Inquisitor's Secret
An Inquisitor's wife believes her husband is cheating on her.
Author’s Note: This story takes place after the events of Inquisitor’s Promise.
It had been about five years since the Grey Globe Crisis. Since then, Lord Inquisitor Aeneas Aquilanus had started a family with his lady knight Galatea de la Mancha.
The first piece of the tapestry was set when the two of them adopted Fyuria, a machine spirit who was once the Commander of the Grey Globe. And the House Aquilanus family continued to grow. Not even a year after the wedding, the couple was blessed with twin boys: Ascanius and Carolus. Two years later, the family welcomed another addition to the family: a daughter named Maria.
Galatea thought that her life would be filled with marital bliss. Indeed, that was the case for the most part. She was living the dream: to live in the lavish Castle Aquila, surrounded by children, and be married to a good man who loves her deeply.
But as of late, Galatea began to doubt the last part. It all started with a rumor. She first heard of it when she was feeding Maria. Two women, castle servants, were chattering in the hallways:
“Have you heard about the Lord Inquisitor?”
“What is it?”
“It’s terrible, Caterina! I think he might be cheating on our mistress.”
“No way! Not Lord Aeneas. I won’t believe it, Giuseppina!”
“He’s been seeing prostitutes!”
“Truly?” asked Caterina.
“I don’t know for sure,” admitted Giuseppina. “But he’s been hanging around Brother Vitalio.”
“The monk who keeps visiting the Red-Light District?”
“Afraid so. It’s been happening in the last few months. Oh, poor Lady Galatea.”
“Now wait just a second,” said Caterina, “I’m sure there’s a good explanation for all this.”
“Like what?”
“I… I don’t know. But Lord Aeneas is an Inquisitor, and a good one too. And I know he loves Lady Galatea deeply. For him to carouse with harlots… it’s… inconceivable!”
Having been eavesdropping, Galatea had heard enough. She ran off quick as she could. Before she knew it, she found herself in the lush gardens of Castle Aquila. But the fresh air and beautiful greeneries were not enough to assuage her distress.
Galatea looked down to the infant she was holding. Maria was sound asleep, completely unaware of what was going on. How she envied her right now.