After Selene disappears, it takes some time for Ariellia to finally open her eyes again. Eren rushes over to her side to check how she's feeling. The heiress looks a bit groggy and out of sorts but very much alive.
"You saved me again?" She turns over to face him after taking in the unfamiliar sight of the foreign hospital room.
"Of course, we're a team." His smile is a bit stiff, unsure if she shares his sentiments.
"You shouldn't do that, you know." From the way her amethyst eyes soften when she looks at him, it's safe to say she does.
"Do what?" He's confused by the sudden redirect.
"Giving up your memories for me…you shouldn't do that."
'Oh, that's what she means.'
"I know, but don't worry, I only exchanged two years from when I was a teenager, no major harm done. I didn't exactly have a fun time in high school anyway."
"High school? What's that?" It's cute to see the innocent curiosity in her eyes.
"A concrete jungle built to mold and ensnare the minds of youths before they're old enough to think for themselves. Also, a breeding ground for bullies and braggarts."
"Ah, so no different from the imperial Academy. No, the reason I say you shouldn't give up your precious memories so easily in the future is because it's more than just forgetting."
"What else is happening exactly?" Now he feels uneasy, like a customer who forgot to read the little fine print at the bottom of a sales contract.
"I suppose it's better to show than tell, go over there and look into the mirror."
Completely shaken by Arie's grave tone, Eren makes a beeline for the mirror mounted on the wall of the hospital unit, surprised to see a much younger version of himself staring back. A version without the typical dark circles and listless, dull eyes of an overworked corporate slave. This is how he looked before he left college, fresh, vigorous, and willing to challenge anything with big dreams at twenty-two. His light brown eyes reflect vibrantly back at him from within the mirror.
"Why do I look so young!" Many would be grateful, actresses like his late mother would be rolling in their graves from jealousy, but for Eren, there is only bewilderment and confusion at the sudden change in appearance.
"Magic doesn't just erase these memories from your mind, but your body as well. If you are not careful and make a deal too big, you may find yourself in diapers before long."
"…" That's a very horrifying thought.
"Let it be known that I am an only child with no siblings. I do not know how to change a diaper, nor am I ready to learn."
"I don't know, you did really well with Orim."
The dark elf's mood drops at the reminder of the innocent little boy who lost his life to the impostor. Is it foolish to think it's just a coincidence that she targeted him right after catching him warming up to Ariellia that same evening? Or is she just overthinking the situation, and he was unfortunate to be in the wrong place at the wrong time? Either way, the heiress can't help but feel a pang of guilt welling up in her heart for the cute little boy with the warrior braid.
"Speaking of which, there is a memory you must see."
"A memory?" Eren fully expects to share one of her memories but is surprised to see an urban metropolis appear instead. He watches his twenty-seven-year-old self stumble and flee from a middle-class home, too distraught to watch the road before inevitably getting hit by a car on the crosswalk.
"Is this the memory of my death?" He's surprised to have forgotten something so important. Dazed, he turns to look at Ariellia. The frail heiress is slowly pulling herself off the hospital bed, making her way to stand at his side one unsteady step at a time.
"You may call me petty for doing it, but I didn't feel right giving up this memory to weaken the seal. She is the reason for your death, such betrayal shouldn't be so easily forgotten. You are also a Garrod, an heir to a proud clan of warrior dark elves. We do not shy away from conflict or pain. We repay what is given a hundredfold."
His vision locks with her amethyst eyes, light brown eyes dilate as he's blown away by her words, feeling them fill a deep void in his heart that has always been gaping before this. He finally feels that he is meeting the true Ariellia Silvy Garrod for the first time. Her unwavering determination stoking an old flame he'd let die over the years, smothered under endless spreadsheets and team meetings.
"You are right, such wrongs should not be forgotten or forgiven." He closes his eyes, taking a deep breath to center himself for what comes next. Arie would not have shown him this memory now for no reason.
"Look there," Her finger points towards a small box that fell out of his pocket in the crash. The impact was severe enough to pop it open, revealing the big, blinding diamond ring within.
"I saw the same ring on the impostor's finger while we fought."
"You don't think--?"
Ariellia nods, "It's very likely she followed you here."
Eren frowns, "But how? Why? If Selene's words are to be believed, one month here should be ten months there. Did she also die over there?"
"I suppose that is for us to find out."
"Jasper!" "Uncle Jasper!"
They are both surprised to see the dragon lord reappear within the seal.
"What, you were taking too long to wake up. Your husband and I were beside ourselves with concern, so I decided to pop in to see if I could be of assistance with anything." The older Bastion shrugs before taking a closer look at the memory loop replaying before them. He frowns as he watches the miniature version of Eren get hit by a car repeatedly. "Not a very pleasant way to go, I must say."
"It wasn't, knocked all the sense right out of me." Eren agrees, anger building in his chest as he commits the tragic scene to memory. Arie is right, something this messed up shouldn't be forgotten or forgiven easily.
"And the impostor?" Armed with this new information, Eren isn't sure he would be willing to pull his punches the next time he comes across the fake Anya.
"I have ordered the castle knights and local guards around the city to be on the lookout for her. I think it's unwise to alarm the local populace so soon right after the recent evacuation, so they are to keep their search discreet for now. I also told Miranda to set a city-wide curfew in place as well."
"That's for the best." Ariellia agrees, knowing her father would have likely done the same.
"For now, I believe it's time you wake up before my nervous Nephew does something reckless."
"Right." Eren nods, looking towards Ariellia. Technically, it's still her turn to take control of their body, but she softly shakes her head.
"I'm still very tired, you go ahead."
"Alright." After getting her consent, he begins to feel his consciousness float back to the surface.
"And don't forget to give Rei a kiss for me!"
Ariellia's sharp brow frowns before her lovely amethyst eyes flutter open, only to be captured by worried gold serpentine eyes above her.
"You're okay! Thank the goddess Selene!"
The relief in his voice is so palpable to her sharp ears. She feels moved by the genuine concern in it, so much that she acts on impulse and wraps her arms around his neck to lower his head to her level before giving him a soft peck on the cheek.
"I'm back, Rei."
The young dragon lord is stunned stiff.