Valentine couldn't recognize the impudent blonde girl who dared to approach her brother with a familiar tone.
The pale platinum blonde hair and the same eye color as the portrait in the family's gallery were unmistakable. However, the Nellis True in Valentine's mind shouldn't have looked like this.
She shouldn't have looked so dignified and elegant.
The Nellis Valentine saw last spring was truly despicable.
Not only did she lack refined etiquette, but she was also thin and poorly dressed. What could be expected from the daughter of a low-ranking knight?
But she had changed beyond recognition in just a year.
Was it because she learned etiquette at school? Ha! Not only did she sneak into a school for nobles, but she also learned to pretend to be one?
Strictly speaking, Nellis was a noble, and the dignity she showed in her behavior wasn't something that could be learned in a low-grade class at the academy.
However, Valentine wasn't the type to think deeply, and she didn't need a reason to be harsh to someone she didn't like.
So, Valentine could easily realize that she really, really disliked Nellis True.
"Nellis True?"
Valentine narrowed her eyes and looked at Nellis, who was about the same height as her.
Nellis stood next to Nellusion, bowed to Abellus and Nellusion, and then replied to Valentine.
"It's a rule at school to call upperclassmen 'seniors,' Elrandia."
Elrandia.
There was no hint of reverence in Nellis's tone when she said "Elrandia," which was usually spoken with a sense of awe.
Valentine's face turned bright red.
"How dare you...!"
Who did she think she was, lecturing her about rules?
Just as Valentine was about to lose her temper, as she often did at home, Nellusion intervened with a smile.
"Nellis is right, Valen. What kind of habit is that? You know that everyone has to follow the school rules, right? Do you want to make things awkward for me?"
The school rules were set by the student council, so if Valentine disobeyed them in front of the prince, it would put Nellusion in an awkward position as well.
And what good would it do to give those many young noble boys the impression that Valentine was arrogant? Especially to Abellus.
Nellusion, who had quickly spoken to calculate the situation, glanced at Valentine and closed her mouth. She then put on a innocent expression that suited her lovely face.
"I've already met Nellis senior last year, so I must have called her name without thinking. Do you remember, senior?"
The implication was, "You came to our house to borrow money, remember?" Only Nellusion, Valentine, and Nellis understood the meaning in this situation.
It seemed like she had finally learned her place. With that thought, Valentine smiled brightly at Nellis, looking innocent to those who didn't understand the situation.
Nellusion felt awkward. He had hoped that Nellis wouldn't harbor any resentment towards the family.
But despite his clear warning before the semester started, Valentine was still acting so immaturely. He had a feeling that he would get a headache because of her.
Nellis received Valentine's energetic gaze with an unruffled expression and smiled with a gentle, adult-like smile.
"Yes, that's right. Elrandia is still cute."
It was a normal compliment, but Valentine still felt annoyed.
Although Valentine wasn't particularly known for being clever, it was because she was surrounded by too many intelligent people.
She had average intuition and thinking skills, so she could tell when someone was looking down on her.
And the 'beggar girl' in front of her was clearly looking down on her.
Valentine herself didn't know why she felt that way. Was it her gaze? Her posture? Her tone?
On the surface, Nellis's response was flawless. But why did it make her feel so bad? And...
If it was possible to express it, it was 'creepy'.
Nellusion, who was worried that Valentine would make another mistake in the hallway, decided to fill the silence with conversation. He spoke to Nellis in a gentle tone.
"Nellis, you can call me brother too. And Valen, you can call her by her name. Valen has always wanted an older sister. I think having an older sister like you would be a good influence."
Older sister? Valentine's face turned red with anger, but before she could retort, Delma whispered behind her.
"Really, it's just as the young master said, miss."
"What?"
Valentine, who was about to say that Delma had lost her mind, looked at Nellusion's face as he gazed at Nellis. She also saw the faces of the senior students who were gathered around, watching the scene with interest.
Valentine trusted Delma. She trusted her more than her own family, who would sometimes say unnecessary things like Nellusion did earlier, saying "be polite." Delma always prioritized Valentine's wishes.
"As the young master said."
After calming down for a moment, Valentine came up with a plan.
Yes! Delma was right. It was better to do as Nellusion said for now.
Valentine smiled slyly, showing the leisurely attitude of a high-ranking noble.
"Brother always treats me like a child. Anyway, I heard what you said, and you're right. I'll call you comfortably, Nellis senior. We're relatives, after all. Come visit our dorm and have dinner with us often."
Until now, Valentine's attitude seemed immature and arrogant, but with her latest words, the senior students perceived her differently.
She was a child who could admit her mistakes quickly and was cute, still young and likable.
Nellusion felt satisfied, sensing the change in their gazes. Nellis replied calmly, without changing her expression, to Valentine's friendly tone.
"Okay, thanks. You can call me 'unni' too."
Abellus wasn't interested in the Elrandia family's etiquette education.
And he was even less interested in the issue of what Nellis and Valentine called each other. As the conversation dragged on, he looked bored and said.
"Sorry, but I have something to attend to. Valentine, play with your brother and have fun. Study hard and do well in class."
"Yes, Your Highness. Thank you for your kind words!"
Valentine replied cheerfully and politely to Abellus. Abellus left Nellusion and headed to his next class.
In fact, it was time for everyone to disperse and head to their next classes. Nellusion realized this and quickly spoke to Nellis.
"Nellis, I actually had something to say to you. Of course, I should have gotten your consent first, but I did something on my own because I thought you might feel sorry for no reason."
"What is it, Nellusion?"
Nellis blinked in surprise. Nellusion felt a pang of regret, comparing her calm and gentle attitude to his younger sister's behavior, which had almost put him in an awkward position earlier.
If only Valentine could be as kind as this... Of course, the two were not comparable in terms of true value.
"You're still young, and it's hard to live alone in school, so I was thinking of sending a maid to take care of you."
"A maid?"
Nellis looked uncomfortable. She hesitated, then whispered.
"I... my room doesn't have a bed for a maid. My room is very small and only has one bed."
Nellusion had already thought of that. He smiled reassuringly.
"Don't worry about that. Isabelle can sleep in our dorm at night and take care of you from morning to evening."
Nellusion had even considered changing Nellis's dorm room, but he didn't think it was necessary to spoil her habits from the start.
How sweet would it be for that young girl to experience the life of a high-ranking noble, even if only occasionally, through him?
Valentine, who was listening, spoke up.
"That's a good idea. Don't refuse, unni. If people find out that an Elrandia family member is living without a maid, what will they say?"
Valentine's last sentence contained a subtle hint of disdain that only those close to her could sense.
Nellusion didn't scold his sister, knowing that she was trying to support him. Nellis eventually smiled and accepted.
"Thank you, Nellusion."
***
Isabelle.
Nellusion's suggestion was transparent. Using someone as a spy by pretending to care for them was not an uncommon method in noble society.
Nellis, who had initially intended to refuse, changed her plan upon hearing the name. She didn't want to miss the opportunity.
It was a memory from her past life, when Nellis was adopted into the Elrandia family. Although she was called a daughter, her treatment was worse than that of a lowly maid, and everyone knew it.
Some people, who believed that anticipating and fulfilling their master's wishes was the key to being clever, reached out to Nellis.
At first, it was just that the water for washing was brought to her only after the servants had used it, and it was cold.
Nellis, who had been bullied for a long time, didn't know how to demand the treatment she deserved.
After she was caught washing herself from the well, the water stopped coming altogether.
Late meals became meals that never arrived.
Clothes with holes that were never mended disappeared altogether.
The fireplace with little firewood became a fireplace with no fire at all.
Nellis's life continued to deteriorate. One day, Nellusion visited her room and, if he hadn't at least superficially asked what was going on, Nellis would have either starved or frozen to death.
Of course, Valentine and the duchess were behind the servants' arrogant behavior. However, among the servants, Isabelle, Nellis's personal maid, was particularly instrumental in bullying her.
Isabelle's father was a low-ranking knight like Nellis's father, but she couldn't attend the academy due to financial reasons. However, Isabelle was an ambitious woman.
She thought that Nellis, as the daughter of a low-ranking knight, was lucky to become a duchess, and she couldn't bear that fact.
To gain Valentine's favor and due to her own personal feelings, Isabelle didn't hesitate to make Nellis miserable whenever she had the chance.
"Do you want tea? Do you even know how to drink tea? Just drink water instead. Don't bother people."
"There's a hole in your clothes? I don't see it. Stop talking nonsense and just wear it. It's still better than what you wore when you first came to this house."
"You're supposed to be smart, but I guess that's a lie. If you're cold, just say so. Why are you protesting in front of Nellusion?"
"What do you call people like us? Stupid. Don't get angry, did I say you're stupid?"
Isabelle's contempt, sarcasm, and insults were so relentless that she soon gained Valentine's favor.
"Yes, maybe..."
After the duchess's jewelry was found in Nellis's room.
Since Nellis had a long-standing reputation as a thief at school, no one believed her claim that she didn't know why the jewelry was in her room.
The duchess, determined to correct Nellis's "deep-seated habits," brought scissors and cut Nellis's hair.
Like the gold coin incident in her first year, Nellis didn't know exactly who had put the jewelry in her room. However, she knew that it was around the same time that Isabelle started gaining Valentine's favor.
It was another maid who brought Nellis a comb on the first day after her hair was cut, and Nellis soon saw Isabelle attending to Valentine several times.
Isabelle had to learn how to serve her master faithfully. Even Valentine, whom Isabelle had been trying to please, didn't acknowledge Nellis's loyalty.
After all, Valentine had called Nellis "the dog I raised" until the end.
So, what's the harm in Nellis teaching Isabelle a thing or two about serving her master?