Noble Lady Reformation Guide — Chapter 30: Ellen (5)

Chapter 30: Ellen (5)

When⁠ Ellen exited through⁠ the corridor, everyone‍ she encountered offered words of comfort and encouragement.

Although it was Aiselin who captivated the⁠‌ crowd by materializing⁠⁠ second-level magic, Ellen⁠ had displayed her‌ extraordinary magical abilities‍ without holding back.

Nobles who believed her⁠ performance held its‌‌ own value smiled‌ at her kindly⁠⁠ and offered praise, saying she had‌‌ been truly impressive.⁠

Many even approached Ellen‌⁠ before heading over⁠ to Aiselin.

Ellen‍⁠‌ was aware of‍ this, yet she⁠⁠ received them all with a warm⁠ and gentle smile,⁠ responding with grace.‌⁠

“My magical achievements are‍ still lacking. Next time, I’ll have‌‍ to work harder‌ to defeat Lady‍‌⁠ Aiselin.”

“Even‌ at your current‌ level, there aren’t‌‍‌ many in Ebelstein’s‌ social circles who‌‌‌ can match Lady‍‍ Ellen. Lord Belmierd⁠ would be so proud if he⁠⁠ saw you.”

“Thank you! Your words‍‍ truly give me‍‍ strength.”

With‍ sincere gratitude for⁠ the consolation from‌⁠‍ nobles whose names‌⁠‌ she couldn’t even‍‍‌ recall, Ellen turned⁠‍ toward the corridor.⁠⁠

Her‍⁠⁠ attendants, following closely,⁠‌ appeared worried, but⁠ surprisingly, Ellen maintained‍ a lively expression.‍

To⁠ the nobles passing‌⁠‌ through the hallway,‍ her departure seemed‌‌ dignified. For someone‌ who had prepared‍‌ so seriously for‌‌ the duel, her‌ smile seemed unshakable.‌

It‌ was then that Ellen, after a brief conversation, stepped‍⁠ into a VIP-only‍ corridor.

Before‌⁠‍ she turned the‍ corner, Dereck, who⁠ had been sitting‌⁠ on a wooden⁠ chair by the‍‍ wall, stood up‍ and greeted her.

Upon⁠‍‌ seeing Dereck, Ellen’s‍‌ face lit up‍ as she said:‌

“Did⁠‍ you see the‌‌‌ duel?”

“Yes.”‌

“Surprised? I’m someone who‍ can admit defeat‍‍‍ when needed.”

“…”‍

Ellen‌ held her head⁠‌‍ high and spoke‍ with a satisfied‌ expression.

“Was‍‌ your seat too‍⁠ far to see⁠ clearly? You should’ve seen Lady Aiselin’s⁠ face.”

“What⁠ was it like?”‌‍

“It was… um… her‌ eyes widened in‍⁠ disbelief. ‘Lose here?’ she repeated over‌ and over, looking⁠ at me like‍‌ she couldn’t understand.⁠ Seeing Lady Aiselin—always⁠⁠ so composed—with that confused look was‌ an amazing sight.‍ It was much‌ more satisfying than clenching my teeth‌‍⁠ to win!”

Ellen’s‍ voice brimmed with⁠⁠‍ excitement as she⁠‍ went on.

Dereck‍ glanced at the‍ attendants standing behind‍ her.

Those⁠‍⁠ ever-concerned for their⁠‍ lady returned Dereck’s‌‍‌ gaze with awkward⁠‌ expressions.

When⁠⁠‍ he looked back⁠⁠ at Ellen, her‌ face was still⁠ full of pride, her chest puffed‌‌ out.

“So‌‍ I really had‍‍ her cornered, didn’t‍⁠ I? Everything you⁠ predicted came true.‍ You’re truly an‌ expert, aren’t you?”

“You‌ flatter me.”

“Thank‌‍‌ you. Because of⁠ you, I felt‍ a sense of superiority over Aiselin…‍ Today’s been the‌ best day ever!”⁠

Ellen,‌⁠ laughing heartily, brushed‌ some dust off⁠⁠‍ Dereck’s lapel and‍ continued, unable to‌ hide her joy.‍‌

“Yes,‌ Dereck. I can’t⁠⁠ deny your skill.‍‌ I ought to‌‌ pay you more⁠‍ than the gold‍‌ coin I promised.”

“…”⁠‍⁠

“So,‌ how was the‍ duel? The result‌ wasn’t great, but…‌⁠‍ my magical skills‍⁠‍ weren’t bad, right?‌⁠ You should know‍‍ best, since you’ve been my mentor.⁠ I learn fast.‌ But you’ll be‌ the best judge‍ of that, won’t‍‌ you? If you‌‍ want to nitpick‍‍ and suggest improvements,‍ we can do‌ it when we⁠ return to the palace…”

“You‌ were perfect.”

At‌‍⁠ those words, Ellen’s‍‍ shoulders trembled slightly.

When⁠ she looked up⁠ at Dereck’s face,‌ the usually blank⁠ expression seemed warm.‍

He⁠ wasn’t someone who‌‌‌ gave praise lightly.‌‌ Even when dealing‍ with nobles, he⁠‌‌ rarely said empty‍ words.

Receiving‌⁠ such a sincere⁠⁠ compliment left Ellen⁠‍ speechless. It was⁠ clear why Dereck‍‍ was by her‍ side. He had⁠‍ truly paid attention‍ to her.

That‍ meant this boy⁠ understood Ellen’s stubborn⁠⁠‍ nature.

“You worked really hard.”‌

Ellen‌‌ tried to reply‍ but instead collapsed‌ into a chair⁠⁠ along the corridor⁠‍‌ wall, head bowed.‍⁠

Not‌ caring about her‌‌ dress getting wrinkled,‌⁠ Ellen ran her‌ hands over her‌‍ face several times.‌‌

Soon,‌‌ her shoulders began‍⁠ to tremble slightly.‍

“I⁠ really wanted to⁠‌ win.”

“…”‍

“But⁠ when I had⁠‍ Aiselin cornered, I realized it. Even if I won‍‍ here, I’d never‌ stop envying her.‍ It’s just… always⁠⁠ going to be‍‌ like that… I’m⁠ that kind of‌ person.”

To⁠ Ellen, even a cornered and gasping‌ Aiselin still appeared‌ like a noble‍ flower standing tall.‌⁠

Relying‌ on luck to‌ win a practice duel wouldn’t erase⁠ her envy. That‌ ugly part of‍‍ herself seemed unchangeable.‌ Because the girl⁠⁠ named Aiselin was‍ an insurmountable wall.‍‌

“Maybe‍ inferiority is the‌⁠‍ only thing in‌‍ which I can‍⁠ surpass Lady Aiselin.”‌‍⁠

Ellen‌‍‍ let out a soft laugh, then‌‍ lowered her head⁠‍ and fell silent.⁠ She feared any‍⁠ more words would only make her‍ voice tremble.

As‍⁠‌ Ellen sat there⁠‌ trembling, her face‌⁠ buried in her‍⁠ hands, Dereck quietly⁠ looked down and⁠‌ finally sat beside⁠⁠ her.

After thinking about what to say, he‍ finally spoke without⁠‌ fuss, in a flat tone.

“Do‌‌⁠ you think I’m‍‌‍ any different?”

“…”‌

Arguing⁠ aimlessly about not‍ being wrong only led to needless⁠⁠ explanations.

Knowing‌ this well, Dereck‍‍ simply stared ahead,‌‍ accompanying her in‍⁠‍ silence.

It‌ gave Ellen time‌ to reflect.

What‍ kind of thoughts‌ crossed this slum-born⁠⁠ mage’s mind when⁠ he saw a noble family’s library full of expensive‌‌ spellbooks, or a noble mansion brimming⁠‌⁠ with dazzling luxury?‍‌

It‍ wasn’t hard to‌ guess. It was⁠ only a matter‌ of whether someone showed it or‌‌ not, whether they‌‌ accepted it or⁠‌⁠ not. Maybe that⁠‌ was what it meant to grow⁠‌ up.

Ellen looked at Dereck‌‍‍ with teary eyes,⁠‍⁠ but Dereck, as‌ if it was⁠‌⁠ nothing new, said:

“So⁠‍ what if it’s‌ a little ugly?”

“…”‌‌

“Everyone lives like that.”⁠‍

Right⁠ or wrong. Good⁠⁠ or bad. What‍ difference did such judgments make? It⁠ was what it⁠‍⁠ was. Just something⁠‍ natural.

Dereck‌⁠‍ said this, simply‍ sitting silently next⁠‌ to Ellen.

Comforting⁠ someone wasn’t some‍ grand gesture.

After‍‍ all, it wasn’t‌ about finding a clear answer.

At⁠‍ the far end‌‌‍ of the empty‍‌ corridor, the servants‍ huddled like a wall, worried that⁠‌ someone might pass⁠⁠ by, shielding their⁠‌ lady.

Even⁠ as she sat⁠ sobbing for a long time, no⁠ passerby caught a glimpse of her.⁠⁠

***⁠⁠‌

“Wow,‍ she really had‌⁠ her cornered.”

From‌‍‍ her seat among the spectators, while‍‌ sipping tea served⁠ by her attendants,⁠ Lady Denise of‌ the Beltus family was quietly surprised.‌⁠‌

Although‍ all eyes were⁠‍ on Lady Aiselin,‌‍ the star of⁠ the duel, Lady‍ Denise’s gaze was‍ fixed elsewhere.

With‍ a bored expression,‍‌ she watched the‍‌‍ duel, inwardly convinced‍ that Ellen couldn’t‌‌ possibly match Aiselin.⁠

Lady‍ Denise was one‍‌ of the trio‌‌ of the Rose‌ Hall. So she‌ was quite close‍ to both of‍‌ them.
She also knew‌ their magical abilities‌ better than anyone.‍ Ellen’s magical feats‌ were impressive, but‍‌⁠ clearly, she couldn’t⁠⁠⁠ compete with Aiselin in a fair‌‌ match.

Her‌ gaze followed the‌ white-haired boy as he exited the‍ training field with⁠ Ellen.

It‌ was obvious that⁠ the magic expert⁠‍ Ellen had brought⁠ had influenced her⁠ in some way. There was no‍ other factor that⁠⁠‌ could have enabled‍⁠‍ Ellen to trade‌⁠ blows with Aiselin‍⁠ in such a short time.

Playing‍‍ with the tips‌ of her silver-gray⁠ hair, she momentarily lost herself in‍ thought.

She⁠ should stand up from her seat‍ and go speak‍ with Aiselin, but as Aiselin was‌ surrounded by people,‍‍ she didn’t feel‍‌‌ any urgency.

‘That‍‍ mercenary’s price is‍ surely going to‍ rise. Ugh… I hate these kinds‍‌ of hassles…’

Denise‌ forced a refined smile to hide‍‌⁠ her lack of enthusiasm. But inwardly,‍⁠ she wanted nothing‌ more than to⁠ collapse into her‍ seat and sigh⁠⁠‍ deeply, sensing the‍ inevitable.

Just⁠ how valuable was the presence of‌⁠⁠ a skilled magic⁠ expert in Ebelstein’s‍⁠ social circles?

His‌ humble origins might‍ be an obstacle,⁠ but given his‍‌‌ ability, he seemed‍ destined to soon⁠‌ break through those‌‍‍ prejudices and rise.‌‍⁠ If that was⁠⁠⁠ the case, Duke‌‍ Beltus, Denise’s father,‌‌ wouldn’t let him‍‌ go.

Unlike⁠ Duke Duplain, who⁠ valued substance, or‌ Count Belmierd, who⁠ was generous, Duke‍ Beltus was a man of ambition‍ who would do‌⁠ whatever it took.‍‌

If‍‌‌ a magic instructor⁠ began to shine‍ in Ebelstein’s social‍ circles, Duke Beltus would stop at‍‌‍ nothing to claim⁠‌⁠ him.

And often, it was‍‍‌ Denise who suffered,‍ dragged into the‌‌ Duke’s ambitions, as‌ she was the‍‌ front-line representative of‌ House Beltus.

Unfortunately,‌ she saw this‍⁠ situation as a heavy burden.

‘Ugh… If the three‍‍ families start competing‌ over that guy,‍ my headache’s only‌⁠‍ going to get‍ worse…’

Denise‌ was an ordinary person and essentially‍‍ lazy.

Born⁠⁠ into the grand‍‍ noble House of‍‍ Beltus, she behaved‌ like a greenhouse⁠ rose, but at‍ home, she lay⁠ around all day‌⁠ doing nothing.

Sometimes she devoured third-rate‍‍‌ romance novels or wandered aimlessly, thinking‍‍‍ time would just pass, and with‌ no other accomplishments,‍⁠ she could only‍ rely on her⁠ lineage.

Even‍ so, she couldn’t⁠ allow herself to‌ become a burden,⁠ so she occasionally‌ acted like a noble, practicing her‌ outdated smile in⁠⁠ the mirror and‌ exchanging meaningful words so others would‍⁠ mistakenly think she‌ was a mysterious⁠‍ figure.

In‌ that regard, she was meticulous with⁠⁠‍ her self-discipline.
She was willing‍‌‌ to endure hardships⁠ now to avoid‌⁠ future annoyances.

Still, having recognized Dereck’s‌‍‍ potential before others,⁠⁠ there was nothing‌ she could do‍ now.

After‌ all, he currently‍‌⁠ worked for Ellen.‍

‘I⁠⁠‌ hope this doesn’t‌‌‍ turn into a hassle…’

With a sigh, she⁠‍ rose from her⁠‍ seat.

The‌‌ crowd gathered to⁠ congratulate Aiselin had⁠ mostly dispersed.

As‌‌ a member of‌ the Rose Hall, it was only⁠ natural that Denise‍‌ add her own⁠⁠ words. Despite her‍ internal complaints, she⁠⁠ knew she had⁠‍‌ to fulfill her duty as a lady.

So‌‍ she approached the⁠ podium, a noble‍⁠‌ smile on her‍‌⁠ face, and said:⁠‍‌

“Lady Aiselin, you’ve reached⁠ another milestone. Watching⁠⁠ the duel was‍ thrilling at every⁠‍ moment.”

“Oh,‍‌ Lady Denise, your⁠ praise is too⁠‍ generous.”

“I‌‍ should learn from⁠‌ your humility. If‍ only I could‍‍ master second-level magic⁠ as quickly as‌ you.”

After‌ exchanging more compliments,‌ she thought it⁠‍ was time to‌ return to her‌ mansion and finish⁠ the book she‌‌ had been reading.‍⁠ Lord Valepus’ First‌ Love, a third-rate‌ romance novel, was‌ considered cliché to⁠ the point of‍ nausea, but sometimes‌ its witty dialogue‌ touched the heart, offering a peculiar‍‌ charm.

“—You‍‍⁠ noticed it, didn’t⁠ you, Lady Denise?‌‍ That this duel⁠ wasn’t truly my‌ victory.”

Lady‍ Denise, who had⁠‍ been longing to⁠ lie down with‌‌ her book upon‌‌ returning home, was⁠ suddenly shaken by‌ a question that‍ pulled her back‍ to reality.

Looking‌‌ around, she noticed⁠‌⁠ that most people‌ had left, and⁠‌ that was when‍ Aiselin posed her⁠ direct question.

Just‍⁠ as Denise knew⁠⁠ Aiselin and Ellen‌‌ well, Aiselin also⁠⁠ knew her.

She‍‌ understood not only‌ Denise’s perceptiveness but⁠ also, to some extent, her lack⁠⁠ of enthusiasm. That’s why, from time‍ to time, she‍ skipped the usual⁠ pleasantries and got⁠ straight to the⁠ point.

The‌ girl might seem⁠ graceful and kind,⁠ but she shouldn’t‍‍ be underestimated. Denise⁠⁠ knew this, but⁠‌ didn’t expect such‌⁠‍ sudden insistence on hitting the core⁠‌ issue.

“…”‍‌

“Since you didn’t answer,‍‍ I’ll assume you‍‌ agree.”

“It⁠⁠‌ seems Lady Ellen⁠ put in a great effort. However,⁠ the truth is⁠‌⁠ that your magical‍ power far surpasses‍‍‍ hers, Lady Aiselin.‍ At least, that’s⁠⁠ what I believe.”‍‌

“Well…⁠ I was quite‌ surprised during our‌ match. She’s improved⁠‍ so much in‌ such a short‍ time…”

Aiselin‍ narrowed her eyes‍‍ as if puzzled,⁠⁠ then spoke more⁠⁠ clearly.

“She‍ learned magic from⁠‍ Lord Dereck, didn’t⁠⁠ she…?”

“…”‍‌‌

A certainty seemed to‍ glimmer in her⁠ eyes, and Denise‍‌ had to take‍‍ a deep breath.⁠ She felt the‍⁠ situation getting more⁠‌‍ complicated.

“Margarita”‍⁠

When‌ Aiselin bid Denise‌ a courteous farewell‌ and began to leave the corridor,‍ she called out⁠‍‍ to her personal servant.

The‌‍ servant, following behind‍ her, bowed respectfully‌‍ and responded, and‌ Denise, as always,‍⁠ continued in her‌ soft voice.

“I‍ need to prepare‌⁠ to send a letter home.”

“Yes.‌⁠ I’ll prepare the‍‌‌ pen and ink‍‍ for you.”

Denise‌ watched Lady Aiselin‌‍ depart with a troubled expression.

The‍ magic duel between‍ the Duplain and⁠‌‌ Belmiard families that⁠‌ had captured everyone’s‌ attention had concluded‍ smoothly.