Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 97: Power and Love (2)

‘Ah! If there is a god, I want to ask! Why have you given me such a cruel fate? Why have you made me love the princess of an enemy country and live with this burning heart?! All the glory of the empire is mine, and everyone bows before me, but she alone will not look at me…!’

‘Instead of living with this cruel fate, I will give up this glory and head toward her. A life without her is worth nothing, so I will even give up the power that rules this world!’

The opera at the Calimford Theater was a famous performance.

In her childhood, Ellen, holding the hand of the Countess of Belmierd, accompanied her to the theater, where she became completely absorbed watching the passionate performances of the actors.

Although she was not yet ten years old and could not fully understand the artistic value of the stage, the countess wanted her to experience the stage culture of high society early on.

And, contrary to the concerns of the adults, Ellen was utterly captivated by the actors’ voices and lines, becoming completely immersed in the play The Love of Prince Rodian.

By witnessing the detailed love story of Prince Rodian, who loved the princess of an enemy country, one could deeply feel the playwright’s message about human agony and the sublimity of love.

The final backdrop of the stage was a cliff bathed in the setting sun.

With his decision to abandon all his authority as prince and embrace Princess Iriana, the curtain fell, singing the value of a beautiful love.

When the play ended with the moving music performed by the orchestra, the high society audience, seated in their chairs, applauded with tears in their eyes.

The countess also stood, applauding for the beautiful and sublime story, and Ellen followed her, clapping with her small hands.

Thus, the countess and Ellen left the Calimford Theater together. The sun was already setting.

“It was a good play. What did you think, Ellen?”

“The actors’ performances were truly impressive. The orchestra’s performance was also of great quality, much more varied in melody than what I’ve heard in my music lessons.”

Since Ellen had an extraordinary artistic sense from a young age, she could easily express her impressions of the play she had seen.

“But… I really couldn’t empathize with the characters’ thoughts.”

“Oh, really? I thought the moving love story of Prince Rodian was very beautiful…”

“When you say prince, all the power in the world is his, right?”

Although she was still young and did not fully understand the power a prince had, she could perceive how lofty that authority was.

Therefore, Ellen spoke to the countess with a nonchalant expression.

“With such great power, to be swayed by such fleeting emotions…”

The prince’s decision to abandon his power and choose Princess Iriana was something with which Ellen, as a spectator, could not identify.

Having lived in the nobility since she was small, Ellen knew better than anyone how noble and beautiful the value of power was.

From childhood, she loved power.

Although she sometimes harbored a romantic notion about the sublimity of love found in fairy tales or literature, in the end, what she always kept by her side was a strong will to hold on to power.

She had never loved anyone in her entire life.

Thus, it was not so strange that her emotions were directed toward power.

*

‘If it’s Leonard of the Belmierd family, would he be the youngest that Lady Ellen spoke of?’

He had been absent on a long pilgrimage and had recently returned to the Belmierd family.

For some reason, the youngest of the Belmierd family, who had returned only recently, sent a letter to Dereck.

Dereck opened the letter, but it contained nothing much.

It was a request to meet and talk with him, asking if he could spare some time at the Belmierd estate.

“…”

Dereck was lost in thought for a moment.

Leonard, the third son of the Belmierd family, seemed at first glance to be a religious and benevolent person, but in reality, he was known to be a shrewd individual skilled in politics and intrigue.

There must have been a reason why Ellen showed such caution toward him, so Dereck had no desire whatsoever to associate with that man.

No matter that he was the third son of the Belmierd family, there was no need to meet with him.

Ignoring a letter sent by a noble was discourteous, but Dereck had a good excuse to politely reject Leonard’s request.

“Please fill in the central part of the second-floor column with a thicker one! It seems the insulating material isn’t needed yet… For now, start with the brickwork!”

While he was sitting quietly on a log, watching the construction site, a peculiar figure was raising her voice among the burly workers.

Her name was Aiselin Eleanor Duplain, the precious daughter of the Duchy of Duplain and lady of the Rose Salon.

The young woman, who looked like a fairy descended to earth, was directing the site while wearing safety gear over her luxurious frilled dress.

It was a strange sight, like an elephant riding a bicycle.

The members of the Ravenclaw barony already knew well how such a situation had come about.

“Team 2, take a break, and Team 3, start the general work as soon as your break is over! Ah! There’s cold water, so if anyone feels dizzy, make sure to hydrate immediately!”

Although it was still late spring, the midday heat was already apparent. However, Aiselin, as if the heat did not affect her, casually rolled up the sleeves of her pretty dress and managed the burly workers.

Her authority, almost like that of a foreman, was so commanding that even the workers directed by the delicate young lady felt no discomfort.

“Sir Dereck, if you’re tired, you can go to the office! The construction of the dormitory is already well underway, so there shouldn’t be any major decisions that require your confirmation.”

“No, it’s fine. I was just sitting to read a letter.”

“A letter? Oh? Is it from the Belmierd estate?”

“Yes. But it’s nothing important.”

Dereck had no desire to approach Leonard, so he simply crumpled the letter and slipped it into his pocket.

He appreciated the invitation, but the Ravenclaw barony was far too busy with a major construction project to go and meet him; that would be the excuse he used.

In fact, the construction of the Ravenclaw baron’s estate was so large that the size of the classroom and dormitory buildings even surpassed that of the main house.

Dereck thought as he watched the facilities slowly grow.

‘I’m sure this used to be my domain… how strange…’

“Yes…?”

“It’s nothing—let’s go check the progress of the classroom building’s construction.”

“Yes!”

Aiselin’s spirited reply. She seemed more energetic than ever.

It was a busy time.

*

Caw, Caw.

The setting sun painted the sky red.

The era, too, was fading like the sunset.

The once-mighty Duplain family, which had seemed destined to rule Ebelstein’s high society forever, had fallen so far that it seemed only a matter of time before it vanished into the annals of history.

“At the recent meeting of the local nobles, we completely lost control of the outer trade routes, the granary in the southeast, and the northern villages of Duplain territory. Now, less than a third of the territory remains compared to its peak.”

Leigh, the last son of the declining Duplain family, spoke while quietly gazing at the sunset.

The place was a cemetery on a hill southeast of the Duplain mansion.

There stood a tombstone with the name of Grand Duke Raymond Oswald Duplain, and beneath it, another with the name Valerian.

Judging by the still-clean appearance of the tombstone compared to the others, it was clear that its owner had not been buried long.

In front of the grave, Diella sat silently with her eyes closed. The light of the sunset looked like red watercolor paint.

Looking down at the long shadows wrapping around her feet, Diella quietly stood up.

Leigh, standing farther back, lowered his somber gaze.

Soon, a tear nearly fell from the eyes of the burly man.

“I did nothing, Diella.”

“…”

“While this foolish brother of yours lay bedridden, unable to move a finger… my dear sisters must have been fighting against the world.”

Aiselin and Diella had endured all kinds of humiliation to somehow restore the fallen Duplain family.

Leigh was not ignorant of this, and he felt deep shame.

Even so, the helplessness and fear rising in his chest consumed him.

The once-confident figure who had proclaimed his ambitions to the world was nowhere to be found.

“Since I got out of bed, I’ve tried to speak up at several meetings, but… I couldn’t do anything.”

“…”

“Aiselin works tirelessly, day and night, to earn even a little more money, but her brother only gets beaten, robbed, and humiliated wherever he goes. I… feel pathetic… and ashamed…”

Leigh looked again at the sky turning red.

His eyes were also dyed the same red as the sky.

“I don’t have the confidence to take responsibility for this family. My ability… only went this far.”

No one can resist the passing of an era.

The Duplain family had already lost its base of support and the trust of the nobility.

There was a limit to what Leigh could do alone.

For that reason, Diella had no intention of blaming him. Rising gracefully, she spoke with a determined look.

“Yes. I was already mentally prepared for this. Perhaps the Duplain family… truly has nothing left but to collapse now. Maybe one person really can’t do anything against this trend and flow.”

It was painful to see Leigh in such a state of helplessness, but Diella had no intention of pitying that weakness.

Even so, keeping that strong heart was no easy task.

‘The power structure of the nobility can change at any time, but… is there any way for a family that has fallen so low to rise again?’

Even Aiselin, who rolled up her sleeves and worked tirelessly at everything, might think it in secret.

The Duplain family was already finished, and they were only struggling to delay its fall a little longer.

Thinking of it that way, Diella also found it difficult to bear the helplessness and emptiness growing in her chest.

The setting sun felt unbearably painful.

The era was ending.

Even so, they had to endure. Because Aiselin was enduring.

As long as she stood firm, Diella also had to stand on both feet.

That was the minimum courtesy owed to Aiselin, who bore all this misfortune.

The captain steering a sinking ship must bear such misfortune as part of their fate.

That was why, for the sake of Aiselin, who fought in the midst of that misfortune, Diella thought she must endure.

However, unfortunately, Aiselin had no intention of rebuilding the family.

*

“I secured some funds by organizing an investment seminar at the minor nobles’ seminar in the Rose Salon. We could even build a large auditorium.”

“…What?”

“Many nobles agreed on the commercial potential of the Ravenclaw Training Center. When I assured them of a good return, they all lined up to sponsor with gold coins, so it was exhausting.”

Aiselin had even organized an investment seminar using her noble connections, managing to raise additional funds.

“Since we need a social dance class and a magic training field, let’s also build an auditorium!”

“…”

“We’ll need some administrative staff, and since Sir Dereck can’t teach everything by himself, we’ll also hire some assistant instructors.”

“Wait, do we have that much funding?”

“In fact, we could expand the garden a little more and build a proper school gate. We could also get better teaching materials.”

Aiselin scribbled numbers into the ledger with her quill.

Dereck, upon confirming the scale of the funds, widened his eyes and slumped onto his desk.

“…”

“This way, we can secure more money under the pretext of facility and teaching material expenses. As you know, noble ladies open their purses easily, so they won’t feel it as a burden. This will increase the expected income by 25%, and we can use it to request more loans to decorate the interior.”

“Isn’t the schedule a bit tight?”

“That’s why I’ve already hired all the staff. However, for the hiring of assistant instructors, I thought it would be better for you to select them personally, so I only organized the paperwork. Mr. Delbriton helped me—he’s very good with documents!”

At that point, things were moving so quickly it felt like a race. Not even Dereck had expected Aiselin to be so motivated.

Then, with her eyes shining, Aiselin said something truly astonishing.

“Business… is more fun than I thought…!!!”

“…”

“I think… I’m getting addicted…”

With an expression as if she had made a discovery, she looked ecstatic.

A noble lady who had lived like a flower in a greenhouse, discussing metaphysical topics like art and philosophy—this was her first experience with the practical studies of the outside world.

How far does opening one’s eyes to a new world push a person into a state of extreme excitement?

Those who have experienced it once know—no stimulus can compare to that sense of accomplishment.

Watching her, Dereck thought.

‘If we start making a profit… let’s be sure to allocate a good portion to the Duplain family…’

“As for the start date of the classes, how about we hold a Q&A session with the people who learned magic from you before they officially begin?”

As if ideas kept flowing endlessly, Aiselin continued.

“All of Sir Dereck’s students are famous, right? I’ll ask Lady Diella separately. If well-known people like Lady Denise or Lady Ellen come and make an appearance, it will increase the credibility of the teaching. Also, the news will spread faster.”

“Well… it’s not easy for the ladies of the Beltus or Belmierd families to come, but…”

Considering that Lady Denise had come all the way here just to see Dereck, and that Lady Ellen occasionally visited to ask him for magic advice, it didn’t seem they would reject the request.

So Dereck had no choice but to remain silent.

“It’s not unrealistic.”

“Right? Of course, if we’re going to make a formal request, we should be courteous, but I think if you show up in person, both will gladly agree. Just buy some gifts and visit their mansions to show the minimum courtesy!”

Aiselin clenched her fists tightly and began thinking about the gift list.

It seemed even a seasoned imperial official would have trouble keeping up with her pace.

Although Aiselin had lived her whole life being treated like a precious jewel, could it be she was more competent as an advisor? Dereck found it difficult to put that feeling into words.

A person’s talent, if placed in the wrong environment, withers without ever blooming.

In that sense, considering Aiselin’s situation, it was ambiguous to call it either misfortune or blessing.

*

“There won’t be any major problems while you’re away. I’ve checked everything necessary. Here, I’ve prepared the gifts for the Belmierd family through Butler Delbriton. They’ll be loaded into the carriage soon.”

The next day, Dereck’s business trip was decided.

While swiftly moving her quill over the ledger, Aiselin came out to see him off just as he was about to board the carriage.

Either way, if he wanted to directly involve the count’s daughter in academy affairs, he had to follow the proper procedures and make a formal request.

Thus, Dereck, lord of the Ravenclaw Barony, had no choice but to personally visit the Belmierd family.

“The visit to the Beltus family isn’t confirmed yet, so let’s first handle what’s necessary. Marquis Belmierd holds you in high regard, so he’ll probably welcome you warmly.”

“Yes. It’s just a visit to chat and make a request, so there shouldn’t be any issues. Please supervise the construction while I’m away.”

“Don’t worry, Dereck!”

Although Leonard’s letter had said he was very busy, circumstances had led Dereck to visit the Belmierd family first.

The situation had become a bit delicate, but he had to take responsibility for what he had started.

The journey to the Belmierd family.

Although he had visited Ellen’s private residence in Ebelstein’s noble district a few times, this was his first time visiting the count’s mansion in Belmierd territory.

Expecting a quiet trip, Dereck boarded the carriage and silently looked toward the baron’s mansion.

Clang! Clang!

Screeeech!

Amid the workers focused on the construction, a small mansion came into view.

Due to Aiselin’s expansion plans, the scale of the work had more than doubled.

Inevitably, it seemed Dereck’s private mansion had been buried in the middle of the construction site.

‘This… is still my private mansion… right…?’

Dereck murmured quietly. He had already said it once before.

Either way, it was time to depart for the Count Belmierd’s mansion.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelCet