Chapter 65: Extramarital

Chapter 65: Extramarital

So, I hear both parties and I give advice on how to go forward with dealing with each other, right?

Camilla nods at me.

God, help me, please.

So, Amelia, do you want to go first? I ask the woman with purplish eyes.

Sure thing. At least Ill be able to tell all of my story this time

Amelia, please, lets refrain from jabs and any generally mean comments. Just tell the story without being needling.

The tall sister of the Three Roses looks at me, slightly surprised by my firm comment.

Sure, shes a bit unsure now, the story is pretty simple. I was dating Clodia, here, and we broke up. That day, I went out with a man, a friend of mine. Thats the story. He ended up sleeping at my place because we were both wasted. Nothing happened between us. I dont like men.

Well, a jealousy issue.

And it looks like something that would definitely damage my relationship with Lucinda if Id mess up!

Fantastic!

But theres something thats not clear to me.

Huh, I have a question why dont you just use a truth stone? I mean, if this is about honesty, it makes sense, right?

Almost in unison, everyone goes:

Humans.

Well, its probably a taboo to use truth stones in relationships, isnt it?

Its a taboo to use truth stones in relationships, Lucinda says from the side. Not that I would mind asking you a question or two like that. She adds, the second part almost whispering.

I gesture to everyone else to just stay silent and give the poor woman time to elaborate. Some people never really admit their feelings in the open like this. If Elves do not have such a tradition, I find it to be extremely weird. As it is, its just a bit weird.

She never complimented me. She was always cold and distant. I dont care about the work as much as she does, Amelias voice is now steady and low. Shes breathing quickly and with shallow sighs. My employee, Maximus, is one of the best. Camilla can attest to that. Hes sweet and he has a thing for me. I dont really have anything for him. I mean, I wish I did, to be honest. He would probably be the sweetest little thing. But, alas, I like people like

She moved her hand up and down, pointing at Clodia.

So, no-can-do, she laughs bitterly.

sville, Baby-doll, I mutter inaudibly. I know this is serious, but I couldnt help myself.

I Clodia is clearly very upset at this development.

Clodia, Im not sure Amelia is done yet. Amelia?

Maximus makes me feel wanted and beautiful. Clodia made me feel like an ugly duckling. Thats why I never rebuffed his advances. At least someone was trying to be romantic around me at the time. And its true that I let Maximus sleep at my place on purpose to make Clodia jealous; but he slept on the ground in another room. Not even on a bed. Hes probably the only true victim here. And yes, I always let him flirt with me both because it would make Clodia jealous and because it made me feel wanted.

Well, the hammers just dropped.

Wait, is it the hammer that drops?

I think Im getting it wrong.

So, I guess thats all from Amelia, I say with a sigh and look at Clodia. Now, Id ask you to be as respectful as she has been. No insults, no swearing, no pointing fingers. Is that ok?

Clodia is confused by me, but she nods, still taken aback by this side of me.

I workI work a lot. Its true. I probablydefinitely ignored Amelia more than once because of work, Clodia starts fidgeting with her hands, something Ive never seen her do before. This is the first time I see the woman so vulnerable.

I just wanted toI dont know. My work is everything, Amelia. Im sorry.

Clodias gaze falls to her lap, and I can see wetness around her eyes.

Im a bit unsure about what happens now. Should I call for this to end?