[Chapter 132] Am I that insignificant to you?

"You're a cute lady."

Instead of discussing matters related to the escort in Neris's suite living room, Talfryn suddenly brought up such words. Neris responded nonchalantly.

"Diane is cute."

"You seem very upset, are you okay?"

"I can't blame Diane."

They couldn't have missed the fact that Diane had tried to cry as soon as she met Neris. And the fact that Neris continued to act coldly only added to the deeply hurt expression.

As it was a public setting, Diane suppressed her emotions in her own way, and in reality, there was nothing to fault in her behavior. However, a few unnecessarily perceptive individuals, like Talfryn, for instance, took note of this and observed.

When Neris didn't react, Talfryn shrugged and asked.

"Why are you being so cold? You were close. It doesn't seem like you dislike her."

"There's a reason."

"What's the reason?"

"Figure it out yourself."

"It seems you don't want to tell me the reason. Then I'll change the question. Why don't you tell Lady McKinnon the reason, Advisor?"

"Because if I tell Diane the truth, she will never go."

Because she's disliked by the Imperial Family? While that could be true, is the risk of ruining a perfectly fine friendship worth it? Talfryn couldn't quite understand, but he tried to advance the discussion.

"Is it dangerous to tell her?"

"It's dangerous, that's why I won't go."

"Is Lady McKinnon foolish?"

"No, she's a brave girl."

She did seem brave. Revealing her emotions freely in front of Neris, who could silence even the foul-tempered Hilbrin with a cold expression.

"Then why didn't you just prevent the Mori top from sending a letter to the McKinnon top in the first place?"

"We needed to bring in goods for Maindlandt. We also needed a market to sell our goods in the south. Among the Empire's top three, the other two are unreliable, so practically, the McKinnon top was the best choice."

It should be seen as a clash between public and private selves. Neris reluctantly spoke and fell silent.

"Because it's the truth."

Among the remaining two of the Empire's top three, the Wells family, especially as the in-laws of the Elendria Duke, were half filled with swindlers. It was best not to make any possible concessions.

So, to make Maindlandt wealthier in the long run, the only place to join hands was with the McKinnon top.

"Would the Imperial Family not impose sanctions up to that point?"

Talfryn, who needlessly displayed his perceptiveness, asked as if confirming. Being a twisted individual, he subtly probed into people's minds when he wanted to interfere with something and didn't just gloss over things.

"Yes. To openly impose sanctions even on ordinary trade, there needs to be a justification."

"You're planning to continue trading, aren't you?"

"If we carefully define the terms of the trade this time and ensure that Lady Joyce personally doesn't come again, it will become just another common trading partner."

"I don't quite understand. Why are you pushing so hard to keep her away? Honestly, I don't see it as that risky. Well, Advisor, you've probably made a good judgment."

Talfryn shrugged his shoulders. Then, he looked intently at Neris and spoke methodically.

"Where is absolute safety in life? All a person can do is decide what is worth dedicating their life to."

Neris thought his words were meaningless to her. That's precisely why she was here now, wasn't it?

She knew exactly what was worth dedicating her life to this time.

Seeing her indifferent face, Talfryn chuckled.

"I'm usually not interested in other people's business, but if you wish, Advisor, I've ventured to interfere for fear of being killed by my lord. Shall I go to the head of the escort?"

The official head of the current escort was a mid-level knight in platinum, but Talfryn had brought three of his own secret agents, so he consulted with them on everything.

"Got it. Go."

Neris gestured and turned her gaze out the window.

Thud. The sound of the door closing while she wasn't looking. And the next moment.

A cautious voice was heard.

"Liz."

Neris raised her head abruptly.

Diane was standing at the door. She had been monitoring the vicinity all along, and since Talfryn had just left and probably hadn't missed her, he had likely left her alone on purpose.

Diane's cheeks, which had been fair and chubby just last spring, looked much paler during this trip. Her clear green eyes were now dull and swollen to the point of looking sad.

After a moment of contemplation, Neris asked indifferently. She seemed completely unfazed by Diane's expression.

"Why are you freely entering my room, Lady Diane?"

"Why do you say that?"

"Why can't I say that?"

"Be, because it's not an official setting right now."

"If it's not an official setting, does Lady Diane treat anyone like this?"

Diane's courage that had emerged earlier vanished in the face of Neris's cold attitude. She was so bewildered that she couldn't even speak.

After staring at Neris for a moment, Diane tried to calm herself and asked.

"That's not true. Are you just anyone to me?"

"There's no denying it. What kind of relationship do we have?"

Tears welled up in Diane's eyes. Neris felt her heart pounding.

It was always like this. Whenever she saw Diane.

When Diane smiled happily.

When Diane... looked at her with dazzling affection.

It was a fleeting connection. Just a passing person. She always told herself that, yet she was confused. Especially recently.

Diane knew nothing about Neris Trued's past. She had no idea about the previous life filled with misfortunes, let alone the things she had done to her peers in this life. She wasn't obligated to be with Neris like a mother, nor was she essential for Neris's survival like Joan. She was even less someone who could understand her desire for revenge like Cledwyn.

"She would help if she knew. Even if she couldn't understand."

But just the thought of such a situation was unbearable for Neris.

People around used to say that if you took away status and wealth, Neris was a much better person than Diane. However, Neris thought those who said that had no insight.

How could Diane not be wonderful? Despite being pushed away by Neris as if her affection didn't matter, she poured out unwavering love for years to the cold Neris. She gave everything to those she loved.

Even now, in a situation where Diane could easily cut ties out of anger, she came to this point and asked.

To try to restore the relationship. As if this relationship held great value for her.

For Neris Trued... as if it had value.

It was too good for Neris Trued to possess. Yes, perhaps she had always belonged to the category of 'something never to be desired.'

"Diane was lovely. Warm like a blazing sun.

So Neris didn't want Diane to get hurt.

❖ ❖ ❖

"Can I be honest?"

Diane was surprised by how cold Neris's voice could be.

Yes, it was wrong to enter someone else's room without knocking.

And it was also wrong to come all the way here when told not to.

"But what can I do about my worries."

Neris's Anima had always held great value. It was a symbol of an important family within the Empire, one of the top five.

Let alone a Jewel Anima?

Having a Jewel Anima didn't make Neris any more impressive to Diane than before. That was impossible. But she knew it could be a trait that could be politically useful.

Diane had seen the Maindlandt Duke at the graduation ball and thought he treated Neris well. But if Neris had to keep her whereabouts secret and come here, she shouldn't easily trust that man's character.

"There's no proper man among those who try to separate women from their family and relatives."

Diane's house had many servants, including a female servant who had come to work from a distant area. Betty, who had been looking after Diane since she was young, was an example.

So she had heard. Young women without family or far from home were seen as easy targets. Some bad guys would lure these lonely women from afar, push away any acquaintances they had, and manipulate them as they pleased.

Of course, Neris might have come to Maindlandt voluntarily. Her position as an advisor was very high.

However, as long as there was a possibility that her friend had fallen for a strange guy, Diane had to make sure. She had sneaked into Neris's room knowing it was wrong. The maid, Dora, who always followed Neris, seemed to be occupied with something else... If they wanted to have an honest conversation without Maindlandt people around, they had no choice but to be alone.

She had been very angry when writing the letter to announce her visit. But now, Diane was ready to listen. She was prepared to help Neris with all her might, no matter what danger she was in.

That's why.

"I was angry that you followed me persistently."

The feeling that the whole world was crumbling with Neris's next words.

Diane opened her eyes wide, unsure if she had heard correctly. But her friend spoke harshly with her arms crossed.

"I clearly said in the letter, Diane. Don't come. Don't come, don't come... How many times do I have to say it for you to understand?"

Tears filled Diane's face in an instant. The cold face that showed no sign of affection seemed unfamiliar.

"Yes, we went to school together. Your parents deliberately invited me to family events to treat me well. I appreciate that. But this is not it."

Her heart.

"We needed someone to sit next to during school days. Many academy classes required pairing up. But that kind of connection, we should go our separate ways after graduation, Diane. Right? ...How could you understand? Did I have to say it directly like this?"

It felt like freezing.

Her lips trembled uncontrollably. Diane asked frantically.

"I, I, I... Am I that insignificant to you?"

It was a question thrown out, hoping for a denial. However, Neris simply nodded without any concern.

"You were a school friend, Diane. But now, I'm not the same as before. I am the advisor to the Maindlandt Duke, and I am not someone who should be treated like this by you. Even this time, I need to coordinate with the top people and get the approval for the visit. Your sudden arrival has caught me off guard and taken away my time."

Diane couldn't believe it. Each word from Neris felt like an icy dagger to her heart.

Really? She couldn't even ask. Then... how would Neris respond?

After staring at Neris for a while, Diane left the room as she was. She had hoped against hope and couldn't let go of her lingering feelings, but Neris didn't follow.

"Ugh..."

It was the first time she had cried like this since she was very young. Diane walked down the corridor, sobbing sorrowfully. People passing by looked at her in surprise, but she didn't care.

Who cared if anyone knew that she had denied friendship to her most beloved friend?

How long had she walked? A servant, probably from Maindlandt, approached and handed her a handkerchief. Diane took it, wiped her tears, blew her nose boldly, and asked.

"Thank you. I'll buy a new handkerchief. What's your name?"

"You can get a new handkerchief, so don't worry about it."

Even the servant in Maindlandt was kind and helpful, annoyingly so. After all, even the Duke had tried to impress Neris.

Diane felt even more desolate as if her actions had been meaningless. And upon looking again, the servant had already disappeared.

"Ugh!"

Diane entered her dark room, clutching the soaked handkerchief.

Betty couldn't come this time because her sister was giving birth, but there was no way a maid wouldn't follow Viscount McKinnon's daughter. Naturally, a temporary maid should have been waiting in the room with the light on, so it was strange.

The next moment, Diane fainted, smelling a piercing scent in her nose.