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Noble Lady Reformation Guide Chapter 145: How the Sun Rises (5)

Chapter 145: How the Sun Rises (5)

“Trisha.⁠‌ Have you made​​​ any progress with​ the Ravenclaw family‌⁠ or the Duplain​​⁠ family?”

“Trisha,​ if there’s any⁠ part where you‍⁠‍ need your mother’s⁠ help, make sure‍ to tell me.”‍‌‍

“Trisha.​ I heard a new training center⁠‍ is being opened⁠​​ on Duplain property.‌​‌ It would be‌⁠ good if you​‍ could get involved⁠ in that.”

“It​​⁠ would be good‌ to check the‍‍‌ conditions of the‌⁠ training center from⁠ time to time,‍ Trisha.”

Trisha‌​‌ was sweating profusely.⁠‍

Every‍‍​ time she returned‌‌‍ home, Countess Rodelia⁠ looked at her⁠‍ with eyes full⁠‌ of expectation, waiting​⁠​ for her only⁠⁠ daughter to have‌⁠ made some kind‌ of contact with⁠⁠​ the Ravenclaw family.‍⁠​

Countess‌ Rodelia was already‌‌ desperate to bring‍ Dereck under her⁠​ command.

With⁠‍ the head of‌ House Renwell looking‍ at her with⁠‍ such anticipation, Trisha,‌ who lived under‍‍​ her protection, couldn’t‌ help feeling pressured.‌

After‌‌ enjoying the splendid⁠ and luxurious banquet⁠ at the Renwell‍ mansion, Trisha returned⁠ to her private‍ room and immediately⁠⁠ held her breath​‍‌ and pulled at​ her hair.

‘What​⁠​ am I supposed‍⁠⁠ to do…! This​ is too much…!’​

Even‍ now, she thought‍ of telling her‌⁠ mother honestly that‌‌ she and the‌‌ young lady of⁠ the Duplain family⁠ were practically like‌‍‌ cats and dogs,⁠​⁠ so she shouldn’t‌‌‍ expect anything—
but considering Countess​​ Rodelia’s tiger-like personality,‌‌​ that would be​⁠‍ suicide.

She‌‍⁠ remembered the moment​⁠ she poured tea‌ over Aiselin’s head,‌ mocking the Duplain​ family, thinking they‌⁠‌ would collapse soon.​‌‍

Trisha⁠ wanted to go‌‌ back in time​ and beg her‌⁠‍ past self not‍ to do that.⁠​‌

‘Calm‌ down… calm down…’⁠

Trisha‌‌‌ sat down and‌​ wiped her face‍⁠⁠ several times.

‘What‌ mother ultimately wants‍⁠‌ is to draw‍ Baron Ravenclaw under​ her command. So‌ even if it‍ seems a bit​ irrational, maybe it’s‍​ better to visit⁠ Baron Ravenclaw directly.’‍‌‍

Even⁠ though she had‌ already been rejected​ once before, that‌⁠‌ time she went​ to make a request, and this​‍ time she would​ just go for⁠‌‍ social interaction.

The‌ baron also seemed⁠‌ to have a rather good impression‍ of Count Renwell,​‍‍ so from Trisha’s‍‌ perspective, it wasn’t⁠ entirely impossible.

All⁠ things considered, Trisha⁠ looked quite pretty⁠⁠‌ when she kept​ her mouth shut.⁠

No‍ one knew better‍‌ than herself that‌​⁠ her appearance was​ acceptable.

‘…’⁠‌

However,⁠‌ no matter how⁠‌ much self-esteem Trisha​⁠‌ had, she knew‌⁠⁠ perfectly well that​‌‌ what is not​ meant to happen​‌‌ will not happen.‌‌

How‌ could a man‌ who regularly saw‍⁠ women like Aiselin,‌ Ellen, and Denise‍‍ be moved by‌ Trisha?

Even⁠​ so, she had‍ to do it…​

No‍​ matter how much‌‍​ she thought about‍​ it, winning over​ Diella was impossible.‌ Next time they‍ met, she looked‍ ready to bite⁠‍ her arm off.⁠

To​‌ satisfy Countess Rodelia,⁠‍⁠ she had to​ do something, anything.‍⁠

“I’m‌‍‍ going to visit​ Baron Ravenclaw directly,‌‌‍ give him a few gifts, and⁠ have a pleasant‍‍⁠ conversation.”

“Oh,​​⁠ Trisha. How nice‍⁠ it is to⁠ hear you say‌‍ that.”

“So​ I made a list of several​​​ gifts together with⁠ the servants. And​ I think it⁠ would be good⁠⁠⁠ to also make‌ some handmade items!”‍

“Although​ I’m a woman,‍‌ I understand a man’s heart better.‍‍‍ The more impenetrable‍ a person is,‍‌⁠ the more moved​‌ they are by​ handmade items rather‍‍ than mundane or‍ material gifts.”

Rodelia‍​ smiled in satisfaction.‌

Seeing⁠ Rodelia’s expression, Trisha‍​‌ also smiled awkwardly,‌⁠ feeling that for⁠ the moment things​ were okay.

After‌‌ a brief warm‌⁠‍ moment between mother⁠​ and daughter, Trisha⁠‌ spoke with an⁠‍ uncomfortable smile.

“Well,⁠‍ anyway, I need⁠ to visit Baron⁠⁠‌ Ravenclaw’s territory as​⁠ soon as possible.”​​

“Yes.​⁠‍ But… as I mentioned before, Baron‍⁠ Ravenclaw is not‌‍‌ in his territory​‍⁠ right now. Did‍ you forget?”

“…Yes,‍⁠ y-yes, I definitely‌⁠ forgot. Now that‌‌​ I think about‌‍ it, where did​⁠ you say he⁠​⁠ was?”

“I‌ told you. He​‍‌ is at the‍ Duplain duke’s mansion.”⁠​

Trisha‌​ hit her forehead.​⁠‌

Looking​⁠‍ at her pale⁠​ complexion was like‍ watching livestock in‌ front of a slaughterhouse.

***‌‌

Creak.​

“We‍ have arrived, Lady‌​ Trisha.”

“…”‌‍

Is​ this place really‌‍‌ hell?

The‍‌ Duplain duke’s mansion,⁠ which had finished‌ its restoration work,​ looked like a neat Western house‌‌ from the outside,‍⁠ but to Trisha’s​⁠ eyes, it looked‌​ like a gloomy​ den exuding a sinister aura.

Who⁠‍ mainly resides here?⁠‍‍

Aiselin​⁠‍ Eleanor Duplain. The⁠ one on whose‍​⁠ head Trisha had​‌ poured tea directly.​‌‍

And‍‌ next to her,​ Diella Katherine Duplain.⁠ The one who​ had delivered a loud slap to‌​‌ her cheek.

But​‌ since she had​‍‌ come all the⁠‌ way here, she​ could not turn‍​‌ back. If she⁠ returned to Countess​‍ Rodelia with no​ results, she might​‌ receive a reprimand‌⁠‌ like, “So what‌ were you doing⁠ then?”

Trisha⁠‍​ held her breath.‍

‘Yes.​ Living as a noble lady, there​‌ are places you⁠ don’t want to​ enter but must,​ things you don’t​ want to do⁠‌ but must do,‍ and moments when⁠‍​ you have to‌ bow your head.’‌‌⁠

With⁠ tears in her‍‌ eyes, Trisha walked⁠ quickly and was⁠‍ guided by the‍​⁠ Duplain family’s maids.‍​

As‍​ she passed through‍​⁠ the mansion with‌‍⁠ the servants, the‌​ interior already felt‍ somewhat chaotic.

“I⁠‌‌ would like to​⁠⁠ apologize. Due to‍ the business plan⁠​‍ being carried out‌‌⁠ within Duplain, there​ is a lot‍ of external staff​⁠ moving frequently, causing‍ some disorder.”

“I-it’s⁠‍‍ fine. I heard​​ Duplain had difficult‌‌‍ times, but seeing⁠‍‌ new projects starting…​‌⁠ it seems you‍ have recovered quite⁠⁠ a bit.”

“Yes.⁠​ The training center​ project led by‌ the Baron of‌​​ Ravenclaw is going​⁠⁠ better than expected,‌ bringing great vitality​‍ to the Duplain‌ family.”

That‍⁠ damned Ravenclaw again.‌‌​

Originally,​​​ Duplain — who‌​ should have collapsed‍‍ and been trampled⁠‌ under Trisha’s feet​​ — was revived‍ after receiving a transfusion from that⁠ damned Ravenclaw.

The​​‍ efforts of Aiselin,‌ who had rolled​⁠ up her sleeves‌ and run everywhere‌⁠​ like a fallen​​ noblewoman, were bearing‍​⁠ fruit.

They‍‍‌ say even if⁠‍⁠ the night is⁠⁠‌ long, the sun‌​ eventually rises.

It​ seemed a ray‌‍ of light was​⁠‌ shining on Duplain’s​ future, which once⁠​⁠ appeared lost in​​‌ eternal darkness.

In​⁠ fact, even the⁠ servants’ faces were⁠⁠ full of color.‍ They were imagining​ a hopeful future⁠‌​ in which the​⁠‌ family would be‌ reborn.

Not‌‌‌ long ago, the‍⁠⁠ family had lost⁠‌ its head and⁠ its eldest son,​‍‍ and was stripped​​⁠ of all rights⁠​‌ for being involved​​ in necromancy, carrying⁠‍‌ a stigma.

But​‍‍ now it was‍‍ hard to imagine⁠ that these lively‍ servants belonged to⁠⁠ such a grim‌​‍ house.

‘R-really…‌ Duplain is rising​​ again…’

And‌ the one at‍ the head of​‍⁠ all this was⁠ Aiselin.

Although​‌‍ Leigh sat in‌⁠​ the seat of⁠​ head of family,‍ the true power⁠ was Aiselin, no‍ matter what people‌‍‍ said.

The​‍ very same Aiselin‌ on whose head‌ Trisha had poured​‌ tea.

‘God…’​⁠

It​‍ was time to‌⁠‍ repay the karma⁠ of the past.‍​

The​‌​ bad decisions she‍⁠ had made — mocking, insulting, humiliating​​⁠ — were returning​ to her like‌‌ a boomerang.

The‍​ positions had been‌ completely reversed.

To⁠ establish any connection‌ with the Baron‍⁠​ of Ravenclaw, it⁠ was impossible to​​‌ ignore the ladies​ of the Duplain‌‍‍ family, who were​⁠⁠ practically his closest​ assistants.

This​⁠‍ was because the‌ Baron of Ravenclaw‍​ completely trusted their⁠​‍ words, considering them‍ in a special⁠​ relationship.

While‌ Trisha crossed the‌‍ hallway with a gloomy expression, she‌‌⁠ saw a familiar⁠‌ face in the‍ distance.

‘Eek…!’‍

It​‍‌ was Aiselin Eleanor⁠ Duplain. They say‍‌ even a tiger‌‌​ appears when spoken⁠​​ of.

At⁠‌​ the Rose Hall⁠‌‍ she wore a dress that looked‍‍‌ noble and sacred⁠​⁠ at a glance,⁠‌ but at home​‍ she wore something‍ more comfortable.

The​ cotton dress looked‍⁠ simple. She had⁠‌ her sleeves confidently​​ rolled up, but‍ she did not‌​ look vulgar.

Aiselin⁠​⁠ radiated elegance merely⁠⁠ by existing, so​‍ no matter how‌⁠ much someone adorned⁠⁠ themselves, they would⁠‌ pale when standing⁠ next to her.⁠

This‌ was because her​ beauty did not​⁠ come from adornments‌​ or cosmetics, but⁠ from the elegant​​ dignity that flowed‍‌ from the person​⁠ herself.

“…!”‌​

Aiselin,‌‍‌ who was moving⁠​ as if busy,‌‍‌ made eye contact‍⁠‍ with Trisha.

Just‌‌ by looking at‌‍ her for a moment, she could​‌ understand the entire​‍⁠ situation. She was⁠⁠​ a quick-minded person.⁠‍‌

Arrogant​ Trisha had come​⁠ all the way​ to the Duplain⁠‍ mansion to meet⁠‍⁠ Baron Dereck, who​ was staying here.​‌

Why?‍​⁠ Because it was​​ obvious he would‍ soon become a major name in‌ social circles.

What‌‍‌ would she think⁠ of such an‍ obvious action?

The⁠​ girl who had⁠ looked at Trisha⁠ with eyes full​ of spirit while‌​⁠ tea was pouring​ over her head.⁠​

How‌⁠‌ would she declare​‍​ her victory now?‍​⁠

As‍‌ Trisha was about⁠⁠‌ to bite her​ lower lip to‍ endure the torrent‍ of emotions about​​ to come — humiliation, defeat, misery‍⁠ —

“Oh,⁠‍ Lady Trisha!”

“…?”‍​

Contrary​⁠⁠ to what Trisha⁠ expected, Aiselin called‌‌​ her with a bright tone.

“I⁠ heard you were​​ visiting the Duplain‍ mansion, but I was so busy​⁠‍ that I couldn’t⁠ come out to‌ greet you. For‍ the young lady⁠⁠ of Countess Rodelia​‌ to come in⁠ person — such‍‌⁠ discourtesy… I don’t‌ know where to⁠​⁠ hide from embarrassment.”‌⁠​

“…”‌‌

Aiselin​ offered an elegant‍ apology with a radiant smile.

Her‍ smiling face was​ so refreshing it⁠⁠​ was almost intoxicating.‌​⁠ Only then did‍‍⁠ Trisha, with her‌ gloomy expression, understand‌ the situation.

‘Ah,‌⁠ that’s it…’

There​ are many ways​​ to mock a defeated person whose‍‍ status has been​⁠ overturned. Trisha knows⁠⁠⁠ that better than‌​‌ anyone, because she​‌​ did it more‌⁠ than anyone.

In‍⁠⁠ fact, mocking openly‍⁠‍ is too simple​ and crude.

The‍ most insidious and‍⁠ malicious way is⁠‌​ to smile kindly‌ and show sympathy‍ like this.

Oh‌​‌ dear, what a tragedy. You should‍‌ have been more⁠‍ careful. Poor thing.‌

Smiling‍‌​ like this, lowering‍⁠​ your gaze behind⁠‍‍ a feather fan,‍⁠ is what drives‌​ people mad.

Now⁠‌‌ it was her‍​⁠ turn to suffer.⁠‍ Thinking that, she​​ clenched her teeth.​‍

Thud.‌​‍

“Uh?”​​

“I⁠⁠‍ heard the Renouel​​⁠ family provided great‍⁠ help in this⁠​ matter. From our⁠⁠​ position, having a close relationship with​‌ the Ravenclaw family,⁠‌ we must also​ be grateful.”

Aiselin,⁠ who had approached,‌‍ firmly took Trisha’s‍⁠ hands and showed​‍⁠ a surprisingly bright​ smile.

It​ was not a hypocritical smile made⁠‌‍ to mock or⁠‌ show false sympathy.​ Aiselin was sincerely‌​​ grateful to Trisha.‍

“Y-yes?”​⁠

“I​⁠⁠ heard that Lady⁠‌ Trisha also made​‍‍ a lot of⁠‌ effort under Lady‌‌​ Rodelia’s orders. It‌‌⁠ must have been‍‌ difficult for you.​​ Our Duplain family‍‌⁠ also received benefits,​ so please accept‌‌ my gratitude.”

“N-no…​ I didn’t do​​ that much…”

Trisha‍‌ stepped back, overwhelmed⁠ by such a pure, malice-free smile.​​​ The smile was​‌ so clean and‍ beautiful it seemed​​ flowers bloomed around​‍ her.

Aiselin⁠⁠ tilted her head⁠⁠ slightly at Trisha’s‍ awkward reaction.

“…?”‌​

“N-no…​‌⁠ it’s bold of‌​ me to say⁠ this, but…”

“Yes?”​​⁠

“I…⁠⁠ the other day…⁠‌ at the tea⁠ house… I spilled​‍ tea… and acted‍ somewhat inappropriately… do‍⁠ you remember?”

“…?”​‌‌

Aiselin⁠‍ tilted her head⁠​​ again, then clapped‍‍ as if she‌ had just remembered.⁠

“Oh,​ now that you‌‍​ mention it! At⁠‌ that time… Lady‍‌ Trisha was quite​ mischievous.”

“Don’t⁠ cross the line,‍⁠ Lady Trisha.”

The​​ image of Aiselin,⁠⁠⁠ eyes cold, speaking‍ while drenched in​‌​ tea, came to‌⁠​ mind.

The⁠​ difference was so‍‌ enormous it was⁠​ hard to believe​​ they were the​‍ same person.

Normally‍‌⁠ warm and kind,⁠ Aiselin’s cold attitude‍ could make people‍⁠ shudder even more.​⁠⁠

But⁠ now she seemed​‌ not to care​​​ at all.

Why?⁠

The⁠⁠ humiliation that Trisha‌‌ had made Aiselin‌​ suffer that day‍‌‌ was not something​ easily overlooked.

But⁠ Aiselin laughed it‍ off indifferently and⁠‌ spoke gently.

“That​​ is already in​‍ the past.”

“Ah…”⁠‌

At​​‍ that moment, it‍ seemed as if⁠‌ a halo radiated​ from behind Aiselin.‍‌

“We⁠‌ all make mistakes.⁠ Lady Trisha may‌⁠‍ have acted driven‌‍ by a moment‌⁠​ of emotion. If‍ I cling too‍‌‌ much to those‌​​ memories and keep‌‌​ pointing them out,‌‍‍ I won’t be​‌⁠ able to apologize​ when I make⁠​​ mistakes myself. For​‌​ my own sake,​ it’s better not‌ to hold on‍‍ to such things⁠‍ too long, don’t‍‍ you think?”

When⁠​‌ she first entered‍‍ the Ebelstein social⁠⁠‌ circle, she endured⁠‍⁠ harassment and bullying‌⁠ from many young‍​ noble ladies, and​​ yet she became‌⁠⁠ recognized as the⁠ lily of the‍⁠ Rose Hall.

How​‍ would Trisha have‍‍‌ acted if she⁠‍ were in Aiselin’s​⁠⁠ position?

She​ would have shown‍ all kinds of‍ cynicism and looked⁠​‌ down at her‌ with pity. After‍‍‍ all, the girl​‍​ who had once​ been arrogant and⁠​⁠ wild was now⁠⁠ tail-between-legs, bowing in⁠ defeat.

But​⁠‍ Aiselin did not⁠‌‌ do that.

She‍ was in the⁠‌‌ process of raising⁠⁠​ her family through‌⁠​ her own strength.‍‌⁠ She might have‍‍​ wanted to shout‌‍‍ to the world‍⁠ that had ignored‍ and humiliated her.​⁠⁠

But⁠​ even so, she‍‌‌ maintained her dignity‌​ as a noble⁠​ lady to the⁠‍‌ very end.

Flap⁠⁠‍ — a hallucination​​ of wings sprouted‍​​ from Aiselin’s back.​​‍

Choral‌ music flowed. The​‌‍ halo shone even‍​ brighter, almost blinding.⁠‌‍ Feathers fell, and​ a holy light​⁠‍ descended from the‌ sky.

What‌‌ else could explain​‍⁠ it? One might‍​ wonder if this⁠​ girl was an‍ angel descended to⁠⁠‌ earth.

‘Th-this‌‍ can’t be…’

Trisha​ felt the difference​⁠ in class.

This‌ is what a true noble lady‌‍ looks like.

One‍‍ who guides countless‌ followers, controlling them‌ with just a smile.

A mind that firmly​⁠⁠ points out mistakes,‌‍⁠ but embraces others⁠​‌ with a heart​ as vast as⁠‌ the sea. Even‍‍‌ if the other⁠ person insulted her,‍ she never forgets​⁠ to show respect‌ with elegance.

Once⁠⁠⁠ you recognize her⁠ benevolence and wisdom,⁠​‌ you are left⁠‍‍ speechless.

When‍‌ an unbearable light⁠‍‌ suddenly illuminated her‍ dark heart, filled‌‌​ only with petty​‍‌ desires for recognition⁠‌⁠ — Trisha could​⁠⁠ only stammer and⁠⁠‌ take multiple steps‌​​ back.

The‌‍‍ light was so⁠⁠ strong she felt​ she was about‍​ to go blind.​‌​

“Th-that…‍‍⁠ th-that…”

“Lady‍​⁠ Trisha?”

Is​‌ Aiselin a goddess?⁠⁠​

Even​ the proud and⁠ arrogant Trisha, upon​⁠ realizing the difference⁠‍ in their very‌ natures, had no‌⁠ choice but to⁠ follow her.

***⁠​‌

“I⁠‍ was wondering what‌⁠ brought you to⁠ the Duplain mansion…”‍⁠‍

“To‌ repent for my‍‌ past mistakes and⁠‍ seek the forgiveness‍ of the noble⁠‌ Lady Aiselin… I came to repent…”​‍​

“…”‌⁠

When‌ Dereck heard the‍​⁠ news and arrived‌‌ at the reception‍​ room, Trisha, who​​ had already finished‌​ her confession, was‌​‍ speaking with tears‌ in her eyes.​

Dereck‌ wondered what on​‌⁠ earth had happened​‌‍ for this to​ occur, but decided‌​⁠ not to ask.‌⁠‍

Aiselin⁠​⁠ was sweating profusely​ and smiling awkwardly,‌‌‍ while Trisha, sitting‌​ beside her, spoke⁠‍‍ with her hands‌‍‍ clasped, crying.

“I⁠‌ am nothing but⁠⁠ a miserable creature​​‍ compared to Lady‍⁠⁠ Aiselin…”

Had‍ she used some‍​‍ kind of high-level‍‍ confusion magic or‍⁠ was she under‌‍ hypnosis…?

Dereck⁠⁠ alternated his gaze‌ between the two​ with a confused​ expression.

“In​‍ comparison to Lady​⁠ Aiselin’s ocean-like generosity,⁠​⁠ a petty person‍ like me is​ nothing but a pathetic beggar…”

“…”‍‍⁠

Dereck,‍‌ who had come⁠ to discuss the‍‌​ specific agenda of‍‌​ the Duplain reconstruction‌⁠​ plan, had to⁠ set aside the⁠​‍ documents he brought.​​

It⁠‌‌ seemed better to‍ start once Trisha‍ regained her sanity.⁠‌‍

After​ all, she was⁠​ the final piece‍ in the noble‌​ structure of the​‍⁠ southwest that Dereck​⁠ was designing.

Dereck‍⁠ planned to turn‌​‌ the homeland of‍‌⁠ the Duplain into⁠ a huge academy.⁠​

Whether‌ he liked it‍​​ or not, he‌‌⁠ also needed the⁠‌‍ help of Count‌ Renouel to carry‍⁠ out a project‍‍ of such magnitude.‍

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