The Lady Nun Vows Revenge - Chapter 43: Chapter 43

Ever since Sophie heard that Dylan had broken into Saint Grace Nunnery and injured Eliza, she had been in an exceptionally good mood. But what happened next exceeded even her expectations.
The king ordered Dylan to receive eighty lashes for Eliza's sake and demanded that the Stonor family secure Eliza's forgiveness before Dylan could be released.
The moment Sophie heard the news, she instinctively snapped, "On what grounds?"
It was ridiculous. She could not believe that the king was actually willing to offend the entire Duke's estate over a nun.
'What right does Eliza have to be under the king's protection?' Sophie fumed inwardly. 'She's not even part of the Duke's estate anymore—just a lowly nun. What makes her so special?'
Unaware of the full picture, Sophie assumed it was only the king backing Eliza. She had no idea there was someone else with the power to sway half the court in Eliza's favor.
When a servant informed her that Gabriel wanted to see her in his study, she immediately guessed the reason—they were going to question her about what had happened that day.
If that was the case, then fine. She'd make sure to expose what Eliza had done at Saint Grace Nunnery.
Once the family found out what kind of woman Eliza really was, Sophie was certain none of them would take her side.
Hiding her satisfaction, Sophie smirked before telling the servant, "Got it. Tell Father I'll change and be there shortly."
Back in her room, she deliberately chose a plain outfit.
Ever since she saw Eliza wearing simple clothes at the coming of age ceremony, that pure, dignified image had been haunting her. 'If Eliza can pull off that look, so can I,' she thought.
Determined to prove it, Sophie had recently ordered an entire collection of understated clothing. She planned to dress like Eliza—except even more refined, more graceful, more dazzling.
Unfortunately, she never understood that some things simply didn't suit her. No matter how she dressed, it always felt off.
But believing she looked perfect, Sophie adjusted her sleeves and walked toward the study in high spirits.
"Father, Benedict, I'm here," she called out sweetly as she stepped inside.
Gabriel and Benedict both turned to look at her. They seemed to notice the change in her clothing. Gabriel remained expressionless, but Benedict frowned slightly.
Still, there were more important matters at hand.
Benedict wasted no time. "Sophie, do you know why Dylan suddenly went to Saint Grace Nunnery looking for Eliza a few days ago?"
Just as expected. Sophie kept her face composed.
"So that's why you called me here," she murmured before letting out a quiet sigh, lowering her gaze. "It's all my fault, really."
Benedict frowned. "What do you mean? How does Dylan attacking Eliza have anything to do with you?"
Sophie's eyes turned misty as she bit her lip. "Benedict, you don't understand. Dylan only went to find Eliza because he wanted to stand up for me."
She blinked rapidly, her voice trembling just enough to sound convincing. "That day, I wanted to try one last time to persuade Eliza to come home. But as you know, Saint Grace Nunnery doesn't let people in easily anymore. I had to find another way."
"What way?" Benedict had a sinking feeling—this was turning out to be more complicated than he thought.
But even so, he wasn't prepared for what Sophie would say next. Her words shocked both him and their father, momentarily breaking their usual composure.
Sophie took a deep breath. "I heard there's another monastery on the slopes of Mount Westin, with a hidden path leading to Saint Grace Nunnery. So that day, I went up the back way. But when I reached a small stream, I ran into Eliza."
Benedict frowned. "What was she doing there?" He hadn't yet grasped the weight of the situation.
Sophie hesitated for effect, then, as if making a difficult confession, she let out a shaky breath and said, "She... she was meeting a man in secret."
The sound of shattering porcelain echoed through the study as Gabriel's coffee cup slipped from his grasp and hit the floor.
Benedict's eyes widened in surprise. "Sophie, do you even realize what you're saying?"
He believed there was no way Eliza would do something like that. She simply wouldn't.
Sophie's eyes welled up. "Father, Benedict, I know it's hard to believe—I didn't want to believe it either! But I saw it with my own eyes. When she realized I was there, I tried to talk to her, to convince her not to do something so reckless, but she—"
Her voice caught as she wiped at her eyes. "She pushed me into the water and warned me to keep quiet, or else she'd drown me."
Silence filled the room. Gabriel's expression was unreadable, but the sharp tension in his jaw spoke volumes.
Benedict, on the other hand, struggled to accept it. He knew Eliza had changed—she was rebellious now, distant, and defiant. But this was something else entirely. Threatening Sophie? He couldn't believe it.
Gabriel inhaled deeply, his voice cold and clipped. "You may go."
Sophie nodded obediently, curtsied to both of them, and left without another word.
Benedict hesitated before speaking. "Father, I think there's been some kind of misunderstanding."
Gabriel's gaze was ice. "Misunderstanding? We'll find out soon enough."
A moment later, two servants were called in—Sophie's maid and Dylan's manservant.
Benedict knew exactly what his father intended and got straight to the point. "Nine days ago, when Sophie spoke to Dylan, did either of you overhear anything?"
Dylan's manservant answered first, "That day, Lord Dylan was exercising in the courtyard when Lady Sophie came running to him in tears. Her clothes were soaked. Lord Dylan asked me to fetch dry clothes for her. After that, I don't know what was said between them."
Benedict turned to Sophie's maid.
The maid hesitated and said, "I brought the clothes over, but I heard Lady Sophie and Lord Dylan having a serious conversation, so I waited outside. I didn't hear much but caught a few words."
She glanced at Gabriel nervously before continuing, "Lady Sophie mentioned something about hugging. I didn't dare listen any longer. A short while later, Lord Dylan stormed out, furious."
The statements weren't conclusive, but they lined up disturbingly well with Sophie's story. The maid confirmed that Sophie's clothes had been wet. The words "hugging" supported Sophie's claim of seeing Eliza with a man.
Gabriel's expression darkened further. He turned a chilling gaze on the two servants. "If a single word of what you said today gets out, you both know what will happen."
The two servants paled and immediately dropped to their knees, swearing their silence over and over again.
"Get out!" Gabriel snapped.
As soon as they hurried away, Gabriel's next command was swift and final. "Prepare the carriage. We're going to the palace."
If Eliza still refused to come to her senses, then he would make sure she did—one way or another. And if she truly had no shame left, then he wouldn't hesitate.
For the sake of the Stonor family's reputation and household harmony, she would be disowned.