Chapter XXVII: If it weren't for you, I would be dead by now

Everything went as usual, including the "sharing of peace" moment when I shook hands with all the priests present at the altar, including Cesare. That hand that a week ago... It doesn't matter.

After the distribution of communion and the events that took place during it, a highly agitated man with a sword in his hand rose and quickly approached the altar.

"Cesare Borgia, it's time for you to die! You will pay for all the wrongs your father has done..."

"Someone react...," Marcus started shouting, but to my surprise, everyone was frozen in their seats.

If I don't do something, Cesare is really going to die, isn't he? I have to decide between my feelings for him and the hatred I feel because I feel betrayed. Damn my heart, I can't let him die.

The assailant climbed up to the altar, heading towards Cesare, who had closed his eyes in fear and defenselessness, tears streaming down his face. I ran so quickly to protect him that the attacker didn't notice and stabbed me in the stomach. Why do people always do this when they try to kill someone? Maybe because they're short and can't reach any higher? It doesn't matter.

For the first time in a while, I felt pain. Maybe it's because I'm weakened from the morning, but it won't put my life in danger. Seeing that he didn't achieve his goal, the unknown attacker forcefully thrust the sword into my body, coming out the other side.

Cesare noticed this and was extremely frightened. Also, everyone was present, including the king. Hm, well... I want a little attention from him. Although it doesn't hurt very much, I still feel something...

I pretended to faint, being caught in Cesare's arms. Now it's time to give up my pride and see if he really has feelings for me. I signaled to Marcus to take the attacker tied up to the sacristy, which he did. I swear that I will regain my strength with his blood.

"Cesare, it seems like this is the end, isn't it?" I said to the cardinal, tears in my eyes.

"No, no, it's not... I'll save you... Someone get a doctor quickly!" he exclaimed.

"Ha, it's too late... I just want to ask you something... Have you been lying to me all this time about your feelings?"

"No... I've always been sincere from the very beginning... I was extremely devastated when you left, especially for how I behaved..."

"Then I can die peacefully, don't you think?"

"No, you can't die! If there's a way to save you, I'll do it, just tell me..."

"It's already impossible. I've lost too much blood and I'm close to seeing my ancestors. I can see Bishop Ignatius... Wait for me, Your Excellency!"

"No... I don't accept this," Cesare said as he kissed me, his mouth filling with the blood I was releasing.

"Cesare, swear to me in front of everyone that you love me, and then I will believe you."

Cesare took me in his arms like a bride, or like a corpse, however, you want to see it, and addressed the faithful gathered in the cathedral:

"Good people, from the very first moment I met Antonio, I felt that I loved him, and that love has not faded. Therefore, I confess to all of you that I love him and will love him ceaselessly until the end of my life. That is why I wish it hadn't been necessary for Antonio to defend my life, sacrificing his own... Antonio, I love you!" he concluded his speech by kissing me again.

Marcus was jealous but also extremely worried about my condition. I promised him that he would remain mine alone, didn't I? And I intend to keep that promise.

After Cesare made that overly sweet declaration of love, I stood up and started wiping the blood off my face.

"Damn it... My garments are ruined now..."

"Antonio... Are you okay?"

"Yes, Your Eminence... Or should I call you Cesare?"

"S-Say it however you want, I'm just relieved you're alive."

"Yeah... You could have been a little more careful so I wouldn't have to sacrifice myself for you, don't you think? Now you owe me..."

"Yes... I'll become your slave if necessary... Thank God you're alive!"

"Yeah, fine... Now let's finish the Liturgy. I have a punishment to administer as a church judge, don't you think?"

The people were frozen with fear and unease. It was time for me to react.

"Brothers and sisters, I will explain what happened today tomorrow. After the Liturgy, we will decide the fate of the guilty one... Now His Eminence will give you the final blessing."

"Antonio, let's do it together, shall we?"

"If you say so..."

"Benedicat vos omnipotens Deus: Pater et Filius et Spiritus Sanctus," I said simultaneously with Cesare, and the people responded, "Amen!"

Now it was time to lead Ignatius to his grave. Amidst the somber chants of the requiem ritual, we reached Ignatius's resting place.

"Bishop Ignatius (1423-1493). Requiescat in pace. Episcopus Targovistensis" was written on his tomb.

"Lord, the body of your servant Bishop Ignatius is dead, but his soul lives on. We entrust him to you now and ask that you forgive the sins he committed out of human weakness, in your mercy. Through Christ our Lord," Cesare uttered before the body was lowered into the grave.

Then, Cesare threw a shovel of dirt onto the coffin, followed by me and the other priests who did the same. Now Ignatius was truly dead. After the burial, we went to have a meal, remembering Ignatius. A feast fit for a king, I must say...

The important thing is that the king himself sat at the table with his mother and Cesare. As the leader of the diocese, I sat to Cesare's right, with the king and his mother in front of me. To my left was Marcus, who looked at me somewhat suspiciously and angrily about what happened during the Liturgy, but he calmed down after I petted his head.

Before the meal, I went out to condemn the wrongdoer, with only Cesare, the king, Marcus, and the people preparing to eat present.

"By the power bestowed upon me by Pope Alexander VI, and with the approval of Cardinal Cesare, we condemn the guilty one to death. The execution will take place after the meal... The culprit will be punished by the total draining of blood until he will die in terrible agony."

The people applauded the initiative, and the soldiers put it into effect. The king has been looking at me strangely for some time now. Honestly, he doesn't seem unpleasant... In fact, he's quite attractive with his black hair and that cute smile. His ocean-colored eyes are like something out of a love story. Honestly, I think I would be willing to sleep with him... At least once, if not more...

We returned to the table, praying for Ignatius and continuing with different topics. Honestly, after a few glasses of red wine, we started to let go of formalities at some point.

"Your Eminence, do you like Wallachia?" I asked Cesare.

"Father, I would like you to call me Cesare, you know... We are closer than we think, aren't we?"

"You're right, Cesare. And you can call me Antonio..."

"You're right, Antonio..."

After several glasses, I noticed that the king was using his feet under the table to get my attention. Hmm, quite interesting, isn't it, Your Majesty? I think I'm starting to get excited if he continues to touch my penis with his feet under the table. Honestly, I think the time has come sooner than I expected.

"Your Majesty, you seem rather quiet. Is something wrong?"

"Oh, please, Father, call me Gabriel... You know, that's my name..."

"Your Majesty, a humble priest like me addressing you by your name would be a sin..."

"Oh, come on... It's not like there's a big age difference between us... Plus, I'm a devout Christian who wants to be close to the Church and its servants..."

"Then, Gabriel... You can call me Antonio, not Father Antonio..."

"Sure, Antonio... Thank you for this opportunity..."

"No, I thank you..."

Cesare and Marcus were quite annoyed and jealous... It seems they have a common enemy now, don't they?

Well, I'm really curious about what lies beneath that red cloak they wear and under those precious clothes... Especially, I'm curious about what hides in the lower part of His Majesty's body... Oops, I mean Gabriel's...

Suddenly, the door opened, and one of the soldiers entered.

"F-Father Antonio, may I report? The execution has taken place. What should we do with the blood taken from the condemned?"

"Is it still warm?"

"Y-Yes..."

"Alright then, make sure it stays that way until we finish eating, understood?"

"Yes, Father!"

Well... Although I'm in the mood for a healthy lovemaking session with Cesare or anyone at this point, I'm quite weakened after losing so much blood. I signaled Marcus to bring me a glass... I couldn't contain my craving for blood anymore.

After a few minutes, Marcus came with two glasses of blood. Hmm, it seems he needs it too... I could forbid him, especially after this morning... But I won't.

That blood had a different scent. I think it was a rather rare blood type, which is very good for the complexion... Anyway, the taste was extremely good, and Marcus seemed to agree.

Another hour passed, and the meal ended, with Cesare concluding the meeting with a blessing he chose to say together with me. After the meal, stirred up by the king, I left for my room... Or rather, Cesare's room.

On the way, however, I encountered Vlad, who was curious about the execution and asked for a part of the blood. I gave him the part he needed, taking Marcus's part to his room. In return, I drank mine in one gulp. I need energy to bring down a pervert like Cesare, don't I? I can't let him be on top anymore... I want to get revenge for everything!

Arriving in his room, Cesare was looking out the window, beginning to undress... It seems his body remained the same... Damn, he really is my Cesare, and my little helper is quite ready if you know what I mean...

"Cesare, it seems you haven't changed at all..."

"Neither have you, Antonio... And thank you for today... If it weren't for you, I would be dead now..."

"Oh, you don't have to thank me... I think it would have been better to have a few more soldiers, though..."

"Antonio... I saw that man's sword going through you... Why didn't you die?"

"You ask too many questions, Cesare. Honestly, it would be easier if you asked me why I decided on that punishment for the attacker..."

"Wait, you're not-"

"I won't tell you unless you want to know, but that's the truth... I'm not a demon, so I can celebrate the Liturgy just as well as before."

Cesare wanted to say something, but I attacked him, kissing him and biting his lip... Hmm, I feel so excited when I make a cardinal moan... No, I have to take it easy... I can't seem like a pervert, can I? Honestly, his blood is extremely sweet. So sweet that I think I'll get diabetes if I drink too much. Anyway, what matters is that this time, Cesare will suffer...