We will be done with the negotiation arc by this week.

Thank you to the patron for supporting me and being patient with me: OdeToAKite, Danielle Warvel, Michael, JewBot9000, Anonymous8418 and Jonathan Newman.

We will be done with the negotiation arc by this week.

Thank you to the patron for supporting me and being patient with me: OdeToAKite, Danielle Warvel, Michael, JewBot9000, Anonymous8418 and Jonathan Newman.

 -------------------------------------------

Ivy floated lazily beside him. She adjusted her scandalously short suit. Her lips curled into an amused grin,

[So. Why are you still following that handsome dashing prince?]

Aric groaned, Why are you still ogling him like some freak? Can’t you just… I don’t know, duplicate him in your mind or something?

[Oh please. If I could do that, I’d have done it ages ago. But noooo, apparently creating realistic duplicates of people isn’t allowed because of ethics. What even is ethics anymore?]

Aric rolled his eyes. She leaned closer to him while perking her boobs at him,

[Besides, why should I stop looking at him? He’s objectively gorgeous. Like, if beauty were currency, he’d bankrupt entire kingdoms.]

Great. Aric muttered dryly. Now I’ve got competition for being the most attractive guy around. Just what I needed.

[Don’t flatter yourself too much. You’re cute, sure, but that man? That man can make a lesbian bisexual.]

Aric sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. Christ, now I got a fangirl in my head.

[By the way,] she said casually, [about that little stunt you pulled with Callista’s deed…]

Aric stifled a laugh, …What about it?

[For someone like her, a master manipulator to fall for a fake deed? Honestly, I’m impressed. Your acting skills must be top-notch.]

Ivy gave him a playful wink. [Or maybe she was just too distracted by how terrified you looked to notice the forgery or she played along but either way, it worked out in the end.]

It wasn’t supposed to be fake! I broke into her house, got past every damn trap she set up but then…

His shoulders slumped slightly.

Then I couldn’t open the chest. Whatever spell she put on it, I didn’t have enough time to crack it.

Ivy created a drink and slurped on it. [Well to be fair, it is Seraphina's rival and the only woman who has ever humiliated her. You waltzed into Callista’s house thinking you could snag a copy of the deed only to fail. At least you had a backup plan.]

Well, yeah. Aric admitted, But hey, improvisation is key, right? I knew there was a possibility for it to fail so I got Seraphina to get me a copy of her deed and replicated the document and slapped a spell on it to make it look authentic.

Easy peasy.

[Easy peasy?] Ivy echoed incredulously. [Do you know how risky that was? If Callista finds out—]

She won’t. Aric interrupted firmly. At least not anytime soon. Besides, it worked, didn’t it? For now, anyway.

[Interesting is one word for it.] Ivy muttered under her breath.

[Suicidal might be another.]

Look, she might be a fucking freak rivalling that one dude who loves baby oil but she's also aware of her appearance.

She cares about appearance above all else and since I only got her good infront of Kayla and that charming butler of hers, it's fair game. She probably won't do anything that rash and if she does, it's not like I can't fight her.

Ivy shrugged in acceptance, [Well, as long you have a plan.]

Aric stood from a distance to see Theodore just standing infront of the townhall. He looked like he was listening intently. And if that wasn't off putting, he called out Aric,

“Vayne.”

This caught Aric off guard,

“Huh? What?”

Theodore raised a hand, gesturing him to come closer. “Come here.”

Reluctantly, Aric walked over until they stood shoulder-to-shoulder, just within earshot of the muffled voices from inside.

“Are you just going to stand here?” Aric asked.

“Well, it would be rude to enter when people are speaking.”

“I don't think eavesdropping is great either. Aren't we rude ourselves?”

Theodore looked at him with an amused face, “That's abit ironic coming from you.”

“The fuck that's supposed to mean?”

“Just come here and listen. Your wife is talking about you.”

Aric stood near the door and listened closely.

*******************************************************

Seraphina looked annoyed, “Vayne’s been dead for a while now. That man no longer exists. Now Aric… is the total opposite.”

Alice responded back, “So we’re meant to believe this is nothing more than chance? That overnight, a man so vile he was despised by his own blood simply changed?”

“I don’t expect you to believe. I expect you to accept it. Whether you understand or not is irrelevant.”

William exhaled through his nose. “Unacceptable. You cover for him like a mother shielding a guilty child. It makes one wonder, what are you hiding? Why such devotion to a man who earned nothing but contempt?”

“Because I’ve seen what you have not. Aric is not Vayne. That alone should be enough.”

William’s tone turned condescending, “Let’s say we humour you. We believe this ‘Aric’ exists, that somehow he replaced Vayne. Then I have one question.”

His eyes narrowed “Do you love this man?”

After the last word came out, Seraphina was taken aback. She tried to speak but couldn't quite find her tongue to respond. Lira wanted to speak in her stead but William continued,

“Because we can believe in this change all we want, but he is still Vayne. His face is Vayne. His body is Vayne. His reputation is in the mud and you remain his wife. So let me ask another question, do you see this 'Aric' as your husband?”

Silence.

Seraphina’s throat clenched. Her heart hammered against her ribs, but the words refused to come.

Why can't I speak? Why is my heart beating so fast? My mind is racing but I can't speak. 

I do like Aric...don't I?

Alice, sharp-eyed as ever, noticed Seraphina's hesitation. She decided to make it easier for her and reframe the question,

“If he’s not a man you love, then isn’t he the same as Vayne? Just a stranger wearing a face you hate. You may call him your husband but you called Vayne that too. And you never loved him.”

She clasped her hand together on the table, “I like you, Seraphina. I want this partnership to work. But if the royal family were to align with you, we need a better man for you. Someone with a reputation worthy of standing beside you.”

“And sadly this Vayne or Aric as you call him, doesn't fit.”

The queen looked a little guilty when she finished speaking, Ah...but I don't...really want her to leave someone just for business. That feels so wrong...

It's so hard to be in a position of power.

Seraphina was pissed off. Ah. They're belittling him. Just like how I did before. This is what he must've felt but worse.

I refuse to let them make fun of you.

If this makes the negotiation go to hell, then so be it. I can always get my money back.

Seraphina said in a low voice, “...shut up.”

William said, “What was tha-”

She yelled, “I SAID SHUT UP! HE'S NOT A FOOL!”

“Aric is a good man who is here due to unfortunate circumstances! He has done nothing wrong but help me, help the people, all before himself.”

She stood up and stared them both down, “I do like this man. I like Ar-”

The sudden crash of the door splitting open drowned out her words. Both Aric and Theodore stumbled forward, landing unceremoniously on the floor. Seraphina, Thorin, William and Alice were mortified, as they watched Aric and the crown prince scrambled to their feet.

Lira was still at her seat but her hands were glowing white. Her expression was completely innocent.

“Oh my.” she said sweetly. “I thought I sensed rats by the door. Turns out it was only your husband and His Highness.”

Seraphina’s head slowly turned to Lira while having her left eye twitched.

Of all the times…

Lira kept the innocent act and sipped on her tea. Thorin stifled his laughter while grabbing onto the chair. Aric coughed, brushing dust off his coat while Theodore, in contrast, merely dusted off his sleeves.

Seraphina was the first to speak, “My...dear husband. Why don't you take a seat at the table? We were waiting for you. And also...prince, nice to see you...again.”

This caught Aric's attention, Again? Has she ever met this guy? Is this why this handsome bastard is here!?

Theodore walked towards Seraphina and offered a handshake,

“Hello there, Lady Seraphina. Nice to meet you again.”

She reluctantly shook his hand and showed his seat next to his parents. This gesture did not go unnoticed by Aric who was also taking his seat beside Seraphina.

What the hell? What is going on? I feel like a total anomaly right now looking at this.

A deliberate cough echoed across the room. Thorin had straightened his posture, his booming voice cutting across the awkward tension.

“Now then. Since everyone is here, let us officially begin. I, Thorin Stonefist, as representative of the Dwarves, will act as witness to this meeting and ensure both sides speak fairly.”

He glanced toward Lira, who now stood up,

“And, I, Lira, representative of the Elves, will also join as neutral counsel. I will observe and balance matters. You may consider us the third party in this accord.”

“I shall make sure words spoken here hold weight and truth. And perhaps, help rein in tempers before they ruin opportunities.”

The king and queen both gave curt nods. Seraphina, Aric and Theodore nodded as well. Thorin clasped his hand and looked satisfied,

“Good. Then let us proceed. State your terms clearly so that we dwarves may bear witness.”

Seraphina grabbed a stack of paper and placed it on the table,

“Since we have already discussed for a while, I will get to the point. We would like the debt to be erased in exchange for all the technology we currently have. The lights, the heating floor, fan, air conditioner, farming equipment, and many more.”

“Should there be any other conditions that need to be met, please voice them out so that we may discuss.”

William replied immediately,

“We can agree to all your terms. We will also recognise your business and will even let you have the dividends from the contract; however, there is one condition.”

He stared straight into Aric's soul, “You must find another man to stand at your side. Your husband is a man with a reputation so foul that even beggars turn their noses up at his name. No merchant worth their coin dares deal with him, no noble dares stand at his side. To put it bluntly, duchess.”

He paused, clearing his throat, “He is poison to this kingdom.”

Seraphina’s eyes widened, stunned for the briefest moment before her face turned into anger

“…What did you just say?”

William was unbothered and pressed on, “Divorce him. Sever yourself from that disgrace and bind yourself to someone of equal standing. Which brings me to my point…”

He leaned forward, lips curling in a thin smile. “My son will take his place at your side.”

Thank you for reading Reincarnated into a Failed Marriage. I appreciate all your comments and support for this series. Any suggestions or corrections or anything, please feel free to comment.

I will mention that this Arc will be focusing on Aric and Seraphina relationship alongside what he will do when the debt is complete.

[Extra: When you're done reading the chapter, do me a favour and watch this reel and help report that person.]