Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 247

In the dim office of Gremfort Palace, Damon, head of the noble faction council, sat alone with his head bowed.

"..."

The struggles of the past month had become a monumental turning point in Damon's life.

Though already entering the twilight of his years, he'd been living each day feeling like death might claim him at any moment.

'Kochella... What could she be thinking, suddenly disappearing like this?'

Since Empress Rozelyn vanished, Gremfort Palace had been searching for her while the magic and noble factions tore at each other in endless conflict.

The noble faction bureaucrats sought to detain the empress and restructure palace order among themselves.

The magic faction officials hid Empress Rozelyn while consolidating power around Lily Palace and Rose Palace.

Amidst these opposing conspiracies clashing against each other, Damon and Kochella each had their leadership tested.

With the empress's seat empty in these chaotic times, losing focus for even a moment meant being swept away instantly.

This situation abruptly resolved when Kochella mysteriously disappeared one day.

An incident that occurred just last week.

"...We must take all necessary measures..."

For someone as viperous as Kochella to vanish without trace during such critical times—her intentions were utterly inscrutable.

Regardless, with the opposition raising a white flag and disappearing, he simply had to do what needed doing.

By insinuating that her disappearance during this crisis implied some guilty conscience, Damon gradually suppressed the magic faction's voices.

A group losing its leader crumbles faster than expected. Thus Damon slowly seized control within Gremfort Palace.

Yet he felt no relief.

With both Empress Rozelyn and Advisor Kochella vanishing without trace... this victory trophy had practically fallen into his lap.

He couldn't proudly raise such a prize without unease.

More importantly, too much remained hidden.

When would Empress Rozelyn return? What schemes was Kochella plotting?

And the origin point of all this chaos.

Why had his past self assassinated Emperor Gertrel?

'Not just... assassinating the emperor, but erasing all memories of my own deeds... using Marilyn's Confusion Magic on myself.'

For Damon, this was utterly maddening.

The sin of regicide he never committed drenched his entire being. Unable to escape this original sin, his present self now struggled to clean up the mess left by his past.

Even if it were political assassination, why play the suicidal move of erasing his own memories?

What had his past self tried to undo?

Knowing himself incapable of such actions without reason, this descent into chaos only left him bewildered.

Damon's true nemesis strangling him wasn't Kochella or Rozelyn.

It was his past self.

Amidst this fog-like confusion, Damon wiped his face dry.

He was a hardened survivor of the treacherous noble circles.

Though he'd eliminated countless rivals through ingenious schemes, this was the first time his past self had turned a blade against his present.

Entering a tiger's den, one could survive by keeping wits sharp.

Even when despair made the world seem collapsing, he'd always protected his position and life.

This was simply another of life's countless trials.

"A trip to Gremfort Palace? It's about time you visited. Should I inform Delbritton to arrange carriage preparations?"

That evening, as Derek returned to his office, Aiselin entered carrying stacks of approval documents.

Derek had delegated most academic administration authority to Aiselin.

Already wielding authority nearly equal to a family head within House Ravenclaw, she stood as the most influential figure under Count Ravenclaw.

Yet even Aiselin had limits—certain matters required Derek's direct approval.

Macro-level academic decisions, major budget allocations, and anything involving House Ravenclaw's vaults needed his authorization.

Being efficient, Aiselin would gather such critical items for batch approvals.

The sheer volume—even just the highest priority items—spoke volumes about her usual workload.

"Yes. Not an inspection carriage—prepare a proper ceremonial one. I'll need considerable staff too—this won't disrupt Ravenclaw Academy operations, will it?"

"Hmm... It shouldn't cause major issues. You must have urgent business at Gremfort Palace?"

"..."

Derek paused mid-signature with his quill, looking up at Aiselin.

She tilted her head curiously at first, but under his steady gaze, her cheeks gradually reddened.

"D-Do you... have something to say...?"

"It may be quite significant. My standing might change considerably after this trip."

"It's rare to hear you speak so seriously. The palace situation must be quite turbulent?"

"...I have this strange premonition—that I might die if things go wrong."

"...What do you mean?"

Aiselin's blushing demeanor instantly paled.

Long administrative service tended to dull emotions, yet Aiselin remained quick to react.

"...I'm going to confront a 6-Star mage."

"Is this... another war like in Elvester County...?"

"Unclear, but we must stabilize the political situation decisively. Restore Empress Rozelyn to Gremfort Palace, claim some privileges and rewards too."

"...You're undertaking something monumental."

"Perhaps. Or it might prove surprisingly trivial."

Derek closed his eyes briefly before resuming signatures.

"Frankly, I needn't explain this much..."

"..."

"...But I felt compelled to tell you, Lady Aiselin."

Aiselin listened with concern before blushing again after a pause.

Derek clearly considered her special—he rarely shared his thoughts so openly.

Perhaps he felt she deserved full transparency.

Flustered, Aiselin fidgeted with her fingers. Though she'd hoped for Derek to show more humanity, its actual manifestation proved embarrassingly overwhelming.

Yet now wasn't the time for giddy excitement.

"You shouldn't casually mention possible death. You know that better than anyone."

"..."

"Meaning you're truly heading into danger. Most would offer clichéd encouragements or plead against reckless actions."

Aiselin spoke with unusual seriousness.

Unlike her usual flustered self, she could maintain remarkable composure when needed.

"Such platitudes would mean nothing to you... so I'll skip them."

"I was somewhat expecting it."

"Just as you understand me, I feel I've come to understand you too. You wouldn't want such predictable responses."

She was absolutely right.

Derek acknowledged this. While believing he fully comprehended Aiselin, the reverse proved equally true.

Aiselin Eleanor Duplein was among the few who'd seen Derek's deepest layers.

Thus she could say:

"Don't worry about the academy. Under my management, it will run smoothly."

"..."

"Men must achieve great deeds, no? If palace affairs distract you from household and academic matters, even possible successes may fail."

Sitting primly on the opposite sofa with hands folded on her lap, Aiselin offered a gentle smile.

Her steadfast presence resembled a dependable pillar, making anyone feel at ease.

"Managing such things is my specialty, so don't concern yourself... Focus solely on your mission. That's... the best support I can offer."

"You're a great comfort."

"I'm glad to hear that."

"I mean every word."

"Including that, my joy doubles."

Her radiant smile resembled a portrait, making Derek reluctant to disturb her peace with unnecessary words.

Like his promise with Empress Rozelyn... Matters needing no deep examination now—resolving Gremfort Palace's situation took priority.

Derek closed his eyes and spoke.

"Please expel Lady Rona from Lavender Dormitory."

"...Empress Rozelyn is returning to Gremfort Palace?"

"Though coronated, she hasn't truly secured authority worthy of an empress."

With circumstances as they were, only one path remained.

Seat Empress Rozelyn atop Gremfort Palace, and elevate Ravenclaw School to the empire's premier magical institution.

Displace the current discipline-focused mainstream school, and usher in the empire's new era.

6-Star mages were gathering at Gremfort Palace. Countless opportunities converged.

"Derek."

Aiselin seemed to discern even what Derek left unsaid.

"I truly hope... you become a 6-Star mage."

Even Derek's ambitions fell within her insight.

Uncharacteristically, Derek responded with a silent, beaming smile.

"L-L-L-Lord R-R-Ravenclaw... A-A-Are you w-well...?"

"...?"

After organizing essential documents and finalizing schedules, Derek and Aiselin exited the office.

In the corridor, they unexpectedly encountered Tricia offering trembling greetings.

"L-Lady Tricia?"

"O-Oh, L-Lady Aiselin... A-Are you w-well...?"

"...? Why are you shaking so?"

Tricia's nervousness around Ravenclaw seniors wasn't new.

A girl strong against the weak and weak against the strong—the epitome of pettiness and cowardice—yet this level of trembling was unusual.

She always acted similarly toward Aiselin, but her current terror before Count Ravenclaw was unprecedented.

As if beholding something beyond nobility—an almost reverential fear.

Derek wore a complicated expression.

Clearly, they shared some secret, but Aiselin found it awkward to pry.

If they weren't speaking, there must be valid reasons.

'Then... you shouldn't be so obvious about it...'

If there's a secret, at least guard it properly.

Tricia's cowering as she sidled away from Derek's path only evoked bewildered amazement.

The next day, retainers, servants, and direct disciples gathered to prepare Derek's departure.

The Ravenclaw School's supreme mentor—Derek Raidof Ravenclaw—would journey to Gremfort Palace, accompanied by guard Pellin and head butler Delbritton.

At the procession's center, within the grandest carriage...

Empress Rozelyn sat motionless, head held high—Gremfort Palace's true master returning home.