Rosetta's weather was not particularly harsh, though temperatures decreased considerably during the wintertime, making dew freeze every night. Despite that, Emily sat for almost an hour on one of the garden's benches, waiting for Arthur to come back. The party was still lively in the main hall, where a few talented maidens danced and sang for the distinguished guests. Lord Leandre had already returned to his spot on the dining table. He was eating lamb racks with mint sauce and washing it down with more red wine. His husband, for his part, was now heading back to their bedchambers. Emily rushed to meet him as soon as she saw him walking by. The orchard was dark and solitary, so it was the perfect place to address him in private.

–Arthur! Are you okay?

He turned around and tilted his head. He appeared to be serene, yet his eyes conveyed immense rage and impotence.

–I've been better, but thanks for asking, dear Emily.

She took a deep breath before reaching for his shoulder. Her touch was somehow soothing enough to make him smile for a second.

–You won't leave him, don't you?

–I can't. I am so sick of it. Every time I try to stand up for myself or put an end to this, he threatens to hurt my family.

–Your family?

Arthur took a step back, on the verge of tears again. His cheeks were burning with shame.

–Well, you probably have heard something about it by now… My father never got married; that makes me a bastard. Not only that, to this day, he secretly shares a bed with my mother. They are in love, Emily. And they raised me as a couple.

Emily swallowed hard. She found it hard to believe that a master could love a woman so much to put his entire life and his son's custody in jeopardy.

–I certainly couldn't care less about your origin, Arthur. You are a good man, and your family loves you, that's all that matters.

–You are right, that is all that should matter. However, Rosetta's citizens would never approve of it. Leandre could have us all killed or incarcerated with a single announcement.

A long pause followed. It was difficult for Emily to gauge the implications of coming from a "deviant household", as some used to call it. Yet, she understood the gravity of the situation: Arthur's hands were tied, and so were his loved ones'. She pulled him close for a hug.

–I bet your mother is a brave, intelligent woman.

–She is a keen poet with a heart of gold. I would never let anyone hurt her… I don't want anyone to hurt you either, my love. You are the best that has happened to me, a true blessing in this wretched world, and I need to protect you at all costs…

Her pace fastened; Arthur's warm breath on her neck and his passionate speech were making her swoon underneath the crescent moon. She felt the urge to grasp his hand and press it tightly against her restless chest. She wanted to tell him that she loved him, that she craved his affection, beyond fear and prohibition, against all odds and common sense. But he pulled away before she could even choose her first words.

–I am sorry, Emily. I think we made it clear enough that we shouldn't talk to each other again. Thank you for everything.

–Arthur… Please, don't go… I need to tell you s…

He turned around and walked away in firm strides, until his shadow disappeared behind the trimmed bushes. Emily's response was also lost amid the cold trees. All that remained was a piercing, hollow pain.

*

Emily began a new life at the mansion, where she was supposed to stay until she finished breastfeeding her future baby. She still had to wait a couple more weeks until her pregnancy was confirmed or dismissed, though she already knew what to expect. As soon as she was under the influx of the moon once more, Lord Leandre would send her back to the dorms, where she would resume her prior routine. In the meantime, she spent most of her days reading, knitting, pacing the gardens, or visiting Jenna at the pond. She felt miserable every time she ran into Lord Arthur in the corridors, who always pretended not to notice her. She thought about him every single night, and sometimes she would well up in the dark, wondering if he recalled their last kiss too. At least his married life seemed to be improving, or so they said. He was back with Lord Leandre, watching stage plays and draining expensive bottles at Rosetta's elite parties.

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Emily assumed she could brighten up her evenings by befriending the maidens that worked in the main house, but somehow it was hard for her to approach them. Just as she deduced before, most of them were jealous of her current position. One of them was Lily. She was a beautiful, orthodox, and diligent woman who had served Lord Leandre for many years. She always dreamed about bearing one of his future heirs. Unfortunately, she had a skin condition from birth that probably made her less desirable to his eyes. Emily tried her best to get along. Nonetheless, Lily was constantly scorning her. For example, she reproached her for wasting her free time with vacuous literature, instead of visiting the temple every day, praising the gods and praying for the child's wellbeing. Emily sensed the contempt in her voice, still, she wanted to keep things friendly.

–Thank you for your concern, dear sister. But master Leandre did not request that at the moment.

–Lord Leandre is responsible for our realm's prosperity and spiritual welfare. He has a lot of things to worry about. A lazy, faithless maiden shouldn't be one of them.

–Well, Lily, I think that is up to him to decide.

Emily did not care about Lily's slights, though she knew she had to be very careful around her. Rosetta's religious education was so intrusive that many citizens would blow the whistle on each other's offenses. Many maidens were also genuinely devoted to their religious authorities and despised those who went against the stream. Emily discussed the situation with Jenna one day when they were taking a walk to the nearby village. Apparently, she was not fond of Lily either.

–Jade also warned me about her. She is a lapdog. She is constantly doing the most to impress everyone and become an example of religious excellence, but she is bitter, mean, and envious behind the scenes.

–It is not her fault, I guess. Life is hard, everyone just does the best they can.

–And speaking of hardships… What is the problem with Lord Arthur? Have you heard something about it? A maiden saw him drinking alone the other night. I don't know what is going on in his head, but he seems to be heartbroken.

–Well… Lord Leandre keeps cheating on him; what do you expect?

Emily's chest felt tight, and she found it hard to breathe for a second. Luckily, her friend stopped under a leafy tree to pick up some scattered plums.

–He shouldn't have married him then. Men are mysterious, volatile creatures, aren't they?

Jenna chuckled and resumed her walk down the olive hills. Emily tried to focus on the distant mills and the chimneys that surrounded the lush crops, but her mind was bound to Arthur once more. She yearned to comfort him, just like the very first time they met in the gloomy cellar, and she simply could not push that thought away.

*

Later that night, she sat alone in her luxurious chamber and started writing a letter to him. She did not even know if she would be brave enough to deliver it, yet those soulful lines helped her vent her own sorrow. She chose her words meticulously, to avoid any detail that could give away her or his identity. She simply made it clear that she missed him dearly, that she cared about his future, and that a heart like his deserved nothing but pure love and happiness. She hid the note in her dresser drawer, between a few fragments of poetry, and weighted on her alternatives. She never suspected that Lily would dare to sneak into her room to spy on her private correspondence.

Emily was just coming back from the pond when she saw Lily standing in the middle of her bedroom. Judging by her ashen apron, she had been cleaning the fireplace. Emily walked in and said hello to her. She did not expect a warm response from her fellow sister, although she seemed to be in a particularly good mood. She approached Emily confidently and proceeded to expose the wrinkled paper in her pocket, scanning it with an insolent look.

–Emily Ratzer… What is the meaning of this letter? Who are you talking about?

Emily turned as pale as a ghost, almost flinching at the sight of it. Despite that, she remained firm in her demeanor. She could not let Lily intimidate her and gloat over her fear.

–First of all, who gave you permission to violate my privacy and sniff around my room? And secondly, what makes you think that is an actual letter?

–Don't try to fool me, sister. I knew you were hiding something. You should be worried about your pregnancy and your spiritual health, yet you are having a carnalaffair with someone.

Emily took a step forward, flushing with anger.

–That is a very serious accusation, Lily. You have no right to defame me so shamelessly. I did not admit any of that. Besides, I don't need to explain myself to you. Mind your own business.

Lily rolled her eyes, visibly delighted.

–You are right, dear sister. You won't explain anything to me; you will discuss it with master Leandre.

Just like every other person in the vastness of Rosetta, Emily faltered to the sound of his name.

–What? Do you really plan to bother him with such an absurd claim?

–He is already informed. Follow me, please…