Chương 153: [Chapter 153] Furious Valentin
Valentin Elandria had a good life.
Whether in her childhood or now, she was always well-treated wherever she went. Even among the same dukes, the Elandria family stood out from the rest. The direct princesses did not reveal themselves much in society, so Valentin was accustomed to being the first wherever she went.
Today, she was the first to be served tea and the first to recite a classic poem at the salon where her peers gathered. The applause she received was the first to be the loudest, and the clothes she wore were the first to be the most expensive.
That was how the world worked. Valentin was noble even now, but wouldn't she become the noblest person in the entire empire in the future?
In a state of intoxication with her perfect life, Valentin returned home in a carriage and felt a shock as if the sky was falling when Delma's contemplation turned into harsh words.
"What did you say?"
Delma spoke with a face full of anger.
"She doesn't even know where she is, Miss! And she's a murderer, in the world! Her eyes have always looked like poison since she was young, I knew she would turn out like this. She has no conscience! If she had any sense, criminals like her would open the door themselves and go to prison even if they were already there!"
"My words!"
Valentin disliked Nerys Trued the most in the world. She also despised Megara Liceandros, but at least Megara was a noble family's daughter. Furthermore, Valentin grew to dislike Nerys even more after she wore the queen's crown at the last graduation ball!
"These clueless people keep associating our family with criminals!"
Proud of her noble family as the only daughter of the Elandria Duke, Valentin found nothing more dreadful than Nerys being linked to the family.
However, what? I thought you would quickly graduate from school and go to do 'work' without dignity, and now you would have no business here, living among the commoners forever! How dare you cause trouble and then sneak into my territory, claiming this is where you belong?
And staying here during the trial period?
Just the thought was embarrassing. How much would my peers laugh if they heard this story? Valentin left her room dressed as she was.
"Where is that woman's room? Disgusting! Filthy! I must kick her out!"
Could I kick her out? Delma was skeptical about the prospect. However, Valentin, already furious, grabbed the passing steward by the collar.
"Where is Nerys Trued?"
The steward, trembling, silently pointed to Nerys's bedroom. Valentin, enraged by the location, became angry once again.
"It's close to my room!"
In the vast mansion, there were several guest rooms, and naturally, the closer to the Duke's family rooms, the higher the status. Assigning the room near Nerys was a sign that the person saw her as a guest who needed to be treated with respect.
The steward fled. Valentin, heading towards Nerys's room, was blocked by someone.
"Who are you!"
Appalled by the unthinkable rudeness, Valentin shouted and glared. Then, looking up to confirm the identity of the person blocking her, she was slightly surprised.
"Oh, Father?"
Sharp sky-blue eyes and tightly closed lips.
Despite having a mature son, he still looked young enough to be at the beginning of middle age, but the weary eyes and stern demeanor made him seem not to be taken lightly.
"Having returned from the palace to the modest mansion, the conquering Elandria Duke, Alcides Elandria, asked his daughter.
"Where are you going?"
"Oh, Father."
The Duke never saw Valentin in that way. While he had a stern face for everyone else, he smiled when he saw Valentin.
Despite being filled with anger just a moment ago, Valentin was taken aback by her father's unusual demeanor. The Duke, looking down at his daughter, sighed.
"Are you going to see 'that child'?"
"It's not 'that child'! It's that wicked Trued woman!"
"Valen."
Valentin, who was about to protest simply at the Duke's expression, immediately softened when he sternly called her name.
She loved her father very much, but she was also afraid of him. He was intimidating when he was angry.
"Yes, Father."
"You have already introduced Nerys Trued to society as a member of the family. You will admit your mistake in that process."
Twelve-year-old Valentin failed in her attempt to humiliate Nerys with a fake invitation. So, she had to greet the guests alongside Nerys at the high-ranking noble party where she had put in a lot of effort.
She remembered that humiliation. One of the reasons she detested Nerys every time she was associated with the family name was because of that incident.
Although the party at the time was for students on campus, all the invited guests were children of distinguished families. Therefore, Valentin introducing Nerys to society was no different. Valentin, feeling deflated, replied."
"...Yes, Father."
"I'm not sure if you've heard, but that child has unlocked the gem inside."
"No way...! If that girl has royal blood mixed in, she wouldn't be of such low status...!"
Valentin, who was speaking with reluctance due to her aversion, fell silent upon seeing her father's stern expression.
Royal bastards usually grow up wealthy regardless of their social status, but that wasn't always the case. There are various circumstances in the world.
'Could it be true?'
Valentin had also heard rumors that Nerys was in the north along with stories about her gem. However, she had never believed it until now, but with her father speaking so decisively, that 'rumor' suddenly seemed plausible.
The Duke sighed.
He had never informed Valentin about the relationship between the gem and the royal bastards. There was no need to tell her, and it would have been troublesome if the simple Valentin misspoke.
"From the investigation, there were no nobles among the close relatives on the maternal side. But it's the royal blood. Moreover, it's the gem, so whatever happens, we must handle it within our family."
Valentin's face turned pale.
The Duke deliberately spoke sternly.
"She's currently under investigation and following Nellusion is a good opportunity. Never provoke that child."
Was the Duke trying to appease Valentin's concerns about that insane girl? Valentin started to sob out of frustration.
"Father, she's a strange girl! Our family and I originally disliked her!"
"When she was young, she remembered. When Valentin, who had just entered the academy, was trapped in that dirty warehouse because of Nerys, the words Nerys poured out as if prepared.
...In truth, she couldn't remember exactly what was said. Anyway, Nerys had always disliked Valentin from the start, and she had no particular respect for the Elandria family. Valentin was certain of that.
"I know how much you disliked that girl. So, you might have said harsh words out of anger. But Nellusion has a better judgment than you. Instead of useless talk, go back to your room. Behave politely when you see me at dinner."
How, how could Father say such things! Valentin trembled with betrayal. However, the Duke was determined not to back down until Valentin returned to her room.
Finally, as Valentin turned back to her room, she shed tears of anger. Delma comforted her owner.
"Miss, don't cry. What's the use of tears on that pretty face, huh? Miss."
"What does it matter if it's my face! That lowly thing has royal blood! Besides, Father scolded me because of that! Does that make sense?"
The Duke had subtly hinted that Nerys did not have royal blood, but Valentin did not understand his words. She also believed that if it wasn't royal blood, it couldn't be the gem.
Valentin hated it so much that she buried her face in the bed and cried for a long time, while Delma nervously bit her lips beside her.
Delma knew well how strong Nerys's presence was at school. Valentin didn't want to admit it, but Nerys was beautiful. She was very knowledgeable and had her own charming aura.
Up to now, they had whispered to Valentin that since there was no backing from the family, there would be no need after graduation, but Delma was honestly feeling a sense of crisis.
'She shouldn't come into the family.'
Whenever Delma saw Nerys, she felt a chill. How could she deceive others with such a poisonous gaze from a young age when she knew nothing? Surely, it would be harmful to Valentin, whom Delma had raised with great care.
"At least, even if she comes in, we can't treat her well."
Delma made that vow.
***
The dining table at the Elandria Duke's mansion was beautifully decorated.
Red flowers symbolizing the Resurrection Day and branches of the Holy Tree adorned not only the pillars and walls of the dining table but also the centerpieces and napkin rings. The white ceramic dishes with gold trim were filled with various exquisite foods.
There were five chairs surrounding the long rectangular table. However, only four people were seated.
Nellusion Elandria, with a strikingly handsome face that captivated the attention of society women.
Valentin Elandria, who was also the center of attention in society but seemed cold and distant at the moment.
The Duke, Alcides Elandria, with a stern and icy face, despite his son-like appearance.
The Duchess, Kibelle Elandria, openly frowning.
The family's attire was not as formal as during a formal dinner, but it was elegant and luxurious. The determination to dominate the 'someone' could be felt in the decorations on the Duke's chest full of medals and the huge diamond necklace around the Duchess's neck.
None of the four had started eating yet. Valentin glanced at the clock-like artwork on the wall and grumbled. It was already five minutes past the designated dinner time.
"Nerys is late. Do guests ever arrive late? Anyway, I don't like it."
Although Valentin tried to soften her dissatisfaction by glancing at Nellusion and the Duke, it was evident to everyone that she was displeased.
The Duchess also chimed in.
"Valen is right, dear. Where do noble couples wait for a knight's daughter? Let's start our meal."
Noble families valued their own customs. However, for the Elandria family to deliberately welcome a 'guest' at the evening dinner and have that 'guest' arrive late was akin to a slap in the face to the hosts.
Valentin inwardly smirked at her mother's response. She felt a sense of accomplishment in appealing to her mother with tears before the meal, as her mother already disliked Nerys immensely.
Delma deliberately misinformed about the dinner time to make Nerys even more detestable from the start.
Perhaps if she was too late, Nellusion would send someone to escort her away, but being late was being late. She probably wouldn't even have time to dress appropriately. Valentin's goal was to plant the initial impression that Nerys Trued was not noble and was unruly.
'I'll just claim I misunderstood the time later as an excuse.'
While Nellusion was lenient towards Nerys, their mother was not. Even if she knew Valentin was playing a prank on purpose, she would dislike Nerys as much as her beloved daughter did.
The Duke thought his wife had a point. While it was not common to invite guests and start eating first, the clear difference in status played a role.
'There is a need to educate her to become familiar with the culture of noble families in the future.'
The Duke was quite displeased with Nerys's tardiness, as Valentin had anticipated. His hand reached for the silverware.
"So first..."
Clang.
With a cheerful sound, the dining table's door opened.
Deep crimson velvet dress and neatly pinned up golden hair.
A straight waist like a textbook example and a confidently poised chest.
The daughter of a high noble, or even a royal, exuded a dignified and sophisticated aura. Walking in, she received everyone's gaze like the protagonist—a slender and beautiful girl.
However, beyond her elegant demeanor, your family's attention was captivated by her eyes.
More beautiful than pearls, that Tyrian purple. A mysterious radiance shimmered deeply with thousands of shades.
Smiling slyly as she gazed at her past enemies, Nerys spoke.
"Apologies for being late. The mansion is vast, and I got lost on the way."
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