Family Dynamics

“What’s going on, Gina? We are alone now. What are you hiding? What’s going on with Hypatos?”

“You know how marriage works. The strongest family member has the final say in marriage arrangements. The hope is that your parents will decide what’s best for the family and for you, but sometimes it just doesn’t work. Hypatos and I, it doesn’t work.”

“What do you mean? Since when?”

“Since the first time we met. We hold each other dearly. We had Marcus together. Our families know each other. However, we don’t connect. We care for different things. I want stability, comfort, safety, and to take care of the family. He wants to live, travel, and make money. We have different priorities.”

“But you have Marcus together.”

“And he is our only child for a reason. We got a son, and that was it.”

“Wait, what? You mean nothing, nothing?”

“We are roommates and coworkers who happen to have a son together. That’s all there is.”

“But he is cheating.”

“I know about it. That’s not the first girl either. However, we have an agreement now.”

“What do you mean?”

“We are getting a divorce.”

“But what about the store? The house? Marcus?”

“He is getting the cash and all our savings. I’m taking Marcus, the house, and the store with the slaves and machinery. He wants to travel around the world, so none of that makes any sense to him.”

“Just like that?”

“What do you mean? We have been married for almost 10 years.”

“If that happens to me and Paulus, I would… I would… I would beat his ass and make him my slave.”

“Why are you getting mad now?”

“But that means that the levirate law will be applied by a family member or someone close to you, right? Do you have anyone in mind?”

“I do. Give me 15 minutes. I contacted someone who will come here.”

“Wait, right now? Always very well prepared. How long have you been planning this now?”

“It was always in my mind, I was just looking for the ideal person.”

“I guess it’s good then that you have a plan and everything.”

“Let me make some tea for you, Anto.”

“Sure, thanks. Wait, what are you doing? Why are you graving a beer?”

“I’m making you tea, I'm drinking a beer. I’m a little anxious.”

“If we are drinking, give me a beer too! We are celebrating, right?”

“Yes, we are!” click! Pfft! Hiss… “For our families!”

“For the gods!”

Glup, glup, glup, glup, glup. “Aah!”

Nock nock nock, “Hello!” Someone was calling from the door. That must be the head of Gina’s new family.

“I will go, Anto.”

Eugina went, and I heard her chatting with a male voice when I saw her coming in the kitchen with an old homo accipitridae. I immediately worry for her. 

“Gina, we need to talk.” I grabbed her hand and tried taking her outside.

“There is nothing else to talk about.”

“I know you are desperate, but you can do much better, please.”

“Is everything in order? Are all the parties involved present?”

“I’m sorry, civil official. We were celebrating drinking, but we are good for the ceremony to take place.”

“Okay, I have both your names. You must be Antonina, C-class adventurer from Choca. You will need to sign the documentation after the duel. Let’s head outside.” He walked outside the house

“Ah?” I was clueless. I don’t understand what’s going on. My brain isn't making any connections.

“Antonina of Choca, I, Eugina, the seamstress of Dale, challenge you to a duel according to the Law of Levirate to join my family and yours into one.”

“What!”

“You hear me already.”

“Is this legal?”

“The judge is waiting outside right now. How more legal can this be?”

“But what about the covenant?”

“As stated in the contract, the party who wins the duel will be the head of the household, store, and houses. The loser will duel Paulus for the second seat in the family.”

“Wait, that means that if I win, I get your business and all you have?”

“I’m not going to be easy to beat. I have been training. You get everything, Marcus and I included.”

”He he he.” I went to the kitchen and grabbed another beer.

“What are you doing?”

click! Pfft! Hiss… Glup, glup, glup, glup, glup. “Aah! Celebrating. Eugina, you are going to be mine. And you know what? I’m going to make you pay for this."

“Glup, what?”

“I want at least another kid. I always felt lonely growing up as the only child. That’s why I have three, but I didn’t feel like having more. But now I'm gonna have Marcus, and you are gonna pop another one.”

“Tsk! You wouldn't dare.”

I came closer to Eugina, looking her directly in the eyes and touching her lips with my finger. “Are you sure about this? Because there will not be a way back.”

“There is no other choice. My family will destroy my business.” She shoved my hand out of her face and headed towards the front door.

“According to the Code Law section 1,445 of the kingdom of Eleutheria, under the section Family Unity, point seven, Divorce and Levirate Laws, Eugina, the seamstress of Dale, challenges Antonina of Choca for the household of the family. Antonina, do you accept the challenge?”

“Yes!”

“According to the Law, the challenger, Eugina, will make the first attack. If Eugina manages to knock Antonina in one hit, she will become the head of the new family. Otherwise, the next turn will be to Antonina, who, in case of knocking out Eugina, will be officially head of the new household.”

“Aaah!” Both women were releasing strong magical auras. Eugina will attack, while Antonina will defend.

“On guard, ready? Go!”

“Aaaah! Heavenly beings of the wind, by wind you guide, power unleashed in the tempest’s cry, cut through the dark with a wind slice, power of the Spirit, unseen, untamed, guide us by your might, boost speed!” Eugine’s magical aura was increasing. “By the Gods, burning power of fire that destroys and protects, refine and purify our path and bring judgment upon our foes, come forth and ignite from within me, fire boost!” I have to give everything in one hit. No matter what, I cannot let Antonina take her turn. I have to use all my magic even though I won’t have anything to defend myself later. I’m in a do-or-die situation. “AAaaaaah!”

Eugina’s powerful punch struck Antonina's face, launching her forward, slamming her face into the ground.

“Wheeze, Wheeze, Wheeze.” Eugina was at her limit. Arms down, head backwards, mouth wide open, and eyes closed.

“Ouch. You hit pretty hard for someone who has never fought in her life. However, that’s not close to being enough.” Antonina stood up, cleaning the dirt from her clothes and the blood from her nose. “I’m ready, Mr. civil official.”

“Oh. On guar. Ready? Go!”

Eugina used all her energy. She had no strength left to defend. She was done for. Antonina hit her without using magic right in the stomach. Eugina immediately lost consciousness, and Antonina held her in her arms.

“Antonina, C-class adventurer of Choca, by the Law of the Kingdom of Eleutheria, I pronounce you head household of all the belongings of Eugina, the seamstress of Dale, and responsible for her safety and protection. The strong must serve and protect the weak. You may now take your wife.”

“Thank you for your time, Judge.”

“Ahem…”

“Is there something else?”

“Mrs. Eugina hasn’t paid the fee for the ceremony. And let me tell you, ceremonies at home this late are quite expensive.”

“Eh? F**** me.”