Chapter 52

Nerys’ mind was boiling.

On the way to the student council room, she had gone over dozens of excuses to tell Abelus and Nellusion.

But all of those thoughts had been based on the assumption that Natasha had planted the test papers under her bed. The problem was, there was no reason for Natasha to want her expelled.

Besides, Nerys had already experienced it in her past life—Natasha preferred immediate, thoughtless action. She wasn’t the type to set up a roundabout trap like this.

So what was the real purpose of planting the test papers? Had Abelus caught on to something? Was this connected to Nellusion?

None of the theories she considered fit perfectly.

But just now, when she saw a familiar face kindly supporting Aidalia, everything clicked into place.

It was Aidalia.

She was the one who had planted the test papers in Nerys’ room.

Just like in her past life—when she had cooperated with Eustace to betray Nerys and sell her off.

Natasha had probably known about her younger sister’s schemes at the time of the kidnapping incident. But now, Nerys was certain that Natasha’s involvement had been much less than she had previously assumed.

Aidalia, on the other hand, had taken a much more active role.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have lent out a personal attendant she had been with since childhood.

Now, the only ones left in the student council room were Abelus, Nellusion, and Nerys. She could see Abelus’ thoughts as if they were written on his face.

Right now, that crude mind of his was working through whatever evidence he had, trying to figure out if Nerys was the one who had helped Cledwyn escape last night.

He was probably weighing the possibility of the Elandria family’s betrayal as well.

And, of course, he was still considering the possibility that Nerys was actually the test paper thief.

I can’t let them suspect me.

Not yet.

Nerys put on an expression of mild distress—the kind of look a first-year, lower-ranking noble girl might have when confronted by the crown prince.

“It’s unfortunate that there was a theft, Your Highness. But why am I being accused? I never went near any professor’s office last night, so I’m quite shocked by this.”

Abelus’ eyes flickered briefly. Nellusion spoke instead.

“I heard that every other first-year was in class last night.”

That was the most direct hint he could give. Nerys immediately understood that Nellusion wasn’t seriously suspecting her. That, at least, was fortunate.

Judging by the way the student council members had been disheveled and hurriedly gathered in the morning, the theft had only been discovered at dawn at the earliest.

Sir Sheridan had likely been in his office until leaving for the social studies exam rehearsal last night. Which meant the theft could have happened at any point after that until this morning.

Yet they were specifically focusing on the evening hours—meaning the only real evidence they had was her absence from class.

That made things easier. If she could construct a reasonable enough story, Nellusion would handle finding another suspect himself.

And the best way to eliminate Abelus’ suspicions about the Elandria family’s involvement was to completely clear Nerys of guilt.

Abelus continued,

“The stolen documents were clearly first-year assessment materials. That means the thief was likely a first-year. And among them, you were the only one absent last night.”

Nerys put on an expression of deep bewilderment.

“But… I didn’t steal anything. I swear.”

“Really? Then what were you doing last night?”

“As I said, I was in my room. I had a terrible headache.”

“Lies.”

“Why do you think I’m lying?”

“You went all the way to class and then turned back just because of a headache?”

“Huh? I never made it to class. I got lost in the neighboring building. Natasha senior was kind enough to help me find the right one, but by the time I did, my headache got worse. But, Your Highness… how did you know I was near the classroom?”

Abelus paused, considering whether there was a hidden trap in her words. Nellusion took the opportunity to fill the silence.

“You met Joseph last night, didn’t you? He told us. You said you had a headache—so did you visit the infirmary?”

The academy had an on-site physician for emergencies, given that it was a school for young nobles.

“I wanted to, but curfew had already passed…”

There was no evidence to back up her claim. Abelus’ expression grew darker.

“Listen, Lady Truydd. If you keep giving weak excuses like this, even Nellusion won’t be able to protect you. You’re the only suspect. If you can’t prove otherwise, you’ll be expelled.”

Nerys stayed silent.

Abelus was on the verge of solidifying his suspicion into certainty.

Then—

“…Actually, my period started suddenly. That’s why I couldn’t go to class and had to return to my room.”

The student council room fell silent.

Nellusion looked slightly shocked, while Abelus raised an eyebrow.

Considering that these two had only ever interacted with elegant, refined noblewomen, Nerys could probably count on one hand how many times they had ever heard the word period spoken aloud.

She could even bet on it.

There was a reason she had chosen this particular excuse.

A headache left no evidence.

But a period?

That was something she could manufacture evidence for.

Last night, she had smeared the bloody clothes she had entered her room in onto a cheap set of undergarments, then disposed of the real clothes she had worn.

After that, she had lounged in her room as if nothing had happened—until Abelus’ knights had come to drag her here.

Nerys let out a small sigh, feigning mortification. Then she waited patiently for one of the two men to break the silence.

After a long pause, they exchanged glances.

Nellusion hesitantly asked—

“Uh, um… Nerys, you do realize… that doesn’t really prove where you were, right…?”

“Yes. I didn’t want to say something embarrassing, so I just said I had a headache… But if you’d like, you can search my room. I really don’t understand why I would need to steal those assessment papers… I swear, they’re not there.”

It wasn’t so much that her explanation was convincing—it was the way she acted around Nellusion that made Abelus’ suspicion waver. That… looked like someone who truly had no idea what was going on.

Besides, Nellusion wasn’t an idiot. It made no sense for him to save Cledwyn when killing him would have benefited him more.

Abelus found himself losing interest. He waved a hand dismissively, inwardly cursing that monster Cledwyn.

“Enough. They’re searching your room as we speak, so stay put.”

“Yes. Oh, and…”

“What now?”

Abelus’ voice was heavy with irritation, despite being the one who had started this interrogation in the first place.

Nellusion, recognizing that Abelus’ suspicion toward the Elandria family had faded, felt relieved.

Nerys was too valuable to be expelled over some petty setup. And their family could not afford to draw suspicion from the imperial family.

“Why were Megara and Aidalia here so early in the morning? They were still in their nightgowns…”

“Didn’t you hear? They were witnesses.”

“Did Your Highness summon them to ask who was missing from class last night?”

“No. They came on their own.”

Seeing Nerys’ faintly displeased expression, Nellusion immediately understood what she was getting at. Before he could speak, there was a knock at the door.

“Your Highness, we have completed the search of Nerys Truydd’s room.”

“Come in.”

The discussion that shouldn’t be heard by the student council was over. Abelus, still groggy from lack of sleep, yawned and spoke lazily.

The door opened, and Abelus’ attendant entered. Unlike the student council members, who had been raised in noble comfort, this man was a trained knight of the imperial family—someone who actually knew how to conduct a search.

The attendant entered, bowed properly, and reported,

“There was nothing.”

Nothing.

That meant not only were the missing test papers absent, but also that there was no evidence linking Nerys Truydd to Cledwyn Maindulante or any other noble house in a suspicious manner.

Abelus’ suspicions completely dissolved.

Now, he was just irritated that he had no leads on the real test paper thief.

Would he have to round up every suspect and search them one by one?

“Leave.”

Abelus flicked a hand dismissively. Nerys curtsied and exited the student council room.

Megara, standing just outside, shot her a cold glare as she walked out with a composed stride.

Why is she acting so confident?

Did Simon hide the test papers too well?

Or had that sly little fox already found and disposed of them this morning?

But how? The papers had been hidden so carefully—there was no way she could have found them unless she had already suspected something was there and thoroughly searched her room in advance.

Nerys met Megara’s gaze and stopped in her tracks.

“Megara, I heard you came here early this morning to give an important testimony?”

“That’s right. You’re not blaming me, are you? Having a thief among us is a serious problem. I just told them what I knew so they could catch the culprit as soon as possible. Still, you must be happy—you even got to have a conversation with the crown prince.”

With the student council members watching, Megara maintained her usual perfectly refined demeanor.

Nerys nodded with a look of agreement.

“You’re right. You really are an exemplary student, Megara.”

There was no trace of mockery in her tone.

But Megara felt insulted nonetheless.

This lowly girl! She wasn’t even supposed to be here in the first place!

How did she escape?

Was the student council really so incompetent that they couldn’t even search a tiny dorm room properly?

Aidalia, catching Megara’s subtle glare, felt a wave of unease. But she had no choice—there was no turning back now. Disobeying Megara at this point would only make things worse.

“Um, Nerys… are you okay? Are things settled now?”

She spoke in a tone of deep concern.

Nerys narrowed her eyes slightly, then smiled at her meaningfully.

Aidalia flinched.

She had never received such a warm look from Nerys before.

“I’m fine. Thanks for worrying about me, Aidalia. You’re really kind. And since you were so concerned, everything worked out. You don’t need to worry anymore.”

“Ah…”

Aidalia struggled to respond.

“Alright, kids,” Natasha interjected impatiently, as the three first-years remained at the entrance.

“Move along. The seniors are busy.”

“Apologies, senior. You helped me last night, and I still ended up missing class… It must have caused so much trouble for you.”

The real trouble had been caused by the thief, but Nerys feigned a naïve, apologetic look.

Natasha hesitated.

The phrase last night dug up an uncomfortable thought.

She had been unable to sleep because of what that arrogant little first-year had said to her.

The girl had spoken far too boldly about matters of noble marriage.

She was just the daughter of a low-ranking knight—how dare she run her mouth about the affairs of high nobles?

And yet…

She had made a valid point.

Would Megara really be so arrogant as to overstep her bounds?

Megara, unaware of Natasha’s doubts, was too busy analyzing Nerys’ words to Aidalia.

Nerys and Aidalia barely acknowledged each other’s existence under normal circumstances. So why was Nerys suddenly being friendly?

And everything worked out thanks to Aidalia’s concern?

Megara’s suspicions solidified.

That two-faced snake—did she already figure it out?

Inside the student council room, Abelus’ voice rang out.

“Lady Megara, Lady Kendall. Come in for a moment.”

Both Megara and Aidalia stiffened slightly.

Megara barely let her expression change.

Aidalia, however, was visibly tense.

As Megara stepped into the room, Nerys smiled kindly and spoke from behind her.

“Well, at least your early morning trip wasn’t wasted, Megara. Must be nice, getting to talk with the crown prince.”