The Deceitful One

Wednesday, 4th May 1581.

Alice and her father were buying groceries at the farmer's market near the slums. She had now fully recovered from the flu that had afflicted her previously.

Ever since the kind priest had visited their house that night and cured her, Alice had completely regained her health and even become more active than ever. Her father couldn't be happier.

"Daddy, that large lollipop looks so delicious! Can I have one? Please!" Alice pointed at the candy stall in the distance and looked at her father with bright eyes.

Her father, however, only felt his heart ache as he listened to his precious daughter's request. He had been doing whatever odd jobs he could find for the past few months and barely had enough money to put food on the table.

He made sure that Alice always slept with a full stomach even though it meant that he had to starve for a day or two.

Looking at his daughter's bright innocent eyes, he struggled inwardly, 'What do I do? If I buy the lollipop, I'll fall short on money to buy the rest of the groceries.'

Alice noticed her father's conflicted expression and forced a smile as she then stated, "Actually, I don't want that lollipop anymore. We should get bread and vegetables instead. Yes! I love green vegetables!"

Her father's heart ached even more as his eyes began to turn a little teary. He thought in sorrow, 'Forgive this useless father of yours, Alice.'

But right at that moment, a blond middle-aged man wearing a white priest's robe, and with an amiable warm smile on his face crouched down beside Alice and handed her the large lollipop that she had just been asking for.

"Little one, would you like to have this?" The middle-aged man smiled warmly.

Alice looked at the man with wary eyes and then immediately ran and hid behind her father. She cautiously peeked at the man from time to time.

Her father, on the other hand, was elated upon seeing this middle-aged man, "Father, it's you!"

The blond priest stood up on his feet as he chuckled, "Child, it has been a while. I am very happy to see that you both are doing well, especially your little daughter."

Alice's father bowed gratefully as he replied, "It is all thanks to you and the Goddess's grace!"

He then grabbed Alice's arm and gently brought her in front of him as he introduced the kind priest to her, "Alice, when you were sick, it was this person who cured you. It is because of him that you are alive today. You must thank him, okay?"

"Really!?" Alice blinked innocently at her father and then at the priest who was smiling warmly at her. Her father nodded with a smile.

Alice then bowed towards the priest and stated, "Thank you, Father! I am grateful for your help."

The blond priest stroked Alice's head gently and smiled, "What a polite young lady."

He then gave her the lollipop he was holding, "Here, have this. I bought this for you, you know."

Alice hesitated as she looked at the large lollipop, her mouth beginning to drool. She then looked at her father, asking for his permission.

Her father smiled dotingly as he said, "Go ahead."

Alice then immediately grabbed the lollipop from the priest's hand as she beamed, "Yay! Thank you so much!"

Her father's eyes reddened as he saw Alice enjoying the lollipop. She was so mature for her young age. Although she had really wanted to try the lollipop earlier, seeing her father's hesitant expression, she had said that she wanted vegetables instead.

Wiping the tears from his eyes, Alice's father thought inwardly, 'What an understanding little girl I have.'

Looking at Alice licking the lollipop with bright eyes, the priest chuckled, "What a lovely little girl."

Alice's father then asked the priest, "So, Father, what brings you to this part of the city?"

The priest replied flatly, "Why? Can I not come here to see how everyone's doing?"

"Ah!" Alice's father was flustered, "Apologies, Father! That's not what I meant."

The priest began to laugh as he patted his shoulder, "I jest! I jest!"

Alice's father heaved a sigh of relief as he laughed awkwardly while scratching the back of his head.

The priest then stated solemnly, "Do you remember the last time we met, I spoke to you about the peaceful protest that I would be organizing?"

Alice's father became excited, "Yes, of course! Father are we…"

The priest nodded and spoke with passion burning in his eyes, "That's right. Three days from now we shall begin the protest. We will start from the slums and walk all the way to Augustus Street in a show of defiance against the oppression and tyranny of the wealthy."

Alice's father too was affected by the priest's mood as excitement as well as hope shone in his eyes. But then he asked in slight hesitation and doubt, "But Father, will all of this even make a difference?"

The priest nodded with a confident smile, "Of course, it will. When they see the sheer number of people that will be gathered, they will have no choice but to give in to our demands. Moreover, we are carrying this out peacefully and not resorting to any violence."

Alice's father nodded his head as he looked at the priest solemnly, "I understand, Father. I will inform all of my friends and neighbors about this today."

The priest smiled warmly, "I'm counting on you. Oh, and…"

He looked at Alice who was enjoying the lollipop with great relish and added, "Don't forget to bring your daughter as well. And you can tell your friends to bring along their family members too.

"If the other party sees women and children present at the protest, they'll think twice before choosing to use any drastic measures to quell the protest."

Alice's father nodded his head as he thought that it made sense. The duo talked for a few more minutes and then parted ways. Alice's father had to inform everyone he knew whereas the priest had to spread this message to other parts of the slum.