Chapter 35: Fire
They returned to the Orange Blossom Church before nightfall. Ferrante didn’t say a word along the way, as silent as a shadow. Rafael tolerantly accepted his silence, peacefully telling him some trivial matters, occasionally interspersing a little about Lia’s past—Ferrante’s attention was always unconsciously captured by the Pope. In fact, if Rafael intended for someone to like him, no one could escape his charm.
Everything was as usual in the Orange Blossom Church, and no one seems to have noticed the Pope’s short disappearance. Rafael took off his wide cloak, talking to Ferrante who was following closely behind him, and walked along the dark and narrow stone corridor. The church, converted from a monastery, was built with huge gray stones. These majestic and solemn buildings often had arched long corridors, high and narrow windows, and spires that seemed to pierce the sky. The interior was dimly lit and seemed to be perpetually cold. As soon as you stepped into that door, you could feel the sudden drop in temperature and the smell of candles burning for years.
Stepping from the still damp and warm outdoors, Rafael immediately felt a needle-like pain in his knees. The Orange Blossom Church was good in every way, except that the temperature wasn’t really suitable for him to live in. However, he did not raise any objection, although his opinion would always be considered as a primary factor.
Ferrante took the long cloak from him, slung it over his arm, and followed the Holy Father. Then he stopped at the corner of the corridor – because the noble person walking in front of him had suddenly stopped. Ferrante was glad that he wasn’t distracted, otherwise he would have bumped into him.
Around this bend was the Pope’s suite, Ferrante tilted his head and saw the reason the Pope stopped in his tracks.
A tall young man was standing at the door of the Pope’s room, wearing armor that had been wiped clean. He held his helmet in his hand, revealing his golden long hair, and his whole person was like an ancient knight who had just walked out of a statue, radiating the virtues of integrity, purity, and humility.
“Ah…damn it.” Rafael murmured.
Rafael’s eyes wandered for a moment, and for a moment he wanted to turn around, but he quickly reacted—why should I be afraid of him?!
When he turned to look directly at the other party again, Leshert also saw him and walked towards him.