บท 93: [Chapter 93] Entire Palace
Ellen left to ensure that the mother and daughter could enjoy their time together.
Neris and her mother went to the room where her mother was staying. They embraced each other and exchanged greetings for a while.
Initially, her mother, who had been brought to Mainland as if kidnapped, had caused quite a commotion. Knowing that her mother could sometimes be very unpredictable, Neris almost broke out in a cold sweat.
The knights of Mainland who brought her mother, whether kidnappers or bandits, seemed to have heard all sorts of complaints.
However, they continued to be treated well here, receiving reassuring letters written in her daughter's handwriting multiple times, and gradually began to adapt energetically.
Neris's emotions were complex. She was delighted and moved to see that her mother was safe, but at the same time, she had unnecessary doubts whether this was still a dream.
However, the warmth she felt from her mother's hands, the embrace, and the buried scent soon overwhelmed her with joy.
"My daughter, studying and graduating from that difficult academy. It was such a waste for a smart child like you not to go to school."
While saying that, her mother still had a face that showed there were some things she couldn't understand. That was to be expected.
Neris didn't know how much Cledwyn had told her mother. But probably, if it was that man, he wouldn't have said anything at all.
Neris knew she had to convince her mother.
"But, my dear, are you not going to show your face to your mother?"
After a long conversation, that question finally came.
Neris slowly removed her veil. The face of her mother, which had appeared distant behind the black and thick silk, became much clearer as if it had come closer.
Her mother's eyes widened in shock as she looked into her daughter's eyes.
Neris let out a bitter smile.
"...Isn't it strange?"
"It's strange...!"
Her mother's face showed great surprise, but she quickly responded. Neris nestled in her mother's arms and said sadly,
"Just before coming here, I suddenly felt unwell. I'm glad you're here... If not... Who knows, maybe they would have forcibly taken me from the Elendria family. They would have definitely tried to use me..."
Memories from her previous life flowed like a nightmare.
Neris's hand, embracing her mother's waist, turned pale. It felt like a never-ending fall into the abyss.
She knew how her words might sound like those of a delusional patient.
To her mother, the Elendria family was her home, a place she was grateful to for lending her tuition... Even if their relationship had been strained for a long time, it wasn't to the point of being enemies...
After a moment, a warm and firmer hand grasped hers.
The feeling of falling into the abyss seemed to stop. Neris looked up at her mother. Her mother looked back at her, a twisted smile on her face.
Ah.
From that smile, Neris realized that her mother also had the same thoughts as her.
She felt relieved that she didn't need to make a long explanation to convince her mother and at the same time, sadness washed over her. Her mother was kind and warm, yet she understood only to the extent of the current rush.
She had accepted the delusional behavior of having to handle the whereabouts of the mother and daughter in an extreme manner, keeping it hidden from others.
There had been an incident where she had to accept the reality of the Elendria family. When was it? When her mother was forced out of the house after insisting on marrying her father? Or after Neris showed her talent at the academy and caught Nellucian's attention?
Perhaps both. Her mother had doubted the Elendria family when she was first kidnapped.
"My daughter. My baby."
Her mother caressed Neris's cheek with both hands and kissed her forehead.
"It's okay. Everything is okay. Mom is here. No matter what happens, Mom will protect you."
The words felt empty. What power did her mother have? Even in her previous life, her mother had said the same.
And what fate had she faced?
Nevertheless, despite being terribly, terribly comforting, Neris felt like she wanted to stop crying. They would live together now... If she died, they would die together.
A moment later, someone knocked on the door.
"I apologize for interrupting your time."
A young woman's voice followed. Neris raised her eyebrows at the unfamiliar voice. Her mother spoke with a bright expression.
"Dora! Dora, it's okay, Liz. Come in."
"Yes, Mom."
Creak. The door opened lightly, and a woman in her mid-twenties, dressed simply, entered the room.
With dark brown hair and tall stature, she bowed her head to her mother and then politely greeted Neris.
"I have come to attend to the lady. If there is anything you need, please let me know, and I will serve you sincerely."
She was a personal maid.
When Neris first heard the name of the East Wing, she thought it was like a steward's office. Seeing the building in person, it was too nice to be a steward's office, but well, there must be reasons for it here.
If they needed servants for the steward's office, why assign a personal maid separately?
"Yes, thank you. Are you here to greet me?"
"No, Miss. Actually, there is a meeting about to take place in the East Wing, and you are required to attend, so I have come to escort you."
Not knowing where the East Wing was, Neris hesitated for a moment, and her mother quickly explained.
"The East Wing is where Mainland's managers work. You need to go there, but let's talk more when you come back."
It seemed like the conversation would be endless. So, 'Why did you send my mother to Mainland without any connections a few years before the jewel manifested?', 'Why did you send my mother to Mainland without any connections a few years before the jewel manifested?', she couldn't say directly.
Neris nodded and stood up. She put her black veil back on.
"I'll be back."
***
"The White Swan Castle, or as the locals call it, the Penmwick Castle. The White Swan Castle is divided into the Main Wing, West Wing, and East Wing. The East Wing is used for meetings and accommodations for the managers under the Duke's jurisdiction, while the Main Wing houses the Duke's residence, banquet hall, dining area, and more."
Dora guided Neris to the East Wing and provided an overall explanation.
"So, what is the West Wing used for?"
"The West Wing was originally empty, but a few years ago, Lady Trude arrived and has been the only resident since. Now that you are here, it will be where both of you stay."
Neris was taken aback. Had she asked to protect her mother, to give her an entire wing of the palace?
She had been demanding boldly until now, but Neris never took for granted everything she received from Cledwyn. It was all a debt to repay.
The costs of the herb garden, the house, the cultivation of the pouch, and various other expenses, as well as the wages for the people who had protected her during the semester, were all debts she intended to repay, carefully remembering each one."
"So Cledwyn thought he would provide everything necessary for his rule with all his abilities.
'You didn't need to go this far.'
Is he out of his mind?
He just gave it away because it was empty? Neris didn't think he would act so simply.
Giving away a 'palace'... It was too significant. The Lord's Castle was a highly symbolic space.
Originally, Neris knew that Cledwyn would be absent around the time she arrived. The groom who greeted her had informed her.
And she had no complaints about that fact because she thought he had left for something very important.
But now, she was seriously bothered by what kind of mindset he had to leave it like this. She wanted to ask him seriously, and his absence bothered her.
Dora smiled lightly as she looked at Neris's face. Like Ellen, Dora had been looking at Neris with a friendly gaze from the beginning.
Her warm gaze, without any hint of flattery, didn't feel like that of a servant.
"I may have many shortcomings, but I will do my best to make you both comfortable."
"...Thank you. Dora, can I ask you something?"
"Please ask me anything, Miss."
"You don't seem like someone who has been a maid from the beginning. What did you do before?"
In her previous life, Neris had often seen her sister Kamil giving orders to her own maid 'Eunwol', and sometimes, Neris, who was occasionally involved in interrogations, recognized the unique rhythm of a human from the maid's background... the soundless footsteps.
Dora's behavior revealed a certain atmosphere of that kind in her unconscious actions.
"Yes, Miss. You are correct."
Dora blushed slightly with embarrassment but answered straightforwardly.
"I was originally a soldier, a direct member of the Duke's unit called 'Yayeon'. I was in danger of death after failing a mission, and Lady Trude found me and saved me. I was then assigned to serve the lady."
Her mother seemed to have discovered a lot and saved many people. It must have been eventful in the north.
"I see."
"Oh, but very few people know that fact. I usually act like an ordinary maid to blend in. It seems like you have a special eye, Miss."
Indeed, if her mother, who suddenly appeared in the north and received a whole wing of the palace, even had a maid who was clearly a former soldier, it would have been too noticeable.
Moreover, the name 'Yayeon'... 'Discovered' her after a failed mission... Neris's guess seemed to be correct.
Yayeon was probably the name of the direct member of Cledwyn's unit.
Not just anyone could enter the unit, so her mother's safety had truly been 'well' protected all this time.
Eventually, the two crossed the hall of the main palace and entered the East Wing. As soon as they stepped in, there was a lively atmosphere.
Unlike the West Wing, the East Wing had a much wider entrance, and the courtyard visible from the window was clean. In fact, all the unmanageable plants seemed to have been removed.
However, there was no sense of relaxation anywhere. Many people, each with busy faces, were passing by each other, fitting the scale of the palace."
Dora, seemingly familiar with the layout of the East Wing, quickly led Neris through several rooms and corridors. She guided her to a grand door on the second-floor corridor.
From the moment they entered the East Wing, Dora's behavior became so perfect as an 'ordinary maid' that even Neris would find it difficult to tell. Before opening the door, she spoke to Neris.
"You don't need to bow to anyone except the Duke. If anyone says otherwise, it's all lies."
"Understood."
The door opened silently. Neris took a step inside and observed everything within.
The room was spacious, matching the size of the door. About twenty people surrounded a large table, each wearing a bored expression.
However, as soon as they caught sight of Neris, their bored faces quickly changed.
Curiosity. A hint of wariness. Unavoidable pride.
Neris had a rough idea of the role she had taken on here. A position where she didn't need to bow to anyone and could take responsibility in her own name.
A direct advisor to the Lord.
Advisors employed from other countries or regions were usually experts in specific fields, spending their retirement in peaceful positions.
However, among the nobles of the Vista Empire, an advisor was a figure akin to the state's prime minister.
They held the most responsibility and authority among the officials the Lord could appoint, with political calculations playing a significant role in their selection. Their duties encompassed everything happening in the domain, from administration to finance and judiciary matters.
The Empire's culture of granting such authority to advisors originated from the fact that a beautiful warrior named Palos was appointed as the Emperor's advisor among the three ancient heroes.
Although the Imperial Family had abolished the advisor system and changed the title to a minister about a hundred years ago, the nobles still used this title.
Neris was hesitant as she thought it was too much for a girl who had just graduated from the academy... But judging by their reactions, it seemed fitting.
'Crazy person.'
Truly a crazy person. What made him believe he could give her such a significant position? Neris couldn't help but laugh.
She couldn't afford to be pushed aside at their first meeting. Neris confidently approached the most prominent seat in the room, the only one that was empty.
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