The Pious Priest's Sinful Collection - Chapter 4
Daphne, on her way to the refectory used by the clergy, immediately dropped her composed façade once she confirmed the corridor was empty. Her face crumpled so suddenly, anyone who knew her would’ve been shocked by the transformation.
“Oh for — what, was he in heat or something?”
His intentions had been as clear as day. Pretending he just wanted to help so he could walk beside her? She’d almost gagged on the spot.
‘It’s probably because of that stupid myth that marrying a former priestess brings divine blessings.’
Ever since the rumors about the return of the “Three Stars” had spread, the number of pests sniffing around had increased dramatically.
‘Disgusting.’
She understood why, of course.
Normally, an apprentice priestess would undergo years of spiritual training before being formally ordained. But those born under the omen of the Three Stars like her were barred from being ordained altogether. They were kept in the temple as apprentice priestesses to prevent the prophecy from being fulfilled.
Their lives became an extended form of penance — learning chastity, restraint, loyalty, and other so-called holy virtues until obedience was thoroughly ingrained. It usually worked well, especially since most of them entered the temple at a very young age. This wasn’t the case for Daphne who had been inducted at the relatively late age of ten.
That’s how it had been for generations now. They’d stay cloistered as apprentices until adulthood. Once a new generation of Three Stars arrived, they’d be quietly released back into the world. That had become the unspoken norm over the last hundred years.
Sure, some chose to stay, but remaining as a novice without becoming a full priestess was, frankly, a waste of time. The treatment of ordained versus unordained clergy was night and day.
‘So of course they think they can tempt one of us just enough to drive us out, then snatch us up once we’re no longer protected by the temple’s walls.’
They assumed she’d be flustered by even the smallest show of kindness — just because she had no experience with men.
‘How unlucky of me.’
Honestly, she’d have loved to stomp on their feet and be done with it. But doing something like that would mean confession, followed by penance. Daphne honestly didn’t want to suffer for people who didn’t even seem to be believers, unless she was doing it to impress the cardinal and other high priests so they could stay in the temple longer.
‘…And yet, even thinking this probably counted as a sin. Father, please forgive this foolish lamb.’
Daphne made a holy sign, murmuring a brief prayer of repentance. Just then, urgent footsteps echoed down the hall. A familiar voice called out.
“Daphne!”
It was Thalia — her fellow novice priestess.
Daphne smiled, genuinely pleased to see her. “Hey, Thalia. Did you finish the escort duty?”
“Yeah, barely. Sorry I’m late. Where are the others?”
“They probably went to fetch the food supplies.”
“That must be heavy. Here, let me help.”
Thalia took half the stack of dishes from her arms, and the two walked into the refectory together, chatting as they went.
“With the Three Stars showing again, there’s all kinds of heretical nonsense going around outside,” Thalia said with a sigh. “Even the High Priests are scrambling. I’m worried it’s going to delay the release permits we applied for.”
Thalia had recently gotten engaged and was anxious. If her release from the temple was delayed too long, her fiancé might change his mind.
Daphne resisted the urge to comment — If he’s the type to change his mind that easily, why would you want to marry him in the first place? — and bit her tongue.
“Don’t worry too much. Bishop Isabella said she’d speak up for us at the council, didn’t she?”
“Yeah… you’re right, right? Things will work out? I mean, sure, we’re not exactly anyone’s priority, but Bishop Isabella is our supervising bishop…”
“Girls! We’re back!”
As Daphne nodded to reassure Thalia, the rest of the novice priestesses entered the dining hall, carrying crates full of ingredients. Daphne and Thalia set their dishware down and quickly moved to help them unload.
That evening, after completing all their duties, Daphne and the others turned in early. The next day, they were tasked with changing every bedspread in the entire convent — a full day’s work. But despite their exhaustion, none of them fell asleep easily.
The knowledge that they would soon be leaving the temple where they had spent their whole lives filled them with a mix of anticipation and fear.
