Chapter XXI: A New Life Begins

Hmm, it seems our judge is quite endowed, isn't he?" Vlad said, whom I will now refer to as Dracula.

"Where did you come from? Did you come to seek revenge on me? If that's why you're here, at least wait until I'm out of the bathroom..."

"No, I didn't come for that. Anyway, it seems you've received a punishment worse than death, haven't you?"

"Yes... Now I can do nothing else but accept my fate... Oh, by the way... Bishop Ignatius has died..."

"Really? Did you kill him?"

"Not me... Marcus killed him, and I tasted his warm blood... If you hadn't ruined the ceremony, nothing would have happened..."

"Oh, come on... And you killed Ana, didn't you?"

"Yes, but... I asked for forgiveness for that... I want to make up for my outburst yesterday..."

"Seriously? Well, who knows... Maybe you can..."

"How so?"

"Well, you can condemn people to death and give me their blood to feed on..."

"Hmm, convenient, but is that all?"

"You know... I've been running low for some time now, and I feel the absence..."

"Wait... A question... Weren't you supposed to look different? 16 years ago when you died, you looked different... You know, with a mustache like the Orientals..."

"Well, I've changed a bit to attract new victims... Honestly, I prefer this more Western look..."

"Fine... So, I provide you with blood, and you forgive me for killing your wife... Is it that simple?"

"Well, I think I would need someone to replace Ana... You know, I feel lonely at night, and-"

"Well, I'll convince a young woman to stay with you, and-"

"No... I would like you to stay with me!"

"No... That's not how it works... A vampire shouldn't be with another vampire, but with a mortal, don't you think?"

"You will give in eventually... Well, for now, I won't force you, but... If you ever change your mind, you know where to find me..."

After he finished speaking, he left as abruptly as he came. However, why do all the men in this world want me to be with them? Cesare, Marcus, and now Dracula? This is getting serious, and I believe this whole thing will turn into something extremely strange along the way.

After spending another 30 minutes in the icy cold water, I stepped outside. Various nobles, priests, and common people had gathered to see the body of the Bishop of Targoviste... No one could have realized it was my fault, especially after what happened in the cathedral.

"Father, are you alright? What's that on your neck?"

"It's just a scratch... I managed to escape the vampire, but the bishop wasn't so lucky... Honestly, the disappearance of my stigmata makes me believe even more strongly in God's plan and helps me contribute to the growth of His Church..."

People were amazed at how calm I could be in such moments, but they thought it was simply my strong spirituality. We all agreed that until a new bishop was appointed, I would lead the diocese.

Yes, finally I have all the power in my hands. Marcus went from being the bishop's secretary to being my secretary... I swore that I wouldn't leave him behind, didn't I?

"Marcus... Are you okay?"

"Y-Yes... You, Antonio, are you alright?"

"Yes, I had an unexpected visitor, but it ended well."

"Dracula, right?"

"Yes... His presence annoys me, but at least he no longer holds a grudge against me... On the contrary..."

"I think it would be better for you to rest... Now that I'm your secretary, it would be best if you leave everything to me and only focus on the court cases and how you want to lead the diocese..."

"To be honest... I can't sleep alone... Could you help me with that?"

"With pleasure, but I have a few things to take care of first. Can you wait for me in the room for 15 minutes? I'll be there soon."

"Sure, Marcus."

Finally, I can lead the diocese the way I want. No theft, no injustice, and the verdicts will no longer favor whomever Ignatius wanted. The time has come for peace in the country and the diocese... I just hope I can fix my past mistakes...

A new chapter of my life begins... Now I can say that I have become stronger than before, and even though there is still a lot I lack, I can handle things on my own.

"Antonio, I'm finished. Let's go to bed..." Marcus said after completing the procedures for the burial of the bishop, which will take place in a week.

"Marcus, I promise I will never do anything wrong again and that I will try to be more fair from now on..."

"I know, I know... Come on, go to sleep..."

"I can't sleep. I'm cold."

"It's June, Antonio... Wait, is that some kind of hint?"

"Maybe... Come on..."

"Alright... But tomorrow, I want you to step into your role properly, okay?"

"I promise!"

After promising Marcus that I would be as attentive as possible when announcing the bishop's death, he let me rest my head on his shoulder and started caressing my head until I fell asleep.

In my dream, the same radiant light appeared, but this time it seemed different.

"Antonio, if you follow the path you've set for yourself, I will return your stigmata, and after you fulfill your task, I will allow you to return," the voice from the light said.

"I swear to be fair from now on... As much as my new condition allows me to be..."

The next day, it was my duty to address the people gathered in front of the palace to inform them about what had happened to their bishop.

"Brothers and sisters, our bishop Ignatius has passed away and joined the Lord. I don't know the exact details, but Father Marcus told me that the bishop was attacked by Dracula, the former ruler, and brutally killed, drained of his blood. Though Marcus and I managed to survive, our bishop wasn't so lucky. Until a new bishop is appointed, the diocesan council has appointed me as the leader of the Church in Wallachia. Do you agree with this appointment?"

The people began to applaud, a sign that they agreed with my appointment as the bishop's successor. Well, let the celebration begin...

Throughout the time his lifeless body remained in the palace, I stood beside the coffin, guarding it and trying to appear as mournful as possible to maintain the image of sanctity that I felt I had lost.

"Father, you have a trial at noon," my secretary, Marcus, informed me.

The trial was about a theft that occurred two weeks ago, and the guilty party was a peasant from a nearby village. He had stolen a few sacks of wheat from his neighbor's barn, who was also a peasant. He confessed to the crime, so I ordered him to be whipped 100 times. Of course, the bloodshed needed to be preserved. Why? Because it was to be presented as an offering of atonement for the guilt of his sin to the Lord... Absurd, it was to quench the thirst of Dracula, myself, and Marcus, of course.

After a sufficient amount of blood was collected, we divided it into three parts. Around 3:00 p.m., Dracula was supposed to come and receive his gift... And that's what happened...

"Antonio, you are quite helpful... To be honest, I've started to hate you a little less, but I still want you to come to my palace," Dracula said.

"No, thank you. The whole diocese needs my help, so I don't have time to play with a lonely vampire like you. If you want, come here. That is if you're not afraid of being lynched by the people around me."

Well, he didn't want to... He took his portion of blood and left. However, Marcus and I drank our share and then we sat down to talk about various subjects.

What bothered me, in particular, was the fact that I didn't have a portrait of myself like any bishop or leader would. Well, Marcus hired the best painter in Wallachia to create my portrait. A life-sized portrait of me holding a book, dressed in a judge's robe, with the ring on my finger. I looked quite good.

I especially liked how he captured the pleading saintly gaze in my eyes and the emerald color of my eyes. Hmm, I could fall in love with this painting... But still, I don't want to become like Narcissus, who fell in love with his reflection and drowned.

"Father, you have a letter," Marcus interrupted my thoughts.

"Thank you, I will read it..."

It was in Latin... "Cardinalem Caesare ad sacerdotem Antonius."

Wait, what? Cesare sent me a letter? It can't be... No... I had just gotten rid of him, and now he's entering my life again?

The letter contained a message that I will reproduce below in English for those who don't know Latin...

"Cardinal Cesare to Priest Antonio...

I hope you are well and have not forgotten me. My soul longs for you like a freshwater fountain in the desert. Loneliness overwhelms me, along with the fear that something might happen to you. I, as well as the entire Church, have heard of the death of Bishop Ignatius, your bishop, and I believe his death is a retribution for the dishonor he brought upon you. I have also heard that you have been appointed as a church judge and that you are beginning to bring divine justice to the people of your country. I wish to inform you that I have been sent by my father, Pope Alexander, to attend the funeral of Bishop Ignatius, and I can't wait to see you.

With love, a lonely soul, Cesare Cardinal Borgia.

P.S. I hope you don't forget how much I love you, won't you?"

What's with this letter? How does he know that my bishop has died? It doesn't matter... What's important is that I have to ensure that I don't meet him. To be honest, I still love him, but... I can't get past the fact that he lied to me all this time. Cardinal Borgia, a lonely soul... Ha, what nonsense. But still, what if it's true?