[Chapter 151]  The Return of the Elandria Family

The Elantria family returned.

The capital, Pereena, was bustling with activity. As the residence of the emperor and high-ranking nobles, even the small shops on the street corners were at the forefront of every trend, and even the poor people made an effort to dress up.

In her previous life, Neris had admired and been proud of this grandeur. However, just before she died, she felt it was meaningless, and now, after seeing the majestic grandeur of Maindland, the exaggerated colors of Pereena seemed gaudy.

Her carriage, surrounded by royal knights, entered the Roiz estate, where the highest-ranking nobles lived. Dora, sitting next to Neris, said:

"The carriage is slowing down."

Unlike in the White Swan Castle's meeting room, where Adrian had spoken nonsense, he had been considerate of Neris throughout the escort. He had even acknowledged Dora's joining as one of his considerate gestures.

Neris still had a lingering concern about her mother, who had been shocked by the news of her daughter's arrest for noble murder, and Dora's disappearance. However, she didn't know what would happen during the escort. Adrian wanted to bring her safely, but he didn't know when another attack might occur.

After much contemplation, Neris decided to trust Ellen and boarded the escort carriage with Dora. Dora, who had almost single-handedly managed the palace's household and had experience attending to Neris, worked tirelessly throughout the journey, doing the work of twelve people.

"Well, we'll arrive soon."

The long journey was finally coming to an end, and it was a welcome relief. The season had changed during their travel, and now it was winter, which was not a pleasant time for traveling. Neris nodded, but Dora's eyes sparkled with caution, as she had been doing until now.

"But, Miss, the palace doesn't seem to be around here. We should be careful in case of a sudden attack."

Although it was called an escort carriage, it was just a high-class carriage surrounded by royal knights. Therefore, they could see outside through the window, and Dora, who couldn't see a palace-like building, came to this conclusion.

However, this surrounding area was very familiar to Neris. She replied calmly.

"That's right. I expected as much. There won't be an attack, so don't worry about it."

Dora's eyes widened in surprise.

"You expected as much, Miss?"

"Why did you bring me all the way here safely? It's because I'm more valuable alive than dead. You're planning to sell me out."

Dora, who didn't know the situation, was shocked.

"How dare you, who would...!"

At that moment, the carriage stopped.

The carriage door opened without permission, which was a huge breach of etiquette. However, since it was Adrian who opened the door, it was unavoidable. Adrian had a triumphant expression on his face.

"Get out and take a look. We've finally arrived at your hometown."

It was indeed a development as expected. Dora looked puzzled, saying "Hometown?" but Neris silently got out of the carriage.

Between the rows of royal knights, the Elantria ducal mansion, her former home, majestically revealed itself.

The enormous mansion, with its extravagant decorations, was a symbol of power and wealth. Although the fountain in front of the main hall was dry now that winter had arrived, Neris knew how beautifully it shone in the summer.

A place of glory and wealth, the center of power.

However, to Neris, this place was only a reminder of bitter loneliness and sorrow.

Adrian, who misinterpreted Neris's gaze at the mansion, said with a smirk.

"When you're called, you must attend immediately. During the investigation of the duke's murder, we'll provide you with comfort and convenience, so you can rest easy in your affiliated family's mansion. The imperial prison is not a place for a noble lady like you to stay. Be grateful."

The phrase "affiliated family" sparked anger in Neris's heart. Why was the Elantria family her hometown? Her surname was Truede.

How much effort had she put into erasing those five hateful characters from her life?

This grand procession would not have been seen inside the mansion. Just then, a few people came out of the mansion. Neris gazed at the silver hair of the person leading them with contempt.

She couldn't just let this person go. As the person from the mansion approached the main gate, Neris locked eyes with Adrian and smiled coldly, regardless of her true feelings.

Despite being a bit exhausted from the long journey, Neris's delicate features still had a captivating charm. Adrian, without realizing it, swallowed his saliva.

Neris, looking directly at Adrian, spoke softly.

"Thank you for bringing me here. Of course, I'll report on the circumstances that led to this."

Adrian's focus wavered for a moment. He replied without thinking.

"Then, I'll do it in detail."

"Undoubtedly, you will. If you're criticized for being too considerate of me, I'll be grateful. Please report the reason you brought me here honestly and in detail, and I believe your kind heart will be taken into account."

Adrian, who had been caught off guard, thought blankly. Is that so? Originally, I was going to make some excuses, but can I just be honest? I received a large sum of money from the Elantria family, and I have to report this to Camille and the Emperor as well...

Neris Truede was clever. So, she thought the Elantria family would want her. In reality, Adrian had received a substantial amount of money, enough to change his fate multiple times.

Before he could finish his thoughts, the main gate of the Elantria ducal mansion opened. Neris's gaze turned to Nellusion, who had come out with his attendants, and her expression changed to a pitiful one.

"Brother!"

Nellusion, now a grown man, had become a wise and mature handsome man while taking over his father's duties. He smiled warmly at Neris.

"Neris, it's been a long time."

Neris thought Nellusion was trying to act kind. Whatever she thought, Nellusion spoke to Adrian with a polite bow.

"We're grateful for your consideration of our family. We'd like to repay your kindness with a meal soon."

"What did I do?"

Adrian, with a posture that didn't match his words, muttered with a smirk. Nellusion, with a sincere expression, begged.

"What are you saying? You've gone out of your way to provide us with comfort, even though I should be imprisoned in the imperial prison. We won't forget your kindness."

"Haha! What's with this?"

The two of them exchanged a few more pleasantries. Nellusion had a talent for making his counterpart believe he was speaking sincerely, so Adrian left with a good impression.

When only Neris and Dora were left, Nellusion whispered warmly.

"Let's go in. I've heard everything. Were you scared?"

"There are many things you want to say, aren't there?"

Neris smiled wistfully, hiding her inner ridicule.

"Really... I'm so sorry, brother. I've caused trouble for the family and for you too..."

"No, it's all a misunderstanding. Let's clear it up. Just tell me what happened, and I'll take care of it."

Nellusion naturally extended his arm to put it around Neris's shoulder, but Dora pushed his hand away.

No matter how kind Nellusion pretended to be, this was an impossible situation. Nellusion looked at Dora with a troubled expression and asked Neris.

"Who is that child?"

"She's my maid. From Maindlandt... um, I brought... her..."

Neris's hesitant expression when saying "brought her" made Nellusion feel a little relieved from his pent-up frustration.

He knew that Neris had left to work for an elderly woman in the countryside after graduating. But then, she was suddenly found in the Maindlandt ducal castle, and on top of that, she had a treasure... it was no wonder he was shocked.

However, his shock was short-lived. He was extremely displeased with all these facts. In reality, Nellusion disliked anything that was beyond his control.

But the pawn he had cultivated since childhood, which was about to become a crucial piece to bring him victory, had slipped out of his hands. Moreover, it had fallen into the hands of a suspicious person.

Nellusion, who had never thought much of Cledwin, suddenly began to dislike him intensely when he heard that Neris was working under Cledwin. And naturally, he began to suspect Neris's intentions.

"How much does Neris know about the treasure?"

Nellusion, too, had never seen the treasure before. In fact, no one on this continent had. Although he had some idea about it through the documents and inferences his family had secretly gathered, Neris wouldn't have known anything about it.

But maybe Cledwin did.

The Elantria family had ambitions, and now, due to Neris's sudden actions, a variable had been introduced into the pursuit of those ambitions.

So, Adrian bringing Neris to the family mansion was a very good thing. And judging by Neris's attitude, she didn't seem to be completely on the other side.

Nellusion felt relieved. His self-esteem and trust in his own judgment were restored. Yes, Neris, who had been so innocent and kind since childhood, wouldn't suddenly slip out of his hands. She wouldn't dislike him. She wouldn't cut off contact voluntarily.

"That duke's son must have played a trick on her."

Did Neris know about the treasure, or did she find out about it herself? The cunning duke must have manipulated the innocent Neris and gotten her to hand it over. The rumors about her strange behavior at the graduation ball must have been because she was trying to obtain a secret from the Elantria family.

Was that maid a spy sent by the Maindlandt duke?

Nellusion decided to take control of the situation. Even if his thoughts were wrong and Neris was playing a trick on him, he could still bring her home and have a few words with her. The naive Neris, who didn't know the ways of the imperial social circle, would surely reveal her true intentions. And if that happened, he had a way to deal with her.

"Yes, you said she's your maid. But I've already chosen someone to take care of you. Send that maid back. Understand?"

Neris looked at Dora with a burdened and frightened gaze, and then, after a moment, revealed a hint of relief, as if she was glad to be rid of Dora.

It seemed Neris hadn't gone to the north voluntarily. Maybe she had been kidnapped.

Nellusion felt a sense of relief, as if he had finally found a way to resolve the situation. He signaled to his attendants. Dora looked at the closing gate in front of her, her voice rising in panic.

"Milady! Milady! You have to take me with you!"

Nellusion ignored her and finally put his arm around Neris's shoulder. He smiled warmly and led her back to the mansion.

"Let's go, Neris. You must be tired. Take a rest. Father and Mother will be happy to see you. And Valentine is also at home. It's winter break, after all. We can finally have a family dinner together."

What a family. And this time, without even adopting me." Neris thought to herself, stifling a laugh, but maintained a pitiful expression, as if she had finally found comfort after going through a lot of hardships.

"Yes, brother. I'm so grateful that you're here for me. I was so scared all this time."

Dora, who had been holding onto the gate of the ducal mansion, was kicked away by Joseph Carron, Nellusion's trusted knight and childhood friend, and fell weakly to the ground. Joseph ordered the guards to close the gate tightly and followed Nellusion.

No one else noticed the smile on Dora's lips as she left the ducal mansion, nor the similar smile on Neris's lips.