Translator: Nox

Chapter 23

Moreover, inside her bag was a ‘Guardian Designation Notice’ that officially stated Countess Phelon was now her guardian. So what was there to fear?

While Harriet was lost in memories of the past year she’d spent at the convent, someone knocked on the door.

「Sister, have you finished packing?」

「Ah, Emma!」

Harriet joyfully welcomed Emma, who had come to fetch her. On her first day at the convent, Emma had seemed terribly cold, but now Harriet found her endearing and affectionate. Since the two shared similar pasts, Harriet felt closer to her than to the others.

Emma tried to act composed in the face of their parting, but her reddened eyes and nose betrayed that she had already shed tears somewhere.

「The carriage will arrive soon. You should say your final goodbyes to everyone before then.」

「Yeah, I should.」

Harriet patted Emma’s shoulder, and Emma turned her head away, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.

They had spent only a year together, but the two had grown deeply fond of each other.

「Emma, take care of yourself. I’ll work hard to help make your dreams come true.」

「Don’t worry about me, Sister, it’s just……」 Emma trailed off, sniffling and wiping away tears once more.

Everyone at the convent knew Harriet’s circumstances. People often said one shouldn’t worry about nobles, but even the commoner nuns pitied Harriet and worried about what would become of her after she left.

But Harriet wasn’t afraid.

Now that she had a clear goal, excitement and determination outweighed any fear.

「I’m not joking. I’ll definitely achieve my goal, and I’ll help you and Abbess Catherine too. I’m telling you now so you don’t give up in the meantime.」

Emma nodded at her words.

「I won’t bring shame to you, Sister. I’ll live diligently too.」

Harriet smiled at her and gripped the handle of her travel bag tightly.

It was time to charge back into the world that had abandoned her.

---

Rumble, rumble.

The cheap hired carriage jolted and shook far more than the Listerwell family carriage she had taken to the convent.

But to Harriet, even that felt like part of the adventure.

「I wanted to offer more help as you start your new life, but for now, this is all I can give you.」

Abbess Catherine had given Harriet a small holy image and products made at the convent as farewell gifts.

They were soap, skin tonic, herb oil, and ointments—things Harriet used often—so she was deeply grateful.

Harriet opened the pouch that faintly smelled of soap and smiled softly.

「It must have been God’s will that led me to Saint Clarissa Convent.」

She thanked God sincerely. After all, her life had completely changed since entering the convent.

Her outlook on life had shifted, her health had recovered, but the biggest change was that her uncle was no longer her guardian.

What had once felt like a death sentence now seemed like a blessing that had opened the door to a new life.

「It might be a little scary, but Great-Aunt Trisha will be much kinder than Uncle.」

That much she was certain of.

Though Trisha’s letters had a strict, cold tone, she had helped Harriet improve herself over the past five months.

Through Roxana, who visited Pellan Mansion every two weeks, Trisha had sent Harriet newspapers from Genoa and even prepared travel funds for her return to the capital.

Combined with the money from Baron Billy, Harriet wouldn’t need to sell her jewelry for a while.

‘God is watching over me. Let’s stay strong.’

She had thanked God, but she wasn’t sure if what she planned to do next aligned with His teachings.

Even now, thinking of the truth Baron Billy had revealed that day filled her with overwhelming rage that choked her, and a thirst for revenge.

But how on earth could she take revenge?

She couldn’t accuse her uncle of murder without evidence, nor claim rights to titles or property.

‘If I let anger sweep me away and swing a sword recklessly, I’d be the only one to die, and if I went around blabbing about what Bella did, I’d just be accused of slandering my cousin.’

So the only path to revenge she could think of was to succeed on her own. Even that wouldn’t be easy.

She had to reenter society not as ‘the niece of Viscount Listerwell’ but as ‘Harriet Listerwell,’ build a reputation, earn money, achieve complete independence, clear the false stigma pinned on her instead of Bella, and restore her honor.

‘I don’t know how much Great-Aunt Trisha will help, but since I promised not to be a burden, it would be rude to expect more.’

Just the fact that she had agreed to be her guardian was something to be grateful for. The Pellon family was connected to the royal family, and Trisha held all the power in the Pellon household. No one in society could treat her lightly.

Why Trisha had agreed to become her guardian remained a mystery to Harriet. Even Roxana seemed unaware of her true intentions.

「Mrs. Phelon rarely changes her mind, so do your best not to become one of those rare exceptions.」 That was what Roxana had said before leaving for Genoa.

Since Harriet had been the one to first ask her to be guardian, it would be odd to question why she had agreed now, so until then, Harriet had only expressed her gratitude.

‘Someday, there’ll be a day when I can ask.’

Lost in such thoughts, Harriet suddenly felt the carriage slowing down.

「Huh?」

Curious, she peered out the window and saw they had already entered Genoa. The carriage was crawling along because of the many others waiting to pass through the gates.

「Finally…… I’m back.」

Harriet took a deep breath as she gazed at the massive gates.

Plain traveling clothes, an outdated hat, worn shoes, and a cheap luggage bag. That was all she had now. But in two years, everything would be different.

「Wait and see. I’m even curious myself how far I can go.」

Harriet clenched her teeth with resolve.

---

「A guest is coming today, right?」

「That’s what I heard. A lady, apparently. Who could it be?」

The maids at Pellan Mansion were bustling about preparing for a guest they hadn’t hosted in a long time. But they had no idea who it was.

They had been instructed by Trisha to prepare a sunlit room, and since it had a vanity, the guest was likely a woman. That was all the information they had.

「The butler won’t say a word, so goodness, I’m dying of curiosity!」

「Well, I’m looking forward to it. With only Madam here, the house felt so empty. Maybe it’ll liven things up with someone new.」

「Or it might just mean more work for us.」

They spent the whole day speculating about the guest who was due to arrive that evening.

As the sun began to set, the doorbell at Pellan Mansion finally rang.

Butler Andre took a deep breath before opening the door.

Outside stood a young woman in plain attire, her face a mix of tension and nervousness. Even though Andre knew who she was, he asked, 「How may I help you?」

「Hello. I’m Harriet Listerwell. I’ve come to see Countess Trisha Phelon. Could you please let her know I’ve arrived?」

She looked as if she might bite her tongue from nerves, but Harriet quickly regained her composure and finished speaking without further hesitation.

Andre thought Harriet seemed more poised and clever than expected.

「We’ve been expecting you. Please come in.」

Andre courteously led her inside. Despite the grandeur of the mansion that could easily overwhelm anyone, Harriet followed quietly behind him without gawking around.

He guided her to the drawing room where Trisha waited.

「Madam, Miss Harriet Listerwell has arrived.」

「I see. Let Harriet in, and Andre, you may go for now.」

Andre bowed politely and withdrew, and Harriet slowly approached Trisha.

Trisha, who had been sipping tea, turned her gaze to her grandniece.

Their eyes met, and Harriet bowed politely.

「It’s been a while, Great-Aunt. Thank you again for becoming my guardian……」

「Enough. I’ve heard enough in your letters. What’s important now is what comes next.」

Trisha cut her off and indicated the seat across from her with her chin.

「Sit.」

While Harriet sat, Trisha never took her eyes off her for a moment.

As expected, Harriet’s appearance did not please her.

「You’ve been through a lot.」

「No, life at the convent was more comfortable and enjoyable than I expected. I met many good people too……」

「I wasn’t talking about the convent.」