Chapter 8: The Dawn at the Central Temple (5)

“I’m sorry. I caused such a commotion for nothing…”

“I really enjoyed reading the book. So, please don’t worry too much.”

Her slender fingers gently rested on my pale, rough hand.

“But…”

“There’s no need to apologize. Thanks to you, I was able to stand up to Father Revencio with confidence.”

If a commotion like today’s had occurred when I was a Saint, would I have been able to stand up as you did? I probably would have hidden away in my room without a single word.

“…Abigail, I really admire you.”

I spoke with a sad smile, causing Abigail’s eyes to widen in surprise.

“Alicia, I only learned from watching you.”

Learned from watching me? Abigail led me to the vanity. On the small vanity chair, the two of us squeezed together, sitting closely side by side.

“From the first time I saw you, I thought we looked a lot alike.”

I stared blankly at our reflections in the mirror. Platinum hair like sunlight and blue eyes like gentle night waves. Ivory skin, pointed ears, and small lips that curved into a faint smile. We resembled each other like sisters.

“Seeing you gave me courage. Among all those clergy, you were the only one who met Revencio’s gaze directly.”

“Abigail…”

“You’re just like my mirror. When a smile spreads across your lips, I want to smile too. When you feel sad, I feel like crying for some reason. Did that sound strange?”

Abigail’s cheeks were soft as I gently held them. She looked frailer, as if the past few days had worn her down.

‘I’m sorry, Abigail.’

The words lingered on my tongue, unable to escape. Her long hand rested gently on my cheek. We held each other’s faces like mirrors, and our gazes met. Then, slowly, her lips curved into a smile.

“So now, I feel an overwhelming affection that makes my throat tighten.”

Abigail, with your innocent and pure heart, you offer salvation even to someone like me, who has completely upended your peaceful life. If only you were like Sua, treating me harshly. Maybe then I could escape this consuming guilt?

***

“Lucio, you pulled quite a reckless stunt.”

“…I just didn’t want things to get out of hand.”

Father Revencio scooped a generous spoonful of spices into his adequately brewed tea. As he did so, Lucio’s lip muscles subtly stiffened across from him.

It wasn’t enough that he constantly ruined their daily meals; now he was spoiling the tea too. Lucio was increasingly convinced that Father Revencio was, in many ways, out of his mind.

“Hahaha, someone might think you’re protecting that insolent nun.”

“Misunderstanding? How unpleasant.”

Lucio cast a frosty glance over the tea table. He picked up a scone and split it in half, revealing yet another chunk of bright yellow solid spice embedded within.

Tsk. Lucio clicked his tongue and frowned. But only for a moment. He quickly composed himself, producing a boyish, clear smile as he looked up at Father Revencio

“If rumors spread about a petty thief among the clergy, it could tarnish the sacred sanctuary’s reputation.”

“Well, there’s no need to escalate matters unnecessarily and muddy the waters.”

Lucio gently placed the halved scone back on the plate. Looking at the broken scone reminded him of the broken ladder in the library.

While other seminarians were busy preparing for their attendant duties, Lucio leisurely spent a peaceful day in the library. These were exceedingly tranquil days.

However, wrinkles continued to accumulate on Lucio’s forehead. It was no wonder, as in his monotonous repetitive routine, he had to endure three meals a day of dreadful food that seemed like it could drive him mad with just a single bite.

‘Disgusting old man…’

Couldn’t he just skip meals if he didn’t like the food? Not at all. Lucio couldn’t skip meals because of Rev. Revencio, who watched him from a distance.

Rev. Revencio only looked away with satisfaction after seeing Lucio take a big bite of food smothered in spices.

‘Indeed, blood doesn’t lie. It seems your taste buds agree. How does it feel? Can you feel the vitality of youth coursing through your body?’

After hearing such words, there was no way to deny that the food didn’t suit him.

After struggling to finish the repulsive meal, Lucio returned to the library and fumed alone.

‘That senile old man, indulging in his delusions all by himself!’

It was then that he noticed the ladder neatly placed in the corner of the library. Without hesitation, Lucio grabbed the ladder with both hands and brought it down forcefully on his knee. Only then did his anger begin to subside a little.

Thanks to that ladder, he had been able to get closer to the nun from the Archelio Monastery, and it had served as a tool to prove her innocence when she was falsely accused.

‘Thank you for stepping up. It could have cost you your place at the seminary.’

She had grasped his hand and thanked him several times, leaving a lingering sensation that still tingled deeply. Though they had successfully found the scriptures and locked them back in the library’s glass case, Lucio honestly didn’t care about the missing ancient scriptures.

What mattered was that a mere ladder had brought him closer to her. The result was exceedingly satisfactory.

“Lucio, where do you plan to go after receiving the acolyte position?”

Acolytes who had received the position were required to choose one of the empire’s monasteries to assist the presiding priest with mass for a year. It was the final hurdle before becoming a priest and the period when most seminary students abandoned their path to the priesthood.

“If none of the monasteries appeal to you, you may remain here at the shrine. Creating a position for you is no difficult matter.”

Lucio knew better than anyone that Father Revencio had been paying close attention to him.

“Well, Granduncle, I need to think about it a bit.”

In front of Lucio’s eyes, the platinum-haired nun flickered. The answer was not far away.

***

Among the seminary students dressed in their vestments, I stood alone with my head bowed, wearing a headscarf. As the seminary students were called one by one and left, I was finally left alone.

“Sister Alicia.”

Father Revencio called my name.

“Take this scripture and spread the word of God, bringing eternal peace to the hearts of the citizens of the Empire.”

I silently received the scripture. The cowhide cover was deeply gouged with fingernail marks. Was this Revencio’s subtle warning, showing his reluctance to bestow the office of lector on an impudent nun from Archelio Monastery?

“To stand against evil and embrace the faithful from the closest quarters is the duty of a cleric, and the mission of those who have received the offices of lector and acolyte today.”

Father Revencio, who was so ensnared by personal gain, was indeed the most wicked soul I had ever encountered. It was the height of hypocrisy.

“Never forget the first moment you faced God.”

As the long sermon concluded and Father Revencio descended from the podium, the seminary students began to sing hymns. Leading the chant was none other than Lucio. His delicate voice echoed through the temple. Gently cradling the scripture, I joined in the hymn.

“Grant us eternal rest. Sing together, brothers. Look up to the cradle of God.”

Lucio’s gaze met mine from a distance, and he smiled brightly. I returned his smile just as warmly. After receiving the lector’s office, I went back to my room to pack my things. I wondered what expression Father Edwin would have when he found out I had finally received the lector’s office. Would he widen his eyes like a startled wildcat? Or would he quietly pat my head and tell me I had endured well? With a fluttering heart, I hastily started to tidy up my desk, but then my hands stopped.

I hadn’t had the chance to say goodbye to Abigail. The thought of leaving without bidding her farewell weighed heavily on my mind. Surely, I could at least say goodbye before I left. Just as I finished packing and stepped outside, someone grabbed my wrist.

“Alicia.”

“…Lucio, have you finished preparing to return to the seminary?”

“Yes, everyone else has already left, but I wanted to say goodbye to you.”

I looked down at his slender fingers gripping my wrist. Despite his delicate appearance, his grip was surprisingly firm.

“Do you think we’ll meet again someday?”

“Of course. Once you become an ordained priest, we’re bound to meet again.”

He was undoubtedly a good person, but he often showed excessive interest. To avoid any trouble, it would be better to maintain a proper distance.

“I’m sure you will become a wonderful priest, Lucio.”

“Just as you said, Alicia, I hope we meet again someday.”

Lucio pulled my hand to his lips and kissed the back of it lightly. Startled by the warmth of his touch, I quickly pulled my hand away.

“…Sorry, I was just a bit startled. I hope you stay well at the seminary.”

Unable to hide my flustered expression, I hurried down the stairs. A strange tension lingered on the back of my hand where Lucio’s lips had briefly touched. It might have been a meaningless gesture for him, but it sent a chill down my spine. 

I took a deep breath and stopped in front of the Saintess’s room, knocking carefully on the door. Knock, knock, knock.

Before the sound even faded, the door opened, and pale fingers emerged, pulling at the sleeve of my habit.

“Abigail, what if it had been someone else and not me?”

“I can tell just by the sound of the knock.”

It was an ordinary knock like any other. She was truly an eccentric person.

“I heard you were granted the lector position today. Congratulations, Alica.”

“Thank you, it’s all thanks to you, Abigail.”

Abigail extended her arms and pulled me into a tight embrace.

“…I’m really happy for you.”

I gently embraced her back. Once I returned to the monastery, I wouldn’t be able to see her for a while. Tears welled up in my eyes from the bittersweet tenderness.

“Alicia, don’t worry about me from now on.”

Had she read my thoughts? Instead, she was the one reassuring me.

“Abigail…”

“You have no idea how much your words have comforted me over the past week.”

“…I feel the same, Abigail.”

“Then, it means we’re both the same, right?”

Their fresh laughter echoed in the room. I could only hope she wouldn’t cry in silence anymore.

***

Returning to the Archelio Monastery after a week felt like coming home, and I was filled with relief.

“Alicia, did you have a good trip?”

“How was the Central Cathedral? Father Edwin mentioned there was an old man like a devil there…”

As soon as I returned, I was greeted warmly by the nuns.

When I proudly revealed the scripture I’d hidden behind my back, they all celebrated as if it were their own achievement.

Amidst the whirlwind of sharing my experiences, I spotted a familiar head of silver hair passing through the distant corridor.

“Father Edwin!”

I called his name loudly, but he didn’t turn around, as if he hadn’t heard me.

“Father Edwin is always busy. Let him be and tell us about the Central Cathedral!”

“Hmm, it wasn’t as bad as I thought. I got pretty close to one of the seminarians, and we even toured the library. It seemed much bigger than the one in the royal palace.”

Oh no, I made a slip of the tongue. There’s no way a mere nun like me would know the size of the royal palace’s library.

Did they notice my mistake? The nuns were staring at me with tightly pressed lips, looking almost angry.

“A seminary student! Oh, my God…!”

“Oh, dear!”

Apparently, the focus of their attention wasn’t the library.

“Is there a problem?”

The nun, clutching her temples as if suffering from a headache, continued in a barely audible voice.

“There is a tale passed down in the Archelio Monastery about seminarians and nuns.”

The eerie nature of her story made me unconsciously swallow my saliva and focus intently.

“Every year, students who have received the position of acolyte come to each monastery for their practice. It was during such a time!”

The voice pierced my ears, causing my heart to plummet.

“A young nun and a seminarian fell in love during their practice and eloped in the dead of night, abandoning their path as clergy…!”

“Come on, Lucio and I have nothing like that going on.”

The idea of eloping with a boy who barely seemed more than a younger brother was absurd.

“Oh, my goodness! They even affectionately called each other’s names. Oh, dear God…”

But then, I noticed something that had been giving me a strange sense of unease. Was there really someone among the nuns with silver hair?

“I don’t have any feelings for him, but I don’t think he feels the same.”

As I let the words slip to gauge the reaction, the ears sticking out of the silver hair twitched.

“…Actually, he kissed my hand when he bid farewell.”

“How indecent and improper!”

Edwin’s shout drew everyone’s attention.

“Father, how long have you been standing there?”

He cleared his throat repeatedly, awkwardly straightening his pristine cassock.

“…I was just passing by.”

Blushing, he hurried away. I followed his retreating figure.

“Father, don’t you have anything else to say?”

“No, I don’t.”

I quickened my pace, trying to keep up with his long strides down the corridor.

“…Sigh.”

He stopped only when we reached the stairs leading to the rooftop.

“So, did that old owl say anything unpleasant or inappropriate?”

“There was a small commotion, but it was resolved without any issues.”

After a long pause, he finally spoke, breaking the heavy silence.

“…You did well.”

“Were you very worried?”

“…Don’t even mention it.”

I expected him to deny it awkwardly, but instead, he quietly agreed. His large hand rested on my head, warm and comforting like a father’s touch.