Chapter 31 - THE PUNISHEMENT

"Did you have enough fun, V-E-R-O-N-I-C-A?"

A chilling stern voice came from the doorway making Veronica and Catherine flinch.

"S-sister Josephine!" Veronica stuttered. She hoped Sister Josephine didn't hear their conversation.

Catherine shoved her out of the bed and she got up as well. They stood side by side and lowered their heads. They didn't dare to make another sound.

Sister Josephine seemed furious. She strode inside the room and stood in front of Veronica and Catherine. She glared at Veronica and rebuked, "I had a high expectation of you. I thought you would become serious after getting the chance of becoming Assistant Priest. It was your dream, wasn't it? Veronica!"

Veronica shuddered and replied in a quivering voice, "Y-yes."

"Come to the disciplinary room tomorrow morning. You will be interrogated and then will be punished. You can forget about being an Assistant Priest. You might stay like this for the rest of your life." After reprimanding her, Sister Josephine looked at the girl next to Veronica.

She sharply scolded her, "Catherine, I thought you were smarter. How could you break the rules and get out of your room after the curfew?"

Catherine lowered her head even more. "I'm sorry, Sister Josephine. I was worried about Ver and I couldn't sleep."

"You are coming to the disciplinary room with Veronica as well. Right after breakfast." Sister Josephine glared at them for a few more seconds before leaving.

After The door was tightly shut, Veronica collapsed on the floor. "I don't want to be punished," she whined.

Catherine sat on the floor and stated, "It's better than finding out where you were. I hope you are prepared."

Veronica hugged her friend and apologized, "I'm sorry I dragged you with me, Cathy."

Catherine patted her back and commented, "It was me who came to your room. Don't worry about me. I would rather worry about you." Truthfully, she was worried about Veronica's circumstances more than her problem.

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The next day, Veronica and Catherine went to the disciplinary room after breakfast. They met Sister Josephine, Sister Mary, and a red-haired beauty. The red-haired beauty was none other than the head of the southeast tower.

Sister Josephine sternly gazed at Veronica. If looks could kill, Veronica would be murdered by now. "Veronica, where did you go yesterday?"

Veronica gulped and answered, "I was in the mountain range."

"You knew you had to work three months to be appointed as an Assistant Priest. Why did you still do that?"

Veronica hesitated before replying, "I… I was depressed that I had to clean the temple all by myself just to get the position. I was wondering why would someone need to clean the temple to be a priest? Shouldn't a person have to be kind, loving and forgiving to become the child of Goddess Juvena?"

Catherine kept her head low and praised her friend in her mind, 'Great! Ver, you can do this!'

"Is this what you think? How naive!" Sister Josephine sharply snorted. "To be a child of Goddess Juvena one needs a strong sense of responsibility, hardworking and patience. And, you have none of those qualities. That's why I gave you that task. I wanted to see how hardworking, and patient you would be. You have failed me. I'm utterly shocked and disappointed."

"…" Veronica cursed herself in her heart. If she knew that it was a test, she wouldn't do something like this. Her head wasn't capable of thinking of something complicated. Furthermore, she needed to find the real cause of Sister Ruth's death. She had to go after that guy in black clothes. It was unavoidable.

Sister Josephine added, "As you can see, these two unfortunate beings had broken the rules. Catherine was in Veronica's room in the middle of the night. Sister Mary, she is under you, isn't she? How did you let this happen?"

Sister Mary's eyes were puffy after crying for two nights. She seemed tired. "I didn't feel like taking a round in the dorm, Sister Josephine. It's my mistake. I'm sorry."

Sister Josephine glanced at the red-haired beauty and remarked, "And Abigail, how did you let Veronica go to the mountain range and skip her work? You do realize that she was supposed to be an Assistant priest. If she keeps being like that, she will never get promoted."

Abigail lowered her head and calmly apologized, "I'm sorry, Sister Josephine. She always goes off on her own. Suddenly, she became so obedient and I let my guard down."

"What kind of excuse is this?!" Sister Josephine slammed the table making Sister Mary, Veronica and Catherine flinch. She looked at Catherine and commanded, "Catherine, you will work in the vegetable garden for the next few months. I don't want to hear any excuses."

"Yes, Sister Josephine," Catherine didn't dare to object. Although she had to work under the sunlight from dawn to dusk, she was glad that she wasn't demoted. She worked hard for this promotion.

Sister Josephine stared at Veronica and declared, "Veronica, due to your disobedience, you will be cast out of the tower. You will live with the children of northeast tower. You will take care of them from morning to night. Cleaning their clothes, feeding them and teaching them. Since Sister Ruth is gone, someone has to take that place. Within ten years, if you can do your duty diligently, you will be appointed as the Assistant Priest. This is your punishment."

"C-children?" Veronica's heart dropped on the floor. She didn't like children. More than that, she could never get along with them. She would always fight with them if they came across something. How would they listen to her? They were going to destroy her within a day.

Catherine gulped and looked at her friend pitifully. She knew very well how Veronica was on bad terms with the children of the northeast.

Sister Josephine was satisfied by her reaction. She said, "If I hear a single problem from the children, extra ten years will be added to your term."

"No way!" Veronica cried out.

"Hold it right there, Sister Josephine."