Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 96: Power and Love (1)

“This is problematic…”

The noble ladies who visited the Barony Ravenclaw must have arrived at first with a relaxed attitude.

They thought, how many people would bring their carriages all the way to this remote region of Rodelen, considered an exile among the titled nobility?

However, the advantage of being able to receive education from the most renowned magic teacher in Ebelstein and from the most elegant lady of the Rose Salon at the same time attracted more families than expected.

As a result, the Barony Ravenclaw was so full of distinguished guests that there was no room even to park the carriages at this point; it was impossible not to feel an imminent crisis.

A small barony that did not even have the size of an average annex of a duchy.

Even if they gave lessons there, the number of students they could accept was limited.

No matter how hard they tried, the limit would be about twelve.

However, by the afternoon, the total number of noble ladies who visited the Barony Ravenclaw had risen to thirty-one.

The distinguished guests, more numerous than in the morning, were sitting in their assigned seats next to their companions, swallowing hard.

At first glance, the seats were limited. That meant at least half of the ladies would be eliminated at this point.

The noblewomen, suddenly faced with a competition for admission, could not help but feel disconcerted, but in any case, the most astute would be the ones to survive.

When the owner of the barony appeared, some thought about how to introduce themselves, others adjusted their clothes and posture, and some even considered bribery.

As time passed and a subtle atmosphere of competition filled the Barony Ravenclaw—

“If we do not expand the building, the limit is fifteen. The rest must be sent back.”

The chief butler Delbriton spoke firmly.

Aiselin and Dereck, who were sitting on a sofa in a corner of the office, showed worried expressions.

It was already surprising that more than thirty noble ladies would visit a remote barony, not a gathering of the Rose Salon, and now they had to eliminate half.

Those noble ladies, treated like treasures in their territories—if they were treated discourteously, who knew what repercussions there might be.

Just thinking about it, Dereck felt a headache and could not help but place his hands on his temples.

“In times like this, it is important to present clear criteria. If we divide and accept some and send others back without order, there will be complaints—it is better to classify them by the rank or status of their families and eliminate half.”

“I also think so, baron. It would be best to eliminate possible future problems.”

“I do not agree!”

When Dereck, sweating cold, looked at Aiselin, she was standing with her arms crossed, wearing a short-brimmed hat of uncertain origin.

From the ducal feather on one side, it seemed like something merchants from the commercial district usually wore. Her vibrant and shining eyes seemed to spill gold coins.

“They came all the way here just to hear us… Sending them back would be far too regrettable!”

“…Do you really think so?”

“Each one would pay more than ten Rophelon gold coins… How are we going to send them all back…!”

Aiselin pulled out a huge ledger from one side of the table, opened it with effort, and began writing quickly using a quill.

“If the building is insufficient, we can expand it, can’t we? Even if we pay extra to bring in available labor right now, it is still profitable. If we mobilize skilled architects and as many workers as possible, we can build a new dormitory building in a month.”

“…Is it necessary to go that far?”

“Dereck… You have not forgotten that some people came from the southeast of the continent, right? If they have to return empty-handed after such a long trip… The feeling of loss would be enormous…!”

Aiselin was calculating all the estimates with the speed of someone possessed.

‘…She did not even get this excited when she learned second-level magic…’

Dereck closed his mouth as he watched her so elated.

“Look, the Barony Ravenclaw still has plenty of cash. If you check this asset statement, most of it can be liquidated in the short term.”

“…”

“We have not collected the first-year land tax or the capitation tax, and we have not yet settled the commercial tolls or the sponsorship from the Duchy of Rochester, right? If we use this as collateral, we can take out a considerable loan from the merchants of Ebelstein. Of course, there will be interest expenses, but all is manageable.”

Dereck held his breath when he saw Aiselin underline the figures.

“W-What is this? Did you make the mansion’s ledger yourself?”

“I have been studying accounting and commercial techniques from the Logten Academy lately. The Barony Ravenclaw is small, so it is good for practice. Besides, it is pleasant to help with the affairs of the mansion.”

“You learned double-entry accounting and ledgers in a month?”

“Dereck, I am a fallen noble. Even if I love the humanities, philosophy, and aesthetics—if I do not learn practical studies, I will not survive!”

Aiselin smiled proudly as she spoke.

Being a fallen noble did not seem like something worthy of boasting about, but it did not affect her in the slightest.

“I am also studying on my own alchemy, astrology, herbalism, runology, metallurgy, basic design, and metrology. Although the progress is somewhat slow…”

“…”

“In any case, what I propose is that we send the noble ladies back for now and have them return in one or two months—towards late spring or early summer.”

Aiselin quickly flipped through the ledger’s pages.

There were all sorts of scribbles and what looked like drawn plans. In that short time, she had already considered all the possibilities.

“During that time, we will build the dormitory and, if there is money left, also the classroom building… It may be difficult to make something grand because of the short time, but… once we have the basic conditions, we can start classes in earnest. What do you think, Dereck?”

She was looking at him with shining eyes. So bright that just looking at them, it seemed they could dazzle anyone.

Dereck placed his hands on his temples and then turned his gaze to Delbriton.

“Is it possible?”

“The hiring itself is possible. However, we must not only increase the workforce for construction, but also triple the internal staff of the mansion. It is not that we cannot find people… The problem, as always, is the money.”

The noble ladies gave dozens of gold coins as if nothing. Once the training center began to operate, the cash flow would not be a big problem.

Dereck clasped his hands, rested them on his knees, and fell into deep thought.

“Hmm…”

In the end, any decision in the Barony Ravenclaw had to be made by Dereck, the owner of the mansion.

No matter if Aiselin was the eldest daughter of a duke—in this house, the baron’s rules were followed.

While Dereck, the final decision-maker, was still thinking, Aiselin swallowed hard.

“…”

After a long time of contemplation, Dereck finally raised his head.

*

“Have you heard about the new training center being established in the Barony Ravenclaw? They say Dereck Lydorf Ravenclaw, the famous magic teacher of Ebelstein, and Lady Aiselin Eleanor Duplain of the Duplain family have joined forces.”

“…”

At the end of spring, in the Rose Salon.

As always, a high-ranking noblewoman approached Ellen, who was sitting in the tearoom on the outskirts of the Elfontine Salon reading the bulletin, and struck up a conversation.

Upon hearing the recent news, Ellen could not help but perk up her ears.

“…So it’s finally been established.”

“Excuse me?”

“Oh, it’s nothing. It seems Lady Rona has also heard the news.”

“It’s a topic that’s been heard quite often lately. Since Lady Ellen received magic lessons directly from Baron Dereck, it must feel special to you.”

More than feeling special, Ellen felt a little more aware of his importance.

‘No matter how I think about it, Dereck’s influence seems to be growing more than I expected…’

With Lady Siern of the Duchy of Rochester and Lady Aiselin of the Duchy of Duplain staying at the barony, and even planning to establish a training center to accept lesser nobles as students—

Dereck was not a person with a desire for power, but by that point, influence was inevitable.

While she congratulated him with applause, Ellen felt a strange sense of loss.

It was like when an artist or musician you thought only you knew suddenly became recognized and appreciated by everyone.

In fact, considering Dereck’s talent, it was not surprising he would become famous overnight. It was only that the promised day had finally come.

‘Now it will be difficult to see his face often. Well, it’s not like I’m free either, so it can’t be helped.’

Ellen closed the bulletin and, resting her chin on her hand, sank into thought for a moment.

‘Come to think of it… Lady Aiselin’s gaze toward Dereck was quite unusual—could it be that she really feels something personal for him…?’

In fairy tales and legends, there were countless cases of people making foolish decisions blinded by love.

Although she didn’t think Aiselin was that type of person, it didn’t mean she wasn’t concerned.

Of course, to keep worrying would be meddling.

No matter what upheavals occurred in the Barony Ravenclaw, Ellen had to do her own work.

In the morning, she attended the Rose Salon and social gatherings, in the afternoon she received training as the family’s heiress, and in the evening she practiced magic and immersed herself in books of philosophy or classical literature.

The reason she could maintain her strength despite such a tight schedule was because she was a strong person.

While riding in her carriage back to the mansion, Ellen gazed out the window for a moment.

The splendid scenery of the noble district of Ebelstein filled her view.

This noble society, always full of idle and wealthy people, made it seem as if the world was completely peaceful.

But Ellen’s life was not so tranquil.

Fulfilling her responsibilities between a lazy and arrogant brother and a cunning and hypocritical sister was no easy task.

In the end, the reason she became the rightful heir of the Belmierd family was because, in a way, she was the only one who fulfilled her role reliably.

Countess Belmierd.

Thinking that the day would come when she would be called that made her current hardships feel sweet.

She had no intention of denying it. Ellen was a young woman in love with power. She had never loved anything more than power.

However, she wanted to achieve it by walking the right path, without relying on intrigue.

Through the young noblewoman Aiselin, she had learned the value of nobility.

‘I must become someone worthy of that title.’

Ellen smiled softly and rested her head against the window. The rattling movement of the carriage felt like a cradle gently rocking.

‘Now that I think about it… Wasn’t there a necromancer from Rodentz Island hiding in Ebelstein?’

It was news she had heard from Lady Trisha.

Having been at the scene of the disaster in the Duchy of Duplain, Ellen knew better than anyone how terrible and frightening the art of necromancy was.

If she ever became involved, she must never hesitate.

“It’s been a while, sister.”

“…Leonard?”

When Ellen returned to the mansion of Count Belmierd, Leonard, who had been on a long pilgrimage, appeared there.

The young man sipping tea in a corner of the reception room was so unfamiliar to her that Ellen could barely recall his face.

Leonard, who had lived disconnected from the Belmierd family for years—Ellen was not particularly surprised that such a young man had returned.

However, his appearance had changed drastically.

Leonard, like all members of the Belmierd family, had always had red hair.

But Leonard’s hair, which she saw for the first time in years, had turned white.

His appearance was so haggard that Ellen almost didn’t recognize him.

Ellen knew pilgrimages were arduous, but she was curious as to what could have happened to change his appearance so much.

“…”

Ellen found it hard to decide whether to be glad or wary of her brother’s return.

As if fully anticipating her reaction, Leonard leaned back on the guest sofa with a sly smile.

“It’s so comfortable to return to the family home after such a long time. The Belmierd family has changed a lot in my absence.”

“…Yes. It has changed quite a bit.”

“I thought Brother Linus would never yield his position as primary heir. But after a few years, I return and discover that Sister Ellen has become the rightful heir of the Belmierd family… I was so surprised I asked the servants several times.”

Ellen looked at Leonard with cautious eyes.

The Leonard she remembered was a person with a strong desire for power and skillful in intrigue. The reason he left for a pilgrimage right after being completely pushed out of the inheritance competition with Linus was to gain a good image by turning to religion and preparing for the future.

“And?”

Ellen calmly sat in the seat across from Leonard. Then, she suddenly asked him a sharp, pointed question.

“Do you want to push me aside?”

At those words, Leonard’s eyes widened in surprise, and then he answered naturally.

“Of course not. How could I, who have abandoned the family, have the audacity to claim the heir’s position?”

“…”

“I only wanted to greet you because I was glad to see you. No matter what people say, the rightful heir of Belmierd is Sister Ellen, so don’t worry too much.”

Although he reassured her with a radiant smile, Ellen could not trust Leonard.

From her long-lost brother emanated an indescribably unsettling aura.

*

Thud! Thud!

Screeeech!

“Baron, a letter has arrived.”

“Hmm?”

The next day, a letter came flying to the Barony Ravenclaw, which was full of construction work.

Dereck, who was watching the construction site with a complex expression, received the letter handed to him by Delbriton.

The envelope of the letter, luxuriously decorated, bore the seal of Count Belmierd.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelCet