think it's best not to alarm the citizens. If they see your knights enforcing strict checks on everyone the mood will change, the culprits might also flee before we can apprehend them. We won't be able to find the missing people if they run."
David nods, "I'll trust your judgement, but know you only need to say the word. My offer still stands."
"I think I've managed to stabilize the situation for now, worry not my Lord. All my years of governance aren't wasted, I hope to bring you good news soon."
Ariellia also frowns, she'd been hoping to hire extra help to deflect the monster wave but from the sound of it, that would be unlikely. This would explain why there was no aid for Rahnoff in the original game. With the duke gone on his regular tour of the fiefdom with his best knights, and Takao trying to stabilize his city, no one could have predicted an attack on Rahnoff at that level. Mayor Takao clearly needs his guards to monitor the city, weakening his forces to reinforce Rahnoff would jeopardize the search. Fretting on the inside, she can't help but look around helplessly. Her amethyst eyes just so happen to land on a certain green-haired youth still pouting off to the side.
'This might work.'
She can't borrow any of the official guards within the city but what of the guilds. Adventurers are free spirits, swords for hire, they spend most of their time in dungeons. The city's protection wouldn't suffer if she hires adventurers, and as fate would have it, there just happens to be a guild master sitting right across from her. Given his affection for Ariellia and his need to prove himself, if she asked to hire some of his members, there's a high possibility he'd agree. She just has to state her request in a way that won't alarm David. She still doesn't have enough evidence to prove the monster march will happen.
"You know, I've never had a chance to join a guild before. It would be great if I could experience what it's like to be an adventurer too." She purposely laments aloud for Neilos to hear. As expected, the young elf is quick to jump to her side.
"Of course my lady, I would be more than happy to show you around my guild. We could even party up and run a few instance dungeons together. I promise to protect you, not a single strand of hair on your lovely head will be harmed." He's laying it on thick but as expected, he is willing to entertain her.
"But father and I will be returning to Rahnoff soon, I fear there's not enough time." Please take the bait.
"Not a problem, why don't I and some of my best guild members follow you on the return trip. Together, we can tell you so many stories about our adventures. We can even form a hunting party once we arrive and hunt monsters together!"
"Really!" She purposely acts excited, baffling David while making it hard for him to refuse on her behalf. The duke's never been one to spoil Arie's fun, no matter how absurd the request may be.
"Of course, it's my pleasure Arie."
"I can't wait to tell Rei, I'm sure he'll be so surprised." She continues to feign ignorance of his true intentions, purposely mentioning her husband for good measure.
"I too look forward to meeting this 'Rei.' He must be a great man to have managed to snatch you right from under my nose."
'Why do I feel like I've just invited more trouble to my door?'
[Title: The Adulterous Wife is now active]
'…this dogshit title again!'