The Lady Nun Vows Revenge - Chapter 16: Chapter 16

Half an hour later, Eliza stood tall in the grand hall of the Imperial Palace.
Her entrance had been simple but dignified, her hand tightly gripping a precious heirloom—a royal decree from the late king, passed down to her mother.
In the past, this royal order had fallen into the hands of her maid, Lillian, who'd then given it to Sophie, leading to a complicated situation for Eliza.
But this time, the royal decree was safely in her hands.
It was because of this very decree that she now stood before the young and powerful King Magnus Bennett, her posture respectful.
"Your Majesty, I am Eliza Stonor. It's an honor to meet you," she said, bowing her head humbly.
"Eliza Stonor?" The king, sitting behind his desk, looked up from the royal scroll he was holding and glanced down at her, his gaze sharp. "You're the fifth daughter of the Duke of Mowbay, right?"
Magnus Bennett was the ninth son of the previous ruler. He'd ascended the throne at a young age, and though he was still in his twenties, he carried an aura of authority far beyond his years.
Though they were the same age, his presence was one that demanded respect, making it impossible to overlook.
Eliza lowered her head, her voice soft with humility. "You're right. I'm the one you remember."
"You're here this early—does the Stonor family have some urgent matter?" he asked.
Magnus's voice held a note of genuine curiosity, his gaze locked on her, as if eager to hear her reason for being here.
Clearly, word of the commotion at the Stonor family's coming-of-age ceremony the day before had already reached him.
But what he was truly trying to understand wasn't the Stonor family's drama—it was what exactly Eliza wanted from him.
"Thanks to your blessings, Your Majesty. My family is well. But... I have a request, one I hope you will consider," she said calmly.
Magnus's interest piqued. "Oh? What sort of request?"
Eliza spoke softly, her voice steady. "I wish to enter a convent to serve the Divine. I ask for Your Majesty's permission to do so."
"What?" The emperor blinked in surprise. This wasn't what he expected at all.
He thought she might be here to ask for justice, especially considering the events with the Marquis's son yesterday.
It was one thing to break off an engagement in public, but to announce it and then propose to the girl's sister? That was a slap in the face to any woman. No one could blame her for being upset.
Magnus's eyes flickered as he studied Eliza. For such a soft-spoken, graceful woman to choose to become a nun, it was clear she must have been carrying a lot of pain.
"Eliza Stonor, don't make any rash decisions. Do you really understand what it means for a woman to become a nun?" His voice was firm but kind.
Eliza nodded gently. "I understand, Your Majesty. Thank you for your concern. But this isn't a spur-of-the-moment decision—it's something I've thought about for a long time."
She had carefully considered asking the king for help.
In this ancient kingdom, a woman needed her parents' consent to become a nun. With her mother gone and her father likely to oppose her, she knew he would never give his blessing.
Her only option was to turn to the king. If the king issued a decree, even her father would have no choice but to comply.
Magnus raised an eyebrow. "Have you talked to your father or brothers about this?"
Eliza gently shook her head, silent.
His expression softened as he saw the unspoken pain in her eyes.
As the daughter of the Duke of Mowbay, Eliza's heartache could only have come from a select few people.
If it wasn't because of yesterday's events, then it must be something far closer to home.
Magnus fell into a brief silence, his eyes fixed on Eliza's face as his thoughts wandered back to his youth, when he had been under the protection of the Duchess.
Finally, he let out a long sigh and spoke softly, "Eliza, without a good explanation, I'm really torn about making you a nun."
'What if I could give you a good reason?' she thought to herself, quietly.
Just as Eliza was about to speak, Magnus cut her off once more. "Enough. Since you've come to me today, and for Caroline's sake, I'll give you a chance."