Chapter 121: Characters (2)
HYNn“Dereck seems more reliable since he received his title.”PzY
PrGDenise, naturally perceptive, had noticed that both Ellen and Aiselin harbored personal feelings for Dereck.R113gB
pYKOMCjThe fact that the precious daughters of Duplain and Belmierd were competing for the attention of a single man was a spectacle as troublesome as it was fascinating.gclLM
70ZhShe was probably the only one aware of it, so whenever she met with Aiselin or Ellen, she deliberately mentioned Dereck.UeeGHe3
ItyV6As a writer of romance novels, Denise couldn’t help but be even more interested in the love intrigues of high-ranking nobles; she thought that somehow, they could serve as inspiration.aOPs
K3Gj“They say people change when their status changes, and it seems that saying isn’t just empty words.”tcmDB36
KmOHhThat was what she said to the newly arrived Ellen when she visited the barony of Ravenclaw under the pretext of checking on Aiselin’s health.gUnVwf
gOlEllen, who was brushing her shining red hair, blushed slightly at Denise’s words and replied,38HK
D6I“Yes, you’re right.”S9Lrm2L
RhvOCMMIt wasn’t common to see the usually confident and proud Ellen behaving so shyly.6Ps
L1FwzEnjoying the reaction, Denise narrowed her eyes and smiled mischievously. To anyone who knew the situation, the love was obvious.tOq8ZO
2DfThe place was the guest room of the Ravenclaw barony.7sqIqKL
vSZAlthough it was decorated with as much luxury as possible, it was still modest compared to the halls of the three great families.vca
fkH0Seeing the young ladies of Belmierd and Beltus seated in such a remote barony was something almost unreal.WFuhKV
29whLlIn any case, since there was a connection through the Rose Hall, both had come to visit Aiselin.fMlC1N
EfggbThe topic of Baron Ravenclaw would come later.Xmfx
HZEVVmc“Well, catching up with Dereck is important, but today we came to see how Lady Aiselin is doing. They said she collapsed from overwork, and many people in the salon were worried.”OkIaL
ImMYS1“That’s right, Lady Ellen. The butler will come soon to report on her condition.”3yw8
g5sCVShortly after Denise’s arrival, Ellen had also arrived.fNr1H
4Xum8Unlike Denise, who seemed quite relaxed, Ellen appeared strangely nervous about the imminent meeting with Aiselin. What else could be expected? They were rivals.Eb9v
j0V3Denise merely watched from between them, exhaling softly through her nose with amusement.pJyVQe
o02iThe young ladies of Duplain and Belmierd fighting over the same man—there wasn’t a girl in the world who wouldn’t be interested in such a love story.k8EjHiJ
FFArBesides, for Denise, it was like watching a fire from across the river.wV6Lbuv
5cIneL0There’s nothing more entertaining than witnessing a quarrel, and for girls their age, a romantic rivalry was irresistible—especially when they could see it up close.jFFxc7
xWYWLtIn the end, opinions were divided on who would win Dereck’s heart—Ellen or Aiselin.GWHV1
WdDpkBut Denise leaned more toward Aiselin.gAWh
Gl2HMO8No matter how much of an heiress Ellen was, could she compare to Aiselin, who was like a noble lily? She thought so, even without realizing it.DYeyF
3fd‘…Although, now that I think about it, maybe not.’2en
MYlxggThey say love changes a woman.u6D
P0WpjaEven this Ellen, who always seemed more like a monarch than a girl, would blush and act shyly when speaking of Dereck—if love was truly difficult and complex.4uBD
h7c82vDenise, who spent her days writing romance novels, had never truly felt the mysterious nature of love. Naturally—she had never experienced it.RNYbH
aFxReading cheap romance novels at the Ebelstein bookstore and listening to the excited conversations of young noblewomen at the salon wasn’t enough to understand how love could transform a person.ZEI6sF
8u0EdiQEven so, she had thought about it a lot, and her view of love had become distorted.dD7
chQShe believed that love meant waiting for a prince on a white horse to come, take the princess into his arms, and whisper sweet words—it was almost childish that she wrote novels based on that idea.dqTi
4R01rZIn short, Denise had learned about love only through books.LhfS
Qm1APiBut unfortunately, she considered herself an expert on the subject just because of that.HxZ
qHdFiP‘Lady Ellen’s love is sincere, but who knows how it will work in a relationship between a man and a woman. They say whoever falls in love first loses. So, whether it’s Lady Ellen or Lady Aiselin, both will end up losing to Dereck!’9VVm
M1Ww5That was Denise’s reality—she could only repeat clichés.keTdqz6
ow3‘I’m very curious to see how Dereck will react. Very.’bwa
HO6fnShe was thinking that with a satisfied smile when—BXGh5
guAXu4— Create a reason to control that man. Meet with him often, stay close, and find his weaknesses.oblZ
IpMA8It was the message of Grand Duke Beltus.5m3WjGp
MxW5uacRemembering it sent a chill down her spine.GmYCFW
eLe5sIt was as if she had been dragged from a garden full of flowers into a frozen reality while talking about love.NC2I
phAJiayThe bright atmosphere of the reception room turned as cold as winter.LWd7sI
VoJV5yXYes, Denise had come as a member of the Beltus family, with the mission to strike Dereck from behind and take advantage of his weaknesses to shut down the Ravenclaw training center.mN1k88P
85C0QTDenise would betray Dereck. That fact was already decided.QgH
uokrShe couldn’t go against the will of the Beltus family, to whom she had devoted her life.wWEb
ifTuuk4Denise could only exist as someone valuable because she was the favored lady of House Beltus.3ao
C4f“…”fye1ahI
tUE6jWSpeaking with Dereck in a friendly environment was only temporary.Sof7
MYvxSSomeday, Dereck would inevitably look at her with resentment, and the day of enmity would come.luCWWAm
dY3CIAs long as Grand Duke Beltus’s policy remained firm in restraining and bringing down Dereck, she could never maintain a special relationship with him.9bv0Xw6
eZxThat fact was like a thorn lodged in the girl’s heart.PTmCh
EaAEllen, who sincerely wished to win Dereck’s heart, and Aiselin belonged to a completely different world from Denise.4Tt
gO63They were the true forces driving their families, while Denise was nothing more than a pawn on the ducal chessboard.cwe
ZPnRealizing that difference, Denise quietly lowered her gaze.VXY
83uHEllen, the powerful heiress of Belmierd, stood before her like a flower growing alone on a cliff.MdjGMR
iH51***0y9Bd3
bUv92Denise usually strolled through the mansion with a carefree mind, but when she began to think seriously, her eyes would sharpen.TanIhVd
cgEAfter a brief conversation with Ellen, she went out to the garden to get some fresh air.0D7hp
QmtR‘The building looks luxurious, but it was built hastily, so its structure isn’t solid. If a major natural disaster occurred, there could be problems.’bAva6
tddo8KE‘There’s a mountain behind the baron’s mansion. If an artificial landslide were triggered or the water flow altered, it could cause significant damage during heavy rain.’IWl0SP
wev71qTJust by walking a few times through the Ravenclaw mansion, Denise could identify the weaknesses of the territory at a single glance.V0ZaeK6
HWQ0mVOShe was someone who tended to tire easily because of her quick thinking, but thanks to the physical training Dereck had given her for a long time, she no longer became exhausted so easily.fUq
YgO1Denise crossed the garden with the appearance of an elegant lady, her dress trailing behind her. Her silver hair fluttered in the wind, and the scent of flowers clung to her clothes.hjEz
PsIh‘Being next to Beltus territory could be a great advantage. If we impose heavy tariffs and tolls only on the border trade routes, it will surely affect the supply of goods to the Ravenclaw barony.’jFWSwm0
UdP‘From the perspective of the Beltus family, maintaining control wouldn’t be difficult. However, such pressure would require political justification, and since Dereck is under Lord Melverot’s protection, it would be dangerous to impose such measures openly. Using obvious tricks wouldn’t be wise.’9jGCayC
46zThe young noble ladies of the Ravenclaw training center were astonished to see the lady of House Beltus walking through the garden.DS3WCs
ROSZpMIn the noble society of Ebelstein, it was difficult even to speak with someone of such high rank; they could only see her from afar thanks to being enrolled at the center.L8F6fS
RrG09Rumors were already spreading among the students that the true figures of power from the Rose Salon occasionally appeared at the training center.W0JjlR
WmgcwJThey didn’t dare address Denise; they only watched her from afar, whispering and blushing.7Ya
qQJl0Used to such gazes, Denise continued to observe the baron’s mansion in silence, showing no concern.fQf5
VzEibT‘There’s still a lack of personnel for the size of the territory, and almost no preparation against monster attacks. The poor security management means it would be easy to cause incidents if we acted from the shadows.’UTpRxHT
Y13‘The lack of security in a place where young ladies from noble families gather is a fatal flaw. If the Beltus family were to hire a few people to cause disturbing incidents, the heads of the families who sent their daughters here would grow uneasy.’jJ4y
FwwtKEJ‘That would contribute to the deterioration of the reputation of the Ravenclaw Training Center. It seems like a realistic plan.’Klx1JbT
nCZCcJust a few glances were enough for all kinds of intrigues and strategies to come to Denise’s mind.krpqc
ZloG0E2But suddenly, feeling a wave of emptiness, Denise let out a long sigh and sat down on a nearby bench.79jr1
YN69TFWith her head lowered, she extended her hand in front of her and opened and closed it a few times.CxY
y2MelZMagic gathered in her palm, then dispersed and vanished.3NHc
9fsjcEven the way she handled magic had become much more skillful than before, reaching almost the level of a high-ranking mage when it came to detection magic.dAv5V
w9eKQlIf she had to attribute that progress to someone, she couldn’t deny it—the foundations Dereck had taught her remained within her and still exerted their influence.vCH
kFFTracing back the origin of Denise’s magic, much of it came from what Dereck had awakened inside her.t2Co
XOerUG‘…’LGSST
axqInTo repay kindness with betrayal.nlrjdlb
QQLThough it seemed cruel, there was no other choice. Denise clenched her teeth at the thought.5h6Z
Grb9IDIn the cold aristocratic society, anyone who allowed themselves to be swayed by human emotions was eliminated instantly.DjL
nMLzJEven if one formed bonds and received kindness, there were times when it was necessary to tear them apart and move on.Pjg
bnLFBB6That was the only way to survive in that merciless world.ZX4
7zbeLEven so, thinking of Dereck—and his occasionally calm face—made her heart waver and her mind tangle.XK3OG
ZloegDenise was still gritting her teeth when it happened.DN5E
jtbwO2d“It seems you have a lot on your mind.”g3O
zdhhos“Eek!”RxdF
jbqZNStartled, she looked up and saw Dereck shaking magical residue off his hands.g9HDc
uznByhIt seemed he had been practicing behind the garden.Nh8Q7
A51bJKdDenise stammered, unsure what to say. But Dereck, unbothered, sat beside her on the bench and spoke in a calm voice.A7qg
NgM“Your expression has been tense since I arrived this morning. Is something happening at home?”Kjknu
PCQsnyD“Oh, no… it’s not that. You even notice my expressions. You’re very observant, Dereck.”LiRk1
Rop“It’s not observation. We’ve known each other for a long time; it’s not strange to notice when something isn’t right.”gNc44
7cF2Ao“Well, there’s no need to worry so much. Everyone has worries. I also have some that I can’t share with anyone.”PUxl
kea“I see. You’re right about that.”UgabUF2
zJfDereck said in a calm tone, leaning back on the bench.DzA
vxIi4Then he reached out, removed a few leaves that had gotten caught at Denise’s waist, and threw them into the flowerbed.a08uy
Cy4Vej1Only then did Denise realize her appearance was a bit disheveled and held her breath.3yAOPLY
bSdsNU3“In truth, I’m the same. My goal was to become a high-ranking mage by training without rest, but lately, unexpected worries have piled up.”DCGN6
gojDZC3“You have worries too, Dereck?”YoZ7N7
X8vB3KWTo find the weaknesses of that seemingly perfect man—leDU
acmpmZjThat was the order Denise had received from Grand Duke Beltus.o1a5
En333w5If Dereck revealed his concerns directly, it would be very useful to her.2NVb
HNMfR3“When Lady Aiselin collapsed from overwork, I learned a lot. This barony, this title—they didn’t mean anything to me at first.”8xH9m
bK5Dereck rested his staff to one side and spoke calmly, passing a hand over his knee.Hx9
YXR“To become a higher-level mage, I needed a title and land, so I somehow obtained them. But before I knew it, I already had vassals, servants, and people who trusted and depended on me.”YOl
mnrahDereck was speaking more than usual.uhdZ
YHfKDenise watched him with curiosity.No1HT
CBzq8ZOThe Dereck she knew was usually quiet and reserved, never uttering unnecessary words.9RrN1dk
x3xtvEven so, everything he said now had a clear purpose.RNwg8q
nmQt3zk“When things reach that point, isn’t it natural not to sit idly by?”I4QRh
7a0“Yes. Dereck, you’ve truly become a noble.”l79ftq8
AWcfuk“Well, I still have much to learn, but I did understand one thing—when you have the chance to do something, you have to do it right.”yEH
IVqF“Hmm?”jc7NN
SGLgQDereck was looking at Denise with a deep seriousness.m1Mn
crGsWhen Aiselin collapsed from exhaustion, Dereck realized something—nothing in this world is guaranteed.Rakj
rYvOne must never take for granted those who show kindness, who sacrifice themselves, or who help.TPV7U
thuhWe must pay attention even to the smallest changes.qLBbLA
OQ9dHaving lived as a mercenary in a merciless society, it was natural that there had been something lacking. Dereck had realized that.XA8C
f3N1qGHaving taken Aiselin’s dedication for granted until she collapsed had been the trigger.incS
haVcXEwDereck wasn’t a man without faults, but he never made the same mistake twice.GVbu
omcW2Only then did Denise understand the intention behind his words.mKqbTi
DOQHis sharp eyes had clearly noticed her unease, and once Dereck detected something like that, he never ignored it.87jkpmz
UeEQByL‘Ugh…’xXDUnb
H1LYIn short, Dereck was telling her, in his own way, that if there was something troubling her, she could talk about it.KviC
es7RHis voice was as dry as ever, but understanding the concern hidden behind it made it strangely uncomfortable.JftAAh5
nLsuEThat man knew how to show interest without being emotionally burdensome.xaqqIU
d1TIt was no wonder that both Ellen and Aiselin were drawn to him.ysIob
R4mEven as she admired him, Denise again felt a weight in her chest.mfzs
D9EEUvCBecause, deep down, the reason for her distress was precisely that man—and she couldn’t confess it.cTdIf
Rv4eTrying to dodge the topic wouldn’t work with Dereck, so she had no choice but to change the subject.gkYit
9wd“Well, it’s nothing serious. Lately I’ve been about to finish The Arrogant Lord Robain.”rjBMt
uohoXw“Ah, really? I’m looking forward to it.”HE1l
IWsJEdc“Well, there’s not much to look forward to. But the ending I wrote is a little different from what I originally thought… I wonder if it’s all right that way. That’s why you saw me looking so pensive.”wJBBj
ubwDPT8“I see. If it’s that kind of concern, there’s not much I can do.”cfcKd
W0R“That’s why I told you it was nothing.”vMOpF
WZLVWDenise let out a small laugh and also leaned back on the bench.qzDy
d2NmzAs they sat side by side under the warm late autumn sunlight, she felt a strange sense of calm. That man called Dereck was bothersome and troublesome, yet by his side she always felt at peace.X3ubh
GeudG“If your worries show so clearly on your face, you should reflect on that. Even if your heart is full of anxiety, you must maintain the appearance of a dignified flower.”tQGw6
nb5u“Well, as you said, everyone lives with some worries.”Ltz
oHekOz“Exactly. It’s not something worth tormenting yourself over. Why? Are you afraid I’ll faint like Lady Aiselin? Hahaha.”AJGZ
FbRi1lDenise said this laughing lightly. Her expression seemed innocent, but at the same time carried a mischievous nuance, making her a girl of a thousand faces.OaE5Yaf
AvAASIShe wasn’t inherently noble like Aiselin, nor was she born with Ellen’s natural authority.tO60d
MBA2NSBut she was a fox with her tail hidden beneath her frilled dress—lazy by nature, though when she used her mind, even the most experienced hunters gave up trying to catch her.tulDU
gPBAd“Well, Lady Aiselin will soon finish getting ready and come out to the reception room. If you want to talk to her, you should go now.”rR2GeOO
q66r“Oh, thank you very much. Since I’ve come all this way, I should speak with Lady Aiselin as well. Dereck, are you busy with your training?”TiQoE
Bj5mg“I have some free time today, but there are still pending matters. Sorry for not being able to properly attend to you.”Pb5jA
Bl3“Attend to me? This is already more than enough.”jgVAXKL
ZPkEmAAfter exchanging a few formal words, Dereck stood up.8TfO
3fpVPIn any case, the fact that he worried about her was something she appreciated, so Denise felt a little relieved.KtmkGH
aqg1MKfThough she couldn’t tell him that he himself was the cause of her worries, confirming that Dereck trusted her gave her a strange sense of satisfaction.UXwtKYA
FXNyKKFThus, Denise smiled, pleased to have handled the situation perfectly.y4GgLm
UVe1lSK“Ah, Lady Denise. Now that I remember, I should tell you something.”j63Sw
docLDereck picked up the staff he had left by the bench, adjusted his cloak, and spoke as if making a casual remark.4Okt
jWvQ7Just as Denise, with a relaxed expression, was about to ask what it was about, she heard—Mjz1
0LZ“If it ever becomes necessary, you can hit me on the back of the head.”n76Q9mD
8dXm4xKAt that instant, Denise’s breath stopped.yuvtH
p47fShe held back the sound that almost escaped reflexively, but she couldn’t immediately decide how to respond to those words that pierced straight through her.XZ7MDN
k3Xr0tShe stood up abruptly, eyes wide open, staring at Dereck.R6vS
EDxg5However, he didn’t seem to give it any importance.XH6dRl
OXTpm“I understand your situation.”Lbd32o
FZrmBefore Denise could utter a word, Dereck was already putting away his things and leaving the garden.dbq9X0
RNfGFWShe could only watch, eyes still wide, as he slung the leather bag over his shoulder and headed toward the training center.xAMq2b
b8MISYB***mn2K
V0yqM‘It seems the Beltus side will start watching us. It was about time.’cVPfu7
sGffOn the path of power, there are always those who try to bring you down.t96YOL
LrygDereck, with the leather bag over his shoulder and his staff strapped horizontally to his waist, walked steadily toward the main building.IT99
XkUnX‘I don’t know what method they’ll use, but right now there are too many gaps in the residence. We need more personnel, and it’s far too difficult to fight a battle of wills against someone like the Grand Duke alone.’7ClZC0R
ehLNNIAlthough Melverot, from the Rochester territory, protected him, the physical distance was immense.Rd6tctg
VJa5ecHe lived in the snowy lands at the far north of the continent.7P6
nL7whaUnless the enemy acted openly, it would be impossible to defend against all his schemes. Before the psychological warfare intensified, it was necessary to secure the support of an influential figure in the southwest with authority comparable to that of Grand Duke Beltus.fMTmHs
Mj4XBut who could stand against the head of the Beltus family, one of the most prestigious in the southwest?FXxKg
TyRvuA8It was hard to name anyone like that—but luckily, there was one person within Dereck’s reach.MzRI
W9KvECreak.lZX
oZWoUx“Good morning.”dtRFyyC
JXm7Dereck opened the door to the guest room and entered.1ajn
twuTThe red-haired young lady, who had been reading a book alone, immediately turned her head.s7v0Y
FPlQSeeing the man suddenly appear startled her, and she hurried to fix her disheveled appearance from resting.Zil3fip
keRcmQcThe unexpected visit from Dereck wasn’t good for her heart.GrvKCXK
RV5“D-Dereck?”8v763Y
V2Mtz“It’s been a while, Lady Ellen.”1837dF
hbmxgrThe only power in the southwest of the continent capable of challenging Beltus’s authority was the Belmierd family.1B11lMG
f7uaHSome might consider it arrogant, but Dereck was quite sure.eUcMpv
1EzLh7TBelmierd would side with the Ravenclaw barony.rjrPa4
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