The Lady Nun Vows Revenge by Caroline Rowland

Chapter 24 Chapter 24 Tury "Tellthe truth! Did you go to the king two days ago?" Caleh jumped down from his carriage, worming toward Eliza, his eyes blazing with fu Eliza frowsed slightly. "I did visit the palace, but what does that have to do with I knew it calebout her off, his face twisting in disgust. "You just won't give up, will your Do you think begging the king will maketake yini. back! No way! "I told you I would rather die than marry a vicious woman like you, no matter what the king says!" Elza felt a chill in her heart. His accusations were beyond ridiculous.

"Yes, I went to the palace," she said evenly. "But what makes you thin "Stop lying. Sophie toldeverything you said to her," Calch wirered. had anything in de will your As if on cue, Sophie stepped slown from the carriage. The sight of her at Galeb's side made it clear-she had run straight to him, setting up this.: confrontation Eliza tumed a cold gaze on Sophie. "Really! And what exactly did I say to you?" Sophie's eyes flickered with unease before she put on an innocent, wounded expression. "Thon't you remember, Fliza After our coming of age ceremony, when Dad locked you in the private chapel, I visited you, and you toldyou regretted the breakup "You said you still loved Caleb and beggedto give him back. Hut 1-1 didn't want to betray him. I respected his choice..." She let her voice waver, tears welling up in her eyes. "I never thought you'd armally run to the king" Sophie bit her lip as if deeply troubled. To so sorry, Eliza. I had known how much you loved him, I would've depped aside. You wouldn't have had to take such desperate measures" Caleb immediately pulled Sophie into a protective embrace, Sophie, dont fall for her tricks. Don't agree to anything she says," he said, his glare drilling into Eliza, Quite the performance, Sophie Eliza scoffed inwardly. I don't recall you visitingin the private chapel, let alone hearing any of that. You're not just acting-you're making things up from scratch At that moment, she finally understood how Sophie had manipulated the Stonor family and Caleb so thoroughly.

But something else gnawed at Eliza. 'Only a handful of people knew I went to the king. If Caleb heard it from Sophie, then how did she find out?" she thought, her eyes narrowing as Sophie been havingwatched "Eliza, I don't care what y you asked the king for. Co back and take it lack-now. Or I won't let this go, Caleli snapped.

Knowing the royal decree would arrive soon, Eliza had no patience for his nontenge. "Don't flatter yourself, she said coolly and turned to leave, 0 Caleb, mistaking her indifference for quilt, grabbed her wrist. "We're not done here!" The sudden force early made Eliza stumble. Her pati *patience snapped, and she slapped him land.

The sharp sound echoed in the courtyard. "Who do your drink you are, Caleb?" she hissed, yanking her wrist free? "You really think every woman in the world wants you?" she sneered. "Letset the record straight--no one does. No woman with any self-respect would want an arrogant, self-absorbed man who doesn't understand Issic decency" Her cold gaze flicked to Sophie. "Even her. Do you really think she likes you for who you are!" Caleb stiffened, but Eliza didn't wait for a response. She had seen the truth before.

Back then, Caleb had thought himself untouchable-until he offended the wrong person and ended up crippled. Sophie hadn't hesitated to abandon him the moment he lost his status.

"Eliza, please! If you have to blsomeone, blme, not Caleb, Sophie pleaded, sensing the shift in Eliza's demeanor.

She could tell Eliza was about to expose her-and she couldn't let that happen. So she did what she did best-play the victim.

Caleb fell for it instantly. "Stop trying to cbetween us," he snappeil, stepping protectively in front of Sophie. "She's nothing like you. Sophie is kind, pure, and gentle She's a thousand times better than you'll ever be, you vicious woman." Eliza's sharp eyes caught something in Sophie's expression, and without hesitation, she slapped Calebi twice again.

Chapter 21 Two deep red imprints bloomed across his already swollen cheek. Caleb's fury exploded. He raised his hand to strike back. "Eliza, you're asking for "Royal decree!" A sharp voice cut through the tension.

Caleb froze, his hand dropping instantly, His face turned pale as James, the king's messenger, strode into the courtyard.

The servants, who had been eavesdropping from inside, scurried off to alert the rest of the family.

Moments later, Benedict appeared with his three younger brothers, their expressions shifting when they saw both Eliza and Caleb "Father is away. My siblings and I will receive the decree on behalf of him. Benedict said firmly.

James smiled. "No need. This decree isn't for Lord Mowbay. It is for Lady It Eliza Silence felle Benedict and his brothers exchanged confused glances. At the door, Eliza remained expressionless, and Sophie stiffened. Caleb, on the other hand, glared at Eliza with pure hatred.

Benedict could tell the three of them knew something about this decree-though clearly, they had very different expectations.

Caleb, unable to hold back, suddenly blurted out, "James, wait-this isn't about forgingto marry Eliza, is it? If that's the case, I need to speak with the king first!" James paused, then gave a cool smile. "Lord Caleb, I haven't even read the decree yet. There's no need to jump to conclusions "Caleb Benedict snapped. "Show srespect" He pressed Caleb down into a kneel and turned back to James with an apologetic nod. "Forgive him. Please, continue." James turned his cold gaze back to the scroll and read aloud. "Eliza, this is the king's decree." Eliza knew, her voice calm. "Yes,

Jarnes continued, "Eliza, pure of heart and steadfast in spirit, has shown compassion for all and devotion to her country. In her selfless choice to dedicate herself to prayer for the nation and its people, she has earned our great favor. Thus, we we hereby bestow upon her the title of Holy Lady of Walden, with the religious nSerenity" 0