The Lady Nun Vows Revenge - Chapter 304: Chapter 304

"That's absurd, Anthony!" Benedict exclaimed, incredulous. "How can you say we don't treat you like a normal person? Every single one of us does! And if Eliza truly despised you, why would she have looked after you for so long? She may not deserve praise, but you owe her at least some gratitude. How can you be so unthankful?"
"I don't hate her, I already told you that. It's just that she did care for me, so there's that." Anthony's voice was flat, almost aloof.
Benedict could bear it no longer. "You are utterly hopeless!" he snapped, his voice shaking with rage as he spun around and stormed away, robes billowing behind him.
"Benedict! Your medicine!" Anthony called after him, but he was already striding away, not even glancing back as he left the courtyard.
Anthony frowned at the medicine, a touch of confusion in his expression. "I was only being truthful," he muttered. "Why does Benedict always take Eliza's side? Shouldn't I be the one feeling hurt?"
Anthony's face remained blank for a moment before he shook his head. "It's fine. Even Benedict doesn't get me, but that's okay. Sophie understands, and that's all that matters."
He recalled Gabriel's instructions back in Sophie's room. Cultivating medicinal herbs—it was a good plan, but they'd need a lot more land to make it profitable.
Eliza already had a significant advantage with three large estates and additional fields she had acquired. Her competitors would have needed to match or exceed her herb fields to keep up. However, the Duke's estate had limited land, even with the portion given to Sophie.
'It seems I'll have to acquire another estate. Benedict's property could be a viable option.' Anthony stroked his chin, lost in thought. 'How can I persuade Benedict to give up his estate?'
A few days later, at Saint Grace Nunnery, Eliza finished her daily inspection of the herb fields as Malaki trailed behind her, giving her a steady stream of reports.
"Kenzie Frye is at Oriphoenix Building and sends her greetings. She wants you to know she's committed to managing the building as diligently as before and hopes you can visit when you have time."
Eliza nodded slightly. "I'm swamped lately, but I'll visit her as soon as I have time."
"Roger was taken from the Duke's estate the same day the magistrate of the House of Imperial Justice received full compensation. However, our people haven't seen him since."
"Don't bother investigating. The Duke's estate wouldn't tolerate someone like him. He's likely dead already."
Aware of her father's tendencies, Eliza knew the Duke of Mowbay held a deep disdain for anyone who brought shame upon their family name.
When Gabriel had previously banished her after her reputation was ruined, he hadn't hesitated. With her gone, Sophie and the Stonor brothers had probably done something to infuriate him. She could practically see him fuming.
Eliza scoffed. Malaki continued calmly, "We've purchased the land you requested. After a thorough review, we kept some of the original tenants, and, as you instructed, they've begun learning how to grow medicinal herbs. If everything goes according to plan, the fields should be fully planted within two weeks."
"Besides the tenant farmers, hire guards to patrol the fields. Regardless of who they are, anyone caught tampering with the herb fields should be apprehended and turned over to the authorities," Eliza instructed.
Malaki's efficiency was truly impressive, he replied, "Understood, my Lady. Rest assured, I've already chosen the first group, and they'll be deployed soon."
After hearing the updates, Eliza excused herself to go to the kitchen and returned with a bucket. "This solution I developed will enhance the herbs' survival rate and potency when diluted and applied to the fields."
She filled half the bucket with magical water from her pocket farm. To avoid raising suspicion, she cleverly devised a solution for preserving the herbs—when mixed with the magical water, they dissolved into an ordinary-looking, dark green liquid.
"Understood, my Lady." Malaki turned to go, but Eliza stopped him. "One more thing," she said. "Have someone watch the Duke's estate and report immediately if anything strange occurs."
"Alright!" Malaki picked up the bucket and left.
Just as Malaki departed, another visitor arrived at Eliza's gate. Eliza glanced over. "Your Highness?"
"I hope I'm not interrupting," Nolan said with a faint smile.
"Not at all. I've just finished. Please, Your Highness, come in and have a seat."
Hearing the commotion, Renee investigated the noise and quietly went to make coffee.
Nolan set the box of pastries on the stone table. "I brought you some pastries," he said.
The instant the aroma reached her, Eliza guessed what it was. "Basque cheesecake?" she asked Nolan, her voice laced with surprise.
With a chuckle, he sat down. "I heard this was your favorite, so I brought some."
Eliza arched an eyebrow. "And just who might have told you that?"
"The manager at Dinsiea House said you used to be a regular customer but haven't visited as much this year."
The truth was that the young masters of Duke's estate used to buy Basque cheesecake for Eliza quite often, but not so much this year. Nolan, however, didn't want to upset Eliza, so he didn't tell her that.
Eliza savored a bite of the treat, her eyes brightening as a wave of nostalgia washed over her. "How kind of the manager to remember," she said. "I must visit Dinsiea House the next time I'm in Hasen City."
As Nolan watched her savor the treat, he remained silent. Once she'd finished a couple of pieces, he finally asked, "Before I left for Noganlul, didn't you say you were interested in learning self-defense?"
Eliza nodded eagerly. "I did," she said.
"I'm quite free for a while. I could come by each day to teach you," Nolan suggested.
"Of course, I have time," Eliza said, thinking that if the Prince Regent was making time in his schedule to teach her, she was also obligated to make time.
"Alright, continue eating. Once you're done, take a short break, and we'll get started," Nolan said.
Eliza nodded eagerly. "Got it!"
Eliza didn't eat much because they were starting soon. She saved a few pieces for later and gave the rest to Renee. Tina wasn't interested in sweets.
After changing into comfy clothes, Nolan turned to Eliza with a serious expression. "Eliza, if you want to learn combat skills, you must be in good shape. It's going to be tough. Are you up for the challenge?"
Eliza nodded with determination. "I'm ready. I won't give up, no matter the challenges ahead."
Seeing her determination, Nolan straightened up and nodded. "Okay, let's start with the basics—wide squat."