Saint's Prison - Chapter 23

Footsteps in the Darkness

In the dark, dark midst of darkness.

I walk aimlessly, without purpose.

Not knowing where to go.

Not knowing where I am.

Yet, I do not stop walking,

Perhaps because I cannot forget the sunlit spot I once saw.

—Because I do not want to forget it.

***

Late at night.

A sudden urge to urinate wakes me up.

In the silent room, still enveloped in darkness, I hear someone else’s breathing. A warm, slender body is entwined with mine, its sweet scent tickling my nose.

I gently bring my face to the girl’s hair, inhaling the fragrance. The scent of ripe fruit, the bewitching smell of flowers luring insects. Not the pungent smell of perfume, but a faint body odor that feels pleasant.

After satisfying my sense of smell, I gently distance myself. Carefully getting up without waking her, I sit on the bed.

Fumbling about, I manage to put on a jacket and quietly leave my room.

The privy is outside. It’s bothersome to go out every time, but it can’t be helped. I remember how scared I was wandering inside the monastery at night a year ago, walking with a candle in hand.

Now, I know the way and can walk even in the dark. Candles are precious. It’s best not to use them if not necessary.

And tonight, there’s a full moon. With that, there should be no trouble with light.

As I walk quietly down the corridor, I faintly hear voices talking. I follow the sound with my gaze and discover light spilling from beneath the door of the library.

Is someone in the library at this hour, when it’s not even time to rise? I approach the door, and though I know it’s impolite, curiosity gets the better of me, and I listen in.

“Please make a decision… How long do you intend to leave this matter unattended!”

“However… We have an oath. We cannot break it.”

“That oath is worth nothing now that the king has died! What are you afraid of?”

(…Are those voices Sals and Benedict, the priests?)

What are they talking about? It must be a troubling topic, that much is clear from the heavy atmosphere.

“But the secret must not be revealed. Do you understand that?”

“Of course, I do. Indeed, secrets are sweet… But haven’t you noticed? That sweetness misleads people and leads them to destruction. That’s why we must expose and strike with the hammer. We must plant the fear of death.”

An oath and a secret. What connection do they have with the king’s death?

“Now that we have lost the king’s protection, we can do things we couldn’t before. What belongs to Caesar’s to Caesar, and what belongs to God to God. We must simply act accordingly.”

Hearing this, Father Benedict falls silent. Sals continues to speak.

“Curiosity may hurt oneself. What of it? If we can expose the secret to the light of day, it will strengthen the church’s prestige. The Lord wishes it too. This is the right thing to do.”

“Could you give me a moment to think?”

“Very well,” Sals replies with a detestable voice. Then, I will await your answer. At the same time, footsteps headed in my direction echoed.

—This is bad; they’re coming this way.

In a panic, I move down the corridor without making a sound. I hide around the corner and watch the library door. The door creaks open mournfully, and Sals, with a candlestick in hand, slowly walks towards his room.

From the library, I can faintly hear Father Benedict’s prayers.

***

After relieving myself, I return to my room.

Recalling the exchange between Sals and Benedict, a shiver runs down my spine. Those words of Sals… Could it be related to Amal?

I climb back into bed, warming up my cooled body. Slender arms wrap around my neck.

“Andy-sama, where did you go? Don’t leave me alone.”

“Amal, did I wake you? My apologies. I’m back now.”

“Yes, but don’t go anywhere anymore. Stay with me. Always together. Amal wants to be with Andy-sama.”

She speaks with slurred speech, perhaps still half-asleep. Cute. It’s comforting.

“Amal, you stay by my side too. Don’t leave.”

I stroke her head and wrap my hand around her slender waist, pulling her close to affirm her presence.

I have to protect her. This jealous, clingy, lonely, fragile… this one and only girl, I have to protect her.

I hug Amal tightly and bury my face in her hair.

Lured by the sweet scent, I slowly close my eyes.

TLN : some NU user rated Saint’s novel with a good rating and a person left a good review. so today i’ll post 2 bonus chapters. please look forward to it and keep support my works.