Bab 52: [Chapter 52] How nice, having a conversation with the Crown Prince
Neris' mind was racing.
During her escort to the student council room, she had thought of dozens of excuses to tell Abellus and Nelrisheon.
However, all those thoughts were based on the assumption that Natasha was the one who had put the exam paper under her bed, which made them seem vague and unconvincing.
What reason would Natasha have to want Neris expelled?
And, as Neris had experienced in her previous life, Natasha preferred a direct and impulsive approach, without thinking about the consequences. She wasn't the type to set up a trap like this.
Then, what was the purpose of putting the exam paper there? Had Abellus noticed something? Or was it related to Nelrisheon?
There was no clear answer to her speculations, which lacked solid evidence.
However, the moment Neris saw a familiar face affectionately supporting Aidalia, she realized many things.
It was Aidalia.
The one who had brought the exam paper to Neris' room.
The one who, in Neris' previous life, had collaborated with Yustas to betray Neris.
Perhaps Natasha had also been aware of her brother's plan during the kidnapping incident, but her involvement was likely less than Neris had suspected.
Aidalia had been more actively involved, or else she wouldn't have lent her trusted attendant to the task.
Now, only three people remained in the student council room: Abellus, Nelrisheon, and Neris. Neris could see right through Abellus' thoughts.
He was probably thinking that Neris might be the one who had helped Clewin escape last night, and he was considering the possibility of the Elandria family's betrayal.
And, of course, he was also thinking that Neris might be the real thief.
"Not from either side."
She couldn't afford to arouse suspicion. Not yet.
Neris made a slightly flustered expression, the kind a 1st-grade, low-ranking noble girl would make when facing the Crown Prince.
"I'm sorry to hear that a thief broke in, Your Highness. But I'm confused as to why I'm being suspected. I didn't go near any teacher's office last night."
Abellus' eyes flickered for a moment. Nelrisheon spoke up.
"I heard that all the other 1st-graders were in class last night."
That was the most detailed hint he could give. Neris realized that Nelrisheon wasn't seriously suspecting her. At least, that was a relief.
Considering the student council members were gathered in the morning, looking disheveled, the news of the stolen exam paper must have spread quickly, likely around dawn.
Sheridan, the teacher, must have been in his office until he left for the social etiquette test rehearsal last night, so the theft could have occurred at any time between then and this morning.
However, the fact that they specifically mentioned the evening time suggests that, aside from attendance, there is no other evidence to incriminate Neris.
That makes things easier. If she can create a plausible situation, Nelrisheon will likely find another suspect.
The best way to dispel Abellus' suspicion that the Elandria family is involved in this incident is to clear Neris' name.
Abellus continued, "The stolen item was clearly related to the 1st-grade evaluation. Therefore, the thief must be a 1st-grader, and among them, you're the only one who wasn't present at the evening gathering."
Neris looked very flustered.
"I... but I didn't steal anything. I swear."
"Really? Then what did you do last night?"
"I was in my room, like I said. I had a headache."
"Liar."
"Why do you think I'm lying?"
"You expect me to believe that you went to the classroom and then returned to your room because of a headache?"
"Uh, I didn't go to the classroom. I got lost in the next building. Thankfully, Natasha senior showed me the way, but by the time I found the right building, my head was hurting. But how did you know I went near the classroom, Your Highness?"
Abellus thought about whether Neris' words were hiding some kind of trap. Nelrisheon intervened to fill the conversation gap.
"You greeted Joseph last night, didn't you? Joseph told me. Did you have a headache? Did you visit the infirmary?"
Since there were many young nobles gathered, the school had a resident doctor to prepare for any situation.
"I wanted to go, but it was already past curfew..."
Neris' explanation lacked evidence to back it up. Abellus' eyes grew fiercer.
"Listen, Trude. If you keep making up such flimsy excuses, even Nelrisheon can't protect you. You're the only suspect right now. If you can't prove your innocence, you'll be expelled."
Neris closed her mouth. Abellus' suspicion was on the verge of becoming conviction.
"...Actually, I suddenly started my period... and I couldn't go to class, so I went back to my room."
The student council room fell silent.
Nelrisheon looked slightly shocked, and Abellus raised an eyebrow.
A woman who would mention the word "period" in front of two men who had only seen pretty and innocent-looking women would be a rare find. She had taken a risk.
There was a reason she had made up this excuse. While a headache couldn't be proven, a period could be.
Neris had rubbed the blood off the clothes she wore last night onto a cheap set of undergarments and discarded the original clothes.
After finishing that task, she was resting in her room when Abellus' knight came to fetch her.
Neris let out a sigh, as if she was embarrassed to death. She patiently waited for one of the two men to speak again.
After a brief moment, Nelrisheon, who had exchanged glances with Abellus, hesitantly asked, "Uh, well... Neris, you know that's not proof of where you were, right?"
"Yes. I knew that, but I didn't want to talk about it because it's embarrassing... so I just said I had a headache. If you want, you can search my room. I don't know why I would steal that evaluation material... but I really don't have it."
Neris' explanation wasn't particularly convincing, but her awkward attitude towards Nelrisheon made Abellus' suspicion waver. Wasn't she really just an innocent person?
Of course, Nelrisheon wasn't a fool, and it would have been more beneficial for him to kill Clewin rather than letting it escape.
Abellus waved his hand, seemingly uninterested. He was secretly cursing the monster-like Clewin.
"That's enough. We're searching your room, so stay here."
"Yes, and...?"
Abellus' tone, which had been interrogative earlier, now showed annoyance.
Nelrisheon, who knew that this was a sign that Abellus' suspicion towards Neris and the Elandria family was dissipating, felt relieved.
Neris was too valuable to be expelled due to a minor accusation. It was only natural that the family shouldn't arouse the royal family's suspicion.
"Why were Megara and Aidalia here since morning? They were in their pajamas..."
"Didn't you hear? They're witnesses."
"Did you call them to ask about who wasn't in class last night?"
"No, they came on their own."
Nelrisheon, who saw Neris' expression, understood what she was trying to say with his clever mind. Before he could speak, someone knocked on the door.
"Your Highness, we've finished searching Neris Trude's room."
"Come in."
The conversation that shouldn't be known to the student council had ended. Abellus, still sleepy, yawned and spoke lazily.
The door opened, and Abellus' attendant, a former royal knight, entered. Unlike the student council members, who were not skilled in such matters, he knew what a "search" entailed.
The attendant bowed and reported, "We didn't find anything."
There was nothing. That phrase meant not only that the stolen exam paper was not found but also that there was no evidence of any suspicious exchange between Neris Trude, Clewin Maindorlant, or any other family.
Abellus' suspicion towards Neris had completely disappeared. He was now frustrated that he had lost the lead on finding the thief.
Should he catch them all and search them one by one?
"Go!"
Abellus gestured to Neris, who curtsied and left the student council room.
Megara, who was standing outside the student council room, looked at Neris with a cold gaze as she walked out calmly. Why was she so confident?
Had Simon hidden the exam paper too well? Or had that sly girl already found and destroyed it this morning?
But if it was the latter, how did she manage to find it between last night and this morning? Unless she had searched the room with the conviction that something was hidden there.
Neris stopped in front of Megara and asked, "Megara, did you come to the student council early this morning to give an important testimony?"
"Yes, I didn't want to blame anyone, but it's a big deal that one of us is a thief. I told them what I knew. Anyway, it's good that you're okay, and you even got to talk to the Crown Prince."
Megara replied with her usual perfect smile, but Neris could sense a hint of mockery. Neris nodded in agreement.
"You're right. You're a model student, Megara."
The word "model" didn't seem to carry any mocking tone, but Megara felt insulted. How dare she! She didn't even deserve to be in this school!
How did she manage to get out of this situation? The student council couldn't even properly search a small dorm room!
Aidalia, who received Megara's subtle glare, felt anxious but had to speak up. Now was not the time to disobey Megara's orders.
"Um, Neris, are you okay? Are you feeling better now?"
Her words sounded very concerned. Neris smiled meaningfully at Aidalia, who had never received such a gentle treatment from Neris before.
"Yes, I'm fine. Thanks for worrying about me. You're really kind, Aidalia. Thanks to your concern, everything is resolved, so don't worry."
"Okay, okay, kids."
Natasha, who was watching the three 1st-graders lingering at the student council entrance, spoke roughly, losing her patience.
"Move aside. The seniors are busy."
"I'm sorry, senior. You showed me the way last night, but I didn't attend the supplementary lesson properly... and I made you tired."
The student council was tired because of the exam thief, not Neris, but she intentionally apologized with a innocent face. Natasha looked at Neris strangely and hesitated.
The word "last night" brought out the anxiety that had been hidden in Natasha's mind. In fact, she had been thinking about what this impudent and small 1st-grader had said and couldn't sleep well.
It was unpleasant that a low-ranking knight's daughter dared to speak presumptuously about the marriage of a high-ranking noble, but there was some truth to the kid's words.
Was Megara really, dare she, behave so presumptuously?
Megara didn't notice that Natasha was looking at her strangely. Instead, Megara was thinking about the meaning behind Neris' words to Aidalia.
Neris and Aidalia were only friendly in a superficial way, pretending not to know each other. So, why did Neris suddenly speak kindly to her?
And the words "thanks to your concern, everything is resolved."
A suspicion took shape in Megara's mind. Could it be that this hypocrite, despite being so secretive, had...
A voice came from inside the student council room.
"Megara, Kendal, come in for a moment."
Megara and Aidalia's faces stiffened slightly at the same time. Megara's expression was almost imperceptible, while Aidalia's was a bit more noticeable.
Neris said kindly to Megara as she entered the student council room.
"It was worth coming here early, Megara. Good for you, getting to talk to the Crown Prince."
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone