Elara motioned with her hand for the young woman to sit beside her.
"You are Gabel's wife?"
Surprised and slightly bothered by the fact that this woman had addressed her husband so formally, Elara arched her eyebrow.
"Yes, Gabel is my husband."
The blonde woman slowly nodded her head.
"I thought this much when I saw you on the dance floor."
Elara brought her glass to her lips and took a sip of her wine.
"How do you know my husband?"
The woman rested her hand on the table and sighed.
"We spent a week together, years ago. We met during a celebration banquet in honor of the red dragon being defeated for the second time. My father served in the war."
"A week you say?" Elara firmly spoke while bringing the glass back up to her lips.
"Yes. He asked me to dance on the first night of the celebrations. It would be a lie if I said I hadn't fallen in love with him. He made me feel very ....special. I have never been able to forget the way he treated me."
Elara's eyes widened. Though she had figured this much, it still was an unpleasant to hear such things come out of another woman's mouth.
"I see. Well Gabel has many charms, so I do not blame you."
The woman tapped her fingers on the table.
"How did you meet him?"
"We met during a raid. I was once a mage for the.... Loverne knights."
She furrowed her brow. It had been a very long time since she had spoken of the Loverne knights. A memory that she perhaps shoved away in her mind.
"A mage? That's impressive. Did you marry him when the raid was over then?"
"No....we parted ways. He came and found me a year later and took me and his son back with him to live in Anatol. We were wed shortly after that."
The young woman's eyes widened.
"His son? Gabel has a son?"
"Yes, and an infant daughter."
The young woman closed her eyes and took a deep breath in. Her face bore a look as if she was forced to swallow something unpleasant.
"I envy you. You are living the life I wish to have. A young, handsome husband to bear children for."
Elara was about to speak when the woman placed both hands on the table and continued. "You see, I am to be married in a month, to a fifty year old man. His first wife died during childbirth years ago. My father arranged for me to be his second wife. He holds a higher standing then my family so it will strengthen our line, I suppose."
Elara pursed her lips, feeling sorry for the girl. There was no denying that she was a beautiful woman. Her gold locks fell gracefully down her back. Her eyes were so blue that they were almost too piercing to look at. Several feckless dusted across her nose and cheeks.
A golden beauty.
She couldn't help but wonder what Gabel's children would look like he had married this girl. They would be striking no doubt.
Though she wanted to hate her, she did not. She only felt pity towards her.
Gabel no doubt wooed her with his charm and sweet words. Then showed her an unforgettable time in his bed before leaving her to go back to his life as if nothing had happened. This poor girl was probably holding onto his words all these years, in hopes he would find her again someday.
