The unequivocal question made Emily shudder, holding Jenna's hand once more. The mere possibility of carrying a child and bringing him to an uncertain future frightened her. In addition, her pregnancy would be a tremendous obstacle to her scheduled escape. Jenna was right: Lord Leandre would not let her leave the property in her delicate state, let alone travel all the way to the shore to assist Arthur on his business trip. Despite that, even in her current predicament, the idea of baring her lover's baby and raising him together made her heart blossom with newfound joy.

–Yes, Jenna; I think I may be expecting. But that doesn't change my plans. I don't want my baby to be snatched away from me. I wish to become a mother, in every sense of the word. If I give birth to a girl, I want her to grow up in a free land, in a home where she is allowed to be strong, creative and sagacious. And if I give birth to a boy, I want him to be kind, sensitive and conscious about others. Our children do not deserve to be afraid, to abuse or be abused.

Jenna's eyes began to well up. Her friend's defiant speech seemed to echo in her past, in every bittersweet memory and forbidden nook.

–Dear sister, now I am convinced that you have completely lost your mind… But in the best way possible. Don't worry; I have a plan to help you sort this mess out…

*

A few days later, Emily followed Jade towards Lord Leandre's private study. He was not in a good mood; he had too much to drink in the previous evenings and he was feeling sick. Lord Arthur sat next to him, drinking tea and examining the latest accounting records. Both of their heads turned as Jade announced her arrival. Emily walked right behind her, wearing a light linen dress and a handmade shawl. It was hard for Arthur not to stare and marvel at her presence; it reminded him of the sprouts and the birds in the spring. Jade bowed before her masters and proceeded to expose a small spotted muslin. Lord Leandre glared at Emily as soon as he saw the crimson stain. However, he was polite enough to remain silent throughout the housekeeper's explanation.

–My Lords, I am sorry to inform you that your chosen maiden, Emily Ratzer, just entered the influx of the moon, according to her natural calendar. After the pertinent examinations, I can confirm that she is not with child. Fortunately, she is in perfect health and ready to reinstate her prior duties.

Emily took a step forward and lowered her gaze, actively trying to avoid her lover's hazel eyes. She had not been able to address him in private. He did not know the truth about her pregnancy yet and she was not sure how he was going to react in the first place. Lord Leandre stood up, visibly disappointed. He was about to grab his whip, but Lord Arthur stopped him halfway.

–Love, it is not her fault. Not all maidens are blessed with fertility. Clearly, the gods have other plans for us. They want you to conceive our firstborn.

Leandre breathed out, nodding in agreement. Emily decided to intervene then.

–I am terribly sorry, Sir. Perhaps we can try again during the Spring Festival. I heard that sometimes…

–Hush. Kneel before us. Beg for our forgiveness and request the gods' absolution.

Emily was bristling with shame and humiliation, but she had to comply with the bond servant's sacred obligations. She fell at her master's feet and expressed her most solemn regrets. Lord Arthur was uncomfortable, so he remained in his seat. Lord Leandre, on his part, made sure to guide Emily through her prayers. In the end, he patted her head and helped her rise.

–Alright, dear maiden, cheer up. You may not be good enough to bear our son, but you can still find purpose in life. You could…learn how to play the flute or something.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

–Thank you for your kind words, master Leandre. I truly appreciate it.

*

Later that evening, Emily packed her few belongings and returned to the maidens' dorms. She could not be more grateful for Jenna's and Jade's complicity, though she did not like the idea of them running risks on her behalf. She wished she could talk to Arthur before they departed for the shore and address the situation together, but she knew he would be too busy preparing for the trip and discussing his alleged business opportunities. Moreover, the last thing she wanted was to put more pressure on him.

The news of her unsuccessful pregnancy was already spreading across the household, and Emily assumed many of her fellow sisters would secretly rejoice in the outcome. After all, that would give them the chance to stand in for her. Some others, like Lily, would probably take advantage of the situation to speak ill against her and question her moral integrity. Because of that, Emily was not surprised to hear her name echoing across the dorms' narrow corridors; she did not even mind the murmuring. What truly caught her attention were the women who talked about the war, sitting across the maidens' private garden.

–Of course we don't want our men to go to war, we need our masters right here.

–Do we really, though? Perhaps we would be better off without them. They can conquer the whole world if they please. But while they are gone, someone will need to take care of the fields, the shops, the public courts, the schools, and the sanatoriums… Us maidens could cover for their jobs.

–Praise the gods, that would make them appreciate us a lot more. It would show them we can handle many of those things too.

–And we definitely could make some improvements… I'm just saying.

Emily walked past them and smiled to herself. She had not considered it before, but maybe Rosetta's external conflicts could also lead to deep structural transformations. The war was an opportunity for women to rise and renovate their roles in their communities, especially while soldiers were away. A spark of hope budded in her chest and the dream of a free, more equitable land lingered in her mind for the rest of the day.

*

The next couple of days were particularly tense. Emily resumed her work in the kitchen, the stables, and the laundry room. She tried to stay away from gossip or any type of controversy. Even so, she was startled when she heard a group of soldiers discussing the importance of hunting down possible dissidents and "enemies of the holy conquest". According to them, the religious council had signed a special mandate to impose additional surveillance and disciplinary measures. For instance, citizens who reported suspicious activity related to blasphemy or disobedience would be rewarded with an incentive, whereas those who covered up for any offense would be punished for collusion. Emily was so stressed out that she could barely sleep. At least Lord Arthur's idea seemed to be working out. Lord Leandre did not suspect his betrayal. In fact, he was looking forward to the next moon festival to conceive his first child, and he was planning to welcome at least two babies per year in the following decade. Half of them would become his heirs, destined to a life of leisure and opulence, while his daughters would end up sharing a bed in the nearest community orphanage.

*

The highly anticipated day came along with the monsoon season. A cold drizzle caressed the fields and the muddy roads. The peasants were already singing their praises to the God of Rain and blessing their seeds at the local temples. Like every year, Lord Leandre made sure to send sacks of grain to reward the most faithful families in the nearby villages. He was also supposed to oversee the upcoming celebrations. Lord Arthur said goodbye to him early in the morning, once they were done with their generous breakfast. Leandre tried to pull him back to bed, but Arthur insisted on leaving as promptly as possible, since the maidens had already packed his luggage and the carriages were waiting for him in the front of the mansion. He put his coat on and headed to the staircase. Emily's eyes lit up as she saw him. It was happening: they were about to embark on a journey of irreparable uncertainty, a step that would either save them or vanquish everything they had ever known. But they were together, and that single thought made Emily reassert her hope and strength.

The guards saluted him and the bond servants followed them towards the door. Jade had strategically placed Emily among his entourage, respecting her master's initial instructions, and no one had questioned her for it. A sweet, older maiden was supposed to join them too. Nevertheless, Emily lost her temple when she recognized Lily standing right behind her. The distress was evident in Jade's face as well.

–I am sorry to interrupt, my Lord. Your husband is genuinely interested in your comfort. So, he asked me to send a third maiden to assist you during your business trip. He personally requested Miss Lily Skys.

Arthur almost grimaced as Lily bowed down to him, displaying an attentive smirk.

–At your mercy, master Arthur…