Chapter 5

It turned out that my aunt’s husband had died of a plague three years ago. She had no children and was not welcomed by her in-laws. With no one to rely on, she had cut her hair and become a nun.

We found her at St. Margaret’s Abbey. My aunt had taken the name Sister Clarice, and because of her knowledge and manners, she was appointed as the abbey’s treasurer.

My aunt and my mother hadn’t seen each other in over ten years, and they couldn’t stop crying when they reunited. After they had poured their hearts out, my mother explained why we had come. When my aunt learned that I was pregnant, she begged the abbess to let us stay in a small cottage near the abbey. The cottage was old but clean and tidy.

My aunt told us, "The abbess said that over forty years ago, a young noblewoman who had fallen on hard times lived here. She met a gentleman in the mountains, and they fell in love at first sight. The lady left with him but continued to send donations to the abbey every few years."

I worriedly asked, "If the lady finds out we’re staying in her cottage, will she be angry?"

My aunt smiled. "Don’t worry. That lady is over sixty now, and she’s a kind-hearted woman who’s devoted to the church. She’d be happy to know that her old home is sheltering those in need."

With my aunt’s reassurance, my mother and I settled in. We planted vegetables and herbs in the garden, occasionally selling some herbs in the nearby village for a bit of money. Life was hard, but we were content and free—

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Four years later

Autumn had just begun, with the sun's warmth giving way to a cool breeze. My mother had gone to the village, and I was in the garden with my daughter, Rose, drying herbs. Rose pointed to the herbs in the basket, naming them one by one.

"Forsythia, Salvia, Angelica, Astragalus..."

I patted her head, praising her. "Rose, you’re so clever. You remembered all of them."

My son, James, was playing nearby, chasing a rabbit with a stick. I warned him while tending to the herbs, "James, don’t run around too much. Be careful not to trample on Grandma’s perilla."

James ignored my warning and carried the rabbit outside the gate, still playing with it. I glanced up to see he hadn’t gone far, so I didn’t call him back. James’s laughter echoed as I divided my attention between the children and the herbs.

Suddenly, I heard the sound of approaching footsteps and the clinking of jewelry. I put down the herbs and went to the gate to see what was happening. A group of finely dressed travelers was approaching, led by my aunt, Sister Clarice, and the abbess, Sister Helena.

They were accompanying an elderly woman with silver hair and a rosy complexion. The old lady looked kind and noble. Following behind her was a large group of people, some of whom I recognized, and it nearly made me lose my balance.

It was the Dowager Duchess, Marianne, and Lord Charles!

The elderly woman at the front was none other than Duchess Victoria, Lord Charles’s grandmother!

What were they doing here? Marianne and Lord Charles were the last people I wanted to see!

I was paralyzed with fear when Duchess Victoria’s eyes lit up as she spotted James.

"Oh, what a charming little boy!" she exclaimed.

James set the rabbit down and folded his hands, greeting Sister Clarice and Sister Helena in a sweet voice, "Bless you."

The Duchess was delighted. She crouched down to play with James, exclaiming, "What a bright young boy! Who taught you this..."

She trailed off, studying James’s face in surprise. "Oh my... this child... he looks just like Charles did when he was little!"