Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 109: Aiselin & Ellen (4)

Ellen had an intuition.

The woman called Aiselin Eleanor Duplain, standing with her hands on her hips and a bright smile on her face, her eyes shining, was a vessel destined to devour Dereck and rule the world if left alone.

In truth, she couldn’t explain exactly what the connection was between being close to Dereck and ruling the world, but one thing was certain—she was a tiger disguised as a rabbit.

The mere fact that she had come personally to fetch Dereck, even though he had only been away from the mansion for a short while, was already unusual.

Therefore, Ellen’s reaction was, in fact, appropriate.

“Dereck will be staying at the Belmierd mansion for a while. There is something we need to ask of him in the name of the Belmierd family…”

“Oh… really…? But Dereck is also the rightful lord of a territory, and the final authority over the decisions of his mansion. While the affairs of the Belmierd family are certainly important, neglecting the administration of his own land is a great disgrace as a noble.”

Ellen decided to take her to a separate reception room, serve her tea and expensive refreshments, and speak calmly step by step.

“I think we should first see Dereck and inform him of the situation of the mansion.”

However, the logical arguments that Aiselin laid out were irrefutable from Ellen’s point of view.

It was also questionable why the young lady of the Duplain family was doing something akin to the work of an advisor in the Ravenclaw Barony, but if Dereck approved it, there was nothing more to be said.

Ellen pressed her knees with her hands and glanced sideways.

Seeing her sweating and avoiding eye contact, Aiselin tilted her head.

‘The Lady Ellen I saw in the Rose Hall always seemed confident and noble, but here in her own house… she seems more intimidated than I thought.’

Seeing that, Aiselin thought with a radiant smile.

‘That difference is so charming! People who have hidden sides that others don’t see always have a mysterious allure!’

To be precise, Ellen was intimidated by Aiselin.

Ellen had always lived in Aiselin’s shadow since the days when the Duplain family still held power.

Now, authority had passed to the Belmierd family, but Aiselin was a girl who shone on her own, regardless of her family’s power.

If the world were a story, this girl would undoubtedly play the role of protagonist.

Aiselin was someone who knew how to shine brighter than anyone else in any situation, to the point that such thoughts were inevitable.

Seeing her smile so full of life, Ellen suddenly lowered her gaze, and her expression darkened.

‘Every time I stand before this girl, I feel like a withered rose.’

Ellen was always among the audience, and Aiselin was always on stage.

Aiselin Eleanor Duplain was like the leading role in the play, with the ability to turn everyone around her into mere supporting characters.

She had spent half her life trying to surpass her. The years that had piled up only fueled the sense of inferiority that lay deep within Ellen’s heart.

Aiselin’s natural temperament was something people like Ellen, marked by the hardships of the world, could neither easily follow nor respect.

Geniuses born with that kind of temperament were often the downfall of those who struggled to climb from the bottom.

If at least they were arrogant or vain, one could criticize their character. But these people usually had perfect personalities too… Ellen slowly closed her eyes and opened them again.

Since they have everything, it is only natural they shine.

But if they have everything, couldn’t they at least yield a single thing?

Having always lived in Aiselin’s shadow, Ellen’s competitive spirit, bordering on obstinacy, flared up once more.

Feeling cornered like that, her mind grew even hotter.

“Unfortunately, Lord Dereck will not be able to return to the Ravenclaw Barony immediately, Lady Aiselin.”

“What?”

“Because I plan to propose marriage to him.”

And with that, her world ended.

*

“The Lady of the Duplain Duchy has visited the Belmierd Mansion. It seems she wishes to meet with Lord Dereck. Can you spare some time?”

“Lady of the Duplain Duchy… You mean Lady Aiselin?”

Briana, a high-ranking maid of the Belmierd Mansion, nodded her head.

Briana, known as Ellen’s loyal servant, continued looking at Dereck with an expressionless face.

Strangely, she was more courteous than before.

‘Come to think of it, the servants and officials of the Belmierd Mansion have been more respectful to me these past few days…’

Dereck rested his chin on his hand and tilted his head slightly.

In the past, the servants and squires would simply bow their heads in greeting, but lately, they had begun bowing at a ninety-degree angle as soon as they saw him.

As a noble only in name and with no real power, Dereck understood why the high officials of the Belmierd Mansion had treated him somewhat informally.

Especially the attendants closest to Count Belmierd, who were often older men with faces full of wrinkles, their number of subordinates and authority could not compare with that of a rural baron… so many times they only observed the bare minimum of etiquette.

However, lately even high officials such as advisors and legal counselors had begun bowing their heads to Dereck, which felt rather uncomfortable to him.

Although he had contributed to the recent incident at the mansion, he didn’t believe he had done enough to deserve such treatment.

‘Come to think of it, I haven’t been able to review the affairs of the Ravenclaw Barony. Surely Lady Aiselin came here for that. It must have been a long journey for her.’

“She is waiting in the reception room. You may go now. I will accompany you.”

“No, that won’t be necessary… Briana, you are the head maid, aren’t you? Don’t you have a lot of work?”

“Wouldn’t it be unreasonable to let Lord Dereck move about alone? Please, do not feel pressured.”

As expected, the treatment was far too courteous for someone who was only noble in name.

Noticing the unusual atmosphere, Dereck decided he would ask Ellen about it later.

It was at that moment that Dereck rose from his seat.

Creak.

The door to Dereck’s private room suddenly swung open, and Aiselin, her face pale with worry, appeared.

Although she had been instructed to wait in the reception room, she had come directly. Dereck would have gone on his own if she had waited a little longer, so he wondered what could be so urgent.

Aiselin, who looked as if she had seen a ghost, swallowed hard when she saw Dereck’s face.

“Lady Aiselin. Long time no see.”

“D-Dereck…”

Aiselin quickly glanced down the hallway and then spoke to Briana in a trembling voice.

“I’m sorry. I need to discuss a confidential matter regarding the Ravenclaw barony. Could you leave us alone?”

“Huh? Ah, yes… I understand.”

Since both Aiselin and Dereck were trusted figures, there was no issue leaving them alone.

Briana bowed her head and quickly left the room, closing the door behind her.

Aiselin, still pale-faced, opened the window and nervously looked around.

Then she hastily drew the curtains, secured the door, and sat down silently in front of Dereck.

“D-Dereck. I’m sorry. It’s been a while, and I’m a little unsettled…”

“No problem… Did you see something you shouldn’t have?”

“No, it’s not that. Dereck, you’ve been staying at the Belmierd estate for quite some time. I’ve come to tell you it’s already time to return.”

“Ah, really? You could have sent a letter. It must have been a long trip for you.”

Dereck looked at Aiselin.

Sitting across the tea table, Aiselin shifted restlessly as if uncomfortable, and in truth, she looked quite distressed.

He wasn’t sure whether to pretend not to notice or express concern, but before he could decide, Aiselin spoke.

“If you no longer have business in the Belmierd estate, it would be best if you left soon.”

“I haven’t been able to tend to the Ravenclaw Barony’s affairs for quite a while. It must have been hard on you, Lady Aiselin.”

“No, that’s important too, but…”

Still pale, Aiselin looked around again and whispered.

“Dereck… I’ll tell you the truth… Even if I tried to lie, you’d notice right away…”

“What is happening?”

“Could you come with me right now to the Ravenclaw estate? Don’t ask questions… Just for me… I didn’t want to pressure you like this, but…”

Dereck felt a strong unease seeing Aiselin sweating profusely.

She was asking him to go with her without questions. It was the first time Aiselin, who always considered Dereck’s feelings, was so insistent.

“Just… don’t ask why… Please, pack your things and come with me to the Ravenclaw territory… okay…?”

Dereck swallowed as he looked at Aiselin, who was clearly not well.

It was the first time Aiselin had acted with such urgency. Dereck, perceptive in his own way, asked her with a serious expression.

“Are you… being threatened by someone, or is there a secret you can’t reveal because you’re being blackmailed?”

“Ugh…”

Aiselin shook her head vigorously at those words, but she looked on the verge of tears.

Seeing her expression, as if begging him not to ask further, Dereck did not press her.

In truth, there wasn’t much more for him to do in the Belmierd mansion, and he had planned to leave even if Aiselin hadn’t come to fetch him.

Since it was the first time Aiselin had insisted like this, it wasn’t too much to yield to her this time.

In fact, saying he was “yielding” wasn’t exactly right. He had already been thinking of leaving.

When Dereck nodded, Aiselin leapt to her feet.

“Then… shall we pack right away?”

“Right now? The proper thing would be to say goodbye to the count.”

“I’ll leave a letter. I’ll say monsters have appeared in the Ravenclaw estate and immediate aid is required. I’ll say it’s a matter of life and death.”

“Is that true?”

“No, it’s not true. But let’s go to the Ravenclaw estate for now. Okay?”

Seeing Aiselin rushing as if fire were at her heels, it looked as though someone were chasing her to snatch away a treasure.

Then Aiselin rolled up her sleeves and began packing Dereck’s mercenary supplies into a leather backpack.

What kind of noble lady packs such rough items herself? But Aiselin was not one to care about such things.

‘This is the first time I’ve seen Lady Aiselin with such a stiff face…’

*

After her conversation with Aiselin and upon returning to her room, Ellen felt an inexplicable joy rising in her chest.

Even when her family fell into disgrace, when tea was spilled on her, even when she was slapped, Aiselin had never lost her dignity.

But now, her face was completely pale, and her eyes darted uneasily.

She asked Ellen repeatedly about the meaning of her words, and her hands trembled as she held the teacup.

“…”

As soon as she returned to her room, Ellen ordered her maids to wipe her sweat and fix her slightly disheveled hair.

Then she tossed a few magic books onto the bed and sat by the side table, letting out a deep sigh.

She recalled Aiselin’s expression during their recent conversation.

When Ellen said she would take Dereck, Aiselin’s whole body trembled, and she even stammered.

In philosophical debates or political conversations at gatherings, Aiselin had never reacted like that.

She was more noble and radiant than any other lady Ellen had ever known.

Seeing Aiselin like that made Ellen feel as if the disease of inferiority that had gnawed at her heart for years was slowly fading away.

Yes. If she could have Dereck, even Aiselin would be shaken.

The value of the man called Dereck, in Ellen’s heart, was growing ever greater.

That meant the heir of Belmierd desired him.

“Hm.”

Ellen sat in a shadowy corner of the room, imagining herself walking through Belmierd’s garden with Dereck, and came out of her daydream with a twisted smile.

It was not fitting for the lady of Belmierd, who always had to be dignified, to wear such a sinister smile.

Yet, the wings of imagination refused to fold.

The young woman could not help but lose sleep, thinking of how to capture Dereck along with Count Belmierd.

The Belmierd mansion was entirely Ellen’s domain.

As long as he stayed there, she could devise countless ways to trap him.

“…”

Chirp, chirp, chirp.

And the next morning, Dereck was no longer in the mansion.

He had too many things to do to remain still. He was like a wandering wind.

There was no way to lock away a wind that could not be caught.

However, he was not the type to vanish without a word.

Surely, someone must have informed him.

‘Aiselin…!’

Before the empty guest room, Ellen’s eyes blazed with fire.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelCet