Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 237

When do people most acutely sense mortal danger? When hallucinations begin appearing before their eyes.

Derek had that thought upon seeing Melberot, who'd traveled all the way from distant Rocheste Territory to Ravenclaw Academy.

What image first comes to mind regarding the northern Melberot?

A spire standing amidst swirling snowstorms, where a man sits by the fireplace, chin resting on hand, keeping watch over the snowfields.

Indeed, Melberot rarely leaves Rocheste Territory unless absolutely necessary.

Only for critical central noble assemblies or when summoned by Gremfort Palace for major affairs—even then, the palace treads carefully around him.

As the empire's strongest combat mage who slew the Great Demon Noir, his status is beyond challenge.

This hero who lives entirely as he pleases is notoriously difficult to extract from northern snowfields.

Yet here he was, voluntarily arranging a carriage to traverse that great distance to Duplein Territory.

To personally meet none other than Baron Derek Raidof Ravenclaw.

"Your territory's even larger than rumored. No wonder your name echoes across the southwestern continent."

"..."

"Why stare like you've seen a ghost? Did you think me some hermit who'd never leave northern Rocheste? I emerge when needed and depart when work calls. Is that so astonishing?"

"...No, I simply didn't expect such a sudden visit. Perhaps..."

"You received my last letter, I presume."

"...."

Melberot was an honored guest.

The man who first elevated Derek to nobility by granting his barony, enrolled Sieren at Ravenclaw Academy as his direct disciple, and alongside Kalimford, helped him break through to 5-Star mastery.

Derek owed Melberot many debts—normally, this visit would be welcome.

Under different circumstances, he'd have warmly inquired about the long journey, ordered Delbritton to serve their finest teas, and discussed Sieren's magical progress and academy affairs to deepen their rapport.

But not today.

"Since you read it, I'll be brief. Become my son-in-law of House Rocheste."

"........"

"I'm offering you Sieren. You understand what that signifies from my position."

Sieren was Melberot's most treasured possession.

He'd sooner surrender Rocheste Mansion entire than part with her.

That he now spoke with such resolute certainty suggested considerable deliberation.

"Y-your daughter, you mean."

"Sieren won't refuse. I've already arranged wedding details through my head butler Leighton."

"This is too sudden."

"Life's greatest events always are. Unless... do you dislike Sieren?"

The unspoken threat hung thick—how dare you find fault with my daughter?

Suffocating pressure filled the air.

Derek understood perfectly.

Melberot was offering Sieren with the anguish of severing his own limbs.

To reject such an offer to a 6-Star combat mage would be suicide.

Derek felt his hard-earned social skills being tested. However this marriage talk unfolded, the situation was far from pleasant.

Miraculously, Derek found justification.

"The nation's... in crisis..."

"...What?"

"With Emperor Gertrel assassinated and Empress Rozelyn vanished, Gremfort Palace consumed by Kochella and Damon's power struggle, and high-level labyrinths encroaching our borders—these are turbulent times."

"..."

"How would noble society view someone granted titles by Empress Rozelyn himself frivolously holding weddings now? This wouldn't reflect well on Lady Sieren either."

The timing is chaotic, the situation unstable—now isn't right.

A convenient excuse used by many tacticians. Fortunately, the political turmoil was genuine.

Even Melberot couldn't deny it—Gremfort Palace faced unprecedented chaos.

"...Then perhaps an engagement would suffice for now."

"L-Lady Sieren's own wishes matter most, no? Has this truly been discussed within House Rocheste?"

"Does that require discussion?"

- Creak!

As Derek secretly sweated and Melberot remained determined to secure this son-in-law, the tense discussion was interrupted by the door swinging open.

"F-Father!"

Upon hearing of her revered father's visit, Sieren had sprinted from Lavender Dormitory's private quarters.

"...Long time no see, Sieren."

Though longing to rise and embrace her, Melberot restrained himself with superhuman will, arms crossed in dignified brevity.

Sieren rushed to his side. Despite their age difference, their facial features bore striking resemblance—unbelievable for an adopted daughter, they looked unmistakably like father and child.

"Father! I-I heard... you suddenly arranged marriage talks..."

"Problem?"

"Before like or dislike... it's... it's too sudden."

"So, you dislike it?"

Melberot's bluntness stole one's breath.

Though endlessly indulgent toward his daughter, he knew when to be firm.

At his cold declaration, Sieren grew flustered, eyes darting nervously.

Her crimson face seemed ready to explode—a far cry from the battle-crazed girl from the dueling grounds.

Truthfully, Sieren couldn't outright refuse. Even cold-blooded Sieren couldn't reject this.

If forced to choose, she'd lean toward acceptance—which would require admitting many things. Revealing her exact feelings for Derek would leave only shame.

While Melberot's efforts moved her to tears...

Unfortunately, parental enthusiasm rarely accommodates teenage girls'delicate hearts.

More often, such directness shatters their glass-like sensibilities.

Indeed, Sieren wished to die from embarrassment.

"Th-this is... ugh... uuugh...! This is too much...!"

For the first time, resentment flickered in Sieren's ever-adoring gaze toward Melberot.

After tasting such indescribable shame and confusion, one typically lashes out at the perceived source.

"This... this... this is too unilateral, Father...!"

"Wh-what...?"

"This isn't... helping... it's interfering...! You're not helping at all...!"

Unable to meet Derek's eyes, her face burning crimson... Sieren fled the reception room.

- Slam!

Her frantic footsteps were truly pitiful.

From suddenly confronting Melberot to fleeing the room... utterly undignified for a noble lady.

Yet Derek couldn't blame her—he understood her predicament.

While political marriages among nobles were common, having one's inner feelings exposed was entirely different.

Well-intentioned actions aren't always well-received.

Derek glanced at the abandoned Melberot.

"..."

Ah, this was adolescence—the cold trial all fathers must face.

He wanted to offer that consolation, but the cold-blooded lord would surely resolve it himself.

"...I'm... just interfering...?"

Contrary to expectations, Melberot clutched his jaw in deep anguish.

The man who hadn't flinched before the Great Demon Noir now felt primordial terror before the inscrutable teenage girl.

Noir could be fought and slain—but that petite girl's psychology transcended comprehension.

"Damn it... is it true? That my proactive efforts are actually hindering Sieren...?"

"Th-that is..."

"Hell... never considered that angle... didn't expect such revulsion..."

Though Derek prided himself on noble social skills, this presented a novel challenge.

At a loss, he quietly pondered while letting the conversation fade.

Couldn't this family drama unfold elsewhere?

With so much already on his plate, he nearly wept.

"D-Derek's marriage is being discussed?"

Denis, third-ranked direct disciple of the Ravenclaw School, trembled upon hearing news from Beltus family channels.

Her bluish-silver hair looked frizzy from all-night writing, leaving her in poor condition today.

But this sudden news forced her to close her book.

Her plans for a relaxed schedule lay in ruins.

"...Is this credible?"

"Y-yes... With Lord Melberot visiting the academy today, inquiries revealed... marriage talks with Lady Sieren of Lavender Dormitory are underway... She seemed visibly tense..."

"Gracious..."

Denis felt her mind reel at the Iris Dormitory student's whispered information.

As a long-standing direct disciple capable of objective assessment, Denis grasped the implications.

'This... is an unimaginable situation... It'll inevitably escalate...'

Every direct disciple came from influential families—from Duplein to Renuel—all secretly scheming to draw Derek into their houses.

That things hadn't exploded yet was due to unspoken rules about leaving such matters to the parties involved.

But if Melberot broke that norm by leveraging his authority... other disciples'backers wouldn't stay idle.

Countess Rodea of House Renuel would surely rush to the academy upon hearing this.

While none could challenge Melberot's noble authority individually, nobles excel at forming factions. United under"overthrow Melberot,"anything became possible.

The precarious balance was shifting—things might spiral uncontrollably.

"This information mustn't spread. Keep it absolutely secret."

"But... it's already spread from Camellia to Sepia Dormitory..."

"..."

Denis dropped her documents onto the desk, sinking into deep distress.

This would escalate. It had to.

Suspicion turned to certainty. She needed to determine her position immediately.