Chapter 208
Nerys walked through the imperial palace, which was blanketed in the vivid blossoms of late spring, without much emotion.
The vast gardens, which would take days to fully explore, were majestic, and the grand buildings bore the blood and sweat of artisans across generations. But to her, it was merely the site of a dreadful past.
And now, it was supposed to be a place that no longer concerned her. Hopefully forever.
“Nerys.”
Just then, Nellusion, emerging from the audience chamber, spotted her and approached with a delighted expression.
The last time Nerys had seen his face was when she had climbed into a carriage to escape his grasp. The frenzy in Nellusion’s face back then had now returned to the kindness and gentleness she once knew.
But those eyes.
Nerys found his sky-blue eyes chilling. Cold and sinister like a serpent before its prey.
She didn’t want to exchange words with Nellusion. Cledwyn stepped forward first, his expression stern as he rebuked him.
“My wife is not someone you can casually address, young duke.”
“I’m a duke now, Grand Duke. The funeral was this morning.”
Just a few days prior, the House of Elandria had announced the sudden death of the duke. Due to the family’s circumstances, they stated that after three days of quiet mourning, the young duke, Nellusion Elandria, would immediately succeed the title.
Though Talfrin had successfully rescued the duke from his son’s hands and hidden him safely, Nerys intended to let that foolish lie stand for now. She was waiting for the perfect moment—when the truth would hurt Nellusion the most.
Despite faking his father’s death, Nellusion proudly spoke of inheriting the title, which Nerys found revolting. She shot him a sidelong glance, and when their eyes met, Nellusion beamed as though genuinely happy. Cledwyn, clearly displeased, subtly moved to block his wife from Nellusion’s view.
“So what if you’re a duke? As far as I remember, there’s no court protocol that allows a duke to speak freely with the Grand Duchess.”
“Close acquaintances needn’t be so bound by minor formalities.”
“My wife was never close with you, Duke. If you believed otherwise, you’ve got quite the imagination.”
“Anyone in society knows Nerys is from our house. You can deny reality all you want.”
“What others say doesn’t make lies into truth. And now, isn’t she part of my house?”
Finishing his words, Cledwyn deliberately wrapped an arm around Nerys’s shoulder. Nellusion’s expression twisted momentarily, as if glass had cracked.
But that brazen face quickly recovered into an unreadable smile.
“If that’s what Your Grace believes. I won’t disturb you further.”
“That’s the most agreeable thing you’ve said today.”
The two men exchanged one last murderous glare before falling silent.
Nellusion offered a perfunctory nod to Cledwyn and a friendlier one to Nerys, then walked off down the corridor. Nerys chided her husband gently.
“You didn’t need to bother. He’s not worth your time.”
“If you ignore someone like him, he’ll keep climbing up, and then he’ll be even more of a nuisance.”
Indeed, Nellusion was the type to adjust his behavior based on the reaction he received. That was what happened when someone had no principles or integrity. Nerys nodded in agreement.
When the two arrived before the audience chamber, a chamberlain politely opened the door. Reaching the far end, the Grand Duke and Duchess paid their respects to the Emperor and Empress.
“You’re here.”
The Emperor’s tone was disinterested. Nerys responded,
“Yes, Your Majesty. As we’ll soon be returning to Maindulante, we came to offer our formal farewells.”
“You didn’t need to go out of your way.”
His curt reply was hardly surprising.
In her previous life, her father-in-law had been much like Abelus—simple and lazy. Not entirely incompetent, but nowhere near as capable as his eldest daughter. So Nerys hadn’t spared even half the attention on the Emperor that she had on Camille.
But he never once looked her in the eyes. Not during their first audience, nor now.
So, how much did the Imperial Family know? Nerys smiled faintly.
“How could I not? As a servant of the Imperial Family, it is only proper to show respect… I sincerely pray for Your Majesties’ continued health and wellbeing after our departure.”
That way, the guilt of silently consenting while your daughter tried to kill your daughter-in-law won’t come to haunt you in this life.
❖ ❖ ❖
Today, too, the Grand Duke’s splendid estate was filled with those regarded as the most fashionable in the capital.
Walls the color of robin’s eggs, large windows adorned with expensive glass, and just the right number of chairs arranged at respectful distances in the drawing room.
The Grand Ducal couple rarely visited the capital, and yet they seemed to understand the local aesthetic preferences as if they’d lived here for years. Even the sweets and wines they served were impeccably tasteful.
Of course, as with anyone in the spotlight, there were critics. Especially those who loved to gossip claimed that the Grand Ducal couple were “monsters” from “lowborn stock” and could never fit in with great nobles or royals.
But even the loudest of them had no choice but to hold their tongues today.
Madam Moriah had casually dropped by the estate as if on a whim. She walked through the gardens arm in arm with the Grand Duchess, unconcerned about onlookers.
The young Grand Duchess showed no sign of discomfort and linked arms just as naturally. It was a scene that even longtime capital residents had never witnessed before.
The world was awash in spring—white apple blossoms and floral scents everywhere. Nerys walked a smooth, even path to keep Madam Moriah comfortable and spoke serenely.
“When we return North, I hope you’ll take charge of the social scene, Madam.”
“Impudent girl. Am I so old that I should be left behind to manage the leftovers you abandon?”
Despite her words, the Madam didn’t seem displeased. Nerys answered without missing a beat.
“Wherever people gather, power follows. And there are always those who covet that power. If someone misuses it, things could get dangerous.”
“Then maybe don’t gather them in the first place.”
Their manner of speaking hadn’t changed since before Nerys became the Grand Duchess. Both acted as if this kind of exchange was normal—as though they had always been close.
Nerys smiled.
“They’re useful. You never know when something trivial might become a great help.”
“I’ve heard your little chicks have been causing a stir here and there. So you want me to look after them? Do I seem that bored to you?”
Everyone Nerys had supported had either been celebrated talents in her past life or had the potential to become one if not for certain unfortunate circumstances. So it was only natural that, given the chance, they would stand out enough to be called “a stir.”
The problem now was that they were *her* people, and in her absence, they’d become easy targets for her enemies.
‘Madam might be targeted, too.’
The MacKinnon siblings had nearly died. Madam, who rarely left her home and was already older, could be exploited at any time.
Nerys wanted someone by the Madam’s side. Someone who could run to her aid if anything happened.
Though unaware of the exact reason, Madam could guess her intent. She clicked her tongue.
“Don’t talk nonsense. Everyone flatters me with empty words, but a royal without Jeweled Eyes is only a half-blood. I can’t care for your chicks, nor can I use them. If you can’t trust Camille or Abelus, then hand them over to young Izet instead.”
“But Princess Izet doesn’t have Jeweled Eyes either, does she?”
It was no ordinary thing for a royal to call herself a “half-blood,” and even more unusual for someone to agree without any polite denial. Madam burst into rare, hearty laughter.
“Still, she’s young. She’ll have more energy than me. And maybe, if she has influence, she won’t end up like I did.”
Then, her laughter faded, and bitterness clouded her face.
“You’re a clever child. I’m sure you’ve guessed by now that royals without navy-blue eyes will never awaken Jeweled Eyes, no matter how long they wait. The royals are all descendants of the Heroes and are said to be healthy, but those without Jeweled Eyes get sick like everyone else. The Imperial Family will never admit it because of their precious pride.”
Nerys had suspected it as well—that the so-called “royal health” might actually come from the abilities tied to the navy-blue Jeweled Eyes. And she understood why the Imperial Family couldn’t admit it.
Of course they couldn’t. The foundation of their legitimacy lay in the legend of the Three Heroes.
The Imperial Family had to remain mysterious and divine. It would be unacceptable if the Hero Bistor’s traits manifested in some heirs and not others purely by genetic chance.
Madam gazed into Nerys’s eyes for a moment. Her wrinkled face wore a look of distant longing.
“Even though it’s not written in the legal code, every emperor in history has had Jeweled Eyes. People like Izet and me… we’re just tools meant to enhance the glory of the Imperial Family. Once a suitable match appears, she’ll be married off, same as I was. Then she won’t even be treated like royalty anymore.”
In her previous life, Madam had never spoken so openly.
“But you’re respected as a royal elder, Madam.”
“I was lucky. My husband died early. And there wasn’t some shameless man trying to seize his estate. If even one of those things hadn’t gone in my favor, where do you think I’d be now?”
It was the first time Nerys had ever heard about Madam Moriah’s younger days. In her previous life, perhaps the Madam had held back out of consideration for Nerys’s position as Crown Princess.
The Madam continued bitterly.
“My birth family was just for show. I hated the Imperial Family. Hated their selfish arrogance. They never even treated me like a person. They even tried to take the inheritance my husband left me. Of course, I refused to give them a single coin, and that’s why I live in peace now.”
Listening quietly, Nerys spoke in disbelief.
“And yet you gave something like that to my husband? Even knowing his sister would take it from him?”
“What are you talking about? When did I ever?”
What could Madam possibly have given the Grand Duke? And what sister-in-law? Everyone in high society knew he was an only child.
Madam blinked in confusion, wondering what nonsense the girl was spouting.
Sunlight filtered through the white petals, casting dappled shadows across Nerys’s composed face. Had she been smiling gently, she might have seemed like an ancient and mystical being, not a person.
But what emerged on her face was a faint trace of terror. Confusion. Madam, who had always found this bold, amusing girl so fascinating, had never seen her look like this.
Moments later, Nerys narrowed her eyes and placed a hand on her forehead. Her lips parted slightly, trembling.
“Something far too… too precious… given to those who don’t even know its worth… Aunt, you were right… they…”
Madam couldn’t understand a word. But seeing Nerys grow paler, she began to worry.
“Are you mistaken? I’m not your aunt. Grand Duchess? Grand Duchess?”
Grand Duchess? Who was that again? Nerys blankly wondered. Who was this place? Who was she?
Her memories crashed over her all at once, a flood of jumbled images. Ah, yes. She was the Grand Duchess. But that was strange. How could she be the Grand Duchess if she was also the Crown Princess?
Her body lost strength. Dizzy and stumbling, Nerys felt someone catch her, but she didn’t have the energy to look up and see who it was.
Just before she lost consciousness, the last thing she saw was a pair of gray eyes.