Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 123: Characters (4)

The commotion caused by Aiselin’s collapse from overwork had finally subsided, and the young noblewomen who had come from various regions to visit her were about to depart.

All of them felt relieved after confirming that it was only a temporary condition and that there would be no serious aftereffects.

Ellen and Denise were no exception.

After checking on Aiselin’s condition in the reception hall, they assured the young ladies of the Rose Hall that everything would be fine.

“Don’t forget that Belmierd has always been favorable toward the Ravenclaw Barony. If any problems arise in the future, send a letter at any time.”

“Thank you for your concern, Lady Ellen.”

Ellen looked at Aiselin with a faintly displeased expression, but soon boarded her carriage; she seemed to be quite busy with her family’s affairs.

The carriage was enormous, and the number of servants accompanying her was also unusual. After all, she was the person destined to become the lady of Belmierd.

Thus, Ellen departed from the Ravenclaw Barony early the next morning.

‘It’s about time I leave as well; staying any longer would be strange.’

For her part, Denise woke up around noon and strolled quietly through the barony’s garden, lost in thought.

She hadn’t slept well due to the many things running through her mind.

Above all, Dereck knew perfectly well that there was a possibility Denise might betray him.

That meant that, whatever she did, she was probably already part of Dereck’s calculations.

‘…Even if I betray you, it doesn’t matter… What did you mean by that, Dereck…?’

Dereck’s apparent composure only made her thoughts grow more tangled.

As a member of the Beltus family, she could never betray her house.

However, the idea of openly betraying Dereck was also unbearable.

The fact that he seemed to have read her inner conflict only made her doubt even more.

Denise let out a deep sigh and ran a hand over her face.

If she left the barony and returned to the Beltus residence, the Grand Duke would summon her immediately to question her about the situation.

And she had much to report.

That newly established rural barony had too many weaknesses that the Beltus family could exploit.

Even if the Belmierd family tried to protect the Ravenclaw Barony, that territory was practically a direct neighbor, sharing a border with the Beltus lands.

In the end, Beltus’s influence would be the strongest.

‘If only Dereck would lower his head and submit to the will of the Beltus family, my mind would be at ease… But he’s not that kind of man…’

Dereck was not someone who served his lord out of loyalty.

Therefore, a clash between the Beltus and Ravenclaw families seemed inevitable.

The Grand Duke of Beltus was a man who eliminated any threat to his power without hesitation.

“It seems you have many things on your mind, Lady Denise.”

As she sighed, a feminine voice interrupted her.

When she looked up in surprise, she saw a young noblewoman delicately holding her skirt and curtsying.

Her hair, a shade between lavender and silver, radiated a mysterious aura.

Although the quality of her dress did not suggest a particularly high rank, an indescribable elegance emanated from her.

Denise, with the usual composure of a noble lady, responded with a gentle smile.

“Oh, thank you for your concern.”

The girl with the enigmatic aura returned the smile warmly.

Watching her, Denise spoke politely.

“I sincerely appreciate your consideration, but I fear my memory fails me and I do not recall the name of such a beautiful lady. Please forgive me.”

“No, there’s nothing to forgive. I am not someone whom the lady of the Beltus family needs to remember. I am merely a girl from a small baronial family on the southeastern frontier. My name is Fina Raffaella Tigris.”

“I see, Lady Fina. I’m sorry to have troubled you with my concerns upon our first meeting.”

Lower-ranking nobles often hesitated before addressing a lady from a powerful house like Beltus.

Of course, there were some who, dreaming of advancement, tried to form connections, but such relationships were usually one-sided; high-ranking nobles rarely regarded them as equals.

On the contrary, getting too close to a lady of higher rank could be seen as opportunism—a blatant display of ambition.

That class divide existed even among the nobility.

However, Fina did not let herself be intimidated and continued speaking respectfully.

“As a low-ranking noble, I know I must be cautious when speaking to the lady of the Beltus family, but even so, I wished to address you, even if it may seem bold.”

“Don’t underestimate yourself so much. Lady Fina, you also possess enough beauty and grace.”

“I thank you for your kind words, Lady Denise. But our Tigris family has received great favor from Duke Beltus, and I wanted to express my gratitude.”

Fina smiled and drew from her chest a small box about the size of a fist.

It was wrapped in colorful paper and adorned with a ribbon and flowers, clearly prepared with care.

“F-Favor?”

“Duke Beltus may not remember, but when my father, Baron Tigris, inherited his title, the Duke sent a congratulatory letter and a wreath of flowers.”

“Oh, right. I had completely forgotten.”

“It’s understandable. The Beltus family must have attendants in charge of such ceremonial duties. With so many celebrations and condolences to handle, it would be impossible to remember every letter sent to the frontier baronial families.”

Fina smiled politely as she approached Denise.

“But for a small family like ours, such a letter carries great meaning. If Duke Beltus hadn’t sent it, it would have been difficult for my father to be officially recognized as the leader of our territory, given how complicated the internal situation was back then.”

“I see. Baron Tigris must have gone through difficult times.”

“No, as I mentioned, we received great help from Duke Beltus’s authority. As his daughter, I couldn’t help but express my gratitude.”

In truth, the Beltus family had never sent such a congratulatory letter to the Tigris.

But, as Fina said, with the number of formalities noble houses handled, such a story could easily seem credible.

No one could remember the names of all the frontier nobles who had received courtesy letters.

After many years in noble society, one learns well how to identify the gaps in bureaucracy.

Fina was precisely one of those people.

“This is a small gift from me. It’s a ring with the most beautiful gems from the Tigris Barony, along with a tie ornament.”

“Is it all right for me to accept something like this?”

“On the contrary, it would be a great honor if you did. I hope His Excellency the Grand Duke Beltus will also appreciate our sincerity. Please show him this gift.”

As Fina handed over the box with a bright smile, Denise returned the gesture with the ceremonial smile typical of nobles.

After all, as a member of the Beltus family, she was used to such situations.

*

When all the young noblewomen who had come to see Aiselin’s condition returned to their homes and a certain calm returned to the Ravenclaw Training Center,

Dereck, who was reorganizing the delayed schedules and preparing a response to the maneuvers of the Beltus family, thought he could finally relax a little.

“The Baroness of Ravenclaw… has arrived…”

However, with just that single report from Delbriton, the Ravenclaw Training Center was thrown into chaos again.

Who was the Baroness of Ravenclaw?

Among the young noblewomen at the center, countless rumors circulated.

Much was known about Dereck Lydorf, Baron of Ravenclaw.

He personally led the faculty and often appeared in practical classes.

Handsome, efficient in his work, usually cold in demeanor but able to be kind when needed and assertive when required—a capable man.

Because of this, some of the young noblewomen at the center harbored quiet admiration for him. His reputation was good, and his name well-known.

So then, who was the woman who had captured the heart of such a man?

Even in front of the flowers of nobility, Dereck maintained an unapproachable attitude; what kind of person had been able to enchant him?

In the dormitories, the speculation was already endless.

They said she was a commoner, a fragile girl.

They wondered what her beauty was like, how much knowledge she possessed, or how noble her bearing might be.

Often, when the girls gathered at night in frilled pajamas, sitting on their beds and chatting by lamplight, the subject of the imaginary Baroness of Ravenclaw always came up.

“I heard she smells of freesia flowers, and her voice is so soft it caresses your ears when she speaks. They say that when you look into her eyes, it feels like warm sunlight, and that talking to her brightens your whole day.”

Lady Rointel, a freckled and cheerful young woman, spoke with a dreamy expression while hugging a pillow.

“I heard about her from the servants. They say she’s elegant but brave, and she knows when to stay silent and when to act. I’ve never seen her, but I admire her.”

“Do you know the romance novel The Arrogant Lord Robain, written by an anonymous author?”

“Ah, yes! I saw a sample copy at the Largo Bookstore when I went to Ebelstein.”

“Oh, Lady Sidmer knows it too! They say the baroness resembles the heroine Tracy from that book—lively yet refined.”

“Really? I thought she was just a fictional character if that’s true, she might be the perfect match for Baron Ravenclaw.”

Lady Sidmer, always shy due to her slowness in learning magic, was glowing with excitement as she imagined a love story between a handsome man and a perfect lady.

No matter the era, girls that age could never resist romantic tales of impossible love.

“Well, without a doubt, if she managed to win over Baron Ravenclaw, she must be an exceptional woman…”

“We must also work hard and make our social debut as true ladies.”

“Y-yes… But if we could see the Baroness of Ravenclaw in person… it would be so inspiring… I heard she’ll visit the barony this time, do you think we might be able to speak to her, even just once…?”

“Now that you mention it, I’m curious… Who do you think is nobler, Lady Aiselin or the Baroness of Ravenclaw?”

“Well… we shouldn’t compare them, but… so far, I haven’t seen anyone as admirable as Lady Aiselin…”

Thus passed the night for the young ladies, amid whispers and laughter by the light of a single candle, sharing stories of forbidden love.

They dreamed of the elegant Baroness of Ravenclaw—and of the day when they themselves would become dazzling ladies.

*

“Ugh.”

“If you’re going to burp, at least cover yourself.”

“Ugh… the hangover… I’m dying after that carriage ride since early morning… This place is so far from Ebelstein…”

Pheline, who had arrived at dawn, was covered in blood.

Delbriton, who had gone out to receive her, couldn’t help but break into a cold sweat when he saw her step down from the carriage.

Even the coachman wore a tense expression, as if fearing for his life upon seeing the bloodstained girl.

“Listen, Dereck. Last night I was drinking at Tears of Beldern… and some weird guys, no insignias, no affiliation, tried to attack me.”

“Yes. I can tell from the bloodstains on your clothes.”

“I only defended myself. If they suddenly throw magic at you in the middle of Tavern Street, they’d better be ready for a beating. Ugh… ugh…”

Her tight mercenary outfit exposed her abdomen and shoulders. Her arms and legs had a few scratches, but no serious wounds.

If Pheline had come out almost unscathed, there was no need to ask how her attackers had ended up.

Even so, it was necessary to confirm whether they were still alive.

“What happened to them?”

“If they were lucky, they survived. Poor Jayden… cleaning the tavern must have been hell…”

After saying that, Pheline took a big bite of the snacks Delbriton had brought.

“They attacked me first, so I didn’t have to hold back, right?”

“…”

“But it was strange. If they were just perverts, they wouldn’t have acted so coordinated or hidden their identities. They were too clean to be other mercenaries. It was suspicious, so instead of returning to my lodging, I called the coachman and came straight here. Hmm… this is delicious. Is it expensive?”

“I don’t know. I got it from a local producer.”

“They say the fruits of this region are really good, and these grapes… wow, delicious. But eating something this juicy all at once… my stomach… ugh…”

“That’s why I told you to drink in moderation.”

The nearby servants moved nervously as they watched her make gestures of nausea.

If an accident occurred, they would be the ones to clean the floor and tablecloths.

“If you feel sick, stop eating, idiot.”

“No way. Do you think I’m going to waste free food? Even if I throw it up later, I’ll still put it in my mouth first… ugh…”

Officially, she held the title of Baroness of Ravenclaw, but Pheline despised the nobility so much that she rarely visited the barony.

Continuing to live as an ordinary mercenary was her own principle, so she didn’t care about appearing careless.

“If I’d known, I would’ve left one alive to ask who sent them.”

“So you didn’t leave any?”

“Depends on how tough they were. If you go easy on them, they think they won’t die and start gambling with their lives. You have to face them with the intent to kill, and then they get scared. Isn’t that right?”

That was something Dereck often said back in his mercenary days.

That’s why he couldn’t refute it; he just rested his chin on his hand with an indifferent expression.

In any case, he thought he should inform Pheline of the situation, so he explained how things were unfolding across the continent, as well as which faction might be behind the attack.

“The Beltus family, huh? Even someone like me, who doesn’t care about noble nonsense, has heard that name. Dereck, you’re wading into deep waters.”

“Unfortunately, I’m now the noble you despise so much.”

“I know what you’re thinking. You think I don’t notice that you’re clinging to your title just to learn more magic.”

Dereck was different from the arrogant nobles obsessed with appearances, and that’s why Pheline didn’t mind that he had a title. She knew him far too well from the old days.

“Still… it’s unfair that I’m getting dragged into all this just because I lent my name as baroness.”

“I have no excuse. I’m sorry.”

“Well, Dereck, the refined noble, apologizing to me. It must be the end of the world.”

Dereck admitted it—Pheline was right. She had been dragged into all this simply because she was associated with him.

He acknowledged it sincerely, but Pheline just burst out laughing.

“In short, those damn degenerates who tried to attack me were hounds sent by some noble. It felt good to give them what they deserved.”

“It won’t be that simple. If they failed this time, they might send more skilled people next.”

“So what? Beltus or whoever—they attacked me, so it was self-defense. In other words, now I’ve got a legitimate reason to hit nobles.”

Pheline, somewhat recovered from her hangover, drank some cold water and let out a relieved sigh.

The servants, who had been anxiously waiting in case she vomited, finally relaxed.

Dereck, seeing the wooden bucket Delbriton had prepared “just in case,” almost wanted to applaud his foresight.

“If anyone dares touch me, I’ll cut off their hands.”

She meant it.

Pheline might seem clumsy and careless, but when her mercenary instincts awakened, she didn’t hesitate for even a second.

She was, perhaps, the one who most resembled Dereck among all the mercenaries of Beldern.

“A justification, huh…?”

Dereck looked at her with a complicated expression, somewhere between pity and concern.

In any case, he decided that, for the time being, he had to protect her.

*

“Yes, the mind games of nobles all come down to one thing in the end—justification.”

That night, Fina, who was showing Dereck some magical theories, smiled mischievously.

The characteristic chirping of night insects filled the baron’s residence.

The night, when even the moon slept, was wrapped in darkness; though candles were lit, a gloomy atmosphere filled the reception hall.

In that dim space, Fina, sitting cross-legged, laughed softly and licked the tip of her fingers after brushing her chin a couple of times.

“In that sense, I like that girl. Someone from the bottom of the pit, full of instinct and ferocity, who instinctively understands the importance of justification. From my point of view, she’s worth keeping close. Good, good, very good.”

“You were watching when I met Pheline?”

“Of course. My cute disciple is in trouble because that brat of a duke decided to provoke him. How could a master like me sit idly by? In fact, I should take this chance to give you a grand lesson.”

She reclined on the sofa, placed her bare feet on the table, and began to speak without pause.

“This master, who has lived as a noble for hundreds of years and gone through all kinds of nonsense, will personally teach you something.”

“…What do you have in mind?”

“I already told you. If I put my mind to it, there’s nothing I can’t teach you. You have exceptional talent in magic, but your summoning magic is a bit clumsy compared to the rest, isn’t it? Let’s make a major breakthrough this time.”

Dereck rose from his desk and sat across from her on the opposite sofa.

Then he narrowed his eyes and watched her suspiciously.

“Oh, look at those eyes. What’s that supposed to be—for a master like me?”

“If you have some sort of plan, I’d prefer to know it.”

“Wow, I like that suspicious look. Yes, you shouldn’t trust people so easily. But you should trust this master of yours completely. Everything I do is for your sake.”

Despite Dereck’s wary gaze, Fina didn’t seem concerned.

In truth, she was acting for his sake; the problem was that her results were unpredictable.

“Do you know the fastest way to master summoning magic? Fight against a summoner who has reached the high rank of five stars or more.”

“What…?”

“I don’t know anything about the Beltus family or their affairs, but since we have the opportunity, let’s go and beat them up. There’s no reason to sit trembling like a child waiting for them to come swinging.”

When Dereck frowned, Fina laughed even louder.

“Why? Are you scared because you don’t have a justification?”

“…”

“Don’t worry. This magnificent master of yours is a specialist in creating justifications. I need to create a situation where our adorable disciple can legally fight the Duke Beltus.”

“The Beltus family is one of the most powerful houses that has ruled the southwest of the continent for a long time. You know that better than anyone, don’t you?”

“Yes, exactly. But there exists a justification that once made the mighty Duplain family tremble in an instant, doesn’t it?”

At those words, Dereck fell silent for a moment.

He could more or less guess what Fina was planning.

“Even the powerful who seemed to rule the heavens and devour the earth tremble and must prove their innocence when they’re linked to necromancy.”

“…”

“And I, the one in front of you, am the source of all that necromancy.”

The only six-star necromancer on the continent, Fina Raphaela Tigris.

She crossed her legs naturally and, with her chin resting on her hand, dropped a bomb in a calm voice.

“Send a letter to that novice Rodelia. Tell her it seems the Beltus family has ties to necromancy.”

“If we accuse them falsely, it could backfire on us.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll make it true. Our adorable disciple must handle the task, so I’ll at least do my part for it.”

That girl was, in herself, like a living curse.

And she seemed ready to prove it.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelCet