[Chapter 157] Merrier Grand Duchess

Although Neris had brought many people into the Elantria family and the imperial family in her previous life, she was special among them.

As the daughter of the previous emperor and the sister of the current emperor, she was a wealthy aristocrat who had inherited an enormous amount of land from her previous husband. Moreover, she was a rare case among the strong imperial family members who had been sickly since childhood.

In her previous life, Neris had often visited the Merrier Grand Duchess's mansion as the crown princess, and as a result of diligently catering to the Grand Duchess's whims, she was able to secure several important territories for Abellus.

Neris thought that since the Grand Duchess had no children, her assets would eventually return to the imperial family after her death. However, Camile, the mastermind who had instructed Neris to approach the Grand Duchess, said:

"Aunt, the Grand Duchess doesn't particularly like the imperial family. Who knows who she'll leave her land to after she dies? And how troublesome it would be to deal with the merchants on that land. We've got several businesses lined up with Abellus, and we'll have to pay a lot of taxes to the Grand Duchess as well."

It was a brazen remark. The Grand Duchess could do as she pleased with her land, whether it was giving it to someone after her death or being troublesome to someone during her lifetime.

However, Neris was in a state of great anxiety, feeling that everyone in the imperial family, including her husband, disliked her. She was even worried that she might be kicked out soon, especially since her husband hadn't shown up at their wedding ceremony.

So Neris took Camile's words to heart and followed his advice, as if he were family.

The Merrier Grand Duchess was known for being eccentric, and indeed, she was to some extent. The Grand Duchess had a discerning eye for people and showed no kindness whatsoever. In fact, she had initially coldly rejected her niece, the crown princess.

However, Neris continued to follow the eccentric Grand Duchess. And she came to realize that the Grand Duchess was not a bad person.

The Grand Duchess was as cold as ice, but she was not cruel. She had chased away a doctor who had tried to deceive her by selling her an expensive medicine, pretending it was a rare herb. But that was because he had tried to swindle her. In most cases, the Grand Duchess was fair to her servants.

In fact, except for Camile, who had later betrayed her, the Grand Duchess was the person who had treated Neris the best in the imperial family.

"Don't be mistaken."

Even now, Neris could still hear the Grand Duchess's voice in her mind.

"It's not because your husband is fond of you that he's giving you things. It's because you have a pitiful face like a drenched puppy that he's giving them to you. If he still neglects you after receiving all this, then it's your husband's fault."

And the Grand Duchess's words were true. Even after receiving an enormous amount of wealth, Abellus continued to neglect Neris, which was a mistake that Neris now realized.

Although she had difficulty walking and didn't often appear in front of people, the Grand Duchess's judgment and handling of situations were flawless. The current elegant and refined Neris was also thanks to the Grand Duchess's influence.

The carriage rode on. Neris gazed at Nellurion sitting across from her.

"Brother, what kind of person is the Grand Duchess?"

"Hmm."

Nellurion smiled wryly, looking uncomfortable.

"She's a difficult person. But if she helps you, you'll find it easier to navigate the imperial court. She's a senior member of the imperial family, after all."

"Can I... persuade her? Can I win her over?"

Neris deliberately lowered her voice, trying to sound humble.

"Of course, Neris. Who wouldn't like you? And you have eyes, don't you? As a member of the imperial family, they won't neglect you, a gemstone holder like you."

It was nonsense. The Grand Duchess wasn't interested in such things. When Neris still looked anxious, Nellurion gently patted her cheek. His sky-blue eyes gazed at Neris's gemstone-like eyes.

"If all else fails, I suppose you could use your special ability, although it's a bit impolite."

"What?"

Yes, this was his true intention.

Neris's eyes widened as if she hadn't even thought of such an absurd idea. Nellurion looked at her clear, trembling eyes with satisfaction.

"I'm not suggesting you do something bad. You're innocent, aren't you, Neris?"

"...Yes."

"I think it's wrong that people don't believe that. And that ability can only be used once a day. It's not like convincing one investigator, but rather persuading the entire imperial family. So, it's better to persuade someone who can make the most trustworthy statement."

Neris's current position as a defendant was precarious. Without evidence, even if she was innocent, if the imperial family accused her of being guilty, someone of her low social status like her would be helpless against the death penalty.

However, if the Elantria family stood behind her, the story would be different. The lack of evidence would be a weak excuse for a low-ranking noble, but it would be a sufficient reason for a high-ranking noble to claim.

Had the Duke of Elantria decided to actively remove Neris from Camile's influence? Neris didn't know yet. But judging from Nellurion's attempt to seek help from outside, it was likely that the Duke's attitude was still lukewarm.

"A sly character like a fox."

The Duke might think of his mansion as his own home, but in reality, he was weighing whether it would be more beneficial to quickly get rid of Neris or to wait and see if he could get a higher price for her.

If he were to use his gemstone-like eyes on her, it would be easy for Neris to escape her current situation. However, she didn't do so because she had a reason.

"I want to see how far this goes."

How genuine was this family's harmony? How much did they care for each other, that they could so easily abandon a fake daughter who had brought them great benefits?

In any case, it was a good thing for Neris to meet the Merrier Grand Duchess now. So, she replied to Nellurion with a gentle smile.

"I understand, brother. Just tell me what to do. I only trust you."

***

"Go back."

The Grand Duchess's steward said from beyond the firmly closed iron gate.

Even as the Duke's son, he couldn't force his way into meeting the imperial family. However, it was also a fact that in this country, it was rare to see someone who wouldn't even open the gate to the Elantria Duke's carriage.

Nellurion asked with a worried and kind face.

"Not just me, but Lady Neris Truede as well. Can't we even pay our respects?"

"I apologize, but Lady Truede is not of a status to visit without the Grand Duchess's summons. So, even if you ask, the Grand Duchess's words won't change."

Nellurion's lips curved upwards slightly, and his expression stiffened. Not just Neris, but he too couldn't meet the Grand Duchess as he pleased. Perhaps Nellurion had thought that if he brought someone who was currently the hottest topic in the imperial court, he might be able to avoid being turned away at the gate.

The Grand Duchess's steward turned away with a stiff face.

"May I say something?"

Neris spoke quietly to the steward's back. The steward, who was about to head towards the mansion, stopped and looked at her.

Although he was strict and cold, his attitude had a sense of propriety. Neris knew from her past experiences that he was a person who sincerely served the Grand Duchess.

"I'm also embarrassed to suddenly come like this. Of course, the Grand Duchess has the right to refuse visitors who come without notice. But since I have always respected my Grand Duchess, I was wondering if it would be possible to visit her at a later time, if she permits? I'll keep coming here until she agrees to meet me."

The steward's face changed slightly. Nellurion, like Neris, maintained a calm expression and nodded.

"Yes, my younger sister wants to pay her respects so badly, so I'll keep coming with her."

"It won't happen."

A cold, icy voice cut in.

Neris reflexively checked if her waist or shoulders were straightening up at the familiar voice. And she looked at the elderly woman who slowly emerged from the small forest beside the iron gate.

The elderly woman's half-white, ash-gray hair and old-fashioned dress, buttoned up to her neck, made her look older than her actual age. However, her back was still straight, and her sharp eyes were piercing.

"You're a bold one, aren't you? I'll let you in, so do as you please."

Nellurion's face showed a hint of genuine discomfort. However, Neris calmly lifted her skirt and bowed.

"I pay my respects to the Grand Duchess. My intention was not as you said."

"What did I say? Are you that famous child who's been making a stir lately?"

"There's no one to spread rumors about me, so I don't know what you're talking about."

As the Grand Duchess approached, the iron gate opened. Neris looked at the Grand Duchess, who was standing about three steps away from her, and smiled faintly.

The Grand Duchess's eyebrows twitched. The atmosphere was intimidating enough to make a normal young person tremble, but Neris thought that the Grand Duchess's reaction wasn't bad. If Neris's words had displeased her, the Grand Duchess would have simply turned away without changing her expression.

"I apologize for my impertinence. I am Nellurion Elantria."

At this point, Nellurion also bowed his head with propriety. Just as Neris had thought, the Grand Duchess turned her head without changing her expression.

The Grand Duchess indeed had a discerning eye. Neris thought to herself and smiled inwardly.

"...If you must come in, then only you may enter and pay your respects. My house is not a vacation spot for young people from the social circle to boast about their experiences."

What the Grand Duchess said next was surprising.

Neris didn't expect to be granted entry so easily. She was startled, but for now, she sent a 'help me' glance to Nellurion.

"It's okay, Neris. Let's thank the Grand Duchess. There are many young ladies from the social circle who would be waiting for the opportunity to meet her."

As Neris expected, Nellurion's expression was reassuring in response to her anxious gaze. He calmly stepped back and said,

"If you don't want to, then don't come in. Am I going to eat you up?"

The Grand Duchess spoke coldly, but now she was observing Neris closely. Neris lifted her skirt again and bowed to thank her, then entered the mansion.

The sound of the Elendria family's carriage leaving was heard from behind. As the lady walked towards the mansion, when the sound had faded enough, she said to Neris as if throwing it at her.

"You'll get bitten if you play with a snake."

Neris was startled again. A snake, what a fitting nickname for Nellurion. But regardless of the truth, was the Grand Duchess someone who would give such advice to a person she was meeting for the first time today?

Perhaps the Neris of her past life was too inexperienced to understand, but the Grand Duchess might have given her the same advice back then. Neris smiled wryly.

"Who would voluntarily touch a snake?"

The Grand Duchess and Neris reached the stone staircase in the courtyard at that moment. The staircase had no railing, and Neris naturally took the Grand Duchess's arm, supporting her and complaining.

"Why is there no railing on the stairs? It's inconvenient."

The next moment, both of their bodies stiffened.

In her past life, she had often done this, so her arm had reflexively reached out. This was a section of the staircase that the Grand Duchess had difficulty climbing.

It was not a likable behavior to casually touch someone else's body because they seemed uncomfortable. Neris was mortified and quickly withdrew her arm, intending to apologize.

Just then, the Grand Duchess replied nonchalantly.

"...The railing was broken a while ago, and we're planning to install a new one this evening."

It was true that in Neris's past life, the staircase in this location, as well as all the dangerous areas in the Grand Duchess's mansion, had handrails and railings installed. It had been a few years since Neris had visited this house in this life, so the structure of the mansion itself might have changed.

"I apologize for my impertinence."

"You should have something to hold onto by then."

Neris sincerely wanted to apologize, but the Grand Duchess didn't seem to care and continued speaking.

Neris's arm, which was slipping away, was caught by the lady's arm. Neris linked her arm with the lady's again, blaming herself for not properly distinguishing between the past and the present, and hesitantly climbed the stairs.

After passing the stone steps of the garden, the lady let go of Neris's arm again. Then, she walked briskly alone.