Chapter XXXI: The Calm Before the Storm

Now let's return to the present... After my speech and Cesare's promise that I would accompany him to the Vatican, something changed within me. Maybe it's because tomorrow is my birthday and I'm destined to spend it alone? It's not like it would be the first time, but...

"Antonio, are you in the office?"

A familiar voice called out to me. I hope it's something important... I really don't want to have any trials today, especially tomorrow.

"Yes, Marcus... I'm here..."

Marcus seemed extremely embarrassed and somewhat sad. I hope nothing has happened to him... Anyway, I hope it's all in my mind.

"Antonio, you know... Soon you'll become a bishop, and you won't allow me to speak to you so directly anymore... I really don't want that to happen. Things are good as they are now, and I don't want-"

"Did I ever tell you that I won't speak to you once I become a bishop? Do you think I'm like Ignatius?"

"No, it's just that all my acquaintances, once they've risen in rank, have completely ignored me..."

I got extremely angry with him... How can he compare me to those people? I got up from my chair and walked towards him. He was crying, which made all the anger I had a few seconds ago dissipate. I hugged him and reassured him that everything would be fine. His heart was beating so fast that I thought he would have a heart attack.

"Marcus, are you okay?"

"Y-Yes... Anyway, if you become a bishop... Please don't forget about me as quickly as Gabriel did..."

"Wait! Are you saying that King Gabriel was your classmate?"

"Yes... In elementary school, we were best friends, then he went to study abroad, and I entered the seminary... Honestly, after he became king, he acts like he doesn't even know me..."

"That can't be... I will talk to him about this."

"No, you can't... Besides, everyone knows he's a pervert who likes young men to sleep with... And don't think you can make him submissive to you like I am or like Cesare is..."

"Don't worry, I'll figure something out..."

This can't be. Even though he's a king, no one can mentally destroy someone as pure as Marcus. I will take care of this myself.

It was noon, so I set off for the royal palace to meet the king. Honestly, I want to meet him face-to-face before I leave... I arrived at the palace quickly and requested an audience with King Gabriel.

"I request an audience with King Gabriel, if possible..."

"It's not possible at the moment, Father. Our king is on a journey across the border."

"Young man, look into my eyes and say it again... Where is your king?"

"He is in the palace and he said he doesn't want to be disturbed by anyone, not even Cardinal Borgia..."

"Alright, you little liar... Go and tell your king that the leader of the Church in his country is looking for him. If he refuses, come and inform me, understood?"

"Very well, Father... Now, if you'll excuse me..."

The young guard left and informed the king. During hypnosis, people will do anything they are asked by a vampire. If necessary, I will use hypnosis on Gabriel... I just hope it won't come to that... No one will make me be a bottom ever again, not even the king.

After a short period, the guard returned and allowed me to enter, leading me to King Gabriel's office. Honestly, I didn't go empty-handed, and I didn't dress like a regular priest either. I wore all the insignia of my rank. As a gift, I brought him a statue gilded with gold depicting Saint Gabriel and a bottle of wine from Ignatius' collection. Splendid, isn't it?

I arrived at the king's office, which was located on the second floor and guarded by ten armed soldiers, which made me a bit nervous. The king was in his office with his mother, from what I heard, so I couldn't enter until the queen mother left. Surprised to see me, the queen knelt, kissing my ring and seeking my blessing. After making the sign of the cross on her forehead and giving her my blessing, I helped her up and entered the king's office.

A life-sized painting of him riding a white horse, alongside various other portraits of the royal family and different landscapes adorned the king's office. What amazed me the most was a Cross of rare beauty hanging on one of the walls, surrounded by various icons and religious artifacts.

"Your Majesty, I hope I'm not disturbing you with my visit, but..." I said, kneeling before him.

"Father, rise... There's no need for that, we know each other, don't we?"

The king came towards me, helping me to stand. Honestly, I felt embarrassed by this, but... I have business to attend to, so I must behave appropriately in front of the king. To my surprise, Gabriel kissed the ring on my right hand and knelt before me. I blessed him and asked him to rise, which he did.

"Your Majesty, I have brought some humble gifts to express our Church's gratitude for your continued kindness towards us..."

"Seriously, Father, you didn't have to... Anyway, call me Gabriel..."

"Seriously... I can't do that..."

"Well, maybe you'll do it when we become closer, don't you think?"

"A-All for the good of the Church and the country..."

"How kind of you. I'm really curious about what you've brought me... Oh, how wonderful... A statue of my patron saint and a bottle of wine from 1350... Wonderful gifts that I will cherish. I will place this statue in my personal chapel..."

"I'm honored, Your Majesty. Now, if you don't mind, I would like to..."

"Why the hurry, Father? I think it would be better to talk in a friendlier place, don't you?"

"Whatever you prefer, although I'm fine anywhere..."

"Interesting. You're a mysterious man, Father..."

"Me? Why would you think that?"

"The savior of our country who condemned Ana Kroner to death is so timid outside the official program?"

"Well, there I am a judge, here I am a humble subject of Your Majesty..."

"Fine, anyway... Come."

We walked together to the palace's dining room, where everything was prepared as if for a royal feast. Well, I guess I interrupted his lunch or something... Anyway, I sat on a sofa in that dining room, with the king sitting next to me. Needless to say, there were all sorts of sweets and interesting snacks on the table that I had never tasted before.

"Father, would you like to try something? Oh, majordomo, bring some wine from my personal collection..."

"Of course, Your Majesty," said the king's majordomo.

"Before we get into the boring organizational matters and such, what do you say if I invite you to my birthday party on Thursday?"

Honestly, I am extremely grateful, Your Majesty, but I cannot come without Cardinal Borgia and my secretary-"

"To hell with Marcus! Not only is he a pervert, but now he's also your secretary..."

"Wait, what?"

Marcus? A pervert? I know he seems professional at what he does when we make love, but I always thought of him as an angel... What is actually happening with him?

"Forgive me, Father... It's just that... Marcus was my first love... And the first time I made love to someone, I was under his authority... But after a few days, he left me for my best friend. Honestly, he has always been dominant in his relationships before the priesthood. Now, I don't know what has become of him... The priesthood has changed him from the old pervert into an angel..."

"Wait, are you saying you were the bottom?"

"Just once... Only with Marcus. Because I felt used, I decided to never be like that again..."

"I understand... I'll try not to bring him with me if I can..."

"Thank you, Father... Oh, right, the wine has arrived..."

The majordomo began telling us about the wine's origins... France, 1329, some noble grape variety... Blah blah blah...

"Majordomo... Leave us alone now..."

"Of course, Your Majesty..."

Gabriel uncorked the bottle, even though I asked him to let me do it, and poured a glass of red wine as dark as blood for me, then poured one for himself. We clinked our glasses in honor of the progress of the Church and the state and tasted the wine. I had sommeliers in the family, so I know how to appreciate a bottle of wine.

"Your Majesty, this wine is fascinating... Especially when enjoyed with a noble person like Your Majesty..."

"Hm, you're right. Anyway, as I mentioned earlier, Marcus is my enemy because he abandoned me like a scoundrel once he got tired of me..."

"I know what it's like to be abandoned. And Cesare betrayed me, but I still had the strength to forgive him, although I decided to be his master, if you know what I mean..."

"I know all too well, Father... The disappointments we go through make us better people, don't you think?"

"Hm, quite romantic..."

"Well, I guess I have a poetic talent. I'd love to write love poems for someone, but I haven't found that person yet..."

"Well, you're still young. You're only 23, so you still have time. I didn't even know that carnal love existed until I was 24..."

"Well, I guess you were lucky..."

"Yes, who knows..."

After a few glasses of wine, I started to feel dizzy. Or maybe it was his godlike physique that was intoxicating me? That red hair and blue eyes could absorb any soul... Thank goodness mine cannot be absorbed by anything... Except for his physique... Oh Lord, forgive me, please.

"Father, are you alright?"

"I-I'm fine, just that I think I should leave..."

"Father, don't you want to spend the night with me?"

"No, thank you... Anyway, we'll see each other again..."

"Father, I said stay! Don't you know I can condemn you for disobedience to the king?"

"Oh, damn it! You and Cesare are the same! Flaunting your rank in front of me... Not today. Not tonight... I want to be left alone, at least on my birthday. I came here to find out more about my secretary and to see if you'll stand with the Church, not to sleep with you... And tomorrow is my birthday..."

I started crying... I can't believe that right before my birthday I'm being threatened and mocked... I just want to leave, but Gabriel surprised me with his gesture.

"Your Majesty, what are you doing?"

"Forgive me, Father... I was too selfish. Especially now, when you're about to celebrate a day like this..."

"No need for apologies, just let me go..."

Gabriel knelt and kissed my ring as he did when I arrived, but this time it aroused me. Maybe it was because of the wine or... Anyway, to be honest, he looks so sexy... Thursday was his day, right? Then he won't get away... He ordered his men to prepare a carriage to take me home, and he himself drove me to the gate.

He approached me and whispered in my ear that he hoped this meeting would be the beginning of a beautiful relationship between the Church and the state.

"Antonio, I promise you that I will support the Church in all its decisions regarding the state, as long as its rulings do not go against the common people..."

"Thank you, Your Majesty... See you on Thursday, then..."

"Sure, I can't wait for that day..."

I got into the carriage, leaving Gabriel alone at the palace gate. I think God has an unknown plan for me, otherwise he wouldn't have given me this physique, right? Anyway, what matters is that the Church in Wallachia is safe. To be honest, I really hope that everything will turn out well so that I can return to the old days when I was with Benjamin.

Everything went well. I arrived home and went straight to my room after telling Cesare that I had eaten and was tired. And tomorrow... It's my birthday. I don't expect anything from them, just like I've never expected anything from anyone... Especially from my family. I fell asleep thinking about tomorrow and how it will unfold.