Fiancee of a stranger

(Erriador — City of Vernila)

"Officer, have you found her yet?"

May Mae swallows down her anxiousness, her frame leaning forward across the table. Behind it sits a police officer in a navy blue uniform, his expression unmoved.

Her husband, Niall, sighs softly beside her, helpless at the sight of his wife in such a miserable state.

They had arrived in Erriador on the first day of the new year—not to indulge in comforts or festivities, but to surprise their beloved niece.

They had imagined her wide-eyed delight, her voice cracking in joy and disbelief. May had even chuckled to herself, picturing Neva's flustered expression and the sparkle in her eyes—eyes that always wore her heart so openly.

But what awaited them at Neva's apartment shattered that joy. The door was locked. No response. Just silence.

As they lingered outside in confusion, the building's owner passed by. Their hearts lifted—finally, someone who could tell them something. But luck betrayed them. The woman had no idea where Neva had gone. No signs. No answers.

That was when May's unease, buried deep for days, began to surface in her eyes.

They filed a missing person report shortly afterward.

The officers questioned them thoroughly—when was Neva last seen? What did she say? Who were her friends, family, acquaintances?

May and Niall told them everything they could recall. Even the landlady's observation: neither of the two apartment entrances had been opened in the last six days.

It wasn't just Neva. A young man—her neighbor—was also missing. Six days and counting.

Digging deeper, they learned from the landlady that the man had been living with Neva for weeks—despite having his own apartment just next door.

He had stayed there, by her side.

When the officers examined the building's surveillance footage, they discovered something deeply suspicious: the footage from the evening of December 26th was missing. Gone.

Investigators extended their search to Vernila University, where Neva was currently enrolled. They summoned her friend—Emma, the only name May could recall.

May needed to speak with Emma herself. The only person her dear niece had ever seemed close to.

When Emma arrived at the station, the officers questioned her thoroughly.

To their growing concern, Emma admitted that she hadn't been able to contact either Neva or Rhett.

And then came the bombshell—Emma revealed that Neva was in a serious relationship with Rhett Lei.

The words knock the air out of May's lungs. For a moment, she feels her mind stall. Blank.

Niall is surprised, yes—but not unreasonably so. In fact, he finds himself focused more on his wife, now in visible distress, and gently strokes her back.

May, meanwhile, struggles to process the revelation: their sweet, innocent Neva... in love with a man? Engaged to him?

Because indeed—on Christmas morning, Rhett had proposed.

And Neva had accepted.

They had no idea. Not even a hint. Not a word from the girl who called them her second parents. Their perfect niece had withheld a turning point in her life from them.

May feels gutted. Niall feels... disappointed. A quiet ache gnaws at them both—had they failed her in some way?

As the officers continue their investigation, Emma shares more. Rhett was often gone for days due to "business abroad."

Of course, she doesn't know that he's actually a covert agent for the Erriador Intelligence Service—a man who's risked his life for national peace.

Right now, none of that matters. Right now, Rhett Lei is suspect number one.

Had he taken Neva? Was this a crime of love turned sinister?

The case, once a missing report, now carries a grim shadow. Something is very wrong.

May refuses to leave the police station. Not until Neva is found. But with no progress through the night, Niall manages to coax her away with quiet reassurances that barely convince even himself.

They spend the night in a hotel. January 2nd. Sleepless. Haunted by fear.

May cannot stop imagining her late brother and sister-in-law—Neva's real parents. She can almost feel their disappointment from beyond the grave, scolding her for failing to protect the girl they entrusted to her care.

At first light, they rush back to the station. They don't even wait to hear what the officer on the phone had told them: Neva is still missing.

---

(Current Scene)

"Officer, have you found her yet?" May's voice cuts the silence as she steps into the department once more.

The officer looks up at her sudden arrival, eyes meeting hers with mild surprise.

"Was it Neva Mae?" he asks. She nods eagerly.

"Not yet. We'll inform you as soon as we learn anything," he replies, eyes dropping back to the screen before him. The quiet clack of keys resumes, his focus shifting entirely to the files glowing on the monitor.

"When will that be?" May presses, her voice sterner now.

Before he can respond, the shrill ring of a telephone interrupts them. The officer lifts the receiver. "Excuse me," he says, before turning away and engaging in a formal discussion with whoever is on the line.

"Let's go, honey," Niall says gently. "They'll do their job."

"No," May whispers. "Not yet. Not until they find her." She stays rooted to the floor, jaw tight.

The officer ends the call, sets the receiver down, and looks back at them.

"We'll find Miss Neva. Rest assured," he says.

Then—silence. As if they no longer exist to him, his eyes drift back to the screen, fingers clicking away.

May's frustration boils over. Her hands slam down on the desk. The sound cracks through the room.

Niall jumps, startled.

"Rest assured, your mother! My Neva has been missing for a whole freaking week!" she cries. "Do your damn job properly!"

Gasps and disapproving stares sweep across the department. Niall reaches out quickly, gripping her shoulders.

"May, calm down—please."

She straightens, breathing heavily. Her fingers press against her forehead. The pressure of it all—the fear, the helplessness, the guilt—it's too much.

"You can't cause a scene here, Mrs. Mae," the officer says coolly. "I'll have you behind bars if you keep this up."

May swallows back her rage and shame. "I'm sorry, Officer. It won't happen again. Just... please, find my niece," she whispers, eyes lowered.

"We will. But for now, you'll need to leave the department," he says, this time directing his words to Niall.

Niall nods solemnly. "We understand. Please inform us of any updates."

He turns to May, searching her weary eyes. "Let's go, love," he says softly.

She meets his gaze. And though her body still trembles with helplessness, she nods.

They walk out together, hand in hand—holding on to each other because they have nothing else to hold on to.