The early years of the novitiate, full of rules, discipline, and study, had been a bit sad for Jezebel, but the dedication she showed had overcome any opposition and had made her father proud... and that was enough for her, or at least that's what she claimed at home, but her parents noticed some inconsistencies.
Jezebel continued to be loved by everyone, including her fellow novices despite a palpable envy, but her friendships were rare and short-lived; for example, she could literally live in symbiosis with someone, whether woman or man, but then suddenly the relationships would cool off until they disappeared or were replaced by another person.
Things changed for the better in the final part of the novitiate, which allowed greater freedom in social contacts and “auxiliary” service in the temple. Her exuberant joy for life, combined with her inexhaustible energy and sense of duty, had restored her leadership of the novitiate, and her emotional and sexual life had begun... all was well, except that even here Jezebel showed her own “uniqueness.”
It was considered normal for “senior” novices that increased social contacts would lead to love stories which, perhaps a bit stormy at first, in most cases led to lasting unions.
But not for Jezebel, who from the very beginning loved to “flirt” with men, of very different ages, but invariably, she would leave them after a while.
Her parents’ disappointment was not limited to her evident restlessness; Jezebel could grant her favors for various reasons, love or the charm of her partner, but also pure and simple physical/sexual attraction, and even—and she did not hide this from her parents—for mere political or social convenience.
Although such uninhibited behavior was not against the laws and norms of the time, it was still, once again, very unusual, and for this reason her father was surprised when Jezebel, beaming more than ever, announced to him that the local council of elders had authorized her appointment as priestess ahead of all the novices of her generation.
Only her mother, in private with Jezebel, dared to ask if her conduct in her private life had anything to do with that important and early appointment, and whispered to her: “You didn’t sleep with someone from the council, did you?”
Jezebel became serious and replied: “And even if I had slept with THE ENTIRE COUNCIL simultaneously in an ORGY? Would you deny me your Love?”
The mother, stunned, didn’t have time to answer when a loud laugh was heard, after which Jezebel’s father entered the room, hugged her and said: “You are the strong, righteous, and determined child I always wanted... and that I really didn’t expect to be born in the body of a beautiful girl.”
The hug became collective, as did the laughter.
Then the father grabbed Jezebel by the shoulders: “Silly girl, how can you doubt your mother’s love... or MY love... assuming the latter interests you since I’m a man too.”
The laughter and tears became as collective as they were unstoppable.
Jezebel’s mother fittingly concluded that memorable family evening by asking, mock-seriously, her husband: “Do you think I could/should tell my sister (whose daughter had worked for years in the capital’s brothels) that my daughter, PRIESTESS, is too pious/devout AND... A WHORE for my taste?”