Meine Liebe fic: Solutions
May. 8th, 2006 05:25 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
narcasse2622 words. PG. Angst. A little bit of shounen-ai. AUish on the religion front.
In the same continuity as this, this and this really.
Set during the run-up to the end of their schooling, Naoji’s indecision seems to lead to a lack of solutions.
Orpherus frets over the matter and its possible impact on Ludwig.
Solutions
Disclaimer: Meine Liebe belongs to Konami, Yuki Kaori and others.
+++++++++++
Orpherus wakes up cranky and aching, not because he’s been indulging himself overmuch but rather because he hasn’t. He’s spent a good portion of the night staring sightlessly up at the canopy over Ludwig’s bed, listening to the sound of Ludwig breathing and the hammering of his own thoughts in his head. Orpherus has a fascination with possibilities, with the idea of figuring out all the solutions. There is nothing more abhorrent to him than not having planed for an eventuality, so here in silence and on the brink if despair he tries to scheme his way around damnation.
There are unfortunate possibilities to come, the terrifying potential of Ludwig’s fall and Orpherus would rather that he be prepared should such a thing happen.
The most obvious solution is to strike at the point of that uncertainty, to remove the one thing that Ludwig might call a weakness. Unfortunately it would hardly be that simple and Orpherus isn’t entirely sure what manner of dubious authority that Naoji might call upon to aid him.
If it were possible to remove Naoji from the equation then it would hardly spare Ludwig any heartache at yet it might speed the process and leave him at least marginally functional once they were needed as Strahl. Except what would Orpherus do? He can’t think of anything beyond the obvious witch-burning scenarios sanctioned by Rome and perfectly legal in Kuchen. Having Naoji tried for witchcraft would be foolish anyway and from what the Marquis Shiraiya seems to have implied, Orpherus isn’t entirely sure that ‘dear Foster-san’ as Naoji likes to term him, wouldn’t have a thing or two to say about the proposition.
This is the other problem of course. Orpherus has absolutely no idea what it is that Naoji’s sponsor even does with his time and Orpherus isn’t entirely sure that he even believes the makeshift tale of haplessly pleasant old man, entirely helpless and without resources. He should demand answers from Alberto next time or at least he would if he even believed that he would receive any. The Marquis is annoyingly silent about his work and Orpherus’ other obvious route of enquiry would involve Ludwig after all. Even the direct authority of the Church is denied him now, with the new Archbishop and his entourage ensconced at the head of the Kuchen church.
That more than anything irks him. The messengers sent to Rome would take far too long, the time it would take for his Confessor to dispatch members of the Holy Office would complicate things still further and even then Orpherus isn’t sure that it wouldn’t devolve into a three-way yelling match; the Archbishop and the Liechtensteins on one side, Naoji’s sponsor on another and Orpherus left with a handful of clergy behind him helplessly failing about with a letter bearing his Confessor’s seal. No, it wouldn’t come to anything and would make the rift between the new Archbishop and his Confessor even more evident, which wouldn’t do much for his favour in the eyes of Rome.
Having Naoji burn at the sake on trumped up charges of witchcraft then, wouldn’t be much of a solution at all. Orpherus doesn’t even want to begin to consider the possible repercussions that such an act would garner. Just the slightest chance to tip Eduard in one direction and Orpherus might suddenly find himself facing the weight of secular authority for his ‘crimes’. The Herzogin may not be quite as powerful as she might wish but there is no doubt in Orpherus’ mind that he might find himself in front of a firing squad for so harming her son.
Eduard’s love for Ludwig, his devotion has always had a certain malignant quality that Orpherus envies. For him, Eduard would do a great many things; for Ludwig, Eduard would destroy nations. Either way, there are so few of them that to divide their number would be ludicrous and yet as things stand there is the potential that they will destroy their alliances internally through foolishness.
Naoji will not return to Japan, partially of his own volition and partially due to his wish to remain at Ludwig’s side. In fact, if asked Naoji will brazenly state that there is every likelihood that Japan doesn’t want him back. Orpherus can’t contest that assertion either way so takes it to mean all that it evidently does; it is not his issue to dispute after all.
The problem arises with the possibility of what Naoji will do next. He talks about living with his sponsor for a while and seeking to resolve the turbulence of his own heart. This then is not so great an issue but it is what such action would imply that troubles Orpherus, as well as Ludwig’s potential reaction.
At the current time, Ludwig is fully prepared to give up whatever alliances he may forge through marriage and throw all caution to the winds for the chance to keep Naoji by his side and for once Orpherus fears that he may be the only one of them thinking clearly.
If Naoji were to remain with Ludwig, to be publicly seen to be with him with all the weight of that inference and implication, Ludwig will lose some measure of his authority. He will be weakened in the eyes of the foolish populous and the other noble families. If neither of them marries, it leaves Orpherus to desperately claw his way into some prestigious House. Not that he isn’t prepared to forge an alliance, through the sanctioned act of marriage, yet it will be so much harder to maintain his place in the grand scheme of things with Ludwig so obviously encumbered. Naoji would marry for the sake of public image, if only Ludwig were to command him to, Eduard may marry, if only Orpherus can keep him away from his half-sisters, even Camus would most likely entertain the idea if it were a fortuitous match. But Ludwig upon whom the entire scheme rests, will not, not while there is the smallest chance that Naoji will have him.
“Whatever happens to me, Orpherus, you must carry on.”
“Whatever happens? Nothings going to happen to you, I won’t allow it.”
“My Orpherus…”
“Lui, please. Reconsider…”
Orpherus wants to scream most of the time, to throw an unceremonious fit over the entirety of this foolishness.
“You promised me, Lui. I can’t rule alone.”
Ludwig hadn’t even dignified that outburst with an answer and had merely held Orpherus close for the rest of the night.
Their relationship is devolving into that bizarre sexless appreciation of each other that it was when it first began. Last night was perhaps the first time Ludwig had kissed Orpherus in weeks. They occasionally share a bed and hold each other close and talk about nothing or rather now Orpherus talks about their future and Ludwig smiles his saddest of smiles.
Orpherus almost wishes that things were as they had been before, almost wishes that there was no fracture in the illusion of Ludwig’s confidence, though the more he thinks about it there probably is no flaw. Ludwig continues to do as he wishes; it’s only that this time there is the risk that his heart will break. Orpherus has no right to council against it, no reason at all to suggest that Ludwig choose other than he has because it’s not as if Orpherus would have the courage to relinquish the last vestiges of his power to remain at Eduard’s side. Perhaps them it is Orpherus who deserves to be the Prince of Lies. For all his love, his protestations of devotion, Orpherus desperately grasps at any chance of his own gain. He loves Eduard, undeniably but he also loves power more. Ludwig is at least true to himself, to the beating of his fragile heart but then perhaps Orpherus is too. Orpherus who understands at last all his flaws, who recognises the nonsense of his rhetoric, the poison he spouts.
Death is preferable to a loss of virtue. Orpherus wonders if the blue roses in the greenhouse are finally withered so it’s no surprise that last night, in his dreams, he watched the last frozen blossom fall.
In his dreams there is a chilled landscape, a beautiful garden filled with roses frozen solid under the frost. This then is the true reflection of his soul. What purity and life he possessed is gone, broken and this false Odile is all that remains. Perhaps Eduard realises that now, which may be part of the reason for his shifting affections.
Though none of that fanciful speculation resolves anything and Orpherus knows that he is given more to allegory than pragmatic action. He cannot blame Naoji for his indecision anymore than he can blame Eduard for his insight. He does not blame Ludwig at all.
Naoji recognises all that Ludwig stands to lose and in that Orpherus can commend him. Ludwig understands that Naoji’s love will lead to his fall. This is nothing that can be rationally resolved. Orpherus cannot save anyone from the destiny that they have forged with their own hands and if Ludwig is to be broken by the one thing he loves best of all, Orpherus will still remain by his side, will love and worship him all the same.
It will do nothing to be seeking out external solutions to the situation; will help nothing to hold any sort of opinion. This is a problem that may only be resolved by Naoji and Ludwig alone. There is nothing that Orpherus can do to help, nothing to be done to force the situation to any sort of conclusion. What comes will come. Nothing will change that. Not Orpherus’ hope or dreams or lies. The only one who can save Ludwig now is Ludwig himself and Orpherus fears that when all is done, he may not have strength enough for the both of them.
Even if Naoji forsakes him, Ludwig will assign no blame. He will endure such misfortune and grow colder and wearier and entirely more alone.
Orpherus may even be capable of understanding Naoji’s reasoning, his pain in believing that he will destroy Ludwig if he remains with him. Without the assurance of Naoji’s love, Ludwig will be forced to marry, to forge some vaunted political alliance or so Naoji believes. Orpherus suspects that it may go badly either way, fears that Ludwig’s pain may be too much for him to live with. With a single act, which he will see as rejection, Ludwig will become something other than human and his wounded heart will shatter. Once he has recovered his strength he will be stronger, cold than before and nothing will ever be the same.
The thought frightens Orpherus, terrifies him in ways that he cannot begin to explain. He has never wishes such a fate on anyone, even in his most violent of rages and to suspect that such a thing will befall one he holds so dear is heartbreaking. Yet there is nothing to be done but wait and remain patiently at Ludwig’s side.
“You promised, Lui… I swore to you that I would never let you rule alone. You were meant to promise the same to me. I need you… I love you. I can’t do this by myself.”
There really is nothing to aid the matter when he thinks about it and by the time Orpherus returns to his own room he has resolved to write to his Confessor. The Cardinal is corpulent, lecherous and vile and Orpherus is irrationally fond of him but this may perhaps be the first time that he has ever truly asked the man for any sort of advice. Perhaps he shouldn’t at all but should instead enquire after the social standing of Kuchen’s new Archbishop and the promotions through the ranks of the Holy Order of late. Yes, that’s what he’ll do. He’ll make polite and perverse enquiries rather than anything else and perhaps once the school year is done he might journey to Rome himself, the architecture is beautiful after all and perhaps amongst the wonder of the Vatican City itself he might find some ease for his heart. He almost wonders if Ludwig could be persuaded to come with him. The Liechtensteins have spies almost everywhere save in the upper echelons of the Mother Church where the former Royal House of Görz have been doing their part to keep the numbers of other prestigious families down.
Orpherus can’t even remember exactly what ecclesial titles he should hold, not that any of those are anything but out of date. It’s been too long since his family ruled anything in the name of the Church. He’s not even sure that he’d make anything of a reasonable crusader these days, still the offer of a place among the ranks of inquisitors, now termed the Holy Office, still remains and Orpherus knows that he would be a fool to reject his Confessor’s offer outright. So perhaps he will write and make careful allusions to the possibility of a visit because there is nothing else that he can see to be done. Perhaps then he will go to Rome to confess, having been labouring under the weight of fabricated guilt for some time.
“Bless me father, for I have sinned. Oh, since when have a truly confessed anything since I was about twelve!”
But they tend to go through the rigmarole of it anyway, Orpherus on his knees, head bowed in penance with his corpulent Confessor leering down at him. That’s as far as it ever goes of course, the Cardinal has never actually laid a hand on him and if he’s ever thought of it, one of those vicious smiles with a flash of Orpherus’ sharp teeth would be enough to dissuade him. Which unfortunately might be part of the problem in negotiation with the new Archbishop because there is every chance that he thinks Orpherus is simply the Cardinal’s puppet; an educated whore, nothing more, nothing less. That is something that Orpherus will need to see to and preferably sooner rather than later. It wouldn’t do for him to be at a disadvantage against a man of the cloth after all and annoyingly the Archbishop hasn’t even glanced at him with anything remotely approaching sexual intent which leaves Orpherus at something of a loss at how to begin.
He’s used to men lusting after him of course. It’s rather the point of being praised for his good looks after all and all manner of clergy before have been particularly prone to it. Orpherus is not above using his looks to further his own aims but the Archbishop is troublesome and the fact that he is some distant Liechtenstein cousin doesn’t help the matter either.
If only Ludwig were well and whole again. If only he were able to deal with this situation out of many with the same confident aplomb as always but wishing it will not change anything and Orpherus is aware that he is brooding over the matter again.
He’s already had enough of it. He will write to his Confessor and demand that Ludwig accompany him to Rome once the exams are done. It won’t do much to help of course but if all Orpherus can provide is a momentary respite, a handful of days of forgetfulness surrounded by the unnecessary opulence of the Vatican City, then while it will not be enough, it will hopefully at least provide some small portion of ease for Ludwig’s soul.
Orpherus just hopes that when they return, it isn’t to find that Eduard has murdered his stepmother in their absence or that Camus’ vague agreeing noises have encouraged him to do it.
++++++++++
In 1908 The Inquisition became the Holy Office before becoming the Congregation of the Doctrine of Faith in 1965.
The province of Görz was a Hapsburg territory from the 16th century, then annexed by the Venetians briefly from 1508 – 1509, then the French. The Austrians conquered it again in 1916; two years later the Italian army recovered it. Then it was under German administration from 1943 – 1945 and then was returned to Italy in 1947.
Defende nos in proelio; contra nequitiam et insidias diaboli esto praesidium? Maybe. ^_~
In the same continuity as this, this and this really.
Set during the run-up to the end of their schooling, Naoji’s indecision seems to lead to a lack of solutions.
Orpherus frets over the matter and its possible impact on Ludwig.
Solutions
Disclaimer: Meine Liebe belongs to Konami, Yuki Kaori and others.
+++++++++++
Orpherus wakes up cranky and aching, not because he’s been indulging himself overmuch but rather because he hasn’t. He’s spent a good portion of the night staring sightlessly up at the canopy over Ludwig’s bed, listening to the sound of Ludwig breathing and the hammering of his own thoughts in his head. Orpherus has a fascination with possibilities, with the idea of figuring out all the solutions. There is nothing more abhorrent to him than not having planed for an eventuality, so here in silence and on the brink if despair he tries to scheme his way around damnation.
There are unfortunate possibilities to come, the terrifying potential of Ludwig’s fall and Orpherus would rather that he be prepared should such a thing happen.
The most obvious solution is to strike at the point of that uncertainty, to remove the one thing that Ludwig might call a weakness. Unfortunately it would hardly be that simple and Orpherus isn’t entirely sure what manner of dubious authority that Naoji might call upon to aid him.
If it were possible to remove Naoji from the equation then it would hardly spare Ludwig any heartache at yet it might speed the process and leave him at least marginally functional once they were needed as Strahl. Except what would Orpherus do? He can’t think of anything beyond the obvious witch-burning scenarios sanctioned by Rome and perfectly legal in Kuchen. Having Naoji tried for witchcraft would be foolish anyway and from what the Marquis Shiraiya seems to have implied, Orpherus isn’t entirely sure that ‘dear Foster-san’ as Naoji likes to term him, wouldn’t have a thing or two to say about the proposition.
This is the other problem of course. Orpherus has absolutely no idea what it is that Naoji’s sponsor even does with his time and Orpherus isn’t entirely sure that he even believes the makeshift tale of haplessly pleasant old man, entirely helpless and without resources. He should demand answers from Alberto next time or at least he would if he even believed that he would receive any. The Marquis is annoyingly silent about his work and Orpherus’ other obvious route of enquiry would involve Ludwig after all. Even the direct authority of the Church is denied him now, with the new Archbishop and his entourage ensconced at the head of the Kuchen church.
That more than anything irks him. The messengers sent to Rome would take far too long, the time it would take for his Confessor to dispatch members of the Holy Office would complicate things still further and even then Orpherus isn’t sure that it wouldn’t devolve into a three-way yelling match; the Archbishop and the Liechtensteins on one side, Naoji’s sponsor on another and Orpherus left with a handful of clergy behind him helplessly failing about with a letter bearing his Confessor’s seal. No, it wouldn’t come to anything and would make the rift between the new Archbishop and his Confessor even more evident, which wouldn’t do much for his favour in the eyes of Rome.
Having Naoji burn at the sake on trumped up charges of witchcraft then, wouldn’t be much of a solution at all. Orpherus doesn’t even want to begin to consider the possible repercussions that such an act would garner. Just the slightest chance to tip Eduard in one direction and Orpherus might suddenly find himself facing the weight of secular authority for his ‘crimes’. The Herzogin may not be quite as powerful as she might wish but there is no doubt in Orpherus’ mind that he might find himself in front of a firing squad for so harming her son.
Eduard’s love for Ludwig, his devotion has always had a certain malignant quality that Orpherus envies. For him, Eduard would do a great many things; for Ludwig, Eduard would destroy nations. Either way, there are so few of them that to divide their number would be ludicrous and yet as things stand there is the potential that they will destroy their alliances internally through foolishness.
Naoji will not return to Japan, partially of his own volition and partially due to his wish to remain at Ludwig’s side. In fact, if asked Naoji will brazenly state that there is every likelihood that Japan doesn’t want him back. Orpherus can’t contest that assertion either way so takes it to mean all that it evidently does; it is not his issue to dispute after all.
The problem arises with the possibility of what Naoji will do next. He talks about living with his sponsor for a while and seeking to resolve the turbulence of his own heart. This then is not so great an issue but it is what such action would imply that troubles Orpherus, as well as Ludwig’s potential reaction.
At the current time, Ludwig is fully prepared to give up whatever alliances he may forge through marriage and throw all caution to the winds for the chance to keep Naoji by his side and for once Orpherus fears that he may be the only one of them thinking clearly.
If Naoji were to remain with Ludwig, to be publicly seen to be with him with all the weight of that inference and implication, Ludwig will lose some measure of his authority. He will be weakened in the eyes of the foolish populous and the other noble families. If neither of them marries, it leaves Orpherus to desperately claw his way into some prestigious House. Not that he isn’t prepared to forge an alliance, through the sanctioned act of marriage, yet it will be so much harder to maintain his place in the grand scheme of things with Ludwig so obviously encumbered. Naoji would marry for the sake of public image, if only Ludwig were to command him to, Eduard may marry, if only Orpherus can keep him away from his half-sisters, even Camus would most likely entertain the idea if it were a fortuitous match. But Ludwig upon whom the entire scheme rests, will not, not while there is the smallest chance that Naoji will have him.
“Whatever happens to me, Orpherus, you must carry on.”
“Whatever happens? Nothings going to happen to you, I won’t allow it.”
“My Orpherus…”
“Lui, please. Reconsider…”
Orpherus wants to scream most of the time, to throw an unceremonious fit over the entirety of this foolishness.
“You promised me, Lui. I can’t rule alone.”
Ludwig hadn’t even dignified that outburst with an answer and had merely held Orpherus close for the rest of the night.
Their relationship is devolving into that bizarre sexless appreciation of each other that it was when it first began. Last night was perhaps the first time Ludwig had kissed Orpherus in weeks. They occasionally share a bed and hold each other close and talk about nothing or rather now Orpherus talks about their future and Ludwig smiles his saddest of smiles.
Orpherus almost wishes that things were as they had been before, almost wishes that there was no fracture in the illusion of Ludwig’s confidence, though the more he thinks about it there probably is no flaw. Ludwig continues to do as he wishes; it’s only that this time there is the risk that his heart will break. Orpherus has no right to council against it, no reason at all to suggest that Ludwig choose other than he has because it’s not as if Orpherus would have the courage to relinquish the last vestiges of his power to remain at Eduard’s side. Perhaps them it is Orpherus who deserves to be the Prince of Lies. For all his love, his protestations of devotion, Orpherus desperately grasps at any chance of his own gain. He loves Eduard, undeniably but he also loves power more. Ludwig is at least true to himself, to the beating of his fragile heart but then perhaps Orpherus is too. Orpherus who understands at last all his flaws, who recognises the nonsense of his rhetoric, the poison he spouts.
Death is preferable to a loss of virtue. Orpherus wonders if the blue roses in the greenhouse are finally withered so it’s no surprise that last night, in his dreams, he watched the last frozen blossom fall.
In his dreams there is a chilled landscape, a beautiful garden filled with roses frozen solid under the frost. This then is the true reflection of his soul. What purity and life he possessed is gone, broken and this false Odile is all that remains. Perhaps Eduard realises that now, which may be part of the reason for his shifting affections.
Though none of that fanciful speculation resolves anything and Orpherus knows that he is given more to allegory than pragmatic action. He cannot blame Naoji for his indecision anymore than he can blame Eduard for his insight. He does not blame Ludwig at all.
Naoji recognises all that Ludwig stands to lose and in that Orpherus can commend him. Ludwig understands that Naoji’s love will lead to his fall. This is nothing that can be rationally resolved. Orpherus cannot save anyone from the destiny that they have forged with their own hands and if Ludwig is to be broken by the one thing he loves best of all, Orpherus will still remain by his side, will love and worship him all the same.
It will do nothing to be seeking out external solutions to the situation; will help nothing to hold any sort of opinion. This is a problem that may only be resolved by Naoji and Ludwig alone. There is nothing that Orpherus can do to help, nothing to be done to force the situation to any sort of conclusion. What comes will come. Nothing will change that. Not Orpherus’ hope or dreams or lies. The only one who can save Ludwig now is Ludwig himself and Orpherus fears that when all is done, he may not have strength enough for the both of them.
Even if Naoji forsakes him, Ludwig will assign no blame. He will endure such misfortune and grow colder and wearier and entirely more alone.
Orpherus may even be capable of understanding Naoji’s reasoning, his pain in believing that he will destroy Ludwig if he remains with him. Without the assurance of Naoji’s love, Ludwig will be forced to marry, to forge some vaunted political alliance or so Naoji believes. Orpherus suspects that it may go badly either way, fears that Ludwig’s pain may be too much for him to live with. With a single act, which he will see as rejection, Ludwig will become something other than human and his wounded heart will shatter. Once he has recovered his strength he will be stronger, cold than before and nothing will ever be the same.
The thought frightens Orpherus, terrifies him in ways that he cannot begin to explain. He has never wishes such a fate on anyone, even in his most violent of rages and to suspect that such a thing will befall one he holds so dear is heartbreaking. Yet there is nothing to be done but wait and remain patiently at Ludwig’s side.
“You promised, Lui… I swore to you that I would never let you rule alone. You were meant to promise the same to me. I need you… I love you. I can’t do this by myself.”
There really is nothing to aid the matter when he thinks about it and by the time Orpherus returns to his own room he has resolved to write to his Confessor. The Cardinal is corpulent, lecherous and vile and Orpherus is irrationally fond of him but this may perhaps be the first time that he has ever truly asked the man for any sort of advice. Perhaps he shouldn’t at all but should instead enquire after the social standing of Kuchen’s new Archbishop and the promotions through the ranks of the Holy Order of late. Yes, that’s what he’ll do. He’ll make polite and perverse enquiries rather than anything else and perhaps once the school year is done he might journey to Rome himself, the architecture is beautiful after all and perhaps amongst the wonder of the Vatican City itself he might find some ease for his heart. He almost wonders if Ludwig could be persuaded to come with him. The Liechtensteins have spies almost everywhere save in the upper echelons of the Mother Church where the former Royal House of Görz have been doing their part to keep the numbers of other prestigious families down.
Orpherus can’t even remember exactly what ecclesial titles he should hold, not that any of those are anything but out of date. It’s been too long since his family ruled anything in the name of the Church. He’s not even sure that he’d make anything of a reasonable crusader these days, still the offer of a place among the ranks of inquisitors, now termed the Holy Office, still remains and Orpherus knows that he would be a fool to reject his Confessor’s offer outright. So perhaps he will write and make careful allusions to the possibility of a visit because there is nothing else that he can see to be done. Perhaps then he will go to Rome to confess, having been labouring under the weight of fabricated guilt for some time.
“Bless me father, for I have sinned. Oh, since when have a truly confessed anything since I was about twelve!”
But they tend to go through the rigmarole of it anyway, Orpherus on his knees, head bowed in penance with his corpulent Confessor leering down at him. That’s as far as it ever goes of course, the Cardinal has never actually laid a hand on him and if he’s ever thought of it, one of those vicious smiles with a flash of Orpherus’ sharp teeth would be enough to dissuade him. Which unfortunately might be part of the problem in negotiation with the new Archbishop because there is every chance that he thinks Orpherus is simply the Cardinal’s puppet; an educated whore, nothing more, nothing less. That is something that Orpherus will need to see to and preferably sooner rather than later. It wouldn’t do for him to be at a disadvantage against a man of the cloth after all and annoyingly the Archbishop hasn’t even glanced at him with anything remotely approaching sexual intent which leaves Orpherus at something of a loss at how to begin.
He’s used to men lusting after him of course. It’s rather the point of being praised for his good looks after all and all manner of clergy before have been particularly prone to it. Orpherus is not above using his looks to further his own aims but the Archbishop is troublesome and the fact that he is some distant Liechtenstein cousin doesn’t help the matter either.
If only Ludwig were well and whole again. If only he were able to deal with this situation out of many with the same confident aplomb as always but wishing it will not change anything and Orpherus is aware that he is brooding over the matter again.
He’s already had enough of it. He will write to his Confessor and demand that Ludwig accompany him to Rome once the exams are done. It won’t do much to help of course but if all Orpherus can provide is a momentary respite, a handful of days of forgetfulness surrounded by the unnecessary opulence of the Vatican City, then while it will not be enough, it will hopefully at least provide some small portion of ease for Ludwig’s soul.
Orpherus just hopes that when they return, it isn’t to find that Eduard has murdered his stepmother in their absence or that Camus’ vague agreeing noises have encouraged him to do it.
++++++++++
In 1908 The Inquisition became the Holy Office before becoming the Congregation of the Doctrine of Faith in 1965.
The province of Görz was a Hapsburg territory from the 16th century, then annexed by the Venetians briefly from 1508 – 1509, then the French. The Austrians conquered it again in 1916; two years later the Italian army recovered it. Then it was under German administration from 1943 – 1945 and then was returned to Italy in 1947.
Defende nos in proelio; contra nequitiam et insidias diaboli esto praesidium? Maybe. ^_~
