[Chapter 70] The Fair Nellurion

"Yes, Nell-oppa."

Nellurion first observed Neris's expression.

He still didn't know the truth about what had happened at the empty house by the lake last time. He had questioned Isabelle and Delma separately, but Isabelle claimed she didn't know, and Delma insisted it was all Neris's fault.

Considering how angry Valentin was, it seemed like things hadn't gone as planned. But, well... it didn't seem like the cause was Neris.

That Valentin had even created an alibi and left. It was obvious who had initiated the meeting.

Of course, just because they had started it didn't mean the other person could retaliate carelessly. The Ellandria family was one that deserved respect.

But wasn't there something more important right now?

"Clever Neris."

There was an omitted part in that expression.

"Clever enough" Neris.

She was good at schoolwork, but naive and vulnerable to attacks from all sides. What a convenient condition to exploit.

Nellurion had plans to place Valentin by Abellus's side someday. The more people who could help, the better.

Of course, that was a distant future plan, and a sensitive issue that would require careful handling after the family's goals were achieved.

"It's not bad to give the palace a hostage in advance."

To make the palace feel at ease, it was a good idea to propose an alliance that seemed impossible to break at the right time. For example, a marriage proposal.

Of course, even if Neris was the owner of the Ja-an, that wasn't a condition worthy of becoming the crown princess. So, it was unreasonable to use her as a pawn to manipulate the crown princess.

Nellurion had to explore multiple possibilities now, for the sake of his family and his own ambitions.

Valentin couldn't get married until everything was over, and until then, the Ellandria family had to keep their ambition to become an independent royal family hidden.

So, it would be inconvenient if Valentin herself interfered with that plan.

"I heard that Valentin was very rude to you last time. Are you okay?"

Therefore, Nellurion chose his words carefully. Neris smiled shyly and opened her mouth at his kind tone.

Her gentle appearance was so different from Valentin's that Nellurion felt a pang of regret again. If only Valentin were this clever...

"It was my fault. Actually, I was so startled that day that I just left Valentin behind... Is Valentin okay?"

"It's not just that she left you behind." Nellurion thought, maybe she was locked up on purpose? He smiled wryly.

"That child is a bit spoiled because we're too fond of her. She's a bit stubborn, but she's okay. So, what really happened that day?"

Neris's eyes widened.

"Didn't Valentin tell you?"

"She did, but she didn't explain it as clearly as you do. And in cases like this, I need to hear both sides of the story."

"You're very fair, Nell-oppa."

How fair he was, calmly asking about the situation to the person who had locked his own sister in a deserted warehouse.

Neris laughed inwardly at the words of someone who had never shown much interest in her, even when she was being bullied one-sidedly in her past life.

Nellurion, taking her words at face value, smiled brightly, a smile that would dazzle any girl.

"You're my sister too. So... Valentin must have called you out first? I can guess that much. What did she say?"

"Hmm."

Neris looked uncomfortable this time. Nellurion patiently soothed her.

"You can tell me honestly. I'll keep it a secret from Valentin. I need to know how much she messed up so I can apologize to you."

"Why do you need to apologize, oppa?"

Neris's voice trailed off, mumbling. Nellurion's suspicions turned into conviction.

Right. Neris wouldn't have intentionally locked Valentin in the warehouse and locked the door.

"I must have raised my sister poorly. Tell me. Did Valentin bully you?"

Neris looked up and met Nellurion's gaze.

Her trembling pupils, slightly moist eyes, and pale face, which seemed to have recalled something frightening, made Nellurion believe he had found the answer.

"I... I don't want to talk about it in detail, Nell-oppa. It's in the past... and Valentin seems to want to apologize too..."

Valentin wanted to apologize? Nellurion's head tilted in surprise at the unexpected words.

"Valentin? Did she come to you and apologize?"

"Not yet. But... honestly, Valentin and I are different in status and age. I understand why she wouldn't want to apologize first."

As Neris spoke, her voice began to tremble like her eyes.

But she quickly blinked away her tears and forced a bright smile. The sight was so pitiful that it would evoke sympathy from anyone who saw it.

"Brother, actually, Valentin sent me a party invitation. Isabelle said that Valentin wanted me to greet the guests with her that day. Look at this invitation. I just received it."

A party invitation... wanting to greet guests together?

Nellurion was momentarily confused by the expression, which was so unlike his sister.

However, as he unfolded the invitation that Neris had shyly handed him, everything became clear.

The beautiful handwriting and expensive ink. The high-quality paper that his sister had recently purchased in bulk.

And the fake crest next to the signature.

Since Valentin had declared it a "special party for the best nobles only," the invitation inspection would be strict. Nellurion could already see what would happen on the day of the party.

His sister's face, proud and triumphant, as she humiliated Neris in front of the excited students.

"This is..."

Yes, it would have been better if Valentin's plan had been to thoroughly destroy Neris.

That would have meant that his sister was more clever than he thought. If that were the case, Nellurion would have tried to teach her a lesson.

But this was just a petty trick. And one with no real effect!

Nellurion was angry, something that rarely happened. Despite his clear warnings, his sister was trying to ruin everything for the sake of a little satisfaction.

If things had continued as they were, the rumor would have spread that the Ellandria family didn't consider Neris Trude important at all.

And then, it would have been difficult to use Neris as a pawn in their plans.

For a moment, Nellurion's mask of kindness and gentleness was on the verge of shattering. He quickly regained his composure before it was too late.

However, Neris, who had known Nellurion for a long time, didn't miss the brief moment of unease.

She quickly asked with an innocent expression.

"Yes, brother. What's this?"

"Hmm? Ah, no. Neris, who gave you this?"

"It must have been Valentin. Isabelle delivered it. She said I had to come. Brother, is Isabelle close to Valentin? She seems to know what Valentin wants to say to me, just like last time."

As Neris spoke, she felt a sense of satisfaction. Yes, it was your servant who gave it to me, Nellurion.

Should I tell you what that servant did?

You weren't interested in hearing about it when I really wanted to tell you.

Nellurion read between the lines from Neris's tone and expression, which seemed to be trying to hide her discomfort. "Isabelle often compares Valentin and Neris, and Neris is unhappy about being served by her."

Nellurion, who had been thinking about how to handle the situation, finally made a decision.

He was clever enough to realize that his decision would cause the arrogant maid to suffer, but... it was unavoidable.

The benefits of maintaining peace within the family outweighed the cost of one maid.

"Alright, Neris. Valentin and Isabelle aren't that close. But if you feel that way, it seems like I made a mistake in hiring her. I'll make sure Isabelle doesn't bother you from now on."

That was one of the things Neris had wanted. She smiled, pretending to be relieved.

"Yes, brother. I'm sorry for troubling you."

It seemed like she wouldn't have to deal with Isabelle again.

***

"Valentin Ellandria."

Valentin, who had returned to the dormitory, pretending to be tired after her afternoon classes, was taken aback by Nellurion's cold expression.

She quickly looked at Delma. Was there something wrong?

Delma, who had been Valentin's nanny since she was young and was now her personal maid, knew everything about Valentin. Even Delma looked confused and shook her head.

Nellurion's angry expression was rare. Even Delma, who had known him since he was young, hadn't seen it often.

Their confusion was soon cleared up. Nellurion had Valentin sit down in the reception room and dismissed the other servants. Then, he spoke coldly.

"Did you play a trick on Neris's invitation?"

Valentin's face, which had been confused, showed a hint of surprise.

The invitation she had sent to Neris was identical to a real invitation in every way, except for the fake crest. So, there was no reason for Neris to suspect the invitation itself.

Of course, if Neris had recognized Valentin's personal crest, the story would have been different, but that was unlikely.

Valentin had created her personal crest by combining the crest she had received as a gift when she entered school with the Ellandria family crest.

So, the crest was new, and this was the first time she had used it!

Why had she been caught? Nellurion said coldly to Valentin, who was thinking hard.

"You didn't even think about the consequences, did you?"

"There's no need to think about how I found out, Valen. The important thing is that you've disobeyed my orders again."

Valentine tried to retort, but it wasn't the content of her brother's words that intimidated her; it was his voice.

As expected, her brother was furious. And all because of that girl, Nerys.

Nelrision spoke each word clearly, as if delivering a sentence.

"I'm warning you, Valentine Elandria. Do not touch Nerys in any way or to any extent. This is not just for the sake of the family but also for your own sake. This is not an empty warning. If you refuse to heed my words, then give up on this party."

Valentine's mind flared red with anger upon hearing the last sentence.

Give up the party? She had already sent the invitations and received responses. How could she be humiliated like that?

No matter what she did to others, her brother had always tried to stop her but eventually took her side and cleaned up the mess.

The fact that Valentine felt no need to bow to anyone except the royal family was largely due to this environment.

Who was she? The future most valuable person in this empire. Even now, she was already a member of one of the most noble families!

And yet, because of some low-born girl whose origins were unknown, she had to hear such words from her brother?

Seething with anger, Valentine still didn't dare open her mouth, and Nelrision looked down at her coldly. He wasn't finished.

"If it weren't for Isabel, who actually knows how to truly serve her master, I would've realized the situation too late to fix it. Be grateful I managed to save a resource that will help your future."

Both Delma and Valentine had the same thought at that moment.

There was no way Nerys herself could have figured out that the invitation was fake. And that stupid girl wouldn't have deliberately brought the fake invitation to show Nelrision, either.

So, someone else must have informed Nelrision about the fake invitation.

Wasn't it obvious who that was? Nelrision even said her name just now!

When the plan about the fake invitation was made, aside from Valentine and Delma, only one other person had been present!

As Nelrision left coldly, Valentine gritted her teeth and gave an order.

"Bring her."

"Yes, my lady."

Delma's face also twisted with rage. Soon, a servant, under Delma's command, dragged Isabel roughly before them.