Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 144: How the Sun Rises (4)

“Thank you for your hard work, Your Excellency.”

Clank, clank.

Rodelia, who had taken off the silver armor larger than her own body, was drenched in sweat.

Her physical prime had long passed, and the marks of time were visible on her face, but she did not seem to care.

This noble, born with the instincts of a warrior, had been fighting for her life on that terrible battlefield, and yet she showed almost no fatigue.

After receiving help from the maids and finishing her bath, she sat in a comfortable chair, her body much more at ease, and fell into deep reflection.

‘It seems there is nothing more I can do regarding the Beltus matter. All that’s left is to trust that the young lady and the firstborn handle it well on their own.’

The fact that Duke Beltus had fled was concerning, but for now her priority was to report everything to Emperor Guttrel.

She needed to report the events that occurred in the Beltus mansion and the birth of a new 4-star mage.

Dereck Lydorf Ravenclaw, baron.

Remembering the man who had collapsed at the scene, covered in blood, Countess Rodelia clenched and released her blistered hands several times.

‘Truly, I want that man under my command.’

However.

No matter how she reviewed it in her mind, Dereck was not someone who would easily swear loyalty under others.

He was only under the protection of Lord Melverot, the ruler of the north, because the latter could guarantee his safety.

But considering his willingness to risk his life fighting necromancers, and the fact that he had reached the level of a 4-star mage at such a young age, he was not someone she wanted to “give up” to another noble house.

Above all, she had known of his existence before the other high-ranking nobles.

If this had happened in the central area of the continent, Kohella would have already learned of it immediately, and Emperor Guttrel seemed to have heard rumors even before Rodelia sent her report.

Rumors about Baron Dereck were already spreading, and once the official report was completed, his name would be on the lips of all the high nobles.

To secure talent, one must act when it is at its lowest point.

From that perspective, having had contact with Dereck before the others was an enormous advantage.

But he was not someone easy to influence.

If he were someone who could be persuaded simply with good treatment, there would be no reason for concern.

‘…Even so, it seems there is a way.’

The advantage of having met him first was this—that she knew something about Baron Dereck’s private life.

During the recent subjugation in Beltus, Rodelia had heard and seen several things about Dereck, but what shocked her most was the presence of Baroness Pheline.

The baroness, who had originally been a common mercenary—surprisingly, she did not seem particularly close to Dereck.

Of course, they had shared many years of battle, and between them existed a beautiful camaraderie, but that was different from romantic affection.

Rodelia, well-versed in aristocratic culture, understood in an instant.

The presence of Baroness Pheline was merely nominal, an arrangement to stabilize the family image and receive the title—but Dereck did not yet have a suitable partner.

At that moment, Rodelia felt as if lightning struck her head.

A man who apparently had a partner.

But in truth, he was only focused on magic.

And most importantly—she was the only one among the high nobles who knew this fact.

In short, if she could link him with her daughter, she could draw him into her sphere of influence.

Perhaps it was divine help.

As it happened, she had a daughter who, although full of defects, was at least pretty.

Trisha Lemina Renuel, the countess’s daughter, was somewhat vain and had a bad temper, but if they managed to keep her mouth shut, her appearance was acceptable.

Of course, compared to the dazzling noble young ladies Dereck accepted as disciples, Trisha fell short—but romantic relationships were often resolved if pushed forcefully enough.

‘Trisha, who had always been a headache since she was little—perhaps this time she will serve some purpose in the family.’

Heaven had not given her dignity or character, but that could be fixed through harsh discipline—Rodelia knew how to educate with blows of reality.

In the social circles of Ebelstein, Trisha strutted with arrogance, but in the countess’s mansion she trembled like a small animal with just one sideways glance from Rodelia.

Considering the strict education she had received since childhood, it was natural that she feared her so much. Rodelia was more tenacious than most men.

With a satisfied smile, she ordered a servant to summon Trisha.

*

“I recently heard that he has been staying at Duke Duplain’s residence. It seems he is investigating the family matters for his disciple, Lady Diella, or for his associate, Lady Aiselin.”

“I see…”

Snow was softly falling over Count Renouel’s residence.

On the wide table there was a variety of refreshments, but neither Rodelia, who detested sweet things, nor Trisha, who was extremely tense, reached out to take any.

Countess Rodelia looked at her only daughter, Trisha, and interlaced her hands as she spoke solemnly.

“It seems you have connections in the social circle of Ebelstein, especially in the Rose Hall. Trisha, I believe you should put a bit more effort into deepening your relationship with Baron Dereck.”

“I-if… if Mother orders it, I… I will do it… b-but… I must think about how to do it specifically…”

“Isn’t it obvious? There are quite a few ladies associated with the Rose Hall. Especially lately, they have been collaborating a lot with the Duplain side—you should approach those people and look for an opportunity.”

“T-Those people… you mean…?”

With an expression that suggested the question was unnecessary, Rodelia answered naturally.

“Well, as the eldest daughter, Lady Aiselin…”

“…”

In Trisha’s case, she had the precedent of having spilled tea over Aiselin’s head.

And she had also laughed arrogantly as if it were amusing.

Trisha’s face turned pale.

“If that is too difficult, I heard that the younger daughter of the Duplain family, Lady Diella, is also affiliated with the Rose Hall…”

In Trisha’s case, she also had the precedent of having received a slap from Diella.

Rodelia, who paid no attention to trivial skirmishes among the young women of society, did not know that Trisha’s relationship with the Duplain sisters was already broken beyond repair.

Why had it reached that point?

Because she believed nothing would happen.

Because it seemed obvious that Duplain would crumble and collapse, while the Renouel family—rising like foam thanks to Rodelia’s merits—would prosper eternally.

It was more than shortsightedness—it was reckless arrogance dominated by vanity—but now, regretting it was meaningless.

And although Trisha’s original assumption was not wrong.

The variable called Dereck had already developed to a level capable of changing the power structure of the southwest of the continent.

In fact, the only difference between Duplain and Trisha was whether they had a connection with Dereck—unfortunately, in noble circles, those seemingly trivial differences determined the outcomes.

It was truly exasperating.

*

“Ah, hello, Lady Diella.”

As a result, at the Rose Hall meeting two weeks later, Trisha ended up approaching Diella first.

An unthinkable situation—Trisha, daughter of Countess Renouel, whose prestige was rising, speaking first to Diella, the youngest daughter of the Duplain family, with whom she had an awful relationship.

That someone—and worse yet, Trisha—would voluntarily approach Diella, who was known to pounce like a wild animal at the slightest improper comment, was like watching someone crawl willingly into a lion’s den.

Pure madness. Diella was the kind of person who could slap someone without hesitation if something displeased her.

Among the young noblewomen there already existed such an intimidating aura around Diella that they hesitated even to speak to her. It was hard to believe that girl belonged to a fallen family.

“…”

Diella, who was flipping through a rather advanced philosophy book, lifted her gaze and silently observed Trisha.

Her look clearly asked, What is she scheming this time?

Just meeting her eyes made Trisha feel as if a lion had roared, and her body shivered involuntarily.

“Get lost.”

Saying that, Diella lowered her gaze back to the book.

It was an open declaration of war.

Trisha’s temple throbbed, but she forced herself to suppress her anger.

By now, Diella had completely figured out Trisha’s intentions.

The fact that the arrogant Trisha would approach with such a docile attitude could only mean one thing—she wanted to get close to the family of Baron Ravenclaw, just like so many others.

Unfortunately, this social trend forming around her irritated Diella deeply.

Being treated as a guardian that protects Dereck was humiliating!

To approach Baron Ravenclaw, they first had to be acknowledged by one of his four direct disciples—that detestable tacit system!

And to make matters worse, Dereck wasn’t paying her any attention lately.

Even though he was staying in the Duplain manor, he spent all day talking business with Aiselin, ignoring her completely.

Everything was frustrating—this way and that.

And on top of that, Trisha—one of her sworn enemies—approaching to win her favor was unbearable for this girl with the instincts of a wild beast.

Trisha was sweating cold.

How am I supposed to get through this wall and approach Baron Ravenclaw?

Last time she tried to act on her own she failed miserably, so now the pressure was even worse.

And to make it worse, the terrifying Countess Rodelia was pushing her from behind, demanding that she establish contact with the Duplains urgently.

Trisha was cornered.

“It’s not that, it’s just that this time the Duplain family is working on something… if there were anything the Renouel family could assist with…”

“We don’t need anything. Get lost.”

Creak.

Diella pushed her chair back and stood up, glaring fiercely at Trisha.

The sight was that of a beast baring its fangs. Really, who in this world could put a leash on that girl?

Under the astonished gazes of the other young ladies, Diella left the hall with firm steps.

It was as if a growling beast’s form appeared behind her, making anyone wonder who in this world would be capable of putting a collar on that girl.

Receiving the stares of the gathered young noblewomen, she advanced with firm steps down the corridor, looking completely out of the ordinary.

‘Feeling this up and down…?! It hurts my pride too?!’

Diella was a girl of strong temperament.

After returning to the main building of the Duplain manor after a long time, she walked quickly, furious.

In truth, she had been feeling affection toward Dereck for quite a while, and she knew very well how humiliating it was to sulk and behave annoyingly just because he wasn’t paying attention to her.

As a noble with dignity, she thought she should treat him with haughtiness.

But it was natural that a girl her age couldn’t always act according to her intentions.

As a result, she began to feel not only resentful but genuinely hurt.

Diella was also a young noblewoman, and not someone who needed to cling to another person to the point of making pathetic pleas.

Even if Dereck’s reputation was sky-high these days, there was no reason for Diella to be shaken by that—in fact, this entire situation of feeling so offended was absurd.

In Ebelstein’s social circles, she was known as a tyrant.

Since childhood she had dominated and ruled over her servants, radiating an aura that made her hard to approach.

The fact that she was now worrying about a simple baron from a remote region was ridiculous.

Therefore, Diella advanced decisively, lips pressed tight, determined to show that it was Dereck who should regret things, not her.

Creak.

As Diella came out looking annoyed, the door of a reception room in one of the corridors of the Duplain manor opened, and Dereck came out holding several documents.

He still had scratches all over his body, but he seemed to have recovered quite a bit.

“Oh, Lady Diella.”

“…Dereck!”

For a moment she almost brightened, but already in a completely foul mood, Diella pouted and grumbled.

“I see you’re very busy, Dereck.”

“No, it’s just that I’ve started too many things… but it’s good. Running into each other like this is fortunate.”

“Huh?”

“We haven’t had many chances to talk lately, Lady Diella. Besides, if the Ravenclaw Training Center branch goes well, there are several things I’d like to ask for your help with.”

“F–for me?”

“That’s right. Did I offend you?”

“Hah… Well, of course… of course it’s all… totally fine!”

“Really?”

“…”

Diella replied like that and then sighed, touching her forehead. The words had slipped out before she could control them.

In any case, it was never easy to be harsh with Dereck.

‘It seems he’s had a lot of pressure with his family’s unstable situation too.’

Seeing Diella hitting her head for no reason, Dereck could only look at her with eyes full of compassion.

That look killed Diella for the second time.

“In fact, the reason I’m pushing this matter is to normalize Duplain. It would be best if Lady Diella could take the lead.”

It was truly embarrassing to feel excited just from having tea alone with Dereck after so long.

Even so, Diella, with her pretty blond hair tied back with a navy ribbon and a frilled dress, tilted her head at Dereck’s words.

“Duplain, you say?”

“Yes. We have overcome great crises, and now that the family structure has stabilized, it’s time to seize the opportunity to recover.”

Aiselin was going around working without rest and earning money while calling herself a fallen noble, and Diella was being treated like a thorn in the Rose Hall.

This couldn’t continue forever.

Dereck was thinking of turning Duplain into the new social center of the continent’s southwest.

From the start, he didn’t want the Ravenclaw Barony to become even more complicated than it already was.

Aiselin was so capable that, if left alone, she would really turn the Ravenclaw Barony into the headquarters of the entire social world.

She was a runaway train, advancing with no limits.

Someone had to stop her…

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