Valentine's room was nearby. When Delma knocked on the door, the voice of the Countess could be heard from inside.
"Come in."
Click. The door opened from inside.
As Neris entered, she coldly scanned the room, which was not much different from what she remembered.
Shimmering silk, a table made entirely of jade from a distant land, frames decorated with gold... Valentine's room was always more luxurious than necessary.
The Marquis was generous with his daughter's expenses. In fact, such extravagance not only displayed the family's status but was also due to the Marquis's substantial funds coming from the Wells family.
If the Countess wanted something, she would provide it, and if money was short, she would bring it from her family, so there was no need for unnecessary interference.
Next to the gigantic fireplace in the luxurious room sat Valentine and the Marquis with his daughter, exchanging affectionate glances, just like in Neris' previous life.
"You're here."
The Countess closed the door behind Neris as she entered. Neris lifted her skirt slightly and greeted, "Your Ladyship."
In fact, the Countess had planned to slightly dampen Neris's confidence as soon as she arrived. Even though the Marquis had told her to stay calm, she still felt uncomfortable around Neris.
However, the etiquette Neris had just displayed was flawless to the point where it was nearly impossible to find any faults, even compared to Valentine, who often acted independently despite being taught. The Countess gestured with a slightly unsettled feeling.
"Come closer. My daughter needs to teach you court etiquette. And since you don't have clothes, I'll provide you with a few suitable ones. Show gratitude to my daughter for taking care of you and make sure not to bring shame to our family."
If someone else had said such words, it would have been ridiculous to believe such a foolish lie. However, Neris knew from experience that the Countess was always sincere when she spoke like this.
To the mother's eyes, even a daughter who went to the prison to kill her stepsister was an endlessly pure child. With a strange feeling, Neris bowed her head to the woman who had once been her mother.
"Yes. Your kind words are sincerely appreciated."
The Countess then elaborated on her own court etiquette theory that Neris had heard countless times. Noticing Neris's lack of focus, she commanded irritably, "Walk in front of me. I can tell if you've listened to me by watching how you walk."
Receiving a command to walk aimlessly, and being scrutinized step by step by someone else's walking, naturally made anyone nervous. The Countess anticipated Neris feeling awkward like a fool.
That expectation was immediately betrayed. Neris rose calmly as if she had received such orders hundreds of times before, walking calmly and composedly.
Steady head, neither too large nor too small steps.
Silent footsteps like those of an ideal lady from a painting.
The Countess quickly realized that even she couldn't walk so perfectly and dignified. A sense of caution arose in her eyes.
"That's enough. This time, sit and watch the tea."
Neris followed the Countess's words without any response.
"Try the tea."
"What did you say about yourself in front of the Lady?"
"Do you know how to act if the Empress calls you?"
Several abstract questions followed. Neris answered them all effortlessly.
As the Countess's words flowed out immediately after the end of each question, Valentine felt increasingly annoyed and wanted to block his ears.
It was unbearable. Valentine hadn't brought Neris into the room today just to see her answering such questions with a smug face.
By the time the teapot was empty, Valentine couldn't hold back any longer and spoke calmly.
"I don't think there's anything more for Mother to teach. It seems like Neris won't make any mistakes in court. Shall I bring out some clothes now, Mother?"
"Yes, let's do that."
Turning her face from Neris to Valentine, the Countess smiled broadly. Observing this contrasting attitude, Neris inwardly smirked.
"When I wanted to get along with you. I understand that you didn't like me, but I thought about how we could compromise with each other.
But you didn't even have such thoughts.
I kept thinking. If I had done better, if I had been a child you liked more, could we have gotten along better?
But for you, there wasn't even a choice not to dislike me.
It wasn't because I was ignorant of etiquette, because I didn't like spending the family's money, because I embarrassed the family in social circles that you disliked me.
You just didn't like me from the beginning.
If Neris had already gained such insight in her previous life, she would have been so hurt that she couldn't breathe. But Neris already had a mother who loved her.
'Valentine's mother' would not have any interest in how she behaved in this life.
Valentine's several maids brought a large clothing box. Delma proudly opened the lid of the clothing box.
Black clothes, gray clothes, brown clothes lined up. Clearly colors that Valentine didn't like. Perhaps clothes forced to wear once for occasions requiring subdued colors due to etiquette.
Neris could even recognize some of the clothes. They were the best clothes given to her during her time with the Ellandria family in her previous life.
She would rather burn the clothes box than wear those clothes again. When Neris showed no reaction, Valentine raised her chin and looked at Neris with a face full of disdain.
"I've chosen clothes that suit your status. You may not know, but in court, if you wear clothes that don't match your status, the Empress will dislike it a lot."
The Empress that Neris knew, her mother-in-law from her previous life, was relatively less interested in whether people wore clothes that matched their status in court. As long as she wore the best clothes.
The way of puffing up oneself to sound like giving great advice was similar to Nelucian's. Valentine's cunning had dulled.
"So?"
Despite the clear provocation, Neris just smiled lightly without saying anything. Valentine gave her a chilling look and raised her chin.
"Well then, let's go."
The Countess also raised her chin in a similar manner to Valentine.
As Neris left the room, the maids followed her with the clothing box. They set the clothing box down on one side of Neris's bedroom and then withdrew.
Shortly after, someone knocked on the door.
"Miss Neris."
It was one of the maids from earlier. She asked cautiously, "Our young lady's ruby necklace seems to be missing. Have you seen it by any chance?"
"How would I know about Valentine's necklace?"
Neris replied calmly. The maid hesitated and then stepped back.
Once again, after a short while, someone knocked on the door.
"Come in."
This time, it was Delma. Delma looked slyly and asked, "Miss Neris, did you happen to take our young lady's ruby necklace?"
"No. Why would I do such a thing?"
"If you thought the ruby necklace was included with the clothes, please speak up now. It's an important item that the Marquis specially gave to our young lady just a few days ago."
"Valentine's clothes don't have any jewels attached, so how could I have such a misconception. Delma, your attitude is more suspicious. I already said I didn't bring it."
The maids' faces darkened. Delma seemed quite pleased with Neris's words.
"So you're saying you didn't bring the necklace? Absolutely, you didn't mistakenly bring it."
"Right. Are you already losing your hearing at your age? Then quickly tell Valentine. There are plenty of people willing to take over your job."
Neris's attitude was so assertive and aggressive that it might have seemed excessive. At least to those who already suspected her.
In reality, from the maids' perspective, if a jewel went missing, they could suspect Neris. No one in the mansion would dare to touch Valentine's belongings. Delma replied with a glint in her eye.
"Yes, Miss Neris. I will convey your words 'exactly' to our young lady."
A face full of confidence and triumph... It was just like in her previous life. Neris raised her chin feeling amused.
"Go on."
Delma quickly led her maids out.
And then, a while later.
Knock, knock. This time, someone knocked on the door with a gesture clearly filled with malice and conviction. Neris got up from her seat and approached the door.
But before she reached the door, it swung open wide. Simultaneously, burly footmen, several maids, and Nelucian's confidant Joseph Caron entered.
"Lady Trued, may we search the room? We are looking around the house as some items have gone missing."
"Mr. Caron."
Neris raised her eyebrows at Joseph and asked, "Are you unaware that this is the young lady's bedroom? Or do you not even know the basic courtesy towards guests? How dare you rudely barge in before even being allowed entry?"
Delma interjected among the maids. She quickly stepped forward and interjected spitefully.
"Miss Neris, why are you speaking like that? Naturally, we are searching all the rooms like this. The ruby belonging to Miss Valentine went missing, and it's a very expensive item that must be found quickly."
"It's you again?"
Neris deliberately sharpened her voice more than before.
Joseph's face turned grim. Seeing his expression, Neris realized that Joseph already disliked her considerably.
Why could that be? Over the years of attending school together, Neris had naturally encountered Joseph several times. However, at least until Joseph's graduation, their relationship was neither bad nor good.
Delma put on a wounded expression as if she had suffered great harm.
"Why are you treating me like this? What did I do? I simply stated the facts, but it seems like you have a dislike for me. Last time, I just mentioned the rules of this house, but you got angry."
The maids Delma brought were among those most influenced by Delma in this mansion. They looked at Neris strangely.
Sensing a shift in the atmosphere favoring her, Delma decided to lay more groundwork.
"Miss, why have you been so jumpy since earlier?"
"So, are all the other rooms being searched meticulously by Mr. Caron like this?"
"Well, I'm searching for Miss Valentine's belongings, and Mr. Caron is overseeing the footmen."
Delma's excuse was reasonable in its own way. However, Neris knew that Delma had deliberately brought Joseph as a 'witness.'
If Joseph, a confidant and friend, testified in this case, even Nelucian would have to take it seriously. Neris looked at Delma and suddenly changed her expression with a smile.
Thelma was offended by that laid-back, fresh smile, and the others in the same room felt strange. Neris looked as comfortable and confident as the man who had waited for this now. But is it possible?
Neris pointed to the inside of the room with her hand and said, " Oh, my god."
"Look for that. Be sure to scour every single wooden plank on the floor. That will clear your doubts, won't it? And if, as you say, Ruby doesn't come out of my room, will you look for every room in this house like that? I need to follow you. It's so scary to have a thief in this house, and I'll tell Brother Nelusion about today's work."