☀️ Arselia and Akonia

- I will schedule the ceremony for November thirtieth of this year. By that time, you two will have enough time to sort out your feelings.
The Patriarch adds Beata and Gion's names to the appropriate notebook.

- Okay, thank you!
Beata wanted to lecture Eugene about the changes in church doctrine - she couldn't help but notice the disappearance of the statue of Arselia. But she decided that now was not the time or the place.
- Goodbye and thank you again for everything. See you at the end of November!
The happy couple leaves the Patriarch, bumping into Alaria (?) in the doorway.

Once outside, Beata laughed and hugged Gion tightly.
- It's gone! It's gone! Gods, I'm so happy!
- I think you're happier about it than I am, - he smiled, holding her close. - But maybe it's for the best.
- Now I can't tell you not to do stupid things and not to risk yourself... only ask.
- And I won't know if you're alive and well... On the other hand, you won't put pressure on me with your authority and demand that I act in your interests, not mine.
- Pfft, I can still beat you up if I hear you whining about "Oh, how will I be without you".
- Says the one who said, "I can't live without him".
- But you know what's good? Now all these jokes about slavery are really just jokes between us. When I know for sure that you are a free person and I have no influence over you.
- None at all... You know, if one of my former... owners was in your place, his guts would already be lying right on the pavement. But you... I remember, at first you compared me to a tool, but... But even then, you were willing to talk to me. Like a person, you know? Those who were before you controlled me through fear, pain, and humiliation. And you - through dialogue, compromise, and care. No curse in the world would make me genuinely attached to you and love you.
- And I love you anyway. Without curses. Just for who you are. But Eugene is right, you know. I could just order you to marry me. What is such a marriage worth?
- Probably. But I'm still firm in my decision. I don't know... Now that I don't feel the urge to obey you in everything, things between us might change. Or they might stay the same. I need to figure out my feelings. But for now, I want to be with you.
- You tell me if I'm going too far, okay? Because you were silent, you bastard. I had to guess myself so as not to push you too hard.
- You were doing pretty well... I think. But now I won't let you embarrass me!
- Don't worry, Gion, you can embarrass yourself perfectly well without my help.
- Oh, come on 😅
- And don't tell me I'm wrong.

The happy couple goes to the Imperial Archives.