Chapter 70
“Yes, brother Nell.”
Nellusion first studied Nerys’s expression.
He still didn’t know the full truth of what had happened in the lakeside storage house. He had separately questioned Isabelle and Delma, but Isabelle claimed ignorance, and Delma insisted it was all Nerys’s fault.
From how upset Valentin had been, it was clear something hadn’t gone her way—but… it didn’t seem likely that Nerys had been the cause.
Valentin had even gone so far as to arrange an alibi before heading out. It was obvious who initiated the meeting.
Of course, just because one side started it didn’t mean the other had free rein to retaliate. The Elandria family was meant to be revered.
But right now, wasn’t something else even more important?
‘Clever Nerys.’
That phrase left something out.
‘Just clever enough’ Nerys.
She did well in school, but was naïve enough to get targeted from every direction. What a convenient combination.
Nellusion had plans to one day place Valentin by Abelus’s side. The more allies he had for that, the better.
Granted, that would be a matter for the far future—something to be handled only after fulfilling the deepest secrets of the family, and it would be delicate enough to risk serious consequences if mishandled.
‘Sending a hostage to the Imperial Family ahead of time wouldn’t be a bad idea.’
To give them peace of mind, it would be wise to offer what looked like a solid alliance at the right time—something like a marriage proposal.
Of course, even if Nerys possessed Ja’an, it wasn’t enough to make her crown princess material. That’s why she wasn’t fit to replace Natasha as a proper political pawn.
Still, Nellusion had to explore various possibilities. For the sake of the family—and for his own ambition.
Valentin could only marry once everything was over. Until then, the Elandria family had to hide their ambitions to break away and become a royal house themselves.
So if Valentin interfered in that plan, it would be troublesome.
“I heard Valentin treated you very rudely last time. Are you alright?”
That’s why Nellusion carefully chose his words. At his kind tone, Nerys smiled bashfully.
That gentle look, so unlike Valentin, made Nellusion feel a twinge of regret again. If only Valentin had even half her poise, how much easier things would be.
“It wasn’t anything serious. Actually, I was so startled that day I just left Valentin there… Is she alright?”
‘Just left her’—more like locked her in. Hadn’t she done it on purpose? Nellusion gave a tight-lipped smile.
“She’s spoiled because we’ve all doted on her too much. She’s being sulky, but she’s fine. So, what really happened that day?”
Nerys widened her eyes.
“She didn’t tell you?”
“She did, but she doesn’t explain things as clearly as you do. And with matters like this, you always need to hear both sides.”
“You’re so fair, brother Nell.”
So fair that he was calmly asking for the full story from someone who’d supposedly locked his sister in an empty storage building.
In her past life, Nerys had been tormented without him ever showing much interest. Now, she laughed at his concern internally.
Nellusion, taking her words at face value, gave a smile bright enough to dazzle.
“You’re my sister too. So… Valentin was the one who called you out first, right? I can guess that much. What did she say?”
“Um…”
Nerys hesitated with an uncomfortable expression. Nellusion patiently coaxed her.
“You can be honest. I won’t tell Valentin. I need to know how much she did wrong to apologize to you properly.”
“Why would you apologize, brother?”
Nerys’s voice dropped into a murmur. In Nellusion’s mind, doubt turned into certainty.
Of course. There was no way Nerys would lock Valentin in a storage room on purpose.
“I raised my sister poorly. Tell me. Valentin bullied you, didn’t she?”
Nerys lifted her gaze and met Nellusion’s eyes.
Her trembling pupils, the slight sheen of tears, and the pale color of her face as if she were remembering something terrifying—Nellusion believed he’d guessed right.
“…I don’t want to talk about the details, brother Nell. It’s in the past… and I think… Valentin wants to apologize first.”
Valentin wants to apologize? Nellusion tilted his head, surprised.
“Valentin? Did she come to you and say that?”
“Not yet. But… honestly, she and I are in different positions. She’s younger too. I can understand how it might be hard for her to bow her head first.”
By the time she finished speaking, Nerys’s voice was trembling just like her eyes.
But she quickly blinked away the tears and forced a bright smile. The sight was so pitiful it made one’s heart ache.
“Brother, actually… Valentin sent me a party invitation. Isabelle said she wanted me to help welcome guests with her. Here, take a look. I just got it.”
A party invitation…? She wants to welcome guests together?
The words sounded so unlike his sister that Nellusion felt briefly confused.
But as he opened the invitation Nerys handed him shyly, everything became crystal clear.
The beautiful handwriting and expensive ink. The high-grade paper that was unmistakably part of the recent bulk order from his sister.
And the fake seal stamped next to the signature.
Since Valentin had announced it would be “a special party for only the highest nobility,” the invitation inspections would be strict. Nellusion could already envision what would happen on the day of the party.
He could already see his sister’s triumphant face as she kicked Nerys out in front of the excited crowd like it was some grand accomplishment.
“This is…”
Yes, it would’ve been better if Valentin had truly been plotting Nerys’s total downfall.
At least that would mean his sister was smarter than he thought. If that had been the case, Nellusion would have tried to guide Valentin properly.
But this? Such a petty scheme? And one that accomplished absolutely nothing?
For the first time in a long while, Nellusion was angry.
He had been so clear with his instructions, and yet his sister was on the verge of ruining everything for a brief moment of satisfaction.
If things had gone according to plan, then the message spread among the school’s most “important” students would’ve been that House Elandria didn’t value Nerys Truydd at all.
And if that had happened, using Nerys later as a piece in a political marriage would have become difficult.
For a brief moment, the gentle, warm mask that Nellusion had carefully crafted threatened to shatter completely. He caught himself just in time and quickly composed his expression.
But Nerys, who had known Nellusion for a long time, didn’t miss that flicker of tension.
She quickly put on her most innocent face and asked,
“Yes, brother. What about it?”
“Hm? Oh, nothing. Nerys, who gave this to you?”
“It must’ve been Valentin. Isabelle delivered it. She said Valentin insisted I come. Brother, is Isabelle very close with Valentin? The way she talks, she always seems to know exactly what Valentin wants to say to me.”
As she said this, Nerys felt a satisfying chill run through her chest.
Yes, she gave it to me—your Isabelle.
Should I tell you what else she’s done?
The moment Nerys had truly wanted to tell him everything, he hadn’t cared at all.
‘Isabelle keeps comparing Nerys to Valentin and complains about having to serve her instead.’
From Nerys’s tone and the expression she barely hid, Nellusion picked up on the implication.
Now he finally made his decision.
He was sharp enough to know his choice would cause that impudent maid to suffer—but it couldn’t be helped.
The benefits of maintaining peace within the family outweighed the value of a mere servant.
“I see, Nerys. Valentin and Isabelle aren’t that close. But if she made you feel that way, then it’s my mistake for choosing the wrong maid. I’ll make sure Isabelle doesn’t bother you again.”
That was exactly what Nerys had wanted. She smiled, feigning relief.
“Yes, brother. I’m sorry… since you sent her to help me.”
So long, Isabelle. I won’t be seeing you again.
* * *
“Valentin Elandria.”
Returning to the dorms in the late afternoon, feigning exhaustion after class, Valentin was startled by the cold face waiting to greet her—Nellusion.
She immediately turned to Delma. Was there something they missed?
Delma, who had been Valentin’s wet nurse as a child and now served as her closest maid, knew everything about her. But even she looked flustered and shook her head.
Nellusion showing such a furious expression was rare. Even Delma, who had watched him since childhood, could count the number of times on one hand.
Their confusion was soon answered. Nellusion sat Valentin down in the parlor and dismissed every other servant. Then, in a cold voice, he spoke.
“You played a foolish prank with Nerys’s invitation, didn’t you?”
Valentin’s stunned face showed a flicker of guilt.
The invitation she sent Nerys was identical to the real ones, save for the fake seal. There was no reason for Nerys to doubt it.
Of course, if Nerys happened to know what her personal seal looked like, that would be a different story—but that was impossible, wasn’t it?
Valentin had created her seal by mixing the crest of the Elandria family with the emblem from the castle she received as a school entrance gift.
So the seal was brand new, and this was the first time she’d even used it!
Why had she been found out?
As Valentin desperately tried to figure it out, Nellusion spoke icily.
“You don’t need to think about how I found out, Valen. What matters is that you’ve disobeyed my orders again.”
She had intended to argue, but it wasn’t his words that silenced her—it was his tone.
He was truly angry. And all because of that wretched girl, Nerys.
Nellusion pronounced every word clearly, as if delivering a verdict.
“This is your warning, Valentin Elandria. In any form, to any extent, do not lay a hand on Nerys. I say this for the sake of our family, but also for your own good. This is not an empty threat. If you can’t follow it, then give up on this party.”
At those final words, Valentin’s mind burned with rage.
How could her brother say such a thing to her?
Give up the party? The invitations had already been sent out. The RSVPs had come back. How could she endure such humiliation?!
No matter what she had done in the past, her brother always ended up taking her side and cleaning up the mess afterward.
That was part of the reason why Valentin had never felt the need to bow to anyone—not even once.
She was someone who would become the most precious figure in the empire. She already belonged to one of the most noble houses!
And now, because of some lowborn girl of questionable lineage, she had to hear this from her own brother?
Valentin trembled in fury but didn’t dare open her mouth. Nellusion looked down at her with a cold gaze. He wasn’t finished.
“If it weren’t for Isabelle, who actually understands what it means to serve her master, I would’ve found out too late to fix anything. Be grateful—I’ve spared a valuable asset for your future.”
Delma and Valentin had the exact same thought.
There was no way Nerys figured out on her own that the invitation was fake. And that stupid girl would never bring it to Nellusion herself.
That meant a third party had informed him of the forgery.
And who else could it be, especially now that Nellusion had practically said her name out loud?
When the fake invitation was being planned, only Valentin, Delma, and one other person had been present.
As Nellusion left the room coldly, Valentin ground her teeth and gave the order.
“Bring her here.”
“Yes, miss.”
Delma’s face twisted with barely contained fury. Soon, at her instruction, a servant dragged Isabelle in roughly.
