Chapter 8: The Dawn at the Central Temple (2)

“Marco, it’s been so long. When did you become such a hunched old man?”

“…Revencio, it seems you haven’t changed.”

Despite being the same age, Marco’s back was curved like a shrimp’s due to the passage of time, while Revencio still stood with his back straight.

“I heard the story, but given your condition, it must be difficult for you to conduct Mass. If you wish, I could send one of the younger priests from the Central Temple. They would be far more helpful than some mere nun.”

Sending a young priest from the Central Temple to the Archelio Monastery was tantamount to planting a spy within the monastery.

Father Marco responded with a hearty laugh, speaking in his slightly slurred manner.

“One arrogant young priest at the monastery is more than enough. All I need is an assistant who follows instructions well.”

“If you insist, considering our old friendship, that’s not an issue at all.”

Thanks to Father Marco’s smooth handling of the situation, the matter was resolved smoothly.

“So, what was your name again?”

“…It’s Alicia.”

His murky, ink-black eyes leisurely scanned me from head to toe, lingering unpleasantly.

My dry, flaky skin and frightened eyes would reveal nothing but a novice nun, no matter how hard he tried to peer into my soul.

“Coincidentally, the seminary students are here at the temple to receive their acolyte positions, so you’ve come at a good time. If you help them for a week, I’ll gladly award you the lecturer position afterward.”

“…Yes, Father.”

“Currently, the Saintess is at the Central Temple, so it would be good if you could keep her company as well.”

“Yes, I understand, Father.”

A companion for the Saintess? This was an unexpected boon. Foolish Revencio. He unwittingly placed me right beside the Saintess with his own hands. A faint, sardonic smile crossed my lips, but I quickly erased my emotions and resumed my role as a frightened nun.

“Now that we’ve concluded our business, I shall take my leave.”

Despite Father Marco’s frail condition, Revencio didn’t offer him even a simple wooden chair. Throughout their conversation, Marco had to stand, leaning heavily on his cane, his hand trembling from the effort.

“What on earth do you plan to accomplish at the monastery with that frail body…?”

His tone was dripping with disdain.

“Marco, your body is the ultimate result of a lifetime spent serving God and others. In the end, you’ve become nothing more than a bent stick that can’t even straighten up properly, haven’t you?”

The blatant mockery made me frown.

“Tsk, tsk, you should never have left the Central Temple. If you regret it, why not come back now?”

At Revencio’s words, Father Marco raised the corners of his mouth in a meaningful smile.

“I’ll accept your courtesy.”

“If that’s your final decision, there’s nothing more to be done. Be careful not to trip over a stone with those trembling legs on your way back.”

“I-I’ll escort him to the carriage.”

I stammered to appear as an innocent, inexperienced nun.

As I turned to support Father Marco, I heard a tutting sound from behind. His wrinkled hand gripping the wooden cane tightened with determination.

“Sister Alicia, never trust the priests of the Central Temple. Be careful, very careful.”

“Don’t worry, Father.”

I am not so pure as to trust people easily. I’ve been deceived by flimsy promises and fallen to the brink of despair. I won’t open my heart easily, nor will I let anyone close to me.

I watched the carriage as it receded into the distance. A moment ago, I was pretending to be a frightened novice nun, but now I hardened my once-timid gaze as I stepped into the Central Temple.

***

As lunchtime approached, a pungent stench permeated the interior of the Central Temple. The source of the smell was a spice imported from the eastern continent, which Father Revencio believed to be an elixir of youth.

When added to dishes after cooking, the spice mysteriously made all the food taste the same—rancid, bitter, and unpleasantly astringent.

Perhaps due to the overwhelming stench of this spice, Abigail, who had been brought to the Central Temple for her education, had refused to eat for several days and had locked herself in her room.

Not wanting her to starve, I decided to cook for her myself.

“What’s left are potatoes, eggplant, and a bit of milk.”

I mashed the potatoes, layered thinly sliced eggplant on top, and poured milk and cheese over it before baking it in the oven. Carrying the freshly baked gratin, I knocked on the Saintess’s door.

Knock, knock, knock.

Despite knocking, there was no response.

None of the rooms in the temple had locks. It was a testament to the integrity of the nuns and priests, ensuring there was nothing to hide.

Just this once, I decided to breach protocol and turned the doorknob. The white-painted wooden door creaked loudly as it opened.

“Saintess, please eat.”

“…Please leave.”

The room was dark, with not a single ray of sunlight seeping in. Abigail’s fragile voice echoed through the gloom.

“I made this separately myself; I’m sure you’ll like it.”

“…Please, just leave.”

Ignoring her command, I stepped into the room. She lifted her head from the shadows, revealing her face.

“You…!”

As soon as Abigail recognized me, her eyes widened in shock.

“What are you doing here…?”

I placed a finger over my lips to signal for silence.

“First, you need to eat.”

I extended the tray to her, and she took it with a bewildered expression. However, there was no table or suitable place for her to eat in the room.

“…Isn’t it strange? A room without even a desk or a table to eat at.”

“If there’s no table, you can sit on the bed and eat.”

At my words, Abigail let out a resigned chuckle.

“Why are you here?”

She looked up at me with wary eyes.

“Judging by your appearance, are you also a nun at the Central Temple?”

I nodded silently in affirmation, and Abigail bit her lower lip and lowered her head.

“So, meeting you on the terrace during the coming-of-age ceremony wasn’t a coincidence; you were sent to spy on me.”

“I am a nun from the Archelio Monastery. I’m just staying at the Central Temple temporarily due to certain circumstances.”

“Hah! A nun attending a coming-of-age ceremony? I’ve never heard of a debutante nun in my life.”

Abigail let out an exasperated sigh.

“You spoke so kindly on the terrace…”

Abigail trembled with a sense of betrayal, looking as though she might throw the tray onto the floor at any moment.

“…Please, try it. I made it myself.”

“You think I can eat this now?”

“I didn’t lie about anything I said during the coming-of-age ceremony. If you don’t want to eat, I won’t force you. I’ll just leave.”

I took the tray from her hands. She looked up at me with a bewildered expression as I murmured softly.

“Take care.”

“But if you keep skipping meals, I’ll get in serious trouble with Father Revencio. He asked me to keep you company.”

At my soft words, Abigail’s face turned pale.

“Fine! I’ll eat, okay? I’ll eat.”

Poor, naive Abigail. The idea of being scolded was just a lie to get you to eat.

“I’ll be delighted if you have your meal. Here you go.”

I handed the tray back to her, my expression softening slightly.

Carefully sniffing the gratin, Abigail noticed the absence of the pungent spice smell. She mustered the courage to take half a spoonful and put it in her mouth.

“…It’s not inedible,” she muttered weakly, her head lowered.

“I’ll prepare your meals until I return to the Archelio Monastery, so don’t worry.”

“…When are you going back?”

“In a week.”

Abigail’s face darkened considerably. In a week, she would be left alone again, forced to eat the foul-smelling food.

“Do you want to go back home? Would you like me to tell you the fastest way to return to Countess Miller’s estate?”

Abigail’s eyes sparkled sadly with a subtle hint of hope.

“No matter how much you hate it, for now, you have no choice but to go along with Father Revencio.”

“…Why should I trust you?”

Abigail asked, her eyes filled with doubt.

“Just once, just this one time, trust me without any reason. Abigail.”

I carefully took her hands in mine. Having walked this path a step ahead of her, I was confident in my assurance.