Your Beauty Never Scared Me: Papa IV x Female Reader

Chapter 4: Teasing

You never expected to be recommended to help Papa III with a personal project of his but you were apparently the type of person he was looking for. He had asked you to help him put together a budget proposal for Sister Imperator for a Halloween event at the church, a somewhat 'mini ritual' as he called it. You found it amusing that he'd asked for someone to help him.

"If I may ask Papa, why do you need me to help you with this?"

The man tried to keep his, as you put it, 'fuck boy' persona on but you could tell he was a bit flustered by the confrontation.

"Well, if you must know love, I'm not that great when it comes to budgeting. Also, Copia has labeled you with high praise when it comes to it that I figured you'd be a great choice to help me."

You tried your best to hide the blush that was coming up on your face, though judging by Papa's sly smirk you weren't hiding it well.

"Oh? Does our little sister have a crush on a certain Cardinal~"

"Oh shut up! I'm just surprised to receive praise from a member of the clergy, that's all..."

Papa III kept looking at you, smiling like a child who sucks at keeping secrets.

"There's nothing wrong with having a crush my dear, I'm just surprised it's on that awkward little rat man. What's the draw?"

You looked at him, slowly becoming more and more embarrassed though you decided to try and fight back, even if it wasn't much.

"Aw, is someone upset that they aren't the center of my attention? I know you're used to sisters falling at your feet, but is it hard to swallow when one strays away?"

"Oh, how you hurt me!"

Both of you chuckle, you go to look at his ideas he's written down while hoping the conversation has been put to rest. But you knew it was too much to ask for.

"But seriously, what is it?"

You pause, you wanted to choose your words carefully.

"In my old community, I was seen as a curse and an object of desire for people who... anyway, Cardinal was the first person who greeted me here at the church and I guess... I guess I like that he treats me like a person with respect. Also, I find him attractive, so sue me."

Papa III just stared at you for a second, as if processing what you'd just said.

"If I may ask, at your old church... had anything happened-"

"I'm still 'pure' if that's what you're insinuating, but I was physically attacked..."

"We wouldn't care about that 'purity' bullshit, but I hate that those things happened to you. You are a beautiful and intelligent young woman Y/n, don't let people like that make you forget it."

He had grabbed your hands at this point, squeezing them slightly as he said those last words. You gave him a smile and nodded. He let go of your hands and picked up one of his papers.

"Now, lets see how bad I am with budgeting, shall we?"

...

Papa III was now headed towards Sister Imperator's office with his now fleshed out budget plan. While he didn't doubt Copia's complements on your skills, he couldn't help but be impressed with how thorough you were. Speak of the devil, walking down the hall was the rat man himself. Papa III decided to have a little fun with the new information he'd acquired earlier.

"Ah, hello Cardinal!"

"Oh, h-hello Terzo, what brings you here this evening?"

"I have a proposal for Sister Imperator, I actually should thank you."

"Why?"

"You see, I'm bad with budgeting but I'd heard your praise of the new girl, sister Y/n. You're right, her budgeting skills are amazing."

Terzo watched Copia try to hide a bit of annoyance, though he failed miserably.

"W-well, I'm glad she could help you."

"Oh no Copia, are you upset that I spent time with sister Y/n? Is there something I'm not aware of?"

"It's none of your business Terzo-"

"Aww! Little rat man has a little crush!"

"I-I do not!"

Terzo was having way too much fun, the blush on Copia's face alone was enough to make this worth it.

"Listen, I need to get to Imperator so I'll leave you alone for now. However, I'd like to offer you some advice: a little ghoul has made it known to me that sister Y/n may have a liking towards you. But, what do I know? Good night Cardinal."

Trezo patted Copia on the shoulder and continued to Imperator's office before Copia could say anything. He finally made it to the office, hearing Imperator say 'enter' before he could even knock.

"Good evening Sister, how are you this evening?"

"I'm doing well Papa, though I don't appreciate you teasing the Cardinal like that."

She looked up to him as he chuckled.

"Forgive me Sister."

"So, why have you come to visit me this evening?"

"Oh, yes. I have an event proposal I wanted to run by you."

She raised an eyebrow as he handed her the papers, she was silent for a minute before setting them on her desk.

"I think we could set this up, though I have to ask, Who helped you with this?"

"Am I really that bad at budgeting that it's that obvious? Anyway, I have to give much credit to sister Y/n who sat with me most of this afternoon helping me with the budget of this plan."

"Sister Y/n? How was she during your time?"

"Well, obviously, her actual work ethic and quality is superb. Attitude, she is a hard worker and was focused on her task though she did participate in chit chat occasionally. May I ask why you're so curious about her?"

"She has been requested to be a personal assistant for Cardinal Copia, and so far she is proving to be a good pick."

"Oh, well I will give my personal recommendation then. She'd be a good match for him."

"Are you being genuine Papa, or are you playing matchmaker?"

"Oh Sister, why not both?"