[Chapter 46] When I'm alone later, I'll read it

They're fighting among themselves. Diane let out a snort and spoke softly to Nellis.

"The flower scent is nice. Who do you think picked the flowers?"

"I heard that Sheridan-sama and her senior friends picked them. In return, those senior friends will help Sheridan-sama when she hosts a literary salon."

Nellis responded elegantly. This time, Alektor's face twisted.

What Nellis mentioned was the so-called 'Sheridan faction'.

Sheridan-sama introduces her students to the highest-ranking ladies in the social circle every year, and those ladies, who were her students during their school days, take good care of the introduced students. It's said to be a salon, but in reality, it's a place to build social connections.

Alektor's sister also wanted to join the Sheridan faction, but since she wasn't in the top two of the high school social class, she gave up. But how did Nellis, a Truede, get to know about that place?

If Sheridan-sama didn't plan to put Nellis in her faction, why would she reveal her future plans?

"Really? Then you should have gone together. I'm curious about that kind of thing."

Diane, who perfectly understood the meaning of the words, very kindly changed the subject, and Nellis also responded kindly.

"If I had gone, it would have been a great honor, but as you know, I'm still young. I'm not good at it, and I can't participate in the formal salon anyway."

"Right, that's true."

Diane looked at Alektor, Rianon, and the quiet Anagara with a 'did you hear?' gaze. Alektor turned her head with a sullen expression, and Rianon trembled her hand occasionally.

Sheridan-sama, who had been talking about the most ordinary flower arrangement method, where each family's symbol is a flower, clapped her hands.

"As you all know, there's a midterm exam in two weeks, right? So, we'll have a rehearsal for the exam next weekend. It's not a substitute for class, so it's not mandatory, but we'll take questions about the exam during that time. Many of your seniors have utilized that time well and achieved good grades, so I recommend coming if you have time."

The students, who were reluctant to prepare for the exam, reluctantly accepted Sheridan-sama's explanation.

Diane pouted, but thought that it wouldn't be so bad if Nellis went together, and whispered a question.

"Is there another class that day? Are you going to go?"

"I'll go. It might be helpful."

Nellis replied, looking at the table where Megara was sitting."

"Iydalia and Megara were whispering to each other at their table. Iydalia, who had tied her thin, abundant beige hair with a ribbon and was wearing a pink sweater with a fluffy texture, looked lovely.

Megara said something and laughed, and Iydalia's gaze met Nellis' for a moment.

Nellis naturally turned her gaze away, and Iydalia tilted her head and soon forgot about it.

Iydalia Kendall had been called kind since she was young.

Nellis also suspected as much.

In her previous life, most of her classmates would openly say hurtful things to Nellis, but Iydalia didn't.

When Nellis was absent from school due to illness and asked about homework in front of the other students, the others loudly complained, but Iydalia didn't.

When the other students carelessly threw away the materials that were supposed to be handed over to Nellis, Iydalia didn't.

Iydalia didn't talk to Nellis. Iydalia didn't look at Nellis. Iydalia didn't hand anything over to Nellis.

In the school life that was like rolling around in a thorny bush every day, Iydalia's attitude was relatively comforting to Nellis. She had long given up expecting someone to like her anyway.

Nellis thought it would be better if the other students didn't notice her. Iydalia's attitude, which seemed to be watching her, was already grateful. So, Iydalia's image was relatively good in Nellis' eyes.

That image was shattered on graduation day.

On graduation day, the students wearing black hats held bouquets and gifts. They exchanged hugs and letters with their friends, looking forward to the freedom and new social life that lay ahead.

Meanwhile, Nellis stood alone, grieving over her mother's sudden death. Outside, a carriage from the Elantria Duchy was waiting to take her away.

At that time, Iydalia approached Nellis.

At first, Nellis thought Iydalia would say something like 'goodbye' or something similar. However, Iydalia handed Nellis a letter.

Nellis, who had not received a letter from a classmate in a long time, thought it was naturally meant to be given to someone else. Iydalia smiled at Nellis' awkward attitude.

"It's for you. Read it when you're alone later."

It was an incomprehensible phrase. However, Iydalia had a pure and innocent atmosphere that made it hard to believe she had any malice.

"With her slender shoulders, large, clear eyes, and delicate facial features, she was truly elegant and impressive. Even Megara, who was like a blooming red rose, couldn't help but draw admiration wherever she went.

Nellis couldn't help but be drawn to Iydalia. Iydalia, who didn't want to hear Nellis' voice and didn't even look at her, smiled at her once more and quickly returned to her friends.

As Nellis rode the unfamiliar carriage of the Elantria family and left the Noble Academy forever, she opened Iydalia's letter.

[To Nellis. Smart Nellis, during school, I actually wanted to get closer to you. But Megara hated it too much, so I couldn't. I heard you got adopted by the Elantria Duchy. Congratulations. Let's meet again and laugh together. Iydalia.]

So, Nellis knew she wasn't good at reading people. She was also bad at understanding the intentions behind people's words.

It was natural. That kind of knowledge is acquired through various experiences. But even Nellis could sense that Iydalia's words were strange.

She couldn't get close to Nellis because Megara hated it too much?

It was natural that no one could defy Megara's words. But the kids were cruel to Nellis even when Megara wasn't around.

Iydalia also acted as if Nellis was invisible, even when no one else was around. So, if she was going to do that, wouldn't it be better to continue acting as if Nellis was invisible?

Why did she have to reveal such a situation in a letter?

It would have been better if she hadn't mentioned Megara's name. However, Nellis felt like she had seen Iydalia's true face, which was saying that everyone was too kind and worrying about it.

The young lady of the Kendall family was so obsessed with her own kindness that she was explaining the reason for her cold treatment to someone who was already isolated, as if it was someone else's fault.

It was embarrassing, but the letter wasn't enough to make Nellis harbor a strong grudge against Iydalia. It just made her think that Iydalia might not be as pure and kind as her reputation suggested.

The real reason Nellis came to dislike Iydalia was an incident that occurred when she entered the social circle.

Natacha Grunehalz was Abelrus' lover until her mid-20s. The two had been together for so long, and as the daughter of a duke, everyone thought they would soon hear news of their marriage."

"I really didn't know, Nellis. I was surprised when I found out later. Natacha unnie did that...? How did it get resolved? Did Nellrusyon oppa come?"

Nellis saw the sparkling eyes of Iydalia, who had casually thrown in the question at the end, and finally realized her true nature.

Iydalia knew everything. She knew that Nellis was deeply involved with Nellrusyon.

And Nellrusyon also showed her, at the very least, a foolishly mistaken kindness.

Did Natacha not know what was going on? Was that really the case?

In high-ranking noble families, where they frequently interact with each other, it's not difficult to figure out each other's true personalities from a young age. Natacha, who was older, must have also suspected Iydalia's fake personality.

So, she chose Iydalia as a collaborator who could bring out the target, but with a sealed mouth.

Now that Nellis had a new opportunity, she thought she would not forget to repay Iydalia for what happened back then.

The method she used with Anagara, Rianon, and Alektor wouldn't work, and it wasn't worth doing that anyway. Just...

"I didn't forget. That's all."

No matter what reputation she created, it would be difficult for the young lady of the duke to suddenly get into a difficult situation at school. At least, Nellis, who was currently powerless, didn't have that option.

However...

"It's not like I'm powerless to others."