Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 11

The next morning, when Lady Diela arrived at the main manor accompanied by her handmaids, the servants were thrown into chaos. She was someone who usually never left the guest house.

When Head Maid Katarina came out to the central hall of the guest house, she saw the young lady walking through the retainers with an indifferent expression.

Her casual navy blue frilledress looked more cute than elegant due to the wine-colored ribbon decoration at the chest.

Maids from the guest house followed in quick steps, while passing retainers hastily bowed their heads, sweating profusely.

They were all tense, prepared to endure verbal abuse if they gave her any excuse.

Since it had been so long since she'd visited the main manor and she didn't know where Derek was staying, the girl randomly grabbed a passing retainer.

"You there."

"Y-yes, Lady Diela. G-good morning."

A squire carrying ropes for garden repairs early in the morning stood rigidly at attention, sweat pouring down his face.

Head Maid Katarina quickly descended the hall stairs, breathing heavily. Lower-ranking servants doing physical garden work early often lacked proper hygiene.

She needed to intervene before Diela started beating someone for smelling of sweat or looking disheveled.

"Do you know where that mage from Evelstain is staying?"

"Th-the mage from Evelstain... You mean the mercenary Lady Aiselin brought?"

"Yes. Answer me."

"M-my apologies! I'll find out immediately!"

The squire stood stiffly, cold sweat streaming down.

He braced his abdomen, expecting a fist or kick for not knowing the answer.

But Diela didn't want to waste time on that.

"Never mind. I'll ask the Head Maid. Just do your work."

"...?"

"Why that face? Got a problem?"

"N-no! I-I'll be going then!"

The squire quickly gathered his ropes and ran off as the Head Maid hurried down to bow.

Though surprised Diela hadn't beaten the servant, Katarina maintained proper decorum.

"M-my lady, had you informed us in advance, we would have been prepared. I apologize for this disarray."

"Enough. Just show me to that mage from Evelstain."

"Of course. He's staying in a guest room on the second floor."

Katarina swallowed dryly as she walked three paces ahead with dignified steps.

Glancing sideways at Lady Diela, she didn't seem particularly displeased—quite different from her usual explosive temper.

'She seems in good spirits today. Must be careful not to upset her.'

Even Diela wouldn't casually beat the Head Maid, one of the top three in household hierarchy. At least the Head Maid could handle the infamous troublemaker.

Watching them walk away, passing servants and retainers silently prayed for the Head Maid's sacrifice. Her devotion truly deserved sainthood.

After walking in silence for some time, they reached the second-floor guest room.

When Katarina knocked politely, a deathly groan came from inside.

- Creak

After a brief wait, the door opened to reveal what might be a corpse-shaped person or person-shaped corpse.

"What is it?"

Derek had spent last night expending magic power in their chase, returned Diela to the guest house, discussed future plans with Jayden, then studied spellbooks and trained before finally sleeping—less than three hours ago.

Dark circles under his eyes and disheveled white hair clearly showed he'd just woken up.

Though sympathetic, Katarina also hoped he'd handle this early morning disaster.

"Lady Diela wished to see you, so I've brought her."

"Lady Diela?"

As Derek asked, Diela stepped forward and looked up at him.

"Teach me how to control manifested magic power. I tried alone but couldn't."

"..."

"You said you'd teach me."

Katarina couldn't believe her ears. All veteran servants knew of Diela's struggles with magic.

'Lady Diela manifested magic power?!'

This warranted immediate reporting to the Grand Duke. The ducal family would be shocked.

No wonder she'd come to the main manor so early. New mages often become obsessed with their growing abilities.

That intoxicating feeling of progress often drives them to train obsessively—more addictive than fine liquor until they hit their first plateau.

For a ducal princess to seek instruction personally made sense now. A mage's thirst for knowledge is unimaginable.

Her restraint toward servants also became understandable—she'd found something more engaging.

Katarina looked at Derek with shining eyes.

Perhaps this boy could save the servants from their hellish tormentor.

Just as she was about to speak—

"Come back in the afternoon."

- Slam!

Exhausted, Derek closed the door after this announcement.

"...."

Before the closed door.

The Head Maid and Diela stood frozen in silence.

"What?! Are you joking?! You're dismissing me?! Who do you think you are?!"

Diela pounded on the door and shouted, but Derek simply put in his earplugs and buried himself back in bed.

Having had two mentors, Derek knew the master must maintain authority in any teacher-student relationship.

Even for a ducal princess, this was no exception—the Grand Duke had granted him full authority after all.

- Bang! Bang! Bang!

- Open up! Open this door right now!

Despite the violent knocking, Derek prepared for proper rest.

Years of mercenary life had taught him to sleep through any noise.

Watching this, Head Maid Katarina could only wipe her face.

Whether master or disciple, they were both stubborn mules.

"Today Lady Diela didn't break a single dish during meals."

"N-not a single servant was beaten today. Though she did seem displeased..."

"When she woke this morning, she was clearly manipulating magic power with her hands."

Seated at a side table in the Duke's office, First Prince Valerian wore an astonished expression.

Though his mouth was hidden behind his propped chin, his slightly widened pupils revealed his thoughts.

He exchanged glances with the Duke at the main desk, who set down his quill.

"Is this true?"

"Yes. I've cross-verified multiple times before reporting. It seems Lady Diela has finally manifested magic power."

"You hear that, Father? A relief. Truly a relief."

Valerian sighed in relief. At least the worst-case scenario had been avoided.

For a Duplein to celebrate manifesting magic was absurd, but given Diela's history, this was significant progress.

"Father, I told you Diela could do it."

"There does seem to be progress. We can postpone the monastery and observe further."

The Duke stroked his chin thoughtfully.

"However, objectively speaking, her achievement remains insufficient."

"Father... But consider how hard Diela worked. Please acknowledge that."

"Hence the monastery is off the table. But preparing her for society separately is another matter."

Mastering at least one 1st Grade spell was basic for nobles claiming magical ability—hardly something to boast about, just proof they weren't completely inept.

"While manifesting magic is commendable, we don't know if she's truly reformed. Father."

Raeg interjected bluntly. Valerian frowned at his words.

"What nonsense is this, Raeg."

"Isn't it true, Brother? New mages get obsessed until reality sets in. Who knows when her true nature will return?"

She may have progressed as a mage but remained stagnant as a noble lady, Raeg implied.

Seeing Raeg's firm expression, Valerian understood—he genuinely despised Diela.

While Valerian and Aiselin had shown endless patience, it wasn't fair to blame Raeg for giving up on her.

"People's natures don't change easily, Father."

"Raeg. But there's progress—can't you give Diela more faith?"

"Brother, you're too lenient. We must be firmer now. Don't cancel the monastery option too easily, Father. Only then will she behave."

The Duke picked up his quill and underlined documents as he spoke.

"Raeg has a point. Still, achievement deserves recognition. Observing further seems prudent."

Raeg looked dissatisfied while Valerian appeared relieved.

As the Duke tapped his desk thoughtfully, he reflected internally.

'That commoner mage... He's unusual.'

From their first meeting—standing unflinching in the Duke's office—he'd seemed extraordinary.

But potential and results differ greatly. The Duke couldn't help but reassess Derek.

Still, he remained a commoner with inherent limitations. Though advanced for his age, he hadn't transcended his station.

"Setting Diela aside, our immediate concern is the upcoming conference."

"...The Beltus Ducal family and Belmiere Count family will attend. I heard the Beltus Grand Duke is coming personally, while Count Belmiere is sending Lady Elente as proxy."

The three most influential families in the western empire—Beltus, Duplein, Belmiere—rarely gathered like this. They'd discuss trade routes and tax law changes.

'Sending Lady Elente as proxy? Not even a key retainer?'

The Duke felt oddly slighted. Other heads attended personally because of the meeting's importance.

Count Belmiere was wise enough to know this breach of etiquette. Something was amiss.

Lost in thought, the Duke didn't notice his sons organizing documents until Raeg left, clearly displeased about Diela avoiding the monastery.

After proper rest, breakfast, washing up, fresh air, and tea, Derek headed to the guest house in late afternoon to find a sulking Diela hugging her knees on the bed.

"Are you pouting?"

"I'm not pouting, I'm angry."

"Sulking won't help. Everything has its proper order."

"I said I'm not sulking, I'm angry!"

"If you exhaust yourself right after manifesting magic, you'll collapse. Speaking from experience."

Derek pulled a wooden chair from the table opposite Diela's bed, brushing grass from his pants before sitting.

"Rest is as important as study. Always maintain peak condition."

"Listening to you reminds me of those boring moral instructors reading textbooks."

"...Shall I demonstrate a less boring method then?"

Memories of their"spectacular"forest chase made Diela shudder. Perhaps conventional methods were fine.

"Never mind."

"Come here regardless. We'll practice magic manifestation and 1st Grade basics. Didn't you want to learn?"

Proud Diela disliked obeying a commoner's orders.

Like a cautious cat, she widened her eyes before smoothing her golden locks and crossing to sit beside him, pouting but clearly interested when Derek manifested magic in his palm.

The energy moved differently from her family's magic—more varied in color and pattern.

"Wild School magic requires breaking fixed notions. Difficult at first, but you'll eventually self-study advanced spells."

"Did you self-study everything?"

"No. I had a Discipline School mentor. Half was self-taught."

Derek demonstrated free manipulation of magic energy, emphasizing this as their first goal.

"H-harder than I thought."

"It's fine. The Wild School's foundation is self-study. Lack of structure helps here."

"Can I really do this?"

"Not to flatter you, but honestly, you have some talent."

Diela's eyes sparkled.

"M-me?"

"Your past efforts weren't entirely wasted. You immediately created an ice pillar after manifesting magic—most can't do that."

"R-really..."

"With refinement, that could become 1st Grade magic."

Talent.

The word seemed to strike a chord. Given her history, this wasn't surprising—that single word carried profound weight.

"Pride is good, within reason. You may take some pride."

"I've never been prideful."

"Don't lie."

"Why so harsh? Want to die?"

"Mind your language. Maintain some dignity."

Derek dispersed the magic, ending the demonstration.

Diela tried replicating it, gradually growing accustomed to her magic—genuinely enjoying learning after so long.

Catching her smiling, she quickly feigned indifference.

"I-I think I get it! Maybe I am a genius like you said!"

"..."

Derek propped his chin.

"I said'some talent,'not'genius.'"

"...You're really unpleasant."

Thereafter, Diela learned magic whenever possible.

Her quick focus after initial complaints showed she hadn't always been a troublemaker.

They sometimes trained in the rose garden or main garden instead of the guest house, even venturing to nearby forests and streams for larger demonstrations.

Servants often saw Diela following Derek, asking questions—reminiscent of her former self.

Gradually, screams from the guest house decreased.

To the servants, Derek became something of a savior.

"Hmm..."

In the second prince's office, Raeg tapped his desk upon hearing rumors about Diela.

Though reports were positive, he couldn't believe she'd reformed so easily.

Having suffered during her worst phase—when she'd abused and dismissed even his decade-long retainers—Raeg's resentment ran deep.

Karma wasn't so easily erased.