The Lady Nun Vows Revenge - Chapter 189: Chapter 189

Eliza looked around and asked, "What is this place?"
"This hidden chamber," Malaki said, carefully brushing the dust from a bookshelf, "I dug it out over ten years ago. Mr. Padilla left behind many things—precious things. I didn't dare store them in the village for fear they'd be discovered, so I moved them here, one piece at a time, and hid them deep in the mountain."
Eliza stepped inside and slowly took in the contents of the hidden room. The Padilla family hadn't left behind much treasure in the traditional sense—no piles of gold or silver—but what remained was far more valuable: books. Shelf upon shelf of them, most originally from the Padilla family's private library.
"Back in the day," Malaki said, his voice heavy with emotion, "the Padilla family was the pride of Hasen City—a noble house over a century old, with three generations of top scholars. At its height, no other family could compare. People would travel from all corners of the empire just for a single handwritten scroll from Mr. Padilla. And now... these treasures have been locked away in darkness for over a decade."
If Eliza hadn't come today, Malaki feared these books might never have seen the light of day again.
Hearing this, Eliza couldn't help but feel sorrow for the fate of the Padilla family. Their downfall hadn't been a matter of injustice—it had been political. They had chosen the wrong side. Just when victory seemed within reach, their enemies retaliated. And worse still, their so-called allies had turned their backs on them.
"These might not be gold or jewels," Malaki said, "but they are the true legacy of the Padilla family. I hope you'll treasure them."
"They're more precious than gold or jewels," Eliza said earnestly. "I promise I'll protect them."
Malaki was so moved he could only repeat, "Good... good... good," three times in a row, his voice shaking.
"It is," Malaki smiled modestly. "Before I became the family butler, your great-grandmother—Kassandra—noticed I was bright and quick with my hands, so she kept me at her side. She taught me everything I know about cultivating herbs. Back then, I was her favorite little apprentice."
As he spoke, Malaki couldn't stop smiling. Even his tone reverted to how he used to speak during his time at the Padilla estate. He might have been a servant, but the Padilla family had treated his entire family with kindness, and in his heart, they had long become part of his soul.
"I see," Eliza beamed. "After entering the temple, I began studying medicine under a master. Lately, I've taken a real interest in herbs. Do you think... you could teach me what you know?"
Malaki blinked, surprised—then his joy erupted. "You're learning medicine? And you love herbs too?"
"Yes," Eliza nodded. "Though I'm not very talented, and I haven't had much guidance, so I'm still struggling to get the hang of it."
"No, no—how could that be?" Malaki said, his eyes lighting up. "You're Caroline's daughter! Your great-grandmother's skills were legendary—she could heal the dying and bring back the hopeless. Her talent with herbs was unmatched. I'm sure you've inherited that gift."
He was practically glowing with happiness. "Don't worry, Miss Eliza. As long as you wish to learn, I'll teach you everything Kassandra once taught me."
"Then I'll be counting on you," Eliza said with a smile.
The more Malaki looked at her, the more he liked her.
He could hardly contain his joy.