Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 69

"To be blunt, our Beltus family won't stop you from leaving."

Lady Denise spoke with her usual indifferent expression.

The hem of her pretty silk dress brushed against the floor as she prepared for her afternoon philosophy lesson.

Even after morning training with Derek and breakfast, she showed no signs of fatigue while dressing up - a testament to her improved stamina.

"Father's thoughts are obvious. The Belmierd family has already begun positioning Lady Elente as heir, while the Dupleins can barely maintain their influence... Your value has diminished considerably."

"That seems accurate."

The Beltus family's initial interest in Derek stemmed largely from preventing rival houses from acquiring him.

Now there was little reason to spend fortunes keeping him.

Though if Denise strongly insisted on extending his contract, things might change.

"And I have no intention of holding you back, Derek."

Yet Denise spoke decisively.

As she tied back her platinum blonde hair and fastened a brooch necklace around her exposed nape, she addressed Derek without even looking at him where he stood with hands behind his back in the corner.

"Like I said, I'm just a puppet of the Beltus family. Whatever value I might have, there's nothing to gain clinging to me now."

"For someone who says that, you crushed Lady Diela quite thoroughly when she challenged you to a duel."

"Urk..."

Denise flinched as if struck where it hurt, then sighed deeply.

"You're oddly dull where you should be sharp, and needlessly sharp where it doesn't matter."

"..."

"Well... there was some pride at stake with Lady Diela, and with the Dupleins weakened... staying with Beltus was the right choice. You should be grateful."

"That's true. Thank you."

"I didn't expect such honest gratitude... urgh..."

Attempting to mask awkward embarrassment with haughty words never worked on Derek.

After pinning butterfly-shaped hair ornaments in place and smoothing her dress, Denise strode over and planted hands on hips, pouting up at Derek.

"It's obvious. You're planning to teach Lady Siern, aren't you?"

"..."

"No matter how much I dissuade you, you can't resist magic-related matters. Whatever you hope to gain from Lord Melberot, a 6-star mage's too tempting to pass up."

Denise had witnessed firsthand Derek's ecstatic dedication when learning from Drest.

Though Lord Melberot had an arrogant streak, his knowledge would be invaluable. And Derek never missed such opportunities.

Thus, Denise felt no urge to restrain him.

Once he considered someone an ally, he'd stand by them unconditionally - his support for Diela and Aiselin despite the Dupleins'downfall proved that.

Yet he couldn't be carelessly confined either.

Crushing his pure, almost noble ambition for growth was unthinkable.

Denise closed her eyes with a wry smile.

'Now I understand why the Dupleins let him go.'

Diela had been Derek's first student.

Denise never understood why Diela allowed Derek to leave for Evelstain.

She assumed Derek made excuses to leave, or political factors were involved.

But now it made sense.

With a deep sigh, Denise continued:

"The North's far more dangerous than the Southwest. Unlike our peaceful plains, it's mountainous with harsh weather. Monster attacks are frequent, sometimes involving deadly high-rank creatures."

"Indeed. Such places breed tough people wary of outsiders."

"When life's constantly threatened, they'd naturally differ from peaceful cities."

Denise summoned an attendant with a gesture, whispering instructions.

The attendant soon returned from the jewelry room with a sizable bracelet for Derek.

"What's this?"

"A magical artifact from the Arendale Institute, sold to high nobles. It tracks whoever wears its paired item."

"..."

"It's worth dozens of gold coins. Don't get it stolen."

Denise rarely gave gifts. As Derek accepted it, déjà vu struck him.

-'The Arendale Institute sent this magical artifact for my coming-of-age ceremony. It's a set - wearing it lets us track each other.'

He recalled receiving a similar item from Lady Freya during the Duplein incident.

Though kept in his pocket, he'd found no chance to return the expensive item.

When Derek produced it, Denise's eyes widened.

"Someone else gave you this?"

"Lady Freya did. It's small, so I just carried it around."

"..."

Denise glared narrow-eyed at Derek.

After a deep sigh, she sat back down.

"These are typically tokens of trust. Would high nobles casually give tracking devices to just anyone?"

"The situation was urgent then... knowing each other's locations seemed prudent."

"I understand the circumstances, but... don't flaunt such items before other ladies."

"Is there an issue?"

"They're often given to desired partners at balls. While mine and Lady Freya's were practical... tracking someone constantly could be interpreted romantically."

Denise scrutinized Derek head to toe.

His decent looks were known, but calmly observing revealed quite handsome features.

Though his mercenary attire gave a rough impression, that too held charm.

"How would it look - a reasonably handsome man flaunting magical jewelry from multiple noble ladies?"

"..."

"Some vulgar nobles collect them as trophies, but it reflects poorly on the ladies who gave them."

"That seems likely."

"I trust you're not that type. These prove you're Beltus-approved, lending authority when needed."

Though speaking nonchalantly, Denise was effectively offering support.

"Nobility's all about connections. Recognizable names like the Three Great Houses carry weight even in the distant North."

"Your consideration is appreciated. This will help verify my identity. Thank you."

"Urk..."

"...?"

"It's just... your earnest gratitude contrasts so sharply with your tiger-like teaching intensity... it's jarring."

Meaning she felt awkward.

Derek simply nodded understandingly.

"Anyway, even if Lady Siern's a madwoman, you'll manage. Teaching magic and social skills is your expertise."

"I'll do my best."

"But what about noble etiquette and high society culture? You can't teach that."

"I've secured an assistant. Someone reputable, knowledgeable, capable, and willing."

"Your network's impressive, but such talent's rare..."

"No need to look far. Lady Aiselin."

"...What?"

Denise's ears perked up in shock.

Her feminine intuition screamed - Aiselin's feelings weren't mere professional admiration.

"You're taking Lady Aiselin north?"

"She'll attend Rosea Salon less, but Lady Diela will compensate."

"Why would she go?"

"She needs money urgently."

Even the Southwest's most elegant beauty must work when broke.

Though aware of Aiselin's predicament, Derek accompanying her triggered alarm.

'This will end badly...'

Despite her wisdom, Aiselin's sheltered upbringing delayed romantic awareness. Greenhouse flowers were all alike.

With plans set, Denise could only resort to shock therapy.

"Derek."

She spoke gravely.

"I think Lady Aiselin likes you romantically."

"I like Lady Aiselin too. Such upstanding individuals are rare these days. I'm fortunate to know her."

"Not like that - she fancies you as a man."

Denise delivered the blow directly.

Once decided, she hesitated at nothing.

"..."

Even iron-willed Derek was momentarily speechless.

He'd noticed Aiselin's recent odd behavior, but never connected it to romance.

With countless noble suitors, why would she fancy a commoner? Derek's self-awareness was sharp here.

"You've read too many romance novels."

"Doubt my perception?"

"I know you're perceptive... but isn't this excessive?"

Derek crossed arms with a"this is ridiculous"expression.

"Expected that reaction. But my animal instincts never fail. Aiselin fancies you, and traveling north together invites trouble."

"..."

"So I'm warning you straight. If you're not careful, disaster looms. Commoner-noble romances never end well."

While lords kept mistresses or dallied with servants, noble daughters couldn't afford scandals.

For Aiselin's sake, Derek needed this wake-up call.

"Understood, Derek?"

"Frankly, I'm not narcissistic enough to believe a noble lady fancies me. That'd require severe delusions."

"..."

"But if you insist, I'll take precautions."

"What precautions?"

Derek's answer left Denise with an indescribable expression - not quite smiling, frowning, or blank.

"Lady Aiselin, do you fancy me romantically?"

"Pfft—!"

Aiselin spitting tea while gasping rivaled the surrealism of a sunset in the east.

Witnessing the epitome of grace act so undignified was astonishing.

"D-Derek! Sorry, I must be hearing things! After days handling family affairs, auditory hallucinations—"

"I asked if you fancy me romantically. I know it's presumptuous, but clarity seemed best."

Directness only Derek could muster.

How could anyone ask so shamelessly? He seemed utterly devoid of embarrassment.

Slum life had frozen any girlish sensibilities - his ironclad rationality was a mercenary's blessing but a fortress against romance.

For the romantically inexperienced Aiselin, this was cruel.

"Th-that's..."

Her stammering mind struggled to formulate a natural response.

"No!!!!!"

Not particularly natural.

The overly emphatic denial was her safest option - noble upbringing finally proving useful.

"O-of course not! You're reliable, handsome and capable, but that's completely different!!!!"

"I see. My apologies. Recent successes must have inflated my ego. How embarrassing."

"Everyone!!! Makes mistakes!!! Don't feel bad!!!!"

Her stiff, soldierly demeanor was painfully unnatural.

Though Derek claimed embarrassment, Aiselin's behavior suggested otherwise.

"Let's discuss northern travel arrangements then."

"Yes!!!!"

"First, I'll fetch a map. Wait here."

"Yes!!!!!"

As the door closed, Aiselin melted into her chair, breathing heavily.

She mentally thanked oblivious Derek.

"..."

Outside, Derek leaned against a windowsill thoughtfully.

'Denise might be right. I should be careful.'

Aiselin underestimated him - slum life had exposed him to enough sordid affairs to recognize romantic tension.

'Better prepare quickly.'

Whatever happened, wrapping up northern business swiftly was best.

Late at night, Denise paused her writing to gaze at the moon.

'Feels empty knowing Derek's contract will end.'

However things stood, she'd grown fond of him.

Though worried about him teaching Lady Siern with Aiselin, caging a freed bird felt wrong.

'Should I have interfered more? Something feels off...'

She'd done all she could.

Yet unease lingered about Aiselin - an inexplicable, nagging discomfort.

Strange, for something so trivial to bother her so.