Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 158: The Master of My Master (3)

‘Today is the day Trisha returns to the main family. She will have received lessons from Baron Ravenclaw for the first time; I’m curious to know what she thought of them.’

Countess Rodelia was getting ready with the help of the servants.

Unlike many noble ladies, she had a markedly wild temperament, so she did not bother wearing flashy outfits.

It was enough for her to braid her hair a little and apply light makeup so as not to damage her skin; that was enough to finish quickly.

With several documents that had arrived from the central region of the continent in hand, she was heading to her office to review the day’s affairs.

Her chief aide walked at her side and spoke in a firm, disciplined voice.

“It seems that the negotiations with the territory of Avalon have concluded without issues. The proposal to readjust taxes in the peripheral zones is still under review, but all indications are that the outcome will be positive.”

“Then there’s no need for me to review it personally. Any other news?”

“A letter has arrived from Ravenclaw territory.”

“Oh? From Baron Ravenclaw himself?”

Baron Dereck Lydorf Ravenclaw did not usually exchange letters over unnecessary matters.

For him to take the initiative to make contact was not common, so Rodelia paid attention to the contents of the letter.

However, the message was not as important as she had expected.

“It appears that a woman named Katia Flameheart, who was Baron Ravenclaw’s teacher, will be passing through Renuel County and the Duchy of Beltus. He is personally requesting that we facilitate her passage so that she does not suffer any inconvenience.”

“Well now. That man always acts like a lone wolf, and yet now he’s making such classically noble requests.”

Among nobles, relying on connections to receive formal assistance was fairly common.

Even so, it was curious that Baron Ravenclaw, who seemed detached from that world, would make a direct request.

Since the other side was leaning on her, it was appropriate to reciprocate.

Handling this kind of personal favor well eventually turned into a debt, and in the long run, into a bond.

“If she is heading to Baron Ravenclaw’s territory, she will pass through my lands, cross the Rubes Plains, and then enter the Duchy of Beltus.”

“Yes. According to the information we received, they plan to personally dispatch the commander of the Orel mercenary company to receive her. Troop movement toward the border area has already been detected.”

“They’re sending the supreme commander of the territorial army just to escort a traveler?”

“Apparently, this Katia is a figure equivalent to a benefactor to Baron Ravenclaw, so they have ordered that she is not to be treated lightly under any circumstances.”

Denise of the Beltus family was quick to read the atmosphere and very skilled at gathering information, so she knew well the people close to Dereck.

She knew perfectly how much he valued Katia, and had warned her subordinates not to offend her under any circumstances.

In matters like this, Denise always acted quickly and precisely.

The only one capable of handling the proud young women of the Ravenclaw group was Dereck, and the person whom even Dereck followed with complete trust was Katia.

If she voiced an opinion, he always respected it as long as it was not excessively irrational.

Rodelia fell into thought.

Trisha had become Dereck’s disciple only very recently, so no matter how frequently they exchanged letters, it was very likely that Katia did not yet know about it.

In other words, this would be a first impression.

The importance of a first impression was something anyone who had frequented noble society knew from childhood.

Therefore, they had to present themselves firmly.

“If Beltus plans to receive her with such care, we cannot lag behind. If we yield in matters like this, it will be held against us later.”

“What would you like us to do?”

“If they’re sending their top commander, then I’ll go myself.”

“T-the countess in person?”

Rodelia shrugged and replied.

“I’ve been focusing only on internal affairs for a long time, and my body is asking for it. My best horses also need to run a bit. Since there’s an excuse, I’ll take the opportunity to ride across the plains.”

“I-is that so? But—”

“Enough unnecessary comments. You were going to say that the head of the Renuel family shouldn’t be moving around so lightly, weren’t you?”

Rodelia was not only the head of the Renuel family, but also a former warrior who had traversed battlefields.

Spending too much time trapped in administrative tasks eventually wore anyone down.

“It’s been a while since I snapped the necks of those black mages; it seems like a good time to stretch my body. Prepare my best mounts and put my personal guard on standby. I’ll personally escort that Katia to the border.”

“Is such an extraordinary reception really necessary?”

“With this, Baron Ravenclaw won’t be able to say anything later. Besides, opportunities like this don’t come often; you have to take advantage of them when they arrive.”

Rodelia let out a laugh and strode firmly toward the stables.

The chief aide, visibly tense, hurried to follow her.

“We will clearly display the dignity of the Renuel family. Find out her itinerary in detail and report it.”

However, there was something Rodelia had not anticipated. Katia always moved half a step faster than everyone else, a habit she had carried over from her days as a mercenary.

***

“She has no intention of properly declaring her identity or revealing what she’s transporting in that carriage, and yet she expects us not to be suspicious. How brazen.”

Trisha was in very good spirits.

She had been pressured by Baron Ravenclaw, by Siern, by Diella, and by the nobles of Rose Hall, and despite being a young noble lady carefully raised by the Renuel family, she had spent the entire day measuring every gesture.

Now that she finally had the chance to raise her head as a noble, her mood could only rise even higher.

When Trisha shot a piercing glare, the soldiers guarding the gate flinched.

That was exactly what she wanted—that uncomfortable, cautious look, as if they were facing something untouchable.

Within Renuel County, it was enough for her to walk with a calm stride for servants to lower their heads, and even higher-ranking vassals to show her respect first.

Remembering that she was a noble young lady finally restored her confidence.

‘Yes… this is me… the proud flower of the noble Renuel family…’

“What Lady Renuel says is a hundred times correct. However, as I understand it, in Renuel County, thorough inspections are not conducted on those who are merely passing through the peripheral areas.”

Renuel County was located at the northernmost edge of the southwest of the continent, and its outer lands stretched like a long peninsula, making it impossible to inspect every traveler.

Aside from stopping previously registered merchants and collecting transit taxes, checking carriages one by one was nothing more than a waste of administrative resources.

The mercenary mage wrapped in a robe spoke with the utmost courtesy possible, her gaze lively and intelligent.

“Of course, this does not apply to suspicious or dangerous individuals. I have presented the seal of the Elbester family. I believe that should be sufficient. What exactly is so suspicious that you continue trying to inspect the interior of the carriage?”

No matter how exemplary Countess Rodelia might be, she could not personally supervise every checkpoint in the peripheral zones.

At times, soldiers detained travelers in hopes of extracting a few coins.

The mercenary seemed well aware of that behavior.

“Ugh…”

Trisha shuddered.

The other party was someone who, compared to Trisha, looked far more vile, yet something like an indescribable momentum emanated from her.

The clear and measured way in which she presented her position conveyed an inexplicable pressure.

When Trisha hesitated for a moment before responding, the soldier guarding the gate raised his voice.

“Do you think it’s common for someone from the Count Elbester’s family to travel all the way to the southwest of the continent? How do we know this isn’t someone disguised as a vassal from a region so distant it’s nearly impossible to verify, hiding their true identity?”

“Then should I understand that you do not trust the seal of the Count Elbester family? I have handed it to you several times for inspection. If I am forced to turn back here, I will clearly inform the main house that the gate guards of Renuel County did not permit my passage.”

The guard frowned.

It seemed that this mercenary had no intention whatsoever of showing the inside of the carriage.

Evidently, there had to be something she wanted to hide.

It wasn’t as though he hadn’t considered using that as a pretext to squeeze out a few coins.

However, the excuse of stopping someone suspicious was clearly on his side.

Still, if she was this firm, perhaps they could let her pass while pretending there was nothing they could do.

But now that Lady Trisha was observing the situation, they could no longer handle it so loosely.

‘If there’s no other choice, I’ll have to show the interior and resolve it that way… but that would be a huge burden for Dereck. Isn’t there another way?’

Katia, who had never imagined she would be given trouble in a place like this, showed an uncomfortable expression.

At all costs, Katia wanted to hide the fact that Lady Freya of Elbester County had come all the way here.

Her influence, comparable to the flower of the eastern continent’s social circle, would surely carry weight in the southwest as well.

If the guards found out, the news would immediately reach the main house of Renuel, and in the blink of an eye it would spread that Lady Freya of Elbester County was heading toward Ebelstein.

A simple trip to visit a disciple would end up becoming excessively ostentatious.

Thinking about it now, perhaps it would have been better not to bring Lady Freya along, but regretting it at this point was meaningless.

‘The seal of Elbester County…? That’s the most powerful family in the east of the continent…!’

For her part, Trisha was also bewildered.

It was hard for her to believe that such a disheveled woman was truly a vassal of Elbester County, but if she acted poorly here, she had no idea what kind of consequences might fall upon her.

Even so, no matter how she thought about it, it did not seem believable.

Everyone knew how rich and powerful the Count Elbester’s family was.

Sending a vassal in such a battered carriage would do nothing but tarnish the family’s prestige.

The clothes were those of a lowly mercenary, she looked advanced in years, and she certainly did not give the impression of holding a high rank.

Rather than someone from Elbester County, she looked like a mere impostor.

Letting her pass without question was suspicious, but detaining her on the grounds of suspicion could also bring reprisals that would be difficult to manage.

‘Hmm…’

Trisha crossed her arms and fell into a brief silence.

Katia, who was carefully watching Trisha, began moving her head at great speed.

After all, it was Katia who had taught Dereck how to improvise and how to navigate noble culture.

With her extensive experience in social circles, it only took examining Trisha a couple of times to understand what kind of person she was.

‘That haughty tone, the constant emphasis on her family background—without a doubt, she’s someone proud and obsessed with noble authority.’

From her attire, abundant with flashy frills, and from her clearly expensive jewelry, it was obvious.

The servants accompanying her never took their eyes off her, ready to adjust her clothing at any moment.

It was the result of an upbringing received from the very beginning.

Young, but with enormous vanity.

Katia knew very well how to deal with people like that.

“I see. If it is Lady Trisha of Renuel County who is making the decision personally, I will abide by it without objection.”

“Eh…?”

“The reputation of Lady Trisha is so well known that it even occasionally reaches the social circles of the eastern continent. I have heard that you inherited intact the imposing presence of Countess Rodelia, whom they call little less than the reaper of black mages—a person pure, elegant, and of firm character. If someone like you makes the decision personally, an insignificant mercenary like me has no choice but to accept it as a wise judgment.”

Trisha was the type who could not resist flattery.

As if she knew it perfectly, Katia spoke with flawless fluency.

“In a sense, one could say it is a blessing. That it is not just anyone, but Lady Trisha herself who judges the matter, allows me to feel at ease.”

“Idiot. Do you think that just because you speak nicely I’ll show leniency?”

“I do not expect a favorable ruling. I only wish for the wise judgment of Lady Trisha. If it is you, with your open mind and broad vision, who decides, even if it differs from my opinion, I will have no choice but to accept it.”

After saying that, Katia looked at Trisha with an expression full of respect.

There was a trace of sincerity in her gaze, and Trisha swallowed.

‘She really does speak beautifully…’

Trisha cleared her throat and glanced aside.

“Now that you mention it, that sapphire hairpin and those jade earrings look like works from the imperial workshop of the central region. With attire so befitting your rank, I’m almost ashamed of my careless appearance.”

“Oh my, you know how to appreciate jewelry. That’s right. They are adornments that commoners like you could not obtain even by working your entire lives.”

“The gems shine with an impressive light, but they cannot compare to the beauty of Lady Trisha. By virtue of my profession I have seen many noble ladies, but someone like you stands out even among them, like an especially radiant jewel.”

“Hmph. Even if they’re compliments, I must admit you hit the mark.”

Trisha laughed with an “oh ho ho,” but suddenly shuddered.

‘For a moment I almost let my guard down. What a venomous tongue.’

Hardening her gaze again, she spoke coldly.

“Are you trying to get by with such obvious words? The more you speak, the more suspicious you become. Did you think I was naïve enough to fall for a few compliments?”

“…”

“With this attitude, I cannot stand by and do nothing. You will follow me. I will have to interrogate you properly. Honestly, even when looking down on people, there are limits. Tsk.”

“How amusing! Haha!”

“And thus ends the story of the ugly woman of the Antel family. Not everywhere are there ladies as beautiful as Lady Trisha. I myself had to pinch my thigh to keep from laughing.”

“Haha! That’s true—there are many who, looking like sewer rats, pretend to be noble ladies. Pathetic.”

“But thanks to people like that, figures of beauty like Lady Trisha can shine even more. Sometimes one even feels gratitude toward those who serve as background.”

“Yes, yes, that’s right. Haha. Sometimes you even have to thank those rats. Hmm, is it a bit cold? The air is freezing.”

“I’ll light a fire. I can warm the air immediately.”

“Your magical level is quite high as well! You’re really interesting!”

Trisha laughed heartily, and Katia, who indulged her, also smiled with satisfaction.

For Katia, who had lived ten years in noble society, ten as a mercenary, and ten as a teacher, winning over Trisha was as easy as eating a bowl of soup.

If it was enough to satisfy her mood in order to cross the territory without trouble, she had no problem with it.

She was not the type who needed to assert her pride in situations like this, and she had more than enough experience dealing with arrogant noble ladies.

As a result, Trisha became quite taken with Katia and ended up authorizing her passage.

She even went so far as to accompany her back toward the main house while chatting animatedly.

And going even further, Trisha, in her high spirits, decided to escort her all the way to the other side of the border area.

In any case, to return to the main house she had to cross that border outcrop.

“Did you say your name was Katia…? What a peculiar background you have. Noble life, mercenary life, teacher’s life—there aren’t many around me with such a varied past.”

“I’m not someone so remarkable that Lady Trisha should concern herself with me. I simply live according to circumstances. The life of Lady Trisha, bearing the weight of a great family, must be far more exhausting.”

“Just as you say… ah… so few recognize my efforts. There aren’t many as perceptive as you.”

Trisha rested her chin on the armrest and let out a deep sigh.

She had spent the entire day exhausted, minding every gesture in front of Baron Ravenclaw.

Finally having someone who knew how to flatter her made her feel as though she had come home.

With her spirits renewed, Trisha raised her voice even more.

“That’s it! You’re an incredible storyteller! Everything you say is interesting! Come on, tell me something even more entertaining!”

“There are stories of nobles who met miserable ends in the eastern social circle. Did you know there was one who died choking while eating at a banquet?”

“Really? I hadn’t heard that. They always say the food of the east is delicious, so I suppose it was true.”

“To tell you that, I’d first have to speak about the state of the social circle fifteen years ago. Back then, the cook…”

Thus, Trisha let herself be carried away by Katia’s stories, a radiant smile on her face.

She had finally come home.

The territory of Renuel—her world, where she was the protagonist.

As she soaked in that happiness, the two carriages advanced side by side.

***

“……”

Denise could not believe what she was seeing.

At the border area where Renuel County meets the Rubes Plains, she had brought soldiers to the gate, assuming Katia would pass through there.

Even the commander of the Beltus family’s private troops, General Orel, had come out after completing the preparations for the reception.

Everything had been arranged with the utmost care.

They could not enter the gate of Renuel County with private soldiers in tow.

Therefore, the plan was to wait in the outer area and, once Katia passed through the gate, personally receive her and then join with the private troops to escort her.

Because of that, she had no choice but to enter the gate accompanied only by two servants.

Thus, when she entered the gate quietly—

A girl with a familiar face was sitting triumphantly in the driver’s seat of the carriage, raising her voice.

“Hahahaha! I really like you a lot! I personally escorted you all the way to the gate, so don’t forget my favor! Next time I’ll grant you the privilege of seeing my face again! Feel honored!”

“That’s right. It is an immense honor, Lady Trisha.”

Next to Trisha, who laughed with an “ohoho” while crossing her legs and waving a peacock-feather fan, was—

Nothing less than Katia Flameheart, Dereck’s teacher.

With a smile on her face, Katia used magic to warm the air around them, showered Trisha with praise and flattery, and spun story after story without pause to please her mood.

She even went so far as to bow her head and kneel on one knee, perfectly observing all the manners befitting a vassal.

Trisha was so satisfied with Katia that she laughed openly while patting her on the shoulder.

“If only all the vassals of the Renuel family were like you! Don’t you want to enter my personal service? I’ll pay you well!”

“It’s a very generous offer, but as you know, I belong to the house of Count Elvester, so I’m afraid that won’t be possible.”

“Always so stiff. Fine, fine. What did you say your name was again…? Katran? Kahit? Sorry, I’m not good at memorizing servants’ names. You understand, with your status being so low.”

“Katia. Katia Flameheart.”

“That’s it! Katia! I’ll remember your name especially! If you ever want to enter my service, don’t hesitate to let me know! Ohoho!”

Trisha laughed energetically, visibly satisfied.

At a short distance, Denise’s face was slowly turning pale.

The person kneeling in front of Trisha, observing the manners of a vassal,

was Katia Flameheart, the person Baron Dereck Lydorf Ravenclaw cherished more than anyone else in this world.

Denise tightly gripped the edge of her dress and hurried over to where the gate guards were.

No matter how many times she rubbed her eyes and looked again, it was not an illusion.

“T-Trisha… w-what… what are you doing…?”

“Huh? Denise? What are you doing in a border area…?”

Just as both girls’ eyes widened in shock,

the name Denise clearly reached the ears of the elderly mercenary who was kneeling.

Unlike Trisha’s name, Denise’s name had appeared constantly in the letters Dereck had been sending for many years.

That was why Katia was able to slowly rise with a genuinely pleased expression.

“Lady Denise…?”

“A-ah… yes, I… um…”

“Dereck’s disciple…! Lady Denise of the Beltus family! I’ve heard that my Dereck has received an enormous amount of help from you…! Who would have thought we’d meet in a place like this! What a wonderful joy!”

Katia stood up with courtesy and elegance, unable to hide her happiness.

Hearing that “my Dereck,” filled with such particular closeness, Trisha could not help but turn her head with a completely stunned expression.

“…What?”

They say ignorance is not a sin.

But that does not mean it comes without a price.

“I am as miserable a being as a water beetle, a mosquito, a water bug, or a dung beetle…”

From the moment she understood the situation to the instant Trisha slammed her head against the ground, not even ten seconds passed.

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