'Why?'
The Viscountess had never encountered such a response in her life. So, at first, she didn't understand the words she heard, and once she did, she was so enraged that she felt breathless for a moment.
"...You!"
The Viscountess's lips trembled. She glared at Neris, momentarily contemplating how to deliver the most impactful words. After a brief moment, she took a deep breath and returned to her usual ladylike demeanor.
"Because there is a need for it. You may not know, but in high-ranking families, even the reputation of relatives is crucial. If you don't understand that."
The Viscountess pronounced each syllable strongly, as if emphasizing something important.
"I hope you don't misunderstand my words. I have no personal grievances against you. But it might be a bit challenging for you to become a part of this household. Am I wrong in my thinking?"
"It might be."
Neris replied with a gentle smile.
Due to Neris's seemingly natural expression, the Viscountess momentarily didn't understand the words she heard. After a while, the Viscountess's eyes widened.
"...What did you say?"
"I am still young and have many shortcomings in my thinking, so I meant that Your Grace's words are likely correct. If you think you are wrong, then you are wrong. How could I deny it?"
The Viscountess found it hard to believe the words she was hearing. What was this lowly person saying? Was he daring to mock her now?
To her face?
Without any further thought or calculation, the Viscountess's hand rose. The hand that was about to strike Neris's cheek was gently caught.
In terms of strength, the Viscountess was slightly stronger, but the palm that was being pushed and swung like in an arm-wrestling match was not an effective way to achieve the intended purpose. After a few movements of the hand held by Neris, the Viscountess simply closed her eyes when Neris let go.
"You're showing your true colors. My daughter said you were a cunning and vulgar woman like no other. Now I see that it's true."
"I thought the Viscountess only spoke noble words and had beautiful thoughts, but now I understand where Valentine's character comes from."
"How dare you insult my daughter!"
How dare... how dare... dare. A sharp voice echoed in the small room.
In reality, Nelucian resembled the Viscount, while Valentine took after the Viscountess. The Viscount was cautious and troubled, but the Viscountess and her daughter didn't think twice and were straightforward.
The easier one to handle was undoubtedly the latter.
"Why do you think it's an insult? I simply stated what I saw. If Valentine is honest and humane, it seems you are too. If my words didn't sit well with you, I apologize. Being a poorly educated commoner, I'm not sure what the right way to speak is."
"Profit!"
The Viscountess's breath became heavy. After glaring at Neris for a while, she spat out sharply.
"If you act recklessly without knowing your place, you'll suffer. The crime of killing a noble without the backing of a supporting family is severe. Without a backing family, you might face the death penalty. I don't consider you a part of this family."
"I also think the same, but it seems the Viscount and the young master have different opinions."
"Disgusting."
"A compliment for being clever? Thank you."
The Viscountess glared at Neris a bit more menacingly before taking a few steps back. Seeing Neris's hesitation, she seemed to realize that continuing further would also be detrimental to herself.
Neris smiled and said, "To tell you the truth, Your Grace, the Viscountess dislikes the old man. More precisely, she dislikes the Elendria Viscount. That's why she originally disliked the Wells Viscount."
"Are you crazy like that old man! Where in the world can you find a gentleman as smart, kind, handsome, and courteous as my son!"
Unable to tolerate words that belittled her own children, the Viscountess couldn't hold back her anger. Neris put on a composed expression and looked around.
"You brought me here because you didn't want the Viscount to hear what the Viscountess was saying to me, right? But if you shout like that, what will happen?"
"I don't want to tell my husband that I said something I shouldn't have!"
"You are known for being close-knit in the social circles as the best family. Why did you bring me here first? Why didn't the Viscount ask you to convince the Viscountess? I don't know because I'm ignorant, but I can imagine such a thing. Perhaps... do you think the Viscount believes it's difficult to save the Wells family anyway?"
Neris whispered with narrowed eyes. She knew that the reason the Viscount didn't call her was because the fire on his own feet was too urgent. During busy times like this, he couldn't afford to involve someone he didn't fully trust.
"My ability can only be used once a day, so if you don't want to waste it and want to use it elsewhere, that's fine. So, the Viscountess, who is considering her family, had no choice but to start with me..."
"Shut up! Nonsense!"
The Viscountess seemed to be losing her mind. In the small, dark room, with the annoying woman and the eerie silence of being alone in the world...
Why wouldn't the Viscount try to save the Wells family? If you had to name a normal person who wanted to save the Wells family the most in Vistaria, the Elendria Viscountess would undoubtedly be the top choice.
Yet, this little one's words were convincing. It made her increasingly anxious. Wasn't there some logic to it.
If the Viscountess actually harbored different feelings, what could she do!
When people start to find some sense in the words of someone they dislike, they can momentarily be thrown into confusion. Moreover, in extreme stress states, people's judgment can be impaired.
Neris raised the corner of her mouth. However, her eyes showed no sign of a smile.
She... was not wearing the jewelry at the moment. Yet, the Viscountess was clearly shaken.
'This is just...'
They were talking about family.
"Everyone knows that the Viscountess has no favor even among the imperial and prominent families of the empire. You helped me because of my abilities, but it was a coincidence that I entered that mansion for the first time, and you called Nelucian 'a viper.' You were well aware that the Elendria family was trying to use you."
Calling the esteemed Nelucian a viper! Anger surged in the Viscountess's heart. However, in a way, she also felt a strong pressure from Neris.
Feeling like she might be overwhelmed if she stayed silent... So, instead of daring to speak, she had to focus on not involuntarily bowing her head...
It was a mystery how a child could exude such an atmosphere.
"The Wells family gathered countless weapons from others' lands, hid them underground, and eventually tried to arm the local youth to incite a riot. That's a rebellion against the lord, and it must be suppressed and controlled by execution. So, in this urgent situation, is the Viscount using his hands as quickly as possible? It seems not according to what the Viscountess is saying, right?"
The Viscountess's tongue stiffened. Execution?
The final decision on this matter was in the hands of the Viscountess. She was a superior lord in Troop, and the report had been submitted.
And who in this house was most likely to know the Viscountess's thoughts?"
Neris said with a look of pity.
"Honestly, speaking to me like this here won't solve anything. My ability doesn't make absurd commands to anyone. The longer you delay, the more evidence will come out, making it worse, so wouldn't it be better for you to act quickly? Unless the Viscountess wants the second brother to return."
"Horrible! How dare you speak about my household like that!"
"If you want to save your family, it would be better for the Viscountess if the second brother returned quickly. As I mentioned, the longer you delay, the worse it gets. If the suspect dies early on, the trial for the crime they committed ends. Otherwise, naturally, there will be investigations into conspiracy involving other members of the Wells family and the Elendria family. It's an opportunity to exploit the weakness of the nobles, but how easily do you think the palace will conclude an investigation if they rush into it?"
Slap. This time, the Viscountess slapped Neris. She couldn't bear it anymore. Where did this lowly person learn to speak like this!
Neris, hit with the full force of the Viscountess's blow, staggered as if she might fall. There was no way to avoid it due to the difference in their stature.
However, as she looked back at them through her disheveled blonde hair, her gaze was calm and serene, reminiscent of a portrait from ancient times.
"You did it first."
Slap.
This time, the Viscountess's cheek turned.
The Viscountess had never been slapped in her life. She looked at Neris with eyes of disbelief, trembling hands and lips. She was so angry that she couldn't even decide what to say.
Neris gently taunted.
"The Viscountess has always been loved and cherished, hasn't she? So, naturally, you would hope that the kind-hearted second brother would return safely. But it seems like either way, he might not return. The Viscount doesn't bring up such topics, right?"
"Of course not! It's absurd!"
However, even as she said that, the Viscountess found herself inadvertently getting lost in that thought. Knowing it was all nonsense.
Her face contorted as if there was something itching at her. The betrayal and certainty of her own cunningness, the feeling that what was lost was with the person closest to her, the sense of betrayal and her own cleverness...
Seeing exactly what she wanted to see, Neris felt a sense of relief and suffocation at the same time. How foolish she had been to let herself be manipulated by this dreadful person.
Even then, she could have escaped from it all by retreating into her jewelry. Yet, Neris didn't do that. She was too grateful to this family that had reached out to her first, even in her desperate state.
If she had also retreated into the jewelry with them, she would have felt too lonely.
But looking back now, Neris was already terribly lonely. If that was the case, she should have made a quick judgment from the beginning and distanced herself from them.
"It might be better for everyone if the Troop Lord dies quickly. As the situation escalates, both families will be exhausted, and things that could have been resolved now will only escalate like a snowball."
It was time to conclude. Neris looked into the Viscountess's eyes and whispered calmly.
"But of course, no one would directly kill the Troop Lord, right? What do you think?"
"What?"
The Viscountess understood what Neris was implying. In fact, she understood it very well.
Neris smirked.
***
Within a week, tragic news spread through the Vistaria social circles.
The news was that the second son of the Wells family, who was once known for his intelligence and pride of the family, had been sentenced for a shameful crime and then took his own life by hanging in prison.
"The Viscountess has no choice in this situation. She can't hold the deceased accountable for their sins."
"Wasn't she angry because of a mere maid? Now that a noble has died, it's time to stop venting her anger."
In the social circles, it was common for people to have some kind of connection with either the Wells family or the Elendria family even with just one foot in. However, the Viscountess, who usually resided in her mansion and was known for being solemn and unfriendly, was not popular.
Many nobles, who had heard almost everything about the Troop incident except for Neris's role, sympathized with the unfortunate fate of the Wells family entangled with the most troublesome royal figure. Many of them thought the matter had been roughly concluded.
However, within a few days, news spread that the Elendria Viscountess had decided to separate from her husband.