Bewitch You (Papa Emeritus III × Cardinal Copia)

XXI

It finally happend.

Cardinal was escorted by two unfamiliar Ghouls as Papa held the Black Mass at the church. Shivers ran down Copia's spine when he saw Emeritus refused to wear his gown and instead showed up in his usual suit. However, auidence did not mind at all. They loved and adored him. It was the only thing that really mattered. But it wasn't enough.

At the end of the Ritual, Papa was taken off the stage. In that moment, Copia's heart crushed into million pieces. Helplessly, as useless minion, he watched as the love of his life was dragged off the stage. Cardinal Copia was perfectly aware this was the last time he ever saw Papa Emeritus III.

He promised him. He promised he'll never admit their relationship and that he will not try to save Emeritus. Papa made Cardinal take an unsacred vow for these promises. He couldn't break them, even though deep inside he screamed like an angel in deepest pit of Heaven.

Instead, he let a cold wind of vengeance embrace his senses. The procedure will be long lasting, the vengeance will be served cold. Copia knew Father Nihil will make him the leader, perhaps not immediately a pope, but Cardinal is the only person left to lead the Devil Church.

Do not be Nihil's puppet.

The words of Emeritus echoed in Copia's ears. He has made a promise. He will fullfil it no matter the cost.

I will be better than you, Emeritus.

○○○

After Emeritus was dragged off the stage, the Ghouls of Father Nihil locked him inside a small room, before his father finally showed up.

When Emeritus saw this scrawny man with oxygen tank, he started laughing, making Nihil frown in disapproval.

"Hello, father."

Emeritus hissed and looked at Nihil behind his pitch black bangs. Father Nihil sat at the table, opposite of his son so they looked eachother face to face.

Nihil did not greet him, nor called him son anymore. In those letters, Papa let him know why he wasn't continuing the bloodline, however, he will never let him know for Cardinal. After all, this was a family issue.

"I hoped you were just young and rebellious. And then your advisor sends me this."

Father Nihil spat and threw a letter and some pictures in front of Papa. It was the letter he wrote and signed Cardinal. These were also the pictures he put along with the letter. It was one of many parties where he was very playfull with his Ghouls.

Papa raised his eyebrows and hummed as he was observing the pictures. At some point he whistled, earning a furious gaze by Father Nihil. Eventually, he sighed and looked at Nihil with innocent-like gaze.

"I could have swore it was a Ghoulette."

Father Nihil exploded now and tried to slap Emeritus who just bowed the hit and evil laughed at Nihil's inaccuracy and weakness. After all, he was an old man.

"You are...no longer...the leader...of the Devil...Church.

Father Nihil spoke, breathing very heavily. He desperately grasped for the oxygen tank. Emeritus watched that tall skeleton of despair. What a mess.

When he managed to get some air, he looked at the former pope dead in the eye. Emeritus somehow knew this was probably one of the last times they are seeing eachother.