The Lady Nun Vows Revenge - Chapter 20: Chapter 20

"Reverend Mother and my father?" Eliza blinked, clearly surprised by the unexpected news.
James, as if he were simply chatting about some minor gossip, smiled and looked toward the rising sun. "Oh, it's actually a pretty interesting story.
"Reverend Mother Mary Mendoza hardly ever leaves Saint Grace Nunnery, and she's always been a recluse. But when you were born, she sent a congratulatory gift to the Duke's estate.
"That's when people first realized that Mother Mary, who's usually so detached from the world, actually had some history with the Duke's family.
"At first, everyone thought it was just the Duke's personal connection. But after that, Mother Mary completely cut ties with the estate.
"It wasn't until the Duchess was on her deathbed that she came down in a hurry to be with her during her final moments.
"After the Duchess was buried, Mother Mary made a big scene, scolding the Duke for being heartless and ungrateful to his wife. She swore to never have anything to do with the Duke's family again."
"That's when it hit everyone," James said with a thoughtful look, "Mary's old acquaintance wasn't the Duke at all—it was the Duchess."
He gave Eliza a quick glance, his tone growing more serious. "Lady Eliza, your mother and Mother Mary were old friends. But you're also the Duke's daughter. Don't expect her to show you any special kindness."
Eliza hadn't expected this at all. She never imagined the head of Saint Grace Nunnery had any past connection to her family, especially through her mother. In fact, she'd never even heard of it in her old life.
She bit her lip, nodding. "Thank you for letting me know, Your Excellency."
Still, she was determined to visit the nunnery.
An hour later, the carriage came to a stop at Mount Westin.
James walked her to the entrance of Saint Grace Nunnery and said, "Lady Eliza, you can go inside now. I'll wait here for you."
Eliza understood perfectly. He wasn't genuinely moved by her small gift of gold leaves—he was just here to wait for her to return, so he could report back to the King.
With a nod, she glanced at the cold, lonely nunnery, then made her way inside.
The nunnery's interior matched its exterior—quiet, almost deserted. It was so far removed from the city that not many came to pray here.
Eliza looked around but couldn't spot the main hall. She was about to ask someone for directions when she realized there were hardly any people around. A few nuns passed by, but they were too busy to notice her.
With no other choice, Eliza picked a direction based on instinct. But after walking for a while, she realized she had taken a wrong turn.
As she stepped into a courtyard filled with orchids, Eliza quickly realized she had ended up near one of the Reverend's private quarters. She turned around, intending to retrace her steps.
But then, a cool, calm voice stopped her. "My lady, the main hall isn't in this direction—"
Eliza turned around and saw a tall, serious-looking nun standing in the doorway of a moon gate. She was holding a pot of orchids and eyeing Eliza with a stern gaze.
Before Eliza could speak, the nun's expression shifted. She froze, and her words trailed off. "Caroline?" she murmured.
The moment she heard that name, Eliza realized who the nun was.
Caroline was the given name of her mother—Caroline Stonor.
So, Mary had indeed been an old friend of her mother's.
Realizing Mary had mistaken her for her mother, Eliza gave a small bow. "I'm Eliza Stonor. It's a pleasure to meet you, Reverend Mother ."
Mary stiffened, her face quickly regaining its cold, distant expression. Without another word, she turned and walked toward the other side of the courtyard.
There, an empty spot on a wooden rack awaited the pot of orchids she was holding.
After carefully placing the flower—clearly just freshly tended to—back on its stand, Mary's voice turned as cold as ice as she repeated her earlier words, "This isn't the main hall. If you're here to pray, just step outside and turn right."
Eliza Stonor sighed inwardly. As expected, Mary's bias against the Stonor family ran deep. While her words sounded like simple directions, they were really just a polite way of showing her the door.
"Reverend Mother, I didn't come here to pray," Eliza said, trying once more. "I've come with something important to discuss."
"If you're not here to pray, then please leave," Mary cut her off, her tone as blunt as ever. "The Saint Grace Nunnery is far from the city. It's not wise to linger."
But Eliza wasn't about to give up so easily. She pressed on, "I beg you, Mother Mary, just give me a moment to explain myself. I have something I need to say."
Mary's tone grew even colder, if possible. "Whatever it is, I'm not interested. I don't want to hear it, and I certainly don't want to waste any more time with you."
Without another word, she turned to leave, clearly prepared to walk away unless Eliza moved out of her way.
Eliza, desperate, quickly stepped in front of the door. "I understand you want nothing to do with the Stonor family, but I didn't come for them. I came to leave them behind.
"I've come to ask for your permission to join the Nunnery. I want to become a nun."
Mary froze, her expression one of pure shock. "You want to become a nun?"
The words hung in the air, leaving her stunned.
The daughter of the Duke, choosing the life of a nun? It was an unthinkable decision. Anyone who heard it would be left speechless, probably thinking she'd lost her mind.
After all, no one would ever give up a life of luxury to take vows.
Mary's brow furrowed. "Why would you leave the Stonor family? Don't your father and brothers treat you like a treasure?"
Eliza gave a wry, bitter smile. "Mother Mary, I bet you haven't been down from the mountain in a while, have you?"
Mary responded coolly, "It's only been a year."
"A year..." Eliza's voice softened, her thoughts drifting. "Yes, back then, I was my father's most beloved daughter, my brothers' most treasured sister.
"I was the happiest girl in all of Hasen City. But that was before... six months ago..."
"So now, I'm no longer their pearl, their treasure. It's my younger sister, Sophie, who holds that place now."
"Did your father remarry?" Mary assumed Gabriel had taken a new wife, maybe even fathered a daughter.
Eliza shook her head, her lips curling into a bitter smile. "No. He says she's the daughter of a benefactor. She even had a coming-of-age ceremony with me yesterday."
Mary's expression darkened, her eyes narrowing. She raised her voice, now stern. "Yesterday? But your birthday isn't for another two months. A coming-of-age ceremony should've been then, not now."