Chapter XXV: Why settle for one when there can be more?

As I tried to console Marcus, we received an unexpected and abrupt visit from Cesare. I say "abrupt" because he forcefully entered the room, nearly breaking down the door.

"Antonio, we haven't finished our conversation!" he exclaimed, visibly irritated.

"Cesare, you know... I think it's better if we end our discussion here. It was nice while it lasted, but you're the Cardinal of Rome, and I'm just a canon from a distant diocese. I don't think we're a good match... Find yourself a cardinal to quench your desires, if you want, huh?"

"What do you mean by that, Antonio? All the Cardinals are over 50 and ugly as hell. You're the only one who—"

"I don't care... Anyway, you've probably done it before, right? Go back to your old life..."

"I can't... Only because of you... You're a scoundrel who changed my life in a matter of days with your kindness. Now it seems you've become a demon, haven't you?

"Hah, speaking of demons... Don't forget who you are and how devilish you and your family are... Oh, from my perspective, you can sleep with anyone, don't you think?"

"Anyone, you say? Are you sure?"

"Yes... Anyone is good for you as long as they're young and physically attractive, right?"

"Hm... You asked for it..."

To my surprise, Cesare attacked Marcus, who was sitting beside me, teary-eyed. No, I can't let him touch my secretary. No one touches Marcus!

"Antonio, help me!" Marcus cried out helplessly.

I can't just stand and watch as Cesare destroys my secretary. I jumped on Cesare and slammed him to the ground. My anger mixed with jealousy, causing my eyes to turn red, and my vampire fangs to appear. It would have taken just a second longer, and I would have drained him of blood, just as I did with the bishop, but I stopped in time.

"Cesare, leave before I change my mind..."

"A-Antonio, what's gotten into you? Where did you get this power? Two weeks ago—"

"It's none of your business, okay?"

Cesare left the room, frightened and disheartened. Marcus, too, was crying like a child, and all I could do was console him. I couldn't agree to let anyone, even Cesare, make my little secretary cry.

"Marcus, I heard a rumor... Is it true that you were the Pope's student?"

"Y-Yes... He was my history professor in university, why do you ask?"

"Did you study in Rome?"

"Y-Yes... For four years before becoming a priest, why do you ask?"

"Cesare told me that you've been in contact with the Pope about what's been happening here since the time of Bishop Ignatius... and also about my appointment as a judge and the rest. Is it true?"

"Y-Yes... I didn't mean any harm... I did it because I wanted to prevent the bishop from being so malevolent. In your case, I informed him because I wanted you to be promoted in rank... Maybe you could have become a cardinal or a bishop, and then you could have saved me from Ignatius's clutches... However, I believe-"

"Marcus, it's not your fault... It's my fault. I shouldn't have gone to Rome, don't you think?"

"N-No, it's not your fault, Antonio... It's my fault for not telling you about my correspondence with the Pope..."

"Seriously... In moments like these, I think about the eternity I'll spend in hell because of the people around me..."

"Antonio, don't say that... Everything will be resolved, don't worry..."

"Marcus, tonight I will go to sleep in the cathedral. Don't follow me and stay here... I want to spend this night next to Ignatius... Anyway, it's the last time I'll see him..."

"Antonio, I'll come with you..."

"No. Go to bed..."

I went to the cathedral to clear my mind. Everything is so strange and frustrating at the same time... I think that if it hadn't been for that awful accident three weeks ago, I would be with my people now, talking with my colleagues. I remember the moments from university, especially after becoming friends with Benjamin... All my classmates now trusted me, and even after graduation, we remained friends. Instead of being with them for a beer or on a trip to Rome, I have to stay in the 15th century and destroy the pure souls of the people around me.

As I knelt in front of the altar, praying, I felt a presence. There was no one else in the cathedral except for me and Ignatius, who was dead.

"Antonio, look what you've done!" a familiar voice echoed.

Oh no... It's Ignatius. It's impossible, he's dead.

I turned around to see the source of the voice. Ignatius's body was still in the coffin, but it seems that his ghost came to pay me a visit.

"Y-Your Excellency... I'm sorry for everything..."

"Seriously? You should know that I should be sorry... I tried to kill you, and in the end, I was the one who got killed. Anyway, it doesn't matter anymore... I came to bid you farewell..."

"Y-Your Excellency... Does God really hate me so much?"

"No... Actually, He doesn't agree with the immoral things you've been doing... Or rather, you used to do..."

"I know, my relationship with Ce-"

"I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about the injustice in the trials. Seriously, Antonio... That's the least of your mistakes."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, if I were in your place, I would find a way to make peace with both... You know, you're young and, recently, immortal... So, do as you please..."

"But..."

"No 'buts'... If you want to fulfill the Lord's plan, first try to figure out what it is."

"But I don't know what it is..."

"Look deep into your heart, and you will find out... My time is over. Yours is just beginning... Also, don't worry about what's happening in the century you come from... Everything is fine. Just know that since you had the accident, Benjamin has been by your bedside in the hospital, constantly praying for you to wake up. Don't forget, some people are much more connected to you than you would think."

"Your Excellency, thank you, and I apologize for everything..."

"There's no need for that. Honestly, I probably deserved it. At least now I can rejoice that I won't go to hell. After 500 years in Purgatory, I'll be able to go to Heaven..." (Purgatory is an intermediate place between Heaven and Hell in Catholic theology)

"But... still..."

"Antonio, enough... I came to bid you farewell. If you don't hold a grudge against me, perhaps you will pray for my soul..."

"S-Sure, Your Excellency."

Suddenly, the bishop's soul disappeared. I wanted to return to prayer, but I couldn't because I received another visit. It was Dracula.

"Antonio, what are you doing here alone?"

"I'm praying, what else could I do?"

"Oh, can I join?"

"You? Join? I don't care, you can do it if you want."

Dracula came next to me and started praying. I can't believe a demon like him can pray... Wait, he's not a demon, he's a vampire. He was praying for Ana and her soul... Well, I knew she was already in Heaven from the moment I saw her in that light, but...

"Antonio, where do you think Ana is?" Dracula asked me.

"I know she's in Heaven... I'm sure of it."

"How do you know? It's not like you've seen her..."

"I've seen her... I asked for her forgiveness, and she forgave me, but... she cursed me to have your fate... Anyway, I think she said that because-"

"Because she didn't want me to be left alone... I know... I've known her since she was little... She was the only person who stayed by my side after I became a vampire, and now..."

"Now it's me, isn't it?"

"Antonio, you know I hate you, don't you?"

"You're not the only one... So, it doesn't really affect me anymore."

"Antonio, you know I can kill you, right?"

"Seriously? Then please, go ahead..."

"Antonio, don't you think I could actually do it?"

"Well, yes, that's why I'm asking you to do it. Besides, that way I won't be able to harm anyone anymore, don't you think?"

"Antonio, weren't you the judge who rejoiced when Ana was unjustly burned at the stake?"

"Well, yes, but think about who I was before... How pure and just I was before all of this... I really miss those times..."

"Antonio, you know... I've been watching you for a while."

"What do you mean? Did you have a crush on me? Haha..."

"N-No... I mean, you resembled me so much... You fought to stop theft and injustice in the Church, and I truly believed you would be a true reformer who would bring peace to Wallachia, and I wanted to meet you... That was before you killed Ana..."

"You know, I'm quite amazed by that, but I hope I can somehow make amends for her... I truly regret all the harm I've done..."

"Well, you can come to my castle if you want..."

"No, thanks... You're not the only one who wants me to stay with him... Marcus, Cesare..."

"Hmm, I think Marcus cares about you more than you think. You know, when you turn someone into a vampire, it's like giving birth. There's immense pain in your body, and-"

"Wait, Marcus suffered because of that?"

"Yes... A lot. In fact, I suffered too when I turned him into a vampire. I always knew that you two would be the defenders of ordinary people. So, after your downfall, he was the one left... Until now..."

"Really... Is it true that you can kill another vampire?"

"Yes... If you drink all the blood from their body or deprive them of blood for a long time, but I won't do that... I've actually started to not hate you anymore..."

"Seriously? I'm glad to hear that, although..."

"Antonio, can I rest my head on your shoulder?"

"Why would you want to do that?"

"I-I want you to listen... To listen to the lonely life I've always had..."

"There's nothing... You're not alone... Anyway, I'm listening. You can start if you want..."

"I was born into a noble family. My father, Vlad, was a member of a secret society, and I was trained in various secrets, as well as patriotism and love for my fellow people. You know, after I came to power, I killed all the nobles who oppressed the population and threatened Ignatius that I would kill him if he tried to do anything against the people. Ignatius complained to the Pope, and he excommunicated me... In the end, I was killed by the Church I adored before being a ruler. I had so much trust in the Church, and yet..."

"Same here... The Church is holy, even if it's made up of sinners... We must not lose hope..."

"I know... But after all of this-"

"Trust me... Everything will change. It's already starting to change... I spoke with Marcus, and after the bishop's funeral, we will return all the lands forcefully taken by Ignatius..."

"Really? A-Are you sure about that? The Church will remain-"

"I know... The Church should give, not steal, don't you think?"

"Yes! You're right! Thank you, Antonio... Now Ana can rest peacefully, and I can continue my eternity, glad that my plan has been fulfilled..."

"By the way, how did you become a vampire?"

"When the leadership of the secret society I was a part of heard about my death, they exhumed me and turned me into a vampire, just like I did with Marcus, or Marcus did with you..."

"I see... To be honest, tomorrow will be Ignatius' last day on Earth, right?"

"Yes... Although he was a diabolical man, I still wish him luck in the Lord's Judgment..."

"Yes... Me too..."

I think Dracula, or Vlad as he was called before, is not as bad as he seems. However, the Church, through its people, has proven to be worse than him... Honestly, I'm sorry that-

"Antonio, I really need you... You're the only person, besides Ana, who has ever listened to me... I think-"

"Oh, please don't start with that too, I beg you... I already have two people struggling for me, please don't start as well with feelings for me..."

"Antonio... Do you hate me?"

"No... It's just that I don't think it would be right for me to be with more than one person, and I already have two people vying for my attention. Please, don't start as well..."

"Why settle for just one when you can have more with you? You know, great kings had entire harems, not to mention-"

"Yes, but I am a priest, and I have vows... I can't break them so gravely..."

"You have the vow of celibacy, right? You know what that means, don't you?"

"Yes... That I can't get married, but-"

"I'm not asking you to marry me, Antonio... Just to accept my feelings..."

"B-But... I don't know what to say..."

"Well, I'll be patient... Anyway, I have eternity to do that, don't you think?"

"Well, you're right... But-"