“I’m not too worried. I’m sure things will solve themselves in time,” she had said with a genuinely unconcerned look. She’d made up her mind to be out with her true identity and was prepared to take on the challenges it would bring. It also seemed her parents hadn’t expected her to leave the house and had already written three letters begging her to come back. Families failed to see eye to eye at times, but it didn’t mean there wasn’t love. As Joel had said, it would probably only be a matter of time.
Dear Miss Claire, being an empress is a surprising amount of work. A letter from Philine arrived with this as an opening. She had been officially sworn in as empress and was now busy undoing all the aggressive foreign policies Dorothea had instated. Starting with Frieda’s homeland Melica, many formerly annexed countries had declared independence, so Philine was busy brokering agreements and amending old ones, as well as managing regulations on the coming and going of both people and goods. In short, she was very, very busy.
Be that as it may, I will not be discouraged. For I am the daughter of Dorothea Nur, the letter ended. While I had heard some of her whiny old self in the letter, I could also tell she now had a self-confidence befitting an empress. She was still a bit wet around the ears, but I thought she might well become a ruler to rival Dorothea one day. Hilda and Josef were also by her side to support her, so I was sure I didn’t need to worry. The shy, timid girl had grown.
“It is up to us to decide what role the Church takes for the people.” The Spiritual Church was apparently greatly divided about whether to go public about the Loop System. The pope has shown support for going public, but she faced strong opposition. The fact that the very organization that was held in high regard for its public welfare had manipulated people throughout history was an unprecedented scandal. The pope was unwavering in her attempts to persuade the opposition, however, so while it would likely take time, the truth would in all likelihood eventually see light. When it did, there was a fair chance the Church would lose much of its influence—but the damning truth could never undo all the good the Church had done for the people over the centuries. I was certain the pope would find a way to pull through. She had Lilly, Yu, Misha, and Sandrine to help her out, after all.
“We’re working to make the Church approve same-sex marriage!” Yu said.
“Not that we have many supporters,” Misha said.
Much to my glee, Yu and Misha were now officially lovers. They were also trying to breathe new life into the Church, where conservative values ran strong. The Church was deeply rooted in the lives of the people, so much so that marriage ceremonies were typically held at churches. If the values officially upheld by the Church were changed, then there was a fair chance that the attitude people took toward homosexuality would change as well.
As expected, however, there was much opposition. Those who supported Yu and Misha were an overwhelming minority. That being said, Yu and Lilly had been key players in the battle against the Demon Queen, as well as cardinals, so support for their side was gradually increasing. The day Claire and I could legally wed was, very possibly, not far off.
“Look, Mama Claire and Mama Rae are back, Aleah!”
“We’ve been waiting!”
As our home came into view, so did May and Aleah, standing in the yard. We had told them ahead of time that we’d be back on this day, so there was a good chance they’d been waiting outside for quite some time. I waved at them, and the twins waved back so hard that I thought their arms would fly off.
The curse in their blood was gone, just as TAIM had promised. According to her explanation, it was thanks to their creation of the Spell Sword that had broken the Demon Queen’s barrier. All the magic in their bodies had been forced into overdrive, rendering the curse dysfunctional—or something. Ralaire seemed a little sad to see she was no longer needed by their side twenty-four seven, but I was truly happy to see them freed from their curse.
The girls were already learned beyond the level their school could teach to, so we were considering having them skip grades. The idea made me worry a bit, but this kind of concern was greatly welcome after all the chaos we’d been through lately.
“Oh, those children…” Claire said as she waved too. Her eyes were full of affection.
Claire would be busy for some time. She had to join Dole in traveling around and explaining the Loop System to various people, which was understandable. In all likelihood, I would probably be tagging along, so at least there was some silver lining.
I wasn’t too sure what the future had in store. But whatever happened, I was sure we’d pull through. I had Claire with me.
“Mama Claire!”
“Mother Rae, you’re late!”
As we came up to the yard, our children leapt into our arms. It was normal for Claire to receive such treatment, but less common for it to be extended to me.
“Have you been well, May?” Claire asked, patting May’s head.
“Sorry about that, Aleah,” I apologized, bringing Aleah up to my eyes.
“Aleah and I have been waiting since morning!” May said.
“We’re hungry already!” Aleah said.
“Oh, dear, I’m sorry,” Claire said.
“Shall we eat, then? What would you two like?” I asked.
“Sandwiches and crème brûlée!” the twins replied before running to the house. I thought they’d run to the dining table just like that when, instead, they stopped right after opening the door.
“Um, Mama Claire, Mama Rae?” May began.
The twins looked at one another and said as one, “Welcome home!”
I heard a gasp from my side. Claire stood there with a hand over her mouth and a face about to burst into tears.
“Ready, Miss Claire?” I asked.
She quickly composed herself. “Yes.”
Now that we were home, there was something we had to say.
Claire and I exchanged a look and, with a great deal of emotion, said, “We’re home,” before following our dear daughters inside.