Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 230

The morning mist gradually lifted as the chaos of the previous night began revealing itself to the world.

Though the sun rose, darkness still loomed over Gremfort Palace.

- Tap, tap!

"Before commencing external searches, thoroughly inspect the scene once more! All units except Squad 1 join the search parties!"

"Yes, sir!"

The chilly dawn carried a faint dampness as imperial guards scurried busily through the palace corridors. Too many incidents had occurred overnight.

Damon, head of the Noble Council, had vanished from the imperial palace only to storm into Gremfort Palace with private soldiers and officials, shouting that the madwoman Kochella had murdered Empress Rozelyn and attempted to usurp the throne.

Meanwhile, Kochella remained barricaded in a corner room of the Palace of Truth, channeling magic into the dagger embedded in her chest.

She ordered her magical advisors to proclaim Damon's crimes to the world—that he was Emperor Gertrel's assassin, now slandering her out of fear his atrocities would be exposed.

Naturally, Damon vehemently denied Kochella's accusations.

"Rumors say Chairman Damon... assassinated His Imperial Majesty...!"

"No... that's just baseless slander spread by the magic faction to pressure noble officials! They say Chief Magic Advisor Kochella caused last night's massive explosion in Empress Rozelyn's office while attempting regicide...?"

"I-I heard it directly from the chief secretary of finance...! That Kochella masterminded everything!"

"The guard captain said differently...? Even the imperial prosecutor took Kochella's side."

"Chairman Damon assassinated Emperor Gertrel... What in the world...!"

As Kochella and Damon clashed sharply, all eyes inevitably turned to one person—Empress Rozelyn at the center of these accusations. The choice between supporting Damon or Kochella rested solely with her.

Yet the empress couldn't side with either.

She refused to relinquish control to Damon—Gertrel's alleged killer—or to Kochella, who'd exploit the entire empire for magical research. But opposing both simultaneously was equally perilous in this volatile political climate.

Only one move remained.

"Her Imperial Majesty Rozelyn... has disappeared."

Gremfort Palace's finance office.

Chief Secretary Ricardo listened to investigators'reports with growing dismay, stroking his beard before exhaling deeply. As one of Rozelyn's few remaining allies in the administration, the news troubled him greatly.

"We found Her Majesty's ribbon discarded near the wine cellar beneath the explosion site and the adjacent corridor. Investigators say it appears to show signs of struggle."

"Struggle...? You mean there was combat?"

"Eyewitnesses reported seeing someone in noble attire waiting in the corridor before abducting Her Majesty. Clearly... third-party involvement."

An uneasy silence fell over the office.

The unnaturally timed explosion, followed by Empress Rozelyn's abduction within minutes before guards arrived—the implications were staggering.

With Emperor Gertrel recently deceased, this brazen kidnapping represented an unprecedented disgrace.

Ricardo massaged his temples before continuing.

"There were... witnesses?"

"Yes. Count Ravenclaw—who received his title directly from Her Majesty yesterday. He was present during the explosion."

"Did you take his statement?"

"Yes."

Derek's rising prominence in palace circles made his testimony invaluable. Despite intense lobbying from all three factions, he'd maintained strict neutrality—much like young Melberot defending the northern borders years ago.

As Rozelyn's favored appointee granted vast territories, Derek had no motive to oppose her. Reports indicated he'd been seriously injured in the blast yet calmly assisted guards afterward.

"...Regarding the office explosion—rumors abound that Chief Magic Advisor Kochella was responsible. If Count Ravenclaw was present, surely he could confirm?"

"That's... the unfortunate part..."

"Unfortunate?"

"The detonation was too sudden. He couldn't identify the perpetrator."

Ricardo frowned at this convenient ambiguity.

'A masterstroke. Count Ravenclaw's handiwork?'

In a dim chamber, Kochella clutched the dagger in her chest, sweating as she smirked bitterly.

Amid the chaos, Rozelyn had chosen disappearance—likely escaping Gremfort Palace with Derek's help. The reasoning was obvious.

'If rumors spread of the empress being kidnapped... investigations would commence palace-wide. Few possess both the audacity and capability for such an act.'

Who abducted Empress Rozelyn?

Logic pointed to only two suspects: Kochella or Damon.

'He's twisting eyewitness accounts to pit us against each other.'

The fabricated story of Rozelyn's ambush near the wine cellar clearly aimed to frame the abduction as factional warfare.

With Derek's well-known loyalty making him an impeccable witness, his testimony carried immense weight. This forced Kochella and Damon into mutual accusations.

Unable to support either faction yet incapable of opposing both, Rozelyn's sole recourse was vanishing—a move now perfectly manipulated by Derek.

'Kuhak...!'

In her shadowed room, Kochella gazed at dawn's faint light with a wry smile, sensing those crimson eyes watching from darkness.

To survive, she must destroy Damon.

For Damon to live, he must eliminate Kochella.

One must inevitably fall.

Derek's selective testimony—omitting details that could condemn Kochella—maintained this deadly equilibrium. He'd entered the political fray to reshape the game entirely.

'No mere loyal subordinate...'

Clutching her wound, Kochella exhaled wearily.

Baron Derek Raidof Ravenclaw's influence was steadily permeating Gremfort Palace's underworld.

『To Lady Aiselin,

I write in urgency. Having received my title at Gremfort Palace, I'm now entangled in significant affairs that should resolve shortly before my academy return. However, certain matters require immediate attention.

By this letter's arrival, a carriage I commissioned should reach Duplein Territory. Please compensate the driver with two Lanat gold coins, stress absolute secrecy, and accept delivery with Delbritton. After formalities, discreetly transport the carriage to Ravenclaw Academy's main building for inspection.

Inside awaits a"package"from the capital. Secure it flawlessly until my return. Its contents will become apparent upon examination.

Once assessed, you'll devise appropriate safeguards—altering its appearance and establishing new identification. Preferably house it in sparsely populated Lavender Dormitory, keeping it distant from Lady Tricia. The reason... will be evident.

Though burdensome, I trust you'll maintain control until my return. I'll see you at the academy shortly.

Derek Raidof Ravenclaw, Baron

P.S. I cannot overemphasize—under NO circumstances place it near Lady Tricia. Absolutely not!!』

"Oh... the baronial seal. Derek... he really became a baron..."

Aiselin survived on three hours of sleep daily.

Reading Derek's letter before dawn, she already appeared as composed as midday. Servants marveled at her superhuman schedule while she fretted about growing lax.

"I can't casually call him'Derek'anymore... Should I address him as'Your Lordship'next time? It feels strangely distant..."

Her lonely gaze lingered before she shook her head and rose.

Though the letter arrived at dawn, academic duties delayed her response. Per its contents, Derek's"package"would soon arrive.

'What urgent item requires such secrecy...?'

Derek had never dispatched anything so hastily before. The unusual precautions—Lavender Dormitory storage, separation from Tricia—hinted at extreme sensitivity.

'He's being unusually circumspect... This must involve matters unfit for others'ears.'

As Aiselin pondered, a servant cautiously knocked.

- Knock, knock.

"Yes?"

"My lady... an unfamiliar carriage just arrived at the main gate. It bears no house insignia..."

"..."

Right on schedule.

"...I'll take this secret to my grave."

The driver accepted exorbitant payment—far exceeding standard fares—before bowing and vanishing, leaving the weathered carriage behind. Its shabby exterior barely contained the visible wooden crate within.

"His Lordship Baron Ravenclaw sent this personally."

"Yes, Mr. Delbritton. He stressed... extreme caution in handling it."

"Given such emphasis, we'll proceed carefully....Shall we inspect the contents?"

"...Shall we? It feels like we're uncovering some tremendous treasure..."

Gripping her dress, Aiselin trudged to the carriage and lifted its tattered covering.

Amid dust-covered crates, something lay sprawled on the floor—barely visible in the dim light.

As she raised the covering higher—

"Kuh... huu... Where... am I...?"

...The package spoke.

In the carriage's darkness sat a battered girl in torn dress, her doll-like features and auburn hair strangely familiar.

".....................................??"

Aiselin's brain short-circuited.