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themratts · 10 months

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Dear Red Biretta

Cardinal Copia x OC Slow Burn

Friends to Lovers

Rating: G

Chapter word Count: 2,180

Pairing: M/F

Synopsis: Sister Alena has been enjoying her life within the abbey walls and satanic chapel. What she doesn’t know, is that things are about to change, the moment she becomes aquatinted with a certain awkward Cardinal and picks up that dear red biretta.

Read on Ao3 🥀

Chapter One under the cut 🥀

• • • ᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷ

The Library was always her favorite.

Which is likely why Alena had taken up the “Librarian’s helper” position with great pride and diligence for the past three years that she’s resided at the ministry. She did not have to come early, but she could stay late. Stay surrounded by books, endless worlds of knowledge and fantasy, for hours at a time. And most importantly, the tables and cushions and window sills made the perfect locations for studying. It was easy to balance her clergical duties with her personal ones. The library was her safe space.

While she didn’t do it often, her favorite task of all was running the book checkout. Situated at the front desk, it allowed her a sufficient view of the main area, satisfactory, the sight of fellow siblings and other members of ranks of all sorts enjoying this wondrous part of the building filled her with great joy. She liked the smiles on peoples faces as they slipped her their library cards, and well, she also liked knowing what everyone was reading.

However, this was not to say that the library itself was a frequently bustling area. Quite the opposite, in fact. If Alena wasn’t sorting, putting back books, or indulging in her satanic studies , then she was likely reclined at the librarian’s desk with her legs folded. Teacup to her left, her own book in hand, just enjoying the peace and contentment. Precisely where she found herself on this serene day. Noon’s sun was high in the sky and the rays that shone through both regular and stained glass windows decorated the interior beautifully. Average Wednesday, next to no one around, all was still.

Alena lifted the teacup to her lips and tilted her head back, ever so slightly. Her eyes traveled along the lettering on the page in front of her. This was how you spend a lazy afternoon. The librarian herself, Sister Margaretta, a gentle, much older woman, was off in the back somewhere, sorting her own personal archives. Alena had offered to help, but was declined. “Go enjoy yourself, child,” she’d said to her, “I’ll call you over if I need you.” But so far, nothing. So there she sat.

The slight creak of the heavy wooded doors brought Alena’s mind out of her book and back to reality. She peeked up, delighted at the thought of a possible visitor. Strolling through the doors was one of her fellow sisters of sin, their name was slipping her tongue at the moment but that didn’t matter. They weren’t friends, but had definitely spoken once or twice post-mass or during a lesson discussion. Alena sat up, flipping the end of her nun’s veil over her shoulder and preparing to greet her as the woman stepped right up to the desk.

“Afternoon, Sister.”

“Afternoon.” She smiled, and came to a halt right across from her. “Sister Alena, yes?”

“That’s right,” their smiles mirrored now, “How may I help you?”

“I was told you’re here sometimes. I was sent for you.”

“Oh?” Peculiar.

“Mmhm. Cardinal Riccardo would like to see you. He’s doing note checks. Something about, uhh..” she rolled her wrist in a tight circle, “...making sure everyone is writing their verses, you know, studying properly, something something..”

“Ohhh,” Alena set her teacup down, “I see. And, when does he want me?”

“Right now.”

“Oh dear,” this seemed a bit sudden. But, it wasn’t like that was out of character for Cardinal Riccardo. Now, Alena didn’t personally know all the Cardinals, probably couldn’t even name them all, but she didn’t need to to know that Riccardo was the strictest. She stood from her seat, “-All my note work is back in my room,”

“Then I guess you better get to it.” The other woman shrugged. Alena scrunched her nose and quickly thanked this sister, before scurrying herself to the back. She would have to let Ms. Sister Margaretta know that she was heading off, then, she could be on her way.

♡… ᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷ…♡

More than anything, a deep annoyance pricked at Alena’s being. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad if Riccardo had let his scholars know ahead of time about this so-called random “check”, but no, that would just be too convenient for that grumpy old guy. She had not been attending his personal Cardinal’s meetings, or “classes” as they technically were, for very long, yet she already did not like him. He was unkind.

Trudging down the hallway, she wished she’d picked a shorter habit skirt for the day. The leggings she wore underneath were sticking to her skin and the stress created by her desire to.. not get yelled at was causing an innate feeling of discomfort. Inside her skin and out. The hallways weren’t full, by any means, they weren’t crowded, but a few siblings staggered here and there and it was taking a lot out of Alena to keep her focus on where she needed to be headed. Despite having been living within the ministry for three consecutive years now, one issue that she still hadn’t quite hurtled was the navigation.

The corridors were nearly identical.

She wasn’t one to get lost, but it could at times take her a moment or two to make sure she knew where she was and where she was going. The best way, she found, to (at least temporarily) solve this problem was to have a routine. Find a passage of halls that lead where you need to go, and learn them, memorize them. Stick to them. As well as that worked, of course, there was always the downside of the outcome being she’d left a lot of the monastery unexplored. Slightly disappointing, but was it worth getting lost? She didn’t think so.

Upon rounding the corner, she confirmed she did in fact know precisely where she was, that in itself was comforting if nothing else. She was almost there. This hallway was a little less full than the one she just came from, but she didn’t make much note of those around her. Under different circumstances, Alena enjoyed greeting people as she passed them or exchanging a few smiles. In general the atmosphere here was very friendly and welcoming, hell most people would probably give you a hug if you asked nicely. Which made sense, given the messages preached by Papa himself and the environment he enforced. Might not be everyone, but, most of these people were quite nice.

Which is why it surprised her a little when the sound of rushing footsteps stomped past her in the opposite direction, followed by a crash, and then laughter. Alena whipped her head around, started by the sudden noise. The sight that met her eyes was not very pretty.

Someone, who must’ve been skedaddling way faster than their own feet anticipated, had taken an awful tumble, right there in the hall. There weren’t many others around, but the ones who were were covering their mouths and giggling as they stepped around this unfortunate scene. Papers and a few books were scattered about. It caused Alena to stop dead in her tracks.

The person who’d fallen was a man. Not someone Alena knew, but, something about him was oddly familiar. Judging by his attire, he must’ve been one of the Cardinals. His cassock, which was a rather striking shade of red, stretched and flopped as he struggled onto his knees. Only then did she get a look at his face. She didn’t recognize him, his jawline was sharp and nose long and somewhat pointy. His hair, a dusty chestnut brown, fell in waves down the back of his head. And to match, a handsome pair of sideburns and light mustache. The typical Cardinal’s paint, an eye and lip look, were clung to him. Alena blinked, slowly.

She watched as the man, with very shaky limbs, tried his best to collect his papers. Some of them continued to fall from his unsteady hands, while others were getting stepped on by passer-bys. Something inside of her hurt. Why wasn’t anyone helping him? Or making sure he was okay? He looked so sad. No, no. This wasn’t right. She had to do something.

Momentarily forgetting just how much of a hurry she was in, Alena’s feet seemed to carry her right up to him all on their own. Without hesitating, she crouched and began gathering up some of the papers for him. By now they seemed to be the only two in the hallway, which made things easier, although still several of the documents were stamped with dirty shoe prints.

Once her hands were full, she lifted her head to inspect the man in front of her. By now, he’d noticed her presence. And he was wide-eyed staring. Now that she was close up, Alena could get a better look at him. No… she still didn’t recognize him, but she couldn’t shake the feeling she had seen him somewhere. She also noticed that one of his eyes was a different color than the other, one a warm green while its partner a stark white. It was… interesting. It matched the eye pattern of the Emeritus family. The most well known, highest ranking family in the clergy. The LEADERS of the clergy. But… this guy wasn’t an Emeritus? Right…?

Alena’s thoughts were cut suddenly as she realized, a black, wet stain of a tear was trickling down his cheek. Her heart broke. And gently, she held the papers out to him and tried to smile. He didn’t move.

“Here,” her voice came out a little less steady than she would’ve liked it to. Perhaps she was nervous, she didn’t want to upset him further, ��-that was a nasty fall, are-are you alright?”

He remained silent. Although his lips parted as if he wanted to answer. Instead, his trembling arms opened and he took the documents from her. After another moment of staring, he nodded.

“Good.” Alena continued. Another black smudge ran down his face. She winced. “Oh, dear, please… don’t cry,” And her hand began mindlessly fishing her pocket. Fortunately for this poor guy, a case of seasonal allergies left Alena with tissues on her person at all times. When she managed to wrangle one out, however, she realized his hands were completely full. Wanting to avoid making this worse, she opted to reach forward, and gently wipe the smeared paint from his cheeks herself.

He remained frozen.

“-there, see? You’re alright..” She crumpled the dirty tissue and shoved it back into her pocket. Then, with a huff, hoisted herself back to her own feet. She extended a hand to the stranger, a helpful gesture. But he only stared. For several moments, as if he had never seen another human hand before. Then, hesitantly, he took it, and Alena helped him up off the ground.

Oh, woah. He was taller than she thought he was. Well.. taller than her, at least. Not that that meant very much. The man stood dumbfounded, books and papers still cradled his arms. Alena felt a little awkward. Why wasn’t he talking to her? Was he that upset? The best she could think to do was brush it off.

Just then, another sibling walked by behind them, and kicked something. A glimpse of that same pretty red caught Alena’s peripheral and she looked down. Oh, yes, of course. It was a biretta. It must have been his. She bent down carefully and picked up the prim hat, something inside her shivered at the contact. Cautiously, she looked up again and held it out to him. He was still staring. And without moving his gaze at all, took the hat from her hand and placed it back onto his head.

Waaiiiit a minute.

It finally hit her. Alena knew why he looked so familiar. She had definitely seen that look before. She had definitely seen that hat before. The tip of it skimmed the top of the shelves in the library many times. Yes! THAT was it! The library. THAT was where she had seen him. It MUST have been.

As quickly as the realization dawned on her, the memory of where she was supposed to be right now flooded back as well. Panic shot through her body. She visibly tensed up and, not wanting to be rude, began to scoot away from him. “-um, good day, sir,” And a nod was all she could manage out of politeness before she promptly began to scamper away.

Truthfully, Alena felt a little bad about helping him up and then ditching himso suddenly. She wished she could have done more or at least gotten his name. But, oh well. Perhaps she’ll just have to keep an eye out. Admittedly.. Something about him more or less had her attention. He had such an… odd look to him, intriguing almost. But who knows. Maybe she could get to know him, or maybe there wasn’t much to get to know. It’s hard to judge a book by its cover. Even if it may be the most alluring cover you’ve ever seen.

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