Kapitel 58: [Chapter 58] The Little Tyrant of Elantria Estate
In the heart of the Vistar Empire, the capital city of Pelena, also known as the imperial capital.
If a foreigner were to ask which family owned the most magnificent estate in Pelena, everyone would give a different answer.
However, if someone were to ask where the most magnificent estate was located, the answer would be unanimous.
Loiz Street.
It was a street where the highest-ranking noble families lived together, a "street" that was several dozen times larger than what commoners would call a "street".
One of the grand estates on Loiz Street was currently the scene of a rare spectacle.
The estate, with its majestic and delicate columns extending from under the eaves, was a notable presence in the area.
In the center, a steel fence with a rose trellis pattern and a sword-shaped finial stretched endlessly, requiring a considerable amount of time to walk around the perimeter.
To enter the estate, one had to pass through the main gate and then ride a carriage for a while.
The front yard, which was large enough to require a dozen carriages to be lined up, was laid out like a auxiliary training ground, which was also used by noble families.
At the end of the front yard, where the living quarters of the estate's residents began, a large fountain shot out crystal-clear water droplets, surrounded by several carriages that could circle around it.
The front yard was decorated with intricate carvings that were so detailed they seemed to be alive, and was landscaped to be walkable even in the dead of winter.
The front yard was called the "front yard" because there was a back yard.
In fact, the back yard of this grand estate was larger than the front yard.
After all, a noble family of the Loiz family's caliber, who could afford to live in such a grand estate, would already occupy a vast amount of land, enough to accommodate dozens of people, even if they didn't live in their territory during the social season.
Today, the front yard, which was already a sight to behold, was covered in cargo carriages, and dozens of servants, enough to make up the entire staff of the estate, were busy unloading them.
"Faster! Faster!"
"Stack them carefully so they don't collapse!"
They were carrying boxes, and carrying, and carrying some more.
A woman stood in front of the fountain, directing the servants. Beside her stood a small girl, who had just turned twelve a few months ago, but looked even younger due to her petite build.
The girl's platinum hair was braided with a gemstone chain, and her blue eyes sparkled with a happy smile.
Her face was so lovely and charming that even her smile was beautiful, but the servants dared not look at her.
The blonde girl, Valentina Elantria, was a strict master to her servants.
"Delma, did you pack my red dress too? The one with the rose pattern."
Delma, a woman in her forties with a stern face, smiled brightly at Valentina's question.
Valentina nodded in satisfaction at Delma's prompt response.
"Of course, I did. I packed everything that you like."
Valentina's complaint was a grumble, but if you listened closely, there was excitement in her voice. Delma nodded her head several times.
Madam Pouille was a dress shop owner who was favored by the Elantria family, and Valentina was particularly fond of her.
"Yes, but you will be able to see Madam Pouille again during the break."
"It's too long to wait, it's weird!"
Valentina grumbled again. At that moment, her older brother, Nelsenion, appeared in the front yard with his serious-looking knight, Joseph.
His blonde hair and blue eyes were just like Valentina's, making them look even more alike.
"Valentina, didn't I tell you yesterday? You can't bring all of that to the dormitory."
"Just move to a bigger dormitory!"
"There's no such dormitory. And there's no need for it. Just bring what you need for studying at school."
Nelsenion's dormitory at Katon was also a magnificent mansion like those of other high-ranking noble students. However, it was not large enough to hold all the miscellaneous items that Valentina was trying to bring.
"This is the dignity of a duke's daughter!"
Valentina said with a proud tone, but her words had no real meaning. In fact, most of what she knew how to say was along those lines.
Joseph couldn't help but smile at her cuteness, and Delma gazed at her as if she were the most precious thing in the world.
"What a remarkable sense of self-awareness for someone so young."
"Don't encourage her, Delma. Valentina, I'm sure your brother told you. It's not possible."
Valentina tried to argue, but Nelsenion now had a calm expression instead of his previous exasperated one. He looked at his adorable younger sister with a firm but gentle gaze.
Valentina stared at his face for a while before finally closing her mouth.
"...Alright."
"Delma."
Nelsenion called out Delma's name in a voice with no inflection. Delma quickly raised her hand to stop the servants.
"That's enough! Take down all the boxes! We need to reorganize!"
The servants were exhausted, but they couldn't show any dissatisfaction to the little tyrant, Valentina, or her beloved nanny, Delma.
If they did, they would be fired on the spot.
The items that had been packed into the cargo carriages, including clothes, jewels, dolls, and picture books, were all taken out and placed in the front yard. Each item was packed in a sturdy and expensive box.
Nelsenion didn't doubt that things would go his way. He turned to go back into the mansion, but then his gaze fell on one of the servants. It was a low-ranking maid named Isabelle, whom Nelsenion himself knew by name.
"Isabelle."
Normally, maids weren't involved in tasks like moving luggage, but Isabelle, who had been working hard in the summer heat, stopped what she was doing.
"Yes, sir."
"I want you to come with me. I have someone I want you to take care of."
Isabelle was unsure if this meant she was being fired and sent to another household.
Nelsenion, reading her thoughts, smiled gently. It was a beautiful smile that could charm anyone.
"Don't worry, you'll still receive your wages from our family. The child is a distant relative, and I think they'll need someone to take care of them. Just take care of the child and let me know if anything happens. I'm worried about them living alone. Can you do that?"
Who could possibly say no to that? The servants loved and respected Nelsenion.
Unlike Valentina, who treated the servants like dirt, Nelsenion was kind to everyone. And his words were full of consideration. Who else would send a maid to take care of a distant relative?
Isabelle's face turned red as she nodded, despite knowing her own lowly status.
"Yes, sir. I'll do my best."
Nelsenion nodded in satisfaction and turned to go back into the mansion. Joseph, who was following him, asked quietly.
"Are you referring to Miss Trued?"
"Yes. It would be good for her to be seen as receiving some care from our family, at least to outsiders."
As a duke's daughter, it was only natural that she would have attendants with her. If Neris hadn't been so useful, Nelsenion might have kept a greater distance from her.
Joseph hesitated before speaking up.
"As I mentioned last time..."
"I know, Joseph. I think it's necessary to have a servant for Nellis too. We need someone to keep an eye on her in case she does something she shouldn't. She's still young, so she might be easily taken advantage of."
Nellusion's eyes sparkled for a moment, and Joseph felt relieved.
After missing the opportunity to kill Clewin last time, Joseph had replayed that night's events in his mind several times.
Where did he go wrong? How did he escape? Alone? Or with someone's help?
No matter how he thought about it, he couldn't shake off the feeling that Nellis's behavior that night was suspicious. She knew his name even though they had never met before, and she appeared exactly where she was supposed to.
Moreover, she told Joseph that her friends would arrive soon, but it turned out that her class was in a different building.
However, there was no flaw in Nellis's explanation. She said she got lost and someone else showed her the way. Since Nellusion and Joseph were often together at the academy, it wasn't strange that Nellis saw them.
Still, the suspicious point remained. Joseph was worried that his lord, Nellusion, was being too lenient in his judgment of Nellis True.
Fortunately, it seemed that wasn't the case now.
In the courtyard where Nellusion had disappeared, Valentine watched as her luggage was being packed to take to the academy.
She had dreamed of her upcoming academy life many nights. She had planned out what to wear every day, but it was a pity.
Delma tried to comfort her mistress's feelings with a smile.
"Miss, you can take all your favorite things with you. Lord Nellusion wouldn't want you to go without any toys."
"That's not the problem."
Valentine's eyes narrowed. A cruel expression appeared on her lovely face.
"I heard what Megara said."
Megara Rikanthros was a year older than Valentine and very beautiful.
Valentine liked that fact and often played with Megara when the Rikanthros family was nearby. She never got scolded by adults when she was with Megara.
Valentine, however, would often call Megara by her name in her absence, because Megara was of a lower social status than herself.
Delma quickly recalled the various things Megara had said when she visited this mansion a few days ago.
Among them, there were a few words that could have offended Valentine's feelings. Most of Megara's stories were about her school life, though.
Before Delma could open her mouth, Valentine grumbled.
"How dare she call our brother by his nickname and act like she's one of our family members! I've hated her since the first time I saw her. She's an ignorant, country-bumpkin girl. I'm the legitimate heir of the main family, and she dares to mention our family name?"
There was definitely such content. Delma carefully comforted Valentine.
"That's right, she's really impudent. Is that something to say? She's got a different surname, after all."
"Exactly."
Valentine's eyes flared up. Delma, who knew Valentine's fiery temper, simply gazed at her lovingly.
Delma also remembered Nellis. About a year ago, a woman from a branch family and her daughter came to borrow money for tuition.
The daughter of a low-ranking knight was really pitiful compared to Valentine.
Her mother had received an education, so her pronunciation was correct, but her manners were awkward. And the daughter was so countrified that it was hard to look at her. It was almost scary to see her alongside the refined Valentine.
After Megara left, Valentine asked Nellusion about Nellis. At that time, Nellusion said this:
"Since she's useful, let's maintain a good relationship with her."
What's useful about her? Valentine snorted inwardly.
Weeds should be pulled out early. Good seeds shouldn't be stolen by bad ones. Human relationships also operated on the same principle.
One had to step on the lowly ones early, so they wouldn't dare to lift their heads.
Valentine declared proudly.
"I won't let her off. Just hearing my name should make her tremble with fear."
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein