Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 46

To the esteemed Lady Diela.

Though late spring has arrived, the nights still carry a chill. As you approach an important period, I sincerely hope you remain in good health.

The reason I'm secretly penning this private letter is because it pains me that you hold such strong animosity toward me.

Though I couldn't express it openly in official settings, I have absolutely no reason to be hostile toward you. More than anything, I'm in a position where I'm practically dancing with impatience to dismiss that magic instructor Derek you mentioned.

As you well know, the Beltus family has no intention of dismissing Derek. Therefore, my desire to remove him goes against the family's will.

Simply conveying this intention means I'm revealing my weakness to you. If you suspect this letter to be false or some scheme, you need only bring it directly to the Beltus family.

Present this letter to my father and report that a noble lady of Beltus is acting against the family's interests, and my position will naturally suffer greatly.

My reason for so blatantly exposing my weakness is simple—our interests align.

As mentioned, I'm in the position of desperately wanting someone—anyone—to take that magic instructor Derek away.

However, I can't openly make decisions about matters affecting the family's interests, so I'd like to make a proposal.

A magical duel.

I'll stake Derek. You stake something of equivalent value.

Since he's a magic instructor coveted by all three great families, a trivial wager wouldn't suffice—but the stakes hardly matter. I intend to lose deliberately anyway.

If the Duplein family offers compensation valuable enough for my father to accept, we can proceed with the duel.

Losing the duel and surrendering Derek would be manageable. Though it would be seen as my failure, it's far less damaging than openly defying the family to hand him over. This much I can endure.

As I mentioned at the tea party, Derek is truly an excellent magic instructor who will become even more remarkable. But I'm not yet capable of handling him.

A good mentor shines brightest when paired with a good student. I sincerely hope an outstanding individual like yourself can properly claim this treasure named Derek.

I await your reply.

Let me reiterate—since this concerns my position within the family, I must insist this letter remains confidential.

Denis.

- Scratch scratch

In the predawn hours where only cricket sounds drifted through the window.

Denis's hand moved busily across the parchment by the faint candlelight, her eyes darting intermittently toward the door and window as she wrote with urgent haste.

She had to complete and deliver this letter to Diela without anyone discovering it—by any means necessary.

At this point, that wild horse of a noble lady was the only person who could take Derek away.

'I hope there are no breaches of etiquette from writing in such haste... Just one quick review. Even if it's rough, Lady Diela will understand.'

Since the letter's contents being exposed would be disastrous, Denis hurried to finish.

This was practically evidence of her actively opposing the Beltus family's will. Not even the household servants could see it.

As she glanced toward the door—

"Gasp..."

She locked eyes with the head maid peering through the door crack during her late-night rounds.

"...!"

The head maid also wore a slightly startled expression.

But as someone who'd served Denis for years, she maintained composure and whispered:

"I... sensed movement and came to check for intruders."

"Th-this is... well..."

"Oh no, it's fine. Confirming no intruders, I'll take my leave. My apologies... for interrupting your... writing! Please... carry on!"

"...."

The head maid considerately retreated into the hallway shadows—almost fleeing.

"...."

Denis could only sink into complicated, bittersweet emotions.

The seasons changed as summer's heat began creeping into the Empire's southwest.

The romantic spring scenery gradually faded as mountains and rivers turned lush green. The Duplein mansion servants bustled daily preparing for the coming swelter.

- Creak!

- Tap! Tap tap!

Though every day was busy, today was exceptionally so—the family's military corps had returned from their first expedition to subdue the White Wilderness north of the territory.

Valerian and Raeg entered through the mansion gates accompanied only by their most trusted lieutenants and distinguished soldiers after disbanding the main forces at the territory's border.

The two brothers rode majestic white steeds in splendid armor.

Following them were accompanying soldiers and their uncle Flam, who had joined as instructor. This seasoned 4-star mage had accompanied them to impart battlefield command knowledge.

Valerian, leading the procession, already carried himself with full noble dignity.

"Father. Though the White Wilderness subjugation remains distant, we didn't return empty-handed."

Having repelled countless monster tribes and explored several labyrinths, Valerian seemed years more mature.

The Duke observed his eldest son's demeanor with satisfaction before rising to clap his armored shoulder.

"I'm pleased to see you return so bright-eyed from your first campaign."

"Not at all. As reported, we cleared several labyrinths near the White Wilderness. Though few in number, the borderland monster tribes should be significantly reduced."

"Good. One can't expect to fill their belly with the first bite. Your safe return is enough. You've learned much from Flam?"

"Yes. Uncle's seasoned military leadership taught me greatly. The next expedition should yield greater results."

The Duke then observed Raeg standing solidly behind his brother.

The second son also appeared far more steadfast compared to his solitary training days at the mansion.

Though the Belmierd and Beltus families among the three great houses held considerable power, one key reason they could never match Duplein was their lack of solid heirs.

Beltus's diligent eldest son Rovenalt remained limited by poor judgment and small-mindedness.

Belmierd's sons had all either wandered off or joined religious orders, leaving eldest daughter Elennte shouldering everything.

But from Valerian, Raeg, Aiselin to Diela, the Duplein children lacked no capable members—their"harvest"of heirs was the envy of all.

This was why the Duke could sleep soundly despite Beltus and Belmierd's ambitions.

"We've brought soldiers who distinguished themselves in the White Wilderness. Having risked their lives for the family's glory, they deserve recognition."

"Indeed. Bring them to tonight's banquet. Aiselin and Diela have also returned upon hearing of your homecoming. See them before dinner."

"Oh, is that so?"

Valerian brightened at seeing his adorable sisters after so long, while Raeg wore an awkward expression.

Though kind Aiselin was one matter, Diela still seemed uncomfortable around Valerian due to childhood memories of his troublemaking youth.

Both brothers clearly wanted to reconcile with the teenage girl, but her persistently awkward demeanor remained unchanged.

Watching two grown men fidget before one petite girl resembled a scene from lowbrow comedy.

"Don't worry, Raeg. I've prepared a secret weapon."

"...Pardon?"

Reading his brother's expression, Valerian produced clay figures of Diela and Aiselin from a lieutenant's pack.

"See? Completely different quality from my failed handmade dolls. My mistake was trying to win them over with such tasteless gifts."

"..."

"They'll gasp and applaud at these. Capturing not just their beauty but noble grace."

The head maid observing them developed a pained expression.

The figurines'lifelike resemblance crossed into uncanny valley territory—practically cursed dolls.

After solemn consideration, Raeg met Valerian's gaze with conviction.

"Marvelous... They'll surely love such witty gifts. When did you prepare these?"

Apparently cut from the same cloth.

"Haha... No campaign could make me forget family. Returning home warms my heart."

As Valerian rose cheerfully to meet his sisters, Raeg stopped him—they hadn't reported the most crucial matter.

"Father, we discovered a magical weapon in a White Wilderness labyrinth's depths. It's stored in the carriage—I ordered squires to move it to the vault."

"Oh? From that region, it must be quite valuable. I'll inspect it."

"...However..."

Valerian's expression turned troubled. Raeg also lowered his gaze.

Sensing something amiss, the Duke stroked his chin.

"...Is there a problem?"

"...It's a large staff, likely for necromancy. You should examine it personally."

The Duke's face gradually hardened.

Though White Wilderness treasures were known for peculiarities, this seemed particularly ominous.

"Hup."

As Denis opened her eyes to birdsong streaming through the window.

Morning. No—dawn.

After sharing daily life with Derek, waking at dawn had become second nature. Lately, her eyes opened automatically at first light.

The realization that her body had completely synchronized with Derek's schedule left her feeling complicated, but awake she was.

Like clockwork, Derek would open her door within five minutes to recite the day's training regimen.

Then as usual, she'd chug milk with a grimace, drag her disheveled hair, and prepare with a deathly expression.

Visualizing this routine made Denis want to cry upon waking.

As she awaited Derek's inevitable arrival, her life flashed before her eyes. A reasonably happy life.

"..."

But ten minutes passed with no sign of him.

Only birdsong filled the quiet bedroom.

"...What? That machine-like human forgot his schedule?"

For months without deviation, this was unprecedented.

Denis sat at the central table and stretched, filling her lungs with crisp dawn air.

A maid soon arrived to check on her.

"Miss Denis, you're awake. I'll inform the kitchen to prepare breakfast."

"Ah, yes... But, Derek hasn't come?"

"Yes, I meant to mention. Velderun Mercenary leader Jayden is critically injured, so Derek requested emergency leave. The Duke approved, so his schedule is clear today."

Miraculous news. The perfect opportunity to deliver her letter to Diela.

"...Really?"

"Yes. Given his close relationship with their leader, the Duke consented. He deeply apologized for the sudden change and promised to make up the lost time."

"No need! Really, no need to make it up or apologize!"

Denis envisioned flowers blooming worldwide.

Nothing to do.

A completely empty schedule.

Her body seemed to float in honey at this first taste of freedom in months.

Derek wasn't coming. That hellish taskmaster wouldn't appear all day.

The unbelievable reality left her dazed as she gazed out the window at the sprawling landscape.

Life. This was life. Her lost daily routine—those golden, lazy days—had returned.

Tears welling, Denis collapsed back into bed.

"I'll skip breakfast."

"A-as you wish. I'll inform them."

After dismissing the maid, Denis retrieved all the unread masterpieces she'd collected.

<Princess of House Apelloc>, <Duke Roen the Wolf>, <Honey and Love>, <End of Enchantment>, <Leventein's Star>... She deliberated where to begin.

But after months without reading, she hesitated where to start. She typically read in late afternoons or nights, never at dawn.

"Hmm..."

The girl lay amidst scattered books, staring at the ceiling.

Cool morning breeze fluttered the curtains in the silent room.

"..."

Silence.

That boy who remembered her every habit and attended to her every need was absent.

His absence made the bedroom feel cavernous, highlighting how diligently he'd worked.

"...What did I usually do at this time?"

Immersion in long endeavors sometimes erases memories of prior routines.

So Denis simply lay there, gazing upward.

A day without Derek.

- Creak

'Beldern's Tear'tavern was temporarily closed.

Since returning to Evelstain, Derek had been too busy with Beltus family commissions to visit. Though he'd stopped by occasionally to check in, recent weeks kept him away entirely.

Pushing open the dusty tavern door revealed only a dust-covered counter.

Nodding, Derek proceeded past the kitchen to the back room.

"Entering."

Inside lay Jayden on the floor, with Pellin nursing him.

The atmosphere was clearly grim.

"Long time. As you see, I'm in no state to greet you."

"Derek..."

Jayden spoke with forced cheer while Pellin sat solemnly, her usually tied platinum hair loose beneath her cloak.

Derek sighed and took a wooden chair.

"Did you take some dangerous commission?"

"Heh... Making busy men come running—I must be getting old."

As Jayden sat up, Derek's expression hardened further.

His left arm was missing.

Only tightly wrapped bandages remained.

"We need to talk, Derek."

Jayden's face and voice turned grave.

A rare occurrence indeed.