Chapter 12: Strained Relations

Lillian exits the chapel in the castle behind Winston. She can tell by the tension in his shoulders that he is still upset over not being able to attend mass at the church. To be honest she felt the same even though her feelings towards him haven't been so sure. That didn't change the fact that the mess they find themselves in with the church is both their problems.

"Sire.", Lillian's attention goes to the servant in front of them at his greeting to Winston.

"Yes, what is it?", Winston replies, less cheerful than usual. A look of concern appears on the servant's face before continuing.

"Sir knight Vincent and his wife are here and request your presence. Your cousin Sir Alexander and his family are here as well.", the servant informs them. Lillian instinctively becomes interested when their names are mentioned.

"Something must have happened for them to come right after mass.", she tells Winston.

"Better go see what's going on.", he replies starting off to the throne room.

"I'm coming too.", Lillian and Winston turn to Winston's mother behind them.

"You don't have to.", Winston states.

"Yes I do. This is a very serious matter from what you have told me and as your mother and a member of the royal council I am determined to advise you on the matter if I can.", says the queen mother. Lillian can tell she is serious and definitely so can her son. Without another word they all begin to head to where the others are waiting.

When they arrive Vincent and the others are waiting while Alexander's two daughters play nearby.

"I really hope you brought some kind of good news.", Winston tells them sarcastically as they enter. Lillian smiles shaking her head knowing her husband's comment was an attempt to cheer himself up.

"To be fair knowing what the church is up to is good news.", Vincent replies.

"Although I doubt you will be in a joking mood once you hear what it is.", Alexander follows. Causing a serious look to appear on Winston's face.

"I'll take the girls to the center court yard to play.", Alexander's wife tells him.

"What happened?", Lillian speaks up.

"The church claims it is now offering a way for a person to limit their time in purgatory. By purchasing a paper they are calling a salvation document or pardon card.", Vincent shares with a look of disgust.

"A salvation document?", Winston repeats confused.

"So...by purchasing one you limit or time in purgatory?", Lillian questions.

"That's what the pope is saying.", Alexander confirms.

"That is impossible. Such tactics by the church are forbidden by the monarchy under the Treaty of Agion.", Queen Grace speaks.

"That treaty stops the church from using fear and intimidation tactics from forcing the Christian faith on the people through certain acts. This goes against the treaty.", Winston adds.

"Wait, the Treaty of Agion?", Lillian asks unsure.

"It's the treaty that King Jerome signed with Pope Leonard V when the church was given jurisdiction in Agion. It wasn't without conditions, for many fear tactics used by the church were forbidden. Before that King Andreious was stubbornly resistant to the church.", Alexander explains.

"Treaty or not everything from purgatory to the document is false.", Vincent says.

"Of course. Pope Clement is just taking advantage of the people's trust and dependence in the church.", Selena says.

"All in an effort to make more money.", Alexander adds. Lillian looks to Vincent. She can suspect how he must feel to see the power of the church being abused.

"There is no doubt they are doing this for money, but it has to be more.", Queen Grace says half to herself. Lillian ponders what else could the church have to gain from this offer.

"I got it.", Winston says suddenly causing everyone to look at him. "A person has to pay for one of those documents right? But if they want to really make money from this there will have to be a catch."

"Such as a time limit on the parchments validation.", Lillian speaks suddenly catching on.

"One of the main principles the church teaches is that sin is committed daily. So after a certain number of days the parchment will be useless.", Alexander guesses.

"Correct.", Winston agrees.

"Wait, so if people are constantly purchasing documents how are they supposed to tend to their other payments and taxes? Not to mention there are still tithes.", Vincent offers to everyone.

"That's just it. Something is meant to lack and another of the church's principles is the caution against indulging in worldly possessions.", Winston explains.

"So they are more likely to put money to the church and their salvation than per say...their homes.", Lillian speaks.

"Not to mention it is in the mind of every person that the church will take care of them should they fall on hard times.", Selena reminds.

"With all that in mind they can charge however much they want, methodically force people into a bind then swoop in and "help" them out of it. Making themselves look good in the eyes of some and take the property of others.", Alexander states.

"That's how Pope Clement plans on expanding the church and increasing the church's power.", Winston says.

"So not only could he start a smear campaign against King Winston, but he is really going to take away people's property.", Selena says in disbelief.

"It appears so.", Queen Grace agrees with her. Lillian can't believe her ears and by the look of frustration on everyone else's faces they feel the same. What do they do now? A couple silent moments pass before anyone speaks.

"We're not beat yet.", Vincent speaks finally. "I think it is safe to assume this isn't the first time something like this has been done by the church. Treaty of Agion or not and obviously not everything was forbidden.", Lillian notices Vincent's tone. She can tell he knows something else, but says nothing.

"Now regarding this specific situation the people may not be easily convinced that what the church is doing is wrong, but if we can find evidence of other illicit acts by the church we can expose its corruption.", Vincent continues.

An interested look appears on Alexander's face while Winston's eyes narrow to slits. Whether he is concerned or interested Lillian can't tell. Personally she shared Selena's expression of shock.

"Vincent. You do know that would basically be taking down the church.", Selena speaks cautiously. "Are you really suggesting that?", she asks. A tense silence follows.

"The church is no longer following its true path and is endangering those who follow it. I can't just let that go on. It's not right. My intentions are not to take down the church. If it falls it is its own fault, but that doesn't mean it has to.", Vincent responds. He turns to everyone else.

"If it's alright I would like to keep my plan to myself. Just for everyone's safety. I am going to have to leave the capital for a while though and I'll check in every now and then until I get back.", he goes on.

Lillian is silent as Winston walks over to Vincent.

"So it's come to this?", he says facing his friend.

"I'm afraid so.", Vincent replies. Winston's eyes drift to the floor before settling back on Vincent. "Don't leave until after the spring festival. That way no one will suspect anything. I will also like to talk to you right now before you go.", Winston tells him. Winston turns to everyone else, yet no one says anything. It is clear there is nothing left to say.

"We better get going as well.", Alexander speaks going to collect his wife and kids.

"Wait here will you?", Vincent asks Selena.

"Of course."

Lillian watches as Winston and Vincent walk out the throne room. Lady Grace also leaves to finally get some proper rest leaving Selena and Lillian alone. Selena walks over to Lillian who takes a deep breath and releases it in an attempt to let go some of the tension within her.

"I hope this doesn't end badly.", she speaks.

"I think we all are hoping the same thing.", Selena replies. She shakes her head. Lillian guesses to try to clear it.

"How are you doing by the way?", Selena asks after taking in a breath. Lillian smiles. She will be more than happy to change the topic.

"I'm doing fine despite everything."

"And the dream?", Selena questions revealing what she most likely really meant. Lillian pauses for a quick moment.

"Wish I could say things were better. I've tried not to think about it, but...every time I think I'll forget it I have it again.", Lillian says dropping her head with remembrance.

"I'm sorry to hear that.", Selena says, placing a comforting hand on Lillian's shoulder. Lillian straightens back up before facing her friend.

"Honestly, the worst part is I had to move back to my own chamber because I just feel uncomfortable sleeping with him.", Lillian admits. She catches the flash of disbelief that morphed into anger in Selena's eyes. "Hey. It's okay.", Lillian attempts to sooth her, but Selena shakes her head.

"No. It isn't. The fact this is still going on means King Winston is still hiding something."

"I know, but what?", Lillian catches the look of unease on Selena's face. The silence that follows causes an idea to come to Lillian's mind. She scrunches her eyebrows in suspension. "Selena. Do you know something?", Selena doesn't answer. "Selena!", Lillian shouts.

Selena faces her with frustration. "It is not my place to say.", she says instead.

"What!?", Lillian says outraged. "Selena you are my friend. If you know something you should tell me. What did you find out?"

"Lillian, I don't want to be the one to tell you. I don't think Winston will appreciate it.", Selena urges desperately.

"This is about him! What he thinks doesn't matter!", Lillian argues. Her anger is rising. Selena gives an exasperated sigh.

"Okay. I will tell you this because I don't like what this is doing to you and you have a right to know. Winston...is seeing another woman behind your back.", Selena tells her.

Lillian says nothing. She only takes in Selena's words. For a moment she doesn't believe she heard her friend right. She places a hand on her stomach, carrying her and Winston's child.

"That can't be true. It just can't.", she speaks almost to herself.

"Lillian...", Selena begins, but stops when Lillian's head snaps up to her.

"It's not true! There has to be something else! Winston would never do something like that!" Lillian argues.

"I told you I didn't want to tell you!", Selena points out.

"Who told you this?", Lillian asks.

"I-I can't tell you that.", Selena tells her regretfully.

"Then how do you expect me to believe you!", Lillian argues.

"Lillian I-"

"Selena! We're leaving!", the call comes from Vincent. Selena turns to him. "Now!", he tells her. Lillian can tell whatever he and Winston were talking about, it put Vincent in a bad mood.

<i>'Wait... Can Winston put Vincent in a bad mood? Can Vincent be in a bad mood?'</i>, she thinks to herself.

Before she can say anything Selena is heading to Vincent. No doubt taking note of the urgency in his voice. Leaving Lillian alone with her thoughts.