Mrs. Hoffman, the head of Aine’s general department, used an official residence that included two reception rooms, a guest bedroom, and a terrace with a good view of the lake.

On the surface, the residence didn’t differ much from other luxurious dormitories, except that the first floor was used for official purposes, setting it apart from student dormitories.

Neris entered Mrs. Hoffman’s official residence, colloquially known as the “Hawk’s Nest,” without any signs of fear. Her confident expression and steady steps remained unchanged until she entered the counseling room, a place most hated by the senior students in the “Hawk’s Nest.”

In the fairly expensive counseling
Mrs. Hoffman, whose face had hardened perhaps due to Lord Nain’s visibly angry expression, spoke coldly to Neris.

“Come and sit here.”

Neris closed the door behind her and sat down next to Alecto. Lord Nain stared intently at Neris’s face before asking with some skepticism.

“Neris?”

“Yes, Lord Nain.”

“So you do remember me. It’s the first time since you were a child.”

In truth, Neris had often seen Lord Nain in social circles since becoming an adult, but he had no way of knowing that. Angarad’s face was full of tears, yet she didn’t hide her cocky demeanor. A gaze full of hatred briefly turned towards Neris.

“See, you do remember me!”

It was the first time Angarad had sounded so excited at school. Alecto snorted, and Neris raised an eyebrow.

“What are you talking about?”

“Pretending you don’t know? You said you didn’t remember me!”

“If you’re talking about the first time we met, then no, I didn’t remember.”
“How did you know he was our dad!”

“Your nose resembles his, doesn’t it? And he was sitting next to you. Was it that difficult to guess?”

Angarad was at a loss for words. Lord Nain narrowed his eyes and wrinkled his nose.

“Indeed, Neris. You’ve always been smart, and you still are.”

The comment implied that she was precocious as a child. Everyone in the counseling room understood the meaning. Neris responded calmly.

“Thank you, Lord Nain. Mrs. Hoffman, I was in the middle of a class when I was summoned. May I know what this is about?”

Mrs. Hoffman, known among the students as ‘Hawkman’ for her piercing gaze, looked down at Neris.

Although winter sunlight streamed through the window overlooking the garden and a fire blazed in the fireplace, Mrs. Hoffman looked as cold and solid as a stone statue bathed in light.
“You’ve always been diligent. I’ve often heard that you excel in your studies. Count Voltaire speaks highly of you.”

“Thank you.”

Neris did not make the mistake of taking her words as genuine goodwill.

To Mrs. Hoffman, the only people who mattered were wealthy nobles capable of making large donations. If news reached her that Diane was fighting with Neris, Mrs. Hoffman was the kind of person who could immediately punish Neris.

“I have a question for you, Neris.”

“Yes, Lord Nain.”

Neris shifted her gaze from Mrs. Hoffman to Lord Nain. The lord, still with wrinkles on his nose, deliberately lifted his chin a little and asked.

“I’ve heard that you are deliberately ostracizing our Angarad. Is this true?”

Pfft. Alecto couldn’t help but snort. Mrs. Hoffman, with a much softer voice than when she spoke to Neris, admonished him.

“Alecto, adults are speaking.”
“I apologize. But who would ostracize others based on what ‘Neris Trued’ says?”

“If anyone wants to ostracize, Neris should start by doing better herself,” Alecto added. Neris was secretly pleased.

Alecto absolutely hated being underestimated and took every opportunity to showcase his brilliant wit.

Of course, everyone at this age is like that, but Alecto stood out more perhaps because he had siblings who received much more praise than him, causing him to feel particularly inferior.

If he were suspected of being influenced by others, he was the kind of person who couldn’t bear it without vehemently denying it.

Lord Nain exchanged glances with Angarad. When Angarad saw her suspicion being denied, she spoke in the most ferocious voice she could muster.

“He, he is really wicked and sly! Pretending to be good! Acting like he’s innocent! And then he framed me!”
Alecto snorted once more, then quieted down under the icy gaze of Lady Hoffman. Lord Nain looked at Neris pensively and asked,

“Did you, Neris?”

His voice was smooth and seemingly gentle, yet it was firm with unwavering belief. Whatever Neris would say, the answer seemed predetermined in his mind.

Having dealt with him since her days as a crown princess, Neris knew Lord Nain’s disposition well. While he was fair in his own way, he was exceedingly stubborn and extremely fond of his daughter.

Given that his beloved daughter had likely spent the entire vacation weeping and acting impulsively, he would undoubtedly exact any available revenge as soon as this interrogation with Neris was over.

Whatever Neris chose to say here would only serve to reinforce the prejudiced truth already set in his mind.

That was precisely why Neris had not gone to Rohes this winter break.