Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 45: Wild Horse (2)

A certain impressive aura made it difficult to approach Diella Katherine Duplain naturally.

Many noble ladies gathered at the tea sat and stared, unable to step forward with courage.

Her aura came not just from being the youngest daughter of the Duplain family, but from the cold, glacial attitude she projected.

Of course, for someone like Denise, the Duplain name alone was enough to keep her from being overshadowed.

Amid her disciplined life, she found tranquility in the serene atmosphere of the tea room, relaxing her mind slightly.

Thus, Denise sat comfortably—until Diella’s sudden approach forced her to adjust her posture.

‘The youngest Duplain daughter is about to debut.’

Accustomed to getting irritated easily, Denise adopted the demeanor of a noble lady and assumed the appropriate courtesy.

Especially since she often attended Salon Rosé gatherings, where servants adorned her with antique jewelry, making her one of the esteemed trio.

“You are Miss Denise of the Beltus family?”

Diella’s tone blended rudeness and politeness. Though new to Salon Rosé, she gave no indication of intimidation.

With a sharp look, Denise quickly sensed Diella’s temperament.

Her confidence in a room full of foreign nobility came from extraordinary pride. She seemed more arrogant than courteous. Though refined by good mentors, the fierceness of a mustang galloping the plains still remained in her.

At first glance, it was clear she considered most nobles present as inferior. So her silence didn’t discourage Denise—she had never regarded them as equals.

Only because she considered Denise her equal did she bother to greet her with minimal courtesy.

But this was a façade; at heart, Diella lacked proper manners. If it had been Ellen approaching, she might have frowned instantly—but Denise was more forgiving in such matters.

“Lady Diella of the Duplain family, right? I heard you’d attend today’s meeting. You are as beautiful and dignified as they said. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Thank you.”

Praises and respectful words are customary among noblewomen.

After receiving this, it was Denise’s turn to reciprocate. Though she could praise Diella’s beauty and elegance, she deliberately chose not to.

‘Bold.’

With that word, Denise summed up Diella. Among newly social nobles in Ebelstain, many were either too passive or too daring.

Diella tended toward the latter. Failing to maintain the proper distance wasn’t a grave offense—one naturally learns to navigate such social whirlwinds.

It could be excused as a moment’s lapse.

But Denise had to rethink her judgment after Diella’s next words.

“I don’t like empty talk, so I’ll get straight to the point.”

“…”

“I hear Dereck is with the Beltus family.”

In short, Diella hadn’t ignored etiquette or been rude universally—her hostility was directed specifically at Denise.

The reason was, ultimately, the presence of a respected mage under Beltus control.

“If you mean Dereck… Yes, he teaches me magic.”

When Denise heard Dereck’s name mentioned so suddenly, nausea washed over her. She knew that when this meeting ended, she’d return to the grueling physical training awaiting her at the mansion.

Lately, Dereck had even begun cooking himself, claiming it was good exercise—buying all kinds of food at the market, allowing servants into the kitchen. He seemed fully embedded in the mansion now.

It was terrifying.

But she couldn’t reveal that before nobles, so she managed a tight smile.

“He is a good magic teacher. His dedication and daily lessons are very beneficial to me. There’s no point bringing him here.”

Diella had been Dereck’s first student.

Why she favored the magic-obsessed man was hard to understand—but in essence, she liked Dereck, so it seemed fair to speak well of him.

However, upon hearing Denise’s words, Diella ground her teeth.

“He seems good.”

‘…Good? In what way?’

Diella seemed almost pleased by Denise’s satisfied comment about Dereck’s teachings, which seemed to irritate her. Now, Denise understood: Diella was jealous.

After expelling Dereck from the Duplain household, Diella had longed to reunite with him in Ebelstain.

But by the time of her social debut, Dereck had become embroiled in political rivalry between families—teaching a Beltus young woman.

How much of that was Dereck’s choice remained unclear. No matter how strong his will, coming from a common family, he could be overpowered if the three great families clashed.

Diella wanted to know—did Dereck truly teach Denise of his own volition?

It was hard to believe such an enigmatic character, like a fox, would leave Duplain and refuse Aiselin’s invitation to teach.

“…”

Seeing Diella glare at her like a growling dog, Denise felt the need to gather her thoughts.

Provoking the hostility of a Duplain young lady was a serious matter.

Always immaculate in her composure, Denise knew she had to handle this carefully.

But the more she organized her thoughts, the more angles emerged.

‘…So she wants to take Dereck. My God…’

From the outside, it seemed the Beltus family had iron control over the magic-crazed man—but in reality, it was he who controlled Denise.

If anyone could claim Dereck, it wouldn’t matter who. But the Duke of Beltus wouldn’t readily allow it.

As though holding a valuable chess piece, the Duke wouldn’t let Dereck go, pursued by other families.

To secure him, someone would need to offer an equally precious gift. Only those from Belmierd or Duplain might manage such a negotiation.

And Diella Katherine Duplain was more desperate than anyone to claim Dereck.

Stars began to shine in Lady Denise’s eyes.

“She’s truly noble! A noblewoman has come for me…!”

The atmosphere became palpably tense. A female descendant of a distinguished house, newly arrived in Salon Rosé, was openly confronting the most respected woman there.

In that stiff environment, where no one dared swallow comfortably, Denise herself began to exude an aura behind Diella.

A messenger from the gods, sent from heaven. Seeing her noble figure, it felt as if a savior had appeared.

“Dereck… to take him…! Are you declaring you’ll take Dereck now…! Oh, God!”

Of course, she didn’t shout it out loud, but she desperately wanted to embrace this beautiful doll-like girl.

If she could return to a life of idling in bed all day, reading third-rate romantic novels, she’d happily abandon such trivial pride.

But reason held her back. Dereck was someone the Grand Duke of Beltus himself wanted to retain, signing a contract to keep him.

For her to step forward and hand Dereck over to the Duplain family, openly in the Salon Rosé meeting under many eyes, would likely damage her status and position within the Beltus family. It would be seen as open defiance of family interests and patriarchal directives.

Declaring you’d take Dereck right there, with so many watching, would be political suicide.

However, opportunities like this were rare. It wasn’t just any family, but a young lady from the Duplain family who wanted to take Dereck. Denise had to make the most of the situation.

“Miss Denise, you must think this through carefully. The power of the Beltus family is immense, and although a contract has been signed, no one knows what decision Dereck might make in future negotiations with the Duplain family.”

Upon hearing those words, all the noble ladies present swallowed hard. To declare one’s intent to take someone from another family was a serious breach of etiquette.

Such a declaration of war before a lady of the Beltus family—no matter how angelic Denise appeared—would not be tolerated.

But Denise herself wore a peaceful expression, as though lying in a field bathed in warm sunlight.

“Open provocation, yet remaining calm?”

Diella felt a deep dissonance in Denise’s demeanor. Clearly, the most prominent woman of the Beltus family wasn’t an easy rival.

Though insulted openly in front of many, she calmly assessed Diella’s position, her serenity amplifying her dignity.

Diella felt like she was facing a massive wall. Denise was the one who had won the competition among the three great families and taken Dereck. There seemed to be a reason for her success—her competence had been different from the start.

While all the nobles in the tea room sweated, Denise replied to Diella with a warm smile.

“That’s true. No one knows what the future holds.”

“…”

Diella clenched her teeth.

To speak so casually about taking Dereck, yet remain composed, showed she saw Dereck more as a political tool than a valuable magic teacher.

It was a waste to teach magic to someone like that, when Dereck’s talent was so precious.

“If you want to be a good teacher, you must be a student worthy of being taught. It’s clear that Lady Diella is a valuable person who could become a great mage.”

“…”

“So, please, be careful.”

It was sincere advice, without ulterior motive. For now, it was all Denise could offer.

But to Diella, it sounded like provocation.

“If you wish to see Dereck, send a private letter. I can arrange a meeting whenever you wish. I’m willing to help.”

“No, thank you.”

Though genuinely kind, Diella clenched her jaw and turned away sharply.

A chill lingered in the air as she clenched her fists and walked away.

“Please, be strong…!”

Even in the suffocating atmosphere of the tea room, Denise sent words of encouragement to the lovely and admirable Diella, with clenched fists.

All the nobles trembled, but to Denise, Diella looked beautiful.

*

Diella’s pre-debut visit became the talk of Salon Rosé for the rest of the day. Later, during the tea gathering, she shared pleasant conversations with Lady Ellen of the Belmierd family and her own sister, Aiselin.

Unlike her overt hostility toward Denise, she showed very noble elegance with the other ladies.

But the women of the salon had already noticed—Diella possessed a wild, untamable spirit that no one could control. Anyone who tried to use her lightly would be met with a sharp bite in return.

She managed to give the impression of someone not to be trifled with. After her successful debut, there was speculation that she might form a new faction alongside the other three major ladies of society.

Lesser nobles, swaying like reeds, feared most who would become the most influential figure in Ebelstain’s social circle. Ultimately, choosing a side didn’t just determine personal prosperity, but the future of family power.

The dangerous social circle of Ebelstain was built solely on ambition and desire for advancement.

It was now a truth that seemed all too obvious. Denise left the tea gathering, tainted by that ambition, and walked through the noble district’s main street. She chose to walk with her servants rather than take a carriage, longing for some fresh air.

If she went home now, the mage would no doubt follow with blazing eyes, reciting the schedule for the next magic training session. She missed the moments of rest.

“Ugh…”

Not only Aiselin, but Diella too wanted to claim the teacher. Ellen was also looking for opportunities.

Moreover, as rumors of the great mage spread, lesser nobles began inquiring, hoping to seize the chance.

“I understand he’s a great mage, but… is he really worth all this fuss?”

Seeing everyone’s reaction, Denise felt as though she was holding a massive treasure. But she herself didn’t feel superior.

“Anyway… if I want to be free of the mage named Dereck soon, we need a reason. Yes, if Miss Diella wants him that much… let’s give her the chance to take him.”

On the way back to the mansion, Denise thought deeply about how to pass Dereck on to Diella naturally, cleanly, and without consequence.

When she finally settled her thoughts, the grand mansion at the corner of the noble district came into view.

“…”

Dereck stood silently near the entrance, arms crossed. His mercenary uniform was pristine, and with his striking white hair streaked with silver, gleaming red eyes, and composed expression, he was always the same.

Even from afar, his presence was unwavering. Like an unshakable mountain. No matter the chaos, if he was on your side, it felt like he would see you through to the end.

That must be the key to his fame as a mercenary. After all, clients wanted someone who would stay until the end.

“You’re back already, Miss Denise?”

“W-were you waiting here?”

“Yes. You don’t usually take the carriage for distances you can walk, right?”

Dereck had already memorized all of Denise’s quirks and little habits.

“What are you planning to do today?”

“Nothing special. The weather’s expected to worsen later, so I’ll practice magic inside the mansion.”

“Ugh…”

“We won’t push magic to the limit. For now, let’s start gently with what you’ve already mastered…”

As they naturally discussed her schedule while entering the mansion, for the servants, this scene had become completely familiar. Unwittingly, Denise was being guided by Dereck without resistance.

Her expression still showed dismay, but having accepted her fate, a part of her felt more at ease. After all, constantly fighting with Dereck no longer felt strange.

This is what it felt like when someone seeped into your daily life. Like clothes dampened by a drizzle.

Though she always spoke of wanting him gone, Dereck had already become part of Denise’s everyday life.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelCet