"With this, your connection with your former husband is severed. You're now a free woman, Vivian Claydall."
"I never thought I would be called that again. Thank you, Father."
"You're welcome, my child. May Goddess Teri's blessing be with you."
We were deep inside the church in a place in front of a small fountain. Back in the Academy City, the Paladin test was held in this room, according to the church layout.
But because there was a lack of it here, it seemed like this room was used as a marriage and divorce ritual instead.
The process was simple. With the help of the holy book held by the priest, which was apparently a magic item, he erased a marriage crest on Vivian's waist through her clothes.
I hadn't had the chance to look at married women or men's naked bodies, so I didn't know that they had a small Castitas Church crest that showed that they were married in their bodies with their respective partners' names written in small letters.
It was like breaking a contract with the magic item, making me curious about the holy book.
'I should ask one from Sana.'
Anyway, the divorce procedure had ended. Eliza had also been informed and was currently waiting in the hall with Emilia as they had also finished the magic training.
The priest approached me and whispered.
"We're done, Your Holiness."
I nodded at him and turned to Vivian, who looked dazed in front of the fountain. She raised her dress to check her waist and had a mixed expression between happy and sad as she looked at her reflection in the water.
She would be fine, I guess, so I turned back to the priest.
"Thank you. And about the matter I talked about before…"
"I've prepared for that. Please just leave it to me." He responded before listening to my full sentence.
He worked fast, as expected from a veteran. I gave him a grateful nod, and he left the room.
Vivian was still in front of the fountain, and I didn't think I should approach her in her current condition. So I quietly left the room, leaving her some time for herself.
In the meantime, I should probably tell Eliza about this. Vivian's family name had changed to what it was before, but I doubted it also worked like that for Eliza as she was Baron Rose's daughter and probably was the only heir for the Rose Barony.
I said probably because I didn't know whether what Rowen Rose did in the past few days bore any fruit. And I meant… seriously. I heard from Beatrice that Rowen Rose had even laid on the villager's daughter when he was on an outing with Otto.
'What happened will happen. I shouldn't care about that, but Eliza probably will ask for help to take care of those half-siblings of hers if Rowen Rose's seed bears any fruit.'
When I arrived in the hall, Eliza looked restless as she looked around aimlessly. Her hands were put together on her thighs, praying silently while mumbling that, hopefully, her mama would be happy from now on.
While it was a bit strange to hear her calling Vivian mama instead of mother, it only showed how much Eliza loved her mother and how close she was with Vivian.
Emilia sat beside her and raised her head, noticing that I was walking closer.
"Arthur." She called out, alarming the younger girl.
Eliza raised her head in an instant; her hair was flicked up due to the sudden movement. Standing up, she ran toward me and grabbed my shoulders.
"Is it done?" She asked, looking up with a hopeful gaze. "Where is Mama?"
"She's still inside. I think she will need some time alone as she has just… divorced your father. The procedure was finished, and she regained her maiden name."
I explained in the simplest way possible, and Eliza sighed in relief.
"Thank Goddess!" She exclaimed. "It finally ends…"
"Yeah, it is."
I agreed, pulling Eliza into a hug. She accepted it and leaned against me. Her breathing was stable, and then… it became weaker and weaker.
As I looked down, I noticed she had fallen asleep in my hug.
"She's sleeping, huh?"
At that time, another voice rang, and I raised my head to see Emilia approaching. She had a soft smile as her gaze was on Emilia.
"Just let her sleep for now, Arthur. She had exhausted her MP in our training earlier. Somehow, she became motivated to become stronger to the point she pushed herself harder than before."
"Is that so?" I replied in a low voice as I looked at Eliza's sleeping face.
She had a really peaceful expression as if the burden she tried to bear was suddenly lifted. I knew she had been worried about her mother since yesterday, but I didn't know she was this worried.
I held her tightly and carried her in my arms, nestling her head on my shoulder in a comfortable position.
"So?" Emilia raised her voice, getting closer to me.
"What do you plan to do next? We've finished our business here, no?" She said while smiling playfully. "Or do you still have a business to take care of?" Then she turned to the entrance of the corridor I just took from the ritual room earlier.
I smiled back at her, "There is just one more thing I need to do. And for that, I need a bit of your help."
"Oh? What is that."
"Just… some simple thing." I didn't go into detail as that wasn't needed.
Emilia was an intelligent woman, and she knew what I wanted to tell her. The reason she asked me was because she just wanted to tease me, but that wouldn't work, unfortunately.
And after thinking for a while, I saw no reason for Vivian to agree to my suggestion without Emilia or Eliza's help.
From my observation today, Vivian was still fond of this territory. She had many memories here as she had probably lived there for more than half her lifetime.
Also, even when she masturbated last night while thinking about me, I saw no chance for her to visit my room for a night visit. Her lingering feeling was still too strong for that, as I had seen earlier.
So… I needed to be patient. Having Vivian together with me and sleeping with both my childhood friend and her beautiful mother was a dream for all men, but those who were impatient wouldn't ever get it.
"I will tell you the details later. You will probably like it too, as I have another proposal for you."
"A proposal, is it?" Emilia asked curiously; her voice raised pleasantly. "Is it a marriage proposal?"
"Unfortunately, I am not ready for that yet."
What was this woman talking about? Marriage? I wouldn't give her the potion to allow her to be creampied without getting pregnant if I was ready for such a thing.
Settling down was nice, but I was still young and wanted to screw around first. Besides, the frustration and stress from Horizon Online weren't exactly washed off yet. It had only been a few days since I got freed from that hell.
Emilia looked crestfallen when I said I wasn't ready yet.
"I'll marry you in the future, okay? But not in the near future." I added quickly, and her expression brightened again.
"Of course." She nodded repeatedly, crossing her arms under her breasts. "And for the unfinished business, I will help you with anything I can." She moved closer, blowing cold breath onto my neck. "I also have new techniques to help you at night, taught by Madam Vivian."
Did she also learn how to seduce me from Vivian? I meant… how did they get so close that Vivian even taught her some techniques.
No, it wasn't bad. In fact, it would have been better if Emilia had a good relationship with Vivian.
At that moment, I heard footsteps coming from the corridor behind me, past the closed door. I turned around to wait for someone who would show up shortly.
"I will look forward to your new technique, but I will count on you with this unfinished business first."
"Alright." Emilia nodded and stepped away from me, putting on her strict expression.
The footsteps got closer and closer; then, the door was opened with a squeaking sound. Vivian appeared from behind the door with a trace of tears on her cheek. She was smiling but clearly not in the best state after getting divorced.
"Eliza is sleeping?" She first asked that as her gaze landed on my arms, to which I replied with a firm nod. Then she looked up, "Did I make you wait?"
"No." I shook my head at her. "It's not a wait at all, Madam. In fact, we can wait as long as you need."
"I thank you for your consideration, but I am fine." She responded, forcing herself to smile.
As expected, I couldn't make a move on her today. It would need time to close the wound in her heart, and I would help her with that.
"Well then, how about we return to the mansion? It's embarrassing, but somehow I crave something sweet. Do you mind accompanying this old lady to enjoy some treats?" She asked, tilting her head slightly as she held her cheek with her right hand.
"With pleasure," I replied.
"Some treats sound nice on this good afternoon," Emilia added with a soft smile.
"Great!" Vivian clapped her hands together. "I'll have you know that Linda's sweet tastes better than the ones made in pastry!"
"Hahaha, we're looking forward to it." I laughed as we began to walk out of the church. "I think Eliza will also love seeing sweet treats in front of her when she wakes up."
"Fufufu, it will be strange if she doesn't."
With this, only one unfinished business was left before I could return to Academy City. No hope for a night visit, it seemed. I was a bit disappointed that my plan only led to this, but I should also understand Vivian's feelings. She loved her former husband more than I thought, after all.
'I will have many chances, no need to feel disappointed.' I consoled myself in my mind.
At least Eliza's growth was a nice welcome. I gained a few things from my trip to Rose Barony.
