Bab 76: [Chapter 76] No Need for a Partner
The student council room, which used to be filled with carefree junior members when Abelus was the chairman, became much quieter now that the youngest princess, Ijette, had taken over as the chair.
Neris was pleased with this fact.
The student council room she visited to obtain confirmation from the student council president regarding meeting the early graduation requirements was conveniently empty except for Ijette.
In the serene room filled with the scent of tea, Ijette and Neris sat facing each other. They sipped their tea as if in agreement or promise.
"Congratulations."
Ijette, with her light ash-colored hair tightly pulled back at the nape of her neck, looked slightly older than her actual age.
Her formal congratulations sounded stiffer than the formal letters sent from the school administration office.
"Early graduation is approved."
Compared to Camille or Abelus, Ijette was easier to deal with from Neris's perspective.
Of course, Camille had already graduated before Neris even enrolled, and Abelus was not difficult to deal with but rather an annoying figure.
Neris politely thanked Ijette.
"Thank you."
Ijette didn't seem to react as if she cared whether Neris thanked her or not. In fact, she always behaved that way, so Neris wasn't surprised or discouraged.
Like Camille, Ijette had been Neris's sister-in-law for a few years.
When Abelus fell for Megara and neglected his wife, Camille had threatened to scold Abelus, but Ijette simply chose to ignore it.
That was just who she was. Princess Ijette. Not particularly malicious, but also not interested in justice. All she wanted was for the glory of the royal family to continue as it had been.
To ensure her daily life continued comfortably.
When Neris first learned of Ijette's values, she was taken aback. It was difficult for her to know how to impress her sister-in-law.
While Camille always acknowledged and praised any achievements Neris made actively for the royal family, Ijette showed no interest in whatever Neris did. Even if Neris achieved something beneficial for the royal family, Ijette showed little interest.
During her marriage to Abelus, Neris might have found Ijette a bit intimidating. But now, Neris knew better. Ijette was simply someone you didn't need to worry about.
Just share practical stories without expecting any friendly emotions.
"What are your plans after graduation? Have you decided?"
"I plan to work, Your Highness."
"Back in your hometown? Or somewhere else?"
"Somewhere else, Your Highness. I don't intend to return to my hometown."
It seemed that Wilmont, the lord of Neris's hometown of Rohez, was contemplating how to handle the house where Neris and her mother lived after her mother's death—officially declared as such. Legally, it was Neris's house, and the pension rights of the deceased Trude lord also belonged to Neris. However, Neris rarely visited her hometown, and Wilmont had several reasons to have the house vacated.
To prevent him from pondering over such unnecessary concerns, Neris sent a letter in advance.
Since her mother had passed away, she couldn't bear to return to Rohez. She planned to sell the house, and if he could send the proceeds, she would gratefully use them to settle down in her current location.
Wilmont sent a letter of condolence and relief along with a larger sum than Neris had anticipated.
Of course, to Neris, who was earning astronomical amounts through the Morier upper echelon, it was still good money, but not accepting it would raise suspicions.
Neris replied with a grateful response, and with that, the connection between Rohez and Neris officially came to an end.
"Since my father and mother had already taken out all the lobster utensils they personally made, there was no reason to leave the house as it was.
"If it's somewhere else, are you considering entering the Marquisate? Why, it's your ancestral home."
Neris finally understood why this indifferent princess had paid attention to her.
Nelucian had shown overt interest in Neris as she continued to achieve good grades as she grew older.
Valentin tried to have a fit upon hearing this, but he couldn't touch Neris recklessly because of Nelucian's presence.
Even after Nelucian graduated, Valentin's nagging didn't go beyond a certain point. So, to others, it seemed like an easy answer for Neris to enter the Elendria family.
"That place is not my ancestral home, Your Highness. It's a distant relative. I have no home now."
Officially, they were now completely alone in the world. Ijette offered formal words of comfort. Well, words of comfort, but still.
"A smart person like you wouldn't have to worry if you had the backing of your family."
"You're too kind, Your Highness."
"Do you have any thoughts of becoming a teacher?"
Neris smiled wryly.
"I don't think I would be suitable to become a teacher at the academy since I don't enjoy teaching. Instead... I want to gain new experiences in a place I've never been to."
"For example?"
"As you know, my situation is difficult. So, I occasionally take on tasks at a private post office. One lady who usually gave me work asked me to be a companion to her maid and young daughter."
Ijette snorted slightly.
"That sounds like a proposal for a governess. You say you don't like teaching."
"Teaching many students. Her daughter is just one person, and she asked me to be a companion like family... So, I'm thinking of going to see."
The blatant lie was evident.
In truth, Neris's words lacked credibility. Whether she became a governess for a certain family or an academy teacher, she wouldn't receive as good pay and stability as she could in other positions.
Anyway, if it was a decent family, they would send the child to the academy at the age of 12.
However, Ijette had little interest in Neris's future.
As a noble, she only needed to check where Neris, a seemingly useful tool, would end up being affiliated with a major family. Knowing this well, Neris thought Ijette wouldn't inquire further.
Indeed, Ijette revealed her desire to end the conversation by swiftly offering the envelope that had been placed on the table.
"This is the confirmation of your early graduation requirements. Your time at the academy is almost over. Enjoy the remaining time and take care wherever you go."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Neris carefully took the envelope and bowed her head."
***
"Hey, have you already chosen a partner for this year's graduation ball?"
The blushing boy who asked hesitantly was 19 years old.
'Age is okay, face is decent, comes from a wealthy Marquisate family, and he's the eldest son. Okay.'
After a strict(?) evaluation, the boy's conditions weren't bad. However, 18-year-old Diane McKinnon had a different criterion in mind.
The most important criterion for Diane was whether the boy truly balanced with the person he was applying to be partners with.
If the standards were too high, it was inevitable that the suitable partner wouldn't accept. And the person who asked the boy to be her partner was considered too much for him.
Young and with the most beautiful face in the world, connected to the most prestigious lineage in the country through her maternal family, Neris Trude politely declined.
"I'm sorry, senior. I don't plan on having a partner for the ball."
It was a very unusual statement. If they were attending the graduation ball, everyone who had already decided to attend wanted a partner.
'Because it's a ball, shouldn't there be someone to dance with?'
The boy had always been interested in this pretty and mature junior.
So, despite not being particularly close, he mustered the courage to ask her out under the pretext of taking a few classes together. Even now, around this corner of the corridor, his friends would be cheering him on.
Trying to convince her in any way, the boy suddenly felt a warm gaze fixated on him.
Inadvertently meeting Diane's fierce gaze, he received a gesture that was too intimidating to comprehend.
"Oh, I see. I'm sorry!"
The boy's dilemma didn't last long. Watching the boy walk away, Neris remarked as if something was off.
"You didn't need to apologize."
Well, that's how it was. It wasn't wrong for a boy at an age when he was very interested in dating to ask a girl his age out.
Understanding the situation, Diane shrugged it off and said,
"That's right. Um, let's start the class. Let's go, Liz."
"Got it."
Diane and Neris linked arms and headed towards the classroom where they would attend their lessons this time.
'I should have taken as many classes together as possible before the graduation decision.'
Since she didn't have a particular interest in her major, Diane found it challenging to keep up with the language studies she chose just to follow her friend.
If Neris hadn't already completed the highest-level classes in five foreign languages and was now taking an intermediate-level class in another language, Diane wouldn't have been able to take the same classes as her.
She couldn't keep up with the advanced classes, as she couldn't even handle the intermediate ones.
However, upon hearing the disappointing news of Neris's confirmed early graduation, Diane had no choice but to admit that she had made the right choice in her major. What would have happened if their majors had been different?
A major is a major, but there was one regret that came to Diane's mind after graduation. Diane grumbled to Neris.
"Liz, I think it's too much for you to go so far. I don't know how much the lady you're talking about is paying, but if you come to our upper echelon to work, you'll definitely get a higher salary than that and have more interesting work. Our brother said you're definitely welcome!"
A student who never missed being at the top throughout her academic career. She scored full marks in the math proficiency test she took right after enrolling and skipped two languages altogether, speaking seven languages at the highest level, including two she had completely skipped.
She had received declarations from the last five major teachers that there was nothing more to teach her and met the challenging early graduation requirements.
Is she only good at languages? Neris had already taken the highest-level classes in international politics and international law at the Karptak One Political Department two years ago.
There wasn't a teacher who wouldn't want to bring her into their field after teaching her once. According to rumors, some even praised her as "seeming like someone who has worked on the diplomatic front for years."
Not only because of what happened five years ago in winter, but the McKinnon upper echelon wouldn't have wanted such a talent to leave.
However, this friend repeatedly gave the same answer, heartlessly.
"I want to do this, Diane. Lady Kellen has consistently provided me with work to sustain my livelihood for the past few years, so I want to pay her a visit and say hello."
"Then just say hello and come back!"
Diane was annoyed with the 'Lady Kellen' who had been providing Neris with work at the post office for the past few years.
After all, wouldn't her children grow up soon, regardless of their current age? Taking her away like this when she couldn't employ her for a lifetime...!
Neris smiled to soothe her.
"I appreciate the offer. But I really want to try this job. Even if I have to leave when the time comes, I want to try it now."
She had tried to convince her several times already. Diane was exasperated. She knew she couldn't sway Neris, who spoke so firmly.
So, what could she do? They could just enjoy the remaining time together.
"Alright. Instead, will you definitely go with me to this year's graduation ball?"
"You're going with Brandt, right? Do you really need me?"
Neris, who didn't value her partner, had only one reason to attend the graduation ball: Diane.
Diane, who had started dating a cheerful and affable senior male student a few weeks ago, proudly said,
"Of course! What's the fun if we both don't go? Don't worry, I won't let you get bored, Liz!"
Neris believed Diane's words.
During her years at the academy, Diane had dated several male students a grade above her.
And whether dining with them or having tea, whenever she spotted Neris passing by, Diane would enthusiastically wave and greet her as if she was much happier to see her.
Ironically, Neris's concern was the opposite. If Neris and Diane were together, Diane's boyfriend would undoubtedly be the one feeling bored.
"Got it."
But well, what could she do. Neris smiled, thinking the same thing Diane had just done.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone