Seraphina sat across from Aric. Penelope and Evelyn sat in another carriage, talking about Penelope's old life.
After what felt like an eternity, Seraphina broke the silence,
"Tell me something only Vayne would know."
Aric's heart skipped a beat.
I mean I expected her to ask this but I didn't expect it to be now. How do I even answer any of her question? It's not like I have his memories to give me answers.
"What do you mean?"
Her lips curled into a faint smirk,
"Exactly what I said. Answer these questions honestly, or admit you're lying about your amnesia."
Without waiting for his response, Seraphina launched into her barrage of questions, each one designed to trip him up.
"First, do you recall our wedding date? The event where we exchanged vows before hundreds of witnesses?"
Aric frowned inside,
Why the hell would you ask the date woman!? Like I would know that! If you just ask me what the wedding was, I could've guessed it with vague descriptions.
He shook his head slowly, "No… I don't."
Her expression didn't change,
"Well, I wouldn't expect you to remember it anyway even without amnesia. What about the time we visited that shop together—the one near Ashwick? Do you remember what you bought?"
Again, Aric had a blank expression,
WHAT THE HELL ARE THESE QUESTIONS?! It's so stupidly specific, how would Vayne even remember that? Did Vayne also have great memory or something?
Seraphina's glare grew sharper. "You don't even remember that?"
"I'm sorry." he muttered, "I wish I could answer, but I can't."
She scoffed softly, crossing her arms tightly over her chest.
"Alright then. Let's try something simpler. What's your favourite food?"
This question caught him off guard. It seemed harmless enough so Aric replied cautiously,
"Shawarma. You know flatbread with meat, potatoes inside and some veggies?"
I mean, there's got to be a dish like that in this world no? It's so simple.
Silence fell over the carriage like a heavy curtain. Seraphina blinked slowly, her brow furrowing in disbelief.
What the hell was a sh...warma? Is that actual food?
"Sha...war...m...a?" she echoed flatly. "That's… not even a real dish here."
Are you fucking kidding me!? There's not even a dish like that here?? Aric threw his hands up in his mind.
"It's from another place." Aric explained quickly, realizing too late how strange his answer sounded.
"Um… never mind. Forget I said anything."
[Aric.] Ivy chimed in internally, her tone with sarcasm,
[Real smooth move there. Maybe next time just stick to 'roast duck' or whatever was common in the medieval times.]
Seraphina continued mercilessly,
"Your favourite hooker during those orgies you organized? Or the million gold pieces you gambled away in one night? Surely, you must remember those. I will even give you a hint, her name comes from a flower."
For some reason, Aric felt guilt twisting painfully in his chest.
Why does my chest hurt? They were not false but it's not exactly true either. It's true for Vayne at least. I don't get it, I didn't feel pain before like this when she recounted Vayne's sins.
"I… I don't remember." he admitted quietly, "As for the girl...was it rose?"
Her eyes narrowed,
"That's not even close. You actually remember nothing? What about the bathtub incident? When I held you after you got drunk for the first time? You always said that is the one thing you could never forget."
Desperation surged within him, and he turned inward, pleading silently for guidance.
Ivy, help me out here!
Ivy refused outright,
[Nope. Relationships like this are better resolved through honest conversations—not quick fixes. Besides, don't you want to be better than your Earth self? Communicate better. Your wife left you with the kids and moved on with someone else. Don't repeat the same mistakes here.]
Aric sighed deeply, resignation settling heavily on his shoulders,
"No, I don't remember any of that. But I will apologize. I'm sorry for everything. I know we've had this conversation many times already, and my answer hasn't changed because… well, what else can I say? I genuinely don't remember being Vayne and I have no idea why he did all of that. I don't understand why someone gambles that much, committing arson, abusing and even cheating on you. You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen, and I don't think anyone could compete with you. Whatever the old 'me' did, I don't believe it myself half the time but you're here as proof of that suffering. I don't know how to make it up to you."
A flicker of vulnerability crossed her face before she masked it,
"Beautiful? That's rich coming from someone who doesn't even recognize me anymore."
"I do mean it." Aric insisted earnestly,
"Even if it's temporary—and even if you want me to leave someday—I still want to know… how can I make it up to you?"
Seraphina stared at him, her blue eyes searching his face for any sign of deception. After a long pause, she exhaled sharply, her shoulders relaxing slightly,
"Do you know what I like?" she asked quietly.
Aric shook his head, feeling utterly lost. "No… I don't."
Her lips twisted into a bitter smile,
"The old you—at least in the first few months of marriage. You cared enough to find out. Roses, chocolates, little gestures meant to show affection. Now?"
She shrugged dismissively, though there was unmistakable pain beneath her words,
"You can't even guess."
Seraphina sighed deeply, shaking her head in disbelief,
"After two years of hatred, what am I supposed to do with it now?"
His jaw tightened, frustration and guilt warring within him,
"I don't know. But if you hate me, then hate me fully. If you want revenge, take it. Just tell me what you need—from me, from anyone—to start healing. Because I can't undo the past, but I can try to fix the present."
For several seconds, neither of them spoke.
When Seraphina finally responded, her voice was filled with curiosity,
"You want to fix the present?"
Aric nodded slowly, "Yeah."
Seraphina's lips curled into a faint smile,
"Even though I hate you and want to kill you all the time?"
"Yes." Aric replied firmly.
Seraphina sighed deeply, leaning back against the plush seat of the carriage,
"We never loved each other." she admitted quietly,
"We married because it benefitted my standing and yours. And if you say you're not him… then why are you bothering so much? Why go through all this trouble to make amends for sins you claim you don't remember committing?"
Her question hung heavily in the air, punctuated only by the rhythmic clatter of hooves outside.
Aric thought about this words carefully, finally seeing tangible progress,
"Because whether I remember or not, those actions caused pain—to you, to others. If I can help undo some of that damage, then I will. Even if it's hard. Even if you still hate me."
After a long pause, she exhaled sharply,
"Are you serious about leaving after solving all the debts you caused? Rebuilding Ashwick and every city you screwed over? Is that really your plan?"
"I…" Aric started, uncertainty creeping into his voice.
"I don't know what else to do. You've made it clear how much you hate me. What else is there for me here?"
There was a silence for a long time. Seraphina was thinking long and hard on how to answer him.
There must be something I can get him to do that the old Vayne never could...what would that even be...
"If you're so determined then prove it. Prove you're different from the man I know. The one who avoided responsibility at every turn."
"Like what?" Aric asked cautiously, his brow furrowing in confusion.
Seraphina smirked, "Have dinner with us when we reach Ashwick. Sit at the table like a normal person instead of hiding away like a ghost."
Aric blinked in surprise, caught off guard by the request. For two months, he had avoided dining with anyone—preferring to eat alone in guest rooms rather than face the judgmental stares of those around him.
It wasn't just Seraphina; it was everyone. I didn't want to intrude or remind them of Vayne's sins.
Have dinner with her? That is still easy but...
"Why?" he asked bluntly, "Isn't it easier for everyone if none of you have to see my face?"
Seraphina tilted her head,
"Easier, maybe. But cowardly? Definitely. You've been avoiding meals since the day you woke up in that body. Even in Callista's estate, you hid in your room like a scared child. Is that the behaviour of someone trying to make amends?"
Before Aric could respond, she continued,
"Avoidance isn't courage—it's weakness. If you truly mean to change, start small. Share a meal with us. Show us you're willing to endure our presence, even if we struggle to tolerate yours."
[She has a point you know Aric. Even when you both decide to leave each other, isn't it better to build some good memories to distance yourself further from Vayne?] Ivy said while munching on a chocolate bar.
Finally, after a tense silence, he nodded stiffly. "Fine. Dinner it is."
As if testing his resolve further, she leaned forward slightly, her blue eyes locking onto his,
"Good. But that's not enough. Spend the night with me later—in Ashwick. At the Golden Griffin Inn."
Aric's face flushed, caught completely off guard by the sudden demand.
"W-what?! Why would you—"
"Don't misunderstand." Seraphina interrupted,
"This isn't romance or reconciliation. It's a test. You hate being near me—not just emotionally, but physically. The old you couldn't stand my company unless it served his purpose. So prove me wrong."
Aric swallowed hard, his heart pounding wildly in his chest. Despite her cold reasoning, the idea of spending an entire night with Seraphina felt daunting—and embarrassingly intimate.
I have to sleep with a woman who looks like a supermodel!? SHE HATES ME AND SHE WANTS TO SLEEP WITH ME? MIGHT AS WELL JUST KILL ME RIGHT HERE AND NOW!
[Oh shut it, will you. She has no bloodlust—you can feel that. Why would she make a request like that except to test if you're really not Vayne? Just accept the deal, Aric. It's not like you're having sex.]
Aric sighed in defeat and forced himself to nod, "Alright. Fine. I'll do it."
Ivy erupted into cheers, changing her outfit to an impossibly short cheerleader outfit complete with pom-poms. Her red hair bounced enthusiastically as she jumped up and down, cheering loudly.
[Go, Aric, go! Woo-hoo! Look at you, stepping out of your comfort zone! Who knew you had it in you?]
She twirled dramatically, her skirt swishing,
[Dinner AND a sleepover? Oh, this is going to be juicy!]
Not helping, Ivy.
[Oh, come on.] Ivy teased, striking a playful pose.
[You should be thanking me for upgrading your stats earlier. The charisma boost might come in handy tonight, hmm? Just saying.]
I'm serious, Ivy. Shut up.
[Fine, fine.] Ivy pouted exaggeratedly,
[But mark my words, Aric—this is progress. Big-time progress. Now let's see if you can survive dinner without choking on your own awkwardness.]