Bab 170: [Chapter 170] As amazing as ever today
"Even Yayeon doesn't know this place."
As they entered, Cledwin whistled, looking around at the wall that closed tightly on its own.
Neris sensed he was going to ask something. Even if he suspected she had some dealings with the royal family, she had nothing to say at the moment.
Although she was on the verge of death at the hands of the royal person, Keimil's will was not necessarily the will of the royal family.
In the palace where various conspiracies had swirled for a long time, there were various secret passages. Only the emperor knew all the passages, and the prince knew the next most. The number of passages known to the empress and the princess varied according to their political status.
When Neris was a princess, Abelus did not inform her of many passages. However, handling various dirty tasks for Keimil, she learned a few more passages, unknown even to Abelus.
One of them happened to be right here. This was not a place actively revealed by Keimil; Neris discovered this passage by chance while witnessing her coming out. Nonetheless, she could be grateful to Keimil for making her aware of it.
Yayeon doesn't know? That was plausible. Keimil was so cautious that even Neris learning about this passage bothered her. While the other passages in the palace were readily disclosed if needed for a task.
In fact, Neris knew the entrance law, but she didn't know exactly where this path led. So, although she knew that it led to the gardens near the Imperial Palace if she went all the way, she entered nonetheless...
Her gaze scanned the doors lining both sides of the corridor. Almost no sunlight came in, and there were no tapestries or painted wooden panels on the walls; only old stones were exposed. It was an interior reminiscent of the prison-like place where Neris was trapped just before her death in her previous life.
Throughout the walls, there were iron doors without handles. Clearly enchanted and requiring magic to open, it was a door that needed magic even to unlock.
It was likely a special room for holding hostages or prisoners. Since Neris had only used this passage once due to Keimil's vigilance, it was something she wouldn't know about.
Neris pondered how to explain the situation and responded, "The palace is not a place where one can roam freely, and there are many passages even Yayeon doesn't know."
Now, they would probably ask why Neris knew about a passage even Yayeon didn't. She deliberately quickened her pace to avoid looking at Cledwin's face.
No matter how long she waited, the question did not come.
Although no one had said a word, she felt uneasy. With both Dora and Cledwin seemingly eyeing her, Neris felt her throat dry up.
'Traitor! You were indeed a spy. How many of the palace's secrets did you betray?'
When the Elandria family declared independence in the previous life... Abelus was furious. He accused Neris of being a spy from the start, which led to their strained relationship.
Neris believed she may have played a role similar to a spy to some extent. However, she had never decisively betrayed the royal family. In fact, she lived as a princess for the royal family after marriage.
As a princess, she had arranged for some benefits for her family, but they were conveniences that could easily be granted to the royal relatives. Instead, Megara gained far more benefits from the Marquis of Ricciandro.
However, explanations were futile. It led to outbursts that were nothing short of torture, and her body was irreparably damaged. And in the end...
Memories of being criticized by those she had wholeheartedly supported until then came to mind. While the events had happened years ago for the current Neris, they were not easily forgotten.
Unknowingly, she clenched her fist. She turned to the two silent figures without saying a word.
Cledwin smirked, and Dora grinned broadly.
Oddly, her heart sank at their reaction. Hesitating, Neris asked, "...Aren't you going to ask?"
"What? Are you still as mysterious as ever today?"
"Of course!"
Dora cheerfully replied while dragging the assassin's body along. Neris deeply regretted bringing up this topic first.
Even if they had asked first, she would have struggled to explain. Should she claim she heard about it accidentally from the lady of the house... How could she explain knowing about such a suspicious place... She was pondering these thoughts.
She was equally unsure how to respond to such reactions.
However, there was a strange itch in her chest. The unfamiliar warmth and the strange level of absolute acceptance she had felt in Maindlandt... The awkwardness she had felt within it.
A clear joy so overwhelming that it was difficult to contain.
These fearful and strange emotions welled up. Neris turned her head, not wanting to think about what expression to wear, and completely changed the subject.
"How did you manage to arrive there at the right time?"
"I came hoping to see you a bit, but Eunwol's movements were strange. So, I came right away, and the timing was perfect."
"Thank you. I owe my life to you."
"Even if it wasn't me, Dora was there."
"Still, this body should be left in a place nearby where it can be easily noticed when taken out. If the shadow of the daughter holding a dagger is found dead in her own yard, the Emperor might show an amusing reaction."
"Alright."
Keimil might have hoped for this assassination attempt to remain a secret, but there was no reason for this side to do so. Dora nodded with a smirk.
"What amusing reaction, miss?"
"Well, the most likely scenario is that the Emperor will be most upset thinking that his daughter, who has become too big for her boots, failed to cover the Emperor's eyes as she pleased. Then, there will be some restrictions on moving the shadow for a while, so I won't have to worry about such a situation when I enter the palace next time."
"Don't enter the palace next time."
Cledwin muttered. Neris continued walking through the passage steadily.
"Why not enter the palace? You should come when called. What power do I have over you?"
"Is the job at that house not finished yet? What will they do when they return to Maindlandt?"
Neris slightly pursed her lips at the mention of being considered a family member who would protect her naturally. It was to avoid making a strange expression.
"...There's still some left."
It was speculated that about half of the Elandria Marquisate's funds were tied up. Most of the connections were being cautious about their surroundings.
However, this situation was temporary, so I had to blow up a room that couldn't be reversed.
"Shall I help?"
"Thank you. This time, it would be best if Yayeon helped. It's difficult to convey to the palace through Jo-an."
"What?"
Neris turned to Cledwin with a smile.
"The Elandria Marquis has been faithful to the palace so far, but he hasn't always been the most successful in front of everyone. Do you know what method nobles in the palace prefer to silence others?"
"If you hadn't added the clue 'in the palace,' the answer would have been 'kill.' Seems like there might be a different answer?"
Despite bringing up a topic he had never mentioned before, Cledwin had a bright expression. Neris nodded.
"In other regions, you cleanly kill the target that needs to be silenced. In the palace, after killing the target that needs to be silenced, you frame another family for the murder. There are so many old grudges between families intertwined."
Just like killing the wealthy members of the Redang tribe from the Wells family while framing other Redang tribe members for the crime.
Killing Neris but using the hands of the Elandria family.
Cledwin raised the corner of his mouth as if he understood.
"It seems like they killed even those who shouldn't have been killed."
"People who do similar things form alliances. The Elandria Marquis wants to become king, and if the palace finds out, he knows his life will be over. So, at the slightest hint of a leak, he kills those involved. Among the nobles who died in this way, there were only seven. Keperson, Hudian, Vicherta..."
Neris remembered their names well.
Although they were individuals who had already died before she was adopted in her previous life, the Vistah royal family mentioned their deaths when the Elandria family declared royal authority.
An empire ruled by the descendants of three heroes. Besides the various privileges gained from being vassals of the Elandria family, the palace did not want to lose its legitimacy. Therefore, they tried to capture them by dredging up the past and tarnishing the legitimacy of the new royal dynasty.
In the end, they failed, and while acknowledging the new kingdom, Valentin was brought in as the new princess.
"If the families of the unjustly deceased all appeal to the palace at once, the Marquis will be overwhelmed. The palace will try to suppress the Marquis. At least until Nellusion becomes the Marquis. They will do nothing. They will maintain the name, but that's all."
"Will you come back then?"
"Yes."
Neris was tired of being tormented by fools all day at the Elandria Marquisate. After responding as if it were a matter of course, she felt unfamiliar with that sense of certainty.
With her mother there, Neris's home had now become the White Swan Castle in Maindlandt. However, when she was about to respond to Cledwin's words, she didn't think about her mother.
Simply going back to Maindlandt... Going back to the White Swan Castle was a natural "return" for her.
"...In the past."
There was nowhere to go. If she was rejected by the people of the Elandria Marquisate.
If she left them, she had nowhere to stand in the world.
The secret passage ended. The air was so cold it stung her nose, and a dazzling light flooded in.
Neris remembered their names well.
Although they had died before she was adopted in her previous life, the Vistaria royal side mentioned their deaths when the Elendria family declared royal authority.
An empire ruled by the descendants of three heroes. Besides the various privileges gained from being vassals of the Elendria family, the palace did not want to lose their legitimacy. Therefore, they tried to capture them by dredging up the past and tarnishing the legitimacy of the new royal dynasty.
In the end, they failed, and the curtain fell on all events as Valentine was brought in as the new princess.
"If the families of the unjustly deceased all appeal to the palace at once, the Viscount will be unable to stop it. The palace will suppress the Viscount with determination. At least until Nelucian becomes the Viscount. They will do nothing to prevent it. They will maintain the name, but that's all."
"Will you come back then?"
"Yes."
Neris was tired of being tormented by fools all day at the Elendria Viscount's estate. After responding as if it were natural, she felt a sense of unfamiliarity with that naturalness.
With her mother there, Neris's home had now become the White Swan Castle in Maindland. However, when she was about to respond to Cladwin's words, she didn't think about her mother.
Simply going back to Maindland... Going back to the White Swan Castle was a very natural 'return' for her.
"...In the past."
There was nowhere to go. If she was rejected by the people of the Elendria Viscount's estate, she had no place to stand in the world.
The secret passage had ended. The air was so cold it stung her nose, and a dazzling light flooded in.
"The servant of the Viscount picked up the button that was dropped. Seeing this, Eunwol might think that the Viscount's escort rescued the lady."
"And the Viscount might not even know about this passage. Excellent work, Dora."
Neris was satisfied.
She gave Kemil something to worry about, gave the Viscount a reason to be cautious, and provided the Emperor with reasons to doubt not only his daughter but also his most useful servant.
It was a good harvest. If she could come up with an excuse to leave this place without delay, today's troubles would be over.
"Let's go."
Before stepping onto the busy street, Neris sent Cladwin off. Dora concealed her appearance again to continue her secret escort duty.
Shortly after, Neris approached the lone watchman and politely asked, "Excuse me. I am a relative of the Elendria family, and I seem to have lost my way. Would you happen to know where Lord Nelucian is? I seem to have lost my way."
Neris's jewel was a badge of identity in itself. The watchman politely replied, "Yes, I will escort you, my lady.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone