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Report of Avistym 403
It’s been almost a year since I’ve been stationed here. One could say that “might makes right” in Duma’s domain, but that’s not quite correct. The War Father is deteriorating at a rapid rate. Many Rigelian nobles are content with their current stations, leaving the poor and disenfranchised to die in the harsh winters. Emperor Rudolf II is not popular with the court, since he keeps proposing humanitarian aid that almost always gets shut down. Not only that, but the circumstances of his rise to power are suspect among the people to say the least.
Regardless, the Illuminati don’t seem to pay much mind to Rigelian politics. Fortunately, this has allowed me to gain the Emperor’s ear so to speak. He has been kind enough to provide me with quarters inside the castle itself. That said, I fear that the Illuminati are plotting something in the shadows.
“Miss Oblige, may I come in?”
Agnès quickly closed the datapad and hid it among her desk affairs. “Of course, Your Excellency!”
The Rigelian emperor entered the room cautiously, slowly closing the door behind him. He gazed at Agnès with his big green eyes and a small smile. “How have you been?”
“I’m quite alright, thank you.” The former priestess turned to face him as they both sat down on the edge of the nearby bed. She “I’m just finishing up some work before going to bed. Is there something I can help you with?”
“It’s not a big deal, but I was wondering about, uh…” He fidgeted in place. It appeared that he was nervous.
“Alm,” Agnès began, the name getting him out of his daze in a split second, “is something bothering you?”
“Oh, no it’s just that… We’re not supposed to name the baby before they’re born, right?”
Agnès giggled. Alm pouted in response. After regaining her composure, she said “It’s generally in case anything happens, but given how much medicine has apparently advanced in the last couple of years, and the fact that we know it’s a boy, I’d imagine that it’s okay to name him now.”
“Oh. A boy.” His eyes widened, before gazing over Agnès’s pregnancy bump. He placed his branded hand over it, rubbing it softly. “I was thinking of naming him Tiz, then.”
Agnès froze in place. The emperor’s gaze then met hers. “If that’s okay, of course.”
“It’s… fine.” She still longed for Tiz, as they both knew that Alm still longed for Celica. However, they were both gone, so they found solace in each other instead. It was technically forbidden by the Planeswardens, of course. She was also technically spying on him. It was wrong. Agnès knew as much. However, she had to live with herself for the sake of the multiverse. “I was thinking… Celica liked making flower wreaths with you, right?”
Alm nodded, his heart heavy when he spoke. “...Yes.”
“I was thinking of naming him Garland after your bond with her.” Agnès spoke slowly and softly, as if she needed to handle Alm with care.
“Then we can give him both names.” He smiled sadly. “They both sound fine to me.” His eyes returned to the bump. “Garland Tiz Rudolf, may you live to be brave and kind like your namesakes.”
The former vestal smiled and placed her hand over Alm’s. “Of course. We’ll watch over you. Always.”
It was a lie, but Agnès would have to live with that on her own.