Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 107: Aiselin & Ellen (2)

Only well into the afternoon did the commotion at Belmierd Mansion begin to settle down.

When Ellen, who had naturally assumed control of the situation over Count Belmierd, began giving orders to the servants, everything proceeded smoothly.

The servants, too ashamed to face her, lowered their heads, and the high officials even fell to their knees with their faces to the ground, filled with guilt.

No matter how grave the situation, if even the loyal ones who would have given their liver and gallbladder for her turned their faces away, there was no recovering from that.

Among them, some servants, sincerely ashamed, offered to resign from their posts, leave the mansion, or hand over all their belongings to Ellen, even putting their lives in her hands.

Ellen smiled at the servants lowering their heads in the central garden and said.

“Though I was deeply saddened by the malice, the suspicion, and the contempt directed toward me… given the circumstances, anyone would have doubted. And I too, in admitting my guilt, tested and confused your loyalty… I will not judge each of those sins.”

She had inherited the full majesty of Belmierd. It was evident she would rule as the lady of that vast territory. At the words of this young girl, the gathered servants could not help but open their eyes wide.

“Loyalty follows the heart of the lord. Though it will be difficult to gather up all the contempt and pain I have received, I believe the affection and trust we have built over time will not crumble so easily. So do not use the guilt or debt you feel to belittle yourselves, but instead to contribute even more to Belmierd.”

And Ellen added with a strained smile.

“And if you have any strength left… help me a little too.”

Seeing Ellen say she would erase all the contempt and scorn she had endured, the servants and guards gathered at the mansion began to weep.

They had come prepared to give up parts of their body or renounce everything, but Ellen had embraced them all.

Not even the mercy of the god Ruelon touched their hearts as warmly.

The servants and officials understood that Ellen, who ruled with the coldness of steel, was also someone capable of caring warmly for her own, possessing a perfect character.

Thus, they lowered their heads to the ground and did not stop chanting Ellen’s name.

She smiled awkwardly and told them it was fine, then turned and entered the main hall of the mansion.

As she walked down the corridor, she silently followed the shadows where the sunlight did not reach.

Upon entering the darkened hall, her gentle expression vanished, replaced by a cold, hardened face.

‘Things are going more or less as planned.’

Power is fleeting, and those who follow it can turn at any moment.

Even those who swear to follow and believe only in Ellen in the world will turn away if she falls to the bottom and begins rolling in the mud.

That is why, though she embraces them, she has no intention of giving them her heart.

Ellen’s expression, colder than before, might seem more mature, but it also gave a sense that she had lost part of her humanity.

And yet, even this icy woman still had aspects of a girl her age.

‘There are not many people in the world worth trusting and giving one’s heart to.’

Ellen thought, closing her eyes gently as she walked down the shadowed corridor.

Many people who had passed while she held power had disappeared into those shadows.

But one person she met at the end of all that, strangely, remained in her heart.

That feeling startled her, making her pause for a moment in the hall.

“Something wrong?”

“…No.”

She had spent the whole morning busy resolving various matters.

Just when she finally found some time to relax, that man’s face bloomed in her heart like a fragrance.

“…Now that I think about it, where is Dereck?”

Ellen grew pensive, resting her chin on her hand.

Then it struck her all at once.

Reflecting, she realized she had been thinking of Dereck all day, except for the moments tied to work.

She was aware it was dangerous—but truly dangerous things are those one knows and yet endures.

Ellen gazed absently out the window while fidgeting with her fingers.

Her reflection in the glass was strangely flushed, making her wonder if she really was the same Ellen who had once ruled at the heights of Belmierd.

It wounded her pride.

In a position where marriage proposals flew in daily, she had long felt repulsed by those who tried to tie everything in the world to romance.

And yet, upon coming to her senses, she realized she too was being swayed by a single man.

It was hard for her to accept that this was the figure of Belmierd’s heiress.

She was the heiress of Count Belmierd, destined to rule the entire territory.

Ellen, as a woman, thought the time would come when she would feel drawn to a man. She had even planned in advance how to face and handle it. She was a perfectionist.

But everyone has a plan until they get hit.

This sudden feeling, like a natural disaster, was bewildering.

But Ellen regained her rationality and logic after rubbing her face dry.

‘Personal feelings must not interfere with the path of a ruler. I have already consulted this with my father, so surely he will give me his opinion…’

Truly, she was the epitome of a ruler who could control even her emotions.

After staying silent for a moment, Ellen thought with a logical mind.

‘…So then, where is Dereck?’

*

“The Count of Belmierd is gathering his thoughts. For now, he will have one last conversation with the mage advisor in the office.”

“…And what will happen to young master Leonard?”

“Well… there are many possibilities. But few of them seem positive.”

Dereck and Rodelia were seated facing each other, drinking tea in Count Belmierd’s reception room.

When she first arrived at the mansion, Rodelia had been completely covered in massive silver armor the size of her body.

But once the situation was resolved, she wore only a fitted leather tunic and light bracers.

Seeing her always ready to train at any moment made it clear what allowed a heroine to dominate her era.

Despite her considerable age, Rodelia had well-defined muscles in her arms and neck.

Maintaining such a physique at an age when gray hairs had already appeared spoke of just how extraordinary her efforts and hardships had been.

Seated demurely at her side, Trisha was completely different from the image she had shown in the Rose Hall.

Her hands rested on her knees and she was sweating profusely.

The mischievous expression she usually carried had vanished entirely.

It was said that Rodelia was the fiercest tiger of the Renouel viscounty family.

It was not hard to imagine how strict she would be when educating her daughters.

“Trisha. You went on your own to Baron Ravenclaw’s house to spread rumors about necromancy. I reprimanded you personally, but I understand you still haven’t apologized to the baron.”

“…T-that…”

“Do you not understand how dangerous it is to treat necromancy lightly? How much more shame do you intend to make me endure before you come to your senses?”

“I-it’s just that I thought since Baron Ravenclaw had already seen necromancy and played an important role during the Duplain family disaster, it wouldn’t be too much to ask him for something like that…”

“And who are you to make that decision? I told you that matters concerning Rodentz Island are decided by the head of the family. Are you already showing ambition to rise to the top of the Renouel family while I still draw breath?”

“N-no, it’s not that…!”

“Apologize to Baron Ravenclaw. Now. Bow your head.”

“…”

Those who remembered Trisha’s arrogant attitude in the Rose Hall and in Baron Ravenclaw’s house could not imagine her bowing and apologizing.

It was strange how such a daughter had come from a mother like Rodelia, domineering, haughty, and disdainful of both her subordinates and superiors alike.

But when Rodelia shot her a gaze sharp enough to devour her, Trisha turned pale and lowered her head.

“S-sorry… I was too reckless…”

“Not only are you short-sighted, you’re short of words. How dare you, as the second daughter of a rural viscount, speak rudely to a legitimate noble and head of a family? Are you going to keep disgracing me, Trisha?”

“M-mother… He’s only a title noble from the outskirts, and you’ll soon be named countess of the frontier and head of a count’s house. When that happens, we won’t need to envy the Belmierds…”

“Oh really? Am I already a countess? From the way you answer, it seems you still lack education.”

“N-no…! Baron Ravenclaw! I-I’m sorry! I was too reckless…”

As soon as Rodelia clenched her fists, Trisha began to sweat coldly and apologized to Dereck.

He, uncomfortable with the situation, waved his hand.

“If Trisha hadn’t provided information about the necromancers, it would have been difficult to deal with the incidents at Belmierd Mansion. Please don’t be too concerned.”

“Th-thank you, mother!”

“Even so, that doesn’t change the fact that your rash decision was quite rude, Trisha.”

Rodelia sighed deeply and leaned back on the sofa.

“When we return to the mansion, we’ll train physically all night. Consider it punishment.”

“M-mother…! I have to return to Ebelstein’s social circle today…! My personal maids are waiting for me in my private mansion…!”

“I’ll contact them. Don’t worry.”

“Uuugh…!”

Trisha pressed her knees with a pained expression, as if stabbed with a knife.

But knowing that talking back would only make things worse, she pressed her lips together and held back her tears.

For some reason, Dereck felt a bit guilty for her and averted his gaze.

“In any case. Baron Ravenclaw, your skill in handling necromancy is impressive. I was so surprised I even considered taking you as my lieutenant, but judging by the atmosphere… you don’t seem like the type who would accept such an offer.”

“I have many responsibilities in Ravenclaw territory. Having a place to return to is already a blessing, don’t you think?”

“Yes. I can only express my regret. Still, since I have received information about the necromancers of Rodentz Island, there’s something else I must tell you.”

Rodelia crossed her arms and let out a deep sigh, as if she hadn’t expected the conversation to go this far.

“I killed many necromancers in the subjugation operation on Rodentz Island. And though I may seem reasonable now, my appearance on the battlefield is very different.”

It was Trisha, seated at her side, who shuddered at those words.

She seemed to remember something. At the mere mention of the battlefield, she began trembling again.

“I loathe necromancers. They killed my parents, my dearest friend, and even kidnapped and murdered my firstborn, Belopher. They ruined my life. Now, it’s my turn to ruin theirs.”

Even though Leonard had strayed, he was still the youngest son of a count.

The way Rodelia swung her sword mercilessly even against nobles showed clearly what kind of person she was.

“The massacre of necromancers on Rodentz Island was described as hell. But the truth is, on that battlefield, I felt the greatest bliss. I beheaded those wretches, I smiled amidst fountains of blood, I chewed their entrails with my teeth, and I used their severed limbs as firewood to roast boar meat. Truly, it was a taste worthy of being called heavenly.”

There was not a single exaggeration in her words. Trisha’s expression proved it.

This heroine of Rodentz, who appeared dignified, elegant, upright, noble… was not an ordinary human.

Only one who can be absolutely ruthless toward her enemies can possess the steel of a true warrior.

By now, Rodelia was already regarded as a demon from hell by all necromancers.

It was understandable that Leonard had wanted to flee as soon as he heard her name.

She was the reaper who harvested necromancers. A wandering specter of vengeance.

“But you know… during the investigation on Rodentz Island, I found clues about the leader of those necromancers. I’m looking for a necromancer named Sinia, creator of a high-level grimoire said to be among the most powerful.”

“…I heard Lady Rodelia killed all the high-level necromancers who were the leaders of Rodentz Island.”

“Those three fools? They were quite troublesome, but there was an existence of an even higher rank that they worshipped. I must find out who that faceless creator is. They seem to be the ringleader of necromancy in the southwest.”

The creator of the necromancy book wandering the world. ‘Sinia’ was obviously a pseudonym.

Rodelia seemed to know this well, as she did not appear to give much importance to that name.

“By their level, they seem to have accumulated such vast knowledge and experience that not even five-star mages can comprehend it. They seem to have been active for an extremely long time… Perhaps their level is beyond imagination.”

The meaning of those words was clear.

Somewhere on the continent, there was a six-star necromancer. That heroine seemed convinced of it.

Dereck already knew that fact.

However, he could not nod at that moment. If he showed that he knew of that existence, the inevitable question would follow: “How do you know?”

It was impossible to give a reasonable answer to that question. It was clear it would only arouse various dark suspicions.

That was why Dereck remained silent.

“It is not easy to track them. If they truly are a six-star necromancer… Yes, that six-star necromancy that appears only in myths… They may have used reincarnation or soul theft to transfer into another body.”

“Is that even possible?”

“As you know, magic of that level transcends common sense and even rewrites the laws of the human world.”

Of course, no matter how skilled a six-star mage is, it is impossible to use magic of that level recklessly.

Even Drest, a master world-renowned for tracking magic, requires several months to use six-star tracking magic just once: ‘Vision of the Future.’

Using the highest magic that can be implemented in the human world was that difficult.

“At this point, the purpose of my life is to crush that bastard.”

With piercing eyes, Rodelia spoke bluntly.

That was the message she wanted to convey to Dereck.

“If you find any clue or trace of them, send a letter to the Renouel family at any time. I’ll come running immediately, even if it’s across the map. Even if I crush my legs, I’ll find them and pierce their guts.”

The legendary existence all necromancers followed was the sworn enemy Rodelia had decided to eliminate.

In Rodelia’s eyes shone a sharp aura that seemed capable of cutting at any moment.

She was a demon who harvested the lives of necromancers.

That fact could be felt undeniably.

*

Creak.

“Where were you? I see you were talking with Lady Rodelia.”

Dereck had just finished his conversation with Rodelia and was about to step into the garden for some air.

Ellen, who had been anxiously pacing the hallway, lit up like a child when she saw Dereck.

She laughed like that, and then suddenly, as if startled, put on a neutral expression again and cleared her throat several times, as though realizing there were many eyes watching.

“Lady Ellen. You must be busy with many matters inside and outside the mansion.”

“No, this is nothing. The servants are working harder, and my father has given no further orders, so I can take a breather.”

“I see. That’s a relief. I was quite worried when you were under house arrest.”

“Worried, you say? Were you really worried about me?”

“…Yes. Isn’t it obvious?”

As they walked down the corridor, Ellen looked out the window for no particular reason and said,

“Why? Why were you worried?”

“Hm? Well, I don’t think it’s something that really needs to be explained in words…”

“Go on, explain it in words.”

“Isn’t it obvious? You were my student, and you went through a lot emotionally… Of course, from my perspective, I couldn’t help but be very worried.”

“Hmm… I see…”

“…?”

“I see. Alright.”

Though Ellen’s way of chewing on his words wasn’t exactly pleasant, Dereck shook his head and spoke anyway.

“Since you mentioned you have some free time, I wanted to say that in the Ravenclaw Barony we’re planning to open a training center soon.”

“I already heard. Now that I think about it, you’re quite a busy person, and I’ve taken too much of your time with my personal matters.”

“No, that’s not it. In fact, I came to ask you a favor. I was wondering if you could visit the training center soon.”

“Of course, if the future head of Belmierd makes a personal visit, it would be a great help for authority and prestige. Since I owe you, at the very least I can do that.”

Ellen accepted Dereck’s request without hesitation. In fact, Dereck hadn’t expected her to refuse.

Dereck sincerely thanked her.

“Speaking of that, I suppose many noble ladies will visit Ravenclaw’s training center.”

“Yes. Indeed. Lady Aiselin herself plans to give etiquette lessons, so it’s more popular than expected.”

“Really? Along with all those lovely noble ladies of the continent… and Lady Aiselin too…”

Ellen, resting her chin on her hand again, looked at Dereck with a meaningful expression, her eyes forming crescents.

“Now that I think of it, Dereck, you’re quite lucky with women. How many of those noble ladies, whom one would treasure for a lifetime even if they knew only one, have you taught?”

“If it’s called luck, perhaps, but… it’s not necessarily a good thing.”

“Really? Why not?”

“The more distinguished and noble someone’s background is, the less lightly they can be treated. In the social world, a simple gesture or a small lapse in etiquette can ruin your impression and make you seem worthless. Lady Ellen, you know this better than anyone.”

Dereck maintained a courteous tone as he shared his opinion with Ellen.

“The more noble they are, the harder it is to feel at ease. And since I’m human too, I can’t help but feel more comfortable with someone I can speak to familiarly.”

“I see…”

Hearing Dereck’s words, Ellen immediately thought of Baroness Pheline, who was nothing more than a façade.

In fact, there were no barriers in the relationship between Pheline and Dereck.

The problem was that there were no barriers, and yet, their relationship had a bond that high-ranking nobles could not break.

They were comrades who had grown from the bottom together and had gone to battlefields on extermination missions that risked their lives.

In truth, the only one who could have such a relationship was Pheline.

Ellen held her breath for a moment and asked with difficulty,

“Dereck. Do I make you uncomfortable?”

“…”

The fact that his answer was slightly delayed already ruined it. Ellen couldn’t help but hold her breath.

From Dereck’s perspective, he couldn’t say no, that he was comfortable, nor that she was like a friend. That would be a huge discourtesy toward a high-ranking noble.

That was why Dereck gave the closest answer he could think of.

“Although I have received a noble title, how could a mere minor noble of the outskirts compare with Lady Ellen? You don’t need to try so hard to raise me up.”

It was an almost artistic response, but Ellen held back the urge to pout.

Still, she couldn’t get angry either. Otherwise, she would be seen as a hysterical, fussy woman. In that case, Dereck would see her as an annoying or troublesome woman. And she didn’t want that.

Her own behavior, unable to do this or that, felt very unfamiliar to her. How could the future mistress of Belmierd be so shaken by a mere baron of the outskirts?

Ellen pressed her temples and let out a deep sigh.

“Anyway, thank you for your consideration in many ways. I’ve finished my business, so I should return to my mansion.”

“Return?”

“Yes. Do you have something else to say?”

“Ah, no… First, my father… No… Not that…”

“Count Belmierd seems to need some time to sort out his feelings, so we should give him a breather. I’ll just leave a letter.”

“Ah, no… But still… Don’t leave yet…”

Ellen suddenly wore a bewildered expression and said,

“I, um… well… I don’t know how to explain it…”

“…?”

“Would you consider staying in the mansion for a few more days? I mean… just a little longer…”

Ellen wanted Dereck to stay. She felt that if she let him go to Ravenclaw Barony like this, it would be a long time before she could see him again.

*

Meanwhile.

“Hmm… I think I should go see how Dereck is myself.”

Seated in the office of Ravenclaw Baron’s mansion and tapping with her quill, Aiselin finally declared to the head butler, Delbriton.

The scheduled construction work was nearly finished, and most of the important tasks were already done.

All that remained was Dereck’s final approval, the master of Ravenclaw Baron’s mansion. Everything else was stalled waiting for his approval.

She had planned for everything to be completed with Dereck’s arrival, but he had been delayed longer than expected.

She feared he might have gotten involved in something else within the Belmierd family.

If things were delayed further, it would be troublesome, so Aiselin decided to pack all the documents that required Dereck’s signature into a leather satchel and head personally to the Belmierd family, where he was staying.

She would have him review the documents, confirm the tasks, and bring him back to the baron’s mansion.

After making that decision, Aiselin rose from the desk.

‘Now that I think about it… I haven’t been able to return to Duplain Mansion lately. Since I’m at it, I should visit my home too.’

Humming a tune, Aiselin began stuffing the piled documents from her desk into her satchel.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelCet