The Pious Priest’s Sinful Collection - Chapter 53

It hadn’t been long since the bell tower chimed four times. Everyone would have stepped away to prepare for the meal by now. Pulling out clothes from the wardrobe, Daphne quickly changed and made her way to Theodore’s office.

‘Thank goodness there was an extra set of robes.’

Otherwise, she would’ve had no choice but to sneak around in her nightclothes. If anyone saw her like that, she would be excommunicated — no excuses.

“Ugh, why is this so tight?”

The robes weren’t her usual size, and they squeezed her chest uncomfortably. As she walked, she tried to adjust the snug fabric pressing against her brxxsts.

Standing before the Cardinal’s office, Daphne took a deep breath to steady her unusually ragged breathing.

It was probably this bad because she was angry — angry at Theodore for submitting her resignation without her consent, and furious at herself for foolishly thinking she’d found closure after having secretly yearned for him and finally taken him, convincing herself she could now live the rest of her life a celibate and satisfied woman.

‘I was a fool.’

How could she have forgotten that, as a Cardinal, Theodore had the power to decide her fate? No matter how much she wanted to stay in the convent, if he, as the Cardinal, claimed that she wasn’t suited for the clergy and demanded her secularization, his word would win out over hers.

‘What on earth was I thinking… Why did I believe he would never push me out?’

It was because…

Because, even after discovering her act of self-indulgence, he hadn’t punished her. Instead, he had lured her in, offering to help.

‘Stupid Daphne.’

I should have just rejected him, even if he seduced me first. She shouldn’t have given him an excuse. At the very least, she shouldn’t have enjoyed it. If she had, she might have felt at least a little righteous.

But it was too late for regrets.

‘No, calm down. Stay calm, Daphne. There’s only one thing you need to focus on right now.’

Making Theodore return her secularization request. If that was what it took, she wouldn’t hesitate to resort to threats.

‘Did I engage in that act alone? No, I didn’t. If we enjoyed it together, then he must take responsibility too.’

Did he think she would be the only one punished after they both took part in this? Not a chance.

‘He’s accomplished a lot in his own right. He wouldn’t want to give up his priesthood and return to secular life.’

If she could use that against him, perhaps she could make him cast a dissenting vote in her secularization review. She had to make that happen.

“Hah…”

Knock, knock.

After taking a deep breath, Daphne rapped gently on the door. No answer came. She knocked again — firmer this time. Knock, knock, knock. Still nothing. There was no sound from within.

‘Could he not be in?’

Or had he realized it was her and simply decided not to answer?

“…”

Her fingers closed around the doorknob. It turned easily in her hand, as if it had never been locked in the first place. Swallowing dryly, Daphne pushed the door open.

Inside, the Cardinal’s desk stood empty. The usual mountain of documents that always seemed to spill over its edges was gone, cleared away entirely.

The office was always austere, lacking even the simplest ornamentation. His desk had been the one exception, always littered with the tools he used so frequently. Yet now, not even an inkwell remained. It was as though nothing had ever occupied that space.

‘What is this? Why is everything gone…’

A chill ran up Daphne’s spine. An inexplicable sense of dread scraped down the back of her neck. She shivered and bit the inside of her cheek. Why did she feel so uneasy?

‘…If he’s not here, there’s only one other place he might be.’

There was only one place left where she could wait for him, if not here in his office.

‘Then I’ll ambush him in his bedroom.’

That room where he had clung to her like an animal… no, where he had pounced on her like a beast. This time, it would be her turn to devour him.

‘And if he doesn’t want to lose his position as a priest over it, he’ll have to make sure I’m allowed to stay in the convent.’

It was a dirty move, but she was past caring. Steeling herself, Daphne retraced the path in her memory and began making her way toward the Cardinal’s private chambers.