The tournament ended successfully as Cledwyn once again swiftly defeated his opponent in the finals.
The announcer's voice proclaiming the winner's name sounded distant, like underwater. Neris couldn't believe it was already the last day of the Harvest Festival.
Had the autumn tax issue been resolved? Yes, it had. She remembered receiving reports that it had been completed without any problems.
What about the Excellence Apple Awards? Come to think of it, that had also ended without any issues. Which region won? It was Dorian, right.
The ball... Yes, the official schedule concluded with the closing ball of the Harvest Festival tonight. The preparations were all set...
The astute demeanor of the usually sharp superiors was not lost on the officials. Especially when Karl was promoted and Hugin suddenly resigned, the lower-ranking officials assigned under Neris had enough experience working with her to sense a change.
Every time she noticed their peculiar glances, Neris blamed herself. At this age, after working for so long, to let childish emotions affect others like this.
She was confident that it wouldn't affect her work. But if it truly didn't affect her, wouldn't they not be sneaking glances like this?
So, after the awards ceremony, Neris went to the royal chamber for a moment to clear her mind. She brewed several cups of herbal tea to wake herself up.
Knock, knock. Someone knocked on the door.
"Liz, are you in there?"
It was her mother's voice.
"Yes, come in!"
The door opened cautiously, and her mother entered. Seeing Neris sitting in the royal chamber in the same attire as she had seen in the guest seats, it seemed she had followed Neris into the palace.
Seeing her mother's worried expression, Neris offered a faint smile.
"What's the matter?"
"Can I sit for a moment, dear?"
"Of course."
Her mother sat down on the bed next to Neris. Neris had a feeling of what her mother wanted to talk about.
And when her mother spoke next, Neris's suspicions were confirmed.
"You and the Grand Duke..."
"Between a lord and a subordinate."
"Darling, you can tell me everything."
"Really."
Neris gave her mother a wry smile, not believing her at all. It wasn't just about the succession issue... No, of course, it shouldn't be separated from the succession issue.
"A formal marriage with him is out of the question given my status. And since the Grand Duke is a very proper man, he wouldn't rush into marriage before establishing his government."
If neither a wife nor a government, then there shouldn't be anything to discuss separately. Neris's firm words narrowed her mother's eyes.
"What does your status matter? You're a proud noble. Liz, in my view, the Grand Duke..."
"Then let's call it a status."
I didn't want to talk for long. When the word "Cledwyn" came out of my mother's mouth, Nerys felt suffocated and quickly cut off the conversation. She didn't want to continue that topic any longer.
Her mother let out a small sigh.
"You were always a smart child. You were too smart to have come from me... I wished you could be free. Your father and I loved you, but the limits of what we could give you were clear."
Nerys smiled and hugged her mother. She knew her mother had truly done her best.
"I know. I'm really grateful for sending me to the Academy."
If she hadn't gone to the Academy, could she have lived without getting caught up in any storms even after the Jewel's bloom faded?
Nerys had imagined such a scenario before, in her previous life and even right after returning.
But the answer was negative. It was the Jewel's bloom; the story would have undoubtedly spread.
She might not have experienced bullying at school, but she would have been thrown into political fights as a sacrificial lamb. Without saying a word to the shining peers who received education.
"I thought that if you graduated from the Academy, you would have greater possibilities. I thought you would have wings to soar high in the sky. If you endure the pain for me... "
"Me?"
'Endure the pain'? Nerys blinked in confusion. Her mother looked at her with a sad expression.
"Would a man who has traveled far on a mission dine alone with a woman who shows no interest? I thought the Lord valued you greatly. So, if you think there's no hope between you and the Lord, you don't need to stay by his side just for me. You can leave and work elsewhere."
Huh? Nerys pondered her mother's words for a long time. And then she finally realized.
Her mother believed there was clearly affection between Nerys and Cledwyn. So, if it was certain they couldn't marry, her mother was saying she could leave without burning in impossible love.
Perhaps her mother didn't even realize she might think Cledwyn had brought her here to catch Nerys.
And Nerys, knowing his heart, was enduring not only the despair of unattainable love but also enduring for her mother.
"That's nonsense, Mom."
Cledwyn wasn't someone who would have such cowardly thoughts. If Nerys truly wanted to leave, she could leave at any time.
At least the reason she couldn't leave couldn't be 'Mom'.
Nerys hugged her mother tightly. The clean and familiar smell that dominated her childhood filled the air.
Her heart was at ease. Yes, she could be satisfied with just this.
Anyway, wasn't the thing she regretted most before time turned back her mother's death? She even dedicated everything to that villain without knowing anything!
It was a mistake to misunderstand where to spend her life.
"Mom."
Nerys murmured softly. Her mother hugged her and patted her shoulder.
"My beautiful child. What is it?"
"Will you always be by my side, Mom?"
"Of course. I'll always be by your side as long as you need me."
Her mother didn't know how much effort was needed just to fulfill that... And that's how it turned out.
Nerys sobbed softly, and her mother, not understanding English, gently stroked her daughter's back.
Always.
❖ ❖ ❖
"What's the problem?"
In response to Talfryn's question, Cledwyn revealed it menacingly.
Hmm, was it a situation that shouldn't be touched? Talfryn judged playfully. However, his eyes were cold.
It had been several days since the Lord, who seemed about to propose at any moment, couldn't even get near the beloved counselor.
Initially, it seemed like he was avoiding her. Whenever Cledwyn appeared, he would subtly look away, send a subordinate if there was something to be delivered, and quickly cut off the conversation if he tried to talk.
Of course, they had necessary public conversations. Very naturally. So, the fact that something was wrong became evident.
Then, a few days ago, even Cledwyn stopped speaking to Nerys unless it was necessary.
"They wouldn't last this long with just a light quarrel due to their personalities."
Moreover, where was the reason for the two to fight?
On the work front, they were perfectly aligned, and even when their opinions differed, emotions never escalated.
Both of them made an effort not to show emotions while working, but at least no one in the central area was unaware of the problem's existence.
Nerys seemed to be trying to maintain her usual expression, but sometimes she seemed so lost in thought that it was pitiful.
In contrast, a cold wind blew around Cledwyn. Like a snowstorm in the middle of winter.
Things were being handled well on time, but wouldn't it be hard for subordinates if the atmosphere of their superior changed?
Nerys's subordinates were constantly worried about their boss. And Cledwyn's subordinates?
"They're worried about him, so they're constantly on edge."
So Talfryn decided to speak up. It seemed necessary to address the situation at this point.
The closing ball of the Harvest Festival was suitable in that regard. At least, even in the worst-case scenario, there wouldn't suddenly be a duel here.
Whether the Duke and the counselor were indifferent to each other or not, the people attending the ball danced joyfully. With three new betrothals during this festival period, and five reconciliations between traditionally hostile regions, it could be considered successful.
Cledwyn sat on a high throne set up on one side of the ballroom. If the Duke had been wandering around the ballroom, people would have been interested in his every move, but since he was on the throne, they showed no interest.
There was a cupbearer holding a wine glass next to him, but isn't it natural for a cupbearer to be next to the Duke?
So, he casually grumbled to Talfryn, who was standing next to him in the attire of a cupbearer.
"I don't know what the problem is either. If I did something wrong, he wouldn't suddenly avoid me."
"Weren't things going well until you returned from watching the fireworks?"
"They were. I kept checking your complexion in case you were tired, but you didn't seem to look tired, and you seemed to be enjoying yourself until halfway through."
"If it was like that until halfway, does that mean it changed after that?"
"From watching the fireworks. Your expression stiffened from that moment."
"Do you dislike fireworks?"
"Could that be it?"
"Calling this inevitable. When Cledwyn glared, Talfryn raised his chin as if to ask why.
"Well, there must be a reason that makes sense, right? Is our counselor someone who acts on a whim?"
Since when was it 'our' counselor? Knowing that Cledwyn wouldn't be affected even if he continued to glare, he just looked down at the ballroom.
"...I might have been burdensome. It felt like drawing a line."
"I like you as a person. But that's all."
She wanted a part of her heart.
Thinking that even a tiny part of that heart would be enough, she thought she wouldn't ask for more if she just gave a little here.
But she seemed to dislike that.
Talfryn was taken aback by the sigh that came from beside him. If people from the South heard that a 'ruthless and barbaric tyrant' was sighing and didn't know what to do after being ignored by a woman, they would burst into laughter.
"So, are you going to give up?"
She drew the line, and he stopped approaching. Wouldn't that mean the possibility of progress in their normal relationship was over?
Just then, a noble youth approached Nerys at the ballroom and asked her to dance. Sparks flew from Cledwyn's eyes.
'Oh my.'
That clueless... Before Talfryn could sigh, it seemed like Nerys politely declined the youth. They had too long of a conversation to be considered an acceptance, and the youth left looking dejected after the conversation ended.
Cledwyn chuckled to himself.
"What do you mean by giving up?"
"Well, you know. Looking for another lady."
"Ridiculous. Whether she likes me or not, why should my feelings change?"
"Well, feelings are free."
"Right. If she doesn't want me to approach, I'll stay as I am. If she wants another man, that's also inevitable. I can't change her mind, so shouldn't I respect it?"
Thinking of the look he just gave that youth, Talfryn understood the meaning of 'inevitable' he mentioned, but he didn't push it. It was pointless anyway.
"Is that so?"
"But my feelings haven't changed. Let's wait and see."
There was determination in Cledwyn's eyes.
"How foolish would I be to let it go when even a little affection grows for me."