“That’s right, elder brother Nel.”

Nelrysion first observed Neris’s expression.

He still didn’t know the true story of what happened at the empty house by the lake last time. He had interrogated Isabelle and Delma separately, but Isabelle claimed she didn’t know anything, while Delma insisted it was all Neris’s fault.

Judging by how upset Valentine was, it seemed something hadn’t gone according to her wishes, but well… It didn’t seem likely that Neris was the cause.

That Valentine had even created an alibi before going out. It was obvious who had asked to meet first.

Of course, just because one side initiated it didn’t mean the other could retaliate recklessly. The Elandria family deserved to be revered, after all.

But wasn’t there something more important right now?

‘Clever Neris.’

There was an omission in that expression.

‘Moderately’ clever Neris.

She does well in school studies but is naive and gets attacked from all sides. What a convenient condition to exploit.

Nelrysion planned to one day place Valentine beside Abelus. The more people to help at that time, the better.

Of course, that was a matter for the very distant future, and it would also become a sensitive issue that could only be dealt with after fulfilling the family’s secret ambition, without any aftermath.

‘It wouldn’t be bad to give a hostage to the imperial family in advance.’

It would be good to propose an alliance to the imperial family at an appropriate time that would seem unbreakable from this side, to put them at ease. Something like a marriage proposal, for instance.

Of course, no matter how much Neris was the owner of a Jaan, that wasn’t enough of a condition to become the Crown Princess. So it was unreasonable to send her in as a Crown Princess that was easy to hold and shake in place of Natasha.

Nelrysion had to consider various possibilities from multiple angles now. For the sake of the family, and for his own ambition.

Valentine could only marry after everything was over, and until then, the Elandria family had to hide well their ambition to become independent and become a royal family.

So it would be troublesome if Valentine herself interfered with that.

“I heard that Valentine greatly offended you last time. Are you alright?”

Therefore, Nelrysion carefully chose the words he should say. At his kind voice, Neris opened her mouth with a shy smile.

That docile appearance was so different from Valentine that Nelrysion felt regretful once again. How much easier would many things have been if Valentine was even half as smart as this.

“It wasn’t an offense. Actually, I was so surprised that day that I just left Valentine behind… Is Valentine okay?”

It must have been more than just ‘leaving behind’. Did she perhaps deliberately imprison her? Nelrysion gave a bitter smile.

“That child is a bit willful because we spoil her too much. She’s throwing a tantrum, but she’s fine. So, what really happened that day?”

Neris opened her eyes wide.

“Valentine didn’t tell you?”

“She did talk, but the child isn’t as articulate as you. And in these matters, one should always hear both sides of the story.”

“You’re so fair, elder brother Nel.”

How impartial, to calmly ask for the details from someone who locked his sister in a deserted warehouse.

In her previous life, even when she was being unilaterally bullied, this person who had shown little interest was now asking. Neris inwardly sneered.

Nelrysion, taking her words at face value, smiled a smile that most girls would find dazzling.

“You’re my sister too, after all. So… It was Valen who called you out first, right? I can guess that much. What did she say to you?”

“Um.”

This time, Neris made a troubled expression. Nelrysion patiently coaxed her.

“You can speak honestly. I’ll keep it a secret from Valen. I need to know what she did wrong so I can apologize to you too.”

“Why should you apologize, elder brother.”

Neris’s voice trailed off, as if mumbling. Nelrysion’s inner speculation turned into certainty.

As expected. There was no way Neris would have intentionally locked Valentine in the warehouse and locked the door.

“I didn’t raise my sister properly. Tell me. Valentine bullied you, didn’t she?”

Neris raised her eyes to meet Nelrysion’s gaze.

Seeing those trembling pupils, slightly wet eyelids, and the slightly pale complexion as if recalling something frightening, Nelrysion believed he had guessed correctly.

“…I don’t want to talk about the details, elder brother Nel. It’s in the past… and it seems Valentine wants to apologize first…”

Valentine wants to apologize first? Nelrysion unconsciously tilted his head at this unfamiliar statement.

“Valen? Did she come to you and apologize?”

“Not yet. But… honestly, Valentine’s status is different from mine, isn’t it? She’s also younger. I completely understand that it might be awkward for her to lower her head first.”

As she said this, Neris’s voice finally began to tremble like her gaze.

However, she quickly blinked her eyes to hide her tears and tried to smile brightly. That appearance was so pitiable that anyone who saw it would feel sorry for her.

“Elder brother, actually, Valentine sent me a party invitation. Isabelle said that Valentine wanted to greet the guests together with me that day. Please look at this invitation. I just received it.”

A party invitation…? Wants to greet guests together?

Nelrysion was momentarily confused by expressions so unlike his sister.

However, as he unfolded the invitation that Neris shyly handed over, everything became crystal clear to his eyes as well.

Beautiful handwriting and expensive ink. Undoubtedly the high-quality paper his sister had purchased in bulk not long ago.

And the fake seal stamped next to the signature.

Since Valentine had declared it to be a ‘special party where only the highest nobility gather’, the invitation checks would be strict. Nelrysion could already envision what would happen on the day of the party.

His sister’s face, looking triumphant as if she had achieved something great while chasing Neris away in front of the excited students.

“This is…”

Yes, it would have been better if Valentine had planned for Neris’s thorough downfall.

That would have meant his sister was smarter than he thought. If that had been the case, Nelrysion would have tried to teach Valentine well.

But such a petty trick. Moreover, one with no practical effect!

Nelrysion was angry for the first time in a very long while. Despite speaking so clearly, his sister was trying to ruin everything for a bit of satisfaction.

If left as is, wouldn’t a rumor spread among the ‘important’ students of the school that the Elandria family doesn’t consider Neris Trude important at all?

Then wouldn’t it become difficult to use Neris as a long-term piece in marriage alliances someday?

For a moment, the mask of a kind and gentle person that Nelrysion had been carefully wearing was on the verge of completely shattering. He noticed this fact just in time and quickly composed his expression.

However, Neris, who had known Nelrysion for a long time, didn’t miss that momentary sense of dissonance.

She quickly asked with the most innocent expression possible.

“Yes, elder brother. Why is this?”

“Hm? Ah, it’s nothing. Neris, who did you say gave you this?”

“Valentine must have given it, right? Isabelle delivered it. She said I absolutely had to come. Elder brother, is Isabelle very close with Valentine? Like last time, it seems Isabelle knows well what Valentine wants to say to me.”

As she said this, Neris felt a sense of relief in her heart. Yes, that child you sent gave it to me, Nelrysion.

Should I tell you what that child did?

When I really wanted to tell you that story, you showed no interest at all.

‘Isabelle often compares Valentine and Neris, complaining about having to serve Neris.’ Nelrysion read such meaning from Neris’s tone and expression that was trying hard to hide discomfort.

Pondering how to handle this situation, Nelrysion was finally able to make a decision.

He was smart enough to guess that his decision would cause that arrogant maid to suffer… but, well, it couldn’t be helped.

The benefits of fostering peace within the family outweighed a mere maid.

“I understand, Neris. Valentine and Isabelle aren’t very close. But if you felt that way, it seems I brought in the wrong maid. I’ll make sure Isabelle doesn’t bother you from now on.”

That was one of the things Neris had wanted. She smiled a smile disguised as relief.

“Yes, elder brother. I’m sorry you sent her on purpose.”

Now I’ll never see you again, Isabelle.

“Valentine Elandria.”

Valentine, who had returned to the dormitory pretending to be very tired after the afternoon classes ended, was startled by Nelrysion’s cold face greeting her.

She quickly turned to look at Delma. Do you have any idea what’s going on?

Delma, who had been Valentine’s nanny when she was young and was now her close maid, knew everything about Valentine. Even Delma shook her head in bewilderment.

Nelrysion’s angry expression like this was very rare. Even she, who had seen him since childhood, had only seen it a few times.

Their questions were soon answered. Nelrysion sat Valentine down in a chair in the reception room and dismissed all other servants. Then he coldly began to speak.

“I heard you played a useless prank on Neris’s invitation?”

Valentine’s face, which had been dumbfounded, showed a stricken expression.

The invitation sent to Neris was identical to the real invitation in every aspect except for the fake seal. So no matter how smart Neris was, there was no reason to suspect the invitation itself.

Of course, if Neris recognized Valentine’s personal seal, it would be a different story, but that wasn’t likely.

Valentine had created her personal seal by mixing the castle’s seal she received as a school entrance gift with the Elandria family seal.

So not only was that seal made not long ago, but this was even the first time it was being used!

Why was it discovered? Nelrysion spoke coldly to Valentine, who was racking her brains hard.

“There’s no need to think about how I found out, Valen. What’s important is the fact that you disobeyed my instructions again.”

Valentine, who was about to argue something, was intimidated more by her brother’s voice than the content of his words.

Indeed, her brother was very angry. And all because of that Neris girl.

Nelrysion spoke clearly pronouncing each word, as if pronouncing a sentence.

“I warn you, Valentine Elandria. Do not touch Neris in any way, to any extent. This is for the sake of the family, but also for your own sake. This is not just an empty warning. If you won’t listen to me, give up this party.”

Valentine’s mind turned red with anger at the last sentence.

It was hard to believe how her brother could do this to her.

Give up the party? When invitations had already been sent out and attendance responses received? How could she suffer such humiliation!

No matter what she had done to whom until now, her brother had always taken her side and cleaned up after her, even if he tried to stop her at first.

Such an environment had a big influence on Valentine never feeling the need to bow to anyone except royalty.

Who was she? She would become the most precious person in this empire in the future. Even now, she was already a member of one of the noblest families!

To have to hear such words from her sibling because of a lowborn girl whose origins were unknown!

Nelrysion coldly looked down at Valentine, who was fuming but didn’t dare open her mouth. His words were not over yet.

“If it hadn’t been for Isabelle, who knows what it really means to serve her master, I would have grasped the situation too late to remedy it. Thanks to her, I’ve saved a resource that will be helpful for your future, so be grateful.”

Delma and Valentine thought the same thing at the same time.

It’s impossible for Neris herself to figure out that the invitation is fake. And there’s no reason for that stupid girl to deliberately bring the fake invitation to show Nelrysion.

So there must have been a third party who informed Nelrysion about the existence of the fake invitation.

Isn’t it obvious who that is? Especially when Nelrysion is even mentioning the name now?

When planning the fake invitation, there was only one person present besides Valentine and Delma!

As Nelrysion coldly left his seat, Valentine gritted her teeth and ordered.

“Bring that one here.”

“Yes, young lady.”

Delma’s eyes were also twisted savagely with indignation. Soon, a servant who received Delma’s order roughly dragged Isabelle in.