Writer 1879: Solitary Journey in France

Chapter 193 You're Free! (Seeking Monthly Tickets!)

After the rehearsal segment ended, the actors relaxed.

Gautier-Lüzarche wiped the fine sweat from his brow, walked over to Mune-Shuli, and the two exchanged a few words in hushed tones, clearly satisfied with the performance.

Brother Duclos stood up excitedly and clapped his hands vigorously: "Excellent! So touching! Mr. Sorel! Dean Perrin!"

He strode to the front desk, his voice choked with emotion: "This...this perfectly demonstrates how the Lord's grace is manifested within strict order!"

How necessary Dean Lazi's insistence was! Without his strictness, how could this song be so precious!

This play will surely move all believers and help the world understand the hardship and greatness of the church's work in educating people!

Lionel and Dean Perrin exchanged a knowing glance.

Lionel smiled. "Thank you very much for your kind words, Brother Duclos. I have always hoped to present, as much as possible, that... well... the complexity of special circumstances."

Your understanding is crucial to us.

Brother Duclos gripped Lionel's hand tightly: "I will report to Monsignor Valette immediately! This play has been even more successful than I imagined!"

It is the best interpretation of faith and values!

He glanced admiringly at Debussy, who was talking to the actors: "This young man's music is simply a gift from heaven!"

After seeing off the excited Brother Duclos, the atmosphere in the rehearsal hall immediately relaxed.

Dean Perrin gave Lionel a deep look: "Mr. Sorel, you are really smart, perhaps too smart... I hope you continue to be this lucky."

Don't get me wrong, this isn't about your work—"The Choir" is a great piece and very fitting for the Christmas season.

After saying that, he shook his head and left.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Brother Duclos's enthusiastic praise and extremely optimistic report, just as Lionel had anticipated, had a decisive impact within the "Santa Martha Order".

Monsignor Valette listened to the report, and although Sister Anna Maria still had some unease, she could no longer raise any strong objections in the face of the powerful conclusion that the drama was "deeply moving" and "powerfully defended the image of the Church."

A few days later, Lionel received a formally worded letter from Aunt Anna.

Mr. Sorel:

May the Lord bless you.

Recent investigations have confirmed that the Alice-Clemence Rorschach sisters are missing and have been searched for for a long time without any results.

In the spirit of compassion and understanding, the Order of St. Martha has decided to follow the advice of Sister Massella of Notre-Dame de Lour and cease further investigation into the matter.

The church firmly believes that wherever Sister Alice is, the Lord's love will guide her. Or perhaps, she has already been called by the Lord to rest and return to Him.

I will put this matter to rest in a brief statement in the academic bulletin of the Universal Times this weekend.

Now you can rest assured.

May the Lord bless you and your creations.

Sincerely, Anna Maria

Lionel finished reading the letter and scoffed, "Kindness and understanding?"

These two words are filled with a condescending sense of superiority, as if to say, "Look how magnanimous we are, you should be grateful!"

However, since he had fulfilled his previous promise, Lionel didn't care about his tone.

But private letters alone were not enough to truly put his mind at ease.

Only when it is printed in black and white in a publicly circulated newspaper and becomes an official record can it be considered valid.

This statement will serve as evidence, proof that can be used in the future to refute any attempt to retract the statement.

He waited patiently for a few days, bought the latest issue of the "Universal News," quickly flipped to the last section, "Academic Affairs and Other Notices," and carefully searched through the densely packed small print.

Finally, in an inconspicuous corner, he found the long-awaited statement:

[Announcement: Sister Alice-Clemence Rocha (originally from the Diocese of La Rani, Alpes-de-Sud), who was originally scheduled to study at the Order of Saint Martha in Paris, has been out of contact since some time ago. Despite extensive searches, she has not been found. In accordance with relevant procedures, the search is now suspended and her novice status has been terminated.]

May his soul rest in peace in the Lord. This is a formal announcement.

The statement was carefully worded and vague, neither acknowledging her escape nor confirming her death, merely stating that the search had been stopped, her identity removed, and that her soul was to rest in peace. But that was enough.

This small statement, like an invisible key, finally unlocked the shackles on Alice.

Lionel breathed a long sigh of relief, his tense nerves finally relaxing a little.

He carefully cut out the newspaper page, folded it, and put it in an envelope—it was proof of Alice's freedom.

Now, it's time to bring her home.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

In late autumn, Meitang Villa is bathed in soft, slightly chilly sunlight.

The trees in the garden are either golden or crimson, and fallen leaves cover the paths, rustling underfoot.

The air was fresh and crisp, a stark contrast to the hazy conditions in downtown Paris.

Alice Rorschach sat on a bench in the garden, wrapped in a thick wool shawl, with a book on her lap.

But her gaze did not linger on the pages of the book; instead, she stared blankly at a tributary of the Seine shrouded in a thin mist in the distance.

Although she gained temporary safety, fear still clung to her.

She liked it here; Mr. Zola and Mrs. Alexandrine were extremely kind to her, but she knew she couldn't live under someone else's roof forever.

She went back to Lionel, but knew she would only cause him trouble.

The sound of a horse-drawn carriage approached from afar, breaking the tranquility of Meitang.

Alice looked up and saw Lionel Sorel getting out of the car. A mix of joy, anticipation, and nervousness instantly overwhelmed her.

Lionel paid the fare, pushed open the gate, and walked along the path.

He was wearing a thick woolen coat and looked travel-worn. His gaze quickly fell on Alice, who had stood up from the bench.

Alice's voice trembled as she asked, "Leon?"

Lionel walked up to her, smiling as he looked her over: "Alice, long time no see. You look great; it seems the air in Meitang suits you very well."

Alice said softly, "Mr. and Mrs. Zola are very kind to me."

"How's Paris...? Is everything alright?"

Lionel took the envelope out of his pocket and handed it to her: "Take a look. This is a statement published in the Universal Times."

Alice took the envelope with a puzzled look and pulled out the newspaper clippings inside.

When she saw what was written on it, her hands began to tremble slightly.

She read it over and over again, seemingly unable to believe her eyes—stop the search? Remove the identity? Let the soul rest in peace?
"You are free, Alice. The St. Martha Society has officially abandoned its pursuit."

Legally and religiously, Alice-Clemence Rorschach was no longer a nun.

Lionel's voice was calm, as if he were talking about something perfectly ordinary.

A tremendous sense of relief washed over Alice, almost making her lose her balance.

Tears instantly filled her eyes and slid down her cheeks.

The fear, repression, and grievances of the past year finally found an outlet at this moment.

She covered her mouth and began to sob softly, her shoulders trembling slightly.

Lionel didn't disturb her; he simply stood quietly to the side, letting her release her emotions.

After a while, Alice's emotions gradually calmed down.

She wiped away her tears, raised her head, and her emerald eyes, though red and swollen, were brighter than ever before: "Thank you... thank you, Leon... I don't know what to say..."

Lionel smiled and said, "You don't need to say anything. This is something I promised you."

"But what are your plans after you get your freedom?"

Alice was stunned, and lost in thought again.

(End of this chapter)