Chapter 60

Valentin didn’t immediately recognize the impudent blonde girl who dared approach and call her brother so familiarly.

That pale platinum blonde hair. Those violet eyes, disturbingly identical to the portrait hanging in the gallery of their family’s estate.

Her physical features made it clear who she was, but the Nerys Truydd that existed in Valentin’s mind shouldn’t have looked like that.

She shouldn’t have looked so poised and graceful.

When Valentin had seen her last spring, Nerys had been nothing short of contemptible.

She hadn’t even known basic manners, was painfully skinny, and dressed in shabby clothes. Well, what else could one expect from the daughter of some low-ranking knight whose name no one knew?

But somehow, in the span of a year, she had transformed beyond recognition.

Was it because she’d learned etiquette at school? Ha—so not only had she shamelessly forced her way into a noble academy, now she was pretending to be a noble too?

Technically speaking, Nerys was a noble. And the refinement she now displayed wasn’t something one could pick up from lower-year academy lessons.

Still, Valentin was never one to think deeply, and she didn’t need a reason to be harsh with someone she didn’t like.

That was why Valentin had no trouble realizing one simple truth: she really, really hated Nerys Truydd.

“Nerys Truydd?”

Valentin narrowed her eyes as she looked at Nerys, who was about the same height as she was.

Standing next to Nellusion, Nerys gave a polite bow to both Abelus and Nellusion before replying to Valentin.

“At school, it’s proper to address upperclassmen as ‘senior,’ Miss Elandria.”

Miss Elandria.

There wasn’t the slightest hint of reverence in the way Nerys said ‘Elandria’—none of the awe people usually carried when pronouncing that name.

Valentin’s face turned bright red.

“How dare you…”

Who did she think she was, quoting the rules at her?

Just as Valentin was about to snap like she would back at home, Nellusion stepped in with a gentle smile to stop his sister from making a scene.

“Nerys is right, Valen. What kind of way is that to speak to your senior? Didn’t I say that everyone has to follow the school rules? Do you want to put me in an awkward position?”

The rules were set by the student council. If Valentin openly defied them in front of the Crown Prince, even Nellusion’s position could be jeopardized.

Besides, what good would it do for Valentin to give the impression of being reckless to this gathering of young noble boys? Especially in front of Abelus.

With that calculation in mind, Nellusion quickly spoke. Valentin glanced at him, then closed her mouth. She soon adopted a face of innocent charm that matched her youthful features.

“I actually met senior Nerys once before last year, so I accidentally called her by name. You remember me, don’t you, senior?”

What she really meant was, ‘You came to my house to beg for money, remember?’ The only ones who would understand the implication were the three of them—Nellusion, Valentin, and Nerys.

Maybe she’d finally learned her place. Thinking that, Valentin smiled brightly at Nerys. To anyone unaware of the situation, she appeared completely innocent.

Nellusion felt uneasy. He had hoped Nerys wouldn’t hold a grudge against the family.

And yet, despite clearly warning her before the term began, Valentin was already acting like this. Nellusion had a sinking feeling she would cause a headache.

Nerys met Valentin’s intense stare with an unfazed gaze and returned a soft, mature smile that looked like it had been painted on.

“Yes, I remember. You’re still as cute as ever, Miss Elandria.”

It was a simple compliment, yet it still irritated Valentin.

Though she wasn’t exactly known for her intelligence, that was only because she was constantly surrounded by people who were far too clever.

She had an average sense of awareness and thinking, which was enough to tell when someone was looking down on her.

And this little ‘beggar girl’ was definitely looking down on her.

Valentin didn’t even know what exactly triggered the feeling. Was it the tone? Her posture? Her eyes?

On the surface, Nerys’s reply had been flawless. So why did it feel so infuriating? And…

If such a thing could be described—chilling?

Worried that Valentin might say something foolish again in the hallway, Nellusion decided to fill the silence with conversation. In a kind voice, he turned to Nerys.

“Nerys, you call me brother too. Why don’t you call Valen by her name? She’s always wanted an older sister. I think someone like you would be a great influence.”

Older sister, really? Valentin instantly forgot her previous train of thought and recoiled at the idea. But before she could protest, Delma whispered softly behind her.

“Truly, the young master is exactly right, my lady.”

“What?”

Valentin was just about to ask if she’d lost her mind when she caught sight of Nellusion’s face looking warmly at Nerys—and the amused expressions of the surrounding upperclassmen watching the scene unfold.

Valentin trusted Delma. More than anyone—more than her own blood relatives.

Unlike family, who sometimes said unnecessary things like ‘mind your manners’—just like Nellusion had earlier—Delma always put Valentin’s desires first.

“The young master is exactly right,” huh?

After calming the surge of emotion in her chest, a plan began forming in Valentin’s mind.

Yes. Delma was right. For now, she should do as Nellusion said.

Valentin smiled primly, exuding the composure befitting a highborn lady.

“Brother always treats me like a kid. Still, now that I think about it, he’s right. Feel free to call me by name, senior Nerys. We’re family, after all. Come visit our dorm often and have dinner with us.”

Until a moment ago, her behavior had seemed childish and arrogant, but now, with those words, the upperclassmen began to see her in a new light.

A likable girl—still just a child—who could admit fault and say something endearing.

Nellusion picked up on the shift in their attitudes and felt satisfied. Nerys, unfazed by Valentin’s overly familiar tone, replied calmly.

“Alright, thank you. You can call me sister too.”

Abelus had no interest in the Elandria family’s etiquette.

Even less so in the matter of how Nerys and Valentin addressed each other. When the conversation dragged on, he looked visibly bored and said,

“Sorry, but I’ve got something to take care of now. Miss Valentin, enjoy spending time with your brother. Focus on your classes and study hard.”

“Yes, Your Highness! Thank you for your kind words!”

Valentin replied cheerfully and sweetly to Abelus. He left Nellusion and headed off to his next class.

In fact, it was about time everyone moved on to their next lesson. Realizing this, Nellusion quickly turned to Nerys and spoke.

“Nerys, actually, there’s something I wanted to tell you. Of course, I should have asked for your permission first, but I was afraid it would make you feel awkward… so I made a decision on my own.”

“What is it, brother Nell?”

Nerys blinked in surprise. Nellusion couldn’t help but feel wistful at her calm and gentle demeanor, especially compared to his younger sister who had nearly embarrassed him a moment ago.

If only Valentin could be this well-mannered. Of course, in terms of real value, the two weren’t even comparable.

“You’re still young and managing school life on your own must be hard. So I wanted to send you a maid to help look after you.”

“A maid?”

Nerys looked troubled. She hesitated, as if unsure how to explain, and whispered,

“It’s just… there’s no bed for a maid in my room. It’s very small and there’s only one bed.”

Nellusion smiled reassuringly, as if he’d already thought of that.

“If that’s the issue, don’t worry. Isabelle will sleep in our dorm—mine and Valen’s—and she’ll assist you during the day.”

He had even considered switching Nerys to a bigger room. But spoiling her from the start wasn’t a good idea, so he’d dismissed that plan.

Living modestly most of the time, and occasionally tasting the life of high nobility only through him—how much sweeter would that make it for the little girl?

Valentin, who had been listening nearby, chimed in.

“That’s a good idea. Don’t refuse it, sister. What would people say if a member of House Elandria was living without even a maid?”

There was a faint trace of scorn in her final words, only noticeable to those standing close.

Nellusion didn’t scold her, understanding that she had meant to support the idea in her own way. Nerys finally smiled and bowed.

“Thank you, brother Nell.”

—

Isabelle.

Nellusion’s suggestion was easy to see through. Posing it as a gesture of kindness while slipping in someone loyal to him as a spy wasn’t exactly rare among nobles.

Nerys had fully intended to refuse, but the moment she heard that name, she changed her mind. There was no need to pass up a good opportunity.

It had been during her previous life—when she was first adopted into House Elandria.

She had the title of daughter, but even the lower maids were treated better than she was. And everyone knew it.

Some believed that not just watching the master’s mood, but fulfilling their desires in advance, was the mark of a clever servant. And so, some reached out to Nerys.

At first, it was just things like bringing her bathwater only after all the other servants had used it, leaving it cold.

Beaten down by prolonged isolation, Nerys had no idea how to ask for the treatment she was owed.

After one time fetching her own water from the well to wash, the water stopped coming altogether.

Late meals became no meals.

Torn clothes stopped being mended and simply vanished.

A fireplace low on logs became one with no fire at all.

Her life steadily worsened. Had Nellusion not one day wandered into her room and, even if just for appearance’s sake, asked what was going on, Nerys might have starved or frozen to death.

At the root of those arrogant acts by the servants were, of course, Valentin and the Duchess. But the one among them who had actively taken the lead in mistreating her was Isabelle—Nerys’s assigned maid.

Isabelle’s father had also been a low-ranking knight like Nerys’s, but due to financial reasons, she hadn’t been able to attend the academy. Isabelle, however, was ambitious.

She thought Nerys had simply gotten lucky—another lowborn knight’s daughter who’d been handed the life of a duke’s daughter. And she couldn’t stand it.

To gain favor with Valentin—and out of her own spite—Isabelle never missed a chance to make Nerys’s life miserable.

– “Tea? What tea? Do you even know how to drink tea? Just go get yourself some water or something. Don’t be such a bother.”

– “A hole in your dress? I don’t see one. Stop whining and wear it. It’s still better than the rags you wore when you came here.”

– “I heard you’re supposed to be smart, but I guess that was a lie. If you’re cold, say so. What, are you trying to make a scene in front of Young Master Nellusion by not having firewood?”

– “You know what people like us call someone who acts like that? Stupid. Don’t get mad—I didn’t say you were stupid, did I?”

The mockery of her background, the sneers, the gossip—Isabelle was so thorough that she eventually caught Valentin’s attention.

‘Yes… maybe…’

It was right after the day the Duchess’s jewel was found in Nerys’s room.

She’d carried the reputation of a thief at school for so long that no one believed her when she said she didn’t know how it got there.

The Duchess, claiming she’d break her bad habit, brought scissors and cut Nerys’s hair.

Just like with the gold coin incident in first year, Nerys didn’t know exactly who had planted the jewel. But she knew that it was around that time Isabelle started gaining Valentin’s favor.

The person who brought Nerys a comb after her hair was hacked off that first day wasn’t Isabelle—it was another maid.

And not long after, Isabelle could be seen attending to Valentin multiple times.

Isabelle needed to learn what it meant to serve a master properly. Even Valentin, whom she had so eagerly flattered, never acknowledged her loyalty.

She just called her the “dog she raised” until the day Nerys died.

So, if Nerys was to teach her a bit about how to serve a true master—what harm could there be in that?

(T/N: Hey guys, do you want me to use oppa, unnie or brother and sister? I used brother and sister since its more natural than oppa and unnie but I thought maybe some of you guys dont mind the korean terms? Please comment down below so I know what to do. Thanks!)