Cheating Allegations

I wonder. How is Albus doing? He has been gone for a month already. They must be close to crossing the Arok Strait to the Gan continent. I’m happy my son can travel and learn about the world. I come from a low-income family, East of Eleutheria, close to the mountains. My family was struggling financially, and since I had low magical affinity, they thought it was better for me to be sold as a slave. I was 10 years old when I was sold to a nomadic slave trader. Thus, I never had the chance to travel freely around the world, but I was confined to traveling in cages tied up all around the kingdom.

As I grew older and lacked magical affinity, I started gaining weight, which made it even more challenging to find a master. I put effort into self-studying and learned how to read and write, as well as basic sciences and magic. I was almost 12 years old when I was brought to work as a cashier. However, I was abused instead and returned to the nomadic slave trader. I was afraid to say what happened, so I kept quiet. At the time, I didn’t know, but Albus was growing in my belly.

Albus kept my hopes alive through the bad times. After he was born, I was allowed to work at the slave trader company, where I prepared food and performed cleaning duties. However, I wanted Albus to escape that life, so I secretly taught him magic. To my surprise, Albus had high magical affinity. However, I couldn’t reveal that because of the law, and also because anyone could take him from me. Thus, I waited for the right moment until that morning in the city of Dale, when something in my heart told me it was the day of deliverance.

That’s when master Paulus bought us. When I saw him, I had low expectations because of his appearance, but his wife, Miss Antonina, is impressive and beautiful. Master Paulus is truly a lucky guy, blessed by the gods. I have to thank the gods once I get home for having an extended family like the one I have today.

I was on my way home from grocery shopping when I saw someone similar to Mr. Hypatos, Eugina’s husband, holding hands and kissing someone I did not know. I must be mistaken. I immediately hid in the corner. I don’t like gossip, but it is inevitable. Did Eugina and Hypatos get another wife? Somehow, I was following them to ensure I wasn't making a mistake by judging the wrong person. They purposely avoided going the short way home and went to the meadows, where I lost them. I must not say anything. I can’t get involved in other people’s business.

I got home and put everything in the kitchen. However, my heart was restless. I really don’t like gossip and would not want a family to be destroyed.

“Why would people cheat on their partner?”

“Who cheated whom?” Said Antonina, peeling an apple.

“Master Antonina! I had no idea you were here!”

“What do you mean, I was here before you got in the kitchen?”

“Oh, master, if I tell you what my eyes saw.”

“You don’t have to. I don’t care.” Said Antonina, trying to leave the kitchen

“I can’t lie to my master. Master, why would people who have everything ruin their own lives?”

“Well, when you have everything in life, you don’t get a chance to make mistakes. And the older you get, the more chances you will have to make worse mistakes that you should have learned when growing up. Experience is key to success- crunch.” Said Antonina, eating an apple.

“Miss Antonina, sometimes your wisdom surprises me.”

“He he. Thank you, Albina.”

“I wonder what lesson Mr. Hypatos didn’t learn.”

“What!”

“I didn’t want to say, but…” Albina came closer to Antonina. “… I saw Mr. Hypatos holding hands and kissing another woman. I believe one of the younger staff members.”

“Are you f****** kidding me?”

“Which one?”

“The last one that got hired”

“The one who is just 16 years old? Hypatos is almost 30 years old.”

“She is a free woman. Having a relationship with her is a disgrace to the family, especially to Eugina. And he is the stronger partner of the family. He could easily take everything from Eugina. I will speak with her.”

…

“How weird for you to invite me for some tea,” said Eugina.

We went out to drink tea and eat some sweets near the plaza. I told her that I needed to talk about something very important. This place we are at sells the best sweets in the city. They have different kinds of teas, sweets, and sandwiches. Many couples visit here on dates to chat and conduct marriage business.

“Well, there is something I need to speak with you about.” How do I tell Eugina that his husband is cheating on her? If the girl were a slave, there would not be any problem, but because she is a free woman, it is illegal to have two wives without a proper reason. Having more husbands or wives means more power and resources, but it also opens up a whole new world of problems. Polygamy is only allowed under three circumstances. One, if one of the partners involved has no magical affinity, then you can have one more partner with magical affinity. Two, if one of the partners involved has no family or has lost any family support. And three, when someone becomes a widow/widower, they can apply the levirate law and join a new family. In this case, none of the rules apply. Which means he is cheating, and whatever they own, they will have to divide. However, the stronger partner decides who takes what. Which means that before they split or whatever happens, she needs to get ready to make a good bargain for herself. She could even lose Marcus forever.

“You are worrying me, Anto. What’s going on?”

I hold her hand and look her in the eyes. “Gina…”

“Wait, wait, wait. I know you are missing Paul, but what would our children say if people find out?”

“Ah?”

“Ah?”

“That’s not what I mean!”

“Explain yourself then.”

“Let’s go home. This is not the right place to talk about this.”

When we got home, Albina was there. She just took Camillus to sleep.

“Albina, tell Gina everything you saw.”

And so Albina said everything while Gina was listening in silence.

“If there is any way I can help…”

“Sigh – Albina, could you leave us alone for a minute?”

“Ugh! I promise I will not say a word.”

“Albina, out to your room.”

“Yes, master.”