The Lady Nun Vows Revenge by Caroline Rowland

“You probably won’t believe me, but I find your condition interesting. So, here’s a kind reminder. You’re not suffering from a terminal illness. You’ve been poisoned.”

Eliza’s tone was indifferent, but her words widened Benedict’s eyes in shock. “Poisoned?”

Benedict’s face was filled with disbelief. “But that’s impossible! I’ve either been to the estate or the High Council. How could anyone have poisoned me?”

Realizing how his words might sound, he quickly tried to explain. “No, I didn’t mean to doubt you, Eliza. I’m just…”

“There’s no need to explain yourself, Benedict. I’ve grown used to it.”

The words “grown used to it were spoken so lightly as if it didn’t seem to affect Eliza. As for Benedict, hearing them was like a dagger to the heart.

“How could anyone get used to that? It’s all my fault, Eliza. I was blind and foolish back then, causing you so much pain. I was wrong, I-” Benedict’s voice faltered.

Before he could finish, Eliza cut him off impatiently, “I already said, no explanations needed. Can’t the Duke’s eldest son understand simple words?”

much to say, but she no longer wanted to hear

I didn’t hurt Sophie. We were playing together,

does Sophie have so many bruises?”

don’t know! Benedict,

excuses. Get out of this house and

listen to me.

be a good figure for her adopted sister. She took Sophie out to explore the bustling

into her room, dragging her out of bed and demanding to know why she had bullied Sophie. Eliza had been utterly bewildered.

with her. Yet no matter how much she tried to explain, her brother, who had once doted on her, refused

Eliza saw the bruises on Sophie’s body–marks made

wrong.

“Benedict, it’s not Eliza’s fault.

help but wonder, ‘Sophie hadn’t fallen that day. But

the house until nightfall, Eliza finally understood everything. Sophie had done it on purpose. She