It was as expected.
Cladwin Maindulrant made every effort to stay at the castle when Neris was due to arrive. However, the whereabouts of the last elder who had banished him were revealed just before her arrival.
Perhaps if Neris hadn't fallen ill on her way to Fenwick, or if she had come to Fenwick right after Cladwin's graduation ceremony as he had planned, Cladwin would have been at the castle.
However, fate had it that he truly had to leave, and in the meantime, she arrived.
Upon learning of the situation, Cladwin instructed his close aide Talfrin to use his expertise in disguise to assist Neris.
Because he knew the stubbornness of the people from the North, known here as the 'Central folks.'
Talfrin couldn't deny that Neris was right. Although a bit cunning.
Neris casually mentioned Talfrin's name, which he had only heard once during their school days. Even then, he was in a much more frantic state.
And he was clearly disguised as the dormitory manager. How much weight does a change in hair color and expression carry in one's impression?
Even without using the same magical device he had just dismantled, it would have been abnormal not to match the current Talfrin with the unassuming dormitory manager. In fact, Cladwin was the only one who had seen through Talfrin's disguises in an instant.
Talfrin had opposed Cladwin seating Neris as the Lady Advisor. But seeing the current situation, his expectation that she would be easily exposed to the 'experienced Central natives' was proven wrong.
Talfrin also knew that the relief supplies heading to Fenelon were in jeopardy. The conditions of 'the new Lady Advisor disliked by many but tasked by her with a mission, the lower-ranking manager Hugin' were perfect for those seeking to push her out for information.
As he interrogated and grilled those individuals, trying to figure out where the stolen supplies were going.
Neris promptly resolved all the issues and even dared to arrest those who prioritized political fights in the center over the safety of the people and put them all in prison.
Perhaps no one would dare to ignore Neris's words in the next meeting.
"That damn Hilbrin seems to have fallen deeply."
Hilbrin didn't get along well with Cladwin's direct subordinates Talfrin and Aidan. He was fundamentally incompatible with someone from a very close place.
However, his gaze at Neris as she resolved the current issue during the previous meeting was so intense that it gave him goosebumps.
'With such clear preferences, he's an extreme individual, both in what he likes and dislikes.'
Well... that made sense. Maindulrant people admire strength and bravery.
Especially the simpletons even more so.
Talfrin cleared his throat and casually asked, "How did you know that Karl Sidney is a bastard?"
Karl had been quite popular until today when he revealed his true self. Despite his incompetence, everyone liked him, nobles and commoners alike, and he was so thorough that he had never shown any suspicious behavior.
So, his actions this time were probably due to his confidence.
However, Neris nonchalantly responded to the question as if there was nothing special about it.
"If a lower-ranking manager enters a meeting where several high-ranking lords are present, he should be a practitioner, but the documents I received were absurdly incomplete. You were supposed to start by investigating where Fenelon is."
Of course, if one is incapable and foolish, they might act that way... but he also had the confidence to believe he could handle the chaos. With that added, Neris smiled.
Dora deeply understood Neris's words. She looked at the new mistress she had been entrusted to with a sense of mystery.
Dora, saved by Lady Trude, or rather, sworn to protect her, had given up her position as a spy and become a maid to better serve her in the severely lacking Seogung.
To her, Cladwin had issued an order to protect his daughter as well.
When she first heard the order, she was puzzled. Dora had not known until then why Lady Trude was in the originless Fenwick.
Was Lady Trude more exposed to danger by catching the assassins targeting His Grace...?
However, according to the background explained in advance by Lady Ellen, Neris was not the pure and meek girl that Dora had heard Lady Trude talk about. Instead, she was someone who had to fight with a sword.
Someone who meticulously prepared to protect her loving mother from external threats.
So, Dora decided to wholeheartedly help Lady Trude's daughter. She wanted to stay by Lady Trude's side, but she had no choice.
And now, a brief thrill ran through Dora's heart.
Neris's observations were indeed correct when heard and seen. The listener would think, 'Now that I hear and see it, that's right. Why didn't I know?' and feel puzzled.
However, the superficial attitude can greatly influence people's understanding. Even Dora, despite her experience as a spy, didn't dislike Hugin as much as Karl Sidney, for instance.
Moreover, if Talfrin, hidden behind Hugin's face, was the leader of the mysterious organization Dora had been a part of. Naturally, he had a face.
And the incomplete documents?
While Dora had some knowledge of documents, she had never thought that the documents provided by Karl were so absurdly incomplete.
Sharp and composed.
Dora felt more than just a liking for Neris as the 'daughter of Lady Trude' and the 'one cherished by His Grace.'
Neris smiled and asked Talfrin, "You were the one who sent me a letter under the name of the Sedona Agricultural Cooperative, right? That was you, wasn't it?"
Indeed. Talfrin smiled back at her.
Contrary to Maindulrant's tradition of admiring strong and brave individuals, Talfrin preferred intelligent people. Even if lacking in strength, he could endure and patiently observe all situations.
'Yes, just like this.'
That was the moment.
Boom... Boom... Boom!
The clear fanfare echoed throughout the entire castle. To Neris, it was an unfamiliar melody, being Maindulrant's anthem, but the cheerful and swift sound clearly conveyed its meaning.
Congratulations. And reverence.
With a satisfied expression, Talfrin asked, "It seems the attentive master has returned. Shall we go to greet him?"
"Let's go."
Neris rose slowly.
❖ ❖ ❖
The fanfare echoing from the turrets of White Swan Castle resonated throughout the entire white city of Fenwick.
The citizens came out to see their master, as well as the direct knights he led, known as the 'Platinum,' in action.
Despite the name 'Platinum,' the cloaks and armor of these imposing knights were all black. Even the attire of the lord riding a massive black horse at the forefront was the same.
Hair as black as the night sky.
Eyes of shining gray.
A stunning appearance like marble sculpture with an indifferent and cold expression.
When Cladwin Maindulrant, who had been at the Southern Academy, lost his father, the people of Fenwick were very anxious. They feared that the elder statesmen, like venomous snakes, would devour the young lord who was far away.
However, the newly crowned Duke not only devoured the elders but also captured the last 'traitor' who had fled. The people cheered as he returned after delivering justice.
"Long live the Duke!"
"Long live!"
The people scattered flowers along his path. The young and beautiful Duke was undoubtedly a formidable figure, yet the people were captivated by his charisma.
From passing through the gates of the City Outer Castle to reaching White Swan Castle, Neris was somewhat impressed by the wave of Cladwin and the dozens of knights following him. The reason she wasn't completely impressed was because Cladwin's cold face was unfamiliar to her.
The man she remembered was a good-natured man who smiled often. A fool who laughed at his own jokes. A simpleton who couldn't get things done. Someone who would accompany her to children's parties.
Such a warm person now looked threateningly like a black lion. If there could be such a beautiful lion.
However, as Neris appeared in front of the gates of White Swan Castle, Cladwin's face, upon seeing her, quickly returned to the familiar one she knew.
Slightly mischievous and inscrutable, but fundamentally gentle expression.
It was a grand affair as everyone in the castle came out to welcome the lord who had been absent for a few days. Each manager in their place, each lord in their rank, stood according to hierarchy.
So, when Neris Trude, who stood in the front row of managers, was seen by Cladwin, a smile appeared on the Duke's face, witnessed by everyone.
Some gasped, some quietly doubted their eyes. But Cladwin paid no attention to them.
He simply stood in front of the castle, then swiftly approached Neris.
And like a knight, he took her hand, raised it to his lips, and kissed the back of her hand.
"I'm sorry for making you wait instead of going out to greet you."
Why would a Duke come out to greet an advisor? Neris thought it was absurd from the seat he had given her, but it wasn't appropriate to question it in front of everyone.
So, she simply replied nonchalantly.
"Don't mention it. Thank you for the hospitality."
"Did Ellen treat you well?"
Ellen, who stood at the forefront of the castle servants, chuckled.
"A bit disappointed. Have I ever failed to meet His Grace's expectations?"
"Never."
"Lady Ellen is kind and caring."
The blonde girl who had never shown her eyes after arriving and had never removed her black veil. It was strange for the castle staff and the lords under the Duke to see her switch between formal and polite language with them and using honorifics with a mere maid.
But what could they do. They had all accepted that there was a reason for this peculiar advisor's actions.
"Your Grace."
Neris's mother, who was beside Ellen, also curtsied. Cladwin smiled at her too.
"Lady Trude. How have you been?"
"Thanks to you. It's an overwhelming honor. Not just for me, but for my daughter... We have received immeasurable grace."
Neris's mother alternated between her daughter and Cladwin. Cladwin responded politely.
"It's nothing. Your daughter is more than deserving."
As it was a formal occasion for the lord's return, they couldn't engage in private conversations for long. Cladwin politely ended the conversation and said to Neris,
"Let's go inside. It's not much of a reward for making you wait, but I brought a gift. Let's have dinner together and talk."
Watching their conversation, one could say the entire Fenwick Castle was in shock.
The Duke having dinner with someone? A human being? Eating a meal? No, he must be having a meal!
But a gift?
Neris knew people were surprised, but she only thought their astonishment was due to the idea of the Duke having his first meal back with a seemingly unremarkable girl. It was surprising, considering that, but not overly so.
Seated in the position of an advisor, could they not have a conversation over dinner about the direction of governance moving forward?
Neris was still unaware that she was thinking quite differently from the others in this land.