The Price is Everything of Yours (76 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 86

If Neris said she wanted to work in the imperial palace, Izette would wonder why she was going off to be a governess in some distant, nameless region when so many fine families would eagerly call for her.

She might even suspect that Cledwin’s involvement was producing the side effect of making Neris seem suspicious.

And if Neris said she had no intention of working in the imperial palace, Izette would still be suspicious, certain there must be a clear reason behind her firm rejection of such an excellent opportunity.

She only needed to wait for another month or so. After that, it wouldn’t matter whether or not it was revealed that Neris was working for Cledwin.

After all, the only reason she was hiding her agreement with him was to ensure her journey north would remain safe—

so that Nelusion, having learned she had no intention of following him, wouldn’t lash out, so that Abelus, whose rage flared at the slightest mention of Cledwin, wouldn’t target her, and so that Marquis Tipian, who cared nothing for blood ties, wouldn’t take an interest in her.

Thus, the way out of the trap was simple.

“The imperial palace… is that what you mean, Your Highness? I…”

Uncharacteristically hesitant, Neris glanced subtly toward Valentine.

Just as expected, Valentine—who had been wearing a displeased expression—gave Neris a cold once-over before haughtily turning away.

The seasoned high nobles, well-versed in human relations, understood enough from this alone: that Neris was rejecting what, given her humble origins, would have been an undeserved honor—an imperial appointment.

Everyone knew, fairly—or so they thought—that Valentine disliked Neris at school. In the utterly connection-driven world of court, it would be effortless for Valentine to sink her younger relative.

Their understanding, however, was not entirely correct. Valentine refrained from directly targeting Neris not because the school system was fair, but because of Nelusion’s orders.

But still—yes—it was true that matters within the court were far more secretive than those within the school.

Thus, if Neris entered the court even as a mere lady-in-waiting, Valentine could dispose of her before her own brother even realized what had happened.

Read full content of this chapter on r e d c a t t y . c o m