On Infidelity

[Nectorist 7422]

On Infidelity

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While the accusations against Archduchess Renilde, alleging that she was engaged in a tryst with a prince of Haense, are a matter of serious investigation, one that I will be personally undertaking, the reaction seen to such alleged events is puzzling. It cannot be doubted that the crimes of adultery and fornication are grave sins, for their violate the ceremony of Holy Matrimony that binds our communities together and defiles the Holy Union of Horen and Julia, but I cannot help but find myself disturbed at how little these crimes are punished, and the uneven hand that is played in seeing them dealt with.

 

The sins of fornication and adultery, while played for laughs among comics and the like, are truly grave in their results. Bastards are not raised in a loving household of two parents that care for one another and have united before their community as a wedded couple, but are instead handed off to barren couples, distant relatives, or court tutors. Husbands, wives, children, are wrenched apart in the arguments and betrayal that rip through the household when an affair has been brought to light. This sin is one of ruin for many, but only now does it elicit scorn.

 

This is not to suggest that if Renilde is found guilty she should receive a lighter punishment, nor is it a justification of her possible sins, but it does call into question why, here and now, her possible act of adultery is cause for outcry when the practice has been so readily accepted before? Why is no similar response directed towards Prince Marius of Haense, who is the second half of the accused party? In truth, this can be answered by history.

 

Emperor Peter III notoriously had many mistresses, and sired several children by them. They were flaunted shamelessly before the court, allowed to live in opulence without the slightest consideration towards the sin that had wrought them. Generations later, John VIII announced the birth of a bastard son by a mistress, even though he had divorced his wife before for similar acts, and directed towards her more ire than ever saw him.

 

King Andrew III of Haense fathered several bastards as well, and while they did not enjoy the same status as those children of Peter III, nor did their mothers, his reputation was similarly unscrutinized for his sinful conduct. Generations later Francis Leopold, son of Sigismund II, did similarly, finding his comforts among many women, and siring upon them children.

 

The legacy of humanity has been one of trysts, bastards, and the sins of lust. However, as we investigate the alleged crimes of Archduchess Renilde we must ask ourselves: How dedicated are we, as faithful Canonists, as clergy, as lawmakers, to truly upholding these laws of purity and ensuring we do our diligence as followers of His word to engage only in those unions that are appropriate for household and community? Why is it that only now, when a woman is accused of it, that these crimes of immorality in the household are brought to the forefront, and calls for justice and punishment ring from the lips of all who hear them? 

 

If Renilde committed the crime then punishment must be dealt according to her misdeed, but we ought not to forget that the other half of the alleged sin was committed by a man.

Father Blackwater

[rukio 8910]

Nehtamo Ibarellan began to cold sweat. Perhaps the skeletons in his closet were rattled once more. Perhaps he was questioning the morality of the conflict, of who was right and wrong. Perhaps all of the missives were finally driving him to insanity. What if it was all three at once? He stared at the name at the bottom, clutching the paper so tightly it tore in two. "Only one side has killed oem'ii." He'd finally say, at last, as he continued to panic, dreading the next missive with cuckhold or affairs as the first line.

[AndrewTech 2815]

"When I informed the world that my late husband had committed enough infidelity to have sired three bastards in secrecy, the silence was deafening..." Catherine rasped to her elven attendant, the gravely injured woman reading the missive in her nightgown as she lay in bed at the Phoenixspire.

 

"...Yet had I done the same, I would have lost everything. Men, and women, must be held to the same standard. Equality, for the sexes. Regardless of one's alignment in this war, we must seek to overcome the ignorance of our ancestors. For we are smarter, and wiser, as a race than we once were."

[TreeSmoothie 4893]

Some enfeebled necrolyte, ranting to herself in the dark confines of a cave, muttered, "I simply killed my husbands if they were adulterers! ... All thirteen of 'em."

[tilly 3666]

“Father Blackwater, whenever you are ready, I am prepared for your investigation.” Renilde said at the side of her Rizzlord. 

[koanda 620]

A random woman looks over the words, unable to withhold a comment as she studies them.. "What a coincidence, that we are already justifying the action of sin. This investigation seems to be in steady hands indeed."