Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 48: Value (2)

Numerous societies, salons, academies, and groups operated within the aristocratic district of Ebelstain, each with distinct goals—but in reality, they all shared a single grand purpose.

To gather the standout figures from this dazzling social world in one place for the game of connections.

Of course, the lesser nobles who frequented these circles solely to network were usually easy to spot, so most pretended genuine interest in the group’s topics. Whether it was magic, tea ceremonies, history, art, or cultural refinement, one needed at least basic knowledge to maintain decorum. That was why noble ladies spent their days studying.

Thus, competition among these groups was fierce—noble connections were always limited.

Whenever rumors circulated of someone from a prominent family arriving in Ebelstain, various academies and salons rushed to invite them.

And in Diella’s case, already starting to shine in the art world, several art academies were eagerly competing to recruit her.

Among these social circles, Salon Rose reigned like a queen—and it too was making efforts to receive Diella. It was an unspoken rule among the ladies.

Descendants of the three most noble families in the empire’s southwest attended Salon Rose. That premise had never been broken.

It was the reason Salon Rose could exert maximum influence among so many social groups.

“Lady Diella doesn’t attend any salon or academy, nor does she show interest in social activities,” they said.

“I’ve heard there are many such figures among frontier nobles, but what’s the point of coming to Ebelstain’s social circle?”

“Indeed… I’d love to share a cup of tea with Lady Diella if she’d agree…”

Aiselin overheard these conversations among her followers at a Salon Rose gathering after some time away. Her dear younger sister, Diella, supposedly showed no interest in social activities.

She thought: who could object if Diella herself admitted it? But as her elder sister, she couldn’t help but worry; after all, connections and culture were a noble lady’s social power.

The Duke of Duplain cared deeply about aristocratic authority.

Likewise did their mother, Miriella, and other family members. Even if someone became a housewife and left her paternal home, she would never escape that social role.

Even lazy Denise attended all basic gatherings. Her numerous greetings and this grand mansion weren’t in vain.

Aiselin sat at the large tea table with a worried expression.

At every important meeting, this table received admiring gazes from many ladies.

Seated at the large round table with Aiselin were Ellen of the Belmierd family and Denise of the Beltus family.

Ellen, with her striking red hair, seemed somewhat displeased as she pushed it aside. It appeared she’d heard the rumors en route to the gathering.

“Lady Diella’s behavior is the talk of the town. What do you make of it, Lady Aiselin?”

“Well… Diella has always been very firm in her opinions within our family, so once she decides, no one can dissuade her.”

“I am not one to question Salon Rose’s traditions, but if the unspoken rule that ladies from the three noble families must attend the salon is broken… visitors won’t be pleased.”

Breaking a rule once was hard. For the second and third times, the challenge weakened.

If Lady Diella decided to ignore all social activities, Salon Rose might face a threat to its unique position as the gathering place for nobles of the three great families.

For this generation, with Ellen, Aiselin, and Denise present, the salon still held great influence and power—but in the long run, Diella’s deviation could be seen as a bad omen.

Though they pretended otherwise, a strange current flowed among Salon Rose’s members. The three ladies sensed it.

Only if Diella joined Salon Rose would that unique position be maintained. However, those who had seen her in that gathering sensed otherwise.

The Duplain younger daughter was not someone anyone could persuade.

She kept minimal decorum, but her spirit was fiercer than anyone could imagine.

Even Denise, on their first encounter, had shown a reckless disregard for consequences, challenging anyone who stood in her way, regardless of who they were.

This person, more like a wild beast or fierce dog, had only socialized so far due to the deliberate intervention of a mentor named Dereck. Without his influence, integrating her into society would have been impossible.

Considering that, Diella’s social debut was worthy of celebration—but many issues remained unresolved.

In the end, the only person Salon Rose could trust was Aiselin.

She was someone Diella respected and regarded—the most recognized lady of the Duplain family… in other words, the only one who could try to control her.

But even Aiselin couldn’t breathe easy.

Diella respected Aiselin, but did not act on her orders or requests.

“Speaking of Diella, I heard she was rude to you, Lady Denise. As her sister, I’d like to apologize.”

“Me?”

Denise, who seemed distracted for some reason, responded quickly.

Since taking Dereck as her mentor, she appeared more exhausted every day.

Both Aiselin and Ellen seemed to perceive the chronic fatigue she suffered. Of course, Dereck wasn’t just any mentor, and Ellen silently prayed for her.

“Don’t worry too much about it.”

“Diella may have that temperament, but deep down she’s not a cruel child. I hope you can let go of any resentment toward her—for my sake.”

“Resentment? I have none.”

Denise even considered Diella almost like a savior. While others around her looked for signs whenever Diella was mentioned, Denise didn’t care. Thoughts about how to thank that charming, lovely little doll—who was the only one who could rescue her from Dereck’s grasp—made her calm demeanor paradoxically enhance her reputation in social circles.

Maintaining dignity in front of that wild lady was no small feat.

It didn’t stop with neglect during tea; occasionally afterward, Diella flung discourteous remarks at Denise. If they crossed paths, she brazenly ignored her greetings or frowned.

Finally, one of Denise’s followers, weary, reprimanded Diella for showing more dignity and propriety, saying she was disrespectful to Denise.

Yet rumor had it that Diella had poured wine over the follower’s head, reproaching her for forgetting their difference in status.

The rumor seemed true, for the noble ladies began to view her as an uncontrollable natural disaster.

“I’m not sure Diella can adapt properly if presented to Salon Rose like this.”

Aiselin sank into such thoughts.

Even if it meant asking Ellen and Denise for help, it seemed necessary to take drastic measures to control Diella.

Then, Aiselin looked at Denise seriously. Denise inclined her head, uncomfortable under her gaze.

“I’d like to ask you a favor, Lady Denise.”

*

On Ebelstein’s main street, a grand mansion stood out.

Diella, meticulously inspecting its interior, was silently assisted by maids who followed her.

Her ruffled dress, reminiscent of peacock feathers, accentuated her delicate charm, but imagining her ruling like a tyrant in this mansion made her small frame seem giant.

Diella was busy overseeing the mansion’s final touches and preparing her debut party for the coming month.

Even while being dressed in the fitting room, her gaze scanned every corner, searching for anything that might have been overlooked.

All the maids trembled under the intense stare of the little girl.

“Lady Diella, a letter from the Rose Salon has arrived. It contains the schedule for the next meeting.”

“Wasn’t showing my face once enough? What more do they want?”

“It seems the salon wishes to formally welcome you, Lady Diella.”

“Once again, trying to tie me down with their unwritten rules. I won’t go to a place that doesn’t interest me.”

Diella refused firmly. Not even her sister Aiselin could sway her decision.

In her wild youth, her capricious nature had been arrogance and annoyance. But with some social grace and a grasp of reality, that uniqueness became an untouchable personality, and her temperament that of an unyielding ruler.

Despite her young age, she was already beginning to gather followers within the Duplain family.

In time, she seemed destined to become someone who could even challenge Valerian or Leigh. Kind and considerate, always mindful of others—such a person could win everyone’s heart. That would make a good leader.

But someone fit to be king was different.

They knew how to rule, weren’t swayed by subordinates’ moods, made grand decisions without fault, and had the world underfoot.

“I’m the best in the world, hands down.”

It was the perfect description of the little tyrant, Diella.

“Since I started inspecting the mansion the day before yesterday, I wonder if rumors have spread—so many visitors now. They bring gifts, claim to be distant relatives, profess hidden admiration. Everyone’s so eager for connections, yet their magic hasn’t changed.”

“Today’s visitor schedule is also packed. Preparing the reception might take more time.”

“Do it quickly. Honestly, I don’t even know who I need to see. All of them reek of ambition in their eyes, acting like their thirst for status isn’t obvious. When will they realize the stench of their inner darkness?”

High officials from Ebelstein, prominent merchants, academic colleagues, and veteran mages all tried to impress the Duplain family’s youngest daughter—but none managed to move Diella.

Eventually, a minor frontier noble, claiming to be a supporter of Denise, made such a bold remark that Diella had no choice but to dump a glass of wine on his head.

For a time, rumors spread about her tyrannical temperament, but Diella didn’t care. She only regretted wasting good wine.

The maids and butler could only swallow dryly. Who could possibly tame this rampaging lioness and bring her to the Rose Salon?

It would be a relief if she didn’t bite and devour them in the attempt.

“Today we’ll be visited by a high-ranking official from Renpel Trade and the four-star mage from Adlan Magic Academy, Master Odette.”

“Pathetic. Well, I can smile and greet them in the reception room… but it feels like a waste of time. Ow! Do you want to die?”

Diella let out a deep sigh, and when the comb snagged in her tangled hair, she lost her patience.

The maid brushing her hair flinched, trembled, and dropped to her knees.

“I’m sorry! Lady Diella…!”

Her icy gaze pierced the maid, who shrank before her. In her rowdy days, she would’ve dismissed her without hesitation.

But Diella knew well the difference between maintaining charisma and senseless bullying.

“Don’t make another mistake.”

With those cold words, the maid held back tears and apologized repeatedly.

Fear was the most efficient weapon for handling people. But firing it aimlessly only made someone a careless bully.

The girl had intuitively understood this since she was young.

“Yes, they all gather to win a spot in the Duplain family… but it’s not bad to meet them. There might be a good one among them, like a bean in a drought… Don’t cancel the morning schedule.”

“There’s another appointment before breakfast. Not very important, but a messenger from the Beltus family has arrived.”

“The Beltus family?”

Diella fixed her stare on the butler. The messenger was innocent, but had to swallow nervously. The Beltus family was a curse to the girl named Diella.

“Why should I entertain someone from that side? Don’t open the door. Just take the letter and send them away.”

“Is that alright? The person from the Beltus family might represent Lady Denise…”

“Do I need to repeat myself? Be glad I’m not throwing cold water at you. Why is this taking so long? Finish the brushing already.”

Diella shook her head and sat back down in front of the mirror. She wanted to finish this ritual quickly, see those miserable faces, and then practice magic.

It was then, under the maids’ care…

“It’s just that… a mage named Dereck from the Beltus family is coming in person… Is that alright?”

“What?”

In that instant, a chill ran down Diella’s spine. The maids held their breath as they saw the girl’s sudden change. Just moments ago, the expression of the small tyrant, so cold toward the world, reverted all at once to that of a girl her age.

“What? Dereck is coming in person? But isn’t it rare for him to show his face in public since he’s busy with Beltus family matters?”

“We… don’t know the real situation with the Beltus family…”

“Why didn’t you say so sooner?! Wait… seeing him out of the blue?”

Diella quickly looked around. Only the maids who helped with her daily routine were present.

“Is Katarina… at the main house? And Laila’s not here? She’s the best at makeup…!”

“She’s preparing breakfast in the kitchen.”

“Bring her immediately! And I’m wearing this old lace dress… No, all my luxurious cosmetics are at the main house… What am I going to do?!”

Suddenly, Diella was flustered. Just receiving a letter from a Beltus messenger had her sweating profusely—more nervous than with any other important visitor that morning.

“What kind of schedule is this, so rushed before breakfast…!”

“It’s… just to receive a letter… It’s not like a noble is visiting…”

“You should’ve asked me before deciding something like this! Before breakfast means… wait… What time is it…?”

Looking out the window, she saw the Beltus family’s carriage already rolling down the street.

Diella’s face went pale as she quickly sat back down at the vanity. Her restlessness was like that of a small animal facing a predator—a stark contrast to her usual demeanor.

The maids around her turned pale.

It was the first time they had seen Diella like this.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelCet