章節 152: [Chapter 152] Reunion with Nellusion
"Okay, first, tell me what happened, Neris."
Nellusion, who had brought Neris to the reception room of the ducal mansion, offered her a warm cup of tea and some snacks with a pitiful expression, as if he was about to die from worry.
And when they were left alone, with Neris sitting in the armchair by the fireplace, he asked her the question.
Neris's pale face was tear-stained, and her eyes, which were like a beautiful, shimmering purple gemstone, looked up at Nellusion.
"Brother, I know you must be very disappointed in me. Why wouldn't you be? But please, just believe me once. You were the only one who cared for me from the beginning and helped me survive in that unfamiliar school. If you don't believe me... I...".
"Nerys."
Nellusion had been angry, of course. Disappointed, isn't it!
So when Adrian demanded a significant amount of money instead of handing Nerys over this time, Nellusion strongly insisted on giving whatever amount was needed. Her value, capturing the traitor to the family, was much more important than money.
The Duke had not seen Nerys since she was very young, so he generally accepted his trusted son's argument.
This time, when Nerys finally came into his hands, Nellusion planned to ask her many things. And in the worst case, he would reveal terrible pain. If her appearance remained intact, her political value would remain the same. After a bit of brainwashing, she would become a loyal member of the family.
However, despite having such a dangerous plan in mind, Nellusion, after seeing her attitude earlier, considered the possibility of a misunderstanding. And seeing how desperately Nerys spoke, his mind cooled.
Especially as he met her gaze.
Nellusion smiled gently.
"Disappointed. Why would I be disappointed in you?"
"Are you angry with me after all? Speaking like that."
Reluctantly, jewel-like tears fell from Nerys's eyes. Nellusion felt a deep discomfort in his chest. He quickly took out a handkerchief and carefully wiped away the tears.
"Why would I be angry with you, huh? Don't cry, Nerys. Your pain hurts me too much."
"Father...!"
Despite the comfort, Nerys cried more and more bitterly. Following the guidelines used to coax potential maids in the family, Nellusion gently comforted her. Since she looked very frightened, his attitude had to be very gentle, but it wasn't difficult.
"Nerys, did someone make you eat something strange? Or did they threaten you? Did they say they would do something bad if you didn't listen? Tell me everything. Our family can handle anything. It's okay."
There was a possibility that Adrian had fed Nerys poison to shackle her to the Elandria family. Or perhaps it was Cladwin Maindulante, that despicable son.
The comforting attitude towards a frightened person was the most heart-wrenching. Perhaps the Nerys of her previous life would have felt reassured by Nellusion's gentle words and confided everything. That's how sincere Nellusion's voice felt.
But Nerys found Nellusion's words amusing. Thinking, as always, that it was all about her.
Nellusion finally lowered his head, embraced Nerys's head, and gently stroked her shoulder. Realizing how much she had grown, he was once again amazed.
Nerys, who was just a child when they first met. She had blossomed into a strong and beautiful figure like a flower made of crystal.
The trembling in his arms subsided. Nerys slowly raised her head, met Nellusion's eyes again, and spoke wearily. Once again, Nellusion's heart ached at her appearance.
"Father, it's not like that. I... I've had experiences that were unbelievable. It's too surprising, still feels like a dream... I've been so sad until now because I was afraid you wouldn't believe that I gained this ability..."
"I won't doubt your words."
'Ability.'
Unknowingly speaking faster than usual, Nellusion shook his head vigorously. His heart was pounding more fiercely than ever before.
If his deduction was correct. Perhaps. Could it be that in the family...?
In the honest motto of Elandria, truly...
Nerys looked at Nellusion with clear and innocent eyes and said.
"I can only trust you, Father. So you must believe me."
Nellusion's sky-blue eyes momentarily glazed over. He nodded.
"Yes, you wouldn't lie to me. I believe you are honest, Nerys."
"I, I mentioned the job I found before. I'm traveling by carriage for that job... Suddenly my eyes changed like this. And then everyone started acting strange."
"How exactly did they start acting strange?"
A fleeting madness shimmered in Nellusion's questioning eyes. Nerys saw it all, but her face remained sad.
'Nellusion, Nellusion.'
You believe you are the smartest person in the world.
You think you can do anything for your precious family.
Damn Elandria for giving me these eyes. I hated it to the core.
Now it's your turn to be amazed by that fact.
"Believe me when I say this. It only happens once a day... Somehow, the Duke of Maindulante suddenly kidnapped me. He said if I didn't do as he asked, he would kill my mother."
Nerys' words were different in every way from the truth. According to her experience, the use of the gem had no limit on the number of times, but the ability could only be activated by making eye contact. There was no need to mention her mother and Cladwin.
But was there a need to be honest?
Just that made Nellusion roll his calculating eyes and gently inquire as much as possible. Nerys didn't miss the sight of him swallowing hard.
"Your mother? But your mother is..."
"I thought she was gone. Both of us, we believed that. But it wasn't true. That bastard kidnapped Mom! He knew I had the gem inside me, and he took Mom in preparation for when the gem would awaken from me!"
Nellusion had heard the story about Nerys Trued's mother from Adrian as well. However, considering the possibility that Nerys might have been planning to betray him for years, he had been cautious about that side.
But it turned out to be like this!
"Father, it was so difficult there. I'm so happy to see you again, but I don't know what happened to our mother."
She was probably already killed, or once she revealed everything, she would be killed. Nellusion suspected that. If she wasn't dead, they would have to send an assassin from their side to kill her.
There was no need to leave any cards that could control Nerys on that side.
While thinking like that, Nellusion whispered sweetly like candy.
"She'll be fine. It's great that your mother is alive. Nerys, would you tell me more about your ability? I know it's inappropriate to ask in this situation, but it's fascinating because it's an ability I've never heard of. Why do you think this happened to you?"
"I, I don't know. Why this happened. But I'm glad you asked me like that. I'll tell you anything I can."
Nerys blinked. Nellusion felt a terrible thirst. Perhaps the shortest path to what he had wanted all his life was right in front of him.
The Elandria family would wear the crown as they had always wished. The ability to 'make everyone believe in words,' was that really a power possessed by the legendary Elandria family? With such an ability, how could a timid Vistah become an emperor?
Nellusion imagined a crown on his head. And the person who would be most suitable to be by his side then...
For some reason, only Nerys came to mind. As if that picture had been drawn in his subconscious for a long time.
But her words needed to be verified to see if they were all true. He already believed her, but the family's teaching was to judge based on evidence, not just feelings.
Why was his heart fluttering like this? Could this also be the ability of the gem inside?
There was a moment when Nellusion's mind seemed to clear. Nerys trembled delicately, showing a melancholic expression.
"In truth... I'm always worried, Father. With this... ability that I never imagined, what if my loved ones don't believe me... Even if it's just a word, what if everyone thinks I'm using my ability."
"No need to think like that."
Nellusion quickly denied.
"Once a day. And I know you're not someone who would use that ability recklessly."
"But if my sincere words aren't believed..."
"Don't worry. Anyone who loves you will know how kind and truthful you are."
'Anyone who loves you.'
Nellusion cunningly added that clue. Nerys smiled inwardly and, this time, repeated the exact words she had to say to others at his command.
"Thank you. Do you... believe me, Father? I never want to use this ability with you, even if others don't know. I hope you understand my sincerity..."
It was no longer a meaningful question.
With a pale face, Nellusion nodded. As his eyes darkened closer to the pupils, he felt dizzy as if being sucked into the deep purple eyes.
"Trust you."
Straightforward and pure Nerys. Nerys, truly born into a noble lineage.
She can do anything, but Nerys doesn't want to use that ability with the 'Father' who has taken care of her since childhood.
You will bring me a lot.
If what you bring is enough, and if you prove your own worth, then I will treat you accordingly.
❖ ❖ ❖
After hearing the circumstances surrounding the murder case, Nellusion reassured Nerys with a few hollow words. He then instructed to provide Nerys with a good bedroom and went to work.
The maid chosen by Nellusion was named Alice. She might not be as vigilant as Dora, but she would have the ability to serve as a watchful eye to some extent. Nerys, judging this way, deliberately acted as if it was her first time in such a nice room, inspecting every corner up to the balcony.
And using the excuse of feeling tired due to the lingering effects of the poison, she sent Alice away.
Shortly after, Dora quietly descended into the closed room.
"Impressive."
Nerys genuinely admired. Dora lowered her eyes as if embarrassed.
"No, thanks to the quick judgment of the young lady, I feel more comfortable."
If Nerys had to stay in the Elandria family for a while, whether it was Nellusion or the Duke, they would try to manipulate her as they pleased by attaching their own people to her. So, insisting that Dora was just an ordinary maid and bringing her in would only lead to both the master and servant becoming more restricted at once.
"So Nerys made sure that the attention of the people in the house completely shifted away from Dora. Of course, there was a risk that Dora might not be able to enter the house at all, but Nerys believed in Dora's abilities, which had swiftly subdued the Eunwol Trio before.
"How did you behave? Nellusion is investigating where you went after being driven away from the house."
"I disguised myself by staying in a slightly distant inn to avoid suddenly hiding my tracks or giving up too easily."
"Where did you actually stay?"
"By your side, of course."
Dora's words implied that she would continue to hide in inconspicuous places like the stables or rooftops during Nerys's stay, away from prying eyes.
"Are you okay? It must have been tough. Is the wound from earlier okay?"
"I bent my body to soften the impact, so I'm fine. I've been trained to complete missions in any environment, so don't worry, Miss."
"Got it. Thank you. Take care."
Valentin was probably not at home right now. According to Nellusion, he was staying at home due to the vacation, but if he had been at the mansion at this moment, he would have definitely come and stayed.
The noble society of Fellena was always busy, so he might not even be at home entertaining friends.
Looking forward to meeting Valentin later, Nerys smiled.
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