Chapter III: Sweet as a cake

"C-Cesare, what's up with you?"

"Well, you said you wanted something sweet. So I talked to the pastry chef and prepared a cake for you."

I can't believe Cesare actually took my request seriously. It seems like he's not as bad of a person as I thought.

"So, Sister Caterina, how was the time when I was gone?"

"Very well. I believe the Father is an angel sent from heaven to change the mentality of our times."

"Sister, I've told you a hundred times already that I'm not an angel. Please understand and don't say such things about me. Who knows, the Cardinal might find out and think I'm some kind of agitator and..."

"Nothing will happen", said Cesare. "As well as I know the Cardinal, he won't punish you for something so small."

Then, he tells Sister Caterina to cut the cake, which looked very delicious. Strawberries and vanilla cream were predominant, but even the cake was perfectly made. I asked him to taste it with the sister, and after much persuasion, he gave in.

"Oops, I'm a bit careless", I said as I realized I had a little cream on my face.

"C-Cesare!"

Cesare, without even a warning sign, wiped my face with his index finger, then licked it.

"Indeed, it's really sweet. Compliments to the pastry chef."

"I can't believe there are priests like him. It's true that I didn't dislike what he did, but he's a priest. Me too. Plus, Sister Caterina is present and she starts smiling strangely. Seeing that I am looking at her insistently, she calms down and leaves the room.

Now another problem arises. How will I stay with this pervert in the same room for two weeks? I think that if I don't do it, I'll have to go back home, be punished by the bishop, and maybe even killed. The second time... Hmm, maybe this maniac can help me accomplish the mission and go home.

"Antonio, do you want to celebrate a Liturgy with me?"

"After what you just did? No, thanks!"

"Oh, come on! Don't say you didn't like it!"

I blush completely. I think I just discovered that I am weak and that the vows I made will be too hard to keep.

"First, I want to take a bath."

"Sure, I'll tell Sister Caterina to prepare the bathtub for you."

"I could do it myself, if you don't mind. Call her here!"

"Sure...Sister Caterina!"

The sister came and I told her that I wanted to take a bath with cold water. Extremely cold water. I heard that if you take baths in cold water, your body is not as active in that sense... After many insistences, the water was prepared, and I entered the bathroom and stayed there for about 30 minutes until the water started to warm up.

After I got out and took some clean clothes to dress with, I went out to finish the conversation with Cesare. He gave me one of his cassocks which, to my surprise, fit me, and I left the apartment. All eyes were fixed on us, and I was already becoming very uneasy.

"Cesare...I think we should keep some distance."

"Why?"

"Because, thanks to you, everyone is watching me and it makes me feel uneasy."

"Well, then...".

To my surprise, Cesare took off his own mantle and threw it over me, telling me to cover myself with it, which I did. I felt a little calmer, although the stares didn't stop. Without meaning to, I smelled his mantle and felt more comfortable. It was as if my mother or some other important person was with me. I felt protected.

"Antonio, we will celebrate the Liturgy here!"

"Oh, how won- Wait!"

"What is it?"

"This is the chapel where the Pope celebrates...We can't celebrate here."

"Well, WE can't...Because you will lead the celebration, and I will assist."

Cesare, you can't escape this...Pope Borgia is like a god to me. What if he comes and stops us from what we're doing? Or worse, what if he participates himself?"

"The truth is that even from my Church history classes in the seminary, I knew that Pope Borgia was a demon in flesh and bone. I didn't really like him, but still, I appreciated him for the fact that he had some decisive interventions in the history of Rome. And besides, he was the Pope... "

"There won't be any problems, I assure you! Now let's go change..."

I entered the sacristy, the place where priests change for the Liturgy, and I was surprised. It was a huge space filled with icons and cedar cabinets where liturgical vestments were stored. Cesare tried to make me try one of them on, but I refused.

"I brought one from home...I knew I would have to do this and I prepared for it."

"No...Here you do as I say...And I say you will take this white one."

Well, darn it, excuse my language... It wasn't white. Not even golden. It was embroidered in gold leaf, and I think it cost about as much as my salary for 20 years. But, even against my will, Cesare forced me to wear it. Fantastic. It actually looked good on me...I've worn such clothing in the past, but with my physique I looked like a clown. But now with this god-like physique of mine...

"Cesare, stop staring at me and let's go!"

I started the Liturgy, receiving communion at the end, then we returned to our bedroom. I'm afraid. How could I possibly stay in the same bed with someone who makes advances towards me? He's quite big, that's true, but...

"Antonio, did you bring spare clothes?"

"Y-Yes...If you don't mind, I'll go to your office to change...I feel embarrassed to change in front of you, even though we are both..."

"As you wish...But you should know that it wouldn't bother me. I think you already know that!"

I know. And that's why I'm afraid. I change into my pajamas and sit down in bed next to Cesare who was waiting for me.

"Hahaha!"

"What's so funny, Cesare?"

"It's almost June and you're wearing woolen pajamas?"

"Well, that's what they wear in the country where I come from..."

"Tomorrow we're going to the tailor to buy you some clothes. No objections!"

Well, if he wants to make such a gesture, I can't object. Especially since it might calm him down and I'll be able to stay two weeks in peace without being disturbed by anything inappropriate from him.

"Listen...Why did you come to the Vatican all this way just to meet the Cardinal?"

"I just told you...My bishop has always persecuted me for the different way I behave. He even dared to slap me in front of the faithful and priests in the diocese last month. I don't want anything else but respect for the person that is due to every human being."

"I'm sorry to hear that, but what punishment would you want your bishop to receive?"

"To be honest? None. I'm not able to ask for that...However, I would like him to stop hurting other priests in my situation. Other priests have had their funds taken away and are poor...But, I am the only one who has been physically punished as an example."

Cesare squeezed my hand tightly and promised me that nothing would happen from now on and that he was by my side. That made me feel better. But I knew that after two weeks, I would be alone again. That is, if I did not return to my parents. After a few minutes, I fell asleep.

In my dream, it seemed like I had arrived at some huge iron gates. So big that I couldn't see the end of them...As I marveled at those impressive gates, a fearsome monster appeared next to me and introduced me through those gates.

"We bring before the tribunal the soul of Priest Antonio!"

All the demons who were there began to scream and say inappropriate words while I stood there praying.

On the judges' table, there was a balance that I found out would decide whether I would go to hell or heaven. So, it seems that I did die after all...

"Do you see the flame on that scale? That is your faith that will be tested through various things."

First, several naked women were put on the scale. Well, my faith could not be thwarted. Also, money and various treasures. I could not be distracted either. A priest like me who made various donations to simple and suffering people could not be tempted with money. Then, books were the next test. Unique books lost for centuries could be mine. Tempting, for a moment, I would have agreed, but I could not accept it.

"God enlightens me to be strong against you and to destroy you. Nothing can shake my faith."

"Are you sure? Look closely! What do you see?"

"Oh no! Benjamin, no!"

I could see Benjamin being tied to a cross in the middle of huge flames that were consuming his body while he cried for help and I could do nothing.

"So, choose! Your soul or his!"

"No...put me in his place. My faith cannot be compared to his! I am not even worthy to sacrifice myself for him, but if needed I will do it!"

Suddenly, a huge light spread throughout that room and the demons disappeared. I woke up, being in Cesare's arms, who was calming me down.

Cesare POV:

He has just fallen asleep, poor thing. After so many weeks on the road, he has arrived at the Vatican, and the first person he met was me. I think this is fate. Wait, something's not right with him!

"Antonio! Antonio!"

No response...What should I do? He seems to be having a nightmare. Wait, is he crying? I need to wake him up somehow...Let me try shaking him, maybe he'll wake up. Nothing...

"B-Ben-jamin! No, no!"

Who's Benjamin? It doesn't matter. The important thing is to wake him up. Maybe if I kiss him, he'll snap out of it? It's worth a try.

"Cesare, what are you doing?"

"Um, it seemed like you were having a nightmare. I wanted to wake you up. Anyway, good night!"

I haven't felt this embarrassed in all of my 24 years. Trying to kiss someone while they're asleep, only to have them wake up and make me feel ashamed. Why can't I be like I used to be...I think I'm getting old.

Antonio POV:

Wait, what? Did he just try to kiss me? I'm not okay with this, clearly! But still, the way he got embarrassed was too cute. His behavior doesn't match his appearance at all...Thank goodness it was just a dream. Although I'm here, I hope Beniamin back home is okay and not suffering from anything. Achoo! Achoo!

It seems like taking a cold bath today wasn't a good idea! Achoo! Achoo! However, let me try to go back to sleep...