The Lady Nun Vows Revenge by Caroline Rowland

The Silent 230

Chapter 230

"This is impossible." Gabriel said, his expression shifting between disbelief and suspicion. "Eliza and Nolan-how would they

He turned to Adeline and snapped, "Are you certain you saw it with your own eyes?"

Adeline sobbing uncontrollably inside the carriage, didn't dare admit she'd run off the moment she got scared and hadn't actually confirmed a thing. She stammered, clearly guilty, "O-of course I saw it. It's just... there was so much blood. I didn't dare go closer, so I can't say for sure if... if she's really dear.

Gabriel's face darkened with fury as he pointed at her. "That was your niece! And you just left her there and ran?!"

"Well excuse me for not wanting to get killed too" Adeline shot back defensively, though her tone was anything but confident. "What if the Prince Regent turned on me next? I barely escaped with my life! If I hadn't run, you'd be short one little sister by now!"

"Kill you?" Gabriel growled. “Nolan wouldn't dare. You're Dale's wife, my sister- unless you committed treason, he wouldn't lay a hand on you no matter how mad he is."

His voice rose as he jabbed an accusing finger in her direction

But Adeline wouldn't back down. "Easy for you to say. You weren't there! The way that man looked at me-it was like I was already dead. I swear, if I hadn't turned and run, he'd have cut me down right then and there. And don't forget, he did kill Sophie in the Empress Dowager's own palace. You think someone that crazy can be reasoned with? He's completely unhinged!"

She took a shaky breath. "If he really wanted to cover it up, do you think I'd still be sitting here, talking to you!"

Gabriel clenched his fists. He couldn't argue with that-not entirely. Still, he wasn't about to let her weasel out of it so easily.

"You're going back." he snapped. "Tell the Empress Dowager what happened. Sophie ning palace etiquette under her care. If son ing happened to her, then the Empress Dowager can't wash her hands of it"

Adeline's eyes went wide. "What?! No! I'm not going back! What if I run into the Prince Regent again?! I barely escaped once -what if I don't get lucky a second time?"

think I'd send you if I were

despite all his threats and shouting, Adeline refused to budge. After rounds of crying, wailing, and throwing a tantrum Gabriel finally gave up and

seek audience with the King-but just

glimpse of a familiar figure.

narrowed. "Follow that carriage. he ordered the

a quieter street, where the carriage pulled up outside a modest apothecary, Gabriel watched as Eliza stepped out, arms

then intercepted her somewhere private. But today, his patience wore thin. Sophie's fate remained unknown, and even though he'd confidently claimed earlier that Nolan wouldn't dare harm her in the

knew about

the court were well aware: the Prince Regent suffered from episodes of

19

Chapter 230

physicians. During his episodes, he became dangerously unstable.

from speaking of it. Anyone

kept the secret, most of the outside world had no idea that the mighty Prince

if-Gabriel wondered-what if Nolan had

it wasn't madness at all? What if he and Eliza had plotted together to

more likely it seemed. He knew Eliza hated Sophie. After

fists clenched as he stared at the apothecary. Eliza was still inside. Enough was

carriage door and stormed

large, but it was

detour- but she quickly found herself intrigued by the rare herbs lining the

quite the selection," she remarked to the shopkeeper. "Is this

we just opened here recently. There was a drought in Plutonville that delayed us-couldn't move the shipments until just a few

raised