Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 144

"Tricia. Any progress with the Ravenclaw or Duplein families?"

"Tricia, if you ever need this mother's help with anything, be sure to tell me."

"Tricia. I heard news about a new training institute opening in Duplein Territory. It'd be good if you could get involved."

"It wouldn't hurt to check on the training institute's affairs occasionally, Tricia."

Lady Tricia was sweating buckets.

Every time she returned home, Countess Rodea would look at her only daughter with hopeful eyes, wondering if she'd managed to establish any connection with the Ravenclaw family.

The countess was already desperate to bring Derek under her wing.

As the ruler of the Renuel Count family gazed at her with such expectation, Tricia—who lived under her protection—couldn't help but feel the pressure.

After enjoying the dazzling, splendid banquet at Count Renuel's residence, Tricia returned to her private quarters and immediately clutched her head while holding her breath.

'W-what does she expect me to do...! This... This is too much to ask...!'

She briefly considered confessing that her relationship with the Duplein family's young lady was practically adversarial and to stop expecting miracles... but given Countess Rodea's tiger-like temperament, that would be suicidal.

She recalled the time she'd poured hot tea over Aiselin's head while mocking the Duplein family, which she thought would collapse any moment.

Tricia wanted to run back in time and beg her past self not to do it.

'Stay calm... stay calm...'

Tricia sat down and splashed cold water on her face several times.

'What Mother ultimately wants is to bring Baron Ravenclaw under her influence. In that case... even if it seems like a stretch, directly approaching Baron Ravenclaw might be better.'

She'd already been rejected once, but that was for a commission. This time, it would just be a friendly social visit.

Since the baron seemed quite favorably disposed toward the Renuel Count family, Tricia wasn't entirely without hope.

Say what you will... when Tricia kept her mouth shut, she was quite pretty!

No one knew this better than Tricia herself.

'...'

However, even Tricia—with her sky-high self-esteem—knew her limits.

How could a man accustomed to women like Aiselin, Elente, and Denise possibly fall for Tricia?

But... she had to try...

No matter how she thought about it, winning over Diela was impossible. The next time they met, Diela might actually bite her arm off.

To satisfy Countess Rodea... she had to do something.

"I'll visit Baron Ravenclaw myself, bring some gifts, and... and have a pleasant conversation!"

"Oh, Tricia. What's gotten into you, saying such delightful things?"

"So I've prepared a list of gifts through the servants. And I thought it'd be nice to make some things by hand too!"

"Though I'm a woman myself, I understand men's hearts better. The more unapproachable a man is, the more he appreciates heartfelt, handmade gifts over material ones."

Countess Rodea smiled with satisfaction.

Seeing her expression, Tricia felt momentarily relieved and awkwardly smiled back.

After a brief, warm mother-daughter moment, Tricia forced an uncomfortable smile and spoke.

"A-anyway, I should visit Baron Ravenclaw's territory as soon as possible."

"Good. But... as I mentioned last time, Baron Ravenclaw isn't currently residing in his territory. Did you forget?"

"...Y-yes, that's right. Now that you mention it, where did you say he was...?"

"I told you. At Duplein Ducal Manor."

Tricia smacked her own forehead.

Her pale face made her look like livestock headed for slaughter.

- Creak

"We've arrived, Lady Tricia."

"..."

Was this hell?

The restored Duplein Ducal Manor appeared pristine on the surface, but to Tricia's eyes, it seemed like a gloomy den oozing dark energy.

Who primarily resided here?

Aiselin Eleanor Duplein. The very person Tricia had poured tea over.

And beside her, Diela Catherine Duplein. The one who'd slapped Tricia across the face.

But she couldn't back out now. Returning to Countess Rodea empty-handed might earn her a scolding for accomplishing nothing.

Tricia held her breath.

'Right. As a noble lady, there are places I must step into despite my reluctance, things I must do against my will, and times I must bow my head.'

With tears in her eyes, Tricia strode forward, guided by the Duplein family's maids.

As she crossed the manor with the servants, the interior already felt oddly chaotic.

"My apologies for the mess. With the new ventures underway in Duplein, external personnel frequently come and go."

"I-it's fine. I heard the Duplein family went through difficult times, but seeing new projects means they're recovering well."

"Yes. The training institute established in Ravenclaw Territory has been more successful than expected, bringing great vitality to the Duplein family."

That damn Ravenclaw again.

The Duplein family, which should have collapsed under Tricia's feet, was rising again thanks to that man's support.

Aiselin's efforts—rolling up her sleeves and running around like a fallen noble—were bearing fruit.

They say the sun always rises, no matter how long the night.

Even the Duplein family, which seemed destined to wander eternal darkness, was beginning to see sunlight.

The servants'faces were full of color, hopeful for the family's gradual recovery.

Not long ago, they'd lost their family head and eldest son, been tainted by necromancy accusations, and had all their interests stripped away.

But now, they looked nothing like servants of such a gloomy house—everyone was vibrant.

'T-the Duplein family is really recovering...'

And at the forefront was Aiselin.

Though Raeg sat as the family head, the real power was undeniably Aiselin.

The same Aiselin Tricia had poured tea over...

'Oh gods...'

The time to atone for past sins had come.

Her wrongful choices—mocking, insulting, and humiliating Aiselin—were about to come back as a boomerang.

The tables had completely turned.

To establish any connection with Baron Ravenclaw, she couldn't ignore the Duplein family's young ladies, who were practically his inner circle.

Baron Ravenclaw trusted them implicitly and considered them special.

As Tricia gloomily crossed the corridor, she spotted a familiar face in the distance.

'Eeek...!'

Aiselin Eleanor Duplein. Speak of the devil.

At the Rosea Salon, she wore dresses that made her look noble and sacred, but at home, her attire was more comfortable.

Her simple cotton dress looked modest. Though she'd rolled up her sleeves determinedly, it didn't seem vulgar at all.

Aiselin exuded elegance by her very existence—no matter how she dressed, others paled in comparison. Her beauty didn't come from accessories or makeup but from her innate grace.

"...!"

Aiselin, who'd been walking briskly, locked eyes with Tricia.

A single glance was enough for her to grasp the situation. She was sharp-minded like that.

The arrogant Tricia had come all the way to Duplein Ducal Manor to meet Baron Derek, who was staying here.

Why? Because it was obvious he'd become a major figure in high society.

Given how transparent Tricia's motives were, what was Aiselin thinking?

The girl who'd glared at Tricia with fiery eyes after having hot tea poured over her head—how would she declare victory now?

Humiliation, defeat, misery... As Tricia prepared to bite her lip against the coming emotional storm—

"Oh, Lady Tricia!"

"...?"

Aiselin called out in a surprisingly bright tone.

"I heard you were visiting Duplein Manor, but I was so busy I couldn't greet you properly! For the daughter of Count Renuel to visit personally, and for me to be so rude... I'm so ashamed I don't know what to do."

"..."

Aiselin offered a graceful apology with a radiant smile.

Her smiling face was so refreshing it was almost dazzling. Finally understanding the situation, Tricia turned to stone.

'Ah, so that's how it is...'

There were many ways to mock a defeated rival whose position had reversed. Tricia knew this better than anyone—she'd done it often enough.

Openly laughing at someone was too primitive and one-dimensional.

A more insidious method... was smiling sweetly while pitying them.

Oh dear, how could this happen? You should have been more careful. Poor thing...

Smiling behind a peacock-feather fan while looking down on them—that was how to drive someone mad.

Just as Tricia gritted her teeth, thinking it was her turn to endure this—

- Tap

"H-huh?"

"I heard the Renuel Count family provided great assistance in this matter. From our perspective—being closely tied to the Ravenclaw family—we should express our gratitude as well."

Aiselin approached the stiff Tricia, took her hands firmly, and flashed a brilliantly bright smile.

It wasn't a mocking, pitying smile. Aiselin... was genuinely thanking Tricia.

"Wh-wha...?"

"I heard you worked hard under Countess Rodea's orders, Lady Tricia. You must have endured much. Since our Duplein family also benefited, please accept my thanks."

"N-no, I didn't really do anything..."

Faced with such pure, radiant smiles devoid of any malice, Tricia instinctively stepped back. The smile was so pure and beautiful it seemed to make flowers bloom around her.

At Tricia's awkward reaction, Aiselin tilted her head.

"...?"

"I-it's presumptuous of me to say this but..."

"Yes?"

"Last time... at the tea house... I poured tea and... said some inappropriate things..."

"...?"

Aiselin tilted her head again before clapping as if remembering.

"Ah, now that you mention it! That time... you were quite mischievous, Lady Tricia."

-'Don't cross the line, Lady Tricia.'

The image of Aiselin, drenched in tea, speaking coldly came to mind.

The gap between then and now was staggering. Normally warm and benevolent, Aiselin's cold demeanor was all the more startling.

But now, she didn't seem to care at all.

Why?

The humiliation Tricia had inflicted that day wasn't something easily forgotten.

Yet Aiselin laughed it off and casually said:

"That's all in the past."

"Guh..."

For a moment, Tricia imagined a halo radiating behind Aiselin.

"Everyone makes mistakes. You might have acted improperly in a moment of excitement, Lady Tricia. If I held onto every little grievance, how could I ask for forgiveness when I make mistakes? For my own sake, it's better not to dwell on such things, don't you think?"

This was the dignity of the girl who'd endured the hazing of noble ladies when first entering Evelstain's high society, eventually being recognized as a lily of the Rosea Salon.

What would Tricia have done in Aiselin's place?

She'd have sneered and looked down on her opponent with contempt. Seeing someone who'd acted so arrogantly now bowing her head in defeat.

But Aiselin didn't do that.

She was rebuilding her family with her own hands. She had every right to lash out at the world that had scorned her. Yet she maintained her dignity as a noble lady to the end.

Wings seemed to sprout from Aiselin's back in Tricia's vision.

Choir music played. The radiant halo grew brighter, almost blinding. Feathers fluttered, and holy sunlight poured from the heavens.

Need more be said? One might think this girl was an angel descended to earth.

'T-this can't be...'

Tricia felt the difference in their caliber.

So this was what it meant to be a dignified noble lady...

This was the grace of a lady who commanded countless followers with a single smile...

Pointing out faults firmly yet embracing mistakes with a merciful heart. Never forgetting respect even toward those who'd insulted her—such elegant character.

Faced with such benevolence and wisdom... Tricia was at a loss for words.

As overwhelming light shone on her dark, scheming heart... Tricia could only stammer while stepping back.

The light was so bright it threatened to blind her.

"Th-that is... I..."

"L-Lady Tricia?"

Was Aiselin... a goddess?

Even the proud, arrogant Tricia... realizing the difference in their caliber, could only follow her.

"I wondered what brought you to Duplein Manor..."

"I came to repent my past wrongs and seek forgiveness from the noble Lady Aiselin... to atone..."

"...."

When Derek heard the news and came to the reception room, he found Tricia tearfully confessing as if in a religious trance.

He couldn't fathom what had happened to reduce her to this state, but he decided not to pry.

Aiselin was sweating profusely with an awkward smile, while Tricia sat beside her on the sofa, holding her hands and tearfully confessing her sins.

"I'm a worm unworthy of even touching Lady Aiselin's feet..."

Had she been hit by high-level confusion magic? Was she hypnotized...?

Derek looked back and forth between them with disbelief.

"Compared to Lady Aiselin's merciful heart, a petty wretch like me is just a pathetic beggar..."

"..."

Derek, who'd come to discuss concrete plans for Duplein's revival, had no choice but to set aside the documents he'd brought.

It seemed better to wait until Tricia regained her senses.

Either way, she was the final piece in Derek's design for the southwestern nobility's structure.

Derek planned to transform Duplein Territory into a massive academy.

Like it or not, large-scale ventures required the Renuel Count family's support.