Chapter 9: The Candle Wax and Resolve (1)

A dark night came without a single ray of moonlight. The flame flickering atop the dry, crooked candle wax seemed as if it would go out at any moment. With only the candlelight to rely on, I wrote the letter without hesitation.

‘To my beloved five sisters…’

The quill and ink Father gave me as a birthday present allowed for clean, smudge-free writing. The pleasant sound of the quill scratching the paper settled gently over the parchment.

‘I’m sorry the letter is so late. So much has happened in the meantime.‘

The story I penned was the record of events I hadn’t been able to share until now.

‘As you wished, I went to the Archelio Monastery, but I only learned that Father Julio had passed away six years ago.‘

That night, the sky was unusually full of stars. The Father Julio I had been desperately seeking was no longer in this world. Instead, under the moonlight stood Father Edwin, his disheveled silver hair glinting in the light.

‘Were you surprised by the sudden news of his death? Fortunately, one of the priests took pity on me and allowed me to stay at the Archelio Monastery.‘

Father Edwin read the sisters’ letters silently. He didn’t say anything, merely handed me a new nun’s habit and showed me to the room where I would be staying.

‘If anything happens that you cannot resolve on your own, please send a letter to the Archelio Monastery. Address it to Father Edwin. He has promised to take responsibility and provide help.‘

Just as I was beginning to adjust to life at the new monastery, I recalled something Father Edwin had said in passing as he walked through the corridor.

‘In the future, if the Opherial Monastery needs to make any requests, please send them to me, not Father Julio.’

On the surface, Father Edwin seemed aloof and cold. His sharp, elongated eyes and the smirk that often played on his lips made him appear arrogant. Because of this, I initially kept my distance. However, as I spent more time with him, I noticed the concern in his gaze and the gentle smile that occasionally softened his features. He wasn’t as unkind as his first impression suggested.

‘At the Archelio Monastery, I received my formal baptism, and not long ago, I was granted the lector position at the central temple.‘

It was rare for a mere nun to be granted such a position. I imagined the faces of the five sisters lighting up with pride when they heard the news. They would be so proud.

‘Despite my dedication, there have been times when I hesitated. There were moments when I wanted to abandon everything and return to the Opherial Monastery.‘

The memory of Sua’s obsidian eyes still haunted me, bringing back the pain of relentless abuse. I knew that to exact my revenge, I would have to face her eventually. If my plan failed, innocent Abigail would bear the consequences.

Saying I wasn’t afraid would be a lie. I was terrified, and the mere thought of it made my hands and feet tremble.

‘But I resolved to see it through, as it was my responsibility.‘

This was a chance given by God, a singular opportunity. For my revenge to succeed, I had to execute my plan flawlessly.

“Until the day we meet again, please stay healthy…”

I had only just taken the first step. I needed to elevate Abigail to a revered Saint and use her hand to obliterate the existence of the true Saint from another world, Sua. And to put a definitive end to my revenge, there was another person who had to be erased from history alongside Sua.

“…Victor.”

No matter how much I borrowed the Saint’s hand, I couldn’t drive the future emperor to his death. If I couldn’t take his heart directly, there was only one method left.

“Social annihilation.”

The flickering flame gradually lost its light. All that remained was the hardened white wax and the charred wick.

***

By the time I received a reply from the Opherial Convent, the spring flowers, which had only begun to bud, were slowly stretching out. The letter from the nuns contained the news that Sister Dorothea’s funeral had been conducted without incident. They also praised me profusely for receiving the lectorate, filling up the pages with their kind words.

“The nuns, truly…”

The letter carried a faint scent of the forest. The old convent stood isolated in the dense forest on the outskirts of the empire. I recalled the joyful days filled with laughter.

The pleasant reminiscence was abruptly interrupted by the ear-splitting sound of a brass band. I quickly stepped outside my room to find Edwin, who had been waiting for some time, standing there quietly.

“If you’re ready, let’s get going.”

He was not dressed in his usual pristine white cassock but instead wore a red cloak over his white attire. Unlike the austere appearance of his usual cassock, today he looked more authoritative.

“Yes, let’s go.”

The consecration tour for Abigail, who had completed her training as a Saint, was nearing its end. As she passed through each convent, the priests of those convents joined the procession. The final destination was the banquet hall of the Imperial Palace.

The procession was now close enough to the Archelio Monastery, the one nearest to the Imperial Palace, for the sound of the brass band to be heard. I was to participate in the procession on behalf of Father Marco, who was unwell.

“…Yawn, I just want to finish quickly and go back to sleep.”

Father Daniel, who seemed still half-asleep, yawned widely as he shuffled out of his room.

“Father Daniel, you have big dreams. Unfortunately, when we return, you’ll need to prepare for Mass.”

“What? Are you saying I have to do it all by myself?”

“Who else is there but you?”

“Let’s just pretend I didn’t hear that.”

Watching the two of them interact brought a smile to my face.

The noisy brass band grew louder as it approached. As I stepped outside, the procession, long and winding like a centipede, surrounded the pure white carriage.

‘Abigail…’

Inside that narrow carriage, she would be there. If I opened the carriage door and entered, she would be sitting alone, heavily made up to the point where her expression was hidden, anxiously shrinking in on herself.

“Saint, please show your face just once!”

“Saint, Saint! Please bless our baby with a touch of your hand!”

The cheers of the empire’s citizens grew louder. Every time they called out “Saint,” I nervously looked back, fearing they were calling for me. Through the long sleeves of my habit, my hands trembled as if having a spasm.

Afraid that someone might notice, I clenched my fists. At that moment, a large, firm hand covered my clenched hand.

“…Father Edwin?”

Startled, I looked up at him, but he simply walked on, his face as stoic as ever. His warm touch gradually calmed the trembling of my hand, and then, as if nothing had happened, he withdrew his hand. I stared at his retreating hand and then hurried my steps to follow.

With a grand trumpet fanfare, the gates of the palace opened. The day I had been dragged to the palace in that carriage against my will, I never thought I would walk into the palace on my own…

Finally, the pure white carriage came to a stop, and the door adorned with blooming lilies opened.

‘Abigail…’

It seemed she hadn’t slept for several nights, as the signs of fatigue were evident despite the thick makeup trying to conceal it. Dressed in a pure white dress, she walked with an air of dignity, holding the hand of Father Revencio.

Due to the worsening condition of the Emperor, he was absent from the banquet hall. Instead, Crown Prince Victor, the rightful heir to the throne, was there to represent him.

Even from a distance, his bright red hair was unmistakable. Looking at Victor’s radiant smile directed at Abigail made my skin crawl.

‘Victor, how dare you…’

No sooner would the Saintess’ consecration ceremony end than the Emperor’s condition would deteriorate, and Victor would start coveting the vacant throne.

The bright smile he was directing at Abigail was not a genuine welcome but a calculated one, seeing her as the means to secure his ascent to Emperor by making her the Crown Princess.

“Please illuminate the future of the Empire, Saintess.”

Father Revencio handed Abigail a lamp made of pure white porcelain. As soon as Abigail’s fingertips touched the surface, a fierce blue flame ignited.

“The Saintess has lit the flame!”

“It’s a miracle!”

It was just an ignition device placed inside the lamp, unrelated to divine power. Unaware of the truth, the people were moved to tears of joy.

The white porcelain with the emblem of the Central Temple and the blue flame created a mystical atmosphere.

“We present the Saintess, God’s representative in the Empire!”

“Greetings to the Saintess!”

Everyone in the banquet hall knelt and bowed their heads toward the Saintess. Following the procession, I knelt too and caught a glimpse of Father Revencio’s cheeks twitching with delight.

Victor knelt on one knee at Abigail’s feet. Smiling radiantly, he reached out his hand to her. When she took his hand, his lips curled up in satisfaction.

‘How dare you…!’

Watching Victor’s cunning actions, I bit my lip until it bled. Red drops stained the white of my habit.

Victor, you don’t deserve to be in that position. You lack the qualities to be a prince, let alone an emperor. How dare you hold her hand? I won’t let you become emperor, even if it costs my life.

For the mark you branded on my back, I will personally see to your destruction.

I’ll drag you down to the depths, so far that you’ll never even think of looking up to the heights.

***

The morning sun rose, and I lifted my stiff body. Last night, I couldn’t sleep, troubled by the sorrowful face of Abigail at the Saintess’ enthronement ceremony.

Yawning lazily, I quickly dressed.

As I was combing my tangled hair, I stopped. It was because of the handprint on the corner of the mirror.

‘Forever together, Sarah and Licia.’

Seeing the faint handprint, a smile bloomed on my lips. I carefully kissed the handprint, ensuring it wouldn’t fade.

“I’ll work hard today for Sarah’s sake too.”

Exchanging greetings with the nuns I met in the hallway, I headed to the dining hall. Surprisingly, Father Daniel, who usually had to grab a last-minute meal due to his busy schedule, was leisurely eating in the dining hall.

“Father Daniel, you seem to be in a good mood today.”

I asked Daniel, who was elegantly eating with a smile befitting a nobleman.

“I’ve finally been freed from being the errand boy.”

In his words, the nuns sitting around him were so startled they dropped their spoons.

“Is that really such a surprising thing?”

Daniel sniffled at the nuns’ reactions.

“Is Father Edwin alright?”

The nuns’ concern was, of course, for Father Edwin. If Father Daniel, who had been handling all of Edwin’s chores, was now free, who would take on those numerous tasks?

“A replacement will come. Heh heh heh.”

The mention of a replacement intensified the nuns’ murmurs.

“This Daniel is a free man! Oh, Lord!”

Daniel’s moment of euphoria was short-lived. For once, Father Edwin, who usually skipped breakfast, sat down right next to Daniel with a tray.

“…I trust Father Daniel with the training of the seminary students.”

With just that one statement from Father Edwin, Daniel’s face turned pale.

“Wh-why me?!”

“This is my monastery, and if I tell you to do something, you do it. Haven’t you adapted yet?”

“No way. If Archelio Monastery is yours, you should do it!”

Had he eaten something bad? Father Daniel, who usually had his tail between his legs, was suddenly defiant today. Father Edwin responded with an eerily pleasant smile.

“Fine, then. I’ll take care of the seminary students’ training, and from now on, you’ll handle the weekly Mass preparations.”

“What?! F-Father!”

Father Daniel’s scream echoed through the dining hall, making my appetite disappear.