My Past Life is Riddled With Many Sins - Chapter 37

“As the dean, I should be welcoming this with open arms, yet why do I find myself reluctant to approve?”

“I’m curious as to what reason you could possibly have for not granting permission when all qualifications are met.”

Calmly retorted the man with black hair and silver eyes, Pope Valenti.

Priests educated at seminaries run by the church could apply for transfer to the Imperial Academy through a ‘cleric’s examination’. Since ordination as a priest required seminary graduation, he too graduated from a seminary.

“There could be many ways around it. Perhaps the dean has the authority to amend the academy regulations related to transfers now? To prohibit the Pope’s admission? Or maybe that men with black hair and silver eyes cannot become students at the Imperial Academy?”

Despite the absurd sarcasm, Valenti did not so much as twitch an eyebrow.

“Whatever decision the dean makes is of no consequence, but the response that comes from your mouth must be something the church can accept.”

“For someone who claims to be indifferent, your words carry quite a threat.”

Pressing with the authority of the church now, is he?

Bliss’s eyes narrowed as he watched Valenti elegantly sipping his tea as if no declaration of war had been made.

Taking a stand against the church officially within this country is not the wisest of choices.

Bliss, lacking even a speck of faith, was not particularly afraid of excommunication. However, the moment it occurred, it would bring a host of troublesome issues he’d rather avoid until he could sweet-talk the Young Majesty into leaving the country.

In some countries outside the Empire, there were places where they did not believe in the church or rather the god Itos. In other words, the Pope is less significant than a paper dragon. The Pope’s authority extends only to those who believe in him.

Conversely, it means his power is absolute in places that do believe.

Faced with a conclusion he didn’t like at all, Bliss’s face soured. Abandoning any attempt at maintaining his composure, he leaned back into the couch, letting his upper body sink in.

“What’s your reason for wanting to become a student at the academy? It’s not like there’s much for you to learn here.”

“There’s only one reason I’d tolerate the dean’s presence.”

Valenti discarded the formalities, revealing his true colors. Bliss leaned back in response.

“Ah, you have a remarkable nose for sniffing things out. Annoyingly so. Are you by any chance naturally a dog?”

“Coming from someone who clings like a snake to what belongs to others, that’s rich.”

“Why would you claim Her Majesty as yours? Grand Duke Eldenberg.”

“Because that’s what marriage is. It ensures that I am hers, and she is mine, a bond history will forever recognize. Margrave Linzmeyer, on the other hand, remains unknown now and probably will in the future too.”

Bliss’s grip on the armrest tightened. His role as a lover was one of his few vulnerabilities.

“I particularly enjoy it when the Grand Duke is brimming with confidence. There’s no spectacle more amusing than seeing your lofty and proud demeanor crumble. Was it the New Year’s celebration? That expression you made when our eyes met in Her Majesty’s chamber had me thinking the sky was falling.”

Despite Valenti’s calm exterior as he sipped his tea, Bliss was convinced his remark had struck a nerve in him. After all, they weren’t acquaintances for just a day or two.

“It’s fortunate for the Margrave to have such simple pleasures. Since outside the bedroom, you always look at me with that same expression.”

“That’s all in the past. Not now.”

Who said he’d play the role of a lover in this life? Of course, the former prince consort and current Pope might disagree.

With a sneer, Bliss scrutinized his old enemy’s face. As in their previous life, the man was infuriatingly handsome. While Bliss was confident in his own looks, he couldn’t gauge who would be more to Her Majesty’s taste.

If one of them was significantly less attractive, such worries would be unnecessary, but this just complicated matters.

Realizing that continuing the nerve war would only prolong his exposure to that unpleasant face, Bliss begrudgingly accepted the application for transfer.

Valenti quickly solved the test problems and submitted them, which Bliss threw into the trash without checking, knowing the outcome was obvious.

“I would like to keep my identity concealed during my studies.”

Bliss simply nodded in agreement at Valenti’s request.

“As you wish, Your Holiness. In our academy, we do not discriminate based on status. However…”

Bliss smiled lightly under Valenti’s impatient gaze, urging him to continue.

“As a student, you should talk respectfully to the dean from now on.”

For the first time, Valenti’s expression that could not be disturbed at all, faltered.

* * *

“Have you heard about the new transfer? I heard he’s from the church.”

“Maybe a priest? I’ve heard he’s quite handsome.”

“I saw him in the etiquette class. He seemed very noble.”

As usual, Regina continued her meal, using the variety of conversations around her as background noise. The menu consisted of Southern-style grilled meat skewers, a seafood stew based on consommé, and bread infused with herbs.

‘Today’s meal is delicious as well.’

She pondered getting seconds.

“Really? As handsome as the dean?”

“Yes, I’m telling you. Ah, it’s delightful to have another precious beauty in the academy.”

“Oh, I want to see him again. Senior Valen.”

The academy had been abuzz for days with one topic: the new transfer student.

With so much talk around her, Regina, who had never even encountered the transfer student, ended up knowing quite a bit about them.

Named Valen, his background and family remained unknown, but being a graduate of a seminary, he was presumed to be a priest. He passed the transfer exam with perfect scores.

His appearance was described as divinely handsome, embodying the typical divine aura associated with the church member. He often became the subject of comparison with Bliss, Skyler’s reincarnation, and Darien, a sophomore, regarding who was more aesthetically pleasing.