Saint's Prison - Chapter 59

A Casual Talk: Johanna

Johanna Scotus’s PoV

Rising from bed, I brush the hair off my cheek with my hand.

My thoughts are blurry and unclear. Not being a morning person is something to consider.

The room is dark, dawn is still far away.

I light the candle placed on the desk. The room is bathed in a faint sunset hue.

Washing my face with water from the bowl on the desk, I shake off the sleepiness.

I change from my nightclothes into a nun’s habit and tie up my hair with a comb I pulled from the drawer.

After getting dressed, I face the desk.

Opening the Bible, I trace the lines of text with my eyes, listening to God’s voice.

When that’s done, I kneel on the floor and offer a moment of silent prayer.

Thus begins another day for me, Johanna Scotus.

***

Every morning, I head to the chapel to hold Mass.

The chapel is located outside the monastery. I quickly exit the monastery and cross the vineyard. I inhale the scent of the lush green leaves carried by the breeze. The air is clear, and the wind is pleasant.

Lifting my gaze, I can see that morning has come in full force. The eastern sky is bright, and its light illuminates the clouds stretching across it. It’s bound to be a pleasant sunny day today. Thinking so, a smile escapes my lips.

“Miss Scotus.”

On the way back to the monastery after the Mass, someone calls out to me. I exhale quietly, trying not to show that I noticed, and turn around.

“What can I do for you, Brother Nielsen?”

Sars Nielsen, a young man with pale blonde hair, was squinting at me.

“Well, about that… I saw you talking closely with that man yesterday.”

“… That man?”

“Yes, that man with black hair.”

“Do you mean Kuro-dono? What about it?”

“Well… I’m not sure it’s appropriate for a woman like you to be close with such a lowly foreigner…”

“I’d like you to stop there. It’s extremely unpleasant.”

I don’t let him say everything. No, I don’t want him to say everything. I grit my teeth and glare at him. Nielsen is visibly flustered. Seeing that, I coldly spit out my words.

“Is that all you wanted? If so, I’ll take my leave.”

With that, I turn on my heel.

“Miss Scotus, that man is bewitched by her! Why can’t you see that!”

I don’t stop walking.

There’s no point in talking any further. For me and for him. If neither of us is willing to change our stance, it’s meaningless.

(Besides… you’ve got it backward, Nielsen.)

It’s not that Andrew-dono is bewitched by her. She is bewitched by him. She would do anything for him. But at the same time, she is afraid. Of course, not from us, but of being abandoned by Andrew-dono.

She would do anything for him, but she is afraid of being disliked and can’t do anything. Just can’t do anything.

But if it comes to Andrew-dono being exposed to danger, that’s a different story. She will come to attack us with all her might. By any means necessary. She can do that. She can easily trample us. Why can’t you see that?

“Such a hassle.”

Even me.

Even her.

All of Stonehurst, such a hassle.

***

“Hey, Johanna!”

Walking through the vineyard leading to the monastery, I hear a voice like a deflated beer. My shoulders involuntarily relax.

“Johanna, Johanna! Hey, don’t ignore me.”

“… Why should I oblige you to not ignore you? I merely choose not to pay attention.”

“No, that’s still ignoring. You said it so bluntly, I almost apologized.”

A sigh escapes from Andrew, whose cheeks droop pathetically. Seeing his cute action, I can’t help but smile.

“He’s a strange man. Beautiful black hair with brownish-black eyes that seem to be dyed. His face is not deeply chiseled, a foreign look. Even though he’s a man, he doesn’t show off or look down on women. He’s friendly and even accommodates someone as rude as me like this.

“Hey, Johanna. Did something happen?”

“No. Why do you ask?”

“Well, you seemed upset. You always keep things to yourself. Just tell me, let it out!”

Ah, there’s no helping it. How does Andrew always notice? Notice and take care of me. It’s okay. I’m okay, Andrew. Your kindness always saves me.

“So, let’s do that. You, idiot!”

“Why are you suddenly insulting me!? …I told you to let it out, but I didn’t mean to let it out on me!”

“Oops.”

“What do you mean, oops. You, you!”

A soft poke on my cheek. It tickles. He doesn’t get angry at my rudeness but plays with me like this. That makes me very happy and content.

That’s no good. It makes me want to beg for more. He’s the person that person cares about. That’s right… I have to end it soon.

“An, no… Kuro-dono, would you stop poking me!”

Raising my voice and trying not to put strength into my hand, I swat it down. A pathetic sound echoes. Seeing that, Andrew smiles happily.

“Sorry, sorry. But, did you feel a little better?”

My breath stops.

Ah, I want to call your name. Your name.

But I can’t. I can’t. The only one who can call your name is her. It’s not allowed for me. For us.

“Y… Yes, Kuro-dono.”

My voice was trembling, surprisingly even for me.

Author’s Note : This time, it’s Johanna’s turn.

Johanna is protecting the protagonist from jealousy and malice behind his back. This is to avoid stimulating Amal, but it’s also because Johanna herself wants to do so. While it seems like she’s saving the protagonist, she’s also being saved by him. A strange mutual aid.