Pope Maria Queenpin (8)
"So that's what you all were chatting about when you got together like this?"
Queenpin flung open the door to the guest room without a hint of hesitation and strode right in. She settled into a seat as naturally as if she'd been there from the start, sipping her tea.
"That's so boring. It's the middle of the night—shouldn't we be sharing something more fun?"
"Fun stories? What do you even mean by…?"
"You know, first loves or ideal types. Squishy, stimulating stuff like that."
With that innocent remark, Queenpin's eyes sparkled like a girl's who'd been counting down the moments for this, gazing at us in turn.
"You can save the stuffy old tales for daytime."
"S-stuffy?!"
Valoa shrank back, head drooping as her voice trailed off mournfully.
"Everyone seems too shy, so how about we start with Lumina, the lowest rank here?"
"Y-yes?! W-what are you asking…?"
"What else? First love or ideal type, obviously."
The moment Queenpin finished speaking, Lumina's eyes widened like a startled rabbit's.
Queenpin had probably tossed it out lightly, without much thought. But to Lumina, who'd spent her life bound by strict rules and swordsmanship, those words must have hit hard.
Especially since they came straight from the pope herself—a game of truth.
No refusing, no lying.
"Y-Your Holiness! How can you ask such worldly questions? I am a holy knight who has devoted body and soul to the Goddess!"
"Come on, Lumina. Save those rigid vows for official occasions. This is Vivian's room, isn't it?"
Queenpin murmured softly, her eyes narrowing into slits.
"You're not about to give some bland answer like you've never had feelings for anyone, are you?"
At Queenpin's icy question, Lumina's face flushed red, steam practically rising from her head.
But Queenpin showed no sign of letting up.
"Well, if you're going to play it that way, no choice. Valoa's turn next."
"Eek! Me?!"
"Yes. Lumina hesitated too much."
No sooner had Queenpin spoken than Valoa whipped her head toward Lumina, shooting her a murderous glare.
"You…!"
"……."
In the blink of an eye, Lumina was squirming uncomfortably.
Caught in an impossible spot, her face drained to a sickly pale.
"I-I'm a saintess candidate, so…."
"What, you too, Valoa?"
"Y-yes… probably…."
At Valoa's weak reply, Queenpin frowned and let out a deep sigh.
"If you're all this pious… it's embarrassing for the Papal State."
"What do you mean by that, Your Holiness…?"
"Now we have to skip again. Do you want to put Vivian in a tough spot?"
Queenpin spat the words with a sulky huff, drawing a small breath.
She turned her pouty face toward me, staring intently.
"Will you give the same answer as them, Vivian?"
Her low voice carried no expectation at all.
"Yes."
.
.
.
.
.
.
- Clatter…
I carefully set down the bowl of bread in front of the wooden goddess statue on the table, adding a short prayer in my heart for another safe day tomorrow.
"When did you start communing with the Goddess like that, Vivian?"
Queenpin's soft voice came from behind me the moment my prayer ended.
I lifted my head and met the eyes of Queenpin, who sat demurely across from me.
"It's not really communion, but it hasn't been that long."
"You don't mean demon time, right?"
"No, normal human time."
At my calm answer, Queenpin nodded slowly, a pleased expression on her face.
"When I first heard about you through the messengers, I honestly couldn't believe it."
"……."
"A demon using holy power? There's no precedent in Papal State history… or world history, for that matter."
Her sudden shift to a serious topic caught me off guard, and I blinked blankly for a moment.
But Queenpin didn't flinch, silently setting her teacup on the table and growing even more earnest.
"I'm troubled right now. Whether it's truly okay to proclaim you this generation's saintess…."
"Is that because you want me to be a real saintess?"
My question made Queenpin's fingers twitch visibly on the teacup handle.
"……No."
A brief silence followed.
Then her low, firm voice settled quietly in my ears.
"I am the pope. I can't make decisions based on personal wishes."
Her tone was stern and restrained, devoid of emotion—like words she'd repeated in her mind dozens of times. No hesitation whatsoever.
"I am merely the one who conveys the Goddess's will to the people. I have no right to distort it, nor reason to refuse."
With that, Queenpin drew a short breath.
Her rigidly straight back slumped wearily.
"This is so tricky all around. If I weren't pope, I could just enjoy this as it is…."
"Do whatever you want."
I draped blankets over Lumina and Valoa, who were curled up asleep on the floor.
Then I answered indifferently, as if it were someone else's problem.
Queenpin, who'd been staring at me blankly from across the table, tilted her head in confusion.
"……Pardon?"
"Whatever decision Your Holiness makes, it doesn't matter to me."
Her expression hardened further at my repeated nonchalance.
Something about her intent gaze felt oddly familiar.
"Sorry, what do you mean by that?"
"Just what I said. Call me saintess, kick me out—whatever you choose, my daily life won't change much."
She'd probably done all sorts of mental calculations in secret.
But unfortunately, the moment I achieve my goal here in the Papal State, I'm leaving.
Saintess this, people that… I never cared about those headaches to begin with.
"So stop overthinking and help me out."
This light tea time, started as an excuse for Valoa's apology, had gone so off the rails.
It was far from the elegant social hour I'd imagined—thoroughly bewildering.
What was it… like an adult crashing kids' playtime?
Thanks to Queenpin, the mood had stiffened into a parent-teacher conference.
"Ah, was I being oblivious?"
"……."
"Sorry. I got lost in thought without realizing…."
"……It's fine."
The atmosphere was one thing, but Valoa must have been the most awkward after Queenpin's sudden intrusion.
Especially after what happened—it had to be excruciating facing the pope again.
She didn't show it much outwardly, but inside, she was probably screaming.
"Still, this informal gathering isn't bad at all. Feels like I can breathe a bit."
"Glad you enjoyed it. But next time, don't sneak in like an assassin."
I murmured dryly, gazing at Valoa's nightmare-twisted sleeping face.
But Queenpin didn't take offense at my light jab.
Instead, she sank deeper into the sofa, flashing a lazy smile.
"Assassin? Even for a joke, that's a bit harsh."
"Not a joke. Dead serious."
"Saying that makes me sound like an unwelcome intruder."
"Maybe not me or Lumina, but from Valoa's perspective…."
"Back then, I wasn't the pope—just a normal woman wanting to join in. Same now."
With that, Queenpin let out a big, relieved sigh.
Stretching like an office worker buried in paperwork, she looked nothing like the stern pope who'd just invoked saintesses and the Goddess.
"I hope we have more moments like this."
The next morning.
"……."
Dazzling sunlight streamed through the window, forcing my eyes open.
Having slept later than usual, my body felt like lead weights, heavy as can be—but no sleeping in.
Once I gave in to laziness, the whole day's plans would go to hell.
"Yawnnn…."
As I rubbed my eyes and slowly tried to sit up, I finally realized something was firmly pinning me down.
"Ngh…."
I let out a small groan, twisting my body every which way.
Whatever was wrapped around me squirmed unpleasantly in response, then pulled me deeper, choking off my breath.
"……?"
What the hell? The more I struggled, the deeper I got sucked in?
The papal palace ceiling meant I was still in the guest room, but this soft, heavy warmth enveloping my whole body was a mystery.
- Swish…
I cracked open my sleepy eyes into slits and cautiously turned my head—
"Ah."
Lumina and Valoa lay flanking me on both sides, right in my view.
Lumina clutching me like a personal pillow, fast asleep.
Valoa blissfully rubbing her cheek against my face in her sleep.
Everyone else on the floor, but I'd joined them under the blankets too.
Who'd have thought this ridiculous situation would happen?
"Lumina, it hurts. Let go."
"V-Vivian… just a little tighter…."
Yesterday must've worn her out.
I was shoving hard, but she showed no sign of waking.
And as a holy knight, her body was rock-solid all over.
Insanely firm.
"Valoa, I'm uncomfortable. Stop rubbing your cheek on my face."
"Ughhh… sorry, Saintess…."
The moment she heard my voice, Valoa burst into tears for some reason.
Then she started mumbling weird, babbling apologies nonstop.
So earnestly penitent that I could feel her tears soaking my face in real time.
Lingering guilt must've followed her into her dreams.
I'd told her it was fine a dozen times—why was her heart so soft?
Did Her Holiness go back to her room?
- Knock knock…
Just then, as I was helplessly sandwiched between them, a cautious knock echoed from beyond the firmly shut door.
"Pleased to meet you, Vivian. I am Archbishop Calvarion of the Holy Haven Papal State."
A deep, unfamiliar male voice followed.
My ears perked up instantly.
"By Her Holiness's permission, I have come to see you in person."
"……?"
"I wish to pay my proper respects. If it wouldn't be rude, may I enter?"
Archbishop Calvarion.
The very man Valoa had kept mentioning last night.
After Lumina and Valoa dozed off, Queenpin had told me he was the most conservative and strict in the Papal State, viewing demons themselves as grave sinners.
So why was he visiting me this early in the morning?
"Hnnngh…!!"
I wrenched my body free from between them, barely managing to sit up.
Gently prying off Valoa's hand clutching my clothes in her sleep, then carefully lifting Lumina's arm from around my waist like a boulder.
"Whew."
I roughly combed my tangled hair with my fingers and straightened my clothes.
The warmth from those two who'd used me as a full-body pillow hadn't faded yet—my body felt heavier and warmer than usual.
- Click…
Blocking the door crack with my body so the room stayed hidden, I forced an awkward smile.
Quickly adjusting my crooked veil, I opened my mouth as carefully as possible.
"H-hello…."
"I'm terribly sorry to bother you so early."
The door revealed a white-haired elder.
He wore ornate robes embroidered with eye-dazzling holy images, impeccably neat.
"Indeed… just as Her Holiness said, your eyes hold the Goddess's profound mercy—truly noble."