The Lady Nun Vows Revenge by Caroline Rowland

Chapter 22-23 Chapter 22 whe gard at the or small orchid, her eyes indisused. The plant was in well cared for, clearly a result of medienbuds attendiar dira noived that even the other onschils in the small co "Why would Mother Mary plan so many onclids, yet choose the one she took mat rate with to give to me? die wondered. Is it just because she loves orchids, or is there something else.

Could it have something to do with my mother?" The thought suddenly hither, and she was surprised by the idea he felt a deep urge to figure out what the conection between the Reverend her mother was, and what had really happened all those years ago Clenching her teeth, Eliza called out to James ahead, "I and Gray, stop Without besitation, the cattlage showed and cto a stop at the foot of Most Westin Elira, still holding the orchid, got out of the carriage again.

She looked up at the winding road ahead, stretching all the way si to the chauds "Lady Eliza, have you left something behind at the Numery? Jamies askril, dearly confusei).

Eliza shook her head "No, it's not that. I just want to try one last time" No matter what Mary's reasons were, no matter how close she might have been to her mother, Eliza's determination to break free from the Stonor family was unshakable-even if it meant risking her life, "Lord Gray, would you mind bolding the orchid forwhile I got Please wall here for my return" She handed the orchid to him with a smile that could light up the room. "This time, I'm sure I'll make the Reverend agree;" t quite understand her intentions. He was about to voice his concerns when he saw Eliza turn toward the Nummery perched atoge At Bru, james didn't e Mount Westin Her delicate frbem with grace, lowering itself in a reverent gesture before the mon James froze, watching in astonishment as she bowed deeply, then stood, took it step, and bowed once more.

He said hastily. "Lady Eliza, what_what are you doing? How long do you plan on continuing this? The mountain is so steep, how could you possibily bear such a trial! Allowto love Mmeone escort you half way up.

Els did not turn around. Her voice, calm and unwavering, Trached him with quiet determination. "There is no need to worry, I can endure this She added with even greater resolve, "I the Reverend does not grant her approval, it is because I have not shown enough sincerity. I slull prove it through my action and make my intentions knowIL" Her purpose was steadfast.

And so, Elira continued her ascent, each step deliberate and each bow a humble offering, as she made her way up the mountain with an unwavering devotion By now, the sun had fully risen, and people began their pilgrimage up to the Numery for prayen.

Among them were common folk making the climb on foot, alongside nobles arriving in carriages When they saw Eliza bowing by the side of the mail, their gures were inevitably drawn to her.

Those who did recognize her increly cast curious glances. But others, upon recognizing her face, imaneiliately knew who she was "Tami that Lady Eliza from the Duke's estate?" "She seems to be ascending the mountain with such reverence?" Has she lost her senses? If she continues like this, her body will not withstand the strain What could possibly drive her to such lengtha The onlookers were, for the most part, shocked by her actions.

At that moibent, a voler sneered in disdain. "What is seeking wager she's merely putting on a a on a show, trying to garner pity from us with this 22 442 PM Chapter 23 Upon hearing those words, many in the crowd immediately nodded in agreement "Must be true. Eliza was just publicly rejected by Lord Caleb yesterday, and now she's here at Mount Westin making a scene, someone said.

Another chimed in. "She probably found out we were c out we were coming here today.

y and stageil this whole act to get our attention.

As luck would have it, the ones talking were young nobles closely associated with Caleb, They had originally planned to lake Mount Westih with him, but Caleb had been grounded by his father after humiliating the Duke's family during yesterday's public breakup. Now only his friends remained.

Eliza noticed them laut chose to ignore them. Even if Caleb himself had shown up, it wouldn't have stopped her. Fueled by loyalty to Caleb, the nobles abandoned their hike and stood by the path, watching Eliza crawl and pray her way up p the mountain At first, they sherred and mocked her. But as tdragged on-fifteen minutes, an hour, then most of the day- Eliza still didn't stop.

From morning to afternoon, her knees grew numb, her once-smooth forehead now bruised and bloodied The worst part was the wounds on her back. At first, they were line, but each prostration slowly split the injuries open. Blood seeped through bandages, staining her clothes crimson.

By the tshe reached the mountaintop, she was drenched in red, pale as death, staggering with every step The crowd gradually fell silent, following her all the way to Saint Grace Nunnery's gates. Confusion etched their faces.

They thought, What kind of sympathy play is this? Where did those injuries cfrom? Why would this scheming, hated woman go to such One of the young men who had mocked Eliza earlier suddenly hesitated. His initial wavered, replaced by something more complicated.

To go this far for Caleb..." he muttered. "Eliza may be calculating, but she's certainly devoted" For the first time, he fel a twinge of jealousy, If a woman loved him this fiercely, he'd never break her heart.

Yet Caleb had not only pulilicly dumped Eliza but immediately proposed to her sister. What a scoundrel, they all silently agreed.

Eliza remained oblivious to the twisted interpretations of her actions. Half-conscious and swaying on her feet, she barely registered the figures rushing from Saint Grace Nunnery's gates until Mary caught her collapsing body.

"Have you completely lost your mind?" she snapped, her hands gripping Eli's bleeding shoulders. Through blurred vision. Eliza thought she glimpsed genuine concern and fear In Mary's usually stern face "Was that sincere enough)?" she murmured, the ghost of a smile touching her cracked lip before darkness swallowed her.

Mary's breath hitched as she pressed a palm to Eliza's forehead, and her expression darkened. Eliza was burning up-she'd had a fever this whole tand hadn't said a word.

Without hesitation, Mary lifted her up and turned to carry her inside.

But before she could take a step, James suddenly blocked her path. He had been watching everything unfald, "Well, you haven't answered Lady Eliza's question yet," he said calmly, "Why not give her a clear answer now? That way, I can report back to the Mary shot him a cold look Jarnes didn't back down. "She's gone through all thin-surely she deserves to hear the final answer.

A heavy sdence stretched between them before Mary finally said, "If she's this determined, I have nothing more to say. If the king has chosen ber At the very least, within the walls of Saint Nunnery, no one would be able to to hurt her.

James smiled, satisfied. Then I'll leave her in your care and report back to His Majesty" Chapter 23 Eliza slept for an entire day and night. When she finally woke up, it was already the next afternoon. She looked around. She was still in Saint Grace Nunnery Just as she tried to sit up, a sharp voice snapped from the doorway. "What do you think you're doing! Lie back down" Eliza immediately recognized Mary's voice. She obediently lay still not daring to move again.

Mary walked in and began changing the bandages on Eliza's back. Her tone was sey. "Did your father do this to you?" Eliza tensed. The look on Mary's face was terrifying. She hesitated, then admitted, I asked for it. I made my father angry, so he ordered Benedict to panish"Are you out of your mind?" Mary's expression darkened even more when she heard that Eliza had asked for the punishment

She snapped, "You got dumped -so what? It's not the end of the world. It wasn't your fault. Why ask to Bem punished? That s spoiled brat from the Marquis's estate humiliated you in public-he's the one who deserved to be beaten.

"Slapping him once was letting him off easy. You should've slapped Ihrim ten times and left him black and blue. You should teach him never to mess with you again" from the pain Mary was so worked up that she accidentally pressed too hard while applying the medicine. Eliza winced, nearly tearing up Yes, yes, you're absolutely right." she hurriedly agreed. "Next t1 see him, III make sure to slap him nine more more times." Mary shot her a glafe. "Oh, please. Look at you. Do you think you can actually do that? You'd be lucky if he doesn't turn around and bully you Eliza immediately shut her mouth. But even her silence seemed to irritate Mary.

"Now you're quiet, huh?" she said.

"Weren't you all stubborn yesterday! To becà nun, yours witlingiral throw everything away, ignoning your injuries. Do you even realize what you've done! Your knees, your forehead, your back-you're covered in wounds! You're just " Her voice was sharp, full of frustration. But then, suddenly, she fell silent.

Something seemed to cross her mind, and all her agitation faded into a heavy sigh Hearing that sigh, Eliza cautiously looked up just in tto see a single tear slide down Mary's face. Staring at Eliza lying there, she murmured almost to herself, "You're just as stubborn as your mother." Eliza stayed at Saint Grace Nunnery for another night. People from the Duke's estate had clooking for her, but Mary had turned them away.

It wasn't until the morning of the third day-when word arrived from the king that she could return hto await further instructions-that Eliza finally left, riding in a carriage borrowed from the palace.

She had braced herself for her father's fury or her brothers' usual provocations the moment she stepped through the gates.

But to her surprise, before she could even set foot inside, an angry voice rang out behind her. "Eliza, stop right there!" She turned around-and saw Caleb