Emily and Jenna returned to the mansion in the midst of a tumult. The news of the holy conquest was spreading rapidly throughout the realm, from the religious council's headquarters to the most distant houses of prayer. Most Rosettan men hated the pagans; they did not need too many excuses to lash out against them. In addition, fervent believers were easily manipulated by the council's preachers, so they were already calling for an intervention. Maidens were not allowed to engage in political affairs, but they were expected to express their loyalty and support for religious dispositions. Because of that, Jenna was very careful in choosing her words as they made their way back uphill.
–War is a terrible thing; it devastates everyone and everything it touches. I pray, from the bottom of my heart, that our government can come to a more favorable resolution. Our king is a self-proclaimed pacifist. He wouldn't want our people to be massacred, or to seize foreign lands. There has to be another way.
–Of course there is another way, Jenna. Regrettably, most conflicts are rooted in greed rather than principles or natural differences. The king and his chamber are cornered. The religious council wants to conquer the archipelago and they won't stop until they achieve it. They have the military and the faithful on their side anyway.
–And they have the gods' blessing, or so they claim…
Emily had a hard time restraining her emotions. Not only did she understand her friend's fears and uncertainty, but she also assumed Lord Leandre's ultimate ambitions. Men like him did not hesitate to deceive, corrupt, and decimate entire populations, shielding themselves behind a glorious purpose or a collective demand.
As soon as they arrived at the mansion, they saw Lord Arthur standing in one of the lateral terraces, addressing all the guards and male laborers on the property. A group of maidens was also listening to his speech, so Jenna and Emily proceeded to join them, standing at the back of the crowd. Emily watched her former lover from a safe distance; he did not appear to be gloomy anymore. On the contrary, his outstanding jewels were beaming underneath the declining sun, and his elegant countenance caught everyone's attention.
–...In this respect, it is important that we collaborate with the council's designs and attend the public manifestations of our faith. However, we must look after our regular duties as well. The hard work of our citizens and their strong sense of community is what will keep our realm thriving under any circumstances. That being said, please resume your activities with the usual effort and demonstrate your loyalty to my family's holy mission. Lord Leandre will be gone for the rest of the week. He will be very busy with the current negotiations at the royal palace. I will take care of all his business in the meantime, so approach me directly if you have any important inquiries. You are dismissed. Praise the gods.
Emily was awestruck by his confident statements and commanding tone. Did he know about the conspiracy all along? Could he be selfish enough to support his husband's initiatives? Perhaps he was just like his grandfather and the other men in his lineage, who were bold enough to question or disobey the sacred teachings in private, but they would still endorse the system that granted them their privileges. She felt disappointed and betrayed somehow. Although all she could do at the moment was lower her head and resign, as society intended her to do for as long as she lived.
*
Emily locked herself in her room for the rest of the evening. Her mind was tormented by catastrophic possibilities. She despised war, its leaders' arrogance, and their hateful threats. She simply could not comprehend why men were constantly calling on violence, why their love for the homeland or for religion led them towards hate and oppression instead of fraternity and equality. She also wondered if the pagans embraced similar ideologies. According to Lord Arthur, they were not as cruel and brute as the ancestors depicted in their chronicles. Still, they had plenty of good reasons to loathe Rosettans and they would not hesitate to take revenge on them if given the chance.
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She put on her nightgown and wrapped herself in the fur blanket, ready to blow off the candles on the nearby table, when a subtle knock on the door took her aback. It was late already. All the workers had left the mansion and the maidens were supposed to be back at their dorms; perhaps only a couple of guards were still roaming the property. Could Lord Arthur truly dare to visit her in the middle of the night? She rose to her feet and headed to the door very quietly, breathing faster with each step. Her master walked into the room shortly after, sneaking in from the dark, cold corridor. Emily flinched as he closed the door behind him.
–Lord Arthur! What are you doing here? This is far from appropriate and…
–Emily, please, there is no need to pretend. We are alone; the right wing is completely empty. I need to talk to you.
She sighed and raised the candlelight to illuminate his gaze. He was right, Lord Leandre would be gone for the rest of the week. Even so, it was not entirely safe to interact with each other, especially after the incident with Lily.
–You need to leave now. I am not a game for you to enjoy while your spouse is away. I cannot go back and forth with you anymore. It is both dangerous and exhausting.
–Wait, please listen to me. I did not come to play with you, not even to discuss our current situation. I am here to talk about the war.
Lord Arthur lowered his voice and Emily could tell he was being serious. She gradually dropped her guard then.
–Right. Your husband has been causing quite a stir.
–I hear that very often.
He paced the room with silent strides, reaching for a chair next to the hearth. Emily handed him a cushion as he mirrored her tender smile, reminiscent of the impassioned evenings they spent by the fire.
–So, why would you bother to consult me about the holy conquest? Seems to me that you and your powerful family will be one of the main beneficiaries.
–Do you really think so low of me? You know my heart, Emily. I would never take pride in the suffering of thousands of people. I do not crave fortune, not even glory. All I want is freedom. And I know I'm not the only one, that's why I'm here… You were right about the religious council, about everything. Someone needs to put an end to their reign of terror.
He leaned closer to her, almost brushing her bare shoulder. Emily held her breath for a second.
–Are you… planning to murder your husband?
Arthur chuckled, stunned by her forwardness.
–I am tempted, believe me. But that wouldn't stop the war at this point. He has already persuaded the council, the devotees, and the soldiers. Moreover, my entire family could face the consequences of my crime. My approach is completely different… See, my father has organized a small group of dissidents, a squad of people like you and me, those who refuse to be silent and afraid forever simply because they can't comply with society's ruthless norms. We have one goal in common: we want to steal a ship and escape to the pagan islands. Not only do we wish to settle somewhere safe to live in peace with our loved ones, but we also plan to warn the villages about the invasion, so they can prepare themselves and wage an effective counterattack.
Emily paled, grasping his words and their definitive, determined outcome. She wanted to reply, but she found herself stuttering. Arthur had to embrace her more tightly then, uplifting her with the trace of his lips.
–Wait, what you are trying to say is…
–What I am trying to say is: There is a chance for you and me. Come with us, join our cause, and live a happy, free life by my side. No woman deserves to be possessed, subjected, or exploited for the sake of tradition, especially not the one who helped me understand and experience the genuine essence of love. I love you, Emily Ratzer. Blasphemy, abomination, sin… No matter what people call it, or if they try to tear it apart. It is true, it is pure, and it is all I can put my soul into henceforth. So, please tell me now, would you be odd enough to run away with me?