Mary had just been checking Dn''s wound when she paused at Eliza''s words. "You''ve already chosen the ce?"


    Eliza nodded. "I have"


    "Is it beautiful Mary asked, her voice low and hesitant. Is it hidden enough? Secluded enough that no one will ever find


    her!"


    Eliza met her eyes and answered gently, but firmly. "Yes. The view is lovely. It''s peaceful. And no one will ever disturb her again."


    "Good" Mary murmured, her voice softening with emotion. She carefully reached out and took the box from Eliza''s hands- the one that held Caroline''s bones.


    Eliza had already prepared everything. The bones were sealed inside acquered casket that had once been brought over with the Padi family''s dowry. A faint floral scent lingered on the box, disguising any trace of decay.


    Mary cradled it like the most fragile of treasures. Her eyes were red as she said, "I''ll speak with her a little while. I''lle find youter.


    Eliza gave a quiet nod. "Alright


    Butter didn''te until dusk the next day.


    It had been an entire day and night before Mary returned, clutching the casket tightly to her chest. Her face was pale, eyes swollen, and even her usual upright posture had wilted.


    "Serenity: she whispered, voice trembling. "Go... bury your mother."


    She handed the box back to Eliza with reverent care, and her hands wouldn''t stop shaking.


    "When it''s done." Mary added, almost pleadingly, "tell no one- sleep in silence. No one should ever disturb her again. And... when I die...


    —not even me. Caroline always loved


    peace and quiet. Let her


    Mary paused, then continued in a breathless hush, "if you''re willing, bury me beside her."


    Her penance wasn''t over yet. But when it was, she wanted to follow Caroline-to rest beside her, atst.


    Eliza turned to her, startled. "You"


    But Mary shook her head before she could finish. "Don''t ask. Just don''t."


    She cast one final, lingering nce at the casket, Then turned and left the room.


    Her voice drifted back to Eliza from beneath the archway, soft and fading: The orchids in my garden... take them to Caroline. They were her favorite.


    For the next three days, Mary never returned to her courtyard.


    When Eliza went to collect the orchids, she paused at the sight. They were immacte, arranged with care on wooden frames-vibrant, fragrant, and lovingly tended.


    She remembered the first time she came to Saint Grace Nunnery. She''d gotten lost and stumbled into a courtyard blooming with orchids. And there Mary had stood under the Lunar Arch, stern-faced, cradling a pot of flowers. She had opened her mouth to scold-only to go silent, her voice catching in disbelief as she stared at Eliza''s face and whispered, "Caroline?"


    That bond, Eliza thought, between her and Mother... it must''ve been deeper than anything I can imagine.


    In the end, Eliza didn''t take all the orchids.


    She left one-the most beautiful-at Mary''s doorstep. Alongside it, a small folded note:


    "Mary, I think Mother wouldn''t want you to be alone. So I''m leaving this orchid with you to keep youpany in her ce


    Mary found the note when she returned.


    She didn''t say a word. But a single tear slipped from her eye, carrying a grief too deep for words.


    After Caroline''s burial. Eliza gently transnted all of Mary''s orchids around her mother''s resting ce.


    In the stillness of the pocket farm, where no one else could intrude, Caroline could finally rest in peace


    Eliza remained by her side for an entire day, whispering memories, sharing regrets, pouring out the love she had never been able to give in time


    "Mother, she murmured, curled beside the headstone as though curling beside her mother''s body, if only you were still here."


    She slept there for three full days.


    And in those dreams, Caroline had never died. Her father had never betrayed them. Her brothers-Benedict, Dn. Matthew, Anthony-still loved her dearly. Sophie had never existed. They were one happy, perfect family.


    Bur dreams always end.


    When Eliza finally woke, she left that warmth behind, pulled herself from the sweetness of the illusion, and went straight to work.


    She concocted the antidote to the scorpion venom and administered it to Dn. When he''d recovered enough, Mary escorted him down the mountain.


    Dn walked away from Saint Grace Nunnery with onest longing nce over his shoulder, hoping-just hoping for a glimpse of the girl he once called sister.


    But Eliza never came out. He became the second man to leave that ce with nothing but silence and sorrow.


    "Serenity has been hurt deeply, Mary told him. "Earning her forgiveness won''t be easy"


    Dn lowered his head. "It''s alright, he said. Tll spend a lifetime repaying her


    At the same time, back at the Stonor residence, Sophie finally awoke after three days of frantic care.


    Dozens of physicians, even imperial doctors, had worked round the clock to drag her back from death''s door.


    When she opened her eyes and saw Gabriel by her bedside, she burst into tears. "F-Father. I thought... I''d never see you again...


    Gabriel''s face was stone. "You knew it was me?


    dangerous, and you still did it. Look at where it got you. Who do you think is to


    "... I''m sorry, Sophie whimpered. Please... please don''t be angry. I know I was wrong...


    85%


    11:46 Fri, 18 Apr


    She knew her father was truly furious this time.


    Had she not been so close to death, he might never have forgiven her.


    So yes-she owed Eliza.


    Thank you, she thought wickedly. "Thank you, you stupid little bitch for not killing


    me


    Sophie wept harder for show, while her heart brimmed with triumph.


    Matthew and Anthony, watching from the side, couldn''t help but speak up in her defense.


    "Father, Sophie just woke up, Matthew said. Let''s not be too harsh with her... Anthony nodded. "Besides, you can''t me her entirely. If Eliza hadn''t been targeting her at every turn, maybe-


    "Enough" Benedict''s voice sliced through the room like ice. You want to coddle Sophie, go ahead. But don''t you dare me Eliza for this. Did Eliza tell Sophie to steal our mother''s remains? Did she order her to desecrate our mother''s grave?* He turned, cold eyes sweeping over Matthew, then Anthony, then finallynding on Sophie.


    "Tell me, Sophie. Why did you take our mother''s body? Was it really just as Eliza said-because you wanted revenge? Because you wanted to whip a corpse?"


    Sophie''s face twisted as she scrambled for words. "No! Of course not! I-I would never do such a thing! Caroline was your mother, yes, but after Father acknowledged me, she became my mother too. How could I ever do something so unfilial?"


    She said it with such piety, such devotion.


    But inside, she was gagging on every word.


    AD


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