The next day, Antaeus got up early in the morning and had a long talk with the bishop in a room behind closed doors, without food or drink. Artemis seemed to hear the sound of weeping and chanting. In the evening, the bishop opened the door and commanded Artemis, "Go to the chapel and get me the holy water and chrism."

Artemis immediately understood what he was going to do.

"Antaeus, I baptize you in the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost." After Antaeus was baptized, the bishop offered a Mass for both of them.

"Now you are a new man in Christ." The bishop said to Antaeus, then turned to Artemis, "Artemis, you ..."

Antaeus also turned to Artemis, knelt down on one knee, gently held her hand, and said, "Artemis, now I am a Christian, just like you. Will you forgive me and accept me? I mean, will you ......"

Without waiting for him to finish, Artemis nodded, and Antaeus kissed her hand happily and gratefully. He then knelt down again to the bishop and said, "My lord, please bless me."

Stolen novel; please report.

The Bishop blessed him, let him rise, and then said, "Now go and prepare the chariots and horses. Tomorrow morning, before dawn, you will set out in time to meet Artemis' parents and teacher, the venerable Lord Pontus, Lady Hestia, and Scipio of Rome."

Everything happened swiftly.

Within days of Antaeus talking to her parents, the gardener's family were imprisoned; the king of Corfu was assassinated; Antaeus became king, and step by step, he eliminated the forces left behind that opposed Christianity; the war criminals who believed in Christ were gradually released; the officials of the former dynasty were restored to their official positions and pledged their allegiance to the king; Artemis was admitted to the palace and became the queen of Corfu.

When Artemis realized it, she was already on the castle balcony with Antaeus, watching the rejoicing of the nation.

"God bless Corfu! Long live the King and Queen of Corfu!"

Their names were recorded in the history of Corfu. One hundred and fifty years later, Corfu collapsed, and the history books and all civilization, along with this small nation, sank forever into the depths of the sea. The white iris, however, is still blooming in the world, giving off its fragrance.

—FINIS—