Chapter 152

“Now, tell me what happened, Nerys.”

After bringing Nerys to the ducal mansion’s reception room, Nellusion—looking as though he were overwhelmed with pity—offered her warm tea and pastries.

When they were alone, he sat her in the rocking chair by the fireplace and spoke those words.

With a pitifully pale face and tear-filled eyes, Nerys looked up at Nellusion through the violet Jeweled Eyes that shone even more beautifully when wet.

“Brother, I know you must be so disappointed in me. How could you not be? But please believe me just this once. You were the first to ever care for me, the only one who helped me endure that unfamiliar school. If you don’t believe me… I…”

“Nerys.”

Of course Nellusion had been angry. Disappointed? More than that.

That was why, when Adrian had demanded a large sum in exchange for handing Nerys over, Nellusion had argued strongly to pay him whatever he wanted. Her worth, and capturing a traitor to the family, mattered far more than money.

The Duke had not seen Nerys since she was very young, so he largely accepted his trusted son’s judgment.

Once he finally had Nerys in his grasp, Nellusion intended to ask her many questions. And if worst came to worst, he would teach her the meaning of true pain. As long as her appearance remained intact, her political value would endure. After some reconditioning, she could become a loyal servant of the family again.

Yet despite those dark plans, seeing her earlier had made him think there might have been a misunderstanding. Now, watching her speak so earnestly, his temper cooled.

Especially when their eyes met.

Nellusion smiled gently.

“Disappointed? Why would I be disappointed in you?”

“So you ‘are’ angry with me, aren’t you? Talking to me like I’m a stranger.”

At last, tears like jewels spilled from Nerys’s eyes. Nellusion felt an uncomfortable tightness in his chest and quickly pulled out a handkerchief to carefully wipe them away.

“Why would I be angry with you? Don’t cry, Nerys. It hurts me when you cry.”

“Brother…!”

Despite his comforting words, Nerys sobbed harder. Nellusion, following the guidelines for coaxing a possible informant, softened his tone. Since she appeared frightened, it was important to be gentle—something he found easy enough.

“Nerys, did someone give you something strange to eat? Or threaten you? Say they’d hurt you if you didn’t obey? Tell me everything. Our family can resolve anything. It’s all right.”

It was possible Adrian had poisoned her to shackle the Elandria family. Or perhaps that vile Cledwyn Maindulante had done it.

For someone who was scared, such reassuring words could pierce straight to the heart. In her previous life, Nerys might have felt secure enough to tell him everything. That was how sincere Nellusion’s voice could sound.

But Nerys found his words laughable. His thinking was so predictably like his own nature.

Nellusion eventually pulled her into an embrace, resting her head against him and stroking her shoulder. He was startled to realize how much she had grown.

When they first met, she had been just a child. Now she had blossomed into something solid and beautiful, like a flower carved from crystal.

The trembling in his arms subsided. Nerys slowly raised her head, met his eyes again, and spoke in a faint voice—enough to make his chest ache anew.

“Brother, it’s not like that. I… I’ve experienced something unbelievable. It was so shocking, it still feels like a dream… I was afraid you wouldn’t believe I’d gained this ability…”

“How could I not believe you?”

‘Ability.’

Without thinking, Nellusion’s voice quickened, his mind racing. His heart pounded harder than ever before.

If his reasoning was correct… could it be? Could Ja’an truly…?

Nerys gazed at him with pure, trusting eyes.

“You’re the only one I can trust, Brother. So you must believe me.”

Nellusion’s sky-blue eyes went slightly unfocused before he nodded.

“Of course. You wouldn’t lie to me. I believe in your honesty, Nerys.”

“Do you remember that job I said I got? While traveling by carriage for it… suddenly my eyes changed like this. And after that, everyone started acting strangely.”

“In what way?”

For a moment, a glint of mania flashed in Nellusion’s eyes. Nerys saw it but kept her sorrowful expression.

‘Nellusion, Nellusion.’

You think you’re the cleverest person alive.

You think anything is justified for the sake of your precious family.

I’ve always hated that the cursed Elandria family gave me these eyes.

Now it’s your turn to curse that fact.

“People believe everything I say. Only once a day, but… somehow the Duke of Maindulante found out and kidnapped me. He said if I didn’t do as he ordered, he would kill my mother.”

Not a word of it was true. From her experience, the Jeweled Eyes had no daily limit; they only required eye contact to activate. The stories about her mother and Cledwyn were complete fabrications.

But there was no need to tell him the truth.

Even that was enough for Nellusion to work his calculating mind, asking in the gentlest voice he could muster, swallowing hard without realizing it.

“Your mother? But your mother…”

“We thought she was dead, both of us, all this time. But she wasn’t. That bastard kidnapped her! He knew I had Ja’an and took her, waiting for the day my Jeweled Eyes would awaken!”

Nellusion had already heard from Adrian that “there was someone claiming to be Nerys Truydd’s mother living in that castle.” But he had intended to probe the matter slowly, in case Nerys had planned betrayal for years.

So that was it.

“Brother, it was so hard there. I’m so glad to see you again, but I don’t know what’s happened to my mother.”

She was probably already dead—or if not, they’d kill her once they learned Nerys had revealed everything. Nellusion guessed as much. If she wasn’t dead, she needed to be eliminated to keep the other side from having a card to control Nerys.

Even so, he spoke to her as sweetly as sugar.

“She’ll be all right. I’m so glad she’s alive. Nerys, can you tell me more about your ability? I know it’s inappropriate to ask in this situation, but I’ve never heard of anything like it, and I’m curious. Why would this happen to you?”

“I-I don’t know why. But I’m happy you say that. I’ll tell you anything I can.”

Her lashes fluttered, and Nellusion felt a terrible thirst. The shortest path to what he’d always wanted might be right in front of him.

The Elandria family would at last claim the crown. An ability to make everyone believe your words? So the legendary Elandria truly had such a power. And yet they had let a fool like Bistor become Emperor?

Nellusion imagined a crown on his own head—and the person standing beside him in that vision was… Nerys. It felt as though that picture had always been etched into his unconscious.

Still, he had to verify her words. The family’s creed was to trust proof, not the heart.

Why was his heart racing so much? Could this be the Jeweled Eyes’ power too?

Just as his mind began to clear, Nerys lowered her lashes with a troubled look.

“The truth is… I’m always worried, Brother. With such an unimaginable power, what if the people I love don’t believe me? What if they think I’m using my ability when I’m not?”

“There’s no need to think that way.”

Nellusion quickly dismissed the thought.

“You said only once a day. And I know you’re not the type to abuse such a power.”

“But if someone I truly care for didn’t believe me…”

“Don’t worry. Anyone who loves you will know how kind and honest you are.”

‘Anyone who loves you.’

Cunningly, he added that condition. Nerys smiled inwardly and, at last… yes, the very words she had once been ordered to make others say, she now spoke to him.

“Thank you. Brother… do you believe me? More than anyone, I would never want to use this power on you. I want you to understand my true feelings.”

It was no longer a meaningful question.

With a dazed expression, Nellusion nodded, feeling almost dizzy as he stared into her eyes, violet darkening toward the pupils.

“I believe you.”

Pure, upright Nerys. Truly noble in blood.

Capable of anything, yet unwilling to use her ability on the “brother” who had cared for her since childhood.

You will bring me so much.

If you bring enough—if you prove your worth—I will give you the treatment you deserve.

❖ ❖ ❖

After hearing the details of the murder case, Nellusion offered Nerys a few empty reassurances. He then ordered that she be given a fine bedroom and went off to work.

The maid he had chosen was named Alice—likely competent enough to act as eyes and ears, though perhaps not as skilled as Dora. Nerys deliberately gushed over the room, saying she had never stayed in such a fine one, and even toured the balcony like a country girl.

Then, claiming she was still tired from the journey, she sent Alice away.

A short while later, Dora slipped quietly into the room.

“Impressive.”

Nerys meant it. Dora lowered her eyes, looking embarrassed.

“It’s thanks to your quick thinking, my lady. This will make it easier to move freely.”

Since she would be staying in the Elandria mansion for a while, either Nellusion or the Duke would assign her someone to control her. If she insisted on keeping Dora as her maid, both of them would be restricted.

So Nerys had made sure to draw their attention away from Dora entirely. It was risky—Dora might have been barred from the mansion altogether—but Nerys trusted the skill Dora had shown when she took down three Silver Moon members in an instant.

“What about your movements? Nellusion will want to know where you went after being thrown out.”

“I made it look like I’m staying at an inn nearby. Disappearing suddenly or giving up too easily would seem suspicious.”

“And where will you actually stay?”

“Close to you, my lady.”

Meaning she would remain hidden somewhere within the grounds, whether in the stables or on a rooftop, staying out of sight throughout Nerys’s stay.

“Will you be all right? You’ll be uncomfortable. And what about when you were kicked earlier?”

“I bent with the blow to lessen the impact. I’ve trained to complete missions in far harsher conditions. Don’t worry, my lady.”

“All right. Thank you. Be careful.”

Valentin was likely not at home now. According to Nellusion, she was spending the winter break at the mansion, but if she had been there at this moment, she would certainly have sought Nerys out already.

Noble society in Pellena was always busy; perhaps she was off visiting a friend.

Smiling to herself, Nerys looked forward to the moment they would meet again.