Kapitel 85: [Chapter 85] Whoever My Man Was
The balcony was filled with the fragrant scent of spring night shrubs.
The Aklerandt Hall, where the graduation ball was held, was one of the most luxurious buildings at the Noble Academy, usually used for hosting distinguished teachers or priests from the theological department.
Thanks to this, the hall was lavishly decorated in every corner.
From the ancient column-shaped fence surrounding the balcony to the small basins peeking through the dense shrubs below the high balcony.
And the blue ribbons lightly drawn to distinguish between the banquet hall and the balcony.
Neris, hearing Cladwyn rustling the ribbons behind her, approached the balcony's edge.
The sky had darkened, and deep blue was rapidly invading the twilight. The early stars twinkled, and the white half-moon revealed its face.
Despite just a single ribbon separating the banquet hall where the graduation ball was held from yesterday's events, it felt distant.
Leaning against the waist-high fence at the balcony's edge, Neris sighed.
Warmth. A warm body temperature that could only be human approached Neris's side.
She inadvertently looked up, meeting Cladwyn's gaze fixed on her face.
This, too, was strange. Cladwyn said nothing, yet why from just his gaze?
Was this a sensation akin to waves surging in her chest?
Not wanting to reveal her confusion, Neris forcibly tore her gaze away from Cladwyn's and looked down at the shrubs. The magical lights scattered throughout the garden shimmered brightly in the decorative marble basins.
"Are you okay?"
Cladwyn handed her a drink, asking. Neris took it and took a sip. The slightly sweet and refreshing taste improved her mood slightly.
She needed to respond, but what should she say? Neris forced out a response.
"I'm fine. It was nothing. I didn't even collide."
Both knew that Megara's collision was intentional. And in fact, considering the direction they were moving earlier, Neris was the one Megara should have collided with.
'She probably planned to collide with me and pretend to be hurt.'
Neris knew well how Megara seduced men. And also about her repertoire when venting her frustrations on others.
Feigning vulnerability, injustice, yet still being kind and gentle.
Megara's beauty and acting skills were effective even on women to some extent, making her a potent charm for men who were already interested in her.
It was strange that this time, it was Cladwyn and not Abelus who was seduced. But Megara enjoyed playing the role of the queen of society. Even if she was handsome and held a high position, she would know that if she married Cladwyn, she would have to go far to Maindlandt and would hardly be seen in society.
Was she still too young to know this fact? But Megara always seemed to know what she wanted from a young age.
"'Or anyone who stands with me.'
Neris bit her lip slightly.
When Neris learned that Megara, who had tormented her throughout her school days in her previous life, became the wife of the prince's regent, she lamented her misfortune.
Why of all people. All kinds of terrible coincidences happen.
But what if it wasn't a coincidence?
If Megara approached Abelus from the beginning because he was Neris's husband.
That was a terrible speculation.
Warmth enveloped her back, neck, and arms as she was lost in thought.
Velvet-like texture. It was the jacket of Cladwyn's uniform he was wearing.
Glancing to the side, he stood next to her in the same pose. However, their left and right sides were reversed.
It was difficult to break eye contact. They gazed at each other intently for a while.
Cladwyn's right hand unbuttoned two buttons on the short white shirt collar from the top. His large and thick fingers swiftly undid the buttons as if by magic.
Neris quickly averted her gaze from his neck and said, "Thank you."
"For what?"
His voice was peaceful, like a lullaby. After hesitating for a moment, Neris replied briefly.
"For everything. You've given me so much, even though I haven't done anything for you. Our mother too, all the help I've received from you until now..."
"'You.'"
Cladwyn's lips neared Neris's ear in an instant. Though they didn't touch, her ear felt warm as if she had received a kiss. Overwhelmed, Neris closed her eyes.
As if by magic, his lips retreated. But now, not only her ears but her entire face was somewhat flushed. The warmth was palpable even to herself.
Hoping Cladwyn couldn't see her flushed face in the darkening surroundings, Neris asked, "What is it?"
"'You.' Saying that is better than addressing me as 'Your Grace.'"
It was better than suggesting calling him by name. Neris felt her face cool slightly and responded as confidently as possible.
"Where people can't see."
"Got it."
Though not entirely satisfied, for some reason, Cladwyn accepted her response.
Neris couldn't bring herself to look at Cladwyn's face again. Instead, she lightly brushed against the hand he had placed on the marble fence. The white gloves that complemented his uniform were gone, revealing a roughness inside that was hard to believe belonged to one of the highest nobles in the country. Perhaps it was a trace of overcoming numerous dangers firsthand.
The danger was no less than when he was dying in the shrubs as a child.
"If we go to Maindlandt..."
Lost in thought, Neris unintentionally spoke.
"What will I become?"
"You are Neris Trued. Wherever you are."
"I know that. But there must be a title. A pretext for me to work for you. Like a chief of staff?"
"No one remembers the name of my chief of staff. You will work with those who need to remember your name."
Neris blinked. A position where people remember the name.
At the very least, it meant it wasn't a low position.
"What is it?"
"You'll find out when you come."
Was this man offering a riddle? Curious, Neris deliberately lowered her eyes and maintained a calm expression to hide her disappointment."
Watching her like that, Cladwyn chuckled, unable to imagine the fact.
"Just a moment."
As Cladwyn's face slightly stiffened, the curtain separating the banquet hall and the balcony was drawn back almost simultaneously.
The person who raised his head inside the curtain was a boy affiliated with the student council. He was a graduating student this year and a high-ranking noble enough to be considered a relative of the royal family, so he was now partnered with Princess Ijette for the evening.
"Sorry to interrupt your break, Trued."
'Sorry to interrupt.' It wasn't a line suitable for the arrogant royal family members.
Understanding that the front part was directed at Cladwyn and the latter title was for herself, Neris responded somewhat sullenly.
"Yes, senior."
"Her Highness is calling you both."
There was no reason for Princess Ijette to call Neris separately. Perhaps by calling Cladwyn, she was nominally calling Neris as his partner.
If the princess called, there was no delay. Smiling, Cladwyn reached out his hand to Neris.
"Shall we?"
Just before she took his hand, Neris hesitated for a moment. Once again, that strange feeling... What would she do if it arose?
She felt a bit scared.
Unlike her, Cladwyn showed no signs of hesitation. As Neris placed her small hand on his, he gently took it and cautiously led the way.
Watching his broad shoulders and back from behind, Neris pondered once more.
'Those who need to remember my name.'
The deeds Neris accomplished in her previous life did not remain as the achievements of 'Neris Trued.'
They all remained as the achievements of the 'Elendria family' or the 'Vista royal family.'
Cladwyn probably understood that and didn't mention it as he did before. Rather than that, it likely meant that whatever position she held, as long as she was free in her judgment, she could fully utilize her abilities.
...She didn't dislike that expression.
***
Princess Ijette was seated on a chair placed on a raised platform in one corner of the hall. She was accompanied by a few members of the student council.
As Cladwyn approached, Ijette extended her hand indifferently. Cladwyn casually took it, pretended to kiss it in the air, and quickly let go.
It didn't seem like a gesture of respect for the royal family, but neither of them seemed concerned.
Rather, it was Neris who was bothered by this fact.
It was natural that the two were familiar with each other. If only one noble was to be known in this empire, it would be Cladwyn Maindlandt.
But if it were Abelus, he would have grabbed Cladwyn by the collar without hesitation, not passing over his familiarity like that.
"I didn't expect you to come this far."
Ijette withdrew her hand and also greeted him indifferently. Cladwyn stood close to Neris, gave a light smile, and replied.
"I didn't say anything about it."
The faces of the student council members who stood around Ijette as if guarding her froze. Especially Valentine, who stood closest to Ijette.
Valentine had grown considerably over the past few years. Not only had he grown taller and stronger, but unlike the twelve-year-old boy who had just entered the academy, he knew when to keep his mouth shut, if necessary.
Even now, despite Cladwyn's statement that seemed to ignore the leader of the student council, Valentine didn't show irritation. He only displayed a cold displeasure like any other noble.
"I didn't know the Duke was acquainted with Miss Trued."
"Of course, I didn't mention that either."
There was no change in Ijette's solemn expression. Having lived as her older sister for several years, Neris was sure that Ijette wasn't particularly bothered by Cladwyn's bold statement.
It was strange. Neris had always thought that everyone in the royal family disliked the Duke of Maindlandt.
Cladwyn seemed to have no favor with Princess Ijette from the royal family, but still.
"Even so, when you come up like this, make sure to greet. Don't disappear as if you've been waiting for your lovely partner like earlier."
"How could I not show respect to the royal family?"
Whether he meant to be more attentive with greetings in the future or not, Cladwyn's words were ambiguous, and everyone present understood the message.
Next, Princess Ijette's gaze turned to Neris. After gazing at Neris for a moment, Ijette asked.
"Miss Trued, you mentioned that you have a destination after graduation. Are you planning to follow this person?"
The title 'this person' somehow felt irritating. Neris lowered her eyes and replied.
"No, Your Highness. As I mentioned before, I have a separate destination."
It wasn't a lie. Strictly speaking, she wasn't 'following' anyone. It meant she was going 'separately' after graduation.
Satisfied with the fluent and quick response, Ijette seemed content. She slightly raised the corners of her mouth in a customary manner and continued to ask.
"Yes, that's right. Do you have any thoughts about working in the palace? As I mentioned before, there are many who highly value your talents."
This was clearly a trap. Neris knew.
If Ijette really intended to bring Neris to the lower ranks of the palace as a maid or servant, she would have mentioned it on the day Neris submitted the early graduation fulfillment documents.
Especially now, saying this in front of Cladwyn... it was a test.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein