Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 118

'To become a 4-Star mage, one must either leap over or break through that invisible wall.'

Late at night, Phee let her hair cascade down as she quietly gazed at the stars in the night sky.

'Did even that pretentious mage Adelbert know about this?'

The man named Derek who was currently playing at being her student showed promise, but still lacked that final step to reach the 4-Star realm.

Since she'd taken on the role of mentor, creating an opportunity for him to break through that wall was now her responsibility.

With a bitter smile, Phee leaped down from the roof to the deserted backyard of the manor. Melding into the shadows,

she blinked several times, her faintly glowing eyes flashing in the dark.

"Haaah..."

When Aiselin opened her eyes, the sun was already high in the sky.

The crisp autumn breeze fluttering the curtains by the window gave her a comforting feeling.

"Eh? What..."

Only after sitting up did Aiselin begin to grasp her situation.

The last thing she remembered was frantically grabbing a handkerchief when blood suddenly gushed from her nose, then losing consciousness as a floating sensation overwhelmed her.

"Sister!"

"L-Lady Sirine..."

Sirine, who had been keeping vigil by Aiselin's bedside, quickly rose and rushed over to clasp both of Aiselin's hands.

It was rare to see the usually sharp-tempered Lady Sirine display such emotional concern. The last time had been when Aiselin appeared stabbed by Derek's sword in Rocheste Territory.

"Sister Aiselin, you've finally awakened. Are you feeling any discomfort? Any blurred vision or headaches?"

"L-Lady Sirine... What... what happened..."

"You collapsed from exhaustion. You've been unconscious for nearly four days before finally coming to. I should inform Delbritton immediately."

With a relieved expression, Sirine quickly left the room.

She'd apparently kept watch by Aiselin's side almost the entire time during her unconsciousness.

'I was asleep for four days...?'

Aiselin had to suppress her panic.

As a core member of Ravenclaw Training Institute, even half a day's absence would start piling up work. Four days unconscious meant the institute might have already begun faltering.

'Good heavens...! How could I make such a mistake...!'

Horrified, Aiselin covered her face with both hands.

To collapse from exhaustion during this critical founding period when perfectionist Derek needed her most... From his perspective, this must seem like a grave breach of trust.

After constantly boasting about loving hard work and not to worry, only to collapse when it mattered... How pathetic and unreliable.

All these mistakes stemmed from her own shortcomings. Aiselin sighed deeply while still covering her face.

'In such times, to foolishly feel jealous of Lady Phee, scheming for Derek's attention... When there's so much important work, to get distracted and collapse from exhaustion...'

'I'm... so ashamed... What a wretched person I am...'

Aiselin knew Derek well. Their long partnership had given her deep insight into his thinking.

While endlessly patient when teaching noble ladies, he was razor-sharp regarding work matters.

He knew when to reprimand servants and retainers, and how to punish irresponsibility. With no compromise on work standards, he must be deeply disappointed by Aiselin's carelessness.

'I... I should apologize... But how...'

As Aiselin lamented with her head hung low—

- Bang!

The door burst open as Sirine returned with others.

The medical retainer, head butler, acting dean, Lady Sirine, and leading them—Baron Derek Raidof Ravenclaw.

Each had been preoccupied elsewhere—some still holding quills, others in work coats—having rushed over upon hearing the news.

"Lady Aiselin. You're awake."

"Y-yes... Derek... About that..."

"Thank goodness."

Derek strode in and heavily sat on the wooden chair by her bed.

Meeting Aiselin's gaze, he spoke slowly.

"Any lingering symptoms? Other discomforts?"

"Huh? N-no... Just tired... I'm... so sorry. I didn't expect this..."

"Sorry? For what?"

"The... institute's schedule..."

"..."

Derek studied Aiselin's downcast expression before sighing deeply, pressing his forehead.

"Lady Aiselin. This isn't your fault to apologize for."

"B-but... disappearing for four days must have caused problems..."

"Who blames someone for collapsing from exhaustion? If anything, this is my failure as leader. I knew you were handling an unrealistic workload yet did nothing."

"N-no, that's..."

Derek firmly grasped both her hands.

Aiselin's face flushed crimson at the sudden contact. She barely suppressed a squeak as electric tingles shot up her spine.

"Lady Aiselin. This incident taught me something crucial. There are limits to leading through criticism alone. Only by deeply understanding each person's circumstances can one truly guide them."

"Oh, no... You don't need to say that..."

Incidentally, Derek's hands were remarkably large. Though not exceptionally tall for a man, the sheer masculine solidity was striking. Surprisingly warm too. His proximity made his scent of wild roses distinctly noticeable.

These utterly irrelevant observations flooded Aiselin's mind, overloading her brain as heat rose to her face, forcing her to hold her breath.

Noticing this, Derek frowned.

"You don't seem fully recovered yet."

"No, it's... well... yes... I suppose..."

"Regardless, I deeply regret this incident. I took your sacrifices for granted."

"Oh no! Please don't think that way! I truly enjoy my work... and it helps my family too..."

Sitting stiffly on the chair, Derek's expression grew graver.

"These past four days, I visited whenever possible. However you may feel, seeing you collapsed by my negligence has reshaped my perspective."

"You... came every day...?"

Derek was as busy as Aiselin, often needing to cancel commitments to free up time. That he'd visited daily to watch over her made her chest swell strangely—proof of his genuine concern.

"Rest fully this week. Until certain of complete recovery, caution is best."

"I'm... fine though..."

"No exceptions. I'll keep visiting to monitor your condition personally. Focus solely on recuperating."

"Every... day..."

Aiselin hiccuped while reclining on the bed.

The perpetually busy baron would now visit daily to check on her, chat about trivial matters, and spend time together.

Though absurd to monopolize his time for nursing, when Aiselin tried to refuse, her neck seemed stuck.

"W-well..."

"Derek's right, Sister Aiselin! You need rest!"

Even the usually reserved Sirine stepped forward with concern.

Having shared tea with Aiselin often, Sirine now found life at the barony hollow without her.

Worry filled her exhausted face. Even the retainers and Head Butler Delbritton bowed apologetically.

'W-what is this feeling...?'

A thick, viscous sensation welled up in Aiselin's heart.

The girl couldn't comprehend it. This primal satisfaction from human concern, exhaustion, and obsession—

'Why... why do I feel so fulfilled...? This... this is wrong...'

The guilty pleasure of this baser instinct left her bewildered. For someone as pure as Aiselin, this was entirely unfamiliar.

True to his word, Derek visited daily to check on Aiselin's condition.

By her bedside, he'd share institute updates or mention how many noble ladies missed her suspended etiquette classes.

"Some suggested hosting a tea party in the gardens, though our estate is still too small compared to high nobility mansions."

"Ahaha. True. Head Butler Delbritton proposed expanding the gardens—worth considering."

"With our improved finances... I'll propose it to the retainers."

After several days, Aiselin regained enough strength to sit at a table.

With servants tending her meals, her pallor gave way to aristocratic beauty again—as if surrounded by flowers daily.

Most importantly, Derek kept visiting.

Conversing with him filled her with inexplicable satisfaction, making this feel like an ideal vacation.

Thus Aiselin enjoyed tea and metaphorical photosynthesis with Derek.

The contrast to her former hectic schedule was stark. Now she simply rested or received visitors—that was all.

Just as she thought to enjoy this happiness a few more days—

"Lady Elente plans to visit next week."

—Aiselin's soaring happiness abruptly crashed.

"...What?"

"We informed Duplein Manor and Rosea Salon about your condition. Naturally—any health concerns should be reported immediately."

"Well... yes... But why Lady Elente...?"

At Rosea Salon, Elente used to tread carefully around Aiselin.

But recently their dynamic had reversed. Though hard to define, Aiselin now felt breathless and fidgety at news of Elente's visits.

"Though it's been a while since you left Rosea Salon, you still have close connections there. Many wanted to visit, but I declined most. Some were impossible to refuse."

As Belmierd's legitimate heir, Elente wasn't someone a rural baron could turn away.

"Lady Denise too."

Aiselin felt a stinging sensation.

Lately Elente harbored strange hostility toward her, while indolent Denise rarely sought deep connections.

Sending gifts would suffice—their personal visits suggested ulterior motives.

In short, concern for Aiselin was just pretext.

Elente might simply want to see Derek.

But why would Denise come?

While Elente's ruler-like tendencies made her intentions somewhat predictable, Denise's strategist nature made hers inscrutable—deepening Aiselin's unease.

"..."

Seeing Aiselin pale again, Derek sighed deeply across the tea table.

Her fatigue seemed far from resolved.

"..."

Denise fastened a rose-shaped brooch and boarded her carriage in a modest frilledress.

Sitting in the luxurious interior, she massaged her temples before exhaling heavily.

"I told you, Derek. I'm just a chess piece."

In the carriage bound for Ravenclaw Barony, she muttered to no one.

Duke Beltus sought to restrain Ravenclaw Barony's influence. As his daughter, Denise couldn't refuse.

Though visiting her beloved mentor, a weight anchored her heart.

Strike Derek when the chance arises. Until then, gain his trust and stay close.

The Duke's heavy orders pressed upon her shoulders.