Chapter 9: The Candle Wax and Resolve (2)

When I returned to the monastery after shopping with Sister Susanna, the prospective priests from the seminary had arrived. At a glance, there didn’t seem to be many of them. Perhaps due to Father Edwin’s prickly nature, there were noticeably fewer seminary students who came to Archelio Monastery for training.

“Sisters, what are you doing here?”

I asked the sisters who were hiding behind the round pillar, intently spying.

“Shh, we’ll get caught if you’re not careful.”

I was abruptly pulled behind the pillar by the sisters. Beyond the pillar stood Father Edwin, looking as cranky as ever, and two seminary students.

“Alright, let’s start with you. What made you decide to apply for training at Archelio Monastery?”

At Father Edwin’s question, one student silently adjusted his glasses. There was something familiar about his profile. The murky gaze behind the glasses unmistakably reminded me of Father Revencio.

‘Father Revencio’s great-grandson…’

It was just a suspicion, but it left me feeling uneasy.

“Honestly, I didn’t really care where I went. I asked to be assigned to a place with enough training slots, and they sent me here.”

Father Edwin’s eyes grew even sharper at the dry tone. Archelio Monastery housed the empire’s refugees and orphans. A little thought could have produced an exemplary answer, but it seemed the student lacked even that effort.

“Your honesty is greatly appreciated.”

Despite his words, Father Edwin stood there like an angry wildcat, grinding his teeth.

“I look forward to hearing the next student’s reason. So, what’s your reason for applying?”

The slender frame of the next student seemed familiar. Given how rare it was to see such a slight figure, I quickly recognized who it was.

“It seems you appreciate honesty, so can I be completely honest?”

“By all means.”

Father Edwin crossed his arms and looked down at the boy, who was a head shorter. From a distance, it could easily be mistaken for a father and son moment.

“The nun I’m close to is here, so I’ve heard a lot about the good deeds of Archelio Monastery. That sparked my interest.”

The pure, innocent voice made the veins in Father Edwin’s neck bulge.

“So, taking your words at face value, you applied to this monastery for the sake of socializing?”

“Isn’t that better than making up some fabricated reason?”

The naive voice made Father Edwin’s already forced smile dry up completely.

“If I could, I’d question the seminary on why they keep sending increasingly idiotic students.”

The scene was fascinating, and I observed silently with the nuns.

The student, who had been fiddling with his glasses, casually spoke up, seemingly unfazed by Father Edwin’s sharp demeanor.

“You’re Father Edwin, right? Your temperament is just as I’ve heard.”

Provoking Father Edwin, whose face had turned bright red with rage, was certainly a bold move.

“How did snot-nosed kids like you get appointed as acolytes?”

The chilling voice of Father Edwin, baring his teeth menacingly, startled me so much that I lost my balance and stumbled out from behind the pillar.

“Li-Licia!”

The nuns reached out to catch me, but it was too late.

Father Edwin’s sharp gaze pierced me like an arrow, and I stopped awkwardly in front of the pillar.

“Ha ha ha…”

“What are you doing there?”

As his sharp voice cut through the air, the nuns behind the pillar covered their mouths, trying to hide their laughter.

“I was cleaning the pillar.”

Feigning nonchalance, I mimed wiping the pillar with my hand. The act was perfect except for one thing—I had nothing in my hand. I vigorously scrubbed the pillar with my imaginary cloth.

“Right now, at this very moment?”

“Yes, right now, at this very moment.”

In the brief silence that followed, the boy who had shown only the back of his head turned to look at me.

It hadn’t been long since we last parted, but it felt like ages since I’d seen his face. As soon as our eyes met, a bright smile bloomed on his face like a spring flower.

“Lu-Lucio…”

Seeing him wave at me, a bead of cold sweat trickled down my nose.

Father Edwin’s predatory gaze, glinting like a hunting beast’s, was fixed on Lucio.

It seemed the future of these prospective priests would not be smooth sailing.

***

Teaching literacy and skills for small-scale business ventures to the refugees was part of a clergy member’s daily duties.

After gripping a pen all day to teach reading and writing, my fingers were numb. The tempting aroma wafting from the dining hall drew me in as if by magic.

“Today’s tomato stew.”

Even though there probably wasn’t much meat in it, a spoonful of the well-simmered tomato stew seemed like it would melt away my fatigue.

I grabbed a tray with the stew and looked for an empty seat. Fortunately, there was a vacant spot next to Sister Susanna.

“Today, we give thanks for the rest bestowed upon the lambs of the Empire…”

I had just finished my prayer of gratitude and was about to take my first spoonful when a gentle, melodic voice called my name.

“Alicia!”

His face was so pure and handsome that he could easily blend in with the younger nuns. Lucio approached with a bright smile, carrying his tray. Just as he got close, someone brusquely pushed past him and took the seat next to me.

“Alicia!”

“Thank you deeply.”

I glanced at Father Edwin’s face as he muttered his single word of gratitude while eating his stew.

“Why, is there something on my face?” 

“No, nothing.”

Lucio, who had lost his seat to Edwin, smiled and took a different seat.

“Father Edwin, could you please come up to the roof after dinner?”

I had to inform him about the novice priest who I suspected might be the great-grandson of Father Revencio.

“…Understood.”

Throughout the meal, I could barely enjoy the delicious tomato stew as Father Edwin kept glancing at me with his cat-like eyes.

After dinner, I went up to the roof and waited for Father Edwin, gazing up at the fully bloomed flowers. I thought of Abigail, left alone in the palace. Was she also looking out at the blooming flowers by now?

“…Father Edwin?”

He approached soundlessly, leaning against the rooftop terrace. I watched his firm, angular jawline amidst the fluttering cherry blossoms.

“Okay, what do you want to say?”

“It’s about a seminarian.”

The mention of “seminarian” caused his eyebrows to twitch slightly.

“Did you know that there’s a great-grandson of Father Revencio among the seminarians?”

“A great-grandson?”

“It’s not certain, but there’s someone suspicious. There was a small disturbance at the central temple, and he was the only one who stood tall and faced Father Revencio directly.”

It couldn’t be concluded for sure, but it was curious how even the priests of the central temple couldn’t meet Father Revencio’s eyes, yet a mere seminarian could meet his gaze equally.

“Do you remember his appearance?”

“Actually, he is an aspirant who came to the Archelio Monastery today. He’s the seminarian wearing round glasses.”

“…Are you talking about Peter? I’ll keep it in mind.”

Father Edwin sighed, resting his chin on his hand.

“Is there anything else?”

“Pardon?”

“Is there anything else you want to say?”

“Oh, no. That’s what I wanted to tell you today.”

A faint smile spread across Father Edwin’s lips as he looked out beyond the rooftop.

“How bland.”

To see Father Edwin’s smile up close like this was a rare sight. It was a cheerful smile, like a cool drop of water bursting on a hot summer day.

“I wanted to tell you because I was worried something might go wrong.”

“Don’t worry about me. In fact, I’m more worried about you.”

“Me?”

“Yes. I am concerned about that seminarian from the seminary who is like a worn-out deer.”

A worn-out deer? Could he be talking about Lucio?

“I don’t like the look in his eyes at all. If that seminarian makes any advances, don’t hesitate to let me know. I’ll immediately halt his training and send him back to the seminary.”

“Thank you for your concern. I will definitely do that.”

If I were to ask why he is so concerned about me, would he answer that it’s the fate of a monastery priest?

As I smiled, narrowing my eyes, Father Edwin scratched his head and looked away.

***

Life in a large monastery always flows busily. As I hurried along carrying a large laundry basket, Lucio suddenly appeared from somewhere and spoke to me.

“Alicia, let me help you.”

What could he do with those delicate arms? It seemed like a little force would snap them like twigs.

“I can do it by myself.”

Today, there was no time to idle around. Lucio hesitated briefly at my firm refusal and then asked with a worried face.

“…Since I came to the Archelio Monastery, it feels like you’ve been avoiding me. Is it just my imagination?”

“Yes, it’s just your imagination.”

When I distanced myself, a shadow fell over Lucio’s face.

“It must have been burdensome for you. After all, a person like me who couldn’t make a single proper friend at the seminary… I guess I got overly excited just because I heard a few kind words from you, Sister.”

Seeing his eyes redden as if tears might fall at any moment made me feel like a bad person.

“Lucio, it’s not like that.”

The truth is, I had been trying to keep my distance. It was partly due to Father Edwin’s advice and partly because Lucio’s action of kissing the back of my hand when we said goodbye at the central temple had been on my mind.

“…I’m used to being ignored by people.”

With his pale skin and delicate frame, he exuded a frail atmosphere. How could I turn away coldly from this delicate boy, wiping his eyes with his fingertips?

“Shall we carry it together, then?”

As I handed him one of the laundry baskets, Lucio’s face finally brightened.

“Helping with chores is fine, but I think it would be best to avoid private conversations within the monastery from now on.”

“Is there a problem with that?”

Lucio asked cautiously.

“A long time ago, a seminarian came for training and ended up eloping with a young nun. I don’t know the details, but it’s best to avoid actions that could raise suspicion.”

“…I think I heard about that.”

“So, please understand if I keep my distance.”

“I’m relieved.”

What was he relieved about? As I looked at Lucio, he smiled brightly, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

“I’m relieved that you don’t dislike me, Alicia.”

His innocent smile, devoid of any deceit, made me feel guilty for ever having felt uneasy about him. As I offered him a sympathetic smile, a sharp voice pierced my ears.

“Sister Alicia.”

“…Father Edwin?”

He must have just returned from the central temple, where he had been summoned earlier that morning. He gave Lucio, who was standing next to me holding a laundry basket and blinking like a startled rabbit, a fierce glare before shifting his gaze to me.

“Let’s talk for a moment.”

“…Father, I’m sorry, but Sister Alicia and I are in the middle of moving the laundry. Can’t you see?” Lucio’s words were met with a predatory smile from Father Edwin, like a beast eyeing its prey.

“Then you can carry Sister Alicia’s share as well.”

He promptly handed my laundry basket to Lucio and led me towards the rooftop. As I glanced back, I saw Lucio, holding the large laundry baskets, staring emotionlessly at Father Edwin’s back.

“Father, was there something urgent at the central temple?” I asked.

It seemed he had received another reprimand at the central temple, as nervous wrinkles etched between his brows.

“A prayer mass has been scheduled.”

Finally, the long-awaited prayer mass had arrived.

“How is Abigail doing?”

“She is still residing in the royal guest palace as a saint.”

“…Then we need to prepare in advance.”

To prevent Victor from ascending the throne, Abigail must not become the crown princess. A prince backed by a saint would naturally be recognized as the next emperor.

To stop Abigail from becoming the crown princess, negotiations with the current emperor were necessary. No rare gem or mysterious artifact could sway an emperor facing death.

The emperor’s true desire was singular: to prolong his dwindling life.

However, with no medical knowledge, I couldn’t easily resolve the emperor’s illness, which even the royal physicians couldn’t cure.

“How much time is left until the prayer mass?”

“About two weeks.”

“…Father Edwin, may I ask a favor?”

The word “favor” made him flinch.

“Alicia, when you ask for a favor, I always fear what it might be.”

He, who was unusually on edge like a frightened wildcat, let out a long sigh.

“…Alright, what kind of request do you have in mind this time to turn my world upside down?”