Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 266

Count Derek Raidof Ravenclaw was a man of iron will—a hero who maintained composure through any trial or crisis.

His reputation in Evelstain and the imperial capital had soared so high that rumors of his steadfast character were widespread.

Even if the world were to end tomorrow, one could expect him to calmly seek solutions without hesitation... Such was the dependable aura he carried.

It was rare to see Derek so flustered, rendered speechless by such primal emotions.

Because Aiselin's verbal dagger had pierced straight through his chest as naturally as flowing water. Among all people, only Aiselin could deliver such a decisive blow to Derek, whom even 6-Star mages found troublesome to confront.

As for Aiselin? She wasn't in her right mind either. She couldn't even remember how to breathe properly, biting her lower lip in distress.

There's an order to all things.

When someone suddenly proposes marriage as casually as asking"What's for dinner tonight?", even Derek would struggle to respond.

Aiselin's mind had already gone blank. The moment she reflected on what she'd just done, her rationality threatened to collapse in a chain reaction.

Thus, a stalemate ensued.

Delbritton's movements as he wiped cups slowed, and an unbearably heavy silence settled between them.

"..."

Derek wore the expression of a man facing an insurmountable dilemma, keeping his mouth shut.

Since she'd thrown the dagger, he needed to counter.

Wh-what do you mean by that?

Haha, your jokes have gotten sharper since we last met.

Are you serious?

None of these responses felt adequate. More importantly, Aiselin wasn't the type to make such jokes lightly, yet taking her seriously felt too abrupt for a proper reply.

So Derek chose the cruelest option.

"...Suddenly? Wh-why...?"

Asking for reasons from Aiselin—who was already on the verge of suffocating from breathlessness—was nothing short of brutal.

Yet it was hard to blame Derek. When confronted so abruptly, even the most virtuous gentleman would instinctively step back and ask for clarification.

The initiative returned to Aiselin.

She realized this was the watershed moment—whatever she said next would determine everything. For some inexplicable reason, she'd impulsively created this situation and now had to salvage it somehow.

Haha~ Just joking~ I heard marriage talks were going around, so I made a silly remark. Sorry~

If she played it off lightly like this, exchanged a few awkward smiles, and returned to their usual relationship, that would suffice. For Aiselin, well-versed in social graces, this wouldn't be difficult.

Though she didn't fully understand why she'd blurted it out, she could simply clean up her own mess. Smile gently, apologize for the unfunny joke—

"I... I thought if not now... I'd never get to say it..."

So much for that. Apparently, heart and body don't always align—Aiselin caught her breath again, stunned by her own words.

And upon saying it, she suddenly understood why she'd made this impulsive attempt.

With the Gertrel Imperial Family now involved, Derek was practically ascending to the heavens.

While she'd once been the flower of Evelstain's high society as the Duplein family's young lady, Derek's current authority far surpassed hers.

No room for complacency now, with more eyes watching greedily.

From Derek's perspective, he'd have more responsibilities and connections to manage—if not now, she might never get another chance to speak.

How pathetic and pitiful a reason was that?

She could've composed herself and created a proper situation to convey her feelings, yet she'd let impatience drive her to these careless words. Even she found them disappointing.

But brushing it off as a joke now seemed impossible. Having come this far, there was no stopping.

A fearful sensation of walking on knife's edge dominated her body, but Aiselin somehow managed to steady her breathing.

"..."

"If... if I didn't say anything... I knew I'd regret it..."

Aiselin hung her head low.

By any measure, it was a pathetic declaration. Essentially admitting defeat upfront, just to rid herself of lingering attachments.

How many extraordinary people already surrounded Derek?

Still, some things must be said. Because soon, there truly would be no opportunity left.

Thus, she maintained silence amidst the whirlwind of emotions. The die was cast—likely a losing roll—and all that remained was bravely accepting the outcome.

Just as Aiselin, fighting back tears, tried to read Derek's expression—

"I accept."

What Aiselin hadn't considered was Derek's decisiveness when needed.

The man who'd rebuffed even the emperor's courtship to return to the academy had nodded so simply—something she never expected.

Finding a gold nugget while walking would be more believable than this.

Aiselin stood dumbfounded, her soul seemingly departed, as Derek grabbed her arm and whisked her out into the corridor.

Dragging the doll-like Aiselin along, Derek informed Delbritton—who remained in the room—that they'd manage their time tonight and shouldn't be disturbed.

Even the experienced Delbritton couldn't keep up with events, his response delayed by a beat.

With that, Derek nodded and led Aiselin down the late-night corridor with steady footsteps.

- Thud, thud.

- Click, clack.

Only after being pulled by the wrist all the way through Amarilis House's main building did Aiselin finally regain her senses.

"...Huh?"

"?"

"Wh-what? I think I had a strange dream where something happened..."

"Likely not a dream. Lady Aiselin proposed to me, and I accepted."

"...? It wasn't a dream?"

"If you dismiss it so lightly... I'll be troubled."

Derek was taking Aiselin somewhere.

His long strides made it hard for Aiselin's delicate steps to keep up. Yet Derek, as if resolved, firmly pulled her along.

"Why, why?"

"...If you propose then ask me why, what am I to do?"

"N-no... I honestly thought you'd have no reason to accept. You refused even becoming part of the Gertrel Imperial Family... showing no interest in marriage. I just... acted on impulse..."

"The circumstances differ. A proposal from Lady Aiselin changes everything."

"M-marrying me offers no advantages compared to joining the imperial family."

"Why wouldn't it? There are three clear benefits."

"R-really? Th-three?"

Led by Derek's hand, they soon reached the stables at the academy's outskirts.

The drowsy groom on duty startled upon seeing the two prominent figures. Before he could ask about their late-night visit, Derek strode in with Aiselin and took the reins of a fine-looking horse.

"We'll return before dawn. Taking one horse."

"A-ah, yes. But at this hour...?"

"Must a man and woman going out at night need lengthy explanations?"

"Gasp... Ah, yes. The two of you... I'll inform the caretaker. Not that you'd get hurt, but the night is dark—ride carefully."

Derek nodded, then effortlessly lifted Aiselin onto the horse behind the saddle.

Aiselin remained incredulous even now, not even noticing dirt staining her dress.

Derek mounted and spurred the horse forward.

The pleasant early autumn night breeze brushed their cheeks as they passed the academy's main gate, galloping across the grasslands. Aiselin still wore a soul-departed expression.

- Clip-clop, clatter.

"I was startled, but upon calm reflection... I found no reason to refuse. Didn't I say there were three reasons?"

"Y-yes... right..."

"First, regarding post-marriage authority. Joining the imperial family might seem appealing... but it would severely hinder my personal goals."

Imperial duties would multiply.

As stated, he'd reside in Gremfort Palace, effectively living to assist Empress Rozelyn. While promising immense wealth and glory, such goals held little weight in Derek's life.

"My ultimate aim is reaching magic's pinnacle, but I've much else to do. Master time magic to reunite with my old mentor, become a proper magic teacher to establish a beneficial magical school."

"..."

"My current status suits these goals perfectly—neither higher nor lower. So... maintaining good relations with the imperial family suffices."

Aiselin nodded quietly.

Clutching Derek's waist on the swaying saddle, her hair fluttered in the wind—like sailing across vast oceans.

"The second reason is similar. Regarding who could best uphold my noble authority and support me... who compares to Lady Aiselin?"

"R-really..?"

"Yes. You stood by me during my hardest times, involved in most of my achievements. None match your practical skills—knowing when to step forward and when to yield."

The sudden praise left Aiselin speechless.

She knew Derek valued her, but never imagined to this extent.

"Rather than lengthy talk of dutiful wives, I'll simply say I'm impressed by your abilities. After all, you helped me most when I needed it."

The reverse held equally true.

During the Duplein family's darkest hour, Derek had saved her. Their mutual support made calculating gains meaningless.

Yet hearing this much turned Aiselin's face beet red. She couldn't rebut—nor needed to.

"Th-then the third reason? Is there another...?"

"Actually the most important. While personal advancement matters... reducing marriage between men and women to such calculations lacks humanity. Even among nobility's pragmatic unions, not everything operates that way."

Holding the reins, Derek gazed at the starry sky over the grasslands as he spoke.

"Though the third reason matters most, it's hardly complex. I merely reflected like anyone else would."

When Aiselin blurted out her proposal, Derek—amidst his fluster—had carefully considered everything.

Or perhaps his heart had already been decided long ago.

"Setting aside complicated political reasons, it simply came down to whether I liked Lady Aiselin."

At this, Aiselin held her breath again.

Her airways seemed blocked, yet her heart pounded so loudly the hoofbeats nearly drowned out.

"D-Derek... that's..."

"No room for disagreement. I already saw Lady Aiselin as more than a friend, so no further deliberation was needed."

Aiselin's rationality nearly shattered completely.

Were they not on a galloping horse, she might have flailed and fallen off.

They say Fortune smiles upon the bold—but she never imagined such radiant favor.

"Seeing it that way, I found no reason to refuse. If anything, I should thank you for speaking first."

"N-no... I mean... um..."

Noticing Aiselin malfunctioning like broken machinery, Derek decided against further pressure.

"Still, I've my pride too. Accepting a haphazard, half-hearted proposal and rushing through formalities wouldn't do. Let's conclude this properly somewhere meaningful."

"..."

"Tomorrow we announce my survival and resume academy duties—no time then. There's somewhere I must visit tonight."

She knew he was decisive, but never expected such forceful leadership. Derek had always seemed indifferent to women.

And he had been. But once resolved, he knew how to take charge.

"Wh-where are we going...? Being out so late will worry the servants. Not that... you'd face danger anywhere, but they'll wait anxiously."

"Heading toward Evelstain—won't take long. Ah, right. Lady Aiselin."

The horse carrying them glided through the night.

The crisp night air, moonlit grasslands, and starry sky all seemed exceptionally vivid tonight.

"The night's long... If we need spare clothes, we can buy some at the market."

At this, Aiselin's mind short-circuited completely.

Despite her worldly experience, she remained ignorant in matters between men and women.

Especially now, being led by Derek through the night—everything felt unknown. Hazy imaginations flooded her mind until smoke seemed to rise from her head.

Her sole consolation was the dependable man right beside her.