The Lady Nun Vows Revenge - Chapter 34: Chapter 34

Drawn by Eliza's voice, Nolan closed his eyes and listened in silence. His chaotic thoughts gradually settled.
But after a while, the voice stopped.
Opening his eyes, he saw Eliza had reached the stream where she fetched water.
She set down the wooden buckets from her shoulders and stepped onto a large rock. Crouching down, she dipped one bucket into the water.
Since her return to this life, she hadn't done much heavy labor. Her strength wasn't what it used to be. She could only fill the bucket halfway before struggling to lift it. Water sloshed over the edge, spilling onto the rock beneath her feet.
Completely unaware of the danger, Eliza placed the half-full bucket down and reached for the empty one. But as she bent forward, her foot slipped on the wet surface.
"Ah!" With a splash, she lost her balance and tumbled straight into the stream.
Nolan's eyes widened. Instinctively, he leaped off the bridge, as if to rescue her. But the moment he landed, he realized—the water was barely waist-deep.
Eliza, who had already scrambled to her feet, turned around in confusion. Standing in the shallows, dressed in dark robes, silver hair flowing, was none other than Nolan. His expression was unreadable.
"Prince Nolan?" She was caught off guard. She had only realized someone else was there when she heard movement behind her, but she hadn't expected him.
Nolan looked away slightly, his voice flat. "Well, there's a monastery nearby. It's too noisy. This place is quieter."
It took Eliza a second to process. So he was saying he came here for some peace and quiet—not that he was lurking around for no reason. "I see. Please, don't let me disturb you, Prince Nolan."
Something about his demeanor seemed off, but Eliza didn't ask. Instead, she focused on climbing out of the stream—only to realize one of her buckets was missing.
Looking downstream, she spotted it, floating right toward Nolan.
Without a word, he reached down, grabbed it, and walked to the shore. Then, just as silently, he handed it to her.
"Thank you, Prince Nolan." The words came out automatically. And the moment she said them, Eliza realized—since meeting him, "thank you" was probably the thing she'd said most.
A little embarrassed, she reached for the bucket, only to find it already half-filled with water, saving her the trouble of drawing more.
But just as she grasped it, Nolan didn't let go. He was tall, and though Eliza wasn't short, she always felt diminutive next to him.
He looked down at her, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly. "Words of thanks don't mean much. Next time, don't bother. But if I were to make a request, would you agree?"
Eliza hesitated. "That depends, Prince Nolan. If it's something beyond my ability—"
She agreed that empty gratitude was pointless, but she wasn't about to promise anything blindly.
Nolan raised an eyebrow, as if amused by her caution. "Don't worry. I won't sell you off."
Then, finally, he let go of the bucket.
Eliza took it, but she kept her answer to herself.
Nolan let out a low chuckle. "Alright. I've gathered the medical books. I'll have them sent to you tomorrow."
"Thank you—" Eliza started, but when she saw Nolan raise an eyebrow, she quickly adjusted. "Prince Nolan, if you ever need my help, I'll do what I can—if it's within my ability."
She doubted there was much she could do for someone as powerful as Prince Nolan, but to her surprise, his expression eased noticeably.
"Nothing for today. I'll come find you tomorrow," he said casually.
Eliza nodded. "Alright."
After she left, Nolan returned to the monastery in unusually good spirits.
His subordinates, who had been scouring the entire area with the help of an old priest, nearly collapsed in relief when they spotted him strolling back, completely unbothered.
"Prince Nolan!" Deputy Commander Ross practically shrieked. "Where the hell were you? We were about to send the Black Flag soldiers to search all of Mount Westin!"
For the past two years, Nolan's headaches had been getting worse. Each episode left him on the edge of losing control, sometimes even harming himself in the process.
Some whispered that it was karma—that the countless lives he had taken had come back to haunt him.
Others claimed he was cursed from birth. His silver hair was said to be a bad omen, proof of heaven's disfavor. His illness, they insisted, was simply fate taking its toll.
Of course, Ross and the others didn't buy any of it.
They had fought alongside Nolan for years, through blood and fire, life and death. Maybe the heavens had cursed him, maybe not—but what they did know was that Nolan had led them to countless victories, protected their people, and crushed the enemies of Bortenland.
So they ignored the gossip. To them, Nolan wasn't cursed. He was just sick. And if it was an illness, they would stand by him until they found a cure.
That was why they never left his side during an episode—because when the pain took over, Nolan could be unpredictable.
But today, in the brief moment they had turned their attention to an old priest's prayer, Nolan had disappeared without a trace.
By the time they realized it, they had practically turned Holy Cross Monastery upside down looking for him.
And now, just as they were gasping for breath, preparing for the worst, Nolan casually walked back like nothing had happened.
Nolan coughed lightly. "I didn't go anywhere. Just stepped out for some air. You lot were too noisy."
Ross and the others instantly deflated.
They'd been a little excitable, sure—this was their first time in a monastery—but now Nolan was blaming them. That was too much.
Ross opened his mouth, about to protest, but then he suddenly noticed something.
"Prince Nolan... your eyes." His expression changed, his voice tightening with alarm. "Did you already have an episode?"