Chapter III: Sweet as a Cake

 "C-Cesare, what's going on with you?"

"Well, you said you wanted something sweet. So, I talked to the pastry chef and I've prepared a cake for you."

I can't believe Cesare took my request seriously. It seems he's not as bad as I thought.

"So, Sister Catherine, how was the time when I was away?"

"Very good. I believe that Father is an angel sent from heaven to change the mentality of our time."

"Sister, I've told you a hundred times already that I'm not an angel. Please understand and stop saying such words about me. Maybe who knows, the cardinal will find out and think I'm some kind of troublemaker and..."

"Nothing will happen," Cesare said. "As much as I know the cardinal, he won't punish you for something so small."

Then he tells Sister Catherine to cut the cake, which looked very delicious. Strawberries and vanilla cream were predominant, but even the sponge cake was perfectly made. I ask him to taste it a little together with the sister and after many requests, he gave in.

"Oops, I'm a bit careless," I said as I realized I had a little cream on my face. "C-Cesare!"

I can't believe there are priests like this. It's true that I didn't dislike what he did, but I'm a priest. And he's a priest. Plus, Sister Catherine is present and starts to smile strangely. Seeing me staring at her insistently, she stopped and left the room.

Now comes another problem. How will I stay with this pervert in the same room for two weeks? I'm thinking that if I don't, I'll have to go back home, be punished by the bishop, and maybe even killed. The second time... Hm, maybe this maniac can help me fulfill the mission and go back home.

"Antonio, do you want to celebrate a Mass with me?"

"After what you did? No, thanks!"

"Oh, come on! Don't say you didn't like it!"

I blush completely. I think I've just discovered that I'm weak and that the vows I've made will be too hard to keep.

"First, I want to take a bath."

"Sure, I'll tell Sister Catherine to prepare the tub for you."

The sister came and I told her I wanted to take a bath with cold water. Extremely cold. I heard it was said that if you take baths in cold water, your body isn't as active in that sense... After much insistence, the water was prepared, and I entered the bathroom and stayed for about 30 minutes until the water started to warm up.

After I got out and put on some clean clothes, I went out to finish the conversation with Cesare. He gave me one of his cassocks which, to my surprise, fit me well, and I left the apartment. All eyes were on us, and I was already becoming very uneasy.

"Cesare... I think we should keep some distance."

"Why?"

"Because, thanks to you, everyone is watching me and making me feel uneasy."

"Well, then..."

To my surprise, Cesare took off the mantle he was wearing and threw it over me, telling me to cover myself with it, which I did. I felt a bit calmer, although the stares didn't stop. Unintentionally, I caught a whiff of his mantle and felt more comfortable. It was as if my mother or another important person was beside me. I felt protected.

"Antonio, we'll celebrate the Mass here!"

"Oh, how ni- Wait!"

"What is it?"

"This is the chapel where the Pope celebrates... We can't celebrate here!"

"Well, WE can't... Because you'll lead the celebration, and I'll assist."

"Cesare, you can't escape from this... Pope Borgia is like a god to me. What if he comes and stops us from what we're doing? Or worse, what if he participates too?"

The truth is, ever since the Church history classes I took in seminary, I knew that Pope Borgia was a demon in flesh and bones. I didn't quite agree with him, but still, I appreciated him for his decisive interventions in the history of Rome. And besides, he was the Pope...

"Nothing will happen, I assure you! Now let's change..."

We entered the sacristy, the place where priests change for Liturgies, and I was surprised. It was a huge space filled with icons and cedar cabinets storing liturgical vestments. Cesare tried to make me try one of them on, but I refused.

"I brought one from home... I knew I'd have to do it and I was prepared."

"No... Here you'll do as I say... And I say you'll take this white one."

Well, darn it, excuse the expression... It wasn't white. Not even gold. It was embroidered in gold leaf, and I think it cost about my salary for 20 years. But, even against my will, Cesare forced me to wear it. Fantastic. It actually looked good on me... I've worn such clothes in the past, but with my physique, I looked like a clown. But now with this physique of mine, like a demigod...

"Cesare, stop staring at me and let's go!"

We started the Mass, and at the end, we received communion, then retired to our bedroom. I'm afraid. How will I ever be able to stay with someone like this who makes advances towards me in the same bed? He's quite big, it's true, but...

"Antonio, did you bring spare clothes?"

"Y-Yes... If you don't mind, I'll go to your office to change... I feel embarrassed to change in front of you, even though we're both..."

"However you want... But just so you know, it wouldn't bother me. I think you already know that!"

I do. And that's why I'm afraid. I change and sit in bed next to Cesare who was waiting for me.

"Ha ha ha!"

"What's so funny, Cesare?"

"It's almost June, and you're wearing woolen pajamas?"

"Well, these are worn in the country I come from..."

"Tomorrow we'll go to the tailor to buy you clothes. No objections!"

Well, if he wants to make such a gesture, I can't oppose it. Especially if it calms him down and I can spend two weeks in peace, without being disturbed by anything inappropriate from him.

"Listen... Why did you come to the Vatican, making such a long journey just to meet the Cardinal?" Cesare suddenly asked while we were lying in bed.

"I just told you... My bishop has always persecuted me for the different way I behaved. He even dared to slap me in front of the faithful and the priests of the diocese last month. I want nothing more than respect for the person that every man deserves."

"I'm sorry to hear that, but what punishment would you want your bishop to receive?"

"To be honest? None. I'm not capable of asking for that... However, I would want him to stop harming other priests in my situation. Other priests had their funds taken away and are poor... But I'm the only one who was physically punished as an example."

Cesare squeezed my hand tightly and promised me that nothing would happen from now on and that he was by my side. That made me feel better. But I know that after two weeks, I'll be alone again. That's if I don't return to my family. After a few minutes, I fell asleep.

In my dream, it seemed like I had arrived at some large iron gates. So large that I couldn't see their end... As I marveled at those impressive gates, a fearsome monster appeared next to me and ushered me through those gates.

"We present before the tribunal the soul of Priest Antonio!"

All the demons there began to scream and say inappropriate words as I stood there praying.

On the judges' table was a scale which I learned would decide whether I would go to hell or heaven. So, it seems I've died after all...

"Do you see the flame on that scale? That is your faith, which will be tested through various things."

First, several naked women were placed on the scale. Well, my faith couldn't be swayed. Also, money and various treasures. I couldn't be distracted either. A priest like me who made various donations to simple and suffering people couldn't be tempted by money. Then, books were the next test. Unique books lost for centuries could be mine. Tempting, for a moment I would have agreed, but I couldn't accept it.

"God enlightens me to be strong against you and to destroy you. Nothing can shake my faith."

"Are you sure? Look closely! What do you see?"

"Oh no! Benjamin, no!"

I could see Benjamin being tied to a cross amidst huge flames devouring his body as he cried out for help and I couldn't do anything.

"So, choose! Your soul or his!"

"No... Put me in his place. My faith can't be compared to his! I'm not even worthy to sacrifice myself for him, but if necessary, I'll do it!"

Suddenly, a huge light spread throughout the room, and the demons disappeared. I woke up, being in Cesare's arms who was comforting me.

Cesare POV:

He barely fell asleep, poor thing. After weeks of travel, he arrived at the Vatican and the first person he met was me. I think this is fate. Wait, something's not right with him!

"Antonio! Antonio!"

No response... What do I do? It seems he's having a nightmare. Wait, is he crying? I need to wake him up somehow... Let me try shaking him, maybe he'll wake up. Nothing...

"B-Benjamin! No, no!"

Who's Benjamin? It doesn't matter. What matters is to wake him up. Maybe he resents me because I teased him, but I need to wake him up. Maybe if I kiss him, he'll snap out of it? It's worth a try.

"Cesare, what are you doing?"

"Um, it seemed like you were having a nightmare. I wanted to wake you up. Anyway, goodnight!"

I've never felt so embarrassed in all of my 24 years. Trying to kiss someone while they're asleep, having them wake up, and then feeling embarrassed myself. Why can't I be like I used to... I guess I'm starting to get old.

Antonio POV:

Wait, what? Did he just try to kiss me? I don't agree with that, clearly! But still, the way he got embarrassed is too cute. His behavior really doesn't match his physique at all... Thank goodness it was just a dream. Although I'm here, I hope Benjamin back home is okay and isn't suffering. Achoo! Achoo!

It seems like taking a cold bath today wasn't a good idea! Achoo! Achoo! Anyway, I should try to fall asleep...