The Pious Priest's Sinful Collection - Chapter 13
He looked even more well-built than most men she’d seen outside, and perhaps because she’d ogled him like he was some kind of statue, she wondered if she was finally starting to hallucinate. But the distance between them was so close, there was no way she could be mistaken.
And the shocking part wasn’t just that he was aroused. Even accounting for the fact that his black clerical robes might make the outline seem more prominent, that length couldn’t be considered average by any stretch. The end of it was clearly visible, and at a glance, it was far longer than nine inches.
‘Aren’t men’s gxnitxls supposed to be shorter than a span?’
She’d heard boastful men claim their equipment was huge — bigger than nine inches — just like they always did, full of bluster. Even with that exaggeration, most supposedly didn’t surpass a span. So what was she even looking at right now?
While her mouth hung open, the shadow cast over her head suddenly disappeared. When she looked up, she saw Theodore stepping back, his face hard and unreadable as he turned away.
“You should take your leave for today.”
“…Pardon? I mean, yes?”
“Review and repetition are the keys to learning. Make sure you’re familiar with that book by tomorrow.”
Speaking quickly, Theodore strode toward the desk by the window. Daphne stood frozen, staring blankly, until he turned to glare out the window and sharply barked:
“Do you not understand what it means to be dismissed?”
“…Ah! Yes! Please excuse me.”
Snapping out of it, Daphne hurriedly left the office. She exited the main building through the passage reserved for high-ranking priests, just as she’d been told, clutching the heavy book to her chest as she panted for breath.
She’d moved so quickly, half running with the weight of a brick-like tome, that she was out of breath. She’d nearly tripped along the way, which didn’t help. But… was that the only reason her heart was pounding this hard?
“…What on earth?”
Daphne pressed the book tightly to her chest, trying to calm the pounding in her heart. The sight she’d glimpsed just before fleeing Cardinal Theodore’s office kept replaying vividly in her mind.
Beneath the slightly tousled silver hair, she’d glimpsed the edge of his ear—bright red and flushed.
‘He’s the one who was aroused, so why did he react like that?’
It felt strangely like… like it was because of her.
‘I’ve heard that men have a second brain between their legs… but is it possible that even someone like Theodore Valentino can’t control his arousal?’
Daphne fanned her flushed face with her hand. She was stunned—speechless really. And yet, she couldn’t ignore the ticklish, fluttery sensation tightening low in her belly.
* * *
Ever since that infamous arousal incident, Daphne continued her daily visits to Cardinal Theodore’s office and the prayer hall.
The news that she wouldn’t be returning to secular life and had instead accepted duties within the convent had not yet been publicly announced. Even though three new stars had risen, freeing her from suspicions of being the prophesied corruptor, some priests might take issue with her frequent visits to the Grand Temple. Especially given how many of them carried an odd superiority complex over having been formally ordained.
So she had no choice but to use the less-traveled paths — routes reserved for high-ranking clergy. Thankfully, she hadn’t run into any other cardinals so far. The stairs along those paths were steep, and the older cardinals, unlike Theodore, preferred to spare their knees.
That, at least, was a blessing.
“Huff… hah…”
…Or was it?
Clutching a heavy tome to her chest, Daphne climbed the final step and thought, her face flushed bright red, that this is just another part of her training. Just like she’d gotten used to life in the convent, she would surely grow used to this hardship, too.
She was enduring this for the sake of staying in Cardinal Theodore’s good graces — the man who was like to become the next Pope. Through this penance, she would earn the promise of a safe life in the temple, far from the dangers of the outside world.
Muttering a prayer, Daphne stood in front of the office door on trembling legs, steeling herself.
Just two hours. She only needed to focus for that long. Learn the necessary protocols, figure out how to look after the younger ones— most of whom had barely taken their first steps. And… and…
‘Don’t admire him, Daphne. No time for admiration. No matter how flawless the creature, admiration is only safe from afar. Get too close, and you might get caught.’
She was a holy woman. She was a priestess. As a child devoted to the Holy Spirit, she must not cast a lewd gaze at the opposite s-x.
“Whew…”
After steadying both her body and her resolve, Daphne knocked on the door.
Knock, knock.
“Come in,” came the low voice from within.
Taking a deep breath, Daphne opened the door to his office.
