3.
Isn’t the House of Kaylas a venerable family, one that led the Kifren War to victory and deserves nothing but respect?
When everyone else hesitated, claiming there was nothing to gain, the House of Kaylas willingly led the troops solely out of loyalty to the Imperial Family.
Had it not been for them, no one would know how far the Kifren War might have spread into the heart of the Empire. The sacrifices the House of Kaylas endured for the sake of victory were immense. St. Clarissa’s Convent, having sent nursing staff to the front lines, knew this fact all too well.
“Good heavens…! What kind of behavior is that, to be so devoid of shame?”
“The House of Listerwell also requested that we provide strict guidance so that Harriet may repent.”
Agnes said this, recalling the letter, which had been quite different in tone from the admission requests of other young ladies.
“We, too, must steel ourselves. There is no way such a willful young lady will endure life in our convent peacefully.”
The fact that she had impersonated someone else, that she had stolen and worn the Duke’s brooch at a celebration for his victory in the Kifren War, that even her own family had all but given up on her, and that she was coming to spend an unprecedentedly long time in reflection.
With just those clues, it felt as though the days of struggle that lay ahead were already mapped out before them; Catherine and Agnes both squeezed their eyes shut at the same time.
“We have offered special treatment to the young ladies who visit the convent, but we must deal with Harriet firmly.”
“Since it is a long-term stay, shall we have her live exactly as the nuns do?”
“That would be for the best. Especially since the House of Listerwell specifically requested it.”
“What if she protests that her treatment is different from the other young ladies?”
At that, Catherine’s brow furrowed slightly.
“If she wants to protest, tell her to take it up with the family that sent her here. And tell her if she does not follow the convent’s rules, she will be denied her meals.”
“R-really? If she goes hungry for too long and collapses…”
“Sigh… Let’s worry about that when the time comes.”
No matter how she looked at it, it seemed that arduous days were ahead.
* * *
With a clatter, the carriage came to a complete stop.
“My lady, we have arrived!”
Harriet took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Sitting in the rattling carriage had been miserable, but it was clear that even more agonizing days were about to unfold.
‘I never imagined I would live in a convent.’
The fear of the unknown tightened around her throat like a noose. Yet, she could not dawdle any longer. As if shaking off her lingering attachments, Harriet dusted off her wrinkled skirt, picked up her luggage, and stepped out of the carriage.
“Oh dear, I could have brought your bags down for you…!”
“It’s fine. It’s not so heavy that I need to borrow someone else’s strength, and from here on, I must go alone.”
“Still…”
“I’m truly alright. I’m going inside now, so you should return. If you want to grab lunch nearby, you’d better hurry.”
She had at least managed to eat some bread in the carriage, but the coachman, who had driven without even eating breakfast, would surely be starving.
Harriet bid farewell to the coachman, who was trying to show kindness until the very end, and turned toward the convent.
The building had high walls, few windows, and a sharp roof. The gray stone structure was spotted with black, moss-like growths, which only added to its shabby appearance.
The only thing indicating it was a convent was the stone plaque hanging above the entrance:
「St. Clarissa’s Convent Of Elowen Temple 128」
‘They said it was a famous convent, so I thought it would be grand and magnificent…’
Her breath hitched at an exterior that made her think the Imperial prison would have been better. Furthermore, it was surrounded by olive groves and rocky mountains; the scenery wasn’t particularly beautiful, either.
Harriet sighed deeply once more and struck the door with the knocker.
A moment later, a small window on the door swung open, and someone peered through.
“Are you the young lady of the House of Listerwell?”
“Yes. I am Harriet Listerwell.”
“We have been expecting you. Come in.”
As the door opened, a dark, dim corridor appeared before her, even in the middle of the day. The gloom was one thing, but the nun who had opened the door looked sharp-eyed despite her youthful face, which only increased Harriet’s anxiety.
However, she had no choice.
Harriet followed behind the nun, stealing glances at the dull, plain convent building. One might expect someone to explain things to a first-time visitor, but the nun did not say a single word.
Finally, upon reaching a certain door, the nun whipped around and warned Harriet.
“You will be meeting the Mother Superior. Keep your posture straight and mind your words and actions. Do not, under any circumstances, raise your voice or give any insolent looks.”
“…I will.”
The nun seemed displeased with Harriet’s delayed response and furrowed her brow slightly before knocking on the Mother Superior’s door. In that instant, her expression became incredibly docile—a stark contrast to how she had looked at Harriet.
“Mother Superior. I have brought Miss Harriet Listerwell.”
“Come in.”
The door opened.
Inside the room, an elderly nun sat at a desk reading some documents, and standing beside her was a younger nun.
The younger nun had a somewhat kind face, but the other, who was clearly the Mother Superior, had black hair, silver-rimmed spectacles, and a gaunt frame. With her rigid posture, she looked quite stubborn.
“It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Harriet Listerwell. I will be in your care for one year.”
“You have worked hard coming all this way. I am Catherine Emillosa, Mother Superior of St. Clarissa’s Convent. This is Sister Agnes Valery, the Vice Mother Superior.”
Harriet offered a smile, however awkward. But the atmosphere did not brighten.
Catherine immediately began to talk about life at the convent.
“Life here will not be as affluent or comfortable as it is in the capital. As you have come to repent, I assume you were prepared for at least that much.”
Harriet swallowed hard.
She had imagined many things about what she might experience in a convent, and it felt as though her worst fears were manifesting into reality.
Ignoring Harriet’s clear signs of anxiety, Catherine continued.
“The nuns here eat modest meals, wear only nun’s habits throughout all seasons, and use the gifts of God harvested from the olive groves and herb gardens to make the necessities we use. You, too, will live exactly the same life as our nuns.”
“Ah…”
“As a noble young lady, I know physical labor is unfamiliar to you, but through that process, you will be able to reflect on your past of luxury and decadence.”
She had never really enjoyed luxury or decadence, but Harriet had no choice but to nod and accept it.
“Emma, who brought you here, will explain the details. Emma, I leave her to you.”
“Yes, Mother Superior.”
Emma bowed obediently, but when she turned toward Harriet, her eyes were sharp once more.
“I will guide you to your room.”
“Yes. Then…”
As Harriet turned to leave, Catherine added one final word.
“Oh, and from tomorrow on, I will address you as ‘Sister.’ Think of yourself as having truly become a nun, and live a life of reflection before God.”
The repeated use of the word ‘repent’ made sorrow well up in her chest. Because the person who should have been the subject of that act was not Harriet herself.
‘Why must I be treated like a sinner? I didn’t do anything wrong, why me…!’
She pressed her lips together to stop them from trembling, but she could not prevent the tears from welling up.
Harriet hurriedly wiped the tears that had trickled down her cheeks with the back of her hand and bowed her head.
“Under…stood.”
She could not say anything more. If she opened her mouth, more tears would burst out, and if she sobbed here, it would only add to her poor image.
Sure enough, Emma let out a sigh as if to make sure Harriet heard it.
“Follow me.”
Harriet turned to follow Emma without meeting the eyes of Catherine or Agnes. It was clear that there was no kindness in the gazes directed at her. Just as it had always been.
“Oh my! Look, she’s crying! Does she think someone will pity her?”
“Even Bella, who was put in a difficult position because of her, is so composed, yet she doesn’t even feel ashamed.”
The voices that had criticized her felt as vivid as if she could still hear them ringing in her ears.
However, her gloomy mood transformed into bewilderment when she reached the room she had been assigned.
‘A person can live in a room this small?’
A cramped, narrow room with nothing but a bed for one person, a small chest of drawers that seemed to double as a wardrobe, a small table, and a simple wooden chair. There was no rug, leaving the stone floor exposed—this was to be Harriet’s room from today on.
As she stood there with her mouth agape, looking around the room, Emma said in a dry voice.
“I will bring your habit and a meal shortly. However, from this evening on, you must come down to the dining hall at the scheduled times. Meal times are 7:00 AM, noon, and 6:00 PM, and you may receive a light snack at 3:00 PM.”
At those words, Harriet snapped back to reality. Survival was an important matter, after all.
“Where is the dining hall?”