Saint's Prison - Chapter 52

“It’s so decadent…”

“What’s wrong, Kuro-dono?”

“Well, I was just thinking about this decadent lifestyle I’m leading…”

As I casually uttered these words while tilling the fields, Francesco, who was working next to me, gave me a puzzled look.

“Um, if I may say so, I am a priest who values a life of poverty…”

He nodded in agreement with a clap of his hands.

Oh right, that’s true. It’s easy to forget since Francesco doesn’t really give off the vibe of a priest.

Seeing my expression, Francesco sighed in exasperation.

“You’ve forgotten that I’m a priest, haven’t you? Please, Kuro-dono, give me a break.”

“Ah, my bad.”

“You don’t look sorry at all.”

Francesco frowned and looked troubled. Despite his stout body, he was committed to a life of poverty. Where on earth did he get all that flesh?

Perhaps he understood my thoughts, as he began to fuss with his curly brown hair. Unintentionally, I burst out laughing and poked his plump belly.

“Kuro-dono, you’re… quite a character.”

“Haha, but you don’t mind, do you?”

“I wish you’d stop asking questions that are hard to answer.”

He covered his grinning face with his hand, pursing his lips.

…He’s too easy to read!

My relationship with Francesco is like that of middle school boys. In other words, we don’t think too deeply about things. We have superficial conversations, yet we understand each other. It’s that kind of feeling.

“So, what’s so decadent?”

“Ah… well, that. I can’t really say it here, but there are things…”

I can’t openly talk about my physical relationship with Amal. Christianity, especially priests, view sexual conduct as sinful. On top of that, we’d usually face severe punishment for indulging in carnal acts within a monastery.

Francesco straightened his back and narrowed his eyes as if he had understood.

“…Ah, I can’t say this too strongly, but getting too caught up isn’t good either.”

He stopped tilling the fields and spoke to me in an admonishing tone.

“Ah, yeah. I guess you’re right…”

“Yes, listen, connecting with her… no, ah, right. That was it. …It’s nothing. Let’s get the fieldwork done quickly!”

Francesco tried to laugh it off awkwardly. Seeing this, I shook my head exaggeratedly.

I didn’t know where his hesitant words were leading, but it must have involved some secret. I couldn’t interfere any further.

The last thing I wanted was to cause trouble for Francesco.

“…Yeah, let’s finish up soon.”

Upon hearing my agreement, Francesco looked truly relieved.

***

As usual, after taking a bath, I headed to my room.

Droplets of water trickled down my cheek. Without wiping them off, I walked silently down the corridor.

Ever since I started sleeping with Amal, I found myself thinking less about secrets and restrictions.

Even though I needed to uncover the truth quickly, my thoughts seemed to be slipping away.

Even when I tried to think, my mind felt foggy, as if it was covered in mist.

It’s as if something was obstructing my thoughts.

Although it sounds like an excuse, my mind really wasn’t working properly.

As I thought this, a chill ran down my neck.

To shake off this feeling, I hurried to my room.

As soon as I opened the door, Amal was sitting on the bed as always. When she noticed me, her face sparkling.

“Welcome back, Andy-sama!”

As she stood up, she hugged me as if she was jumping at me. I felt a soft impact on my body, and at the same time, her soft chest pressed against me.

“Ah, I’m back.”

“Andy-sama. I was very lonely.”

“We were only apart for a little while, right? You’re overreacting.”

“Don’t say such cold things. I always want to be by Andy-sama’s side.”

“I get it, I get it.”

“Ugh, you always dismiss me so easily.”

With a childlike gesture, she puffed up her cheeks.

When we first met, she seemed cold and mature with a stern expression, but now, there was no trace of that.

In front of me, she always showed a soft smile and behaved childishly.

“Alright, is this better?”

I stroked her head and gently combed her hair. Amal narrowed her eyes in pleasure, then suddenly remembered that she was supposed to be sulking and hugged me even tighter.

“Don’t deceive me. I love you so much, don’t you understand? Without Andy-sama, I’m useless. I’m so lonely and in love, I feel like I’m going crazy every day.”

“Sigh… you’re such a clingy woman.”

I smirked.

At my casual remark, Amal’s shoulders trembled greatly.

“Ah, I’m sorry for being a clingy woman. Please don’t get fed up with me. Um, um…”

She was desperately trying to think of a way not to be disliked, and her eyes were wandering. Then she suddenly raised her head and began to ramble without taking a breath.

“I-I’m sorry, Andy-sama. But I can’t help it. Please, please don’t hate me! I’ll do anything. If you want, I can comfort you right now. Please use Amal as you like. It’s okay to be rough.”

She must have thought of using her own body to keep me tied to her on the spur of the moment.

I regretted it.

Even casual words can have a heavy meaning for Amal if they come from me. I should’ve known this, but why do I always…

“That’s not what I meant!”

“Hyuu, I’m sorry… forgive me, please. Don’t… don’t abandon me. I really only have Andy-sama. I love you, so what should I do to be forgiven? What should I do, I don’t know, what should I do, what should I do… I’m sorry, I’m sorry, h-hic, waaah!”

Amal, who was in a state of confusion, began to sob. Unable to bear it, I hugged Amal tightly. Amal clung to me desperately as well.

“No, that’s not it. Don’t cry, please don’t cry. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that.”

“Hic, hic… Will Andy-sama forgive me? Will… will you not abandon me?”

“I wouldn’t abandon you. You’re all I have. Ah, I’m sorry for hurting you.”

“…Really?”

“Yeah, of course.”

“…I’m glad. I’m really, really glad.”

This time, she shed tears of relief.

I felt guilty and stroked her back.

What can I do to reassure her? How can I build something solid that won’t be swayed by my words? I desperately searched for an answer to that question.