Kapitel 208: [Chapter 207] The one who is leaving, the one who is trying to hold on
"You got what you wanted."
As her husband's sudden words in the study room today, Neris raised her eyebrows while sitting in the chair.
"What is it?"
"Just a moment."
Tap, tap, tap. Like searching for something entrusted to him, Cladwin sat on the edge of the study desk and kissed his wife across it. Initially, the quick succession of kisses, as if he was cutely dying, gradually deepened.
After a while, when Neris's breath became so short that it almost stopped, he let her go. Although she was used to it by now, Neris sometimes felt suspicious. Every time it started like this, was he coming to kiss her?
Reading the thoughts that crossed her small face, Cladwin chuckled lightly.
"Whatever you're thinking, it's correct."
"Do you know what I'm thinking?"
"Oh, no. It's not about what you're thinking, but about wanting something more than that."
With a clear implication in his thick thumb, he lightly brushed her lips. Blushing, Neris asked,
"...So, what does it mean that I got what I wanted?"
"Here."
Cladwin, still sitting askew on the desk, took out a letter from his pocket. Neris took it and read it.
Her gaze moved horizontally several times before stopping at a certain point. She smiled satisfactorily."
"Nellucian and Megara have safely joined hands."
The letter Cladwin gave was a copy of the agreement between Megara and Nellucian. They would use each other as tools to manipulate Kamil out and control Abelus, pushing each other as necessary for the Prince's position, which they both agreed upon.
Megara would never see Valentin in her position. Kamil would continue to push Valentin as the next Prince Consort, having brought Nellucian this far.
Nellucian knew that the only bargaining chip he had against the current royal family was Valentin, so he would prolong the situation where the two women faced off as much as possible.
But eventually, that triangle would come to an end.
Neris smiled slyly.
"We should start preparing to leave."
The rest was left to fate.
***
Kamil was seething with anger. The loyal servants she had carefully placed throughout the political arena were being exposed and removed. And quickly!
"Scheming!"
At first glance, those who were directly exposed and lost their positions seemed to have no commonality. But Kamil knew. They were connected to the Ricciandros Viscount or Abelus.
Who was currently moving both of them at the same time?
Very discreetly, slowly, and safely, Kamil had her hand in various aspects of state affairs. Perhaps even the Emperor and Empress didn't know exactly how much influence she had. She avoided direct involvement as much as possible and utilized the nobles who followed her from behind.
She moved cautiously, so why?
How?
Kamil spat out the words with a sneer.
"I underestimated him too much. I thought of him as a young one who didn't even graduate from the Academy, but he knows more than most politicians. Moreover, his skill in manipulating my sister is exceptional."
Although Megara was behind everything, it was actually Abelus who was actively involved. Kamil couldn't quite understand.
Ricciandros Viscount is one thing. But is my brother a fool? Why is he rejecting this sister, who would have done so much for him throughout his life, to support the new government?
And how is Megara so quick to act on this abomination? Kamil's skill in pinpointing her people is impressive, but the ability to fill the void left by removing them and replace them with new individuals was not something a child who had ruled among his peers at the Academy could do.
'Is someone helping him?'
Kamil was seriously considering such suspicions.
"Shall we eliminate him before expanding his power?"
A subordinate asked in a hushed voice. Kamil shook her head vehemently.
"Tempting, but no. Abelus is emotionally weakened due to the breakup with Natasha. So, he quickly fell for that and it angers me too. It's just a rebellious phase. If we touch Abelus at this time, it's likely to make the situation worse for no reason."
She sharpened her analysis in frustration.
"What about the Grand Duchess? She's the real danger, so focus on bringing her down."
"The Grand Duchess's guards are too strict. We've been trying to infiltrate, but we get caught immediately, so there's no gain."
"Why is that damn brat such a monster!"
Kamil was angry at the subordinates who failed their mission. And she was even more furious at Cladwin Mainland, who blocked her carefully cultivated spies as if it were a joke. In fact, she was furious at everything in the world right now.
It was the first time since her childhood that Kamil felt so powerless. But who would have known that the one who achieved this feat was none other than the lowly government.
Kugung. The door of the secret chamber opened. A subordinate who was in charge of monitoring the Grand Duchess rushed in, bowed his head, and reported.
"Your Highness, it seems that the Grand Duchess and her husband are preparing to leave."
"What?"
"They completely stopped ordering dresses and jewelry non-stop, and anything that is delayed in completion, they instructed to send it to the North."
The Grand Duchess and her husband were the biggest spenders ordering the most luxury items in the capital. While the top of the Mori hierarchy was their regular customer, other renowned dressmakers and jewelers also welcomed their visits.
Especially everything the Grand Duchess wore was currently the hottest topic in social circles. People found it incredibly refreshing to see a grand noble pursuing a completely different aesthetic value, moving away from the grand and heavy royal attire to a more elegant and sophisticated style.
Imitating the attire of royal women symbolized the power structure centered around the royal family. Therefore, the fact that people started imitating the delicate and elegant appearance of the Grand Duchess had caught Kamil's attention.
But now they were leaving.
Would they return after going to the far North?
'I can't let them go.'
Kamil's face darkened with extreme anxiety. She bit her lip nervously.
At first, it was just suspicion. But now she was convinced. The fact that the owner of the amethyst jewel happened to associate with the ruler of the North was no coincidence.
Kamil had meticulously investigated 'Neris Trude' since hearing about the amethyst jewel. A humble background... The ownership of the amethyst known in the Elendria family from an early age... Early graduation, followed by quickly concealing her tracks.
The life the Grand Duchess had lived was like a precarious tightrope walk, where even a slight misstep could land her in the hands of the Elendria family or the royal grip. The fact that a powerless young girl had safely escaped the influence of both families and entered the protection of the Grand Duke was almost miraculous.
But how many miracles truly exist in the world? Many events that seem like remarkable coincidences are actually the result of human intervention, aren't they?
After wandering lost in the royal court for so long, why had the amethyst jewel appeared now? Could it have been hidden all this time, only to resurface secretly?
'I know.'
Whether it was the Grand Duke or the Grand Duchess, someone knew 'something.'
The fact that the jewel was not just a royal characteristic but a 'sign' that awakens in individuals with specific colored eyes.
Whether it was from a distant past.
'It's still okay. It might even turn out to be a blessing in disguise.'
Closing her eyes for a moment, Kamil approached a corner of the secret chamber. Sitting in front of what appeared to be a vanity, she exerted her strength into the crystal ball that lay alone on it instead of cosmetics.
"Ulrich."
The misty crystal ball cleared up, and a somber voice came from beyond.
<Yes, Your Highness. Did you call for me?>
"I need to test what you mentioned before. My subordinates are useless, unable to handle a mere child."
Please note that the translation provided is a summary of the text due to its length.
Kamil's sorcerer, Ulrich, chuckled.
The subordinates remaining in the secret chamber looked down. It was unusual for them, who were trained to suppress their emotions, but it was inevitable. When Kamil gave them 'loyalty training,' or when she threatened to tattoo a mark that would bring death if their identity was revealed, her voice equated with pain.
"I need a sacrifice."
"What sacrifice? I'll get anything for you."
"If there is a connection with the target, anything will do. It's best if they are closely related by blood or deeply connected emotionally."
Currently, the individual in the capital who was most closely related by blood to the Grand Duchess was Nellucian. Emotionally close would be the Grand Duke. However, if she could easily use them as expendable pawns, she wouldn't have to suffer as she did now.
Kamil pondered and asked, "Can the target be someone they mutually dislike?"
"Yes, but it can only be maintained briefly. Isn't it to 'curse' them?"
"Even if it's brief, that's fine. It will be over in a few days."
Upon Ulrich's words, a sense of relief washed over Kamil's face. After ending the communication, she ordered her subordinates, "Bring Valentine's nanny!"
Delma, who had received Valentine's favor as a governess and maid, caught the eye of the Silver Moon when she was driven away and wandering the streets. Kamil picked her up, wondering if she could be useful, but Delma, who was unaware of important secrets of the Elendria family, was not yet of much use.
"It worked out well."
Kamil had often witnessed the Grand Duke's dilemma over his affection for the Grand Duchess. Despite seeing his beloved wife in distress, she hoped the Grand Duke could maintain his composure.
---
The perfect family of the Elendria Duke was shattered not long ago.
He still didn't know the exact reason. The couple, known for their good relationship, and their adorable children were suddenly scattered. Perhaps it had something to do with that abominable little trickster, Neris Trude, but everything happened too quickly to understand more.
And after everything was over, looking back at the past, he was now utterly drained.
The once ambitious Duke had vanished, leaving behind a tired man who seemed to have aged decades in an instant. Longtime allies blamed him for losing a fortune as the Wells and Elendria families split.
Now all he desired was peace. To forget the past and quietly show loyalty, maintaining his dignity.
Yes, that's what he had conveyed to his son.
"It won't work. Dignity... Are you satisfied with that, Father? This is your limit. How long will you cower before him like a dog?"
Nellucian spoke coldly.
The grand reception hall of the wealthy estate on the outskirts of the capital was suddenly filled with knights brandishing swords. The numbers and ominous demeanor. It was clearly a planned confrontation.
The Duke felt suffocated. He fell into despair and cried out, "You, you! What do you want?"
In contrast to his father, Nellucian calmly smiled and said, "Don't worry. I will restore the family's honor. I appreciate what you've done, but I can't handle the variables right now."
Swish. The knights drew their swords. The Duke raised his hands in despair.
"Duke! Do you want the dukedom? Fine, just hand it over!"
"I will decline. If Father is still sane, the departed will be needlessly confused. I will offer flowers at the tomb."
The Duke looked at his son as if he couldn't trust him with the cold response.
Raised with love. He couldn't expect that... But was this the price that had come back to him?
"I apologize for interrupting your family conversation for a moment."
At that moment, a voice with a hint of laughter came from behind the Duke. When the Duke turned around, he saw a man wearing oval glasses entering.
For a moment, it was not immediately clear why a stranger was here. Both the Duke and the knights showed signs of confusion.
However, the situation became clear the next moment when the man grabbed the Duke and leaped out of the window.
"Chase him!"
Nellucian ordered the knights with determination. Startled, the knights hurriedly ran out of the room.
Alone in the empty room, Nellucian made an effort to guess who the man from earlier was. Was he a guard hired by the Duke in advance?
Whoever he was, now there was only one thing Nellucian could do. Make the Duke appear dead.
Officially or in reality.
'It's obvious where Father is going.'
The plans we had to confine him have completely fallen apart. Nellucian felt coldly satisfied.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein