Edmund entered Ariadne’s office, and Edna closed the door and stayed outside. She looked frustrated, which he assumed was because of the people she was losing. The connection now was stronger and more perceptive. Even with this, he remained calm as he walked towards her.

  ‘Peasant, what did you do?’ Ariadne shouted.

  ‘Wow, what are you talking about? I was working.’ Edmund sat on the chair in front of her desk.

  ‘They are despairing and are not stopping. Make it stop!’ She continued to shout at him.

  ‘Your connections? Alon told me some soldiers lost the ability to use their weapons, and I bet many people in the duchy lost the ability to use the devices; it is obvious the why.’ He shrugged.

  ‘If you could feel like I do, you wouldn’t be talking so nonchalantly.’ She spoke in an angry tone.

  Ariadne was engulfed in a profound sense of grief, her heart heavy with the loss of someone dear, a pain she had to endure more than once. The burden was overwhelming, and in her distress, she lashed out at Edmund, seeking a momentary relief from the weight on her shoulders.

  ‘It may be something closer to what I feel when I don’t push to kill the Demon Lord, but worst, I imagine you feel every follower lost.’ He spoke in a calm and understanding tone.

  Ariadne leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes. Maybe it was because this new feeling bothered her so much. Now, she understood why the laws were important, too. She didn’t know what laws her followers broke.

  ‘If I’m losing them here, where I think everyone is good, imagine if my influence reached the entire kingdom.’ She spoke in a calmer tone.

  ‘With time, they will come to you again; these are not impossible rules to follow, and there is room for adaptation; if you want things to go faster, talk to them and explain, take some days and go to each town and talk to people face to face… explain your laws.’ Edmund moved his hand through his hair.

  ‘Hum… that is a good idea; I will start with this city, and I will talk to people the rest of the day.’ Ariadne got up from her chair.

  ‘I just ask Your Highness to explain your laws as simply as possible and make sure someone is writing what you are saying so that you read after; we don’t want multiple interpretations of the law going around.’ He got up from his chair.

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  ‘True, that will complement the laws so that there is no doubt about any of them.’ She walked towards the door.

  ‘Well, I wish you luck.’ He bowed to her as she walked away.

  Ariadne turned around and looked at him with a puzzled expression. She approached him, lifted his face, and looked deep into his eyes.

  ‘You are coming with me, peasant. There is nothing more important than this.’ She grabbed his hand.

  ‘Wait.. i…’ He was interrupted.

  ‘Shut up.’ Her voice echoes through the room.

  Edmund was paralyzed. Only his eyes could move. He looked into her deep red eyes for a moment.

  ‘Do not forget that you are mine. You will do what I tell you to do.’ Ariadne passed a finger on his cheek. ‘Now, you can relax and follow me. I hate doing this to you; it is your fault, peasant.’ She turned around and started to walk, pulling him by the hand.

  ‘Ah… Ok…’ He sighs.

  The two walked out of the room and through the building toward the entrance, where her carriage awaited her. Edna followed behind, curious why the duchess was holding Edmund’s hand. She thought Edmund finally got to the duchess's heart, but she also heard Ariadne telling him to shut up.

  As they waited for the carriage to arrive, Edmund wondered if that reaction wasn’t a side effect of losing the connection with so many, like she didn’t want to lose anyone else. There was no proof, only that she couldn’t do something so simple alone, something she had been doing all this time but now needed him to.

  ‘I need a tablet to write the things you say.’ Edmund looked at her.

  ‘Ho, you are right, Edna. Could you please get a tablet for him?’ Ariadne looked at Edna and waved at her.

  ‘Yes, your highness.’ The maid turned around and walked back into the mansion.

  ‘The fact that you are losing the connection with these people is getting to you, but I understand; I will help you pass through this.’ Edmund firmly held her hand.

  ‘Peasant… ‘ She gave him a quick look.

  Edna came back right in time as the carriage arrived for the three. But this time was different. Ariadne was sitting at Edmund’s side, and Edna was on the other side looking at the two. And noticed they were still holding hands.

  ‘Duchess… is this appropriate?’ Edna pointed at their hands.

  ‘Yes, there is no problem… He is helping me.’ Ariadne looked at Edmund for a moment.

  ‘Don’t worry, it is only temporary… I hope.’ He laughed.

  In the capital of Lavan, in a building on the city's outskirts, Eli entered a large room full of Shafran, who looked at him as he got up on the stage and walked forward. He held a microphone and tapped on the point twice to see if it was working.

  ‘I have received information from the duchy that our Goddess made eight divine laws. Those that don’t follow those will lose her blessing and cannot use the magic devices.’ He spoke in a calm and soft tone.

  ‘I lost the ability right after speaking with my wife, but my wife is fine. I don’t understand.’ One on the front spoke.

  Eli looked at him and smiled. It came naturally to him, and he already knew what had happened.

  ‘Well, one of those laws is that you shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. So I think you told a lie to your wife.’ He looked at the woman next to him.

  ‘Where did you go last night after work?’ She raised her voice.

  ‘I’m sorry, I just had a drink or two at the tavern. Forgive me.’ He lowered his hand as he spoke to his wife.

  ‘Are you sorry for your sin? So speak on this.’ Eli gave the microphone to the man.

  His ears were lower, and he got the microphone. He turned around and faced his wife.

  ‘The Goddess is my witness. Sorry for my sin. I hope you can forgive me, my love.’ His voice reverberated through the room.