Lonely Return

ㅤ It was strange to see Rubia at an official reception. If Lukius had known that one of the people seeking an audience with the young Pope was an old friend of his, he would have made time for her separately, meeting informally. After all, there was so much he wanted to know, so much he wanted to ask. How was his brother? How was she? And why was she sitting before him now alone? "Do you really want to go to seminary, after all these years?" he asked, genuinely perplexed. "Why? What can you learn there?" "Economics and law," Rubia said sternly, feeling uneasy, knowing full well that one day she would have to tell him everything. Including why she was now sitting before him alone… "Without a diploma, I cannot become the head of the church of Feln." Lukius looked at her carefully. Her decision had been well-considered, which meant… her journey was over. Something had happened to Caius or their relationship. Lukius tried not to think about the first one, driving away disturbing thoughts. Rubia, however, looked deeply depressed. It was hard to imagine how many nights she had cried. And over what… "If you're ready to dedicate yourself to serving the church, perhaps you shouldn't lock yourself away in a small village? Why don't you take a higher position, one you truly deserve, and help me here at headquarters?" Surprise showed on Rubia's face, a look of intense torment distorting it. She looked at Lukius and saw him—Caius. The cause of her pain and her return to where she had once started. Understanding without words, Lukius exhaled heavily, pulling a mask from his wide pocket and putting it on like old times. "If that's all that's bothering you, there's a solution." "You're still wearing it!?" Rubia was astonished, daring to cross the line of formal communication she'd defined herself by taking the difficult path of an official meeting. "It reminds me of past sins. A lifetime wouldn't be enough to atone for it…" Lukius admitted. He'd chosen to open up to Rubia so she could more easily do the same to him. However… "Let me ask one thing," he said with the utmost severity. "Is he alive?" "Alive…" Rubia answered meekly, lowering her head. Lukius let out a quiet sigh of relief: the rest was solvable. "Well, then, we can decide the rest later. I want you to seriously consider my offer. Life in Feln is unlikely to help you forget…" he wanted to continue saying "him," but stopped himself in time, "everything. Here, in this noisy city, there are many worries and work; you won't have time for extraneous thoughts, but the position is more worthy and valuable. In the meantime, I'll give you time. I expect an answer in three days. Only then will the question of your future be decided." A resigned sigh escaped Rubia's lips. She wanted to resolve this quickly and as painlessly as possible. However, Lukius's offer was truly worthy, and his concern invaluable. 'Under a reliable wing,' the thought flashed brightly, quickly fading: that wasn't what interested Rubia. 'I'll be able to help more people and help restore peace with the Leymons. It's too valuable an offer to refuse.' "I…" "Not now," Lukius interrupted her. "There's no room for spontaneity in such matters, that's why you need time to weigh everything and make the decision of your life." Smiling softly, he added: "But I'm glad I was able to interest you. We'll meet in three days at the port in the evening. No more hiding from yourself and me, looking for loopholes and shortcuts. We're not strangers." Rubia nodded. She had indeed acted foolishly in her emotions. Now, with the extra burden lifted, she could finally allow herself a friendly smile. Though the decision had already been made, she was only allowed to voice her answer at the appointed time and place. And by then, perhaps she would even be able to organize her thoughts and feelings enough to pour them out in a coherent flow. "Thank you," she said quietly, standing. "See you later," Lukius nodded, bidding her farewell for the time being. He already knew the answer. He was interested in history. ㅤ