“Actually, I also... I have the same intentions as Your Majesty the Emperor.”
High Priest Diat continued speaking in a stuttering manner.
“In a way, having a child late is... It could be God's will to connect you two again...”
“...”
“So, I wonder if it would be good in many ways to allow the two of you to remarry...”
Of course, he didn't mean it.
However, he had a corner of belief.
'No matter how much His Majesty the Emperor and I ask for permission, there is no way His Holiness the Pope will easily allow a relationship between those two people.'
High Priest Diat always hoped for the Pope's mercy towards him, but this time he hoped that the Pope would harshly criticize him.
How could a so-called high priest so easily go against church law and ask permission for two subversive people to remarry?
However, not even a single expression on the Pope's face could be read.
The Pope was just silent for a while.
It was only after a little more time had passed that he began to speak.
“...Is that so."
The Pope's voice as he spoke like that exuded a benevolent yet solemn atmosphere.
I swallowed dry saliva without realizing it.
To that extent, I felt a sacred aura and a sense of intimidation from the Pope.
He seemed like a kind and playful grandfather, but he also seemed like a very old-fashioned and conservative old man.
'If it's the latter, it's a big deal. Then, to put it bluntly, there is no way they would allow me and Cedric to remarry, which is against church law.'
There was no way the Pope would change his original decision just because the Emperor and the High Priest supported our remarriage, but for now, I desperately hoped that at least such a miracle would happen.
‘Anyway, it’s surprising. I can't believe that High Priest Diat is asking the Pope to allow us to remarry.'
He was someone who was anxious to separate Cedric from me.
For some reason, the High Priest Diat suddenly became on our side.
Couldn’t such a miracle happen one more time?
It was a time when I was looking at the Pope anxiously.
Cedric, who was standing next to me, carefully held my hand.
When I raised my head and looked at him, he smiled slightly at me.
He seemed to have noticed that I was very nervous due to the pressure of the Pope.
'I won't be nervous.'
I gave Cedric a small nod as if to reassure him.
Then, the Pope, who had nodded his head a couple of times, slowly opened his mouth.
“This old man must see for himself the proof that affection has blossomed again between the two.”
What does the evidence say?
Just as I was blinking rapidly out of anxiety, the Pope spoke again.
“You must have also brought the new life born between you two here, right?”
“That’s true, but...”
I trailed off, feeling uneasy for some reason.
The Pope looked down at me and then spoke with a calm expression.
“I need to see that child.”
Why do you want to see Lucas?
I became somewhat anxious at the thought of having to show my child to someone else, someone who might oppose the relationship between Cedric and me.
As I bit my lower lip out of nervousness, Cedric held my shoulder firmly as if to reassure me.
'...Yes. Since Cedric is with you, nothing bad will happen.'
I nodded, trying hard to suppress my anxiety.
After seeing me, Cedric spoke softly to the Pope.
“I’ll tell you to bring the child in.”
Then he nodded his head straight to one of the priests and gave the signal to bring the child.
The priest who left the Pope's Palace soon returned with Lucas in his arms.
Lucas, who entered an unfamiliar space in the arms of a stranger, smiled brightly and waved his hand as if he were not afraid.
When I saw the child like that, my heart sank even more heavily.
'It would be a waste to give this child only love and only accept the welcome of others.'
To have a child like that called ‘evidence’?
A heavy feeling of guilt weighed on my chest.
It was when I looked at Lucas with melancholy eyes and inadvertently turned my head.
For a brief moment, I made eye contact with the Pope.
His eyes seemed to be watching me the whole time, and they were so calm that I felt a moment of peace.
"Ah...”
When I shouted in embarrassment, he slowly turned his gaze to look at Lucas.
“Show me the child.”
At the Pope's command, the priest immediately walked closer to him.
The Pope, who had gotten closer to Lucas, checked the baby's face as if he had been waiting.
The Pope's eyes fell on the round forehead, cute eyes, small nostrils, and cherry-like lips one after another.
The old man with his gray hair and the green new life that had just been born quietly looked into each other's eyes.
The Pope's lips slowly opened as he stared at the child's face.
“Really...”
“...”
“It is a dazzlingly beautiful new life.”
The eyes of High Priest Diat widened as he looked at the Pope.
That was the same for the Emperor, me, and Cedric, who had always been calm.
However, to everyone's surprise, the Pope just smiled kindly at Lucas.
“Come here.”
“In a way, having a child late is... It could be God's will to connect you two again...”
“...”
“So, I wonder if it would be good in many ways to allow the two of you to remarry...”
Of course, he didn't mean it.
However, he had a corner of belief.
'No matter how much His Majesty the Emperor and I ask for permission, there is no way His Holiness the Pope will easily allow a relationship between those two people.'
High Priest Diat always hoped for the Pope's mercy towards him, but this time he hoped that the Pope would harshly criticize him.
How could a so-called high priest so easily go against church law and ask permission for two subversive people to remarry?
However, not even a single expression on the Pope's face could be read.
The Pope was just silent for a while.
It was only after a little more time had passed that he began to speak.
***
“...Is that so."
The Pope's voice as he spoke like that exuded a benevolent yet solemn atmosphere.
I swallowed dry saliva without realizing it.
To that extent, I felt a sacred aura and a sense of intimidation from the Pope.
He seemed like a kind and playful grandfather, but he also seemed like a very old-fashioned and conservative old man.
'If it's the latter, it's a big deal. Then, to put it bluntly, there is no way they would allow me and Cedric to remarry, which is against church law.'
There was no way the Pope would change his original decision just because the Emperor and the High Priest supported our remarriage, but for now, I desperately hoped that at least such a miracle would happen.
‘Anyway, it’s surprising. I can't believe that High Priest Diat is asking the Pope to allow us to remarry.'
He was someone who was anxious to separate Cedric from me.
For some reason, the High Priest Diat suddenly became on our side.
Couldn’t such a miracle happen one more time?
It was a time when I was looking at the Pope anxiously.
Cedric, who was standing next to me, carefully held my hand.
When I raised my head and looked at him, he smiled slightly at me.
He seemed to have noticed that I was very nervous due to the pressure of the Pope.
'I won't be nervous.'
I gave Cedric a small nod as if to reassure him.
Then, the Pope, who had nodded his head a couple of times, slowly opened his mouth.
“This old man must see for himself the proof that affection has blossomed again between the two.”
What does the evidence say?
Just as I was blinking rapidly out of anxiety, the Pope spoke again.
“You must have also brought the new life born between you two here, right?”
“That’s true, but...”
I trailed off, feeling uneasy for some reason.
The Pope looked down at me and then spoke with a calm expression.
“I need to see that child.”
Why do you want to see Lucas?
I became somewhat anxious at the thought of having to show my child to someone else, someone who might oppose the relationship between Cedric and me.
As I bit my lower lip out of nervousness, Cedric held my shoulder firmly as if to reassure me.
'...Yes. Since Cedric is with you, nothing bad will happen.'
I nodded, trying hard to suppress my anxiety.
After seeing me, Cedric spoke softly to the Pope.
“I’ll tell you to bring the child in.”
Then he nodded his head straight to one of the priests and gave the signal to bring the child.
The priest who left the Pope's Palace soon returned with Lucas in his arms.
Lucas, who entered an unfamiliar space in the arms of a stranger, smiled brightly and waved his hand as if he were not afraid.
When I saw the child like that, my heart sank even more heavily.
'It would be a waste to give this child only love and only accept the welcome of others.'
To have a child like that called ‘evidence’?
A heavy feeling of guilt weighed on my chest.
It was when I looked at Lucas with melancholy eyes and inadvertently turned my head.
For a brief moment, I made eye contact with the Pope.
His eyes seemed to be watching me the whole time, and they were so calm that I felt a moment of peace.
"Ah...”
When I shouted in embarrassment, he slowly turned his gaze to look at Lucas.
“Show me the child.”
At the Pope's command, the priest immediately walked closer to him.
The Pope, who had gotten closer to Lucas, checked the baby's face as if he had been waiting.
The Pope's eyes fell on the round forehead, cute eyes, small nostrils, and cherry-like lips one after another.
The old man with his gray hair and the green new life that had just been born quietly looked into each other's eyes.
The Pope's lips slowly opened as he stared at the child's face.
“Really...”
“...”
“It is a dazzlingly beautiful new life.”
The eyes of High Priest Diat widened as he looked at the Pope.
That was the same for the Emperor, me, and Cedric, who had always been calm.
However, to everyone's surprise, the Pope just smiled kindly at Lucas.
“Come here.”
“Give me the baby.”
The Pope said, gesturing towards the priest holding Lucas.
Then he even held the child himself.
He seemed like a kind grandfather who treated his grandchildren fondly.
Lucas also burst into laughter as if he liked the Pope's embrace.
He lifted his small hands and squeezed them, then unfolded them and repeated them.
Then the Pope tickled the tip of Lucas' nose with his big finger as if he thought Lucas was cute.
For a moment, I looked down at Lucas smiling brightly in his arms.
A soft voice flowed from the Pope's lips.
“This child is not the seed of a wrong relationship.”
Everyone's eyes at the Pope's Exhibition were focused on the Pope.
However, the Pope's gentle gaze was still directed at Lucas.
"Evidence. Okay... It is living proof that the human world and the demon world, which had been at odds with each other for a long time, have finally come together after a difficult time.”
After saying that, the Pope's gaze slowly turned towards me.
When I met his eyes, I couldn't suppress the emotions that welled up in my eyes.
The Pope looked at me crying and raised the corner of his mouth kindly.
“That’s why I have even more affection for this child whom God created so preciously and sent into the world.”
“His Holiness the Pope...”
The Pope looked down at the baby again and smiled happily.
“Actually, the reason I called you here today wasn’t to punish you two.”
Then his warm gaze soon turned alternately between Cedric and me.
“It was because I wanted to personally meet and bless this child who bravely entered the world despite difficult circumstances.”
Surprised by his words, Cedric and I looked at each other and slowly blinked.
The Pope looked at us kindly and then said playfully.
“Of course, you may have been surprised by this mischievous old man’s call, but you two have caused trouble in this parish many times, so you should tolerate that, right?”
I looked up at him blankly and slowly opened my mouth.
"Really... Is this you, His Holiness the Pope?”
In response to my confused question, the Pope nodded his head with a slight smile.
“Of course, Grand Duchess Twins.”
“Twins... Grand Duchess...”
High Priest Diat muttered absentmindedly.
It seemed that he was equally surprised by the Pope's words.
No, High Priest Diat looked even more embarrassed than us.
The eyes of the High Priest Diat, who was looking up at the Pope, swayed greatly like a sailboat on strong waves.
“B-But, His Holiness the Pope... Making an exception like this would ruin the reputation of the diocese. Those two people clearly went against the Pope's wishes and divorced, and in the meantime, they ended up living a new life..."
A completely different statement from just a moment ago when he said he supported our remarriage.
High Priest Diat continued speaking gibberish with an expression that did not even know what he was talking about.
However, his words were soon stopped by the Pope's solemn voice.
“High Priest Diat.”
The Pope, who was looking down at High Priest Diat, soon spoke softly towards him.
“God always makes exceptions to show his mercy.”
“...”
“Isn’t the ‘miracle’ that everyone hopes for also coming from an exception given by God in His mercy?”
A kind smile spread across his wrinkled mouth as he spoke quietly.
“So, I will follow his example and sincerely bless this precious life and the life of that beautiful lover who gave birth to this life."
The Pope said, gesturing towards the priest holding Lucas.
Then he even held the child himself.
He seemed like a kind grandfather who treated his grandchildren fondly.
Lucas also burst into laughter as if he liked the Pope's embrace.
He lifted his small hands and squeezed them, then unfolded them and repeated them.
Then the Pope tickled the tip of Lucas' nose with his big finger as if he thought Lucas was cute.
For a moment, I looked down at Lucas smiling brightly in his arms.
A soft voice flowed from the Pope's lips.
“This child is not the seed of a wrong relationship.”
Everyone's eyes at the Pope's Exhibition were focused on the Pope.
However, the Pope's gentle gaze was still directed at Lucas.
"Evidence. Okay... It is living proof that the human world and the demon world, which had been at odds with each other for a long time, have finally come together after a difficult time.”
After saying that, the Pope's gaze slowly turned towards me.
When I met his eyes, I couldn't suppress the emotions that welled up in my eyes.
The Pope looked at me crying and raised the corner of his mouth kindly.
“That’s why I have even more affection for this child whom God created so preciously and sent into the world.”
“His Holiness the Pope...”
The Pope looked down at the baby again and smiled happily.
“Actually, the reason I called you here today wasn’t to punish you two.”
Then his warm gaze soon turned alternately between Cedric and me.
“It was because I wanted to personally meet and bless this child who bravely entered the world despite difficult circumstances.”
Surprised by his words, Cedric and I looked at each other and slowly blinked.
The Pope looked at us kindly and then said playfully.
“Of course, you may have been surprised by this mischievous old man’s call, but you two have caused trouble in this parish many times, so you should tolerate that, right?”
I looked up at him blankly and slowly opened my mouth.
"Really... Is this you, His Holiness the Pope?”
In response to my confused question, the Pope nodded his head with a slight smile.
“Of course, Grand Duchess Twins.”
“Twins... Grand Duchess...”
High Priest Diat muttered absentmindedly.
It seemed that he was equally surprised by the Pope's words.
No, High Priest Diat looked even more embarrassed than us.
The eyes of the High Priest Diat, who was looking up at the Pope, swayed greatly like a sailboat on strong waves.
“B-But, His Holiness the Pope... Making an exception like this would ruin the reputation of the diocese. Those two people clearly went against the Pope's wishes and divorced, and in the meantime, they ended up living a new life..."
A completely different statement from just a moment ago when he said he supported our remarriage.
High Priest Diat continued speaking gibberish with an expression that did not even know what he was talking about.
However, his words were soon stopped by the Pope's solemn voice.
“High Priest Diat.”
The Pope, who was looking down at High Priest Diat, soon spoke softly towards him.
“God always makes exceptions to show his mercy.”
“...”
“Isn’t the ‘miracle’ that everyone hopes for also coming from an exception given by God in His mercy?”
A kind smile spread across his wrinkled mouth as he spoke quietly.
“So, I will follow his example and sincerely bless this precious life and the life of that beautiful lover who gave birth to this life."
***
As I was walking out of the quiet corridors of the Vatican, I suddenly looked at Cedric.
Cedric, who was walking while holding my hand, also looked like he couldn't believe it.
"We... You heard correctly, right?”
He nodded slowly to my question.
“I think that’s right.”
“Do you really think the Pope gave permission for us to be together?”
Cedric answered and smiled slightly as if he had finally realized it.
“That’s right.”
Even though I covered my open mouth with my hand, I couldn't hide my happy expression.
Joy was evident in Cedric's voice as he hugged me and asked,
“Do you like it that much?”
"Sure. Aren’t you happy?”
“Isn’t it useless to ask me such questions? The answer will always be the same.”
A charming low note soon flowed from his lips as he smiled slightly.
“I am so happy that the day is soon approaching when I can announce to the world that you are my woman.”
Cedric paused for a moment and gently held my hand.
“...Manakin said so. The real woman with whom I was bound by a bond of fate was you.”
“...”
“Although the cycle of fate given to us was rough, in the end, it connected us who were far away from each other.”
Cedric let out a shallow breath as if he was momentarily overwhelmed with emotion.
His eyes twinkled beautifully as he looked down at me.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for coming to me after such a long journey.”
After confessing like that, Cedric tenderly kissed my forehead.
I looked up at him, who eventually parted my lips with his, and smiled softly.
"Me too."
A happy smile soon spread across my lips.
“I, too, am truly grateful that you are my destiny.”
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