webnovelfull Chapter 271 Preparations
Chapter 271 Preparations
Chapter 271 Preparations
Kendrick returned to the orphanage's underground chamber after several months, but the seats there were full of people that day. Today, besides Kendrick and Margaret, only two other people were present.
They are Bishop Simpson Fernandez and Dean Herven Tucker.
"You've really made quite a fuss, Mr. Kendrick," Herwin said first.
Simpson chimed in, "I only wanted them to help us slowly infiltrate other denominations, but you...!"
They actually assassinated Patriarch Felix, the leader of the Qinglu sect.
Kendrick bowed slightly: "I'm sorry to have troubled you."
"Causing trouble?" Simpson said with a laugh. "How could it be causing trouble? Your existence has become a variable in the entire Principality's sectarian situation. I'm more than grateful to you!"
Hearing this, Kendrick became a little nervous:
"Yes, really? I was just acting according to my own will."
“Yes,” Simpson nodded. “The Firstborn Church was originally a thorn in the side of almost all the other denominations, but now the focus has shifted to the Dewdrop Church. Didn’t the Presiding Clerk Zygmunt mention this to you?”
Margaret spoke for Kendrick: "He said that it seems all the shady dealings of the Dewdrop Cult have been uncovered, and His Holiness the Pope seems very angry."
“It’s more than just anger,” Simpson said. “You may not know, but for the past two days, the Inquisitors have been conducting a large-scale manhunt for members of the Qinglu Sect, and it’s said that this time they’ve received instructions from the Vatican.”
Hevin shook his head and sighed: "Alas, such a huge scandal happened during his tenure, it's only natural that His Majesty Nicholas would be angry."
"However, this means the Qinglu Cult will likely have little chance of a comeback," Simpson said.
"But this also conveniently diverted attention, giving our Newborn Cult a chance to catch our breath temporarily."
As Hewen spoke, he glanced at everyone.
"Moreover, this also frees up a patriarchal position. If Zygmunt can win this position, our sect will surely rise again."
"I hope so."
Simpson nodded, then looked at Kendrick. "So, Mr. Kendrick, I appreciate your contributions to the Firstborn Cult."
"Well—" Kendrick scratched his head, "it's mostly thanks to Margaret."
"I will never forget her contributions," Simpson nodded. "It's a pity that women have difficulty obtaining higher teaching positions, otherwise I would really like to recommend Sister Margaret for a higher position after the Firstborn Church regains its status."
Kendrick agreed, saying, "Margaret's abilities are worthy of your trust!"
Simpson smiled, his eyes narrowing. "You seem to trust Margaret far more than you trust yourself."
Upon hearing this, Kendrick blushed and looked away warily.
Simpson continued, "I heard you're getting married?"
Upon hearing this, Kendrick glanced at Margaret.
She seemed quite shy about the topic and was currently keeping her head down.
However, she reached out and grabbed Kendrick's hand under the table.
Kendrick then dared to confront the topic: "Well, I don't know what to do. This is my first marriage."
"Everyone has a first time, but—"
As he spoke, Simpson turned to Margaret.
"Sister, you should know that to be a priest, one must remain celibate. If you want to get married, you must give up your current status."
“I understand,” Margaret frowned. “I love my profession, but I also love this man. If I had to choose one, I would choose him.”
"Since you've made up your mind, I won't say anything more," Simpson said. "Sister Margaret, thank you for your contributions to the Vatican."
"Thank you, Your Excellency," Margaret nodded to Simpson. "Your approval is an honor to me."
"However, it's a pity. I've read your paper, and you are indeed an excellent scholar."
"Yes, not being able to continue the research is my biggest regret."
"Not necessarily," Simpson smiled.
Margaret abruptly raised her head and stared directly into Simpson's eyes:
"Bishop Simpson, what do you mean?"
"Are you planning to leave the Firstborn Cult?"
Margaret shook her head: "I firmly believe that the sect's doctrines are correct, and even if I am no longer a nun of the sect, I will continue to be a believer."
"How about this? If I get reinstated, I'll write you a letter of recommendation so you can take a position at the seminary. That way, you can continue your research."
Margaret hurriedly rose and bowed to Simpson:
"Thank you so much, Bishop Simpson!"
"Compared to your contributions to the sect, this is nothing."
Simpson smiled and gestured for Margaret to sit down, then looked at Kendrick.
"Sir, when are you planning to get married?"
Kendrick glanced at Margaret furtively, then said:
"I don't know, I still feel like I'm dreaming about this."
"Oh, I was going to say that if you're ready, I'd be happy to officiate your wedding."
"Thank you for your kind offer," Kendrick said, bowing his head. "However, Your Excellency, what should be prepared for a wedding?"
"There's not much to prepare. If I had to say, it would be to prepare the heart to spend the rest of our lives together, and a ring that symbolizes loyalty and eternity."
"A ring? — Thank you for your guidance, Your Excellency."
Afterwards, Bishop Simpson seemed to want to ask Margaret some questions about the Cenotaphs, which appeared to be sect secrets, so Kendrick was asked to leave.
Kendrick accepted the arrangement and went to the orphanage.
The children at the orphanage are listening to a nun give a lecture, seemingly explaining a passage from the Gospels.
They listened intently, and a smile unconsciously crept onto Kendrick's face.
But Kendrick didn't linger there; instead, he set off and returned to the hotel.
He had to return to the kingdom soon, so he needed to pack his bags in advance.
Next, he will travel by carriage to Candlelight Harbor.
That was a port located in the western part of the Principality of the Holy Envoy.
Because it is just a small port, few ships from the kingdoms would choose to sail here.
However, many ships bound for the kingdom pass through this area.
That's why Kendrick chose to depart from this port on his return voyage.
This voyage could be long, and Kendrick must be well prepared.
So he went to the market and selected some supplies.
Kendrick didn't manage to buy everything he needed until evening.
When he returned to the inn, he found that Margaret had already returned to the tavern and was waiting for him in the lobby.
"Margaret," Kendrick greeted her, "have you finished talking to them?"
"Um."
"That's good," Kendrick nodded with a smile.
Margaret took a few things from him and helped him carry them up to his room.
After arriving at Kendrick's room, Kendrick asked:
"I still need to report back. This trip has already taken too long, and I want to get back as soon as possible, so if you'd like to come with me..."
"Of course I would,"
Margaret came over and took Kendrick's hand.
"Yes, thank you, you're so understanding," Kendrick said, deeply touched. "So, is there anything else you haven't finished doing?"
"I've finished talking to Bishop Simpson and the others, and I've officially resigned from my position as a Sister of the Firstborn, understand, Kendrick? I'm a free man now."
"Hmm—" Kendrick nodded. "Then I think we should leave tomorrow morning and arrive at Candlelight Harbor before nightfall. If we're lucky, we can catch a ship to the Kingdom the following morning."
"Of course, it's difficult to find a ship that goes directly to O'Brien Bay, after all, it's just a small port. But you can transfer to other ships at the kingdom's ports."
"Oh, perhaps this plan is a bit too hasty. If you feel it's inappropriate, we can discuss it further."
"It's okay, Kendrick, whatever you say," Margaret said.
Kendrick smiled at Margaret and said, "Thank you."
Margaret took Kendrick's hand: "I would have preferred you to say something else."
Other words? Kendrick was a little confused. Did the Duchy have any special vocabulary for expressing gratitude?
Kendrick knew nothing about this, so he was unable to fulfill Margaret's wish.
He could only lower his head to express his regret and apology.
That evening, Kendrick and Margaret had dinner together at the hotel.
Margaret prayed with Kendrick before the meal. Although he found it tedious, he chose to cooperate. The woman in front of Margaret was a ray of light in his dark life, and he was willing to do anything for her.
The next morning, after Kendrick had everything ready, he knocked on Margaret's door.
But Margaret was already prepared.
She was wearing a long green and white dress, and around her neck hung a necklace that Kendrick had once bought for her.
"Does it look good?" Margaret asked, her cheeks slightly flushed.
Kendrick nodded: "Yes."
After a simple breakfast, the two rented a carriage at the city gate.
Margaret sat in the car, gazing out the window.
What is she looking at?
No matter how much Kendrick stared at Margaret, he couldn't read her mind.
Margaret suddenly turned to him and smiled:
Are you looking at me?
Kendrick instinctively looked away.
He suddenly remembered that such a conversation seemed to have happened before.
But he is no longer the person he used to be.
Kendrick felt that changes had to be made.
Therefore, he chose to look directly at Margaret:
"Um-.."
Margaret laughed: "Is it really that good-looking?"
You've always been beautiful.
Upon hearing this, Margaret's smile vanished instantly, and she turned her head to look out the window.
The tips of her ears also turned red.
Did I say something wrong and make her angry?
Kendrick quickly corrected himself: "I was wondering why you were staring so intently out the window!"
The redness on Margaret's earlobes faded quickly, and when she turned around, a smile was already on her face.
However, there was a hint of unease in her smile.
She said, "I am a native of the Principality. Although I have lived in many cities and several parishes, I have never left this land."
So that's it. It seems she doesn't want to leave her hometown.
"If you don't want to leave, then stay."
Margaret rolled her eyes at Kendrick: "Sometimes, what you say really makes me angry. Do you really want to break up with me that badly?"
Kendrick waved his hands repeatedly: "No! I wish you were in my sight the moment I opened my eyes every day!"
Upon hearing this, Margaret's face immediately turned redder than blood.
Margaret's flaws remained in Kendrick's sight, her bleeding form constantly mirroring reality.
But those images only bothered Kendrick at that moment, preventing him from focusing on the light in his heart.
Kendrick continued, "What I'm trying to say is, you should act according to your own heart."
"I'm just doing what I feel like," Margaret said with a happy smile.
But she reached out and wiped a tear from the corner of her eye.
Kendrick was a little confused; he wasn't sure whether he was happy or sad.
The carriage lurched forward, and Margaret would always bring up certain topics.
Kendrick was able to talk about all those topics.
After all, he had acquired a lot of useless knowledge at the Herald Academy that he had never used in the first half of his life.
But at this moment, Kendrick already knew the significance of learning that knowledge was so that he could chat with Margaret now.
That evening, they finally arrived at Candlelight Harbor.
Although it was several hours later than he had expected, he managed to find a ship bound for the kingdom, and the captain agreed to give Kendrick a ride.
Of course, the cost of the boat ride cannot be reduced by a single penny.
The next morning, they boarded the ship and sailed out to sea from the port.
Margaret lay on the stern guardrail, gazing intently at the shore.
Kendrick walked up to her: "Don't you miss your hometown?"
Margaret glanced at him: "Severing ties with the Prime Minister is a very difficult thing."
Is it Cheng?
Kendrick had been a carefree kid since childhood, and nobody cared about him, so he didn't understand what Margaret was saying.
However, if he were to part ways with Margaret, he would surely be more depressed than ever.
If Cheng does this, then he might be able to empathize with Margaret.
"If you want to come back, I will escort you."
Margaret smiled at him and said, "We'll discuss the future together later!"
"Oh, right," Kendrick suddenly remembered something, "I wanted to give you a gift."
"Gift?"
Kendrick took out the gift and placed it in Margaret's palm.
That Cheng had a ring.
Margaret stared at the ring, her mouth slightly agape, frozen in place, seemingly quite surprised.
The sea breeze ruffled her hair and skirt, and also her gaze, which drifted toward Kendrick.
She took a step toward Kendrick, hooked her arm around his neck, and then closed her eyes:
"Kiss me—"