Chapter 23
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 23
Furthermore, her bag contained a 'Guardian Appointment Notification' officially naming Countess Fellon as her legal guardian. With that in her possession, what was there to fear?
Harriet was lost in the memories of the year she had spent at the convent when a knock sounded at the door.
"Sister, have you finished packing your things?"
"Oh, Emma!"
Harriet gave a warm greeting to the girl who had come to collect her.
Emma, who had seemed so gruff and distant on the day Harriet first arrived at the convent, now appeared nothing but affectionate. Having shared similar hardships in their pasts, Harriet felt a deeper connection to her than to anyone else.
Emma was trying her best to play the stoic during their farewell, but her red-rimmed eyes and flushed nose gave her away. She had clearly been crying in private.
"The carriage will be here soon. Before it arrives, we should pay our final respects to the Mother Superior and the Assistant Mother Superior."
"Yes, let’s do that."
As Harriet patted Emma’s shoulder, the girl turned her head away, surreptitiously wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. They had only been together for a year, yet the bond they had formed was deep.
"Emma, take care of yourself. I’m going to work hard out there so I can help you achieve your dreams, too."
"Don’t worry about me, Sister. You just..."
Emma couldn't finish. She sniffled again, fruitlessly dabbing at her tears.
Everyone at the convent knew the weight of Harriet’s circumstances. Though commoners were usually told not to waste their pity on the nobility, the nuns couldn't help but worry about Harriet’s life beyond these walls. They all felt the sting of her misfortune.
But Harriet felt no fear.
Now that her purpose was clear, she was filled with a sense of motivation and excitement that left no room for dread.
"I’m not joking. I will achieve my goals, and I will come back to help you and Mother Superior Catherine. I’m telling you this now because I don’t want you to give up while I’m gone."
Emma nodded slowly at her words.
"I’ll live diligently too, Sister. I won’t do anything to make you ashamed of me."
Harriet smiled and tightened her grip on the handle of her travel bag. It was time to return to the world that had once abandoned her.
*
Clatter, clatter.
The cheap hired carriage was far bumpier and more dilapidated than the Listerwell family coach she had arrived in a year ago. Yet, to Harriet, even the rattling of the wooden frame felt like a romantic prelude to her new life.
"I wish I could offer more for your new beginning, Harriet, but for now, this is all I can give."
Before she left, Catherine had pressed a small holy statue and a collection of convent-made goods into her hands. There was soap, toner, herb oil, and ointment—all things Harriet used frequently. Her gratitude was immense.
Opening the pouch, the faint, clean scent of soap wafted out, bringing a small smile to Harriet’s lips.
Coming to Saint Clarissa must have been Yawar’s guidance.
She had once resented God, but now she felt only gratitude. Her life had been fundamentally altered within those stone walls. Her outlook had shifted, her health had been restored, and most importantly, her uncle’s suffocating guardianship had been terminated.
What had once felt like being driven to her death now seemed like a blessing in disguise—the catalyst for a new life.
She might be intimidating, but Great-aunt Trisha is a far better person than my uncle.
Harriet knew it instinctively. The tone of Trisha’s letters had been cold and strict, but the woman had spent the last five months helping Harriet prepare for her return. Through Roxana, who visited the Fellon Estate every two weeks, Trisha had sent newspapers from Genoa and provided the funds for Harriet’s journey back to the capital.
Combined with the money Baron Billay had given her, Harriet wouldn't have to worry about selling her gold for quite some time.
Yawar is protecting me. I must stay strong.
She was grateful to God, though she harbored doubts about whether her upcoming plans aligned with holy teachings. Even now, when she recalled the truth Baron Billay had revealed about that day, a rage so cold and sharp welled up in her chest that it stole her breath. She wanted revenge.
But how?
She couldn't simply accuse her uncle of murder without evidence, nor could she legally reclaim her title or property through force.
If I lash out with a blade in a fit of pique, I’ll be the one who ends up dead. If I go around whispering about what Bella did, I’ll just be branded a jealous slanderer.
The only path to revenge was to succeed on her own terms. Even that would be a mountain to climb. She had to re-enter high society right under her uncle’s nose and establish herself as 'Harriet Listerwell'—not as the disgraced niece of a Viscount. She had to earn her own wealth and achieve total independence. And, eventually, she would clear the false accusations she had carried in Bella’s stead.
I don’t know how much Great-aunt will truly help, but I told her I wouldn't be a burden. It would be rude to expect more than this.
The mere fact that Trisha had agreed to sponsor her was a miracle. The Fellon family was a collateral branch of the Imperial line, and Trisha, who held the reins of the family firmly in her hands, was a woman no one in high society dared to cross.
Why such a woman had accepted the request for guardianship remained a mystery. Even Roxana seemed in the dark.
"Lady Fellon rarely goes back on her decisions, but do your best not to become one of those rare cases."
That was all Roxana had said before leaving for Genoa. Since Harriet was the one who had initiated the request, it felt awkward to ask why it had been granted. She had simply focused on expressing her gratitude.
Maybe I’ll be able to ask her one day.
As she pondered, the carriage began to slow.
"Oh?"
She peered out the window and realized they were already entering the outskirts of the capital. The traffic had thickened as a sea of carriages converged on the Genoa City Gate.
"Finally... I’m back."
Harriet took a deep breath as she looked up at the massive stone arch of the gate.
A plain day dress, an outdated hat, worn shoes, and a cheap bag—this was all she had now. But in two years, everything would be different.
Just you wait. I’m curious to see just how far I can go.
Harriet clenched her jaw, her eyes burning with resolve.
*
"‘That guest’ is arriving today, right?"
"So I’ve heard. It’s a woman, apparently, but who could it be?"
The maids of the Fellon Estate were busy preparing for their first guest in a long time. However, the identity of the visitor remained a secret. Under Trisha’s strict orders, they had redecorated a sunny guest room. The addition of a fine dressing table confirmed the guest was a lady.
That was the extent of their knowledge.
"Even the Butler won't say a word. I’m dying of curiosity."
"I’m just looking forward to it. The Lady is the only one here, so the mansion has felt so empty. It might actually feel like a home with someone else around."
"Who knows? It might just mean more work for us."
The staff spent the day speculating as the sun dipped below the horizon. Finally, as twilight took hold, the doorbell of the Fellon Estate rang.
Butler Andre took a steadying breath and opened the door.
A young woman stood there. Her attire was shabby, and her expression was taut with nerves. Despite knowing exactly who she was, Andre maintained professional decorum.
"How may I help you?"
"H-hello. My name is Harriet Listerwell. I am here to see Countess Trisha Fellon. Could you please inform her of my arrival?"
She nearly tripped over her tongue at first, but she recovered quickly, finishing her sentence with poise. Andre noted that she seemed far more intelligent and composed than he had anticipated.
"We have been expecting you. Please, come in."
He welcomed her with a polite bow and led her inside. Though the sheer grandeur of the mansion was enough to make anyone gape, Harriet followed him quietly, keeping her eyes forward.
He led her straight to the drawing room where Trisha was waiting.
"My Lady. Miss Harriet Listerwell has arrived."
"Yes. Harriet, come in. Butler, you may leave us."
Andre bowed and exited, closing the doors behind him. Harriet slowly approached the formidable woman. Trisha, who had been sipping tea, turned her gaze toward her grandniece.
As their eyes met, Harriet bowed deeply.
"It has been a long time, Great-aunt. Once again, I thank you for accepting the role of my guardian—"
"That’s enough. You’ve said as much in your letters," Trisha interrupted, her voice sharp. "What matters now is what lies ahead."
Trisha gestured toward the seat opposite her with a slight tilt of her chin.
"Sit."
She watched Harriet intently as the girl took her seat, her sharp eyes missing nothing. She had expected as much, but Harriet’s current state was still a displeasing sight.
"You look as though you’ve suffered."
"No, Great-aunt. Life at the convent was more comfortable than I expected. I met many kind people—"
"I wasn't talking about the convent."