Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 66: The Most Noble and Impoverished (2)

After that, when Dereck returned to the Duplain mansion—nearly fifteen days later—the place had changed dramatically. To be precise, it looked even more pitiful.

There was no way they could have fully restored a half-ruined mansion in such a short time. They hurriedly covered broken roofs with tarps and tents, and the completely collapsed west wing had been left untouched or used to store items that could withstand the rain.

The charred garden was now crowded with external laborers and servants, who had set up camp equipment to stay there. The relatively intact rooms were being used to house critically injured or unconscious patients.

Overall, the mansion looked like a patched-up old garment. That was Dereck’s impression.

“It seems the Beltus family has no reason to help the Duplains… So I decided to allocate some funds myself to maintain the mansion. It’s not much, but… considering the bond we forged in the Rose Hall, I can at least help with that.”

“In a way, it might be a chance to show my charitable side to the public, don’t you think? Generously assisting Lady Diella’s family, who used to scold me… Deep down, it’s a victory for me. Heh heh.”

Denise, arms crossed and smiling proudly, spoke about doing good while clearly enjoying it. Still, she seemed sincere in wanting to help. She asked Dereck to offer help to the Duplains if they came asking—so long as it didn’t interfere too much with his own life.

“It’s a bit chaotic, isn’t it? If you cross the garden and go to the mansion’s backyard, it’s a bit calmer.”

Aiselin, who had entered the foyer alongside Dereck, spoke awkwardly.

Given that she had come to Dereck’s house to ask for a loan, she must have been desperate. Yet even in this situation, she maintained her composure.

She was strong-willed. Although Dereck already knew it, he was still surprised to see her so serene, despite her family’s deaths, the crumbling mansion, and the burden that now fell on her shoulders.

“More people showed up than I expected.”

“Half of the surviving servants stayed. The other half left, but since I knew them well, I recommended them to other households or gave them a few gold coins.”

“And the finances aren’t already tight enough?”

“I sold everything I could immediately—that gave us some breathing room. But after taking care of those debts… it looks like we’ll need to tighten our belts.”

They followed Aiselin into the backyard, where several large tents had been set up. Compared to the rest of the property, the atmosphere was relatively comfortable, but it still felt almost destitute when compared to a once-luxurious mansion.

They entered one of the tents. Inside, there was a simple table and some everyday items.

Dereck looked around, wondering if Aiselin lived here, and she said, puffing out her chest.

“The room is a bit smaller now, right? But I don’t think a cozy space is such a bad thing.”

“…”

“At times like this, it’s okay to show empathy openly, Mr. Dereck.”

Aiselin hummed confidently as she spoke.

“After about fifteen days, most urgent matters are resolved. It’s time to accept what needs to be accepted!”

“Accept? What exactly?”

“The fact that I have become a fallen noble.”

She said it loudly and without hesitation. Dereck didn’t know how to respond.

She did not hide her determination, despite his reaction.

“I still have many immature aspects, so I sometimes get confused when big things happen. But I recover fast.”

“Still, you must feel pain in your heart. Isn’t it okay to take some time to heal?”

“As you can see, this is not the time. And in moments like this, you must look at things with positivity.”

Was there really anything positive to see in all this?

While Dereck stared at her with a puzzled expression, Aiselin rolled up her sleeves with resolve.

“Actually, the life I’ve lived until now was too luxurious and perfect. Don’t you think? Living in one of the continent’s most prominent families, with a respected father, a kind family, surrounded by happiness and envy… living in luxury isn’t normal. In a way, I’m finally closer to what normal life really is.”

“It’s surprising you can say that.”

“Isn’t it? You, Mr. Dereck, came from the slums, from the bottom with nothing. Compared to that, me, born with everything, can’t be the hero of suffering. In some ways, I still have a lot left.”

Aiselin counted off tasks and assets on her fingers.

“Anyway, after selling all the mansion’s assets and saying goodbye to those who had to go… we won’t be left with nothing. We just have to tighten our belts.”

“And can’t we do something with taxes or donations?”

“This year, I can sort out taxes correctly, but… I don’t think the other families will just sit back. They won’t leave a fallen noble in peace. I should get ready to cede control of the rice granaries north of the Theol River or the coastal villages.”

Many would be ready to claim those fertile lands under any pretext.

A noble without authority had limits to the territory they could hold.

“Even if we resist as much as possible… the territory under the Duplain duchy will be reduced to less than half. What remains will be mountainous areas, exhausted mines, or empty pastures. Considering that, we should be ready to lose not just half, but between 70 and 80 percent of our tax revenue…”

“Still… it seems the family line will survive.”

“Yes. But if we want to keep the ducal title, the taxes due to the Empire are enormous. On top of that, if we want to support family members… I don’t know if there’ll be enough food next quarter…”

Aiselin looked dazed, as if about to faint. No matter how brave she was facing reality, reality remained harsh and chaotic.

And most importantly—the central figure of the Duplain family, the duke—was gone.

The first heir, Valerian, had also died, and the next in line, Leigh, remained in a coma. In the whirlwind of worldly affairs, people died and disappeared.

But those left behind had to get stronger. Now it was Aiselin’s turn to show her true inner strength.

“Still… I never imagined we’d reach the point of not even being able to eat.”

“Actually, I could tell the servants to set aside some food, but… even their rations aren’t abundant… All who stayed are loyal to the family, so I’d feel awful eating well when they don’t…”

“…”

“Could I occasionally drop by for a meal?”

Just last week, Aiselin had shown up unannounced at Dereck’s home, bowing to ask for a loan.

At that time, she still preserved some of her noble authority and blushed in embarrassment—but in under ten days, she was confidently asking for food.

Reality truly does make people stronger, and Aiselin’s adaptability was amazing.

“It’s no big burden, but… I can’t cook meals at home that would suit a duke’s daughter.”

“That’s fine. I’m not that picky.”

Aiselin smiled sheepishly.

“Also, I’ve been studying a lot. I tried gathering wild herbs on the hills behind the mansion and boiling them… Their texture is surprisingly unique and not too bad. If you chop the belladonna flower stems and boil them with the roots, they taste surprisingly sweet. Isn’t that curious?”

“Wild plants can be poisonous, so you have to be careful.”

“Katarina tried them first and confirmed they’re safe. She seems to know something about that.”

“…”

It was hard to tell whether this girl was poor or noble. In fact, every time Dereck saw Aiselin, she seemed to grow more resourceful.

Back when she was the cherished flower of House Duplain, she had always radiated an untouchable, noble elegance. But these days, she was often seen rolling up her sleeves, giving orders to the servants, and actively participating in the work.

She even oversaw the mansion’s restoration efforts directly, often with dust clinging to the hem of her dress.

“I’ve also learned how to save water when washing clothes, preserve candles at night, and reduce ink use when writing with a quill. Living through economic hardship isn’t easy.”

“You personally handle those things?”

“We have to save wherever we can. For now, there are too many expenses in the mansion. Once we sell the magic books from the library and the artwork in storage, we might have some breathing room. Then we can clear the debris and get the basic necessities.”

Aiselin nodded proudly, humming to herself. She seemed proud to be enduring such a difficult life.

‘She’ll surely become a great person.’

A person’s life rises and falls like waves; fortune is always shifting. Falling and stumbling isn’t the end. If one just despairs, nothing will improve.

Everyone knows that truth—but living it is another matter entirely.

“I’ve sold almost all my clothes, so I always end up wearing the same thing when we meet. Normally, not making an effort with one’s appearance would be terrible manners, but given the circumstances… I hope you understand.”

“You know I don’t care about that stuff. But still, didn’t you have quite a few outfits?”

“Enough to attend the salon, at least.”

“Are you planning to keep going to the salon?”

“I have to.”

Aiselin was now the only pillar left standing in the Duplain family. If she lost her status, the family would collapse completely.

That’s why she had to continue mingling in the salon, find allies, and maintain her position no matter what. The fallen noble had been thrown into the heart of Ebelstein’s social circle.

It wasn’t hard to imagine how cruel reality would be for her.

Fortunately, she had always been kind and avoided making enemies.

It was a relief that she carried no heavy karma.

“In any case, since I came to House Duplain today, let me know if there’s anything I can help with. House Beltus also said they’d lend a hand if needed.”

“Oh, no. Everything’s mostly in order, and the servants have divided up the tasks. You’ve helped enough already, Mr. Dereck. I can’t ask you to do physical labor too.”

Aiselin sat on the worn-out bed. The tent was decorated as luxuriously as possible, but it was still a tent.

Compared to a private, opulent room, it was a humble scene.

Dereck silently watched Aiselin sitting there.

After all, the reason he had come that day was because she had called him aside. He thought there might be something more he could help with, so he had come prepared.

But Aiselin said there was no need, and that confused him.

“I didn’t call you here to ask for help… I just wanted to tell you how things are going with the mansion. I’m okay. Even if things are hard, I can endure them. I just wanted to tell you that.”

“To me?”

“Yes. During the disaster and recovery at the mansion, you helped in many ways, Mr. Dereck. So… I thought I should at least show that much courtesy.”

Aiselin wore a vacant expression but eventually managed a weak smile.

“As you can see, the mansion is in terrible shape. Compared to others you’ve seen, it’s nothing—it just makes one feel miserable.”

“…”

“Still, it’s the mansion I’ve lived in since I was a child. I must repay the servants who trusted me and stayed by my side. Even if it’s in ruins, even if it can’t be called beautiful—not even as flattery…”

Aiselin rested her hands on her knees briefly, fidgeting with her fingers. Then she spoke with a faint smile and a warm voice.

“I just wanted you to know, Dereck. I wanted to tell you that I’m okay.”

Dereck continued watching her in silence.

He wasn’t the type to hide his feelings with slyness or speak in circles.

But that didn’t mean he always told the truth. He thought for a moment, then pulled a wooden chair from a corner of the tent and sat across from her.

He stared at her for a while before speaking calmly.

“I know you’re not okay.”

At those words, Aiselin’s eyebrows twitched. She tried to smile and ask what he meant, but upon seeing Dereck’s expression, her smile turned bitter.

“In a situation where it’s normal to not be okay, it’s okay to say you’re not. I might not be able to help much, but if you need anything, reach out. I don’t usually work for free, but I’m not good at haggling either.”

“…”

“So, you should rest while you can. I’ll be going.”

With that, Dereck bowed politely and left the tent.

He could’ve offered long words of comfort, but his direct, present-focused tone was so typically his.

Even in that firm voice, there was undoubtedly comfort for Aiselin. She felt a strange sense of steadiness from Dereck’s demeanor.

She looked toward the Duplain mansion, feeling the warm midday breeze. It still looked terrible.

The half-destroyed building was covered in places with tents.

It looked like it would take a lot of money and time to fully restore.

But if they did it step by step, they’d make it one day.

*

Aiselin lay down alone in the tent.

She had spent the whole day checking on the mansion’s condition, handling family affairs, preparing to return to the salon, and catching up with Dereck.

Even after he left, she kept replaying their conversation in her mind.

“…”

Although most of it had been necessary, she didn’t truly need to tell Dereck everything in such detail.

He had helped a lot with various things, but ultimately, he was an outsider to the family. She could repay what he lent or gave later, through effort.

Still, why did she feel the need to tell him all that and ask him to come?

Even though it was her own decision, Aiselin questioned herself.

‘Did I misjudge things for a moment?’

They say the more exhausting and difficult life gets, the more you instinctively seek someone to lean on. Seeking emotional support is natural when you’re carrying so much.

‘I must be really exhausted.’

Aiselin closed her eyes and allowed herself a rare moment of rest. And even then, what came to mind was that boy who had cleaned her blood under the rain at the Duplain mansion.

Even when everyone else trembled in fear, he had remained calm until the end. His very presence brought reassurance.

If he could stay composed in the midst of such a catastrophe, surely he would always make the right decisions—whether in major crises or minor troubles.

Realizing that, her view of Dereck inevitably shifted a little.

Every time she closed her eyes, the image of that boy in the rain returned. Even when she had no reason to think about him, she often wondered what he would’ve done in her place.

She must be very tired. With that thought, she was about to drift off to sleep.

Swoosh—

The sound of the tent flap opening was followed by a familiar voice.

“Aiselin, sister. I just got back from Ebelstein. The Ront family sent some people, and I was wondering if we should include them in the mansion restoration… Huh? Aiselin, sister?”

“Huh…? Diella?”

Diella entered the tent, brushing dust off her ruffled dress, stammering with cold sweat beading on her forehead.

“Why do you look like that? Do you have a fever?”

“Me… me? Fever?”

“You’ve been overworking yourself lately. I won’t talk about the mansion restoration today. Just get some rest.”

Looking puzzled, Diella left the tent. Aiselin quickly sat up and looked in the mirror in the corner.

A girl with a bright red face—even her ears—stared back with a confused expression.

*

‘Dereck’s contract is about to expire… Can I keep him?’

That night, as always, Denise sat silently at her desk, writing, when the thought crossed her mind.

The reason Grand Duke Beltus had clung so tightly to Dereck was because many women from the three great houses desired him.

However, with House Duplain faltering and House Belmierd also loosening their grip, House Beltus’s need to retain Dereck was steadily weakening.

Dereck’s value had skyrocketed. Unless he was absolutely essential, it wasn’t certain House Beltus would want to keep him.

Many would react strongly if Dereck’s affiliation changed. Wanting to avoid such a situation, Denise had to begin thinking ahead.

Just then—

Creak.

“Lady Denise.”

“Eek…!”

“I-I was writing. Should I come back later?”

“N-no, it’s fine. What is it?”

“A letter arrived. It was scheduled to be reported tomorrow morning, but… it’s unusual.”

Denise quickly stowed her pen in the drawer, composed herself, and asked,

“Unusual?”

“It was sent directly by the royal family. Officially addressed to House Beltus, but… the intended recipient is rather peculiar.”

“Who’s the recipient?”

“It’s addressed to Mr. Dereck.”

“…”

A foreboding feeling swept over Denise.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelCet