Addeline: The Darkness at the Heart of My Love [Papa Emeritus IV]

This Chapel of Ritual

After wrapping up Addeline's postpartum check-up, Papa and Addy eagerly headed back home, longing to reunite with their daughter and establish a comforting routine for their newborn son. Addeline was especially eager to hand him over to the nanny so she could get some well-deserved rest.

The click-clack of Sister's shoes excitedly walked towards the door upon hearing the bell ring. She couldn't wait to see her new grandson once again.

She hurriedly swung open the door to see the Cardinal, with a single suitcase in his hand.

"Where is he?" she asked, enthusiastically.

Addeline appeared behind Copia, holding the little bundle of joy that Imperator was so desperate to get her hands on.

"What a precious little boy!" she cried, taking the child from Addy.

"Where is Elizabeth?" Addeline asked.

"The nanny put Elizabeth down ages ago," Imperator said, "It's quite late."

"I don't care," Addy replied, "I'm going to wake her. I haven't seen her in so long."

Sister was too busy gawking over the baby to pay the woman any mind, "Fine, dear, if you must."

As Addeline walked off, Sister turned to the Cardinal who had set his luggage against the wall by the door, "Will you have Sister Annaliese take this to my room," he said, "She's usually here when I arrive home."

"Oh of course, C," replied sister, "I think she went to sleep too. We were expecting you two to arrive much earlier. I was really hoping to discuss a formal ceremony for Kaisarion."

"Well," Copia said, "I have a little bit of time now. I'm terribly jet lagged though, so just make it quick and we'll discuss details tomorrow."

"Well I'd like to gather our followers and formally introduce him of course as the future Papa Emeritus V," she continued explaining, "I think he'll be ready to take over when he's 15. What do you think?"

"Fifteen is quite young," Copia grumbled, "He'll still be in school."

"School?" she laughed, "Oh all the children will be schooled right here in this ministry."

"I think Addeline would prefer they go to a public school."

Sister placed a hand over her heart as though Papa had said something outlandish, "Public school? Cardi, of course they won't attend public school! We don't want their little minds tainted by outside sources. Why, it's preposterous to think."

Copia continued, "And what children? We only have two. Who are all these hypothetical children you speak of?"

"Oh, C, my boy. Certainly, you will need more than just one male heir. God forbid something happen to Kaisarion that puts us in the same predicament we were in before his birth."

"Really, Sister, I don't want to think about something happening to my infant son--"

She cut him off, "Well, you never know, darling. We almost lost him before he was even born. All I'm saying is that life is unpredictable, and we must be prepared."

"Alright, Alright," the Cardinal grew frustrated, "And what will this ceremony involve?"

"Oh, well we've had one for all of Nihil's children. It's like a baptism almost, except..."

"Except what?" Papa grew intensely nervous not knowing what Sister would suggest next.

"Well, perhaps you are too young to remember but the ceremony usually includes a human sacrifice."