VIROS

I’ll miss you babes <3 You come back soon now, ya hear?

Josephine Augusta dismisses her subordinates, spending the better part of the day alone in the office, silently watching people pass down the streets of Providence. She tugs at her necklace, fiddling with its little silver half-heart. Occasionally, she steals a look down—but not for too long, for her eyes begin to water. She had thought she had enough children, but perhaps she could bear one more daughter. “A little Emerentia,” she thinks.

[!] A letter is issued to Fr. Basil @Basil Moroul by courier. "Fr. Basil, I am Josephine Augusta, writing to you as a trained canon lawyer regarding your recent public letter on the allegations against Anna Henrietta. Thank you for your continuing dedication to see the truth revealed and justice served. Under the circumstances you have listed, a trial before an ecclesiastical court is most appropriate. However, I must advise against your request that "that [Anna Henrietta] receive the harshest punishment that the church can give and her current marriage be deemed illegitimate due to the many bastards she has birthed, her marriage should be declared annulled. " I respectfully direct your attention to Book V, Title IV, Ch. 1, §8, which states "Annulment or dissolution of a sacrament is never issued as an ecclesiastical penalty." Annulment is not a punishment for a crime, but a recognition that certain elements of the sacrament were lacking at the time the sacrament was putatively celebrated. The sacramental power of the Church is withdrawn only when it is necessary to preserve virtue. Assuming Anna Henrietta is guilty (for I have no knowledge of the particulars of this case, only the law itself), then in order for an annulment to be declared, it must be proven one of these elements was lacking. For your convenience, I have attached a citation for such a requirement that you may discover to be lacking during possible judicial inquiry. "Book IV, Title I, Ch.2, §5. Each prospective spouse must intend that the union should bear children and that the children should be raised in the Canonist faith." May God bless your investigation and see that the truth, whatever it is, comes to light. Cordially, HIH Josephine Augusta, Duchess of Sunholdt"

Josephine Augusta celebrates with her sister. Her first combat! @Fie

[!] A letter is issued to Cardinal Providentia via courier. "Your Eminence, Hello, I am Josephine Augusta, canon lawyer and Duchess of Sunholdt. I offer you my sincere condolences on the passing of your colleague. Jude II was a friend of my father's and a man of virtue; may he rise to the highest Sky. I am writing to you in my capacity as a canon lawyer, specifically in regards your recent minor bull. While I appreciate your veneration of my grandmother, Anne Augusta, I am concerned as to the legitimacy of this decree. It is not within normal scope of a minor bull to pronounce an individual appropriate for veneration, as this authority is reserved to the High Pontiff. I have included the relevant citations here: Book IV Title IV Ch. 5 §2. Book V, Title I, Ch 3. §1 - §2. I extend these concerns not out of legal pedantry, but merely a desire to ensure the proper processes are followed, so that none can question the appropriateness of venerating the individuals you have listed. Additionally, and aside from the legal question, it is somewhat unusual to venerate Boniface. As I understand from the writing on the subject, he died in a state of excommunication, and was executed after being prosecuted in Haense on the orders of Bl. James II. Reports of his death indicate he refused to repent and cursed the blessed Pontiff at the gallows. It would make an odd encounter for the two of them to meet in the Skies. Nevertheless, I leave the question of veneration up to the clergy. I am concerned only with the procedure of canon law. I hope I have been of assistance. Deo Gratias, HIH Josephine Augusta, Duchess of Sunholdt"

Josephine Augusta signs the report, approving it for public viewing.

Josephine Augusta feels a strange sense of loss at the death of Jude II. Though he had baptized her first son, she did not know him well. Perhaps—if those curious folk from Yong Ping were right about “reincarnation”—she knew him in a past life.

Josephine Augusta salutes the Orenian flag, returning to her vital work as Director of Civil Affairs.

“I knew he was a learned scholar and skilled administrator, but now I find he is a man of true devotion too... Mr. Melphestaus continues to impress,” Josephine Augusta remarks to an aide.

Josephine Augusta rubs her temples, beginning to feel that the Empire’s recent policy of minding its own business was a mistake. “If the entire bloody world is going to denounce us for defending ourselves,” she muses “Perhaps old John I was right about the way to conduct foreign policy. They hated him too, but at least he got to rule half the world for his efforts.” The duchess spends the rest of the day torn between her different ancestors’ ideologies: Josephite liberalism or Horen imperialism? She finally settles on the former, but only narrowly.

Welcome back! It has been a long long time since the True Faith had a high priest instead of a high pontiff...

[!] A missive is issued to Fr. Basil in response to his (presumably public) letter to Olivier de Savoie. "Father Basil Moroul, I am Josephine Augusta, Director of Civil Affairs for the Holy Orenian Empire. I am writing to you concerning your recent public letter to Olivier de Savoie. First, I offer my thanks for your continuing service to the Canonist people in taking the priesthood, and in attempting to hold Canonist leaders accountable for their sins. I too was concerned by de Savoie's recent publication. Allow me to reassure you that it has been a matter of discussion in the Cabinet, and we have addressed the matter with the forces of the City-State of Luciensburg. I offer you my reassurance that the Imperial State Army makes all efforts to prevent the death of innocents. Particularly in Elysium, we have received credible reports that some individuals between the ages of fifteen and eighteen did perish in the battle (all reports of younger ages are, very clearly, nothing more than pagan propaganda). It is unfortunate that these young lives should be cut short, but it was also unavoidable. Chief Sven, lacking our Canonist morality, has pressed swords into the hands of children and indoctrinated them such that they will attack even veteran soldiers. Although such 'warriors' present no real threat on their own, in the chaos of battle it is not possible to skillfully disarm them while simultaneously avoiding death from other assailants. The Holy Orenian Empire has fought similar wars before, in the time of the prophets. As you well know, both Ex. Godfrey and Ex. Sigismund waged wars of reconquest against wicked rulers. Unfortunately, when fighting against such individuals, there is no low to which they will not stoop. I am no theologian and cannot be the judge of sin. I must only hope that GOD will judge favorably those soldiers who acted in self-defense. We appreciate your investigation of the matter, which is within the Church's remit and of great humanitarian importance. I do beg of you to take the reports of our enemies with a grain of salt. Not only are they apostates, but they have a vested interest in undermining the moral authority of Canonist states. They would benefit greatly from misleading the Church. Please be assured that the Imperial State Army will ensure that, at least in our presence, no participant in this battle brings children to harm. Cordially, Josephine Augusta, Duchess of Sunholdt"

[!] A letter is issued to Gallo, hopefully finding his permanent residence. “Mr. Gallo, I pray this missive reaches you well. I am Josephine Augusta, Director of Civil Affairs for the Holy Orenian Empire. I encountered your recent paper while reading certain cultural and scientific papers as part of a larger review of potentially significant works. I compliment you on your interest in philosophical inquiry, but offer some critiques as to your conclusions. Principally, I do not consider the motion of the world to be any more unlikely than the motion of the heavens. Indeed, it seems more likely that the heavens move, for if the earth beneath us moved, would we not feel it? Regardless, the movement of the world does not seem to be, of itself, any more or less believable than the movement of the Skies. Lacking the ability to observe the motion of the earth while we are standing on it, it seems simplest to assume the heavens move instead. Additionally, I feel some religious obligation to disagree that God setting the heavens to motion is outlandish. I judge it no more outlandish that a deity should accomplish this than if it were to happen automatically; all things must have a cause. Further, it is well-known that the Aengudaemons often quarrel and work towards different agendas, yet the world obeys a single set of physical laws. Thus the simplest explanation is that there was a single, first cause—a prime mover who established a universal order, creating both the heavens and the earth. Though I am a Canonist, I make this argument on a purely philosophical basis, with no respect to whatever moral laws such a God might set forth. In summary, and despite my objections to your conclusion, I find Gallo’s Razor to be a useful rule in analyzing the viability of scientific claims. I look forward to your future works. Cordially, Josephine Augusta, Duchess of Sunholdt”

@Cracker and @Urahra are Lord and Lady of the Craft

The Director of Civil Affairs reads the response, addressing her husband “My uncle is right. It’s just typical of Nordlings to pick a fight they can’t win and then cry ‘massacre!’ when they lose one battle. But of course, but it must always be Oren's fault. . . It is our fault that these foreigners declared war on us, then it is our fault when their soldiers perish in battle. What a backwards worldview."

“Ah, everyone knows the Nordlings crushed the Canonist faith in Elysium to such an extent that many among them resorted to practicing in secret. I imagine they breathed a sigh of relief, that this war has taken the Norlandic boot off their collective throat,” Josephine Augusta muses to her sister, Anne Caroline. “To an independent Elysium!” She toasts, clinking their glasses.

Josephine Augusta reads the missive favorably, presenting it to an aide “Ah? You see, he is the best hire I ever made. You should all be a little more like Mr. Melphestaus!”

Josephine Augusta steels herself for the promise of war. Could she live up to her grandmother’s memory, and bear arms in defense of the Empire? She must.

Josephine Augusta remains resolute, despite the desires of greedy foreign dwarves to swarm through her home and steal her fine jewels.

Josephine Augusta withdraws a sketch of a Kaedreni windmill from her memory box, weeping. Only a year earlier, she had lost her grandfather as well—she feels this is the beginning of the end. Little parts of her would keep dying year by year, decade by decade, until she herself passed on as well. Nevertheless, she would persist as long as she could, as her mother had.

“When we have rights and liberties, they claim that this is an effete empire of bureaucrats... when we act swiftly, it is ‘barbarism’. Should my uncle sit idly by as these traitors escape by manipulating the court system? Does anyone actually doubt the guilt of the accused in this case? Sedan and their ilk had done worse, for less noble reasons.” Josephine Augusta continues bemoaning the troubles of the day to her secretary, who is used to this sort of thing by now.

Josephine Augusta sees her friend Emerentia is running for deputy mayor. She muses to herself “Well, I don’t know Varon, but if Emmy supports him, he must have his head on straight.”

[!] A response is issued via courier. "Mr. Melphestaus, I share your disappointment that the Imperial University was shuttered. As you have probably intuited by now, so many in this country prefer private education to a classroom setting. However, I am pleased to hear of your scholarly appetite, which I believe I may be able to sate. I am Josephine Augusta, Director of the Office of Civil Affairs for the Imperial Government, and co-author of the second volume of Epochs of the Empire, the most celebrated textbook of imperial history. I have some experience as a tutor, but mainly for the children of Augustine Palace--nevertheless, I am eager to educate an ambitious citizen, and my Office is always in need of learned men. For your edification, I have enclosed copies of the first and second volumes of Epochs of the Empire (the former text was co-authored by the late High Pontiff, James II and the erudite Archchancellor, Sir Simon Basrid). If you are interested in receiving lessons, I have instructed the bearer of this missive to return in one day to receive your response. You may also contact me at my address at 5 Komnenos Avenue. Josephine Augusta, Duchess of Sunholdt Director of the Office of Civil Affairs."

Josephine Augusta mourns the loss of her grandfather. When she was young, he had been larger than life--almost a god, for his rank was so distant and untouchable. It did not help that Joseph II had many grandchildren, and when he even deigned to see them, he often struggled to remember their names. But as the princess grew older, the Emperor grew more human. He had. . . foibles. Josephine began to understand her grandfather did not forget her name because she was not important, but because he was simply forgetful. He was a man with flaws. How strange! The greatest display of emotion he had shown her was at the day of her betrothal, when she had begged him not to hand her away to a man of whom she knew so little. But, as her royal grandfather said in his last testament "Make no promise. It shall be invoked unto the grave." His own words bound him, and she was duly promised to Peter Alexander. Upon learning of his death, Josephine realized that distant memory was the only time she had heard her namesake speak without the royal we. He had to said to her not "We are sorry," but "I am sorry." In the end, it had all turned out as the Emperor said it would: Peter Alexander was a fine husband. The princess would never share with Peter that great romance of Anne I and Joseph II, but neither did she regret obeying her grandfather's command. Josephine Augusta, granddaughter of Joseph II, wept at his passing. ___ Amongst a crowd, James II welcomes Joseph II, his own brother, into the gates of the Seven Skies. Strewn across the ground before the monarchs are all the laurels, the crowns, the badges of office, and the fine distinctions of the men who entered that place; they would have no need of them anymore.

Josephine Augusta looks on the news fondly. She knew little of her uncle, but she always suspected she had at least one trait in common with him. It was a shame that his marriage had not worked out as well as her own—but not all could be as loving and open-minded as the new Duke of Sunholdt.