Chapter XXIV: Is our love worth another chance?

"Marcus, aren't you excited to meet Cardinal Borgia today?"

"To be honest, I'm not the type of person who is a fan of celebrities in the Church..."

"Good to know... Listen, is it still hurting?"

"Not as much as yesterday, so it's bearable..."

"Then, would you like to go out with me to welcome Cesare?"

"If I have to, I'll do it... But I didn't want him to come today..."

"Oh, come on... It'll be fine..."

After taking a bath and changing, we set off to welcome the cardinal. The cathedral priests, followed by the altar boys and the cathedral choir, were surrounding us, full of excitement. I am filled with emotions, and I don't know how to react when I see him again...

The carriage carrying Cardinal Borgia and our new ruler approached. The conductor signaled the choir to get ready, and I put on my canonical robe and monsignor's ring. These are the symbols of rank without which you cannot receive an important person like a cardinal or even the ruler of Wallachia.

There he is, getting out of the carriage. My heart starts pounding, and even though I feel betrayed, I still... I feel something for him. Even though I slept with Marcus two nights ago and made love, I can't say that I hate him or... If I had to choose between the two of them, I wouldn't know whom to choose. So... I would take them both.

"I welcome you to Wallachia, Your Eminence. We are grateful to our great Pope Alexander VI for the joy of receiving his son, Cesare Borgia, among us," I addressed the cardinal before the choir sang a memorable "Ecce sacerdos magnus" (Behold the great priest).

To my surprise, Marcus seemed extremely jealous. I know it's not wise to make a vampire jealous, but I have no choice... The Pope is to blame for this, and I believe he sent Cesare to reconcile us... Well, I don't know what to say...

"Antonio, are you okay? Did anything happen to you?"

As if he cared... As if I could say anything about what has happened these past few days...

"Your Eminence, we appreciate your concern, but I am not worthy enough to receive Your Eminence's attention."

"Antonio... I came to apologize for not telling you-"

"Your Eminence, I think it's best if we finish the protocols... You must be tired from the journey, right?"

"Antonio, why are you behaving this way? Have you forgotten about me forever?"

Marcus was red with anger and jealousy. I tried to calm him down by stroking his head and telling him to calm down. I tried to calm him down, but it was all in vain. Honestly, I think he would have attacked him if I hadn't stopped him.

"Eminence, the past is the past... What matters is fulfilling our duty to Bishop Ignatius and carrying out Your Eminence's visit to its completion..."

"Antonio... Do you think that having a rank in the Church of Wallachia gives you the right to speak to me like this? Don't forget that I am a cardinal..."

"I didn't know that until a week ago, so please forgive me for that. I thought I could speak to you like a priest, but not..."

"Father Antonio, I think you should show a little more respect to the cardinal," the new ruler of Wallachia addressed me.

"I apologize, Your Majesty, but it's all a misunderstanding on the cardinal's part... Marcus, please escort the cardinal to his room."

"Antonio, I still love you!" Cesare said, surprising everyone, including myself.

"W-What did you say? Do you think that coming here and flaunting your cardinal title impresses anyone? The people around here know nothing about my visit to Rome a week ago, and you-"

I didn't have a chance to say anything as Cesare silenced me with his lips. Why does everyone force me to keep silent in this way? Well, it reminded me of our first meeting, our first night together, and other times when I had no idea he was a cardinal... People were stunned by what they saw. Of course, Marcus became extremely sad and ran into the cathedral... Damn, Cesare.

"Eminence, I think it's best if I escort you to Your Eminence's room so you can rest..."

"I can't sleep alone, so will you help me fall asleep?"

"No... I'm sorry... Tomorrow at 9:00 a.m., the funeral Liturgy will take place. Until then, if you need anything, you can talk to my housekeeper or my secretary, Marcus..."

"Oh, so Marcus is the priest who started crying when I kissed you, right? It reminds me of you and how shy you were three weeks ago..."

"Eminence, you're starting to exaggerate. The people around us are waiting for Your Eminence's blessing, not dialogues like this."

"Oh, yes... I forgot... Brothers, I am Cardinal Cesare Borgia, son of Pope Alexander VI, and I have been sent to take part in the funeral of your former bishop, Ignatius... As for my relationship with your new ecclesiastical judge, Antonio..."

"Cesare, continue with your speech. Don't speak unnecessarily."

Oops, I don't think I was supposed to address him by name, was I? The people are already extremely outraged, so it's not like they would understand anything anymore.

"Oh, I'll continue... Pope Alexander sends you his blessing, which I will give you now... Benedicat vos omnipotens Deus: Pater et Filius et Spiritus Sanctus." (May Almighty God bless you: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.)

The entire congregation responded, "Amen!" as we knelt. I say "we" because I too knelt to receive the Pope's blessing.

After that moment, I led Cesare into the cathedral to say a prayer next to Bishop Ignatius' coffin. In the meantime, I approached Marcus, who was crying in front of the altar.

"Hey, Marcus... What's wrong with you? Why are you crying?"

"Why? C-Cesare, your former treacherous lover kissed you in front of me, and you did nothing. What did you expect me to do? Be happy? You know how I feel about you, don't you?"

"Marcus, Cesare will only stay here for a few days and then he'll go back to Rome, and we will be together again. Plus, Cesare means nothing to me anymore..."

"Antonio, you know I can read your thoughts, right?"

"Yes... I'm sorry for lying... But still..."

"It was nice while it lasted, wasn't it? Now you'll leave me too, and I'll be alone again, right?"

"No... I swore that I would take you with me wherever I go, didn't I?"

"I don't need that... Anyway, I won't stand in your way anymore..."

"Marcus, calm down..."

Marcus walked towards Cesare with teary eyes. When Cesare noticed him approaching, he smirked sarcastically. I expected a fight between the two of them, but Marcus just whispered something in Cesare's ear and left... I truly feel sorry for him... Why do I have to destroy everyone around me? Cesare, the bishop, Ana, and now Marcus... I truly am a demon, aren't I?

I remember how joyfully I climbed these steps a month ago. Simplicity makes you happy, doesn't it? If I hadn't gone to Rome... No, wait... If I hadn't gone to Korea and stayed with Benjamin, none of this would have happened, right? But now...

"Hah, that guy is so jealous... Honestly, I have to thank him for informing Dad about everything that happened here."

"Wait, what? Marcus kept in touch with the Pope?"

"Yes... He was one of Dad's students, and it's natural to stay in touch, don't you think? Honestly, both Dad and I knew all about the things you accused Ignatius of, but... He was a bishop, and we didn't want to touch one of our brothers..."

"You're a monster, Cesare... I hate you from the bottom of my heart for this... I'll have a conversation with Marcus about this, and I will-"

"What will you do? Don't forget, you're not the bishop... You're just someone in charge until the new bishop arrives... Plus, I intend to strip you of your title as a canon and ecclesiastical judge... You know, they don't suit you, especially after you wrongfully condemned Ana Kroner."

"Excuse me? Go ahead... Do it and see the consequences..."

"Are you threatening me, Antonio? Don't forget that I can remove you from the Church whenever I want..."

"Do it... Anyway, I don't care..."

"Antonio, I'm tired... Take me to my room. You, and no one else!"

"Fine, whatever..."

I walked together with Cesare to show him the room where he would stay until Friday morning. When I tried to leave, Cesare locked the door and hid the key in his cassock.

"Well, Antonio... Here we are, all alone..."

"Do you think I can't leave? You know, if I wanted to, I could break your hand and take the key myself..."

"Go ahead, who's stopping you?"

"Forget it... Just say what you want."

"I want to clarify things from last week. I'm sorry I didn't tell you that I'm a Borgia... I was afraid you would form a wrong opinion about me..."

"And that's why you played this whole act? Who are you? Father Cesare or Cardinal Cesare?"

"I am both... It's just that you are the only one who saw me as a simple priest. It wasn't the position that changed me, but you..."

"Changed you for the worse, I suppose?"

"No... You changed me for the better. I truly care about you, and everything I've told you was real. As for the last day, I was possessed by the demon Azazel, who wanted to make you evil but didn't know how."

"So, in the end, I am evil now, right?"

"No, you're just confused... Give our love another chance, and you'll see-"

"Does our love even deserve another chance? Besides, I've started having feelings for Marcus..."

"You know, I wouldn't mind sharing you with him if that's what you want, but I only want you..."

"Ha, you know... For a moment, I almost fell into your trap... Come on, give me the key."

"I won't give it to you until you accept my feelings."

"I'll jump out the window if you don't."

"Go ahead... We're on the fourth floor here..."

"Fine, you asked for it!"

I walked towards the window without even looking at Cesare for a moment. I opened the window and jumped, even though Cesare was screaming at the top of his lungs for me not to do it. Fortunately, as a vampire, I can't harm myself by doing that, so I continued walking towards my room in the hope that I would still be able to catch Marcus and calm him down as I always did.

I arrived in the room, and Marcus was on his knees, flagellating himself. Self-flagellation was a practice of penance in the Middle Ages, so it was common in those times.

"Marcus, calm down and put the whip down..."

"No... The Lord is punishing me because I've become a monster... I'm trying to rid myself of all the blood and die... I know I'll go to hell, but at least-"

I think Marcus hit himself so hard that he couldn't feel his back anymore. Why? Because while he was talking, I went over and embraced him, but he didn't feel it and continued to strike himself. He only stopped when I whispered for him to calm down.

"Antonio, what have you done? I-I accidentally hit you..."

"It's nothing. Besides, vampires can't die from that, right?"

"No, but I still feel the pain, you know?"

"It doesn't matter... Come with me, and I'll help you heal your wounds."

"Antonio, you won't leave me alone, will you?"

"No... I promise you that. You know I keep my word, right?"