The Lady Nun Vows Revenge by Caroline Rowland

The Silent 210 Chapter 210 "You're talking nonsense, Gabriel snapped. "When did I ever say I didn't want you anymore?"" He shot to his feet, his temper flaring as he glared at Sophie, "Look at the mess you've made lately. Every time, it'scleaning up after you. But this time? You've gone too far. If this keeps up, even I won't be able to protect you. So don't go threateningwith talk of joining your mother in the afterlife." He flicked his sleeve and turned away in disgust, clearly done with the conversation.

Panic surged in Sophie's chest. "No, Father-no, I wasn't trying to threaten you. I just panicked! I thought... I thought you didn't wantanymore. I said the wrong thing. I know that now. Please, don't be angry...

Tears began falling again, thick and fast. She had often heard people say that not only did she resemble her mother Zoie when she was young, but when she cried, she looked exactly like her.

That soft, pitiful look-like the girl Gabriel had once loved so deeply in his youth- how could it not tug at his heart? At last, he sighed. "Enough. You've suffered your share of consequences this time. Just knowing your mistake is enough... Hearing his tone soften, Sophie finally exhaled in relief.

But before she could smile, he added coldly, "That doesn't mean this matter is over. From now on, you are not to step foot outside this room-not even into the courtyard. You're not to see those people your mother left behind either. Next time, I won't be so lenient.

Sophie's face twisted. "Is it really that serious? Eliza already got her mother's body back-what more does she want?" Gabriel turned and shot her a withering look, as if she were an idiot. "You think this is just about Eliza and Caroline? The Padilla family may have fallen, but their legacy still casts a long shadow over court." And that wasn't even what worried him most. What worried him was the man who sat above them all.

But Sophie couldn't grasp the weight of what he was saying. To her, Gabriel was just being overly cautious-or worse, using this as an excuse to scare her, And she had never been someone who scared easily.

Even if sof their allies still existed, would they really step in for the sake of a daughter born of an outsider? No, Sophie didn't believe it for a second.

Still, Gabriel had spoken, and Sophie's entire household was swiftly turned upside down. Every servant in her courtyard was replaced-sto serve, but more to keep watch. And this time, they meant it: not one step beyond her bedroom door.

So she had no choice but to lie low and rest What Sophie didn't know, however, was that Gabriel's fears were about to becreality.

"The King has summonedto the Midwinter Feast, Gabriel said days later, face grave. "He's personally requested I bring Sophie? The Midwinter Feast was a grand annual banquet where the King hosted all his ministers and their families. Gabriel had intended to use Sophie's injuries as an excuse to keep her home. but the King had specifically named her.

He had no choice.

He turned to his steward. "Cyrus. Tell Sophie to dress tomorrow morning-make her look pitiful" 1/3 Chapter 210 to Heaven and their ancestors for peace and Before dawn, the King led the court in an elaborate ceremony, offering prayers to prosperity in Bortenland.

As the Holy Lady wasn't required to appear, Eliza and the rest of Saint Grace Nunnery remained absent.

After the ritual, the palace doors were thrown open, and a celebratory banquet began. Courtiers arrived with their wives and daughters. The mood was festive, the atmosphere light, the rules relaxed.

At the top, the King and the Empress Dowager watched the performances with amusement, while below, noblewomen and young ladies chatted in small, lively groups.

Sophie, having been locked up for days, could hardly contain herself. She glanced over at Gabriel, who was busy talking to his aides, then slipped off to mingle with the other noble daughters.

She had barely opened her mouth to greet them when she overheard a voice behind her.

“Ugh. I heard Eliza was supposed to be here today. Where is she?" "Probably not coming, another said with a laugh. "She's a nun now, remember? My mother says they can't just wander off the mountain whenever they please." "Too bad. I was really looking forward to hearing her play. She always brings a new piece for the Midwinter banquet." "She's still the best among us at anything artistic-music, painting, calligraphy... everything except chess, I think." "No question about it. She was the top in every category." "It's such a shame. I doubt we'll get to see her work ever again "Well, the Stonor family still has Sophie, don't they? Wasn't she supposed to be pure and gentle and all that? I heard it so often I nearly went deaf. Any new gossip on that front?" "Oh, there's plenty. Word is she's not actually Gabriel's adopted daughter-she's his illegitimate one." "You're kidding" "I swear, it's all over the place. Everyone's talking about it." "If that's true, how does she even have the gall to show her face here?" "I can't stand people like that-crawling out of smistress's belly like they belong." "And her mother? I heard she used to be Gabriel's favorite. But in the end, he future" still chose Caroline for the Stonor family's "Then why didn't she marry him? Even as a concubine would've been better than playing the mistress," "She probably thought she was better than that. One of those women who dreams of becoming the main wife.

"Please. What was she thinking? Caroline was the Padilla family's daughter. A proper lady of status. And this other woman? Just sback-alley romantic

"Honestly, Sophie's even worse than her mother. She actually thinks she can becthe Stonor family's E! heiress." "What a joke! A bastard daughter thinking she can take that position? Is she delusional?" "She's dreaming, honestly."

"Clearly. Just because Eliza left, she thinks she's the only daughter left in the family. She forgets Eliza still carries the blood of 2/3 11:47 Fri, 18 Apr B Chapter 210 both the Stonors and the Padillas. You don't replace that kind of lineage with schicken from the streets." "She's not just dreaming-she's hallucinating" Just as the girls burst into laughter, a cold voice spoke from behind them. "Is it really that funny?" The group turned, startled, to find Sophie standing there, her expression dark as a thundercloud.

"Goodness, Sophie, you nearly gavea heart attack. Maisie Patel, one of the noble daughters, clutched her chest tically: "Would it kill you to walk louder? Do you enjoy eavesdropping?" 3/3