Ariellia was silent for most of the carriage ride home. None of the maids riding with her dared to speak, worried they may catch the backlash from the terse exchange at the church. In fact, she wasn't particularly angry at anyone, just concerned. Words that she didn't mean to say came hurtling out of her mouth without any control, this would be a point of concern for anyone. At first, she thought it might be the real Ariellia taking over since she's made contact with her soul, likely weakening the seal between them, but that doesn't seem to be the case. The real Arie was only laughing at her current predicament like a passing observer.
She couldn't figure it out but something else must have prompted her to act out in that manner. As soon as she left the church, she no longer felt the need to hurl obscenities at others. Thinking back, she recalled the sudden urge only appeared when Anya showed up. She'd been having a pleasant conversation with Rei right before the change, even when the kids called her 'mean' and ran away she didn't feel the need to ridicule them. Mulling over the issue, her unease lessened at the sight of Miranda standing at the castle entrance to welcome her back.
"Miranda, can I ask you a question?" Looking at the wise older elf, Ariellia felt she might be able to see it from an angle she's ignored so far.
"Yes, my lady?"
"What would make someone suddenly say abusive things they don't mean to say?" Since it's common knowledge that she dislikes Anya, she doesn't give any names to avoid tainting her maid's response.
"Well, a lot of things can my lady. Were they angry at the other party?" Miranda looks troubled, likely thinking her young lady has caused another incident outside on her short trip to the church.
"No, they don't have a grudge against the other person. They weren't even angry at the time. It just happened all of a sudden and disappeared just as fast." It really felt like someone had flipped her switch and then flicked it right back once she'd made a complete ass of herself in front of Rei.
"Hmm in that case it is strange. Perhaps this person was under the influence of a 'taunting' charm, or a 'provocation' spell?" Miranda tilts her head to the side as she ponders over the many possibilities.
'Right, magic!'
How could she forget this is a magical world with spells able to manipulate the mind. She's been coasting through her new life never really considering the deeper complexities brought by magic. Spells like Provoke and Taunt can also be used on people, not just monsters. Spells can be cast anywhere at any time without warning, in reality there is no signal to let you know you've been afflicted with a curse or ailment like in the game. At level ten her magical defense has steadily risen from what it was when she first woke up in this body but who's to say she didn't encounter someone of a higher level. The question is who could be targeting her and why?
Rei is a light user with the skill tree of the paladin class. He does have the skill to attract aggression, but there was no reason to use it on her. He's not the type to use mental attacks against people outside of battle. On the off chance that he did use the skill on her, then her angry tirade should have been directed towards him and not his friend. Wait…direction…could it have been Anya!
'I told you, watch out for the faker.'
The chill from before returned as the sound of Ariellia's cold childlike voice echoes in her head again. Her breathing becomes uneven as she grapples with this new possibility. She didn't want to jump to conclusions and whitewash everything the young heiress has ever done or said to Anya…but how much of that was planned? Could it have been a combination of Ariellia's intent to guard Rei from others and Anya's provocation spell that resulted in her irritable paranoid persona?
But then the question is how? Anya from the game was a thief class wind type character, not a magic user. Could it be an item then? As a true collector who owned several of these items in the game, Eren isn't unfamiliar with such status changing items. It could be something on her person that triggers a similar reaction to the taunt spell, attracting the aggression of her target. If it's a cursed item she would only need to get a lock of Arie's hair or even a drop of her blood. These things can easily be obtained during one of their many 'scuffles' over the years.
She likely didn't have a strong reaction on the day of her wedding because Anya had been stripped of her personal items before being locked in the dungeon. She hasn't had the chance to interact with the wolf girl since then, too busy leveling up with Clad and Rei. It makes sense that her image became milder in the eyes of others as long as Anya isn't involved. This incident made her realize that she'd been too lax in her defenses, taking things too lightly.
Going to Draghdom with the duke is really a good thing. There's a famous item shop there where she can buy accessories with the ability to ward off mental assaults and afflictions. It's a good thing she noticed this abnormality before the monster march. Once she's equipped with the proper protection, she can return to face Anya and demand answers. Her little trick might have worked on the sheltered Ariellia who had never paid much attention to magic, but it won't work on an old, seasoned hand like Eren.
'Want to make me run mad, hmm we'll see.'
Putting this matter aside for now, Ariellia went to her father's study to let him know she's ready to head off. Miranda had stayed behind during her outing to the church to pack up her things. Since she has informed Rei about their plans, there's really no need to delay. For now, it's best to avoid the protagonist until she has the necessary items to prove her innocence, otherwise she might be forced to apologize and be wronged.
"Are you ready my dear?" duke Garrod puts down his quill, his similar amethyst eyes brimming with delight at the thought of some bonding time with his daughter. A cold sweat trails down her brow at this formidable boss. She's so determined to run away from Rei that she hasn't even considered her current dilemma on how to deceive the senses of this perceptive old elf for the next few days.
'Shit.' She stands frozen by the door, unable to go any further as a feeling of trepidation takes hold of her.
'I can help with that…but I have some conditions.'
The back of her neck felt cold at the sound of a familiar voice in her head. Eren doesn't know whether to laugh or cry, it feels like he's being extorted. If he doesn't agree, he'll be exposed the moment the duke touches on a subject he doesn't know. If he does agree only God knows what she'll ask for in return. Between this father and daughter duo, how can he get any relief! He's just a poor little ghost trying to survive.
'Fine, what's your price?' he wants to cry but has no tears.