Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 41

To Derek, Magic Instructor of the Velderun Mercenary Group:

Through Head Butler Clayven, I have been informed of your commencement in teaching Denise at our Evelstain estate.

First, I commend your efforts. Rumors of your exceptional skills abound, and House Beltus has invested considerable resources to secure your services. I trust you will deliver results worthy of such investment.

As my daughter's personal instructor, we should properly exchange greetings in person. However, as you know, the Empire's southwestern affairs remain turbulent, making my absence unavoidable.

Summoning a dedicated instructor all the way to our territory would only delay matters further, so I trust you'll forgive this correspondence in lieu of a meeting.

My daughter Denise demonstrated remarkable talent across multiple magical disciplines before entering Evelstain's social circles, yet has recently hit an inexplicable plateau in her progress.

As a renowned magic instructor, I earnestly hope you will swiftly break through this stubborn barrier hindering her achievements.

Full authority over Denise's education is hereby entrusted to you. Request whatever you need through the head butler or estate staff, and send direct correspondence regarding her progress.

The Wisest and Longest-Serving Lord of Beltus Territory,

Andelof Kelrok Beltus, Grand Duke.

Reply:

To His Excellency, the Great Grand Duke Beltus:

I am deeply honored by your personal correspondence. I shall faithfully fulfill my duties to honor the trust you've placed in me.

Please do not overly concern yourself with Lady Denise's progress.

When I commit, I deliver.

Derek.

For Denise, attending gatherings at the Rosea Salon was nothing short of torture.

From dawn preparations to maintaining dignified posture while exchanging pleasantries with nobles—all while forcing smiles—exhausted her completely.

Strolling through the Noble District's opulent corridors, Denise often thought:'I'd rather be home reading romance novels.'

Yet recently, Salon gatherings had become almost relaxing—because home had turned into hell.

"Derek won't come to the estate today, right? I have a morning lecture on Aintress Philosophy at the Salon Cultural Hall... and the afternoon Rosea Salon gathering. By the time everything ends, it'll be late evening..."

"Correct. We've received no word from Derek. With your full-day social schedule, his visit would be pointless anyway."

"Then... let's finish grooming quickly before that stubborn bastard arrives. Breakfast is scheduled, but we'll eat lightly and leave before sunrise."

Yet Derek already stood at the main gate, arms laden with magical training equipment.

"Good morning, Lady Denise."

"Eeek...!"

"The dawn air is refreshing. Today we'll focus on basic physical conditioning and theoretical studies rather than spell practice."

"D-Derek! Lessons are fine, but social engagements are crucial for a noble lady!"

"Indeed, a most proper perspective."

Derek wasn't entirely inflexible.

However determined to reform Denise's lazy disposition, he couldn't disregard her noble obligations.

Thus, he calmly informed her:

"I'll wait at the estate until your schedule concludes. I have personal training to focus on anyway. Don't concern yourself with me—devote yourself fully to the Salon and social engagements."

"...Wait? At the estate?"

"You'll return by dinner, no? From then until bedtime, we'll squeeze in over six hours of training. Given your fatigue, we'll emphasize theory. I've prepared all materials—even spent my own meager funds. Please study them thoroughly."

"D-Derek... You could have billed the estate for those..."

When maid Bella interjected in surprise, Denise urgently shook her head at her.

"I-I'll be off to the gathering then!"

Denise shuddered at the magic instructor's tenacious grip, like some drowning ghost clinging to her.

Derek quietly watched Denise's fleeing figure before being escorted inside by servants.

They vacated an entire guest lounge for him—with the lady absent, no distinguished visitors were expected anyway.

Derek spread his magical tools and correspondence across the table.

He also unpacked groceries and sundries purchased from the market district. There were reasons he'd hauled these here at dawn.

'Haa...'

His student was absent, yet Derek remained busy.

Removing his cloak, he rolled up his sleeves.

To walk the tightrope between the Three Great Noble Families, he needed tangible results.

Having gained recognition through teaching noble ladies—intentionally or not—he would give his all to this assignment.

What did teaching truly mean?

If mere knowledge transfer sufficed, books would suffice. True teaching involved sincere communication and mutual growth.

Denise's current avoidance was far from ideal.

Lady Denise differed completely from Lady Elente. Where Elente eagerly absorbed instruction, Denise actively resisted. Thus, Derek needed a different approach.

Efficiency was Derek's hallmark—he always sought the cleanest, most effective methods.

His grand plan: subdue Denise, achieve magical breakthroughs, reform her attitude toward magic, and indebt House Beltus. Step one—silencing her objections.

Though recognized by the Grand Duke, more was needed.

To thoroughly dominate Denise, he must first reshape her environment.

This estate was her kingdom—a domain where servants existed solely to serve her.

His first task: winning over those who surrounded her daily.

Hence his dawn arrival when Denise was absent.

Derek first approached the burly gatekeeper.

"Rest awhile. The temperature swings these days—you must stay warm for your health."

"Ohh, such fine tea... Thank you. You're the magic instructor for Lady Denise?"

"Yes. With the lady away, I have some leisure."

"Hahaha... Even as fellow commoners, our bearing differs so. Still, I entrust Lady Denise to you. She lacks motivation but has good character."

"Naturally. I'm here for Lady Denise—I'll fulfill my role."

That day, he shared tea and worldly talk with the gatekeeper until Denise's return.

After evening lessons, he took the gatekeeper drinking at the docks, claiming to have good liquor. They became occasional drinking companions.

Derek had studied ingredients and gastronomy all day at the cultural district library.

During corridor encounters, he'd expound on meal ingredients and their nuances, discussing flavor profundities.

Sometimes he'd bring rare ingredients from the market, cooking delicacies to share with the chef or Denise.

When Denise praised these dishes, the chef would grin in the kitchen, slapping Derek's shoulder approvingly.

Watching Derek's growing culinary appreciation, the chef once enthusiastically lectured for thirty minutes on sauce absorption differences based on ingredient cuts, comparing continental fruit sweetness variations.

Derek listened attentively with genuine interest.

He also discussed southwestern continental flora with the gardener during spare moments.

Again, he'd studied botany extensively—not enough for expertise, but sufficient for meaningful dialogue.

His mercenary background made befriending maids easy.

Understanding servants'hardships, he empathized while occasionally assisting with laundry or cleaning—earning kitchen treats in return. Soon, mere eye contact made them smile.

Squires and guards were simpler—they adored mercenary tales. They listened raptly to Derek's monster-hunting exploits.

The head butler proved trickiest—he detected Derek's deliberate socializing. Yet upon realizing Derek's true aim was reforming Denise, he began visiting Derek's lounge to share estate history.

"Lady Denise! Derek has arrived...! Brought wonderful ingredients again! Seafood for dinner? I'll show my full skills!"

"Ah, Derek. You work so hard from dawn. Do rest sometimes."

"Derek, I've mended those clothes you mentioned. Helped our trainee maids practice."

Before Denise knew it, the gruff gatekeeper was laughing heartily with Derek, maids welcomed him warmly, and the head butler smiled approvingly.

The gardener praised Derek's character to all, while some shy trainee maids blushed at his passing.

"...He's surprisingly adept at socializing. Then again, surviving the mercenary district requires at least basic social acuity..."

"But Bella... This rapid infiltration is unnatural... Has he used some bewitching spell?"

"...Frankly, Derek is genuinely competent. Harsh as a teacher, perhaps."

"Ugh..."

Denise lay groaning on her bed during lunch break.

Derek had paused training to socialize with staff.

In barely any time, his reputation among servants had skyrocketed.

This wasn't unearned—he'd spent personal funds on gifts, studied their interests despite his busy schedule, listened attentively, and assisted late into nights. All required time and effort.

Moreover, an unbridgeable gap existed between Denise and Derek—she was an exalted noble, he a commoner risen from the gutters.

Who seemed more relatable to servants needed no deliberation.

"And really... isn't getting along with staff perfectly normal?"

"That's true but... something feels off. That mercenary's usually blunt and indifferent—he doesn't casually seek favor... He must have ulterior motives. Surely some scheme to entrap me..."

"..."

"Bella... You mustn't... fall for that mercenary's hidden agenda."

Bella rested her chin thoughtfully.

True, Derek treated her kindly too. Unlike most magic tutors who looked down on servants, his demeanor felt refreshing.

He'd assist with dusting artworks using gentle wind magic, or wordlessly help move cleaning supplies when she struggled late at night.

Though clearly ingratiating behavior, it seemed beneath someone of his standing—he never boasted, simply helped then left.

"...Maybe he's just a decent person?"

"B-Bella... You too...!"

Before she knew it, Derek had fully permeated Denise's estate. Removing him grew increasingly difficult.

His ragged cave-dwelling magician persona gave no hint—Derek had mastered social navigation too, likely influenced by tavern owner Jayden's easy hospitality.

Denise felt herself being slowly drawn into his grasp.