Chapter 3. Beauty (12)
“Are you perhaps unable to speak? If so, I have committed a great discourtesy. Please forgive me.”
At his words, Ronen shook his head, then soon nodded. It was an incomprehensible attitude.
At that moment, while the two continued their awkward and uncomfortable conversation, Hakan was chattering to the Grand Duke with a face still unable to recover from great shock.
“I can’t understand what’s happening at all. They say after he suddenly collapsed a few days ago, he couldn’t regain consciousness and just closed his eyes like that? Though his health was originally poor, it wasn’t to the point where he’d depart so futilely to God’s embrace, was it? Even the doctors expected him to hold on a bit longer. But why… What will happen from now on…”
“Things won’t change much.”
“What are you talking about? Where else could you find such a reliable ally as His Holiness? In truth, unless one is from the Harun family, everyone has no choice but to keep you in check! You’re the lord of Harun, master of the Grand Duchy of Canis, and have the Queen of the Kingdom of Yespe as your sister!”
The Harun family only valued sons to carry on the lineage. Daughters born instead of sons were sent to various countries. There were many who ended their lives as queen of the Kingdom of Yespe or as duchesses, and the Grand Duchy of Canis was originally part of the Kingdom of Yespe as well, but when the family head died with no one to inherit, the widow who remained alone happened to be from the Harun family, so after troublesome negotiations, the Grand Duke came to inherit it.
“Besides, is there anyone who hasn’t borrowed money from your family? Even our Marquis has quite a bit of debt, as I already know. Ah… I don’t even want to imagine my old friend being kept in check by the Pope. How great the disadvantages will be… How much they’ll tighten the noose… I earnestly hope Cardinal Clemens will succeed to the position. Not just for our family, but for your sake as well.”
It was something that would happen eventually anyway. There was also the arrogance of thinking there wouldn’t be any immediately threatening danger. No matter how imposing their authority, it wouldn’t be easy to openly pressure the Harun family, one of the seven families. There was no justification for it, and besides, everyone had ties to Harun family capital.
The Grand Duke was thinking that Hakan was worrying about truly useless things and was about to let out a scoff when he saw Ardwino talking to Ronen. He left Hakan as he was and approached the two.
“It would be best to leave now.”
His eyes were as cold as ice yet hid hellish hot flames deep within. Ignoring Ardwino who wore a puzzled expression while offering greetings, the Grand Duke pulled Ronen along and got into the carriage.
Hakan, who had been watching this, shook his head as if there was nothing to be done.
“Anyway, it’s a serious level. I can’t tell what he’s thinking about receiving customers or making money while acting like that. Does he want to treat Ronen as a male prostitute that badly? Why? Because of pride? If he won’t become a lover, then live and die as a male prostitute…?”
Though they had grown up together since childhood, he still didn’t understand his inner thoughts well. Especially regarding Ronen, he hid his feelings to an extreme degree, even deceiving himself.
Hakan let out a series of worry-filled sighs before moving his steps toward Ardwino.
***
After the four-day mourning period ended, the funeral was held. Like previous popes, he too was laid to rest underground.
The cardinals were no exception in being shocked by the sudden death. They looked at the placed coffin with thoughtful expressions. While entering paradise was cause for celebration, sending off a longtime acquaintance was no light matter.
Particularly Severus and Clemens, who were often mentioned as the next pope, were even more so. The two seemed determined to spare their words, being unusually silent.
Ten days passed after the funeral, and secret voting began to elect the new pope. People gathered in front of the cathedral where the cardinals were sequestered, waiting for results. One day, two days, three days… Despite the clear blue sky, only black smoke rose.
Eckart patrolling within the Papal Court, Ardwino and Hakan enjoying meals together, Grand Duke Canis staying not in his own territory but in the building where Ronen was and reviewing documents, and even Ronen posing as a model – they all occasionally cast glances toward where the cathedral was, revealing they were waiting for new news.
It was taking longer than expected. Out of consideration for the cardinals growing weary from repeated voting, there were days when they skipped voting altogether. Rain fell several times during this period, but people still surrounded the cathedral front.
Only at the beginning of the next month did white smoke finally rise. People cheered. The cheering was loud enough to be heard, however faintly, even where Ronen was. Thanks to this, Grand Duke Canis noticed before receiving a report. A little more time passed, and a proper report reached his ears.
“So, who was it?”
“Yes, the thing is…”
Whether it wasn’t the answer he wanted, Grand Duke Canis’s expression wasn’t particularly bright.
“Finally…”
Grand Duke Canis looked out the window while stroking his chin and lower lip.
Whether people were happy or not, the Keshet Empire was busy preparing to welcome the new pope. The pope, standing in the corridor wearing vestments and blessing those who came to see him, proceeded with both the procession and coronation ceremony in turn.
Under the solemn and majestic atmosphere, everyone including Eckart accepted the new pope placing the triple crown on his head as natural, but only Grand Duke Canis and Hakan, who attended the ceremony, watched with hardened faces.
After the coronation ended, the pope met with Eckart.
“Oh, Sir Eckart.”
“Your Holiness.”
As he readily extended his hand and smiled, Eckart bowed and kissed the ring. Straightening his back again, he was as blunt and dry as always. However, looking closely, there was a subtle change in his quiet sea-like eyes. Respect and deep affection surged like waves.
“Your Holiness, congratulations.”
“Is it thanks to your prayers? God seems to have looked upon me favorably.”
“Wouldn’t that be natural?”
In Eckart’s gaze toward the new pope Severus, who was benevolent and overflowing with composure, there was a kind of deep admiration. Severus, who was a true clergyman and served as a model for all clergy, often brought great comfort and peace of mind through meeting alone.
He truly hoped that he would sit on the papal throne and become a candle for countless people. He hoped he would become a ray of light for those who had lost their way and were wandering in confusion.
Whether it was because he was so pleased that Cardinal Severus, whom he had so deeply hoped for, had taken the papal throne, Eckart’s voice contained joy unlike usual. The pope gestured for him to follow. Eckart quickly fell in behind him.
The Pope and Eckart slowly strolled through the corridor.
“Are you still growing taller? You seem to have grown even more since I last saw you.”
The Pope, placing his hand on Eckart’s shoulder and lightly patting it, spoke as if joking. Eckart didn’t smile but had a considerably softened expression.
“Anyway… you’re still a man of few words. You were like that even as a child.”
The Pope, seeming to think of that time, let out a brief laugh and continued while placing his hand on his chest.
“Even when you were a boy this tall, you were so blunt. So I remember there were quite a few who misunderstood… Didn’t Sir Bezel also say jokingly that you were such a tough child who wouldn’t show pain even if dying?”
“Did he say that?”
“Not only that. He clicked his tongue saying he’d never seen such a tough child in all his life. With such a temperament fighting a long war, I can predict without seeing that your body must be unwell.”
The Pope looked down pitifully, scanning Eckart’s body all over. Even if there were no wounds on the outside of his body, the inside must be terribly festered. It was natural for such an upright and righteous person to have fought such a brutal war.
“I even remember when I first saw you. I gave you your name.”
“I always consider it an honor.”
“The reality of having to push someone I’ve watched since childhood like my own son onto the battlefield was harsh. Not once since then has my heart been at ease.”
I didn’t want to send you if I could help it. But what could I do when that was your will? If that was your destiny, then even if you break, don’t stop but stretch out straight and firm.
Eckart just stood silently as if that too was a burden he had to bear. The Pope, smiling as if there was nothing to be done, changed the subject.
“Too heavy a burden has been given. However, I believe there must be a good reason why God placed me in this position. What do you think?”
“If Your Holiness thinks so, then it must be so.”
The Pope stopped and looked out the window. As if the faith of countless people was placed on his shoulders, his sense of burden had only grown during this short time.
As if trying to see both the papal territory and the other seven territories beyond the distant castle walls, he narrowed his eyes and spoke again.
“Do you also feel that those who follow God’s word are rare?”
“I learned that they cannot be perfect because they are human.”
“Of course that must be so. However, this world is full of greed. It’s too corrupt. The degree is so excessive that sometimes I have this doubt. Whether this place might truly be hell…”
The Pope turned, and his gaze fell on Eckart, who was staring out the window with eyes that seemed deeper, filled with thought.
“Sir, no, Eckart. My sword. Can you promise that no matter what happens, you won’t stab me in the back?”
“Of course.”
At Eckart’s straight gaze without the slightest hesitation or wavering, the Pope let out a relieved voice with a faint smile.
“Yes. The only sword I can truly trust is you.”
When he looked out the window again, flocks of black birds swarming together were making a commotion.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
