It was 8.00p.m. and Aric, Seraphina, Evelyn and Penelope were in the dining hall of the Golden Griffin.
The atmosphere between them was tense yet oddly charged, as though an unspoken challenge lingered beneath every word exchanged.
For Aric, the situation felt suffocating. He shifted uncomfortably in his chair, acutely aware of Seraphina's gaze fixed on him like a hawk eyeing its prey.
"This is… nice." Aric offered weakly. His attempt at casual conversation fell flat, eliciting smirks from both Seraphina and Evelyn.
"Nice?" Seraphina lips curling into a sly grin,
"This isn't just 'nice.' This is survival training, for you. After all, you've been avoiding meals with us for two months straight."
Evelyn leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms over her chest,
"Indeed. One might assume you were trying to escape responsibility or perhaps our company entirely."
Aric sighed, "I wasn't escaping anything. I just didn't want to intrude. Besides, there's work to be done. Speaking of which—what should I focus on tomorrow and you are helping right?"
His abrupt change of topic drew raised eyebrows from both women.
He's dodging the questions. Both of them thought in sync.
Seraphina turned her attention to Penelope,
"Penelope." she began, "You wanted more than servitude. To be more than a toy. Well, here's your chance. Starting tomorrow, you'll oversee the distribution of food supplies across Ashwick. Coordinate with the townsfolk, ensure fairness, and report directly to me."
Penelope's eyes widened slightly, her face and tone filled with gratitude as she bowed deeply,
"Thank you, my lady! I won't disappoint you."
Evelyn nodded approvingly, "We'll delegate tasks accordingly. While Penelope handles logistics, I'll assist with organizing laborers and managing resources. As for you…"
She paused, leveling a pointed look at Aric. "…you remain the centerpiece of this operation. Without your Creation Magic, none of this would be possible."
Aric blinked in confusion, caught off guard by their sudden praise. "Huh? Wa-"
"Don't misunderstand it." Seraphina interrupted sharply,
"We're not letting you off the hook. If anything, we're reminding you why you're indispensable. Now stop squirming and eat your dinner."
As dinner was nearing its conclusion, Aric grew increasingly desperate to leave. So when dessert arrived, a decadent chocolate torte, he seized the opportunity to make his exit.
"Well, uh, thanks for dinner." he stammered awkwardly, rising from his seat.
"But I should probably get some rest. Big day tomorrow, after all."
As he was just about to take a step, a soft tendril wrapped lightly around his ankle. It wasn't painful, merely insistent as Seraphina tugged him back toward her with grace.
"And where do you think you're going, 'darling'?" her voice filled with saccharine.
"Surely you haven't forgotten our arrangement?"
Aric froze mid-stride, turning his head slowly to look at Seraphina,
"Ha ha ha… yeah, I totally didn't forget." he lied as he breathe.
Evelyn and Penelope exchanged glances, their expressions equally amused.
"Oh, don't worry." Evelyn chimed in smoothly.
"Penelope and I will retire to our quarters for the month. We only rented two rooms. One for us two and the other...''
"A month?!" Aric blurted out incredulously,
"What do you mean, a month?! Are you serious? It was supposed to be only a night no?"
Seraphina arched an eyebrow lazily,
"Dead serious, 'darling'. Consider it… quality time. After all, if you truly want to prove you're different from the old you, you'll need to start somewhere. And that somewhere happens to be with me."
Aric swallowed hard, realizing too late that running away was no longer an option.
A FUCKING MONTH!? ARE YOU CRAZY EVELYN!?
As they left the dining hall, the four of them stood momentarily in the dimly lit hallway outside their respective rooms. Evelyn and Penelope exchanged brief glances before bowing slightly toward Seraphina.
"Goodnight, Lady Seraphina." Evelyn said smoothly, "Goodnight Lord Vayne."
Penelope followed suit, her voice soft but tinged with gratitude.
"Thank you again, my lady… and you, Lord Vayne."
With that, both women disappeared into their quarters, locking the doors behind them. A click echoed down the corridor, leaving only Aric and Seraphina standing there.
Husband and wife bound by duty, hatred, and now, an inexplicable curiosity.
Ivy materialized onto the screen beside Aric in her sexy cheerleader outfit,
[Oh, Aric~] she teased,
[You're really going through with this? Alone in a room with that woman? Good luck keeping your dick down.]
I'm not interested in your commentary right now, Ivy. Aric sighed inwardly,
And I am not getting my dick hard or whatever.
[Sure, sure~] Ivy replied, winking playfully.
[But hey, don't you worry my little Aric. I'll log off soon. Wouldn't want to disturb any… ahem, night activities.]
Ivy, the woman hates me. We are not doing anything but just sleeping together.
[Alright, alright!] she chirped, raising her hands defensively.
[Logging off now. Have fun, Administrator!] With a final wink, she dissolved the screen, leaving Aric alone with his thoughts.
A single tendril snaked out from beneath her sleeve, curling around the doorknob before twisting it open. She stepped inside without a word, gesturing vaguely for Aric to follow. As soon as the door clicked shut behind them, the tendril locked the door an audible click.
CLICK
The room was bathed in warm candlelight, casting soft shadows across the furnishings. The scent of roses lingered faintly in the air, a reminder to Aric that Seraphina smelled like roses.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. Aric stood awkwardly near the door, acutely aware of every movement Seraphina made.
Why the hell am I so hyper-aware of her right now? he thought.
Is it just because we have to share a bed and I have to sleep with her? Hah! I let you know that this is nothing!
I was married you know! Even had two beautiful kids with my ex wife...well before they left and...
He sighed inwardly, Natasha did not look like a literal supermodel.
He risked a glance at her. The dress she wore was simple, modest even, but on her it looked really sexy. The silk hugged her in all the right ways, making her hips, body look...sinful.
And her face… her face is just unfair.
His mouth went dry.
God. he thought, If she had been a queen and I met her?
I would've apologise for breathing the same air as h-
He blinked, forcing his gaze away. No. Stop. Don't think like that. She literally abused you and degraded you. Humiliated you as well.
But then again… I am Vayne. It's not like it wasn't unjustified or anything.
He sighed internally, dragging a hand through his hair.
I'm not crazy for thinking she looks insanely hot right now… right? You know...the more I look at her...The more I don't get why am I so into her.
Maybe just physically... because emotionally I can't seem to click well.
I hope she doesn't kill me in my sleep or at least kill me after I tell I am not Vayne and I'm also a victim in this.
Aric kept looking at her as if ogling her the way Vayne would,
Despite being in her thirties, Seraphina looked no older than twenty-five. If someone told me she was 23, I'd believe it. No questions asked.
He clenched his jaw.
No. Stop thinking like that, Aric. You're just physically attracted to her, that's it. You weren't acting like this for two months, so lock the fuck in.
Seraphina, however, wasn't oblivious to his reaction. In fact, she seemed almost amused by it. She moved closer towards Aric and the scent of roses enveloped him,
"So." she said softly, "This is what it feels like to have your attention for once."
Her lips curled into a sly smirk,
"You couldn't even be bothered to look at me unless it served your goals and yet here you are… staring like a lovesick fool. Feeling sick Vayne?"
Aric flinched, snapping out of his trance. "I-I'm not—" he stammered, his voice cracking slightly.
"It's just… you're very beautiful."
Her eyebrows arched slightly, clearly surprised by his honesty.
"Is that so?"
Surely you're just saying that to make me feel better.
Before he could respond, she reached out and placed her ear onto his chest. The touch sent electricity coursing through him. His body reacted instinctively and his face started to burn.
No, no, no! he chanted silently, willing himself to stay in control.
Keep it together, Aric. Remember the goodness of shawarma...mmmm...shawarma.
Seraphina then put her hand onto his chest as well and hearing his heartbeat,
THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP
It's...beating really fast. Like he's shy or something.
"Interesting." she murmured, trailing her fingers upward until they rested against his collarbone.
"You never looked at me like this. Well, 'Vayne' didn't. He never wanted me like this...Huh, so I guess you are telling the truth after all."
"Yes...I have been telling the truth. I am not Vayne and I'm glad you're finally noticing that I am not him." Aric replied while trying to calm himself down.
"Oh, I know you're different." she replied, "But how different, exactly? That remains to be seen."
With that, she stepped back, leaving him disoriented and struggling to steady his breathing. She walked towards the bathroom, then paused at the doorway, glancing over her shoulder.
"If you really want to get to know me, we can start with some icebreakers later."
"But first… I want something new for my toiletries. Vanilla, maybe. Roses have always been my favourite, but lately, I find myself craving something sweeter. Can you make it for me? Infuse it with something you like, if you want to obviously."
Aric was still trying to regulate his breathing but still he nodded stiffly, accepting the task as a distraction from the chaos swirling within him.
Roses...Vanilla...Does she like white chocolate? Also I wonder what ice breakers she wants to play. Maybe I can introduce her to the joys of truth or dare.
Using creation magic, he made vanilla-scented soap and shampoo with subtle hints of citrus and sandalwood—fragrances he associated with comfort and clarity.
She approached cautiously, bending slightly to sniff the products. Her chest bounced slightly as she leaned forward, a detail Aric immediately noticed and immediately regretted. He averted his gaze, determined to maintain some semblance of respect.
"It smells wonderful." she admitted quietly. Without another word, she took the soap and shampoo and walked toward the bathroom, pausing just long enough to say,
"Thank you."
The sound of running water reached his ears moments later, followed by the soft rustle of fabric.
His imagination immediately spiraled, no matter how hard he tried to suppress it.
MY WIFE IS NAKED IN THE SAME ROOM AS ME! Okay, technically she's bathing…BUT STILL—SHE'S NAKED RIGHT NOW!
I didn't even hear the door lock. Is she trying to tease me?! Why the hell would she do that?!
I am literally Vayne. The man she hates most in the world!
I mean… I'm grateful she's treating me better now, but isn't this just a bit insane!?Please. Just let this night end peacefully…
Meanwhile, in an ethereal garden glowing with soft light, Ivy sat enjoying a manicure, an amused smile playing on her lips. She had one earpiece in to listen Aric's thoughts.
"Well, Aric." she said with a chuckle, "I think I'll give you some privacy now." She plucked the earpiece out and handed it to a servant beside her.
"Hah~" she sighed contentedly, reclining back. "Time to sleep and relax."