Chapter 4: The Trap of Original Sin (7)

He gulped.

Swallowing the saliva that had gathered in my throat, I looked up at him.

“What brings me here? Are you asking because you genuinely don’t know?”

Father Edwin bared his teeth like a hungry beast.

“Just a few days ago, didn’t I ask you to inform me once the Saintess decision was made?”

Today, Father Edwin’s temper seemed even more foul. If the serene scenery and restrained atmosphere of the monastery usually rendered his demeanor quiet, the casually dressed Father Edwin appeared as arrogant as a spoiled nobleman.

Passersby in the marketplace recoiled in horror at Father Edwin’s fierce countenance and hurriedly distanced themselves from the alley.

“…I can’t just stand here; I need to move somewhere else.”

“I didn’t come out alone, I came with a friend. At least I should tell my friend to go back first.”

The mention of a friend sharpened Father Edwin’s gaze.

“So, where is this friend you’re talking about?”

“Well…”

No matter how much I looked around, there was no sign of Jaylon. I awkwardly smiled as I wandered around the empty alley. He was probably still desperately searching for me near the theater.

“It’ll be fine soon. After that, whether you go to find your friend or not is up to you.”

“Yes, I understand.”

I slipped out of the alley and looked for a place where I could talk with Father Edwin. Not far away, there was a shop selling desserts made from rice imported from the Eastern Continent.

“I think this place will do.”

Attracted by the elegant atmosphere of the shop, I stepped inside.

“Please come in.”

As soon as I entered the shop, the scent was so strong it gave me a headache. Father Edwin’s sharp gaze became even more grim.

“Oh, does this one contain nuts inside?”

“It has sugar-glazed walnuts and almonds.”

“And what about this one?”

“It has fresh strawberries inside.”

Excitedly, I ordered various items. Father Edwin, seeming to not favor sweets much, just looked at me with a stern face.

“I’m fine, so please just choose what you’d like to have, Sister.”

“Yes, I thought you might not like sweets, so I was only picking mine.”

“Is that meant for one person’s consumption? It seems like quite a lot.”

Edwin lowered his voice with a disapproving look on his face. As I was about to pay for our order, he stood in front of me, blocking the counter.

“…Father, I chose these items, so I would like to pay for them.”

“Stop talking nonsense and go sit quietly.”

Even though Edwin must have known I was from a noble family, there was no need for him to pay instead of me, especially outside the monastery.

Moreover, feeling sorry for making a monk like him open his wallet, I felt apologetic.

“But I bought too much.”

It was a moment of embarrassment for his thin wallet.

“…Even for a priest, this should be fine.”

Was he revealing a sense of pity? A blush spread across his cheeks, perhaps revealing his inner thoughts.

“I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve always wanted to try it.”

Truth be told, it wasn’t the first time I had seen desserts from across the continent up close.

[Has Victor ever bought you something like this?] 

I glanced down at Sua’s hands filled with dessert boxes. It was easy to tell that Victor had bought them.

[No, he hasn’t.]

Perhaps she was anxious that I might covet even a single piece, as Sua sliced through them, taking a bite from each corner. I couldn’t help but feel a bitter taste as I looked at the distinct tooth marks left behind.

Although he hadn’t bought it, I remembered Victor’s words from when he was the crown prince.

[There’s a place in the Western market alley that sells desserts from across the continent. They were too sweet for my taste, but the smooth texture seemed like something you would enjoy. Next time I go out, I’ll definitely buy some.] 

Just saying the word was enough to have someone go out and buy it. But I couldn’t forget his face, smiling as if he was promising to buy it for sure.

[Shifonra, it means bread made from clouds in Eastern language.]

Was it just a passing promise to Victor? He seemed to have forgotten the words he said to me, as he handed Shifonra to Sua first. With just a dessert, I tasted bitterness.

Yet, I believed he would remember me soon and make sure I got mine. Despite knowing it was a meaningless promise and futile hope, I didn’t want to give up hope.

I didn’t want to admit that I had already faded away from his mind.

“It’s my first time trying it, and I’ve always wanted to.”

“Really? Please have as much as you like.”

The fluffy Shifonra, fragrant with peppermint and reminiscent of rabbit tails, was placed on the table. As I took a bite of Shifonra, his eyes narrowed involuntarily.

“It’s not as good as I expected.”

Sua’s continuous admiration while eating made me curious about how delicious it could be. It had a unique texture, but the taste was bland. It seemed like it could upset the stomach of someone who couldn’t eat sweet food, with its fluffy texture and intense sweetness.

“I wonder why she’s so impressed.”

If I had known it would taste this bad, I would have given up easily. There’s no need to envy her.

As a gloomy shadow appeared under my eyes, Edwin, who was sitting across from me, couldn’t hide his confusion.

“Not good?”

He casually took a bite of Shifonra, almost like a lynx hunting a rabbit.

“…It’s like chewing on rabbit tails.”

Edwin’s face contorted amusingly. Seeing his ridiculous expression, a smile finally crept onto my lips.

“…Well, that’s much better than the expression that looked like you were about to cry.”

“What? What did you just say?”

“Oh, nothing. I just think you should try another bite to really understand the taste.”

He took another sip, chewing it almost reluctantly, his face showing his discomfort.

As I chuckled at the amusing sight, he continued with a strained expression.

“It’s nice to see you laugh, but I’d like you  to know who the chosen Saint is first.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I forgot you’re busy.”

He tilted the teacup, trying to calm his jittery nerves. As his lips uttered the name, my breath caught for a moment.

“Abigail Miller, the daughter of Viscount Miller. Unless there’s a major change, she’s likely to become a Saint.”

“The daughter of Viscount Miller…”

The face of Viscount Miller, whom I had seen when I obtained the carriage not long ago, came to mind. Was the inexplicable unease I felt in the carriage because of him? Why did the ominous premonition never seem to miss its mark?

“She’s my cousin.”

“…”

“Is it already confirmed?”

“I went to the Central Temple yesterday and saw they were urgently commissioning a dress for her initiation ceremony. That means the selection of the Saint is already over.”

The initiation ceremony usually took place in late autumn every year, but this year, it would be held even before the beginning of summer. It was to hasten Abigail, who hadn’t been presented to society yet, into the social scene.

Everything was unfolding just as I remembered, as fate designed by the gods.

The initiation ceremony was also where the prince and the Saint first met. The grand chandeliers, the cheerful clinking of champagne glasses. And there was Father Revencio…

The Saint, adorned in a pristine white dress commissioned with great care, would dance the fateful waltz with the prince.

That space was reserved solely for the prince and the Saint. Everyone else was merely supporting roles. Soon after the initiation ceremony, the Central Temple would officially announce the selection of the Saint.

“If it’s confirmed, there’s no escaping.”

It was expected. If it wasn’t me, someone else would become the Saint in my place. But I never expected Abigail to be chosen among so many other women.

She and I were cousins, sharing the same blood coursing through our veins.

“It feels like a terrible thing.”

“Why do you think so?”

“Because I’m not becoming a Saint, and she’s chosen instead of me…”

Although I resolved to protect the Saint, if I were to fail, innocent Abigail would be hung upside down on the stake and burned alive.

“Regardless of who it is, someone will eventually become the Saint, even if it’s not her.”

“I could end up burning to death in her place…”

“You claim you’ll protect her, yet you have no intention to do so. Was it all just a waste of time dragging me along when you knew she’d end up burning anyway?”

Exploited and then discarded, I had endured all sorts of gruesome tortures. Even if there was a chance, I would end up on the stake again instead of Abigail, I wouldn’t just stand by and watch her suffer.

“I will protect her, without fail.” 

With conviction shining in my eyes, I spoke.

“I must meet her.”

“…Where do you intend to do that?”

“If she’s a Saint at Archelio Monastery, it might be difficult, but if she’s the daughter of a nobleman, it shouldn’t be too hard.”

With a sly grin, I pushed the plate containing the remaining five shifonras towards Father Edwin.

“Jaylon, are you upset?”

“….”

Sitting silently in the rattling carriage, Jaylon remained silent throughout.

“I’m sorry, it was really urgent.”

“…It’s okay.”

After leisurely enjoying the refreshments and leaving the shop, I ran into Jaylon, who had been wandering the streets with tears in his eyes.

Father Edwin looked at Jaylon’s tear-streaked face and clicked his tongue, saying it was a pitiful sight. Since then, Jaylon has remained in that state.

“Jaylon, come on, let it out.”

“…I said it’s fine, I’m not going to talk about it today.”

“Alright, I understand. I’m sorry.”

Not even a minute had passed since he said he wouldn’t talk, but his lips seemed to itch, prompting him to speak up again.

“Is he really a monastery priest?”

“Yes, he is. You saw him back then, that priest.”

“Well, why is he a priest then? I’ve never seen a priest with such a foul temper in my life.”

“Sorry, but here, eat this and calm down. I got it for you because I was thinking of you.”

I forced Father Edwin to eat the remaining shifonras, but he ended up gagging, leaving four pieces uneaten.

“…You want me to have it?”

“Yeah, I got it for you.”

Jaylon’s face softened as he looked at the box of shifonras. He opened it and picked out one fluffy, rabbit-like piece of shifonras.

“…This is.”

“The shifonras Jaylon was holding had distinct teeth marks on it.

“Oh, let’s take that one out. Looks like I put it down after eating.”

In fact, it was a remnant of the skirmish that occurred while forcibly inserting the shifonras into Father Edwin’s mouth. Jaylon, seemingly unfazed, took a bite of the shifonras.

“This is really delicious!”

“Is it? That’s good to hear.”

In the end, Jaylon and Father Edwin secretly shared salivas. It seemed better not to reveal the truth to both of them.