Neris walked through the splendid palace buried in the vibrant flowers of late spring without much enthusiasm.
The vast gardens, grand and majestic, would take days to look back at, and the magnificent building bore the blood and sweat of generations of craftsmen. But for her, it was simply a place where she had experienced a dreadful past.
And now, it should be a place of no consequence. Hopefully forever.
"Neris."
Nellucian, who happened to be coming out of the Alchemy Room, approached with a welcoming expression.
The last time Neris had seen his face was when she was riding in a carriage to escape from his grasp. Back then, Nellucian's face had been wild, but now it returned to its original kind and gentle demeanor that she knew.
But those eyes.
Neris found his sky-blue eyes chilling. They were cold and eerie, like the gaze of a giant snake with its prey in front of it.
She didn't want to engage with Nellucian. Cladwin stepped forward first and reprimanded him with a stern face.
"My wife is not someone you can call out to casually, Your Grace."
"I am a Duke now, Your Highness. This morning was the funeral."
A few days ago, the Elendria Ducal House announced the sudden death of the Duke. And with the family in a precarious situation, it was expected that after a quiet mourning period of three days, the young Duke Nellucian Elendria would immediately succeed to the title.
Though Talfryn had successfully rescued the Duke from his son's hands, Neris decided to leave that ridiculous lie alone for a while. She was waiting for the moment when Nellucian would be most hurt by the exposure of that lie.
While pretending to mourn his father's 'death' and boasting about the succession, Neris glanced at Nellucian with disgust. When their eyes met, Nellucian smiled broadly as if he was very pleased. Cladwin subtly moved his body with a displeased expression to shield his wife from that gaze.
"If you're a Duke, what's the difference? I don't recall any palace etiquette that allows a Duke to speak casually to the Grand Duchess."
"There's no need to be bound by trivial clauses of etiquette among close acquaintances."
"My wife has never been close to you, Duke. If you thought she was close, your imagination is too vivid."
"Anyone in society knows that Neris is from our family. Unless you want to deny reality."
"Whatever others may say, it doesn't turn falsehood into truth. And now, isn't she part of my family?"
As he finished speaking, Cladwin gently enveloped Neris's shoulders, as if to protect her. Nellucian's face momentarily contorted as if glass had shattered.
However, the brazen smile soon returned to his face, concealing any inner thoughts.
"If Your Highness wishes to think so, then so be it. I will not disturb you as I know you are busy."
"The most pleasing words you've said today."
After briefly eyeing each other as if they could kill, both remained silent.
Nellucian greeted Cladwin with a dry tone and Neris with a friendly gesture before leaving the corridor. Neris lightly teased her husband.
"No need to bother with that person when there's no need to engage with him."
"If you leave him alone, he'll become increasingly troublesome."
Indeed, Nellucian tended to adjust the intensity of his actions based on the other party's response. It might be due to the lack of manners and principles. Neris understood.
As the two arrived at the Alchemy Room, the attendant politely opened the door. The Grand Duke and Duchess, upon reaching the depths of the Alchemy Room, respectfully greeted the Emperor and Empress.
"Here."
The Emperor opened his mouth gruffly. Neris replied, "Yes, Your Majesty. I came to pay my respects before returning to Mainland."
"There was no need for that."
The curt response was not surprising.
The Emperor's predecessor was a man quite similar to Abelus. He was simple and lazy. Not entirely incompetent but not comparable to his eldest daughter. Therefore, Neris did not devote as much attention to the Emperor as she did to Kamil.
However, he never once looked into Neris's eyes. Not during their first meeting, nor now.
Now, how much does the royal family know? Neris smiled slyly.
"Of course not. As a servant of the royal family, we must maintain decorum. ...I sincerely wish for your well-being even after we depart."
That way, wouldn't they avoid receiving all the sins they had tolerated, including allowing their daughter to kill her daughter-in-law, in this lifetime?
***
In the Grand Duke's splendid mansion, people recognized as the most sophisticated in the capital gathered once again.
Fresh blue walls like duck eggs, large windows fitted with expensive glass, and a reception room with just the right number of chairs placed at a respectful distance from each other.
Although the Grand Duke and Duchess were not regular visitors to the capital, they seemed to understand the atmosphere favored by the people here as if they were setting the trend in the capital. Even the snacks and drinks offered were not the least bit tacky.
Of course, as with anyone in the spotlight, there were those who sought attention at the gathering of the Grand Duke and Duchess. Especially those who enjoyed gossip claimed that the Grand Duke and Duchess were 'monsters' and 'inferior nobles,' unable to mingle with the high nobility or royalty.
However, even those who were most vocal in their criticism would have to remain silent when faced with the noble figures at the Grand Duke's residence today.
Lady Mariah, as if she had suddenly remembered, casually visited the Grand Duchess. She even linked arms with the Grand Duchess and strolled through the garden in front of everyone.
The young Grand Duchess also linked arms without any difficulty. It was an unprecedented sight even for those who had lived their entire lives in the capital.
On a bright spring day, the world was filled with the scent of white apple blossoms. Neris walked calmly on the well-trodden path, ensuring Lady Mariah could walk comfortably.
"When we go up, it would be nice if you could take charge of the social circle."
"Arrogant. Am I at an age where I have to pick up after you when I leave you behind?"
Despite saying so, Lady Mariah didn't seem upset. Neris replied nonchalantly.
"When people gather, strength is born, and there are always those who seek that strength. It can be troublesome if misused."
"Then gather them or not."
The way the two spoke was the same as before Neris ascended to the position of the Grand Duchess. It was an attitude of mutual understanding, as if they had always been close.
Neris smiled slyly.
"It serves a purpose. Small things can sometimes provide significant help."
"They say the young ones you've gathered are causing a commotion everywhere. So, am I supposed to take care of them? Do I look bored to you?"
The people Neris had helped were either renowned talents from her previous life or individuals with the potential to become exceptional talents but had unfortunately not been able to due to circumstances. So, it was only natural that they would shine brightly when given the right opportunity, enough to be called 'noisy'.
The problem now is that they are her people, so if she leaves her position, she is vulnerable to her enemies.
"There's a possibility that even the Lady could be targeted."
The McKinnon siblings were also in danger. If the Lady, who rarely leaves her home and is of age, could be targeted anytime, anywhere.
Neris wanted someone by the Lady's side. Someone who could quickly come to her aid when needed.
While the Lady didn't know the exact situation, she could sense Neris's thoughts and clicked her tongue.
"Don't talk nonsense. They all speak well of me with flattering words, but without the jewel, I'm just a half-breed. I can't take care of your chicks, nor can I use them. I can't trust Kamil and Abelus, so I'd rather give them to the young Ijette."
"But Princess Ijette doesn't have the jewel either, Your Highness."
It was unusual for a noble to refer to themselves as a half-breed, and to accept words quickly without the usual courtesy. The Lady laughed loudly, which was uncommon for her.
"Still, that child is young, so she must have more vitality than me. If she has influence, she may not walk the same path as me."
A hint of bitterness crossed the Lady's face as she suddenly stopped laughing.
"You're a clever child. You probably guessed that non-jeweled nobles, unlike those with sapphire eyes, cannot unlock the jewel. Nobles are said to be descendants of heroes and are all strong, but those without the jewel are susceptible to illness like everyone else. The royal family never admits it because of their pride."
Neris also suspected. Perhaps the 'strength' of the royal family is the ability of sapphire-eyed jewel bearers. And she understood the reason why the royal family does not acknowledge this fact.
It couldn't be acknowledged. If the foundation of the royal family is the legend of the three heroes.
The royal family itself had to be mysterious and great. Depending on genetic chance, some manifested the qualities of a hero like Visto, while others struggled as they did not manifest.
The Lady glanced at Neris for a moment. Her wrinkled face seemed to reflect a sense of longing as if reminiscing about the past.
"Even though the sacred laws do not dictate it, all past emperors possessed the jewel. Whether it's me or Ijette, it's a tool to enhance the glory of the royal family. If Ijette finds a suitable match, she'll be married off hastily like me, unable to receive noble treatment."
The Lady had never been so explicit in Neris's previous life.
"You are respected as an elder of the royal family, Your Highness."
"I consider myself relatively lucky. My husband passed away very early. And there was no audacious man trying to dig into my husband's fortune. If either of those two conditions hadn't been met, where do you think I would be now?"
It was the first time Neris had heard about Lady Mariah's youth. She wondered if in her previous life, the Lady had refrained from such conversations considering her position as Neris's princess.
The Lady spoke with a sigh.
"Even if it's just in name, my in-laws, I dislike the royal family. I dislike their selfish attitude. They didn't even treat me like a person. They tried to take away the inheritance my husband left me. Of course, I didn't give them a penny, and that's why I live in peace now."
Neris, who had been listening quietly, opened her mouth with a puzzled expression.
"You gave that to my husband. You knew clearly that it would go to the sister-in-law."
"What are you talking about? When did I?"
What did the Lady give to the Grand Duke of Mainland? Moreover, the sister-in-law? Everyone in society knows that the Grand Duke is an illegitimate son.
The Lady raised an eyebrow, wondering what this child was talking about.
Between the white flower petals, the sunlight gradually poured down, creating dappled shadows on Neris's composed face. If a light smile had graced her face, it would have been a beautiful sight, almost like a mystical being from ancient times enchanting a person, not just a person.
However, what now appeared on her face was a faint sense of fear. Confusion was evident. The Lady had never sworn to witness such an expression on Neris's face, both perplexed and intriguing, after meeting her.
After a moment, Neris opened her eyes slightly and touched her forehead. Her lips quivered as she uttered words.
"Too great... for those who do not know the value... Aunt, Aunt was right... they to me..."
The Lady couldn't understand a word of what was being said. But as she saw Neris's face growing paler, even she began to worry.
"Are you mistaken about something? I am not your aunt. Grand Duchess, Grand Duchess?"
Grand Duchess? Who could that be? Neris thought dazedly. Where is this place? Who am I?
Memories flooded in, all jumbled up. Ah, yes. She was the Grand Duchess. But that was strange. How could she be both a Princess and a Grand Duchess at the same time?
Her body went limp. Neris felt dizzy and staggered heavily. It felt like someone was holding her from the side, but she had no strength to even see who it was.
Before losing consciousness, the last thing she saw was a pair of gray eyes.