208. The Mad Queen

He looked at the kneeling woman and commanded her with the name he read on the letter. "Rise, lady Helga." 

She cleaned her eyes and shook her head vigorously. "I am no lady, my lord. I'm just a peasant. I don't want any pity—I only want work to make an honest living and feed my children." 

Even Felix was impressed by her strong will to be self-sufficient.

Sylvester nodded and put the letter into his robes' pocket. "You are the sister of a Cardinal. No matter what the vows say, you and he are related. Since my vows tell me all Clergymen are my brothers, that makes you my sister." 

He then fiddled with his pockets and took out a little pouch. "Take this not as a pity, my sister. This is your reward for standing up to the Lord's testing. Worry not; I will get this letter to your brother. Until then, use this to better your lives."