“So, friend, what was the message you, of all people, received from the gods?”
Of all people, really, it could have just as easily been Benjamin who got saddled with this, and then maybe I could have slipped away quietly, unnoticed. But I suppose, in the end, it let me bargain with them, so maybe it was worth the trouble after all.
“The Message was that they wanted me to teach their believers the ins and outs of magic. But I feel that's a topic we will have to at least discuss with his majesty and his advisors. The second part was about a few things concerning the Armantes Faith that have gotten distorted over the years.”
Lucrezia's eyes wandered around the room for a bit after hearing my message, before she finally pulled a thin booklet from her sleeve and scribbled something inside. The scratch of her pen was the only sound for a moment, and then she fixed me with that sharp look again, ready to keep digging.
“What do you mean by 'distorted'?”
“Those were their words, not mine, though they are true. Gods aren't just influencing their believers; they are also influenced by their believers' beliefs, so ever since their gender change, a blatant issue has been boiling beneath the surface. That of same sex relationships.”
Lucrezia scrunched up her nose like she smelled something foul and hesitantly asked.
“What about it?”
“Well, ever since their involuntary marriage, the gods' souls have become irrecoverably fused. They have lived for hundreds of years as man and woman, so the sudden change to woman and man is constantly fighting within, destabilizing their souls. That in itself is not a real issue; it just alters the form of their soul against their will. Which sounds bad, but is about as threatening as color-changing clothes. The real danger comes from the fact that same sex relationships are illegal in this country, not only by law but also by the Armantes faith. They are actively trying to suppress it, but whenever both souls become the same sex at the same time, an extreme strain is put on the bond they share. Which could cause damage to their souls in the long run.”
“So you are saying that…”
“Yes, for the sake of the gods, same sex relationships have to be legalized and treated like any other relationship in all accounts. This includes things like inheritance, adoptions, and custody, as well as many others.”
I could feel a vindictive glee spread throughout my body. And the shocked look in Lucrezia's eyes only elevated that glee. How would they explain that change to the rest of their faith? I don't know, I'm just the messenger. But I can already tell the coming months will be rather interesting.
While Elio and Lucrezia were still trying to piece themselves back together after my words, I pressed on, carrying the last part of the message like a stone in my pocket.
“Cheer up, the next change should be easier… I think… maybe.”
“A-and what is that?”
“Oh, just absolute equality between man and woman.”
“W-what?”
“The right to open their own businesses to join the army, legal autonomy from their Husband and fathers, et cetera, et cetera.”
At the start of this so-called meeting, I had been the one shrinking into myself, nerves prickling under my skin. Now, though, it was Lucrezia and Elio who looked like they wanted to disappear, their composure unraveling thread by thread.
Lucrezia jotted down a few more half-hearted notes, her eyes dull and distant, before waving me away with barely a word. Elio guided me out, down the echoing stairs and through the main gate, where someone was already waiting for me.
It was Janus.
I had promised him I’d be back in just a few hours, but of course, he couldn't hold still. I wanted to scold him, or at least pretend to be annoyed, but instead I felt my lips tugging into a helpless, foolish grin.
When I stepped outside, I found him locked in a heated argument with the monks guarding the entrance. The tension between them was so thick that even the rowdy pilgrims kept their distance, unwilling to risk getting caught in the crossfire.
“For the last time, where is my wife, you foul preachers!”
“S-she just went in, she shouldn't be back for ehm… right a few more hours.”
Janus clearly didn’t buy the monk’s flimsy excuse, and for a moment I worried he might actually lose his temper. But then his eyes found me as I made my way down the steps, and all that stormy energy seemed to melt away like a snowball on a stove.
Relief washed over his face, and I felt it echo in my own chest. I hadn’t realized how tightly I’d been holding onto my worry until I saw him standing there, safe and whole. Part of me had been bracing for disaster, half-expecting to have to fight my way out if things went wrong. The thought was almost laughable now, but it had felt all too real just moments before.
Now, all that anxiety seemed almost pointless. Things had gone so smoothly that I hadn’t even managed to bring up all the things I wanted to say. But there would be another meeting soon enough, I was sure.
For now, I just happily skipped down the stairs right into my… Hubby's arms *squeal*.
"Ruby! "Are you alright?”
Janus’s voice was thick with worry as my leap into his arms sent us spinning for a heartbeat. I pressed my face into his shoulder, breathing in the scent that had begun to feel like home, and muffled into his shoulder without lifting my head.
“Yes, of course, silly, I can take care of myself. You don't have to worry all the time.”
“How could I not worry when you get basically kidnapped right in front of my eyes?”
Hearing this accusation, Elio seemed a bit offended, didnt linger, and went back inside the cathedral.
“Where are Alex and Sera?”
“They are with Mother and Emma. By now, they should already be at the estate.”
“Good”
Even though it had only been a few hours, I’d already grown restless, my mind circling around the thought of whether they were safe. I might be a healing mage, but newborn souls are so fragile, so new to this world, with barely any memories to anchor them. There’s no telling how long they might linger before slipping away to the afterlife.
When we reached the carriage Janus had used, I noticed Joel sitting in the driver's seat next to Collin, who were also relieved to see me well, though Collin seemed a bit more concerned over Janus, who was about to paint the cathedral's stairs red, while Joel was resting his chin on the bow he had on the ready.
It was a little frightening to imagine what they might have done if I hadn’t made it out, but at the same time, the thought warmed something deep inside me. Still, it’s not an experience I’d care to repeat. Maybe, just maybe, the next meeting will be a little less dramatic.
“Shall we go back, brother, or do you want to go for round two?”
“Shut up.”
“Hahaha, good that you are back too, Ruby. You have no idea how he…”
“I said shut up.”
“Yes, Brother dearest, hehehe!”
I tried not to laugh at Janus for fussing over me, but a quiet snicker slipped out anyway before he gently nudged me into the carriage.
“Sigh, that idiot… So, mind telling me what all this was about?”
“Well, from the letters Seymour had sent, they got 'interested', and we talked a bit about me potentially teaching magic until she cut the meeting short because…”
“Because what?”
“Mmmmmmh, I think it's better when we talk about it somewhere more private.” “No offense!"
Right after I make my cryptic apology, Joel's voice could be heard replying through the thin carriage walls from the driver's seat,
“None taken!”