The Lady Nun Vows Revenge by Caroline Rowland

The Silent 187

Chapter 187

Malaki stumbled out of the house, nearly tripping in his haste. The moment he opened the door and saw Eliza, his weathered face crumpled, and tears welled up in his eyes. He looked at her as if she were a ghost from his past, overwhelmed with grief and longing.

But after a few heartbeats, the dream faded. He shook his head slowly, the flicker of hope extinguished. "You're not Caroline... You're not her," he murmured, almost apologetically.

Caroline was dead. She could never return.

"You must be her daughter-Eliza, isn't it?" Malaki said, his voice trembling.

Eliza nodded gently. "That's me. And... you are?"

She had no idea who he was or how to address him.

+83

Malaki wiped his eyes, and then-without warning-dropped to his knees in front of her. "My name is Malaki Padilla. Years ago, I was fortunate enough to be chosen by Mr. Padilla to serve as the family butler. I was born into the household, the same day, same month, same year as the head of the family. He granted me the Padilla surname-a gift I've carried ever since, even after leaving. I never wanted to forget the family I once served."

"Please don't," Eliza said quickly, reaching down to help him up.

But at the mention of "Mr. Padilla," Malaki shook his head If you don't mind, just call me Malaki."

Eliza smiled faintly. "Alright, Malaki it is."

sly. "No, no. I'm not worthy of such a title-not from you.

"Ah, thank you, thank you." Malaki beamed. "Come in, please. My place is small, but I hope you won't mind. Let's sit down and talk inside."

Even though she wasn't Caroline, seeing her-so much like her mother-filled his heart with emotion. In his aged eyes, there was no one else in the world but Eliza.

Nolan, who had been entirely ignored throughout this tearful reunion, didn't seem to mind. Without waiting for an invitation, he followed Eliza inside. With his tall frame, the space suddenly felt far more cramped than it had moments before.

then that Malaki finally

is?” he asked

Highness, the Prince Regent. It was his people who discovered you were living here in this village, and he brought

he immediately

no need for formality. I'm sorry for arriving so suddenly and disturbing

a smile. "Now that I've seen Eliza again, I could die

talk like that,” Eliza said, half-chiding, half-concerned. “We've just reunited. You're not allowed

voice soft. "Don't worry about me. I know my

out loud, but

1/3

Chapter 187

3.85%

83

he asked, "Eliza, what

too afraid to leave this village all these years, Malaki confessed with a sigh. "Even

Stonor family... though I'm not.

"What do you mean? Did

sharpened suddenly, his old voice rising

Eliza shook her head. "He didn't drive me out. I

happened? You were a family. Why would you leave?" Malaki's eyes were filled with concern, his

warmed her

left the Stonor family. I've become a nun now, but the King was kind enough to bestow me the

to Malaki's eyes again.

suffered something terrible in the Stonor

status, and a

knew it," Malaki muttered. "Gabriel was never a good man. The moment Caroline died, he broke his promise to the Padilla

something about my father? What did he do?" Now that he knew Eliza had left the Stonor family,

solemn. "Years ago, the Padilla family supported the former emperor's rise to the throne. But one night, we were betrayed. Assassins broke into the manor and slaughtered everyone in sight. Mr. Padilla sent me