Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 121: Characters (2)

“Dereck seems more reliable since he received his title.”

Denise, naturally perceptive, had noticed that both Ellen and Aiselin harbored personal feelings for Dereck.

The fact that the precious daughters of Duplain and Belmierd were competing for the attention of a single man was a spectacle as troublesome as it was fascinating.

She was probably the only one aware of it, so whenever she met with Aiselin or Ellen, she deliberately mentioned Dereck.

As a writer of romance novels, Denise couldn’t help but be even more interested in the love intrigues of high-ranking nobles; she thought that somehow, they could serve as inspiration.

“They say people change when their status changes, and it seems that saying isn’t just empty words.”

That was what she said to the newly arrived Ellen when she visited the barony of Ravenclaw under the pretext of checking on Aiselin’s health.

Ellen, who was brushing her shining red hair, blushed slightly at Denise’s words and replied,

“Yes, you’re right.”

It wasn’t common to see the usually confident and proud Ellen behaving so shyly.

Enjoying the reaction, Denise narrowed her eyes and smiled mischievously. To anyone who knew the situation, the love was obvious.

The place was the guest room of the Ravenclaw barony.

Although it was decorated with as much luxury as possible, it was still modest compared to the halls of the three great families.

Seeing the young ladies of Belmierd and Beltus seated in such a remote barony was something almost unreal.

In any case, since there was a connection through the Rose Hall, both had come to visit Aiselin.

The topic of Baron Ravenclaw would come later.

“Well, catching up with Dereck is important, but today we came to see how Lady Aiselin is doing. They said she collapsed from overwork, and many people in the salon were worried.”

“That’s right, Lady Ellen. The butler will come soon to report on her condition.”

Shortly after Denise’s arrival, Ellen had also arrived.

Unlike Denise, who seemed quite relaxed, Ellen appeared strangely nervous about the imminent meeting with Aiselin. What else could be expected? They were rivals.

Denise merely watched from between them, exhaling softly through her nose with amusement.

The young ladies of Duplain and Belmierd fighting over the same man—there wasn’t a girl in the world who wouldn’t be interested in such a love story.

Besides, for Denise, it was like watching a fire from across the river.

There’s nothing more entertaining than witnessing a quarrel, and for girls their age, a romantic rivalry was irresistible—especially when they could see it up close.

In the end, opinions were divided on who would win Dereck’s heart—Ellen or Aiselin.

But Denise leaned more toward Aiselin.

No matter how much of an heiress Ellen was, could she compare to Aiselin, who was like a noble lily? She thought so, even without realizing it.

‘…Although, now that I think about it, maybe not.’

They say love changes a woman.

Even this Ellen, who always seemed more like a monarch than a girl, would blush and act shyly when speaking of Dereck—if love was truly difficult and complex.

Denise, who spent her days writing romance novels, had never truly felt the mysterious nature of love. Naturally—she had never experienced it.

Reading cheap romance novels at the Ebelstein bookstore and listening to the excited conversations of young noblewomen at the salon wasn’t enough to understand how love could transform a person.

Even so, she had thought about it a lot, and her view of love had become distorted.

She believed that love meant waiting for a prince on a white horse to come, take the princess into his arms, and whisper sweet words—it was almost childish that she wrote novels based on that idea.

In short, Denise had learned about love only through books.

But unfortunately, she considered herself an expert on the subject just because of that.

‘Lady Ellen’s love is sincere, but who knows how it will work in a relationship between a man and a woman. They say whoever falls in love first loses. So, whether it’s Lady Ellen or Lady Aiselin, both will end up losing to Dereck!’

That was Denise’s reality—she could only repeat clichés.

‘I’m very curious to see how Dereck will react. Very.’

She was thinking that with a satisfied smile when—

— Create a reason to control that man. Meet with him often, stay close, and find his weaknesses.

It was the message of Grand Duke Beltus.

Remembering it sent a chill down her spine.

It was as if she had been dragged from a garden full of flowers into a frozen reality while talking about love.

The bright atmosphere of the reception room turned as cold as winter.

Yes, Denise had come as a member of the Beltus family, with the mission to strike Dereck from behind and take advantage of his weaknesses to shut down the Ravenclaw training center.

Denise would betray Dereck. That fact was already decided.

She couldn’t go against the will of the Beltus family, to whom she had devoted her life.

Denise could only exist as someone valuable because she was the favored lady of House Beltus.

“…”

Speaking with Dereck in a friendly environment was only temporary.

Someday, Dereck would inevitably look at her with resentment, and the day of enmity would come.

As long as Grand Duke Beltus’s policy remained firm in restraining and bringing down Dereck, she could never maintain a special relationship with him.

That fact was like a thorn lodged in the girl’s heart.

Ellen, who sincerely wished to win Dereck’s heart, and Aiselin belonged to a completely different world from Denise.

They were the true forces driving their families, while Denise was nothing more than a pawn on the ducal chessboard.

Realizing that difference, Denise quietly lowered her gaze.

Ellen, the powerful heiress of Belmierd, stood before her like a flower growing alone on a cliff.

*

Denise usually strolled through the mansion with a carefree mind, but when she began to think seriously, her eyes would sharpen.

After a brief conversation with Ellen, she went out to the garden to get some fresh air.

‘The building looks luxurious, but it was built hastily, so its structure isn’t solid. If a major natural disaster occurred, there could be problems.’

‘There’s a mountain behind the baron’s mansion. If an artificial landslide were triggered or the water flow altered, it could cause significant damage during heavy rain.’

Just by walking a few times through the Ravenclaw mansion, Denise could identify the weaknesses of the territory at a single glance.

She was someone who tended to tire easily because of her quick thinking, but thanks to the physical training Dereck had given her for a long time, she no longer became exhausted so easily.

Denise crossed the garden with the appearance of an elegant lady, her dress trailing behind her. Her silver hair fluttered in the wind, and the scent of flowers clung to her clothes.

‘Being next to Beltus territory could be a great advantage. If we impose heavy tariffs and tolls only on the border trade routes, it will surely affect the supply of goods to the Ravenclaw barony.’

‘From the perspective of the Beltus family, maintaining control wouldn’t be difficult. However, such pressure would require political justification, and since Dereck is under Lord Melverot’s protection, it would be dangerous to impose such measures openly. Using obvious tricks wouldn’t be wise.’

The young noble ladies of the Ravenclaw training center were astonished to see the lady of House Beltus walking through the garden.

In the noble society of Ebelstein, it was difficult even to speak with someone of such high rank; they could only see her from afar thanks to being enrolled at the center.

Rumors were already spreading among the students that the true figures of power from the Rose Salon occasionally appeared at the training center.

They didn’t dare address Denise; they only watched her from afar, whispering and blushing.

Used to such gazes, Denise continued to observe the baron’s mansion in silence, showing no concern.

‘There’s still a lack of personnel for the size of the territory, and almost no preparation against monster attacks. The poor security management means it would be easy to cause incidents if we acted from the shadows.’

‘The lack of security in a place where young ladies from noble families gather is a fatal flaw. If the Beltus family were to hire a few people to cause disturbing incidents, the heads of the families who sent their daughters here would grow uneasy.’

‘That would contribute to the deterioration of the reputation of the Ravenclaw Training Center. It seems like a realistic plan.’

Just a few glances were enough for all kinds of intrigues and strategies to come to Denise’s mind.

But suddenly, feeling a wave of emptiness, Denise let out a long sigh and sat down on a nearby bench.

With her head lowered, she extended her hand in front of her and opened and closed it a few times.

Magic gathered in her palm, then dispersed and vanished.

Even the way she handled magic had become much more skillful than before, reaching almost the level of a high-ranking mage when it came to detection magic.

If she had to attribute that progress to someone, she couldn’t deny it—the foundations Dereck had taught her remained within her and still exerted their influence.

Tracing back the origin of Denise’s magic, much of it came from what Dereck had awakened inside her.

‘…’

To repay kindness with betrayal.

Though it seemed cruel, there was no other choice. Denise clenched her teeth at the thought.

In the cold aristocratic society, anyone who allowed themselves to be swayed by human emotions was eliminated instantly.

Even if one formed bonds and received kindness, there were times when it was necessary to tear them apart and move on.

That was the only way to survive in that merciless world.

Even so, thinking of Dereck—and his occasionally calm face—made her heart waver and her mind tangle.

Denise was still gritting her teeth when it happened.

“It seems you have a lot on your mind.”

“Eek!”

Startled, she looked up and saw Dereck shaking magical residue off his hands.

It seemed he had been practicing behind the garden.

Denise stammered, unsure what to say. But Dereck, unbothered, sat beside her on the bench and spoke in a calm voice.

“Your expression has been tense since I arrived this morning. Is something happening at home?”

“Oh, no… it’s not that. You even notice my expressions. You’re very observant, Dereck.”

“It’s not observation. We’ve known each other for a long time; it’s not strange to notice when something isn’t right.”

“Well, there’s no need to worry so much. Everyone has worries. I also have some that I can’t share with anyone.”

“I see. You’re right about that.”

Dereck said in a calm tone, leaning back on the bench.

Then he reached out, removed a few leaves that had gotten caught at Denise’s waist, and threw them into the flowerbed.

Only then did Denise realize her appearance was a bit disheveled and held her breath.

“In truth, I’m the same. My goal was to become a high-ranking mage by training without rest, but lately, unexpected worries have piled up.”

“You have worries too, Dereck?”

To find the weaknesses of that seemingly perfect man—

That was the order Denise had received from Grand Duke Beltus.

If Dereck revealed his concerns directly, it would be very useful to her.

“When Lady Aiselin collapsed from overwork, I learned a lot. This barony, this title—they didn’t mean anything to me at first.”

Dereck rested his staff to one side and spoke calmly, passing a hand over his knee.

“To become a higher-level mage, I needed a title and land, so I somehow obtained them. But before I knew it, I already had vassals, servants, and people who trusted and depended on me.”

Dereck was speaking more than usual.

Denise watched him with curiosity.

The Dereck she knew was usually quiet and reserved, never uttering unnecessary words.

Even so, everything he said now had a clear purpose.

“When things reach that point, isn’t it natural not to sit idly by?”

“Yes. Dereck, you’ve truly become a noble.”

“Well, I still have much to learn, but I did understand one thing—when you have the chance to do something, you have to do it right.”

“Hmm?”

Dereck was looking at Denise with a deep seriousness.

When Aiselin collapsed from exhaustion, Dereck realized something—nothing in this world is guaranteed.

One must never take for granted those who show kindness, who sacrifice themselves, or who help.

We must pay attention even to the smallest changes.

Having lived as a mercenary in a merciless society, it was natural that there had been something lacking. Dereck had realized that.

Having taken Aiselin’s dedication for granted until she collapsed had been the trigger.

Dereck wasn’t a man without faults, but he never made the same mistake twice.

Only then did Denise understand the intention behind his words.

His sharp eyes had clearly noticed her unease, and once Dereck detected something like that, he never ignored it.

‘Ugh…’

In short, Dereck was telling her, in his own way, that if there was something troubling her, she could talk about it.

His voice was as dry as ever, but understanding the concern hidden behind it made it strangely uncomfortable.

That man knew how to show interest without being emotionally burdensome.

It was no wonder that both Ellen and Aiselin were drawn to him.

Even as she admired him, Denise again felt a weight in her chest.

Because, deep down, the reason for her distress was precisely that man—and she couldn’t confess it.

Trying to dodge the topic wouldn’t work with Dereck, so she had no choice but to change the subject.

“Well, it’s nothing serious. Lately I’ve been about to finish The Arrogant Lord Robain.”

“Ah, really? I’m looking forward to it.”

“Well, there’s not much to look forward to. But the ending I wrote is a little different from what I originally thought… I wonder if it’s all right that way. That’s why you saw me looking so pensive.”

“I see. If it’s that kind of concern, there’s not much I can do.”

“That’s why I told you it was nothing.”

Denise let out a small laugh and also leaned back on the bench.

As they sat side by side under the warm late autumn sunlight, she felt a strange sense of calm. That man called Dereck was bothersome and troublesome, yet by his side she always felt at peace.

“If your worries show so clearly on your face, you should reflect on that. Even if your heart is full of anxiety, you must maintain the appearance of a dignified flower.”

“Well, as you said, everyone lives with some worries.”

“Exactly. It’s not something worth tormenting yourself over. Why? Are you afraid I’ll faint like Lady Aiselin? Hahaha.”

Denise said this laughing lightly. Her expression seemed innocent, but at the same time carried a mischievous nuance, making her a girl of a thousand faces.

She wasn’t inherently noble like Aiselin, nor was she born with Ellen’s natural authority.

But she was a fox with her tail hidden beneath her frilled dress—lazy by nature, though when she used her mind, even the most experienced hunters gave up trying to catch her.

“Well, Lady Aiselin will soon finish getting ready and come out to the reception room. If you want to talk to her, you should go now.”

“Oh, thank you very much. Since I’ve come all this way, I should speak with Lady Aiselin as well. Dereck, are you busy with your training?”

“I have some free time today, but there are still pending matters. Sorry for not being able to properly attend to you.”

“Attend to me? This is already more than enough.”

After exchanging a few formal words, Dereck stood up.

In any case, the fact that he worried about her was something she appreciated, so Denise felt a little relieved.

Though she couldn’t tell him that he himself was the cause of her worries, confirming that Dereck trusted her gave her a strange sense of satisfaction.

Thus, Denise smiled, pleased to have handled the situation perfectly.

“Ah, Lady Denise. Now that I remember, I should tell you something.”

Dereck picked up the staff he had left by the bench, adjusted his cloak, and spoke as if making a casual remark.

Just as Denise, with a relaxed expression, was about to ask what it was about, she heard—

“If it ever becomes necessary, you can hit me on the back of the head.”

At that instant, Denise’s breath stopped.

She held back the sound that almost escaped reflexively, but she couldn’t immediately decide how to respond to those words that pierced straight through her.

She stood up abruptly, eyes wide open, staring at Dereck.

However, he didn’t seem to give it any importance.

“I understand your situation.”

Before Denise could utter a word, Dereck was already putting away his things and leaving the garden.

She could only watch, eyes still wide, as he slung the leather bag over his shoulder and headed toward the training center.

*

‘It seems the Beltus side will start watching us. It was about time.’

On the path of power, there are always those who try to bring you down.

Dereck, with the leather bag over his shoulder and his staff strapped horizontally to his waist, walked steadily toward the main building.

‘I don’t know what method they’ll use, but right now there are too many gaps in the residence. We need more personnel, and it’s far too difficult to fight a battle of wills against someone like the Grand Duke alone.’

Although Melverot, from the Rochester territory, protected him, the physical distance was immense.

He lived in the snowy lands at the far north of the continent.

Unless the enemy acted openly, it would be impossible to defend against all his schemes. Before the psychological warfare intensified, it was necessary to secure the support of an influential figure in the southwest with authority comparable to that of Grand Duke Beltus.

But who could stand against the head of the Beltus family, one of the most prestigious in the southwest?

It was hard to name anyone like that—but luckily, there was one person within Dereck’s reach.

Creak.

“Good morning.”

Dereck opened the door to the guest room and entered.

The red-haired young lady, who had been reading a book alone, immediately turned her head.

Seeing the man suddenly appear startled her, and she hurried to fix her disheveled appearance from resting.

The unexpected visit from Dereck wasn’t good for her heart.

“D-Dereck?”

“It’s been a while, Lady Ellen.”

The only power in the southwest of the continent capable of challenging Beltus’s authority was the Belmierd family.

Some might consider it arrogant, but Dereck was quite sure.

Belmierd would side with the Ravenclaw barony.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelCet