Chapter 5
~Chapter 05~
Cedric seated Benedict and naturally took the seat at the head of the table, giving a nod to the butler. At that signal, the waiting servants began setting out mouthwatering dishes along the long table, and the atmosphere in the banquet hall grew lively.
Cedric waited until wine had been poured into everyone’s glasses before speaking.
「I extend my heartfelt thanks once more to all of you who attended my father’s funeral and offered your condolences. Though the head of the house has changed so suddenly, I hope the Kailas family will continue to maintain our close ties with all of you. Of course, so long as no issues arise.」
Everyone stifled laughter at his playful condition. But the smile soon faded from Cedric’s lips, and he thought of his father.
「My father was thoughtful, honest, and thorough in all things. There may be no such thing as perfection in human endeavors, but I believe he came close. Compared to him, I am still just a green novice with much to learn.」
He truly respected and loved his father, who had been a steadfast knight and devoted head of the family, willingly giving everything to his son.
But the world did not always bend to Cedric’s will, and there were those who secretly scorned and deceived Roan, the man of few words and cautious nature.
Cedric’s dark, intense wine-red eyes swept over everyone seated at the table. Weeds grew among them, but rushing would only ruin everything. Until the reaper’s scythe came for their necks, he had to make sure his enemies remained off guard and unsuspecting.
「Thus, I will humbly learn from all of you as I face the challenges ahead. Even if I seem a bit slow, please don’t judge me too harshly.」
Another round of light laughter followed.
This was enough for now. The image of a novice who had lost his father on the battlefield, survived thanks to his father’s sacrifice, and earned an undeserved title as a war hero. That was exactly right.
‘It’s best if no one yet knows what hides behind this novice’s back.’
Cedric flashed a mischievous smile as he raised his glass high and called out.
「A toast! To our eternal bonds!」
「To our bonds!」
His loyal retainers responded in unison, raising their glasses to wet their throats with the fragrant wine.
If they had known that wine stood in place of someone’s blood and tears, they wouldn’t have drunk it with such delight.
The chirping of birds echoing from every corner of the garden welcomed the morning. Flowers were just beginning to unfurl their petals, and the grass blades, still heavy with dew, sparkled in the sunlight.
Harriet looked around the garden of Listerwell Mansion. Memories lingered in every nook and cranny, making her heart ache.
‘I’ll be back in a year, so why does this feel like the last time?’
A hollow emptiness tugged at her chest, and her feet refused to move. But perhaps her hesitation looked like dawdling to John, for he spoke up.
「Lingering won’t change anything. If you want to have lunch on the way, we need to leave now. Terry! Aren’t you ready yet?」
Worried that Harriet might change her mind, John urged them on impatiently.
「Here’s the admission permit for Saint Clarissa Convent. Don’t lose it—keep it safe. I saw the cook packing your breakfast earlier, so eat it in the carriage. No need to show your face around.」
「Yes……」
「Don’t take your uncle’s words too harshly. It’s all for your own good. A grown young lady traveling alone would only stir up scandal.」
「Yes……」
Satisfied that he’d said his piece, John made no further attempt to soothe his niece. At his command, the coachman took Harriet’s luggage and loaded it onto the carriage.
Harriet had chosen the largest bag allowed, and though it held everything she needed for a year, it still looked smaller than a bag for a two-week trip.
Two outfits for going out, a few everyday dresses, and some nightgowns—that was the extent of her clothing. Knowing the convent winters were harsh, she’d also packed several thick undergarments.
‘I brought all my jewelry just in case…… Was that unnecessary?’
It wasn’t much, just a handful, but the knowledge that it could be turned into money offered small comfort.
She had also packed a framed family portrait, her mother’s rosary beads, and two pairs of shoes suitable for the convent. That filled the bag to bursting, leaving no room for cosmetics or books.
As she gazed at the bag with worried eyes, John urged her again.
「Stop hesitating and go already!」
「Yes…… Then I’ll see you in a year.」
Harriet boarded the carriage with heavy steps. She didn’t notice that John offered no reply to her final farewell.
「Vice Abbess, Miss Harriet Listerwell, who applied for admission previously, is scheduled to arrive this morning,」 Agnes reported.
At the news, Catherine let out a deep sigh and set her glasses down on the desk. Her hands were dry and wrinkled, but they moved with sturdy skill over her prayer beads.
「She’s staying for a year, correct?」
「Yes. For a young lady coming here to ‘reflect,’ that’s quite a long time.」
Agnes hesitated a moment before adding,
「If I may say so cautiously, the donation that came with her to cover a year’s living expenses was a considerable sum.」
Catherine’s brow furrowed even deeper at those words.
「If only the convent’s finances weren’t so dire, I would have turned down this unwelcome visit.」
「Well, I believe it’s God’s will that our convent has become known as a place where young ladies wash away their sins. Thanks to that, we can help those in need and take in abandoned daughters.」
The young and devout Agnes tried to view the situation hopefully.
Saint Clarissa Convent was a place where only female religious orders and nuns resided, located relatively close to Genoa. As a result, it had become a convenient hideaway for noble young ladies seeking to escape under the pretext of reflection after causing trouble.
「If only the Papal Court understood our situation a little better, we wouldn’t have to endure the shameful nickname of ‘exile ground.’」
Catherine clicked her tongue and rose from her seat.
Every time they had to serve as a place to launder noble young ladies’ scandals, she resented the Papal Court. Why were male monasteries always fully funded, while female convents got only half, with excuses like “Donations are low this year” or “Doesn’t your convent have side businesses?”
「As if selling soap brings in enough……」
It was absurd.
The convent had been assigned side work to cover operating costs. While male monasteries engaged in religious tasks like copying scriptures or painting icons, female convents were given mostly secular jobs unrelated to faith.
Saint Clarissa had a farm full of olive trees and various herbs. The nuns and sisters harvested these crops to produce goods for sale.
「Do they think sisters laboring all day have time to memorize scripture or study theology? And then they criticize us for not being as accomplished as the men.」
The thought always made her blood boil. But voicing such complaints would only lead to accusations of lacking faith.
「The Papal Court and other convents have their own hardships. Why does Saint Clarissa always demand special treatment? Have you earnestly prayed to God for a solution?」
Such resentments had piled up, resulting in even less funding for Saint Clarissa than other female convents. It was practically pressure to abandon the place’s operations, but Catherine could not abandon the young girls and sisters who depended on her.
In such circumstances, it was hard to refuse donations in exchange for taking in a “problem child” for a few days.
「What mischief did Miss Harriet Listerwell get into?」 Catherine asked in a voice half-resigned.
Agnes answered with a slightly uncomfortable expression. 「They say she’s quite the famous scandal-maker in Genoa high society.」
「So, another young lady caught up in a romance scandal?」
「Apparently, she impersonated her cousin to seduce men. That cousin is said to be the most beautiful woman in society.」
「Hah……」
Catherine let out a short, incredulous scoff.
But exiling someone for a year over that seemed excessive. Even young ladies caught cheating with their fiancé’s friend stayed only a few months.
「Surely that’s not the whole story.」
「You’re right. The real issue is that at the recent victory banquet, she stole the Kailas Duke’s brooch and wore it as if it were her own. That provoked the duke’s wrath, they say.」
Catherine’s eyes widened at the revelation.
