บท 39: [Chapter 39] Nellurys' Appearance
Lady Hoffmann, the head of the general department, used a residence that included two reception rooms, a guest bedroom, and a terrace with a great view of the lake.
Although the residence looked similar to the other luxurious dormitories, it was different in that the first floor was used for official purposes.
Neris entered Lady Hoffmann's residence, nicknamed the "Eagle's Nest", without showing any signs of fear. Her confident expression and calm footsteps didn't change even as she entered the counseling room, a place that the older students disliked.
The counseling room, decorated with expensive furniture, already had two adults and two children seated. Lady Hoffmann was sitting across from Baron Nain, with Alektor and Anagard on either side of them.
Lady Hoffmann's expression, which had been stern, turned cold as she spoke to Neris.
"Come and sit down."
Neris closed the door behind her and sat down next to Alektor. Baron Nain looked at Neris's face and asked suspiciously.
"Neris?"
"Yes, Baron Nain."
"You remember me. I saw you when you were a child."
In fact, Neris had seen Baron Nain many times in the social circle after she grew up, but he didn't know that. Anagard's face was tearful, but she didn't hide her arrogant expression. Her eyes, full of hatred, briefly met Neris's.
"See, you remember me!"
It was the first time Anagard had spoken in such a loud voice at school. Alektor snorted, and Neris raised an eyebrow.
"What are you talking about?"
"Pretending you don't remember me? You don't remember me?"
"If you're talking about when we first met, I don't remember."
"But how did you know our dad was here?!"
"You look like him. And you're sitting with him. Is it that hard to guess?"
Anagard had nothing to say. Baron Nain narrowed his eyes and furrowed his brow.
"Yes, Neris. You've been clever since you were a child. It seems that hasn't changed."
His words meant that Neris was clever, but also childish. Everyone in the counseling room understood the implication. Neris replied calmly.
"Thank you, Baron Nain. Lady Hoffmann, I was called out of class. May I know what this is about?"
Lady Hoffmann looked at Neris with her sharp eyes, which had earned her the nickname "Hawk".
The winter sunlight came in through the window overlooking the garden, and the fireplace was lit, but Lady Hoffmann looked cold and unyielding, like a stone statue.
"You're always diligent. I've heard that you're doing well in your studies. Lord Voltaire has praised you highly."
"Thank you."
Neris didn't make the mistake of taking her words kindly.
To Hoffman's wife, the only important people were the wealthy nobles who could donate a lot of money. If she heard that Diane was fighting with Neris, Hoffman's wife could be the kind of person who would immediately punish Neris.
"I have something to ask you, Neris."
"Yes, Baron."
Neris's gaze shifted from Hoffman's wife to the Baron, who was deliberately raising his chin and asking with a wrinkled nose.
"I heard that you're leading the way in deliberately excluding us from the Anagara family. Is that true?"
Pfft. Alekto couldn't help but burst out laughing. Hoffman's wife gave him a gentle warning in a much softer voice than when she spoke to Neris.
"Alekto, the adults are talking."
"Sorry. But who would listen to what 'Neris Truede' says and exclude others?"
Alekto added that if someone wanted to exclude others, they should start with Neris herself, and Neris felt satisfied inwardly.
Alekto hated being underestimated and wanted to show off his wit whenever he had the chance.
Of course, anyone would feel that way at this age, but Alekto's inferiority complex was more pronounced because he had an older sister who received much more praise than him.
If he was suspected of being manipulated by others, he was the kind of person who couldn't bear it unless he denied it with all his might.
The Baron and Anagara exchanged glances. Anagara, who had her suspicions denied, spoke in the most venomous tone she could muster.
"That guy, that guy is really useless and fox-like! Pretending to be good! He's not like that! And he's framing me!"
Alekto let out another snort, but then received Hoffman's wife's icy stare and quieted down, shrugging his shoulders. The Baron looked at Neris with a piercing gaze and asked.
"Is that so, Neris?"
His voice was smooth and seemingly gentle, but it was firm with unwavering conviction. It was an attitude that no matter what Neris said, the answer was already decided.
Neris knew the Baron's personality well, having experienced it a few times during her princess days. He was a person who had a fair side, but was also very stubborn and loved his daughter dearly.
Since his beloved daughter would have cried and been upset all winter break, Neris knew that as soon as the interrogation was over, he would take revenge on her in any way he could.
No matter what Neris said here, it would only be used to reinforce the biased truth that was already established in his mind.
That was exactly why Neris didn't come down to Rohertz for winter break this year.
If Neris had foolishly gone down to Rohertz for winter break, the Baron would have immediately summoned her to his territory and interrogated her, disguising it as criticism, and punished her and her mother together.
Would the lord of Rohertz, Wilmot, fight with the lord of the neighboring territory over the wife of his deceased subordinate?
However, since they met at school, the Baron couldn't punish Neris beyond what the school rules allowed, no matter what he wanted.
At the very least, after going through a fair investigation process at school, it would be difficult for him to take private revenge on Neris's mother.
Within the school rules, the maximum punishment was to make someone write a reflection essay and not attend classes, unless it was a serious crime like murder.
Neris was grateful that the Baron had a semblance of fairness, or else she would have had to find a way to escape her mother's wrath starting from winter break. Thinking so, Neris shook her head.
"I didn't do anything like that."
As expected, the Baron's gaze was cold, not believing Neris's words.
"Anyway, Anagara was greatly hurt by your actions. I hear Alekto, you're the same, right? You haven't shown any signs of remorse from the beginning."
Alekto's face was red with anger. As the Count of Islani, he was superior to the Baron in both title and wealth, so it was a great blow to his pride to be scolded by Anagara's father.
Hoffman's wife let out a deep sigh, looking very disappointed.
"We'll have to investigate further, but if it's clear that the two of you have committed wrongdoing, the school will take strict measures."
"That's what should happen."
The Baron nodded. Neris felt Hoffman's wife's piercing gaze.
No matter what the investigation revealed, the result would inevitably favor Alekto over Neris. In reality, the children didn't see the trap Neris had set, but Alekto had a family and Neris didn't.
"For now, since it's clear that bullying occurred, Alekto Islani will come to the reflection room after class, and Neris will... for a week..."
Just then, someone knocked on the counseling room door.
Hoffman's wife was not used to being interrupted. She had an unpleasant expression, but after hesitating for a moment, she decided it was better to deal with the visitor first.
Her short "come in" opened the door.
The person who entered had a soft smile, and Hoffman's wife's expression slightly relaxed. She asked gently.
"What's going on, Nellusion Elantria?"
Nellusion bowed his head politely once.
According to school rules, students were supposed to use honorific language and behave respectfully towards teachers, except for direct imperial family members. However, students from high-ranking noble families often showed arrogant attitudes.
Nellusion was different. He was always calm and respectful, earning a good reputation among teachers.
Hoffman's wife, who favored wealthy and high-ranking students, clearly felt pleased with his treatment. Nellusion quickly read her expression and nodded to Neris.
Neris saw his gaze and immediately understood all the calculations going on in his head, but she controlled her disgust and nodded back.
"Ma'am, I heard that our family's child came to the counseling room due to some unfortunate incident. I'm worried that they might have made a big mistake, so I came to apologize."
The Baron's face slightly contorted. Alekto and Anagara's faces looked even more miserable.
They thought it was unfair that just because Nellusion was the son of the Elantria Duke, he received special treatment, even though they were just distant relatives. 'Our family's child'? What's the difference?
Hoffman's wife, who understood Nellusion's true intention, fell into thought for a moment. Neris could also see the calculations going on in her head.
If she had to choose between the Baron's family and the Elantria Duke's family, the answer was obvious.
"Yes, it's better for you to apologize together with Neris."
"Really? Did our Neris do something wrong?"
Nellusion spoke with a completely calm face, pretending not to know, and sat down next to Neris. The Baron's voice grew louder, and Hoffman's wife spoke gently.
"No, it hasn't been confirmed yet."
Alekto muttered the worst curse among first-year students under his breath. What about the week-long punishment just now?
Anagara's face turned pale, and the Baron protested with a stiff face.
"What are you saying, Hoffman's wife? You're saying my daughter lied?"
"Baron, how can you say that?"
Hoffman's wife looked straight into his eyes.
"If there's a problem, I'll apologize together with the children, of course. But I need to know the extent of what actually happened to make a decision. As a teacher, I have the authority to punish students according to the school rules, and I must always be cautious. I believe Anagara told you everything she knew, but adults can see things that children can't because they're biased towards their own perspective. That's what I've learned from years of teaching."
The mood of all the 'real' children in the room effectively soured, and one adult as well. Only Neris and Nellusion maintained the same calm expressions, quietly looking down.
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