Chapter 2: A Devotee's Breakfast and the Pope's Possessive Tenderness
I woke earlier than usual that morning, the Ascension Rite pressing down on me with a weight I could not quite define. Whether the restless night came from dread over the coming test or from some buried thrill at the thought of crossing into adulthood, I had no way to tell, but the lack of sleep had left my face pinched in a stubborn frown as I finally shoved the covers aside and sat up.
A long, drawn-out yawn pulled free from deep in my chest while I stretched beneath the lingering warmth of the blankets, and the simple motion stirred an odd flicker of satisfaction in me. I folded the sheets with the same crisp precision I had learned in my previous life, the kind of habit only a soldier truly understands, then laid them neatly at the foot of the bed. Staring at the sharp corners I had achieved, a small, proud smile crept across my lips without permission.
By Vespera Langford's personal permission I lived in a modest but private room within the servants' quarters of the Grand Cathedral of Akadonia, and I made my way to the bathroom to wash. The low step in front of the sink forced me to rise onto my toes, my line of sight noticeably lower than it had been in my past existence, and a quick flash of irritation rose before I pushed it away. I studied my reflection from every angle, taking in the boy with snow-white hair and unusually large eyes, skin as pale and flawless as fresh milk, not a single blemish anywhere. No matter how often I looked, the face never felt entirely mine. This was the me who had awakened after whatever strange rebirth had brought me into this world of cathedrals and ritual magic.
A soft sigh slipped out. If only I had grown taller. My lips pushed forward in a pout I could not stop. With the Ascension Rite now so close and my height still unchanged, I knew wishing for more was pointless. Shaking the thought aside, I stepped under the shower and let the warm water pour over my petite frame, the soap's clean scent rising around me as I scrubbed the last traces of sleep from my skin.
When I finished and dressed in my simple devotee robes, I headed straight for the kitchens, the familiar route carrying me through quiet stone corridors still lit by early-morning candles.
"Good morning, Auntie Lorelei," I called brightly as I stepped inside.
"Oh! Lirian, you're here already! Coming to help again today, are you?"
The sturdy, familiar woman greeted me with a wide smile, her build speaking of both comforting warmth and surprising power. A massive sack of supplies balanced easily on her broad shoulder, the fabric straining under the weight of grain or root vegetables or whatever fresh stock had arrived.
"Yes! I'm here to lend a hand like always!"
"How thoughtful of you…"
She set the sack down with a heavy thud that made the entire kitchen ring, the impact echoing off the stone walls. Her strength remained almost supernatural, the sort of raw power that made you wonder how someone who ruled the stoves could also have served as a knight before taking her current post. I had heard the stories often enough.
I tied on an apron without thinking and picked up a knife, the motion as natural as breathing by now. The steady rhythm of chopping filled the warm air while I worked through the vegetables and herbs.
Living here in the Grand Cathedral meant I took on every chore I could to keep building a solid reputation. After all, as someone who essentially depended on their charity, it would not do to seem like a freeloader. Helping prepare the meals was simply one of the regular tasks that let me feel useful and earned me approving nods from the staff.
"Thank you always, Lirian."
"Hehe, it's nothing."
"How do you manage to be so skilled at this…"
She reached over and ruffled my hair lightly, her praise warm and genuine.
Having lived alone since my university days in my previous life, the kitchen work came easily, and these regular shifts had sharpened my hands until I could trim and slice ingredients without even looking.
After a while a rich, savory aroma began drifting through the kitchen, sweet and deep at the same time.
"Auntie Lorelei! Is that beef stew today?"
"Fresh meat came in yesterday. Want a taste?"
"Yes! I'd love to!"
I accepted the spoon she offered and lifted a small mouthful. The spices sat perfectly balanced, rich and layered, while the meat released a subtle, savory broth that blended beautifully with the tangy-sweet tomato base and the crisp harmony of vegetables. The flavor exploded across my tongue, luxurious and comforting all at once, and my mouth watered instantly.
"Mmm…! It's delicious, as always!"
"Of course it is!"
"I could eat this every day."
"Thank you, Lirian."
Pleased with my honest reaction, she mussed my hair again, this time with more enthusiasm, her strong fingers tangling the white strands.
Just thinking about tearing off a chunk of the fresh rye bread she had baking and dipping it deep into the stew already had fresh saliva pooling under my tongue.
"All right, Lirian. Let's finish getting everything ready."
"Yes!"
"Great!"
Flames suddenly burst from her open palm in a bright, controlled whoosh, igniting the stove with effortless magical flair and lighting up the whole kitchen in a brief, spectacular glow. If only I possessed even a fraction of that kind of power. Working side by side, we brought a successful breakfast together without the slightest hitch.
When the cart stood fully loaded, Auntie Lorelei gave it a gentle push toward me. "This tray is for Her Holiness the Pope."
"Got it!"
"Make sure she enjoys every bite. And remember—no rude behavior toward the Pope, all right?"
"Hehe… Of course not!"
The cart carried far more food than seemed reasonable even for generous portions, and I offered a wry little smile as I wheeled it carefully down the corridor toward Vespera Langford's private chambers.
———
A heavy sigh left me before I could stop it, exhaustion clinging to every limb. Sleep had refused to come again last night, and no matter how I tried, my hands would not settle on any task this morning. Something had left me strangely restless lately, though I could not name the reason no matter how deeply I searched. The feeling sat unpleasant in my chest, tight and smothering, exactly like the aftermath of a nightmare I could not quite recall.
Where had I left those medicines… I moved quickly, hoping one dose might ease the pressure even a little.
Even with my eyes closed the pained screams still rang in my ears. The battlefield where flesh tore open and blood ran thick across the ground, the metallic stench of it heavy enough to choke on. Those who had fallen had once been someone's wives, someone's mothers…
Those memories refused to fade, which was why I took the medication without fail. Magic could mend the body in moments, but the mind demanded far more stubborn work.
Oh…? Is it truly that late already?
Lirian would arrive any moment now. As Pope of the Holy See of Akadonia I could not possibly let him see me in any state of disorder. I needed to greet my precious little one with perfect poise and calm.
I swallowed the pills in one quick motion and hurried to the bathroom to begin my preparations.
Oh…?
My brow drew tight in annoyance. The facial cleanser had already run out; such carelessness was unacceptable. If Lirian saw me looking anything less than composed and felt even a flicker of disappointment…
A cold line of sweat traced down my spine. It looked as though I would need to visit Countess Evergreen's Estate later today after all.
I organized the rest of my schedule in my mind while I began the meticulous process of grooming, checking that my robes carried no wrinkles, that the subtle fragrance I preferred still clung to the fabric, and that not a single strand of my long white hair had escaped its proper place.
Everything looked flawless.
I confirmed the reflection in the mirror several times more before I finally allowed myself to settle into position and wait.
A soft knock sounded at the door—earlier than I had expected.
I cleared my throat to steady my voice into the proper tone of authority.
"Enter."
The door opened and a small-statured boy stepped inside my private chambers. He possessed the same pure white hair as my own, and his features held an adorable, small-animal charm that never failed to catch the light. No matter how many times I laid eyes on him, he remained dazzling, noble, and heartbreakingly lovable. My precious Lirian.
"Hehe… Good morning…"
He clasped both hands together and offered a light bow, keeping his gaze respectfully forward the entire time. Then, with careful reverence, he took the tips of my fingers and pressed a gentle kiss to the back of my hand. The gesture carried clear respect and devotion, and a quiet surge of satisfaction moved through me; my long lessons in etiquette had not been wasted on him at all.
"Your Holiness. Breakfast… I mean, the morning meal is ready."
He had hesitated for the briefest moment over the formal term before correcting himself smoothly. Truly, how could anyone be so utterly endearing?
"Yes. Please prepare it."
"Excuse me…"
A faint, pleasant scent of soap drifted from him, mingling with the natural fragrance of his skin in the most delightful way and brushing against my nose like a secret invitation. It carried a touch more intensity than usual, hinting that he had worked up a light sweat earlier. Far from bothering me, the subtle sweetness of his body odor pleased me even more this morning.
"Um… let's see… salad fork and… dinner fork…"
He examined the nearly identical forks of differing sizes, arranging them with painstaking care on the table. Watching those delicate hands move so diligently made a soft, helpless smile rise inside me that I barely managed to contain.
"Is this… supposed to go over here…?"
Lirian tilted his head in that sweet, uncertain way, and the sight lodged itself deep in my chest. I wished I could preserve this exact moment forever, stop time entirely, and simply gaze at him without end. Even the shortest instant felt like far too little.
"Mmm… all done!"
How had someone born with such a noble, flawless appearance come to exist at all? Lirian outshone even a newborn fawn trembling in the fields, a rabbit darting across open grass, or the tiniest squirrel hidden among the trees. No living creature in the entire world could compare. Surely the gods had poured every ounce of their care and skill into sculpting him alone.
"Your Holiness, it's ready!"
"…"
"Your Holiness?"
"Ah… yes. What was that?"
"The meal is prepared!"
"Ah… the meal… of course."
I blinked back to the present and found the table perfectly laid out before me. He could easily have taken longer; there had been no need for haste. Yet somehow the hours always seemed to race past whenever he stood near me.
"Hehe… This looks delicious…"
Lirian's golden eyes sparkled brighter than usual from across the table. He must have been quite hungry. Though it pained me to shorten our time together, we needed to begin eating without delay.
"Hehe, let us offer a prayer to the gods before we begin."
"Understood!"
"Then please close your eyes."
"Yes!"
———
I joined Vespera in the quiet prayer to whatever divine presence might be listening and then we started our meal. The only sounds inside her private chambers came from the gentle clink of utensils against plates. I would have liked to offer some light conversation, but the strict etiquette of the cathedral forbade talking during formal meals, so the silence between us stretched comfortably until the very end.
"Lirian, what does your schedule look like today?" Vespera asked once she had finished her own portion first.
I thought for a moment about how best to spend the hours ahead.
"Hmm… I think I'll head to the Healing Sanctum."
Spending the day tending to the patients there felt like the right choice. I could perform small acts of kindness while practicing my healing magic at the same time—a perfect combination that always made the time pass quickly and productively. The work might be tiring, but the rewards more than justified it.
"An excellent choice. The gods would surely approve."
"Hehe… Thank you."
She watched me with an expression full of quiet pride, though the conversation already seemed ready to stall. Awkward silences had always bothered me, so I quickly picked up the thread again before the quiet could settle.
"What about your schedule, Your Holiness?"
"I plan to visit the countess's estate this afternoon."
"The countess…? You mean the one you visit regularly?"
"Yes. There are some items I need to collect."
The mysterious Countess Evergreen always seemed to share a close connection with the Pope. From what little I had heard, she operated an enormous shop that enjoyed incredible popularity. I could not imagine what sort of business would require the head of the Holy See to make periodic visits, but I kept my curiosity to myself.
"But… Your Holiness?"
"Yes, Lirian."
"Aren't you eating too little?"
Half of the generous portions still sat untouched on her plate. I could not understand how she maintained such a full, impressive figure while eating so sparingly.
"Ah… I'm fine."
"Hmm… It still seems like not enough…"
"Hehe, you don't need to worry so much."
"Really…?"
"Yes. Just watching you eat is enough to fill me up."
Well, if Vespera said so, then it had to be true. I stretched my arms overhead and let my gaze drift around the sunlit chamber for a moment. The hearty breakfast had left me feeling energized, the sky outside the tall windows stretched clear and cloudless, and the cathedral always carried that deep, peaceful hush. Today's routine looked as though it would unfold without any trouble at all.
"Your Holiness, may I start clearing the dishes now?"
"Ah… Al-already…?"
"Yes… If I don't prepare soon, I'll be late getting to the wards…"
"Ah… I see…"
Vespera's expression softened with clear reluctance as she spread her arms toward me in the familiar farewell gesture she always required before I left the Grand Cathedral.
"Then… I'll head out now and do my best today…"
"Haah… Take care, Lirian… And don't be late coming back…"
Her lips brushed my forehead in a light but deliberate kiss. As always, the press of her mouth left me thoroughly drenched in warm saliva by the time I could finally turn and make my way toward the Healing Sanctum, the lingering wetness cooling against my skin as I walked.