The next morning, or rather, early dawn.
Jeha, breaking his usual habit of sleeping in, sprang from bed before the sun had even begun to rise. He then urged Paimon to prepare for their outing.
Today was the day the demon beast’s carcass would be brought into Encarosha. Before witnessing its arrival, Jeha intended to visit the Grand Temple to meet Hereis.
He wanted to recount every detail of his visit to the Fanucci household yesterday, including all that had transpired there.
While he could have relayed the information via letter, speaking directly felt preferable. Letters could easily be intercepted, and he worried Hereis might feel slighted or misunderstand if he heard the news incorrectly from a third party.
The temple’s day began exceptionally early.
Arriving at the Grand Temple before sunrise, Jeha settled into Hereis’s reception room, patiently awaiting his return from morning prayers.
Hereis finally returned to his quarters only after the sun had fully ascended. Once the door closed behind him, Jeha approached and gently kissed him.
“Did you sleep well?”
As Jeha asked, punctuating it with a morning kiss, Hereis returned the light peck. A sudden thought struck Jeha: he yearned to wake up beside Hereis every day, sharing such morning kisses.
“You know, yesterday Iā”
“I am aware.”
Hereis cut him off before Jeha could even delve into the main topic.
“You visited the Fanucci mansion and listened to Miss Fanucci’s harp performance? I also know you had a profound discussion with Mrs. Fanucci and Bishop Peressio.”
Despite rushing over at dawn specifically to tell him first, someone had already informed Hereis. This had to be Bishop Peressio’s doing, a clear attempt to drive a wedge between Hereis and Jeha.
“It was Peressio, wasn’t it?”
“He likely let it slip.”
Hereis nodded compliantly. Jeha pouted, his lips jutting out.
First, he attempted assassination, and now he was trying to sow discord between them. Jeha’s irritation with Peressio, who seemed to vex him at every turn, began to simmer.
“I went to check on Bishop Peressio. Well, some idle chatter exchanged, but as you know, I only have you, Hereis, right? It was all just meaningless talk.”
Jeha prattled on, his arms wrapped around Hereis’s waist. Fortunately, there was no hint of resentment or sulkiness in Hereis’s eyes.
While relieved that Hereis hadn’t misunderstood, Jeha also felt a twinge of disappointment that he hadn’t shown any jealousy. How fickle the human heart could be!
“…Miss Fanucci played the harp beautifully. Her long, pale neck, so like her mother’s, was incredibly elegant…”
Jeha continued to praise Miss Fanucci, his lips still pouting. Hereis then gently traced Jeha’s lips with his finger as he spoke.
“Jealousy is one of the sins forbidden by the gods.”
“…Were you jealous?”
Jeha asked in a subtle tone. Hereis’s eyes crinkled into a smile.
“Am I not a sinner who longs to fall? Of course, I was jealous. And I still am.”
“You don’t look jealous at all, though.”
“Even so, I cannot very well grab you, Lord Jeha, and forbid you from going near other women, or plead with you not to.”
Jeha imagined Hereis clinging to him, perhaps shouting, ‘Don’t go near anyone but me!’ or ‘Please, don’t even glance at anyone else but me.’
Yet, the image simply wouldn’t form. Hereis was certainly not that kind of person.
Given his occasional tendency for extreme actions, it seemed more likely he would quietly sever the neck of Jeha’s other suitor instead.
“Hereis, you know you have a very unique personality?”
Jeha spoke, entertaining the thought that if he were to actually marry Miss Fanucci, Hereis might storm the wedding chapel, dagger in hand.
“Does that displease you?”
Hereis tilted his head slightly to the side as he spoke.
It was utterly improbable for a grown man tilting his head to appear cute or pleasant, yet Hereis’s gesture was unbearably endearing. Why was that?
‘Why is this man even cute!’
Jeha inwardly exclaimed, then suddenly pulled Hereis into a tight embrace.
Hereis returned Jeha’s embrace. Hereis’s fine hand delicately stroked Jeha’s dark hair, as if savoring the texture.
Jeha revelled in the sensation, deeply inhaling Hereis’s scent. He could feel the strong, rhythmic beat of Hereis’s heart.
Jeha listened to that rhythm, enjoying the moment.
He felt the hand that had been caressing his hair gradually descend. The fingers, having grazed his nape, then moved sideways and slowly glided down his spine.
A thrilling jolt spread through his entire body from that touch. Jeha gasped softly, clutching Hereis even tighter.
The hand, having traveled down his spine, now rested on his backside. His body involuntarily gave a slight twitch.
Jeha felt Hereis’s heartbeat quicken and intensify. Jeha’s own heart was similarly pounding.
“Lord Jeha…”
Hereis whispered close to Jeha’s ear. The breath against his skin felt exceptionally warm.
Jeha’s own breath grew hot in response. He swallowed hard, feeling Hereis’s fair, delicate hand meaningfully caress his posterior.
“Hereis, I’m still notā”
‘Mentally prepared…’
Jeha mumbled, clutching tightly to Hereis’s collar.
Yet, the hand caressing his backside did not cease.
“Just a little, a little more.”
Hereis’s touch, coupled with his hot whispered words, was incredibly provocative. With Hereis so openly displaying his desire, Jeha found himself at a loss.
His mouth went dry. His backside, normally an unremarkable part of his body, instantly became an erogenous zone under Hereis’s touch.
‘Touching my backside… does that mean he wants to… put it in there?’
The thought that flashed through his mind made him instinctively flinch. Jeha, too, harbored desires, and whenever he was alone with Hereis, lewd thoughts naturally arose.
However, taking things all the way required immense resolve.
“Hereis, that’s enough…”
Feeling overwhelmed, Jeha pushed against Hereis’s chest. Fortunately, Hereis yielded willingly instead of resisting.
Jeha’s awkward feelings were clearly reflected in his expression. Seeing Jeha’s face, a contrite look appeared in Hereis’s eyes.
“I apologize. My jealousy surged, and I couldn’t help but want to draw Lord Jeha a little closer… Was it truly so unpleasant?”
Deep concern and unease emanated from Hereis’s eyes as he asked cautiously.
“It’s not that. It’s not that I dislike it, but… that area is still a bit… I’m also shy…”
Jeha, having expressed his true feelings euphemistically, found his face involuntarily flushing. A look of relief dawned in Hereis’s eyes.
Hereis caressed Jeha’s lips with his fingertips. That touch still held an undeniable, suppressed desire.
“Then, would a kiss be acceptable?”
Hereis asked softly. Jeha closed his eyes without a reply.
Soon, their lips met.
****
After a long, passionate kiss, they finally shared a simple breakfast. Perhaps because austerity was fundamental even for high priests, their meal consisted of bread, butter, soup, and a small portion of vegetables.
Nevertheless, the bread was warm and soft, as if freshly baked, the soup was hearty, and the vegetables were crisp.
Jeha merely picked at his food, stealing glances at Hereis as he ate. Even while eating, Hereis appeared impeccably neat and pure.
After their meal, Hereis personally brewed tea for them. Jeha savored the aroma and enjoyed his cup.
No particular conversation passed between them, yet merely sitting opposite each other felt profoundly fulfilling. Jeha felt that even the air itself was different when he was with Hereis.
It was as if they were seated in a space entirely their own.
“It seems it’s almost time for the procession.”
Hereis glanced briefly at the sky outside the window, then spoke. Indeed, it was already nearing midday.
“Since they’ve captured the demon beast, Benato’s influence will surely be soaring.”
Jeha spoke, recalling Benato, whom he had encountered on his way to Encarosha. Benato’s merciless torture of an innocent old woman had left Jeha with a strong dislike for him.
‘Perhaps I should have told them not to just throw any demon beast in, but to send one strong enough to kill everyone who came near it.’
Jeha grumbled inwardly. The thought of Benato, already stained with a poor reputation, parading in triumph like a conquering general, twisted his gut.
“Priest Benato was chosen as an Inquisitor upon Bishop Irellio’s recommendation.”
Hereis stated dispassionately. Jeha recalled Benato’s eagerness to impress Hereis.
He had assumed Benato wanted to curry favor with Hereis, but it seemed Benato already had another powerful connection.
“So, Benato is practically another one of your enemies, then.”
Hereis nodded silently.