Alice rushed to Toni, she could immediately sense his distress. She cupped her son's face and checked his emotional state. Hannah had to move her to the side in order to set Toni down on the bed. It took a moment for Toni to settle and adjust the light makeup he had, but he was able to speak.
"I-I get it now." He said, voice cracking with emotion. He was fidgeting with the hem of his skirt as he spoke. "Those boys… they told me about their punishments and treatments by her… and her guards…"
Alice moved to comfort him, while Hannah stood by the door. Alice grabbed his hand and squeezed it tightly. "I guessed they weren't treated well before, but this… this was way worse than I could even imagine."
"It's why Grandma is so special." Alice gently whispered to her son. "Her and her family have fought hard, even when it was futile, to help boys like them…"
"You can say that again." Hannah chimed in, giving the boy a soft, knowing smile. "She's personally recovered numerous boys from hellholes like this… just wish the crown felt the same."
"Careful with your words, Hannah," Alice said sharply. They were still in a foreign estate.
Hannah just shrugged. "I don't care. I'll say it to the Queen herself if no consequences come to our Lady."
"Mom," Toni said through gentle sobs. He wiped the tears with the back of his sleeve before continuing. "I… I want to join Claire. If she's rallying against people like Lady Lloyd, I want to join her…"
Alice was stunned for a moment. She didn't expect Toni to want to fight at all. He's cried over stepping on bugs or an animal's tail before. She shook her head, assuming he meant supporting her cause, like with money.
"W-we can talk about it. She'll need financial backing and-"
"No." Toni cut in, his voice cracking with emotion, but his eyes were serious. "I wish to join her personally."
"Like fight? You can't be serious, Toni. You aren't a fighter, and Diana would not let her grandson fight, let alone join a random adventurer's party." Alice replied, baffled. She did not expect Toni to insist on that.
"Yes, I'm serious," Toni said, clearing his throat. He felt the gentle warmth of his Goddess fill him once more. "I believe that is the sole reason for me coming here. Anka wishes to support Claire and her Goddess."
"That fucki-" Alice spat out before stopping herself. "Why now? Why did Anka start to care now?"
"She's always cared," Toni said, his eyes unfocused. Alice's eyes widened as her son was taken over by the will of his Goddess. "I have very little power in this domain. What use is a Goddess of Beauty in war? And my voice? Brushed away by those who think I'm nothin-"
She was cut off by Toni doubling over and coughing violently. It was only for a moment, but Anka manifested herself within Toni. Alice's eyes were wide, mirrored by Hannah's. That had never happened outside their rituals.
"What the fuck?" Hannah said, breaking the silence.
Alice silently agreed with the knight. She'd never seen or heard of a Goddess possessing a body like this. Dreams and during rituals, sure. But never like this. She was too stunned to even help her son recover.
"Ne-need any more proof?" Toni said between coughs. He began to take deep breaths as fatigue quickly took over. It seems Anka was secretly quite passionate about this.
Alice found her anger. She balled her fist and clenched her teeth. Why Toni? Why couldn't she choose someone else? Her thoughts spilled out before she even realized it.
"Fucking Goddess. I don't care about your divine wishes." Alice said, finally getting herself together. "I will not have my son throw his life away for some wish from a useless Goddess. Bad enough she cursed him with her 'blessing.'"
Toni gripped Alice's hand, hoping to calm her anger. "I know, Mom. I know how much you hate her… But she needs me. And… I want to. I want to fix this. I don't want to be tucked away again, even if you did so for my own good."
"Toni… please. That's not your fight… It's not your world either." Alice's voice softened as her anger transitioned to fear. "Let Claire fight, support her from the side… please."
"No. I can't sit this one out. Those boys need me. And… I found Claire's brother." Toni whispered back. He gripped his mom's hand tightly. "I don't know if I'll be helpful or a burden… but I need to do this."
Alice searched Toni's eyes for any sign of doubt, but found nothing. No inkling she could latch on to and persuade him. She took a long, deep breath and slumped her shoulders.
"Fuck. Grace would know what to say here…" Alice admitted. She missed relying on her wife's calm intelligence. "We'll talk with Diana, see if she'll approve it… I-I just worry about your safety. So does she… we can't lose another…"
Her voice trailed off as she remembered her last goodbye to her wife. A brief memory of how casual it was. Her chest tightened, but she got through it.
"Thank you, Mom," Toni said, wrapping Alice in a tight hug. He held her tightly for a long while. At some point, Hannah left to help the other knights. She gave the two space and made sure she was properly replaced as their guard.
She was also curious how preparations for moving out were going. Now that Lilith had returned, they could do their leaving ceremony. She let out a sigh, finding the whole process incredibly boring.
"Nobles and their formalities." She mumbled under her breath. She found her squadmates helping in preparations and quickly joined them. "Hope it goes by fast now."
Lilith, on the other hand, was being scolded by her Lady. Myrtle's face was flushed with anger, knowing Lilith had delayed the ceremony and embarrassed her.
"Seriously? You couldn't hold it in for one fucking night?" Myrtle spat. A bit of spit landed on Lilith's face. She resisted the urge to wipe it. "And you damaged Casseus? Of all the boys to take your anger out on, you chose him? I swear if there's a single scar on his face, I'll end you myself."
Lilith held back her laugh. Not like Myrtle could even hold a sword. She just had to bear with it for now. "My Lady, I apologize. Casseus caught me at a bad time and I-"
"Enough with that! Fuck! It's bad enough I didn't get Toni in my bedroom, but now there'll be rumors. How are we going to handle this?"
Ah, there it is. The real issue. Not Casseus, nor the violence. But Myrtle's noble image. Lilith waited until the noblewoman turned to roll her eyes and wipe her spit.
"Could push it onto one of the newer knights. One who doesn't like how we run the estate. Say she got drunk with power and went too far." Lilith coldly said. She had the perfect candidate in mind. An easy scapegoat with loose lips already. "Put the blame on her, make everyone doubt her claims when she's kicked out. Brand her as a liar trying to scorn her previous employer with harmful rumors."
"Yes, yes. Whatever." Myrtle said, sitting down. "Just not one of my friend's daughters."
"Obviously."
Myrtle let out a labored sigh. She was tired of the annoying drama already. She was back to thinking about Toni's body. She wished she could leave a mark on that perfect body of his. Brand him as hers like the others.
But no. That mother of his was too clever, wouldn't even let her have alone time with him. "Could say one Lady Elfiet's knights did it. Get that boy to come back as punishment to that self righteous bitch…."
"Apologies, my Lady, but no one would believe that," Lilith said calmly. "Lady Elfriet's women were far too proud. And too clean"
"Ugh, I can fantasize," Myrtle said, her eyes hazing with lust. "Just wish I got a taste of Toni…Even if he's old enough to be spoiled, I'd make an exception."
Lilith's stomach churned. That was one thing Lilith could never stomach. Her Lady only enjoyed boys. Young, pure, untouched boys. But most importantly, not above 18. Then they were spoiled in her eyes.
"Yes, he did seem quite beautiful," Lilith added, wanting this conversation over.
Myrtle burst out laughing. "That's quite the understatement… He's damn near perfect!"
"Just too old." Lilith thought. One more year. Just one more, and she could cut ties with this twisted woman.
"Now… we should get going. Don't want another embarrassment." Lady Myrtle said, standing with a labored groan
"Yes, My Lady," Lilith said, before bowing. She could feel anger bubble up, but suppressed it again. "I'll have our guard wish our guests a proper goodbye."