~Chapter 13~
“I agree.”
“I thought she was much better than the other guests.”
With her companions also supporting her, Cathrine felt at ease and called for Harriet. Harriet, who had been planning to go to the soap workshop after breakfast, found herself sitting in front of Cathrine and Agnes without knowing why.
“Sister, thank you for your hard work in the soap workshop. We appreciate your dedication.”
“Oh, it was nothing.”
Harriet’s humble response lacked the “looking down” feeling that other noblewomen often had. Yet, it didn’t seem overly submissive either.
Every time Cathrine saw Harriet’s attitude, she was shaken. Even so, she would repeatedly remind herself not to be fooled by pretense and purposely remained firm with her. Now, seeing that even others found Harriet to be genuine, Cathrine couldn’t help but imagine how hurt she might have been by her harshness.
‘I judged her without even getting to know her… I’ve still got a lot to learn.’
Cathrine, regretting her hasty prejudice, decided to correct her mistake.
“We believe that you’ve reflected enough. So, starting today, you no longer need to help with the soap-making work.”
“Huh? Am I being moved to a different workshop?”
“No, what I mean is, you don’t need to work anymore.”
Harriet’s eyes wavered at those words.
“So… what am I supposed to do then?”
“Like the other ladies, you’re free to spend your time as you wish.”
To Harriet, this was far from good news. She still had nine more months to spend here, and the only thing she could do to pass the time was reading.
‘I can read books after finishing my chores!’
If her entire schedule consisted of just eating three meals a day and reading, the remaining time would pass unbearably slow.
“Mother Superior! If it’s not too much trouble, I would like to continue helping Sister Sophia. Even if it’s just doing small chores!”
“Huh?”
Now, Cathrine and Agnes looked puzzled.
“Do you mean… you want to keep working in the soap workshop?”
“I’d be fine working anywhere, not just the soap workshop. The beekeeping workshop is a bit scary, but I’d be happy to work in the herb or olive farms…!”
It took a moment for Cathrine and Agnes to process what Harriet had said. A noblewoman, asking to continue doing hard labor? Why? Could she be mocking them?
“Are you upset that we made you work in the workshops?”
“No? I think you misunderstood me… I’m saying I want to continue working, Mother Superior…”
Her nervous expression seemed sincere.
Regaining her composure, Cathrine asked seriously, “May I ask why?”
“Well…” Harriet touched her ear shyly before answering, “I find making things fun, and… for the first time, I feel like I’m doing something meaningful instead of just living off my uncle’s wealth.”
Cathrine’s face stiffened at that. Harriet worried that she might have made it seem like she didn’t take the monastery’s work seriously, so she quickly added,
“The products from the monastery are really effective. I’ve suffered from acne and rashes for seven or eight years, but after using the monastery’s soap and lotion for just three months, they’ve almost completely cleared up.”
She had also used herbal oils and ointments. Even the doctor of the Listerwell family had said, “This is something you’ll have to deal with for life,” but her rashes had disappeared even faster than the acne.
Now, no one could have imagined Harriet once had red, bumpy skin with scaly rashes.
Harriet felt deeply indebted to the monastery just for that alone.
“Honestly, when I first arrived, I was resentful and cried, unsure how to get through it. But looking back, I think perhaps God guided me here to help heal my illness.”
Cathrine’s eyes softened. It was clear Harriet wasn’t just saying these things to flatter her. Cathrine could tell from the way her eyes sparkled with sincerity.
For the first time since the monastery became a place of exile for noblewomen, Cathrine felt a sense of fulfillment and also sympathy toward Harriet.
‘She said it felt like the first time she did something meaningful…’
She had also mentioned that she was just a burden on her uncle’s family wealth.
Could someone who thinks of themselves that way really cause such dramatic scandals?
Could someone so immature and selfish really speak so harshly about themselves?
Cathrine, who had been quietly wondering about this for the past two months, finally decided to ask.
“Sister, this might be a rude question, but I’ll ask anyway. We believe that you’ve been forgiven in the arms of God, so please don’t be afraid or ashamed and answer honestly.”
“Okay…”
Harriet’s shoulders tensed with nervousness. Cathrine took note of even that small detail.
“I’ve heard that you were involved in numerous scandals. Why did you do those things? I want to know the reason.”
Harriet’s face showed clear confusion.
Then, Cathrine began to feel a strong emotional wall rising from her—one built from mistrust, the belief that no one would ever believe her, and the sadness of knowing she wouldn’t be understood.
Harriet took a deep breath and spoke.
“Do you really want to know?”
“Yes, because I truly want to understand you.”
“Then, there’s a condition. I won’t resent you if you don’t believe me. No one ever does. But please, listen until the end.”
“I promise, I will listen.”
Encouraged by Cathrine’s sincerity, Harriet began to share the story of events that made her stomach churn just by thinking about them.
“To explain my story, I have to start with my cousin, Bella. She’s famous in society for her beauty and has been pursued by men since she was young… She’s very different from me in many ways.”
Cathrine recalled what Agnes had said before Harriet entered the room, Something about seducing men by pretending to be her cousin…
“Bella is very pretty, but she’s not an angel like the rumors say. And I’m not saying this out of jealousy. I’m speaking as a victim.”
Harriet once felt proud that Bella was her cousin.
When the angelic Bella would link arms with her and act cute, Harriet, though they were the same age, felt like Bella was a sweet little sister. She would happily fulfill Bella’s demanding requests.
Whenever people around them said, “You two are like loving sisters,” Harriet felt a sense of pride.
But after her parents died in an accident, and her uncle John became the Viscount of Listerwell, their relationship completely changed.
