Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 95

"This is quite troublesome..."

The noble ladies visiting Ravenclaw Barony likely approached with light hearts at first.

Who would bother traveling all the way to this Rodellen region considered exile territory among titled nobility?

Yet the prospect of receiving instruction from both Evelstein's most renowned magic tutor and the most elegant lady of Rosea Salon proved more alluring than expected.

The result? Ravenclaw Barony became so crowded with distinguished guests there wasn't even space to park carriages... at this point, alarm bells were inevitable.

The modest baronial estate couldn't accommodate more students than a dozen or so—far smaller than most ducal family villas.

Yet over thirty noble ladies had arrived by afternoon.

Seated with their attendants in assigned spaces, they swallowed dryly while eyeing each other.

Limited slots meant half would face rejection—an awkward situation when dealing with privileged young women accustomed to deference.

Some pondered introductions, adjusted attire, or considered bribes before the baron's appearance.

As tension thickened, Head Butler Delbritton delivered his verdict:

"Without expansion, fifteen is our absolute limit. The rest must be turned away."

In the study, Aiselin and Derek exchanged uneasy looks from their sofa.

Rejecting over half these privileged ladies—each capable of causing future trouble—was no simple matter.

"Clear criteria are essential now,"Derek mused, massaging his temples."Ranking by family status seems safest to avoid complaints."

"I concur, my lord. Best eliminate any pretext for retaliation."

"I disagree!"

Aiselin—wearing an inexplicable merchant's cap with a ducal crest pinned to it—crossed her arms defiantly.

"Turning away guests who traveled so far would be disgraceful! Each could pay ten Lopellon gold coins at minimum—how can we refuse?!"

Her eyes practically sparkled with currency symbols as she unfurled ledger sheets, scribbling calculations with manic energy.

"If space is lacking, we'll expand! With skilled architects and extra laborers, we could erect new dormitories within a month!"

"Is... that truly necessary?"

"Master Derek! Some came from the southeastern continent! Imagine their disappointment after such journeys!"

Derek observed Aiselin's unprecedented enthusiasm—far exceeding even her excitement upon reaching 2-Star magic proficiency.

"See here—Ravenclaw assets are largely liquid. With territory taxes and Rochester Ducal patronage pending, we could secure substantial loans from Evelstein merchants!"

"You've... compiled our estate ledgers yourself?"

"I've been studying Logten Society accounting methods. Your modest estate made perfect practice material!"

"You mastered double-entry bookkeeping in a month?"

"A fallen noble must acquire practical skills to survive!"Aiselin declared proudly—an odd point of pride—before listing her self-taught subjects:"Alchemy, astrology, herbology, runic studies, metallurgy, basic engineering, metrology..."

Derek rubbed his forehead as she continued:

"My proposal: Politely ask everyone to return in early summer after we've constructed proper facilities. What do you think?!"

Her starry-eyed gaze could melt stone.

After consulting Delbritton about feasibility ("Labor is available, but operational costs..."), Derek weighed his options.

The final decision rested with him alone.

"Have you heard about the new academy at Ravenclaw Barony? That magic tutor Derek Raidof Ravenclaw partnered with Lady Aiselin Eleanor Duplein."

Rosea Salon in late spring.

Elente set down her gazette as a noblewoman mentioned the news, her ears twitching involuntarily.

"So it's happening after all."

"Pardon?"

"Nothing. You've heard the rumors then."

"It's been circulating lately. You must feel special having trained directly under Baron Ravenclaw."

Special wasn't quite the word.

'Derek's influence grows faster than anticipated...'

Between hosting Lady Siern of Rochester and Lady Aiselin of Duplein while establishing an academy for lesser nobility, Derek was accumulating substantial clout despite his disinterest in politics.

Elente felt conflicting pride and melancholy—like witnessing a once-private artist gain widespread acclaim.

'Our meetings will grow scarce now. Not that I'm idle either.'

Between salon engagements, heir education, magic training, and philosophical studies, Elente maintained a grueling schedule befitting Belmiere's steadfast successor.

Gazing at Evelstein's aristocratic district through her carriage window, she reflected:

The Countess of Belmiere.

One day that title would be hers—making present struggles worthwhile.

She'd never loved anything but power, though unlike her indolent elder brother or scheming younger sibling, she pursued it honorably—inspired by Aiselin's nobility.

'I must become worthy of the title.'

Her reverie broke upon recalling rumors about necromancers infiltrating Evelstein—a chilling prospect given her firsthand experience with such horrors at Duplein Manor.

"Long time no see, sister."

"...Leonard?"

Returning to Belmiere Manor, Elente found her long-absent brother awaiting her.

The boy who'd left on pilgrimage years ago was nearly unrecognizable—his once-vibrant red hair now streaked white, his frame gaunt.

"The family's changed much in my absence,"Leonard remarked with an unreadable smile."Never imagined you'd surpass Ryner as heir."

"And?"Elente cut straight to the point."Do you intend to displace me?"

"Perish the thought."His laugh rang hollow."The rightful heir is you."

Elente remained wary. The brother she remembered was ambitious and cunning—his pilgrimage likely a ploy to cultivate pious credentials.

Worse—an unsettling aura clung to him now.

-Thud! Creak!

"My lord, correspondence has arrived."

The next day at Ravenclaw's bustling construction site, Delbritton delivered a letter bearing Belmiere Count's seal.