Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 6: Duplain (3)

“You’ve probably never heard of my younger sister Diella, have you?”

Compared to the wagons used for subjugating monster tribes, this one was several times more luxurious inside.

The carriage, bearing the seal of the noble Duplain family, was filled with gold accents and ornate decorations—just stepping inside felt overwhelming.

Inside, seated among the attendants, was Lady Aiselin of the Duplain family. Across from her sat Jayden, representative of the Beldern Mercenary Band and Dereck’s companion. Dereck himself remained silent beside them, observing his surroundings.

With the sound of the wagon wheels as background, a conversation began between Jayden and Lady Aiselin.

“Lady Diella… I believe I’ve seen her name on the Duplain family tree.”

Jayden no longer laughed without reason. The noblewoman of the Duplain family seated before him wasn’t someone to be taken lightly. It was easy to joke and smile when their identities were hidden, but the situation had changed.

“But she’s not someone often seen in public.”

“Yes, that’s true.”

Dereck observed Lady Aiselin’s expression for a moment.

It seemed that speaking of her sister, Lady Diella, was not a pleasant topic.

‘The Duplain line of succession… Yes, two sons and two daughters.’

Under Grand Duke Raymond Oswald Duplain, a five-star mage, there were four children.

He had heard the third and fourth were regarded as ladies of House Duplain, preparing for their social debut.

However, while many stories circulated about the third child—Lady Aiselin’s elegance and kindness—very little was known about the fourth, Lady Diella.

“Lady Diella needs a magic instructor.”

“…So you’ve assigned various mercenaries to assess their qualifications?”

“Yes. I apologize for concealing our identities. As you know, revealing them gains us nothing.”

Silently at her side, steward Katarina respectfully served tea.

The wagon’s wheels were as tall as a person, and six horses pulled it. It was so stable one could drink hot tea without spilling.

On the small table between the seats, tea cups filled with a rich aroma were lined up.

However, no one reached for their cup.

“Strange, isn’t it? I didn’t expect a simple magic instructor to be suitable for teaching a noble lady of House Duplain.”

Jayden’s remark was accurate. Dereck himself nodded, finding the situation odd. The nobility’s sense of privilege and authority went beyond imagination.

Seeking a magic instructor from low-ranking mercenary mages for a noble lady was unheard of.

As mentioned, nobles would sell their souls for a good tutor for their children.

With the Duke of Duplain’s authority, they could easily hire a famous, well-educated mage. Wasn’t this one of the most prestigious families in the empire?

In fact, they wouldn’t even need to search beyond the household—there were many people within the family with profound magical knowledge.

So for Lady Aiselin herself to come looking for an instructor meant this wasn’t a normal situation.

Dereck spoke softly.

“I heard House Duplain has at least three or four recognized four-star mages. Why search among mercenaries when you already have such talented instructors?”

“…Being skilled in magic and being able to teach it well are very different abilities.”

“…That’s true.”

“And of course, I’ve already tried many such instructors. But things haven’t gone as I hoped…”

It hadn’t gone as hoped.

It was an implied expression, but Lady Aiselin’s face looked conflicted.

Still, her underlying emotion was clear. It was love for her one and only younger sister.

“Diella has… no magical talent.”

“….”

Jayden fell silent for a moment at her words. He didn’t fully understand.

House Duplain was a renowned magical lineage—those born into it rarely lacked magical talent.

“If this continues, she’ll be treated as a burden before even entering society. I can’t allow Diella to be treated that way.”

In the Velkos region, it was common for noble young ladies to come to Ebelstein in preparation for entering society once they came of age. They were usually gifted a mansion and even served as hosts.

Lady Aiselin herself, seated before Dereck, was already immersed in Ebelstein’s aristocratic society—not merely in title but in life.

Beyond the northern walls, in the prosperous district where nobles lived, they engaged in various exchanges and studies, honing the qualities of a proper noblewoman.

But only if they had the minimal qualifications. For someone born into House Duplain but unable to wield magic, it was a fatal flaw for a noble.

Rather than being the family’s pride, she’d more likely be its stain. This was probably common knowledge within the mansion.

It wasn’t hard to imagine how a girl like Diella would be treated.

“I understand. But I’m not sure digging through mercenaries is justified. If she struggles to learn magic, wouldn’t it be better to find a more capable instructor?”

“…”

“…Did I say something inappropriate?”

“No. It’s just that… I’m thinking about how to answer.”

Lady Aiselin, her face full of worry, spoke calmly.

“Diella has had over twenty instructors in the past eight months. There’s no one left who can handle her.”

“…”

“But I can’t give up.”

As she said this, Lady Aiselin’s expression grew more serious.

“Sir Dereck is different from past mages, both in mindset and magical approach—so who knows what might happen? I’m willing to try anything.”

Gradually, Dereck began to understand. In short, the girl named Diella didn’t seem easy to teach.

It was often said that noble girls could be rude or stubborn. In Diella’s case, it was hard to tell what she was truly like.

*

Bang!

In the Velkos region stood the majestic mansion of Grand Duke Duplain.

The door to the Grand Duke’s office burst open as if it were about to break.

Very few people could open the duke’s office door like that—something even nobles couldn’t do.

“Father! Brother Valerian! I apologize for interrupting your conversation!”

Inside the office, Raymond Oswald Duplain, the Grand Duke, was seated behind a large desk, and in front of him, a young man with tousled blond hair was discussing the duchy’s quarterly tax revenues.

Valerian, the eldest son, was a tall, well-built, and handsome man. Named as the next head of the family, he had come of age the previous year, and during his coming-of-age ceremony, he had mastered the basics of two-star magic—a true prodigy. The elders of House Duplain held him in high regard.

He placed the report he was presenting on the desk and spoke in a calm voice.

“Leigh. What’s with the commotion? Please conduct yourself with dignity.”

“Please listen to me, brother! I really can’t take it anymore!”

The young man named Leigh dragged a servant from the hallway and threw him to the office floor.

Crack!

“Aaah!”

As the servant hit the ground, a pungent smell filled the room, which had previously held a faint scent of incense.

The servant was soaked in dirty cleaning water. His uniform was torn in several places, and his hair was disheveled. It was clear he had been mistreated.

“That damn Diella went so far as to lay hands on my personal servant!”

“Leigh. Lower your voice when you speak.”

“I’m speaking because I can’t stand it anymore! Last month, the number of servants who quit because of that brat reached double digits. The plates she’s smashed in her tantrums must number over a hundred. She destroyed a building because she was bored… How much longer are we going to tolerate this criminal? Just because she’s young and the youngest?”

Leigh walked to the center of the office and raised his voice toward Grand Duke Duplain, who was reviewing documents across the desk.

“Father! Please answer me!”

The Grand Duke silently set aside the paper he had been reading and fixed his gaze on Leigh.

Leigh knew those eyes well.

“Father…”

He held his breath for a moment and finally spoke in a flat tone, as if venting a complaint:

“Can she really behave like a Duplain? We’ve done enough… as a family… and as nobles. We’ve fulfilled our duties.”

“It is not your place to judge, Leigh.”

“No, Father. Even if I can’t compare to my older brother, I am also a member of House Duplain. I have the right to speak. It’s time to accept it. Diella, that girl, is a disgrace and a liability to our family.”

Unlike the princely Valerian, Leigh had a sharp, commanding face, like that of a general.

If one had to guess which of the two was older, many would have picked Leigh, but in truth, he was the younger son of House Duplain.

“Father. Even if Diella doesn’t belong in this family… we have Aiselin. It’s as if the gods gave all the noble grace meant to be shared with Diella solely to Aiselin. So let’s free Diella from this burden.”

“Leigh. Choose your words more carefully before Father.”

“Brother. I’m sure you think the same, don’t you?”

Leigh’s sharp retort left Valerian momentarily speechless. Seeing his elder brother’s uncomfortable expression, Leigh, encouraged, spoke softly to the Grand Duke.

“…I already asked a servant to look into a monastery in the Anhel region.”

“Leigh!”

“Someone has to be firm! If no one else will, then I must.”

Leigh raised his voice again at the Grand Duke.

“It’s a place where many noble children gather, with excellent facilities and under constant imperial supervision. It’s better for Diella to serve the gods’ will than to stay here as a burden. Instead of risking our family’s downfall…”

Bang!

Leigh couldn’t finish his sentence.

The Grand Duke grabbed Leigh’s head and slammed it onto the desk.

“Argh!”

As Leigh screamed, the Grand Duke pressed his head down and whispered in a cold, icy voice.

“I believe I already told you—it is not your place to judge.”

“Ugh… Father…”

“Do I need to repeat myself?”

Though his face was pinned to the desk, Leigh didn’t back down.

“Father. When the time comes to decide… you must choose…”

Crack!

True to the blood of a ruler, Leigh was not easily broken. Pinned beneath the duke’s hand, he held out until the duke’s overwhelming magical pressure made him lose consciousness.

“…”

A brief silence followed.

Only the terrified servant’s sobs echoed in the office. The duke sank back into his executive chair and massaged his temples for a moment.

Worries and burdens were constant companions for any ruler. Yet, one never grew used to them.

Valerian quietly watched the duke with a tired face, then gently supported the unconscious Leigh.

He also patted the shoulder of the sobbing servant, brushing him off.

“You must be exhausted. I’ll speak with the steward—go bathe and rest in your room for today.”

With a gentle voice, he comforted the servant, then, still holding Leigh, spoke to the duke.

“The taxes aren’t urgent, so I’ll take my leave for today. Please get some rest, Father.”

“Very well.”

At that moment, as Valerian was about to leave the office with Leigh and the servant—

“Valerian.”

“…Yes?”

The duke, still seated and rubbing his temples, spoke in a low voice.

“Loving all your children equally is no easy task.”

“…”

With a bitter smile, Valerian bowed deeply and exited the office.

*

“Oh, Brother Valerian.”

In the hallway outside the office.

Aiselin, who had returned to the noble mansion after some time, was about to greet Valerian cheerfully as he came out of the office.

However, upon seeing him carrying the unconscious Leigh, her expression hardened. The servant following him, covered in mud, mirrored that expression.

“Oh, Brother…”

“Oh. Aiselin. It’s such a joy to see you after so long. Has Ebelstein treated you well?”

Valerian managed a smile and returned Aiselin’s greeting.

“As you can see, things are a bit complicated, so we’ll have to catch up later.”

“…Yes.”

As Valerian, holding Leigh, passed by Aiselin, several servants rushed over to take Leigh from him. During that time, Valerian caught sight of the people Aiselin had brought with her.

Alongside her usual servant, there were two mercenaries who appeared to have come from outside the noble mansion—Jayden and Dereck.

“…”

Valerian knew Aiselin worked tirelessly for her younger sister, Diella.

But he couldn’t help but feel a tinge of sympathy at the company she’d brought. At first, Aiselin had brought in well-known instructors among four-star mages.

But none could handle Diella. They were humiliated, injured, or gave up and left.

Thus, in high society, Diella’s reputation as a troublemaker spread, and fewer and fewer people offered themselves as tutors. Still, Aiselin never gave up, continuing to ask around and somehow managing to bring in three-star and two-star mages—as long as they were persistent and sincere.

Yet even those people became disheartened, and now things had reached the point where mages recruited from mercenary bands were entering the ducal mansion.

Her efforts were admirable, but from the perspective of a brother watching, it left a bitter taste. It truly seemed there was no one left to bring.

Valerian walked past Aiselin in silence down the hallway.

It felt as though a heavy weight had settled on his chest.

“Aiselin. How is life in Ebelstein?”

“Thanks to Father’s care, each day has been pleasant. Lately, I’ve been learning to paint portraits, and if I have time, I’d like to paint one of Father.”

“Ah, really? When you finish it, we should hang it in the mansion’s main hall.”

“Father, please. I’m not that skilled yet. I need to improve enough so the servants don’t tease me, so give me a little more time.”

With a broad smile, Aiselin kept the conversation light, and the Duke’s expression—full of concern and burden—softened somewhat. No matter what others said, Aiselin was deeply loved by the residents of the ducal mansion.

Born with the dignity and grace of a noble lady, she was adored by her parents, her two older brothers, and even her retainers.

So much so that, upon coming of age, she was given a large mansion in the wealthy district of Ebelstein and quickly began her social education. She was truly the jewel of House Duplain.

“Ah, and before I forget—I’ve brought a mage from Ebelstein.”

“…I see.”

The Duke’s brow furrowed slightly when he saw Dereck. The people Aiselin had brought in as tutors for Diella were more than just one or two. And no matter who they were, they never lasted more than a few weeks before fleeing.

It was hard to take anyone she brought seriously anymore. But even so, it was a choice made by his beloved daughter Aiselin.

“Very well.”

But that was all he said. For some time now, the Grand Duke Duplain no longer gave long opinions.

Aiselin quietly observed his demeanor and then smiled faintly, with a hint of resignation.

“Well then, I’ll freshen up from the trip and we can talk more in the sitting room. Father, there’s much I’d like to discuss.”

“Very well. See you later.”

With that, Aiselin bowed and turned to leave the office.

“Wait. You stay.”

The Duke called out for Dereck to remain behind.

*

A silent office.

The Duke of Duplain scratched at his quill, reviewing documents attentively for a long while.

It appeared to be important business concerning the management of his lands. The Duke treated nothing lightly, pondering deeply over every detail.

He seemed to live each day immersed in work.

After signing one of the documents that needed immediate attention, the Duke spoke without even looking up, as if casting his words into the air.

“You’re very young.”

“Yes.”

“Sixteen, you said?”

“That’s right.”

The Duke flipped briefly through the next document, his pen tracing a few lines.

While tending to his affairs, he continued with his deep, weighty voice.

“…How far can you handle magic?”

Asked this while twirling his quill, Dereck answered without hesitation.

“I can handle first-level magic to some extent.”

“Haha…”

The Duke let out a brief laugh.

The meaning behind that chuckle wasn’t hard to guess. For a sixteen-year-old who had studied magic properly and reached a level where he could teach others, it was remarkable to commoners.

It was a mix of admiration—and lamentation.

After all, it was still the level of a commoner.

Was it a laugh of regret, perhaps for having to entrust his daughter’s magical education to someone like this?

Dereck speculated—but his guess was only half right.

“Don’t bother lying.”

Before he realized it, the eyes of the Duke of Duplain—bright and piercing—were locked directly onto Dereck. Residual magical energy shimmered in them.

“Modesty isn’t always a virtue.”

He had already seen through the fact that Dereck’s magical abilities didn’t stop at first level.

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