Chapter 4: The Countess's Playful Probe into the Pope's Private Bloom
A low, resonant hum vibrated through the air as the golden dimensional gate rippled open before her, its edges shimmering like liquid sunlight caught in stained glass. Vespera Langford stepped through without hesitation, the hem of her papal robes brushing the flagstones of the grand entry courtyard. The familiar weight of her long white hair shifted across her shoulders, and she felt the cool kiss of the evening breeze carry the mingled scents of sweet herbs and faintly demonic night-blooming flowers.
The steward waiting at the threshold bowed low, his neat features composed in perfect deference. "Your Holiness has arrived. Allow me to escort you."
"Thank you," she replied, voice calm and melodic as always.
He hesitated, then leaned forward as if to press his lips to the back of her offered hand in the old courtly fashion. Vespera's brow tightened before she could stop it. The thought of anyone else's mouth touching the skin that still carried the faint, cherished trace of Lirian's lips made something sharp and possessive coil low in her chest. She withdrew her hand smoothly.
"That won't be necessary. Please rise."
"As you wish, Your Holiness."
She flexed her fingers once, almost absently, as though reassuring herself the invisible mark remained untouched. The mere idea of it being overwritten sent a flicker of distaste through her, cold and immediate. She had no intention of letting anyone dilute what belonged to her little one.
The steward guided her along the sweeping paths of the estate's vast gardens, and Vespera allowed the beauty of the place to settle over her like a cloak. Countess Thalia Evergreen had cultivated something extraordinary here—heady floral fragrances twined with the rich earthiness of plants that should not have thrived outside the demon realms, yet flourished under the countess's green-thumbed command. Lanterns glowed softly along the walks, casting warm pools of light that danced across leaves edged in faint, otherworldly silver. It was a living testament to Thalia's skill, and Vespera could not deny its loveliness even as the long walk reminded her why she had come.
The heavy doors of the mansion swung open with a low groan. An aging butler greeted them with a deep bow, the lines on his face speaking of decades in service. "Forgive our lack of preparation, Your Holiness. We were not informed of your visit in advance."
"It is no trouble. The fault lies with me for arriving unannounced."
"You honor us, Your Holiness."
Vespera inclined her head. "And the countess? When might I expect her?"
"She was in the flower garden and is hurrying back as we speak. It should not be long."
"Hmm. The flower garden, you say. She seems to be spending more of her leisure there these days."
"Indeed. All thanks to Your Holiness's benevolence."
"Not at all. It is the result of her own efforts."
Thalia's renowned cosmetics shop in the city center drew crowds daily, its products made from the very plants she nurtured here. The formulas were so effective that even the highest nobility sometimes found themselves unable to secure a single jar. Vespera knew their worth better than most.
The steward led her onward to the guest salon, a procession of servants trailing discreetly behind. She felt their eyes like the brush of too many feathers against her skin and dismissed them all with a quiet word once they reached the chamber. Only then did she sink into a cushioned chair and let the tension ease from her shoulders.
A maid poured tea—rich, fragrant leaves harvested by Thalia herself—and Vespera lifted the cup, inhaling the complex notes of berry and spice. The first sip bloomed across her tongue, warm and unexpectedly comforting. She let her thoughts drift while she waited.
What was Lirian doing right now? He had mentioned spending the day at the Healing Sanctum again. She hoped the work was not too taxing on his delicate frame. A quiet fondness curled through her chest at the image of him there, white hair catching the light, golden eyes focused as he mended wounds with that gentle, diligent touch of his. She would have to bring him something sweet on the way back—one of those rare, decadent desserts he liked. The thought of his small, pleased smile made the corners of her mouth lift despite herself.
A soft knock sounded at the door.
"Enter."
The countess swept in moments later, green hair cascading like living vines, tiny flower buds nestled among the strands. She dropped to one knee in a flawless courtly obeisance, every line of her elegant frame radiating noble precision. "Countess Thalia Evergreen greets Your Holiness, Pope of the Holy See of Akadonia."
Vespera studied her for a beat, then allowed a soft laugh to escape. "Lift your head, Thalia."
The countess rose, and the moment their eyes met the formality cracked. Vespera's shoulders shook with genuine amusement. "Pfft!"
Thalia's own lips twitched, the small buds in her hair quivering. "Hehe♪"
"Enough of the pomp, Thalia. Let us drop the titles."
"Oh, gladly, Vespera♪" The countess slid into the chair opposite her with fluid grace. One lock of her green hair stirred, the tip thickening into a supple vine that lifted the teacup from the table as easily as a hand. "You look well. Radiant, even."
"And you seem to be thriving. The gardens are more breathtaking than ever."
Thalia's vine-guided cup hovered near her lips. "You flatter me. Though I must say, you grow more beautiful with each passing day."
Vespera felt heat rise in her cheeks. "Do I?"
"Of course♪"
"It is all thanks to your cosmetics…"
The admission slipped out before she could stop it, and the warmth in her face deepened. Lately she had taken a keener interest in beauty regimens, accepting Thalia's exceptional products with perhaps more frequency than strictly necessary. They were luxuries even the aristocracy sometimes begged for in vain, yet here she was, receiving them as casually as one might accept a loaf of bread from a friend.
Thalia's eyes sparkled with mischief. "But Vespera♪ What brings the ever-busy Pope all the way to my humble estate?"
The countess already knew the answer, of course. Vespera hesitated, then spoke plainly. "My supply of cosmetics has… run low."
"Oh? The facial cleanser? The soap? Or perhaps the brightening serum?"
"All of it, please."
Thalia's laughter rang like silver bells. "Consider it done♪"
"Thank you…" Vespera's head dipped slightly, the weight of the indulgence settling on her like a pleasant guilt. Using her position to claim such things from a friend felt uncomfortably close to abusing power, yet Thalia's next words eased the sting.
"Don't look so remorseful, Vespera. I benefit from the arrangement just as much. When I advertise, I simply mention that even the Pope herself uses my products♪"
Vespera blinked. "Ah…"
It was a fair exchange, then. The thought lightened the faint shame in her chest.
"The shipment will go out with you when you leave. You remember the proper routine, yes? Warm water to open the pores, then a cool rinse to seal them…"
"Of course. I follow it every evening."
"My, my♪ When did the Pope become so devoted to skincare?"
Vespera shot her a sharp look. "Do not tease me, Thalia."
The two women stared at each other for a long moment, then burst into shared laughter that filled the salon and lingered like the scent of the tea. The sound rolled on, warm and easy, until they both sighed and let the mirth settle.
"Ah… forgive me, Vespera. It reminded me of old times♪"
"I feel the same…"
"Truly, I never imagined we would one day sit together like this, enjoying such peaceful afternoons♪"
"Nor did I ever dream I would ascend to the papacy."
They let the quiet stretch, memories rising naturally between them. Once they had been enemies on opposite sides of a war that had nearly torn the world apart. Thalia Evergreen, then known as the Iron Legion commander under the Demon King, had commanded living walls of thorns and roots that shredded armies. Vespera had faced her alone after the rest of her party scattered, blood-soaked and furious, both women glaring at each other across a field of carnage while crimson stained their blades and armor.
"You were terrifying back then," Thalia said, voice soft with recollection. "A human wielding magic like that… it defied reason."
"And you were magnificent. Those roots erupting from the earth, scattering my companions before I could even react."
"We stood there drenched in blood, eyes locked, ready to end each other♪"
"Yes… we did."
"Instead of applying cosmetics together, of course."
Vespera chuckled. "Indeed."
They lingered over the old stories for a while longer, trading details of battles, the Demon King's more ridiculous habits, and the previous pope's more questionable decisions. The conversation flowed easily, the kind of comfortable reminiscence only possible between two people who had once tried to kill one another and somehow survived to share tea instead.
"Speaking of old companions," Vespera said after a time, "I do not see Ilyra today."
"Ah♪ You mean Ilyra? She departed for the demon realm on a short errand♪"
"A shame. Her wit would have made the gossip even sharper."
Vespera smiled at the memory of Ilyra's particular way with words; no one could match her when it came to dissecting the Demon King's flaws.
Then Thalia's expression shifted into something more playful. "But Vespera, I must confess I have grown a little worried about you lately."
"Worried? About what?"
"Side effects from the cosmetics, perhaps? I wonder if they might be affecting you in unexpected ways♪"
Vespera tilted her head, puzzled. "I have noticed nothing of the sort…"
"No, no, it is quite clear. Look here!"
Thalia gestured directly at Vespera's chest with unabashed delight. "Your already generous bosom has grown even more impressive♪ I never gave you any breast-enhancing elixir, yet here we are."
Vespera's eyes widened. "What?"
"A cosmetic that enlarges the chest? How fascinating♪"
"I—I don't know what you mean…"
Thalia snapped her fingers with a crisp sound. The salon doors flew open at once and a line of serving carts rolled in, each laden with silver platters of delicate meats, glazed fruits, and fragrant breads. Cutlery lifted on invisible threads of magic, dancing through the air before arranging itself neatly in front of Vespera.
"Everyone knows a woman in love becomes more beautiful," Thalia continued, voice laced with knowing amusement. "I find myself terribly curious about the man responsible for turning our esteemed Pope into such a vision of loveliness♪"
Vespera felt heat flood her face all the way to the tips of her ears. "Wh—what?"
Thalia leaned forward, smile slow and wicked. "It would be a pity for you to leave so soon after arriving. Stay and dine with me, won't you? I would love to hear all about him♪"