In Which Severin Skips Another Heir

May 14, 1194

"My God." Every once in a while, Severin heard something to which there was no other initial response. What his grandson had just confessed was one such thing. "I... I'm very relieved that you have committed to restraining yourself."

"I have to." Dalston swallowed, a hint of a tear clinging to his eye, fighting not to fall. "I don't want to hurt anybody."

Not once in his life, Severin was sure, had Dalston ever wanted to hurt anybody. Certainly not... like that.

"So I..." His grandson choked. "I've decided to switch my focus to Pre-Asceticism."

Not a decision to be made lightly. A Theology major focusing in Pre-Asceticism was, for all intents and purposes, a novice. It was a difficult thing to turn back after that. "You're sure?"

"I'm sure. I know you're not fond of the church, but I think it's the best option. I couldn't take a wife only to deceive her through our entire marriage. I certainly shouldn't father any children. In the interests of safety, I should be removed from society at large."

"Hmm." He was probably right, and Severin was torn about whether he wanted to admit that. It wasn't like learning that Searle enjoyed the company of men, or that Thetis preferred the company of women. Men and women were, at least, adults. "I certainly don't want your life to be any more difficult than it has to be. If you believe that becoming a monk would be the right call, I'll trust your judgment. But, if you change your mind, I'll make every effort to help you keep control."

"I appreciate that, but I don't think there's anything you can do. I've already been to Aunt Aerina for, uh... libido-repressing herbs. Told her I was being distracted from my studies." Given the situation, that couldn't have been a lie. "They worked at first, but I think I'm starting to develop a tolerance."

"I see." A damn pity that was. How damn horrible it all was. "How do you wish to proceed, then? Will you announce your intention to join the church soon?"

"I think that would be for the best. Wolf might need time to adjust to being the new heir." Yes--Wolf was the one they had to worry about. "He'll make a better lord than I would have anyway."

"A different lord, at least." Though, better in the sense that he would be able to produce heirs of his own without... those particular concerns. "All right. We'll meet with him in the morning, then tell the rest of the family."

"But they don't need to know the reason, do they?"

"No. Not as long as you control yourself." There were no children on campus. There would be no young novitiates at whatever monastery Dalston chose.

Neither of them would stand for any slip-ups. "Keep controlling yourself."

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