Song I listened to make this: Wicked x God Is

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The festivities were still in full swing, the air buzzing with laughter, music, and the clinking of glasses. Thorin leaned casually against a wooden pillar near the edge of the square, idly sipping from a mug of ale as he chatted with Lira.

"You dwarves truly know how to enjoy yourselves," Lira remarked dryly, gesturing toward Borin and Grumlin, attempting to teach some children a lively jig. One of the younger boys tripped over his own feet, sending everyone into fits of laughter.

Thorin chuckled, raising his mug in salute. "Aye, and we do it better than most. Though I must admit, this celebration has been… surprisingly pleasant. Even for someone like me who prefers the company of a few."

"You sound surprised. Did you doubt Aric's ability to pull off something of this measure?"

"Not at all." Thorin replied smoothly, "I just didn't expect Seraphina to let loose so easily. Seems our dark queen is finally thawing."

Before Lira could respond, she glanced around briefly before excusing herself.

"I'll be right back. Nature calls."

Thorin nodded absently, watching her slip through the crowd. As soon as she disappeared, however, another figure slid into view. Callista stood across from him, walking elegantly in her red backless dress.

Well then. Who knew I would meet Callista? To think Lira warned me about her...did she teach her in school before?

That aside, I should be worried about her. Even Seraphina had been screwed over by her before.

So, she must be somewhat formidable.

"I'm surprised you're here." Thorin said bluntly, "But, I know for a fact Aric didn't invite you."

Callista's face didn't change but she was agitated,

Ugh. If my instinct and eyes don't lie, that is the current prince for the dwarves, Thorin. He looks at me as if I'm some sort of villain. What the hell did I even do?

Also, Ms. Lira was with him earlier. What are they? Friends? Just conversing? Partner?

Well, whatever it may be, it wouldn't hurt to get something out of him.

Callista feigned hurt, placing a hand dramatically over her heart.

"Oh, darling, your words wound me deeply. Are you suggesting I don't belong here?"

Thorin rolled his eyes, unimpressed by her theatrics. "Cut the act, Callista. What do you want?"

"Straight to the point, I see. Very well, then. While it's true 'Aric." she said in air quotation,

"Didn't extend an invitation, it's not wrong for me to attend, is it? After all, I am genuinely happy for Seraphina. This little gathering is certainly a step up from last year's debacle."

Thorin stiffened slightly, catching the subtle jab beneath her honeyed words.

I heard from Lira that it was a mess. Seraphina left the place abruptly while the party went on. Vayne spent most of the evening mingling with guests with this woman at his side.

So if I had to guess, Callista had Vayne more than just partners and she is currently aiming for Aric.

But what for?

What's the point of her bringing that up when I didn't ask?

"And?" Thorin prompted as he wasn't about to rise to her bait.

"What's your angle, Callista? You wouldn't show up uninvited unless you had something to gain."

Callista covered her mouth while feigning a giggle. "My, my, aren't we suspicious tonight?"

"I'm suspicious of you. Your reputation... isn't exactly the greatest. You're also quite the homewrecker, I heard. Can't get a husband, so you decide to steal them and break people's hearts? Doesn't exactly scream, 'duchess' you know?"

Callista maintained her straight face, but her inside was burning,

He's baiting me. Well, let's see what he would do when his friend is in trouble. Surely, you'd help him, right?

Callista put her hand down and maintained her smile,

"Fine, I'll indulge you. Let's just say…a birdie told me someone significant will be coming. I heard they were from the royal city."

She paused, putting her finger on her chin as if she were innocent,

"They'll be demanding payment. Something owed by House Arkwright. I don't know if it's true, of course. But the rumours... oh, they say it's a big amount. Enough to make a family as prestigious as them sweat. I do hope our friends will be okay as I too, am involved with this electricity business."

Thorin's grip tightened imperceptibly around his mug. He studied Callista carefully, searching for any cracks in her polished facade. But she remained unreadable, her expression smug yet detached as though she were merely relaying information rather than delivering a veiled threat.

"From the royal city? Why would the royal family give money to the Arkwright's? They don't exactly get along."

Callista shrugged nonchalantly. "Who knows? Maybe it was old politics. Maybe someone owed a favour. Maybe Vayne sold something he shouldn't have. I'm merely repeating what I heard at a tea party. Nothing serious, of course."

She turned with an elegant twirl, her red dress catching his attention unwillingly as she began to walk away.

"Goodbye now, Prince Thorin." she called over her shoulder. "Oh, and tell Miss Lira I said hello. I miss my teacher."

Thorin's finger flinched, and his head throbbed. This woman...she knew Lira was with me. So it is true that my love taught this Callista before. Did she teach her how to speak in that way?

She knows more than she lets on.

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

After a few minutes had passed, Lira returned with a flat expression that somehow still managed to convey annoyance and fatigue.

Thorin noticed she wasn't alone.

Trailing beside her was a tall, smug-looking man with a champagne bottle in one hand and a carefree grin in the other. That man, of course, was none other than Aric.

Thorin was struggling to hold in his laugh, "So...why is he with you?"

Lira let out a sigh so deep it could've birthed a typhoon. "Apparently, he wants to 'party with you.' He calls you his bro."

She squinted. "I don't know what that means, and frankly, I don't care. 'Earth' language hurts my brain."

Before Thorin could protest, Aric slung an arm around Thorin's shoulder and leaned in like a long-lost sibling at a wedding. Lira immediately left and went to talk with Evelyn.

"Brooooooo." Aric beamed. "Evelyn told me you wanted to party with me!"

Thorin's soul visibly left his body. He facepalmed himself while resigning to his fate,

"Evelyn told on me?"

"Yup." Aric said with no shame, popping the 'p'.

Thorin sighed deeply inwardly. Well, no point in ruining the mood now. Let's do that after the party. I don't want Aric to worry about Callista for now.

"Well, let's have a drink then." Thorin muttered.

Aric created a champagne glass and filled it. Thorin took a sip, which made him remember something,

"Oh, by the way. Where's your wife?"

As if on cue, behind Aric, Seraphina was crouched on the grass, surrounded by a group of kids. She was doing some sort of illusion trick with sparkles, floating stars and a floating bunny wearing a magician's hat.

"Ohhh!" the children gasped in perfect sync.

One of them even tried to catch the stars with their hands while another screamed,

"The bunny winked at me!"

Thorin blinked. "... She's a magician now?"

Aric exhaled. "She's good with children, which is crazy to say because she terrifies me. But she is really good with them. She plays with the children here often and always makes time for them."

Thorin smiled and took another sip, "You're great with children yourself. Well, minus the whole divorce back where you're from, but still, I reckon you both make good parents."

Aric scoffed lightly and chugged the bottle, "Good parents don't mean good partners. I have no idea how she sees me and frankly, we have time to figure it out anyway."

Thorin looked confused. Huh? But you made all of this. You just don't do this for someone you like or want to get to know.

Clearly, you feel something for her.

Am I crazy to think that? Does he not know what he wants?

"Aric. What kind of woman do you like?"

Aric looked at him, "You mean, my type?"

"Mhm."

Aric put the bottle down and put his hands behind his head,

"Hmmmm, if I had to give my type, it would be someone strong. It doesn't have to be physical, but it should be strong mentally. Someone who can try to understand people even if you're hurting."

Thorin hummed in agreement, Okay. Reasonable start.

"Not like, you know, buff or anything, although that's cool too, but strong-minded. Emotionally resilient. Someone who's been through shit and still wakes up and keeps going."

That's… oddly specific but okay. Thorin thought. He turned his head just slightly to see that Seraphina was still surrounded by children, now pretending to be caught in an invisible box like a mime, to their absolute delight.

Aric continued, completely unaware. "Also, she has to be smart. Not genius smart or whatever, but just enough to 'destroy you in an argument' smart. With… the ability to read a room and destroy you with a single look if needed."

That's...uh...really specific. I know a couple of people like that. Thorin scratched his head while gripping the cup just a little tighter.

"Kindness is a must." Aric said, nodding as if he were building a character in a dating sim.

"Not fake kindness. I mean someone who genuinely gets people. Like, she'll murder a room of bad guys without blinking, but cry if a child falls over and skins their knee. Also, someone who's empathetic, who tries to understand you, regardless of how you are."

Thorin crossed his arms. That's...nice. Okay, we are back to the common trait a man would want in their partner.

"Oh! And loyalty." Aric added, raising a finger as he just remembered the most crucial point.

"Someone who sticks by you. Even when you're a mess. Especially when you're a mess. And she won't hesitate to slap some sense into you if you act like a complete moron."

Thorin glanced at Seraphina again, who, at that very moment, had gently picked up a little girl who'd tripped and was now dabbing away her tears with her sleeve while simultaneously keeping eye contact with another kid who was about to start a fight.

Isn't that just...Seraphina? She stuck with Vayne for years and has never attempted to go for someone else, not even for revenge.

This woman is loyal.

She also has not tried anyone else, even with you around, although you both are only husband and wife by name. Like, this is Seraphina. Do you not see it?

"Also, hear me out." Aric said, his voice dropping into a whisper, "She should be kinda scary."

Thorin's brain short-circuited. "...Scary?"

"Yeah! I wouldn't put it as a scary haunted house, but …" Aric wiggled his fingers, "...mysterious and intimidating and might kill you if you cheat on her. But then make pancakes the next morning and kiss your forehead."

Thorin clenched his jaw to suppress the laugh trying to crawl out of his chest. This man is describing his wife and hasn't realised it yet.

"She's gotta be beautiful too. I mean, looks are not everything, but it's a nice bonus." Aric added.

"Just… effortlessly beautiful. The kind where she walks into a room and you forget how to function."

Thorin facepalmed himself. You mean, the woman you're married to? This-this is crazy at this point. How has he not realised that Seraphina checks most of these boxes?

"I'm not being a pervert or anything." Aric went on, waving his hand in defense.

"But, physically? I like a woman who's got some shape, you know? THICC."

Thorin spat out a bit of his drink and coughed violently into his sleeve.

"I'm just saying! Who doesn't appreciate some curves! A little squish is good for the soul, my man. Slim thick, soft thick, murder-thick…. I don't discriminate at all, but a little squish never hurts anyone, you know what I'm saying."

Thorin was struggling to keep his drink from spilling. He covered his mouth, but his shoulders were shaking from the effort of not screaming.

She is literally RIGHT THERE! She is all of that. YOU'RE DESCRIBING YOUR WIFE, YOU DAMN IDIOT. Like, sure, I don't know if Seraphina is really understanding, but you're still here, throwing a party for her.

I'm sure you wouldn't do that if she weren't someone special to you. And also, she quite literally gave you her life to save you.

She is the woman you're describing.

Aric looked over at him. "You good, bro?"

Thorin, face slightly red from holding it in, gave a thumbs-up. "Peachy."

Aric chuckled, "Anyway. I don't even know if someone like that exists. It's probably unrealistic, right? Maybe I've built her up in my head or something."

Thorin looked past Aric, where Seraphina had now picked up two children, one on each hip, and was spinning them around while sparkles floated in the air. She looked exactly like the woman Aric just described.

You know what? Maybe he's just drunk, and that's why he's not thinking straight.

Thorin turned back to him. "Yeah," he said sarcastically, "Totally made up."

Aric raised a brow. "What was that?"

"Nothing. Totally nothing." Thorin said quickly. "Say, want another drink?"

"Hell yes!"

Well, that's the end of the daily upload. We will resuming the old upload schedule.

Thank you for reading reincarnated into a failed marriage.

Any comments, suggestions, corrections are appreciated!

Thank you for the support as well, yall are the best fr. It's a blast writing this.

See you on monday!