Ch#64
Ch#64
Ch#64
~Chapter 64~
“How have you been, Emma?”
“Of course! Everyone’s doing great. It’s all thanks to you, Sister Harriet!”
Harriet waved her hand shyly at the praise.
She knew this wasn’t solely her doing.
The convent, which had once looked shabby and worn, was now clean and well-kept. It was clearly thanks to their increased income.
And though it might just be her imagination, there seemed to be a new vitality in the air.
That was when she realized it.
‘Ah! The children from Epher Orphanage must have arrived!’
With these lively young souls now staying at the convent, it was only natural that the atmosphere felt brighter.
“How are the children from the orphanage settling in? Are they adapting well?”
“Yes. A few of them were sick when they arrived, but they’re much better now. And the older ones are already helping with daily tasks.”
“How’s the construction going on the shelter building for the girls?”
“It’s almost done. By the first week of the new year, the children should be able to move into their new rooms. We’ll also start theology and basic education classes then.”
Everything at the convent was proceeding smoothly according to plan.
Not only the shelter for the orphan girls, but the soap and herb workshops had also been solidly expanded.
Even the carts and tools used at the olive and herb farms had all been replaced with new ones.
They still didn’t have much spare funds, so things weren’t exactly abundant.
But soon, the monks and nuns would start receiving proper salaries.
‘Then, women with nowhere else to go will have options beyond becoming nuns.’
While staying at the convent, they wouldn’t need living expenses, so they could save their earnings. That would give them the chance to dream of a life outside the convent walls.
Becoming a nun was a noble and honorable calling, but if it wasn’t a path chosen freely, it could feel like a punishment.
‘Maybe even someone like me, who was once abandoned at the convent, could get a chance to change their life.’
Harriet clenched her fist as she recalled the despair she had felt in the past.
“Sister Harriet!”
Catherine’s voice was familiar yet strangely excited.
“Have you been well?”
“I’ve been busier than before, but happier and more at peace than ever. This is all thanks to you, Sister.”
“Why does everyone keep saying that? Honestly, the one who made all this possible is Duke Kailas.”
The words left a bitter taste in her mouth.
When they had started, she knew nothing about running a business.
The real success was all thanks to Cedric. He was the one who had made things work.
How else could they have gotten such a prime shop location?
Where would they have found such capable workers?
Deep down, she knew it. And every time she had to admit that he was the true driving force behind this business, a pang ached in her chest.
But Catherine shook her head firmly.
“No, Sister. We’ve been making soap and herb products for years, but no one ever thought to turn it into a proper business.”
“She’s right. If you hadn’t suggested it, Sister, Duke Kailas wouldn’t have taken any interest either.
We couldn’t see the potential in what we were doing.”
At Agnes’s words, Catherine frowned with a regretful expression.
“I want to apologize for doubting your insight, Sister. You were trying to find a way to help us, but I was just afraid of change.”
“No! It was only possible because Mother Catherine was here!”
Harriet waved her hands in a fluster, as if she might jump up from her seat.
But even so, it was hard to ignore the warmth blooming in her chest.
Being acknowledged by others—it was a feeling she had forgotten for so long. She nearly teared up.
To hold back the tears, she quickly changed the subject.
“Oh, and this! It’s not much, but please use it for the hardworking nuns and monks.”
She took out the donation she had prepared.
As she said, it wasn’t a large amount.
The business was successful, but they hadn’t yet finished a proper accounting settlement.
Even so, this moment held deep meaning.
Visiting a religious institution during the end-of-year holy week to make a donation—it was something that filled her with pride as a noble.
Just six months ago, this had been nothing but a dream.
Catherine accepted the envelope very carefully.
“Thank you so much. Is there a particular place you’d like this donation to go?”
It was a common question when receiving donations.
Harriet had expected it and already made up her mind.
“Please use it to buy underwear and socks.”
“I’d like you to buy underwear and socks for them. They’re all too polite to say it, but I know many of them are wearing patched, worn-out ones.”
Underwear wore out quickly from frequent washing, but everyone thought demanding new ones was selfish, so they never spoke up.
Harriet vividly remembered Emma struggling to hide her torn underwear while doing the laundry.
Her face flushed red with embarrassment, her eyes brimming with tears—it was still fresh in her mind.
Even as fellow women, the shame ran that deep.
That was when Harriet realized how fortunate she was.
Though abandoned, she was still a noble, and her underwear was always clean, soft, and free of tears or patches.
“I know frugality is a virtue for those in religious orders,”
she continued.
“I understand frugality is a virtue here, but wearing torn underwear isn’t just uncomfortable—it can even cause health issues for women in particular. Please don’t think of it as extravagance.”
“Ah…”
Catherine closed her eyes, suppressing her emotions.
Her fingers trembled slightly around the donation envelope.
“I don’t know how to express my gratitude for your thoughtful consideration…”
“It’s nothing special. If I’d brought more money, I would have asked you to buy new clothes for everyone, but it’s not enough for that.”
Harriet gave a playful smile, but the deep emotion didn’t fade from Catherine’s and Agnes’s faces.
In truth, this was a request only Harriet could make.
Other nobles had no interest in the personal, private needs of the convent’s residents.
But Harriet had lived here for a year, sharing their lives.
She knew that nuns and monks were human too, just like everyone else, and she understood the hardships they couldn’t voice.
Catherine soon smiled brightly and nodded.
“Thanks to you, Sister, I’ll finally get to wear new underwear too.”
At those words, the three women burst into laughter together.
Such abundant joy—Harriet felt truly grateful to be alive for the first time since her parents’ death.
That was why she couldn’t stop here.
“Mother Catherine,” Harriet said earnestly.
“For this joy to continue, our business needs to grow and endure. Money, when used properly, can lead to even greater good.”
Catherine didn’t argue anymore.
With financial independence at the convent, they no longer had to beg the church authorities for support, and they could help more people in need.
Money itself wasn’t something to fear. What was dangerous was human greed. But for Catherine, even feeling that fear was a luxury.
“We really don’t know much about business,” Catherine admitted.
“But if you lay out the plans, Sister, we’ll do everything we can to help.”
Their eyes were filled with trust, swelling Harriet’s heart.
“I want to grow ‘Saint Clarissa Soap and Herbs’
Clarissa
into a bigger brand. The fact that it’s handmade by devout religious folk—that’s a unique charm no other brand can match.”
“Is that really such a big deal? There are plenty of mass-produced goods these days, but handmade items still exist too.”
“But who makes it matters a great deal. Especially in our country, where religion holds such a high place in people’s hearts.”
Trust was one of the most valuable things, and hard to earn.
It felt like a waste to use it only for selling soap.
“What if we gave stories to our convent’s products—like the herbs, honey, beeswax, candles, olive oil, and pickled olives? We already know the quality is excellent, right?”
At her final question, both Catherine and Agnes nodded with pride.
They had sold their goods cheaply for so long.
The money they made was meager, but what made them sigh wasn’t greed.
It was guilt over the effort poured in by the monks and nuns.
Making a single candle, pressing pure olive oil, preparing delicious pickled olives—it all took tremendous care.
“We’ve always done our absolute best to make the highest-quality products. It’s the only way we know. We’re truly confident in our quality.”
“Good products, consistent quality, beautiful design that ties the brand together, and meaningful stories. If we get those elements right,
Clarissa
will achieve great success—I truly believe it.”
As Harriet spoke with confidence, Catherine felt her heart pounding with excitement.
