Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 49: Value (3)

Even though the aristocratic district was filled with residences of prestigious families, entering one of them was no easy task.

In Ebelstain, the paradox lay in the fact that the most famous and coveted places in society were accessible only to a select few.

In that sense, the mansions where the noble ladies of the Duplain, Belmiard, and Beltus families resided were peculiar to Dereck, who had been inside all of them.

It was astonishing that Dereck, a man from the slums, could now freely visit the youngest daughter of the Duplain family, who had just debuted in high society.

“But that doesn’t mean much.”

Seated in the carriage prepared especially by the Beltus family, Dereck rested his chin on his hand, squinting at Diella’s house through the window.

No matter how majestic a noble mansion might be, there was an inevitable difference between one newly built and another aged by time.

The homes of society’s celebrities showed signs of aging despite all the upkeep, but Diella’s was a perfect blend of splendor, mystery, and pristine order.

It was clear why so many noble ladies yearned to debut in society, stepping in with a grand entrance.

Even a fraction of that status would make people bow, something common in commercial zones and poor neighborhoods.

“Did you come to persuade Lady Diella…?”

“Yes. The Rose Salon eagerly awaits Lady Diella’s membership. Although she’s now with the Beltus family, I have history with her, so they believe I might be able to persuade her.”

Delron, the butler managing the Duplain estate, seemed to consider Diella’s stable social debut more important, hence his presence in Ebelstain.

Sometimes arrogant, he was at heart loyal and diligent, respected by the Duplain family.

However, his expression was less than cheerful as he came out to greet me at the mansion gate.

“Lady Diella certainly values you, but be careful when expressing opinions on social matters.”

“Oh, really? I didn’t think it was such a delicate topic.”

Dereck handed several items to the servants as he stepped down from the carriage. The servants at Diella’s house, mostly from the Duplain estate, knew Dereck well enough to accept his belongings without hesitation and carry them inside.

In the Duplain household, Dereck was treated almost like an honored guest, a fact well known by the domestic staff.

“You’ve been attracting a lot of attention in society lately, even clashing with some noble ladies. You know how she is—tends to act on emotion—so it’s hard for her followers to offer advice.”

“What kind of advice?”

“Well, it’s not something easily established. A lady of the Duplain family is naturally expected to mingle in society. But given her strong personal convictions, it’s hard to express opinions.”

Listening to Delron’s words as they approached the mansion, it seemed Diella had acquired a minimal level of social skill over time but hadn’t entirely shed her arrogance.

The passing servants looked concerned. Apparently, many had suffered setbacks trying to persuade or advise Diella. The reactions of the staff were telling.

“Honestly, even you might not sway Lady Diella’s desires. Lady Aiselin, who started this, must be working hard.”

“Still, it’s an unusual situation. For the Beltus family to permit such a visit to the Duplain household isn’t common.”

“True. Lady Denise is rather generous in that regard.”

Indeed, Denise was willing to grant any request from the Duplain family. Unaware of such intricate details, Delron merely expressed his amazement at the situation.

Following the path for a while, the reception room entrance, guarded by several servants, came into view. It was almost certain that Diella was inside.

Dereck brushed the dust off his mercenary uniform and adjusted his cloak. Even as a former student, meeting privately with a noble lady required a minimum level of decorum.

“Please behave so as not to suffer any major setbacks. Do what you can within your means.”

“Yes, understood. Thank you for your consideration.”

Dereck bowed politely to Delron and knocked on the large wooden door.

Knock, knock

“Come in!”

A spirited voice responded from within.

When Dereck entered confidently, Diella, dressed in an elegant monochrome black-and-white gown, was seated on the far side of the sofa in the room.

*

“You’ve grown taller—and even more beautiful.”

“Oh, really? Dereck, you’ve learned to flatter. I heard you’ve been mingling with nobility; it must be true.”

“It’s not flattery. I’m truly glad to see you again in Ebelstain.”

“We’ll meet again in Ebelstain.”

Since their sudden parting in her younger days, both Dereck and Diella had gained much experience.

Especially Dereck, who was now far more versed in noble culture than when he had first entered the Duplain household as an instructor.

He had internalized it through countless encounters with aristocrats. To Diella, Dereck now seemed more mature, making the time they’d spent apart feel even more real.

Guided by servants, Dereck left his cloak behind and sat across from Diella in his mercenary attire—a leather vest over a cotton tunic.

A delicious aroma of tea wafted through the room from the low table.

‘Why did he grow so much…?’

Diella, who had practiced magic alone for years, had never forgotten Dereck. That sudden, lightning-like encounter had completely changed her life.

Now, Diella was considered as influential in the Duplain family as Aiselin. At the core of that transformation was Dereck, her magic instructor.

With achievements like that, one might expect Dereck to boast or flaunt in front of the Duplain family. But as always, the former mercenary remained indifferent and composed.

That was the fascinating thing about this instructor. He was sincere in his work—without greedy eyes or the strong ambitions common among those who dealt with nobles.

That’s why Diella always cherished the memories of her time with Dereck. But really, they were just memories of the past.

‘Yes, I remember there was about half a head difference… Is it because he’s a man that he grows so fast every year? If this keeps up, I’ll look like a child next to him.’

When Diella learned magic from Dereck, she was only sixteen.

Now, leaving childhood behind and stepping into youth, her growth couldn’t compare to Dereck’s, who had already outpaced her long ago.

Now towering a head above her, Dereck’s unexpectedly robust build startled Diella.

However, his signature red eyes still carried traces of the old Dereck.

No matter what others said, this was the instructor who had accepted Diella when everyone else had given up on her.

“I’m truly happy to see you’ve become such a gracious hostess. I only taught you first-star magic, so there’s not much to boast about.”

“No, no… it helped a lot. But I heard you’re now teaching magic for the Beltus family…”

“Yes. For now, I plan to assist Lady Denise with her magical accomplishments.”

“You chose to leave?”

“The Beltus family reached out first, and the terms were fair, so I accepted.”

In truth, he’d accepted because the Beltus family had no prior ties.

But there was no need to explain that to Diella. The fact that Dereck navigated between the three great families wasn’t something she needed to know.

“I see…”

The servants, waiting respectfully at the edge of the room, were surprised.

An instructor who once taught magic in the Duplain family was now serving the Beltus family—as far as they could see. Given her pride, Diella wouldn’t take that lightly. She was fiercely proud to be a Duplain lady.

However, Diella only lowered her head awkwardly.

The servants had to bite their lips to keep their eyes from popping out in disbelief.

Who was this quiet, demure girl sitting there? The servants who had tended to her in recent years could only blink in shock. Only the veteran servants from the Duplain main house nodded knowingly.

“The Duplain family also offered good terms.”

“Yes. Very generous, but as you know, Lady Aiselin doesn’t need instruction, right?”

“Right. My sister must be perfect.”

“As it happened, Lady Denise mentioned she was struggling with magic, so I decided to help. No matter who I instruct, I think my lessons are worthwhile, don’t you?”

“What about me?”

“…Huh?”

Caught off guard by the sudden question, Dereck fell silent.

“No, I mean… I’m about to make my social debut… After the ball, I’ll need a private instructor. Wouldn’t you like to teach me?”

“If it’s Lady Diella, I’d be honored. That’s very kind of you to offer.”

“Really?!”

In an instant, Diella’s face turned red and she shot up from her seat, but realizing she had raised her voice ungracefully, she caught her breath and sat back down.

After clearing her throat a few times, Diella spoke more timidly.

“Ah, no… I know it’s an honor. Since Dereck’s proven himself as an instructor, and we know each other… Actually, there’s a long line of instructors waiting to teach me.”

“Of course. Anyone would want a position as an instructor for the Duplain family. But, as you know, I’m currently under contract with the Beltus family.”

“…”

“Rules among nobles are set in stone, aren’t they? At least for someone common like me, such promises can’t be ignored.”

At Dereck’s words, Diella’s expression darkened. He was right.

Unlike Diella, a noble-born Duplain, Dereck was a commoner. If he had signed a direct contract with the Grand Duke Beltus, breaking it to leave the family was out of the question.

But when that contract would end—no one knew.

Diella felt a lump in her throat. Dereck was sitting right there, but she couldn’t bring him to Duplain territory because he was shackled by that sly Denise.

“Then, we just need to find a way to end the contract with the Beltus family?”

“…Huh?”

“Since Dereck has expressed his willingness to teach me, I’ll see what I can do.”

Dereck studied Diella’s expression for a moment. She might act like a docile lamb in front of him, but she never abandoned her tyrannical nature.

She was fully prepared to confront Denise. No matter how noble a Duplain she was, challenging one of the three most influential ladies of the Rose Salon was no easy task.

Still, for her goal, she was willing to take that risk.

“Can’t you maintain good relations with the Rose Salon?”

Then, Dereck cut straight to the point. At his words, all the surrounding servants swallowed nervously.

It was a request made by many followers and minor nobles—but most were reprimanded. One of Lady Denise’s followers had even had wine poured over her head. It was a direct challenge to Lady Diella’s weak spot.

“The Rose Salon?”

“Yes. Even before discussing unwritten rules among the noble families, this is a personal request. I have personal ties with people in the Rose Salon, so if Lady Diella opposes them, I’ll be forced to take sides.”

“Wouldn’t you want to side with me?”

“I’ll be direct. If I had to choose between an organization gathering all the ladies from the three great families and Lady Diella alone, how could I, a commoner, not be swayed by the greater power? It’s the way of the world that the weak are scattered by strong winds.”

At this point, even the butler Delron had to swallow hard. He knew Dereck always spoke his mind, but he hadn’t expected such a bold statement in front of the fierce Diella.

Even if it was logical, saying outright that it would be hard to take her side wasn’t easy. Diella’s anger didn’t always follow reason. In fact, neither did human emotions in general.

If someone made such a candid statement, who knew what losses they might face. Yet Dereck spoke firmly, his expression unchanged.

And at Diella’s next reaction, all the servants struggled not to fall over in disbelief.

“Really…?”

“…”

“Why would Dereck say something like that?”

“If this issue creates distance between Lady Diella and me, that would be unfortunate, wouldn’t it? After all, she was my first student, and I personally received a great deal from her. Blessed as I am, I genuinely want to maintain a good relationship with Lady Diella.”

“I feel the same. Yes, if I bare my fangs at the Rose Salon, it’ll cause problems for you too, Dereck. Hmm… um…”

Diella crossed her arms and grumbled in frustration.

Where was the tyrant who ignored everyone’s words and threw them out? Not only the servants, even the butler Delron couldn’t have predicted this scene, simply glancing awkwardly between them.

“Ah, I get it. I’ll try.”

“Thank you very much for considering it.”

Who could tame the lioness trying to rule the entire world? The answer wasn’t far.

*

(Membership Application)

Diella Katherine Duplain

The three young ladies who attended the next Rose Salon meeting discreetly glanced at the document before them on the round table.

Not even the ladies of the three great families, nor Diella’s own sister Aiselin, had managed to persuade her—yet there it was: Diella’s application to join the salon.

Dereck had personally picked it up from Diella’s residence not long before.

“…”

Ellen was so stunned that she double-checked the document’s authenticity.

But the Duplain family seal on the application wasn’t something easily forged.

Looking over at Aiselin, she too seemed incredulous, and as for Denise, she swallowed dryly.

“How could a document like this…?”

No one could offer a clear answer to Ellen’s question. Diella, full of stubborn pride and cruel defiance, had a peculiar tendency to yield to Dereck’s words.

Knowing this, it was inevitable to assign newfound value to the white-haired magician.

In truth, those who fancied themselves magic experts in high society were all the same.

They all desired prominent figures as students—and there was always a reason behind that desire.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelCet