"Ok, I am only doing it because I think we need to change the Royal mages to prioritize strength and survival over people's pride.
Now what is the third thing that was promised?"
"He promised me, he would be a loving husband. You already know about the courtship for 6 months. Because he has lost his memory and his personality has changed, I agreed to try being a loving couple for 6 months. If it goes well, we will take a vacation and redo our marriage ceremony to symbolize our choice to love each other for now on."
James interjected, "what are you going to do when he gets his memory back? He is not going to be happy about your actions…"
"I am betting my one chance of happiness that he will never remember his memories. If he ever remembers and sees all the things I plan to do, I'm sure he will put me to death. It is a risk I am willing to take."
I clenched my fist at her words. I need to find a way to guarantee that I will not be forced to switch bodies ever again.
I can't abandon Becca after giving her hope. It would be devastating to work so hard together for change and it all crumble the moment another black magic circle appears under my feet.
As I was thinking this, James was continuing his conversation with Becca.
"Ok, my duty is to listen to what Nick tells me, so don't blame me if he remembers everything some day and orders me to restrain you for torture."
"Yes, I won't have any hard feelings if that happens. In exchange, I have a favor to ask.
Another part of Nick's promise to be a loving husband is that after we redo the marriage ceremony, he will never get romantically involved with another woman. I need you to watch him like a hawk when I am not around to make sure he keeps his promise."
"This might be his most ridiculous promise so far… everyone has at least a couple of concubines. If your loyalty depends on this part of his promise, then I don't think we should trust you."
"My loyalty did not depend on this part of the promise, but Nick added it on himself because, without his memories, he wants to only hold one person dear."
"Most people don't hold their concubines dear, they just use them to relieve stress."
"Well, my husband says that I am the only person he needs to relieve all his stress." Becca placed her hand on her chest with pride.
I could have jumped in to help soothe things over with James, but I liked watching Becca handle things all on her own.
It was very attractive. She also just called me her husband for the first time! I stayed on the sidelines, observing with a soft smile. If Becca ever really needed my help, I would jump in, but I think she had James on the ropes.
James started taping on his desk nervously.
"Even if he feels that way, we have already lined up a daughter of another count and the daughter of a viscount to be his second and third wives…"
Becca did not back down. "I know those talks were just informal discussions and that nothing has been made official yet, so we can still call them off.
This is the most powerful Duchy in the Kingdom, we do not have to be forced into something for a mere count and viscount."
"But we were going to use those territories to increase our influence…"
"We will increase our influence through our revolutionary legislation. We can also marry those daughters to the second or third in line to the Duke title if we still want to use those territories to our advantage."
"But…"
"James, I agree with my wife."
I knew that doing things my way would make things harder for us in the long run, but what is the point of reaching your goals if you lose yourself along the way. Regardless, I don't think losing the aid of a count and viscount would set us back too far.
I bet James was only so adamant because he was thinking I would be more happy when I gain my memories to have multiple wives already.
Becca look up at me with a smile that showed her thanks. Then she continued,
"So now that you have heard the three promises I have received, do you think there is any logical reason that I would turn my back on those promises to betray Nick?"
James thought about it for a while. Finally he spoke up,
"While logically you have no reason to betray him now, I still think you might hate him so much for the past, that you would be irrational and send him to the wolves."
Becca nodded her head, "I thought so too at first, but don't you agree that the Nick with no memories has completely different morals? After thinking about it for a while, I believe the reason there is such a difference is because the Nick in front of us today is the true Nick unaffected by his childhood and the conditioning of society.
The way he used to act was because of all the pressure and expectations that society forced on him. For that reason, I am willing to forgive him for the past and look at him for who he truly is today."
James nodded in understand, "yes, that makes a lot of sense to me. It would be good if we change society, so he won't be forced like that again."
'Wow, Becca just came up with a bold faced lie that convinced James. I'm sure the original Nicolas was just a total jerk.' I had to fight myself from laughing.
Luckily, I was able to keep a straight face. I stood up and clapped my hands.
"Now that that is settled, let's go to the training grounds! James you need to check out Becca's skills and let me know if she is strong enough to join the Royal mages right away or if she will need to train for a little while. Also, we are going to try some combination attacks!"
They both stood up as well and we started to head out.