625.Chapter 625
At this moment, Eliza had no ides that tomorrow, she wouldn’t just be meeting the king and Dians.
Someone eler was waiting for her too
Peturning to Saint Grace Nunnery, Eliza was immediately surrounded by her senior sisters and aunts, all eager to check on her and show their care.
*It’s good to have you back Mary has been thinking about you nonstop these past few days. She even led us in several prayer ceremonies–some for the people of Woteria, and some just for you.”
Sarah leaned in close and whispered, “I bet Mary is still copying scriptures for you right now. You should go see her.” Eliza couldn’t help but smile. Without hesitation, she turned and hurried off to find Mary.
“Mary Mary!”
As soon as she reached the courtyard outside Mary’s quarters, Eliza couldn’t wait and called out twice.
Just as she reached the door and was about to push it open, it swung inward on its own.
“Serenity?” Standing behind the door was Mary, her face lighting up with joy as she looked at Eliza.
“Mary, I’m back.” Eliza smiled brightly,
But Mary’s eyes turned red, brimming with tears.
“You reckless girl! You always run straight into danger! You didn’t even think to tell me before heading off to Woteria. Do you know how worried I was? You… you’re going to be the death of me!”
Seeing Eliza still smiling, Mary gave her a light tap on the arm, more playful than angry. Eliza, of course, didn’t feel a thing.
She knew Mary was just pretending to be mad, her eyes betraying her worry and affection.
“Mary.” Eliza immediately stepped forward, clinging to Mary’s arm like a spoiled child.
Her voice turned sweet and playful as she coaxed, “Don’t be mad anymore. I’m back safe and sound–see? I’m perfectly fir
“And you still have the nerve to say it’s fine! Tina was always by your side to protect you, and I could at least feel reassure But this time, you went to Woteria and actually sent her away!”
Mary had initially only been mildly concerned when Diana mentioned that Eliza had gone to Woteria. It seemed manageat at first.
But who could have expected that the very next day, Tina would show up escorting Grandpa Lin back, as arranged by Eliz Mary was both shocked and terrified.
Tina, equally worried about Eliza, had immediately left Hasen City after delivering Grandpa Lin, heading straight to Woteri
to find her.
“You know full well how many people are watching you from the shadows, yet you still dare to take such risks. Honestly, you’ve got some nerve, girl!”
Mary had spent several nerve–wracking days worrying. Now that Eliza had returned safe and sound, she finally let out a sigh of relief. *****
But at the same time, she couldn’t help feeling furious.
She dragged Eliza back into the courtyard, inspecting her from head to toe while scolding her angrily.
Instead of being upset, Eliza grinned from ear to ear, soaking in the rare feeling of being fussed over. It was almost like s enjoyed the scolding.
But as she smiled, she began to feel a bit guilty. Rubbing her nose, she tried to explain, “Mary, don’t forget–I’ve got som skills too! You taught me poison techniques and insect control, didn’t you? It wasn’t *that* dangerous…”
Mary let out a cold laugh. “With your shaky martial arts, half–baked poison skills, and clumsy insect control, what would do if a real assassin came at you? You’d be down before you could blink!”
Eliza cleared her throat, trying to sound confident but faltering. “I mean, I wasn’t completely alone. The Prince Regent a the Black Flag were with me the whole way. It really wasn’t that dangerous.”
Mary’s smile grew colder. “Sometimes, the real danger isn’t out there–it’s the people closest to you. Especially men!”
Eliza, lost for words, decided to just obediently take the scolding.
“Alright, that’s enough. I won’t say more about you,” Mary said, gently pressing Eliza into a seat.
Mary sighed, her gaze lingering on the girl who bore such a striking resemblance to an old friend. With a mix of joy and sorrow, she said, “Eliza, from the moment you came to the mountain, I could tell you had a mind of your own. But more that, I saw a heart willing to risk everything. That’s why I’ve always been so worried about you.”
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he trusted Flies to handle moet dangers, but when i came to true life or death situations, Mary feared that, unlike those who could seapt and compromise, Eliza would rather throw everything on the line, even if it meant risking her life, than lower her head even a fraction
To Mary Elies was like a rope pulled taut–whways stretched to its limit, never allowing herself a moment of stack
But a rope that stayed tight for too long, exposed to the elements, was bound to snap one day
And that was what Mary Teared most
She was terrified that one day, Eliza would push herself too far and break
After all her vengeance wasn’t aimed at strangers–it was directed at her own family.
If those people were truly gone, the fire that had been keeping her going all this time might just burn out.
Mary didn’t dare to imagine such an outcome.
She didn’t care about the Stonor family, her only concern was Eliza.
“Mary, forget about all that. I’ve got some good news for you, Eliza said, her smile unwavering, almost too bright. “Guess what? Anthony is dead. Isn’t that great?”
“What?” Mary’s heart skipped a beat, her breath catching in her throat. “Did you… was it you who killed him?”
Eliza shook her head, her expression calm under Mary’s piercing gaze. “No, it wasn’t me.”
Mary exhaled, a wave of relief washing over her. “At least it wasn’t you… but still, Eliza, this isn’t something to take lightly.” “Then who killed Anthony? And how do you know about it?” Mary’s voice was steady, but her unease was palpable. Eliza blinked, her tone light, almost playful. “Oh, I had someone take care of it for me. So, yeah, I guess you could say it was my doing.”
Mary’s chest tightened, a chill running down her spine. She had let her guard down too soon.
She opened her mouth, searching for the right words, but Eliza spoke first. “Mary… are you mad at me?”
Mary’s expression must have shifted too drastically, as Eliza’s cautious gaze locked onto her, searching for reassurance. Those eyes–so much like Caroline’s–held a flicker of unease. Meeting that gaze, Mary realized she had reacted too strongly.
She quickly softened her tone. “No, how could I ever be angry with you? It’s just… the news caught me off guard, that’s all.”
It truly was too sudden.
The first member of the Stonor family had fallen because of Eliza.
Mary had speculated before–perhaps it would be Sophie, or maybe Quentin–but she never imagined the first to die would be Anthony, her fourth brother.
Eliza had taken her first step down a path of no return, and the weight of it was already beginning to show.
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