[Chapter 81] A Daughter Resembles Her Mother

The carriage heading to the ballroom was a sleek black, with the Maindlandt Ducal crest adorning golden plaques on the sides of the carriage and front and back.

Even the coachman, dressed in attire adorned with gold buttons, commanded respect from passersby.

Since Diane had no prior interaction with Cladwyn, this was her first time seeing him.

Nevertheless, she boldly responded to his statement about Neris riding separately with a firm tone, despite it being the first time she had seen him. Cladwyn's mouth twitched into a smile.

However, after observing Neris and Cladwyn exchange words a few times, Diane eventually agreed to them going separately.

Neris found it surprising that Diane agreed to their separation, as there was nothing particularly special in their conversation. Still, she accepted it gratefully, knowing they had many secret stories to share.

The golden intricate wheels rolled silently. Neris, hearing the rhythmic sound of the horses' hooves outside the window, asked.

"So, what's really going on here? Nothing out of the ordinary?"

Cladwyn, seated across from Neris, replied leisurely.

"Just stopped by Sedona and decided to come here."

Sedona? The Sedona with the main products of the Morié Upperlands?

Not much else to see there? Neris smiled coolly.

Seeing Cladwyn up close, his face was even more beautiful than when she saw him in the reception room.

His sculpted features and perfect harmony were the same as in his youth, but overall, his eyes were deeper, his nose higher, and his jaw firmer, exuding the charm of a mature man.

His hazy gray eyes softened as they reflected her smile. Unable to contain herself, Neris asked.

"Did you prepare the dress in advance?"

"If I hadn't timed it right, I wouldn't have come. I admit that."

"Why did you go to Sedona?"

"To pay attention."

"To whom?"

"Don't worry. It's not about you. The lovely Lady Buho."

Neris's current wealth was probably about a third of the MacKinnon Upperlands. Of course, that alone was already impressive, but in front of the Maindlandt Duke, it was truly at a 'lovely' level.

Cladwyn didn't think about the pocket of Buho. So, Neris casually replied without any hesitation.

"Is that so? Lovely?"

"Not Buho. Your newly hired people are all clean."

There was no special technique for cultivating the pocket of Buho.

As long as the climate and soil conditions were right, the pocket of Buho grew like weeds. By mixing in a bit of halog grass, an herb that was praised as having 'magical properties' in high society circles, a herbal remedy was completed.

Starting from the second year of cultivation, Rob alone couldn't handle the workload.

However, the laborers had to be trustworthy. Even if he was honest, he couldn't afford to hire someone who might make a mistake.

Even if someone else learned the cultivation method of the pocket of Buho, the day should be delayed as much as possible.

So, although the supply couldn't keep up with the demand, this fact actually increased the popularity of the pocket of Buho. Items needed a bit of competition among consumers to sell well.

Neris, suspecting if a spy from a competitor had infiltrated the laborers, felt relieved inwardly. Cladwyn raised one corner of his mouth.

"Is that so?"

"It's not about you, it's about me."

"Isn't it rumored that the Maindlandt Duke hasn't been seen in the North for a few years?"

Neris's question was gentle in tone but sharp in essence. Cladwyn looked at her thoughtfully before nodding his head.

"Yes. Do you know why he hasn't been seen?"

"I do."

In the Vista Empire, there were few routes to Maindlandt, and the most important and commonly used route passed through the territory of the Tipyen Marquis.

The land of the man who had tried to sell Cladwyn to the royal family.

If Cladwyn had still been crawling there, nearly dying five years ago, Neris would have called him a complete fool.

But for now, that vile old man needed to stay put.

"If Cladwyn and Marquis Tipyen were to engage in a full-scale confrontation, victory should belong to the former, but the Vista Royal Family will not miss the opportunity to intervene.

Therefore, it should be understood as an informal interaction through a different route to avoid a clash. That's how cautious one should be.

"The family's elders, referred to as 'elders' in the Maindlandt manner, right? They must not have all been dealt with."

The enigmatic exchange between the two was difficult for others to understand due to the rapid leaps and ambiguous word choices. However, the two conversing individuals had serene expressions.

Maindlandt, a strong and closed but powerful region. The elders of that historic place were said to act almost like dukes within Maindlandt.

So, they might have thought to freely manipulate Cladwyn, who was both inexperienced and young.

But that's not all. Cladwyn's succession to the ducal throne was a right bestowed upon him at birth. Yet, despite this, the elders 'dared' to oppose his ascension, showing how audacious they could be.

Certainly, some of them might have been involved when Cladwyn nearly died before, and when other elders rebelled. With few trustworthy subordinates, Cladwyn's direct actions kept him 'alive.'

Neris's keen eyes sparkled.

"I heard that all the elders who opposed the young heir inheriting the ducal throne right after graduating from the academy are dead. The rumor has spread this far. But they didn't really all die, did they? The most despicable and the most cunning seem to be alive."

Cladwyn shrugged. She found it easy to talk to him about anything.

"Yes. There are three to be cautious of. Three fled, and there was a report that one headed in this direction. Even if they erased their traces."

"Since we've been exchanging letters for a few years, there's a possibility they know about my existence."

"Perhaps they suspect the connection between the Elendria family and me, rather than you."

"That's right. But even if the Elendria family suspects, it would be me they touch. With Senior Aidan gone now."

Aidan, who was a few years younger than Cladwyn, continued attending the academy even after his lord graduated. He probably accompanied Neris on her outings to Sedona at her lord's command, becoming known as 'Master Gavin.'

So, naturally being called a senior, Cladwyn's eyebrows twitched for the first time since their reunion.

"That guy seems to have gotten quite close."

"We're not close."

Neris cut it short. She had never really considered herself close to anyone.

If she had to pinpoint it, she might be close to Diane, but... well, she hadn't really been close to anyone before, so it was hard to determine exactly what being 'close' meant.

But she was definitely not 'close' to Aidan. He had accompanied her a few times when needed. That was it.

Cladwyn's expression turned into a wry smile. Neris maintained a composed expression, not understanding why he was making that face.

"You prevented Megara and Valentine's plans, right? Through Senior Aidan. You must have been busy, so thank you."

"...When I told him not to get caught."

His grumbling tone felt quite friendly. Neris found it easier to talk about anything.

"Yes. The three to be cautious of. Three escaped, and one headed in this direction. Even if they erased their traces."

"Since we've been exchanging letters for a few years, there's a possibility they know about my existence."

"Perhaps they suspect the connection between the Elendria family and me, rather than you."

"That's right. But even if the Elendria family suspects, it would be me they touch. With Senior Aidan gone now."

Aidan, who was a few years younger than Cladwyn, continued attending the academy even after his lord graduated. He probably accompanied Neris on her outings to Sedona at her lord's command, becoming known as 'Master Gavin.'

So, naturally being called a senior, Cladwyn's eyebrows twitched for the first time since their reunion.

"That guy seems to have gotten quite close."

"We're not close."

Neris cut it short. She had never really considered herself close to anyone.

If she had to pinpoint it.

"We're not close."

Neris cut it short. She had never really considered herself close to anyone. If she had to pinpoint it, she might be close to Diane, but... well, she hadn't really been close to anyone before, so it was hard to determine exactly what being 'close' meant. But she was definitely not 'close' to Aidan. He had accompanied her a few times when needed. That was it.

Cladwyn's expression turned into a wry smile. Neris maintained a composed expression, not understanding why he was making that face.

"You prevented Megara and Valentine's plans, right? Through Senior Aidan. You must have been busy, so thank you."

"...When I told him not to get caught." His grumbling tone felt quite friendly. Neris found it easier to talk to him about anything. 

Neris leaned back against the crimson carriage seat and tilted her chin slightly. "I understand why you tried to recruit even me when I was young. You have so few people you can trust. Not just outside the house, but inside as well."

"That's right." This time, Cladwyn truly smiled wryly. Neris felt a spark of determination.

"My mother must be doing well, right?"

Three years ago, Cladwyn had whisked Mrs. Trued away, disguising her disappearance as an accident. It was a necessary choice, as if she had left for Maindlandt on her own accord, it could have put Neris, who remained at the academy, in danger.

"However, the person who was kidnapped naturally had a different perspective. Neris's mother was extremely angry, thinking that the Elendria family was behind her abduction.

After sending several explanatory letters, Neris reluctantly agreed to start a new life at the Maindlandt Ducal Palace.

In a place where she had no friends or support, Cladwyn was the only one who could ensure Neris's mother's safety. Of course, she sent her there thinking it would be safer than staying in her hometown of Rohez, but still.

Cladwyn's eyes softened slightly.

"Yes. In fact, she's been helping me. Without Mrs. Trued, the Ducal Palace would have been very dark."

"Is that so?"

Young Neris had thought that when she grew up, she would become just like her mother. She believed that all adults would be exactly like their mothers. Like all children do.

However, after spending time with her mother again as an adult, she realized what an extraordinary person she was. Bright, cheerful, but also strong and sharp. Even from Neris's perspective from her previous life, where she had seen many people, her mother was admirable.

Perhaps her mother would brighten any place she went. Why couldn't her daughter resemble such a mother enough?

A faint smile unknowingly appeared on Neris's face. Cladwyn, sensing the shift in atmosphere, casually brought up the incident involving 'Mrs. Trued.'

"It happened shortly after you arrived at the Ducal Palace. An assassin hid in my room, but Mrs. Trued caught him."

"What?"

This was unbelievable. Neris was taken aback, her eyes widening. Cladwyn chuckled.

"He probably thought he was a thief. Thanks to Mrs. Trued shouting and running around in the middle of the night, the assassin was caught off guard and apprehended safely. He was lucky he was clumsy."

"It could have been a big problem. For both of them."

"Yes. It was a close call."

Neris felt a mix of emotions. Seeing her like that, Cladwyn continued to smile.

Neris's appearance for the graduation ball was incredibly beautiful. Other students of her age had been preparing for this once-in-a-lifetime event since childhood, and they were excited for the day.

Yet, Neris, as perfect as ever, seemed like a flawless lady who couldn't even fit a needle into her attire. Even when she deliberately unbuttoned and rushed into the reception room earlier, she was elegant, as if posing for a portrait.

To see her so surprised and shaken like this.

It didn't feel bad.

Cladwyn, after enjoying Neris's complex expression for a moment, explained.

"If it had been a truly dangerous person, Mrs. Trued wouldn't have noticed. Her hiding place is quite safe, so don't worry."

"From my mother's letters, she seemed to be treated well. But there was no mention of such incidents. There's a limit to not wanting to cause worry."

Cladwyn's words were correct, but Neris ended up grumbling slightly. Of course, if it had been a truly dangerous assassin, he wouldn't have caught her mother's eye, who was just an ordinary person.

But anyone can have bad luck and end up dead.

Seeing her current expression, Cladwyn smiled wryly. A genuine expression full of worry. There weren't many targets for Neris to express her emotions like this.

At least, as far as he knew, Mrs. Trued was the only one.

What about now?

"The previous housekeeper was the wife of a betraying elder. It seems the little rat came in through the door he left open. I've taken care of everything, so don't worry."

"Got it. You did well, as always."

Because she was the one who endured that wicked boyhood.

Nodding in understanding, she eventually murmured and nodded. Cladwyn suspected she might be a bit crestfallen. Fortunately, Neris's eyes sparkled again as she raised her head a moment later.

"I heard that I met the early graduation requirements. Will I also go to the Ducal Palace after graduation?"

Cladwyn chuckled and nodded.

"Yes, I'll send a carriage and escort for you right after the graduation ceremony. You seem quite happy to graduate."

"There's no reason not to be happy. Are there any kids who want to stay in school longer? And it's annoying how Nelesion keeps acting like my guardian."