Chapter 132

“She’s a cute young lady.”

In the middle of a conversation about security matters in Nerys’s suite, Talfrin suddenly brought it up. Nerys replied dryly.

“Diane is cute.”

“She seemed very upset. Are you all right?”

“I can’t blame Diane.”

It was impossible not to notice that Diane had nearly cried the moment she saw Nerys—and that her face had fallen when Nerys kept her distance.

Diane had managed to control herself in public and behaved impeccably, but those with sharp eyes, like Talfrin, took note.

When Nerys didn’t react, Talfrin shrugged and asked,

“Why are you being so cold to her? You used to be close. You don’t seem like you dislike her.”

“There’s a reason.”

“And what’s that?”

“Figure it out yourself.”

“So you won’t tell me. Then let me ask another way—why don’t you tell Miss MacKinnon that reason, Adviser?”

“If I told Diane the truth, she’d never leave.”

Because the Imperial Family would take offense? Of course, but was the danger really so great it justified ruining a friendship? Talfrin didn’t really understand, but tried to press on.

“Even if you told her it was dangerous?”

“She wouldn’t go because it’s dangerous.”

“Do you think Miss MacKinnon is a fool?”

“No, she’s a brave girl.”

She certainly seemed that way—a girl who could show her emotions in front of Nerys, who was intimidating enough to silence even Hilbrin, had to be brave.

“Then you could have just made sure Miss Moriér didn’t write to the MacKinnon Group.”

“We needed to bring in goods to Maindulante from somewhere. And we needed new markets for our own products. The other two of the Empire’s top three merchant groups can’t be trusted; the MacKinnon Group is the best choice for business.”

It was a case where her public and private selves clashed. Nerys spoke reluctantly and fell silent.

‘Because it’s true.’

The other two of the Empire’s top three merchant groups were halfway run by swindlers. Especially the Wells family, in-laws to the Duke of Elandria, were best avoided altogether.

If Nerys wanted Maindulante to prosper long-term, the MacKinnon Group was the only viable partner.

“So you think the Imperial Family won’t step in as long as it’s just ordinary trade?”

Talfrin, always quick to read the room, pressed her further.

“Yes. If they want to clamp down on a regular trading relationship, they need a justification.”

“You’re planning to keep trading, aren’t you?”

“If I handle the contract well this time and make sure Sir Joyce never has to come up in person again, it’ll be just another routine supplier.”

“I don’t get it. Why push her away so much? Honestly, it doesn’t seem that dangerous to me. But I’m sure you’ve thought it all through, Adviser.”

Talfrin shrugged and looked straight at Nerys, speaking clearly.

“Is there such a thing as absolute safety in life? All anyone can do is decide what’s worth devoting their life to.”

Nerys thought his words didn’t mean anything to her. Wasn’t that exactly why she was here now?

‘This time, I know exactly what to dedicate my life to.’

Talfrin, seeing her blank face, grinned.

“I don’t usually care about other people’s business, but I meddled a bit this time in case you ended up crying and His Grace tried to kill me. I’ll go check in with the captain of the guard now.”

For this delegation, an official knight was responsible for security, but since Talfrin had brought several Night Sworn from the Shadows, everything went through him.

“All right. Go.”

Nerys gestured and turned her gaze to the window.

Click. She heard the door shut behind her. The next moment—

A cautious voice spoke up.

“Riz.”

Nerys’s head snapped up.

Diane stood at the door. The Shadows had been watching the area, and Talfrin had just left—he must have deliberately allowed Diane through.

Diane’s cheeks, plump and rosy when Nerys last saw her the previous spring, were now noticeably thinner. Her once-bright green eyes were dull and red-rimmed.

Nerys, after a moment’s thought, spoke flatly. As if Diane’s expression didn’t affect her at all.

“Why did you come into my room without permission, Lady Diane?”

“Why are you talking like that?”

“And why shouldn’t I?”

“It’s not an official occasion right now.”

“So, if it’s not official, is this how you treat just anyone, Lady Diane?”

Diane’s resolve, so fierce just moments ago, withered in the face of Nerys’s coldness. She could hardly speak.

After staring at Nerys for a moment, Diane steadied herself and asked,

“That’s not true. Am I just anyone to you?”

“I suppose so. Are we anything else?”

Tears welled up in Diane’s eyes. Nerys felt a sharp ache in her chest.

It was always like this. Whenever she saw Diane.

When Diane laughed.

When Diane looked at her with that blinding affection.

It was always a connection that couldn’t last. Just a passing person in her life. She kept telling herself that, but she was always confused—especially lately.

Diane knew nothing of Nerys Truydd’s past. Not her previous, unhappy life, not even what she’d done to her classmates in this one.

Diane wasn’t like her mother, who was unconditionally bound to her, or like Joan, necessary for her survival, or like Cledwyn, who could understand her desire for revenge.

‘If she knew, she’d want to help. Even if she couldn’t understand.’

But Nerys couldn’t bear the thought of such a situation.

Everyone else said that aside from status and wealth, Nerys was better than Diane. Nerys thought those people were blind.

How could Diane not be wonderful? No matter how many times Nerys pushed her away, she kept coming back, giving her unwavering affection for years. She gave everything to those she loved.

Even now, when Diane had every reason to end things and walk away, she still came to ask.

Trying to mend things. Acting as if this relationship had great value to her.

As if Nerys Truydd was something valuable.

It was more than Nerys ever deserved. Maybe it was something she should never have wanted.

Diane was lovely. Warm as the blazing sun.

So Nerys didn’t want Diane to get hurt.

❖ ❖ ❖

“Want me to be honest?”

Diane was surprised that Nerys’s voice could be so cold.

Yes, she shouldn’t have come into someone else’s room without knocking.

And she shouldn’t have chased Nerys all the way here after being told not to.

‘But what am I supposed to do when I’m worried?’

Nerys’s Jeweled Eyes were already valuable. A symbol of one of the Empire’s most important families.

And now, Jeweled Eyes?

It didn’t make Nerys greater to Diane—impossible, really—but Diane understood what a political asset they could be.

She’d seen the Grand Duke at the graduation ball and thought he seemed good to Nerys. But if Nerys had to hide even her whereabouts, Diane couldn’t easily trust the man.

‘Men who try to separate women from their families and friends are never any good.’

Diane’s house had many servants, including girls who’d come from far away. Betty, who’d looked after Diane since childhood, was one.

So she’d heard the stories: girls far from home were easily preyed upon. Some men isolated them, driving off their last friends and controlling them.

Of course, maybe Nerys had come to Maindulante by choice. She had a high post, after all.

But as long as there was a chance her friend had been caught up with the wrong man, Diane had to check. To see if Nerys was hiding behind a false name, or involved in something dangerous.

That was why she’d snuck in—Dora was off elsewhere, and this was the only way to have a candid talk, just the two of them.

She’d been furious when writing the letter announcing her visit. But now Diane was ready to listen. Ready to help Nerys with everything she had, whatever trouble she was in.

That’s why—

“I was angry because you kept following me.”

The next thing Nerys said felt like the world was ending.

Diane’s eyes widened, uncertain if she’d heard correctly. But her friend, arms crossed, went on coldly.

“I told you in my letters, Diane. Not to come. Not to come, not to come… How many times did I have to say it before you’d understand?”

Diane’s face was suddenly wet with tears. Nerys’s expression was ice.

“Sure, we were together at school. Your parents always invited me to your family events. I’m grateful for that. But this isn’t right.”

Her heart—

“In school, you needed someone to sit next to. Most classes at the Academy needed partners. But that kind of tie, after graduation, we go our separate ways, Diane. Hmm? …Did I really have to say it this directly for you to get it?”

It felt like she was freezing.

Her lips trembled out of control. Diane blurted,

“D-Do I… do I really mean that little to you?”

It was a question meant to be denied. But Nerys nodded, unbothered.

“You were a school friend, Diane. But I’m not who I used to be. I’m the Grand Duke’s adviser now—I’m not someone you should treat like this. This trip could have been handled by merchant representatives, without you and your brother coming. Honestly, it’s disruptive and a waste of my time.”

Diane truly could not believe it. Every word stabbed her heart like a shard of ice.

Was this real? She couldn’t even ask. Because what would Nerys say if she did?

Diane stared at Nerys for a long time and finally left the room. Even though she hadn’t given up hope, Nerys didn’t follow her.

“Waaaah…”

For the first time since childhood, Diane sobbed openly as she walked the halls. Startled faces turned her way, but she didn’t care.

What did it matter who saw, when your best friend denied your friendship?

She didn’t know how long she wandered. A servant—probably from Maindulante—approached and handed her a handkerchief. Diane took it, wiped her tears, and even blew her nose before asking,

“Thank you. I’ll buy you a new handkerchief. What’s your name?”

“There’s no need. I can get a new one from the stores.”

Even Maindulante’s servants were annoyingly kind. No wonder the Grand Duke had tried so hard to win Nerys over.

Diane felt all her efforts had been meaningless, and when she looked again, the servant had already disappeared.

“Ugh!”

Clutching the soaked handkerchief, Diane went to her own room. It was dark inside.

‘Huh?’

Betty hadn’t come on this trip, but there was no way a MacKinnon count’s daughter would be without a maid. There should have been a maid waiting in the lit room, but something was wrong.

The next moment, Diane smelled something sharp—and fainted.