The dim light flickered above, casting elongated shadows on the cold, sterile walls of the confessional room. A single wooden table stood in the center, flanked by two chairs—one occupied by a man whose face was etched with guilt and pain, the other by Julianne, whose eyes were glazed with fog.
"Father…I…"
The man called, his voice quivering like a fragile whisper that barely pierced the heavy silence of the room, each word trembling like leaves caught in a restless wind.
"Yes?…"
Julianne replied like a weary, lethargic breath, looking like a boat adrift.
"I… I fought with my wife and hurt her…"
The man looked up, his eyes glistening with unshed tears.
"I-I think I'd be better off dead, Father…"
Julianne leaned in slightly, his mind struggling to grasp his thoughts as the man's voice had become mere noise, echoing in a hollow space like well. Without realizing it, an unintended word slipped from his lips, leaving the penitent slumped in his chair, stunned and confused.
"Yes… you may…"
Julianne blinked repeatedly, unable to comprehend the words he had just spoken.
"Fa—Father?!"
The man stood, muddled in shock, as if he had misheard his response, while panic gripped Julianne's heart as he realized the heavy weight of his mistake.
"No! I mean—that's not— you may not! God has already forgiven you!"
It was already too late when the man dashed outside the temple, tears streaming down his face, his heart heavy with despair.
Julianne sighed deeply as he stood before the head priestess, grappling with the troubling rumor that had circulated through the temple that made people to cast judging eyes and spread words that bent the truth, as gossip whispered of a young priest who sought the death of a worshipper inside the temple.
"Julianne, I said it yesterday, and I will say it again."
The head priest declared, his voice steady yet firm, as he sipped from a delicate cup of tea, highlighting the lines of worry etched around his eyes. Meanwhile, Julianne stood a few paces away, his heart racing and palms fidgeting at his sides. He couldn't bring himself to meet the head priest's gaze, feeling the weight of the lecture in the air.
"It's okay to make mistakes, but it's not the first time you almost end someone's life."
Julianne sweat as he recalled the day he was assigned to assist the head priest in the baptism of a child, where he accidentally poured holy water on the infant's face instead of its head, nearly drowning the baby and infuriating the parents, who almost sued the temple. The memory from that day felt like a heavy rock dropped on his head.
"Retire to your chamber at once."
The head priest command as thoughts raced through his mind, anxiety building at the thought of his meeting with Sebastian later that evening. The weight of his worries drained his energy, and before he realized it, he had fallen into a deep sleep. When he woke up, night had already fallen, and stars already dotted the pitch-black sky. Panic surged within him as he realized he had missed the time they had agreed upon.
"Do I even have a face to show? If I go now?!"
Julianne muttered, his gaze flitting around the room as he paced back and forth like restless wave on the shore.
"What if he's still there?!"
Panic gripped him, as he buried his face in his hands, before his fingers clawed over his hair in frustration.
"Argh! This won't do!"
Julianne exclaimed, irritation bubbling over him, like a suffocating sense of guilt that clung to his chest, making it hard to breathe as he struggled to control the incessant tapping of his feet.
Without any further delay, Julianne quickly grabbed a plain linen shirt and simple trousers, wrapping himself in a warm scarf to cover his face. As he opened the wooden door and crept out of his room, a dark hallway welcomed him, illuminated by flickering candles. The shadows danced ominously, and his heart raced, thudding loudly in his chest. He could feel the sweat trickling down his back, paired with trembling hands that tightly gripped his scarf. Each cautious step he took echoed on the floor, making his pulse quicken, as if the very walls were watching him escape from the temple, and just as he was about to reach the door…
"Julianne?"
Royse stood behind him, holding a lamp in his hand. His voice made Julianne's heart drop to the floor, his face tensed as he slowly turned his head like a malfunction robot. Seeing it, a sly smile touched his lips.
"Ha-I knew why you were acting weird…"
He playfully spoke as he walked closer, his face just an inch away from him.
"It's not what you think I—
-It's fine. Your secret is safe with me."
Royse replied, cutting him off with an assuring tap on the head as he slowly opened the door for him.
"Have fun with your date…"
He whispered into the air, making Julianne's face glisten in red as Royse closed the gigantic marbled door, waving from afar.
"I'll make it up to you, I promise!"
Julianne bit his lip and dashed through the narrow alley, where he spotted a coachman preparing to depart. He hurriedly climbed aboard, the coach rattling as it lurched into motion. Upon arriving at the location mentioned in the letter, he found Sebastian standing beneath a flickering lamppost. Each breath he took released tendrils of smoke that curled into the crisp evening breeze.
A wave of guilt washed over him, etching lines of anguish on his face as if his heart were being pierced by the sight of Sebastian in such a sorry state, making his chest tighten with remorse.
"My... my Lo-lord..."
He sighed, summoning the courage to call out for Sebastian.
"Se-Sebastian!"
As he spoke, he noticed Sebastian's eyes glistening in the dark, shimmering like stars against the night. His lips trembled, and his gaze was moist, as if Julianne was looking at a child who's long-held wish had suddenly been fulfilled.
"I'm sorry it took me a while..."
Julianne's melodious voice blended with the fresh night breeze as he ran towards him.
"It's fine. I just got here—
Before he could finish, Julianne, caught in a surge of emotion, took Sebastian's hand in surprise and pressed it against his own face, feeling its chilling coldness seep into his skin.
Lies. His hand was freezing cold...
He thought as Julianne pressed his cheek further against Sebastian's palm. Without realizing it, his grip tightened and his gaze locked onto the ground.
"Your letter… a-about the letter..."
Sebastian's face blossomed like a rose in spring, the color creeping all the way to his ears as the cold air made puffs of smoke escape his lips.
"Will it make me look selfish if I also wish for more... mil—Sebastian?"
Julianne's honey-colored eyes sparkled with a seductive gleam, as if they were drawing Sebastian's very soul towards him. The sight made his eyes widen, freezing him for a moment, as if his thoughts had not fully processed. Then, a smile broke across his face, his eyes lighting up like the dawn, radiating joy that seemed to dance alongside his lips. He then cupped Julianne's face, his fingers gently brushing the hair back from his forehead with tender care. Leaning in, he placed a soft, gentle kiss on his brow—a lingering touch infused with warmth.
Suddenly, fireworks erupted in the sky, bursting into a breathtaking riot of colors that illuminated the night. The dazzling display captured the attention of everyone around, all there eyes were full of wonder, captivated by the vibrant lights that painted the darkness of the night.
If Sebastian's illness indeed infectious, then I must have already caught it from the start…
Julianne thought, their foreheads pressed together as they cradled each other's faces, sharing warmth against the bone-chilling cold of the night.
******
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