The Lady Nun Vows Revenge - Chapter 212: Chapter 212

So for the rest of the banquet, Sophie got a very clear taste of what it felt like to be humiliated at every turn.
Everywhere she went, someone was waiting to insult her. And it wasn't just one group—one wave after another, they came. The daughters of the military officials—brash, brainless, and absurdly bold—took turns mocking her, ridiculing her to her face with veiled jabs and barbed compliments, never laying a hand but slicing deep all the same.
Sophie was seething. But just as she was about to explode, each group would flash a cold smile, saunter off, and be immediately replaced by the next round. It wasn't until several waves had come and gone that Sophie finally realized—this wasn't random. It was organized.
They were clearly targeting her, laying traps to corner her into verbal humiliation, knowing she couldn't retaliate under the eyes of the royal family. So she gave up on fleeing and simply sat back down, silently fuming.
Fine. This was the safest spot anyway—with the King, the Empress Dowager, and her father all present. Let's see who still dared provoke her here.
What Sophie didn't realize was: the real show hadn't even started.
Not long after she returned to her seat, the King suddenly turned his gaze toward her, his expression thoughtful as he watched her for a beat. Then, turning to Gabriel with a smile, he said, "Gabriel, I've had a troubling matter weighing on me these days, something I've yet to find a solution for. Since you're here today, perhaps you could help ease my burden?"
Gabriel paused and stepped forward, bowing respectfully. "Your Majesty, it is naturally my duty to help shoulder your burdens, though I fear if the matter lies beyond my humble abilities, I may only waste Your Majesty's time."
The King chuckled. "No, no. This is a matter only the Stonor family can help me with."
A faint sense of foreboding crept into Gabriel's chest.
And rightly so. Because the very next moment, the King turned to Sophie and smiled. "Since ascending the throne, I've been so occupied with affairs of state that I've kept the inner palace empty. But ever since I laid eyes on Sophie at my mother's birthday banquet, I found myself—at first glance—completely enchanted. And every time since, my admiration has only deepened."
A single statement, and the entire hall erupted in astonishment.
Sophie froze. For a moment, she thought she must've misheard. But as the words sunk in, her eyes widened in disbelief.
Had she just become the object of the King's affections?
She could barely contain her joy. Meanwhile, standing beside her, Gabriel's jaw clenched so hard it was a miracle his teeth didn't shatter. He was on the verge of coughing up blood.
He never imagined Nolan would play such a ruthless card.
Sending Sophie into the inner palace? Was this his way of keeping her under control—trapping her where she could never touch Eliza again? Did he really think this move wouldn't come back to bite him?
Gabriel's expression darkened. The smile on his weathered face barely held. "Your Majesty," he began carefully, "my daughter was born in the countryside. She grew up among commoners until the age of fifteen..."
"That's quite alright," the King interrupted, beaming. "I don't mind."
"She isn't trained in palace protocol..."
"No trouble at all. My mother can personally instruct her."
"She isn't... particularly bright..." Gabriel grasped at one last excuse, his voice growing faint.
But now the King's smile faded. His tone dropped like a hammer. "Didn't you just say helping me was your duty? And now I wish to take a consort, yet you throw up excuses one after another. What, is a consort's title too low for your precious daughter?"
Gabriel immediately bowed lower. "Your Majesty sees through me. I would never dare harbor such thoughts. I only fear Sophie may not serve you well enough."
The King waved him off. "Enough. We've heard your opinions, but the one entering the palace is your daughter. Shouldn't she be the one to choose?"
With that, he turned his gaze back to Sophie.
She could hardly breathe.
She'd been chosen. Truly chosen by the most powerful man in Bortenland.
Forget the Stonor family. Forget the Prince Regent. None of them could compare to the King himself.
As long as she entered the palace, whether or not the King's words of affection were true didn't matter—she would make them true. She would become the only woman in the inner palace. If she bore the royal heir, perhaps... one day, she'd even become Empress.
The very thought sent her heart soaring.
And as for Eliza? Once she became Empress, Eliza would be nothing. Less than nothing. The day would come when she could make Eliza kneel, just as she had once been forced to kneel.
She'd even dig up the Padilla family's graves if she pleased, and no one would dare stop her.
Sophie was already fantasizing about the day she'd sit upon the throne, the imperial phoenix seal in her grasp.
She completely ignored Gabriel and Benedict's panicked expressions and frantic glances.
Even if she had noticed, she wouldn't have cared.
Soon, she'd be the one making choices—whether to protect or to discard the Stonor family would be entirely up to her.
Then, with elegance she never truly possessed, she said to the King, "Your Majesty, to be favored by you is the highest honor of my life. I am more than willing."
Gabriel quietly shut his eyes.
He knew it. This fool... was beyond saving.