Kapitel 82: [Chapter 82] To Become Your Partner
Since Neris became a nominal orphan, Nelesion subtly tried to provide her with necessary items for daily life.
However, these gifts were not truly essential for Neris but rather items that the son of a duke thought would be good for show, like handkerchiefs or expensive indoor shoes.
It was awkward to refuse such gifts. She couldn't use them because they made her feel uncomfortable.
So, in one corner of Neris's narrow room, there was a small chest where she discreetly stored the gifts Nelesion had given her to keep them as inconspicuous as possible.
At the mention of Nelesion's name, Cladwyn's expression turned unpleasant. Was he really still clueless about how much he was disliked?
"It seems he's been calculating something, and I've let it go until now, but if it's bothering you, I'll handle whatever he sends immediately."
"Alright. Since there seems to be some calculation involved. Besides, there's less than a month left anyway."
Even if she was a self-centered person, she couldn't keep asking the clearly untrustworthy 'new family tutor' to exchange warm letters with her.
It had been tiresome subtly hinting at Neris about formal adoption into the Bangye family through the letters from Nelesion, who had been inquiring about it under the guise of asking about her well-being.
It was clear what Nelesion was aiming for.
Neris was quite well-known among her noble peers. Being part of the Sheridon Society, her name was also recognized by the adults in the royal circles.
Now, Neris Trued could be a useful bargaining tool just with her name alone. So, if she were to adopt the surname Elendria, even if it was just a facade, her value would be unquestionable.
Of course, even if Nelesion wanted to exploit her, it seemed he hadn't yet seen the value in admitting her into his family estate.
"I need to leave soon."
Although he was currently pretending to consider his options slowly, if Nelesion felt the need to keep Neris bound, he would act swiftly without giving her a chance to intervene.
So, her successful early graduation was a fortunate turn of events.
Neris realized she had been lost in thought rather than engaging in conversation. When she glanced around, her eyes met Cladwyn's.
Instead of the harsh words from her past life, "Nobody likes you," Cladwyn smiled wryly.
It was as if he was saying, "Take your time, and maybe forget about me as you wish."
Despite not seeing his face for a long time and only conversing through letters or magic, he didn't seem distant. Yet, his charming appearance evoked a different feeling in her compared to before.
Reluctant to acknowledge this fact, Neris decided to focus on other thoughts.
The quiet carriage stopped in front of the grand and old Acladent Hall where the graduation ball was to be held. As the coachman opened the carriage door, Cladwyn was the first to step out.
"His every move drew lines like rainbows or bird wings. It was so natural yet strong that it evoked admiration.
As Cladwyn reached out his hand from outside the carriage, Neris slowly stepped out of the carriage. Suddenly, a question came to her mind.
"Just a moment, could it be that the runaway elder went near Sedona to find your weakness, so that's why he went there? But why are we going to the party?"
There's no need for that, right? In response to Neris's question, Cladwyn, with the same skillful twinkle in his eyes as before, replied.
"To become your partner."
What? Neris was about to say that wasn't an answer, but there were too many eyes around.
Students attending the graduation ball were bustling in front of the hall, looking for their friends. Their presence stood out in the eyes of the other students.
I'll have to handle this later. With that thought, Neris closed her mouth. Cladwyn gently released her hand and then linked arms with her, naturally heading towards the entrance of the hall.
***
"Did everything go well?"
In response to Megara's question, Alekto nodded.
"Yes."
"Well done. As expected, Alekto, you're smart."
Megara, adorned with jewels in her honey blonde hair that flowed with radiance, and wearing a dress as iridescent as her eyes, smiled dazzlingly. Her alluring beauty, blossoming as she aged, was rumored to be well-known even in neighboring countries.
The students around her gazed at her with completely mesmerized expressions.
In fact, Megara Lycandros was famous throughout the school. Not just for her beauty, but also for her charisma.
Everyone trusted her words in various school gatherings, including the student council.
Unfortunately, her relationship with Valentine Elendria, another prominent noble and a potential candidate for the next student council president, was not good...
The students vaguely knew what Valentine was like.
Valentine probably started the conflict. How difficult it must be for Megara, always smiling and kind. Unfortunately.
Alekto also understood the naive look in their eyes. Alekto cynically thought to himself.
'These fools know nothing.'
In truth, even in her freshman year, Alekto didn't think much of Megara. She didn't seem very kind when you observed her actions, but she was exceptionally good at pretending.
Megara never let go of the children who bothered her, but she never punished them herself. Even her own daughter, Idalia Kendall, who was the same age as her, how much she tormented her. In the end, when the school year ended, Idalia went to the theology department."
However, the children believed that they had come to dislike Idalia, but to Megara, they constantly praised her as 'kind.'
Since bowing his head and entering Megara's service a few years ago, Alekto had learned a lot about Megara's dirty tricks. Becoming a tool to directly execute those tricks was only natural.
Therefore, Alekto thought that Megara was actually playing with Valentine Elendria and never sympathized with her.
The same applied to the current situation. While Alekto didn't particularly dislike what Megara had done, it was dangerous.
A few days ago, at Megara's instruction, Alekto had stolen Neris's graduation ball dress.
It wasn't a difficult task. When the dress was almost finished, he sent his servant to the dressing room to claim it in Neris's name.
The green dress was truly beautiful. Alekto thought that the cheap dress—since he believed Neris didn't come from a wealthy family, it was only natural for her to have a simple dress—looked even prettier than his own expensive dress, which made him feel bad.
Shouldn't people wear clothes suitable for their status?
So, following Megara's orders, Alekto felt a strange sense of satisfaction as he tore the dress to shreds. And it was Alekto's idea to send the torn dress as a last-minute option today.
That way, Neris would be even more disappointed, and there wouldn't be time to prepare another evening gown.
How would she attend the party without an evening gown?
'It's nice not to see those fools at the party today.'
Diane MacKinnon might show up with the foolish man who follows her around because he thinks she's pretty.
But Diane would dance so poorly anyway. Without the annoying Neris Trued, she would probably sit quietly in a corner.
Just thinking about it was refreshing. Alekto remembered the moment he encountered Neris in the dressing room and chuckled.
Arrogant... thinking he knows everything. Living comfortably by meeting good relatives.
Alekto and Megara walked around the banquet hall, each feeling pleased.
The event planned by the student council was divided into three parts.
Part 1 was the opening ceremony where the student council congratulated the graduates and opened the ball, Part 2 was the dance party for everyone to enjoy freely, and Part 3 was the closing ceremony where the elected king and queen were announced during the ball.
Usually, the king and queen were chosen from the graduating class of that year. However, Megara attended the ball as soon as she turned 17 last year and surprisingly was chosen as the queen.
If everything remained the same, this year's queen at the graduation ball would have been predetermined. Megara's classmates, who strongly supported her, attended the graduation ball more this year than last year.
Beside Megara, her senior partner, a boy from the upperclassman approached.
He was the second son of Duke Ganielo, already holding a title of honor, and he was extremely proud to have the most famous and beautiful female student in school as his partner.
"Meg, I brought some drinks."
"Thank you, Colin."
Megara accepted the pretty-colored juice brought by Colin Ganielo with a sweet smile. Colin was certain. They would be the king and queen today.
Watching them, Alekto stepped back and approached the table Colin had purchased.
Noble students couldn't stand throughout the ball, so there were several tables and chairs placed on one side of the banquet hall.
The largest rectangular table was for anyone to sit at, but the small round tables had their respective owners.
The wealthy students who could afford several times the entrance fee sat with their partners or friends at the tables.
If Megara felt like it later, Alekto could also dance with a few classmates.
Sitting at a table, liking the clothes, and not having to deal with annoying people.
It wasn't the worst graduation ball.
At that moment, the children's attention was drawn to the entrance of the hall. Megara, naturally sensitive to public attention, sipped her juice and discreetly glanced in that direction.
Who had arrived? Valentine Elendria? Princess Ijette? Someone who could attract the children's attention like that...
Platinum blonde hair with a radiant sheen.
Clear and delicate azure eyes.
Megara's face turned pale with anger as she saw Neris Trued, who had just arrived. Contrary to expectations that she would appear in a humble attire next to Diane MacKinnon, Neris was elegantly dressed and linked arms with a tall, handsome man.
A pair of exquisite Tyrian purple gloves, which even a regular family couldn't afford. Thanks to the rare color, Neris's eyes looked even more striking.
Her dazzling golden blonde hair cascaded perfectly down to her chest.
There was a hint of violet. Megara knew that her dress, adorned with violet like a pansy, was a step below that perfect Tyrian purple.
Having seen the fabric in the Devon dressing room that matched her own dress, Megara knew that even though the Lycandros family was wealthy, who could afford a dress that required the same weight of gold for a ball? Even if she desired it, Megara couldn't easily purchase it. She thought only Valentine or Princess Ijette could afford such a dress.
So, before attending the ball today, the pansy-colored violet dress that had been so satisfying suddenly became distasteful to Megara.
The mysterious shimmering of Neris's dress, gleaming like a rainbow in the light, and her eyes of the same color seemed to mock her.
Whatever Neris held dear, Megara believed she was above it.
Megara knew she disliked Neris. She had disliked her from the first moment they met, and now she disliked her even more than before.
Yes, to some extent...
She wanted to flaunt everything that Neris held dear as if to show it off in front of her.
She was willing to sacrifice anything to achieve that.
It wouldn't be difficult. Megara thought coldly. She was extremely, extremely... beautiful. And she was a high noble.
Status and beauty. Had she not used these two to get what she wanted so far?
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein