Chapter 66: The Most Noble and Impoverished (2)
LJRnSukAfter that, when Dereck returned to the Duplain mansion—nearly fifteen days later—the place had changed dramatically. To be precise, it looked even more pitiful.SDjFJ6
PEkThere was no way they could have fully restored a half-ruined mansion in such a short time. They hurriedly covered broken roofs with tarps and tents, and the completely collapsed west wing had been left untouched or used to store items that could withstand the rain.Dot
m1nvThe charred garden was now crowded with external laborers and servants, who had set up camp equipment to stay there. The relatively intact rooms were being used to house critically injured or unconscious patients.Kz84
oXsOverall, the mansion looked like a patched-up old garment. That was Dereck’s impression.7qwx
UOrX“It seems the Beltus family has no reason to help the Duplains… So I decided to allocate some funds myself to maintain the mansion. It’s not much, but… considering the bond we forged in the Rose Hall, I can at least help with that.”orIs
w6ruS“In a way, it might be a chance to show my charitable side to the public, don’t you think? Generously assisting Lady Diella’s family, who used to scold me… Deep down, it’s a victory for me. Heh heh.”O1ZCfl
DBxdDenise, arms crossed and smiling proudly, spoke about doing good while clearly enjoying it. Still, she seemed sincere in wanting to help. She asked Dereck to offer help to the Duplains if they came asking—so long as it didn’t interfere too much with his own life.Yb2h
49ubCi“It’s a bit chaotic, isn’t it? If you cross the garden and go to the mansion’s backyard, it’s a bit calmer.”x0UcT
uiSmRAiselin, who had entered the foyer alongside Dereck, spoke awkwardly.5n53P
bDXGiven that she had come to Dereck’s house to ask for a loan, she must have been desperate. Yet even in this situation, she maintained her composure.x2iYE
ZuPp66She was strong-willed. Although Dereck already knew it, he was still surprised to see her so serene, despite her family’s deaths, the crumbling mansion, and the burden that now fell on her shoulders.w5X
AOJ“More people showed up than I expected.”HecbTOg
EfsQn3“Half of the surviving servants stayed. The other half left, but since I knew them well, I recommended them to other households or gave them a few gold coins.”135
C12XKD“And the finances aren’t already tight enough?”RH8ZQ
5FYb“I sold everything I could immediately—that gave us some breathing room. But after taking care of those debts… it looks like we’ll need to tighten our belts.”sC0Bi
sAg7FFXThey followed Aiselin into the backyard, where several large tents had been set up. Compared to the rest of the property, the atmosphere was relatively comfortable, but it still felt almost destitute when compared to a once-luxurious mansion.SUsc
UQGhThey entered one of the tents. Inside, there was a simple table and some everyday items.YlVxcTM
DKlDereck looked around, wondering if Aiselin lived here, and she said, puffing out her chest.kZx
8egKVh“The room is a bit smaller now, right? But I don’t think a cozy space is such a bad thing.”t9D
kCHvt1b“…”VeJn
iFaBA“At times like this, it’s okay to show empathy openly, Mr. Dereck.”LYStsv
0ofuAiselin hummed confidently as she spoke.49eV
eohnAo“After about fifteen days, most urgent matters are resolved. It’s time to accept what needs to be accepted!”JoEfDE
yEcPc“Accept? What exactly?”Vlnyjsh
FMZB“The fact that I have become a fallen noble.”7fTxbc
dXTtJciShe said it loudly and without hesitation. Dereck didn’t know how to respond.WKSUE0
YAjDX5JShe did not hide her determination, despite his reaction.YPf1IO
vSw“I still have many immature aspects, so I sometimes get confused when big things happen. But I recover fast.”Tf3f
XacoJ“Still, you must feel pain in your heart. Isn’t it okay to take some time to heal?”jHe
6MTgUN“As you can see, this is not the time. And in moments like this, you must look at things with positivity.”2l3T
T8ZWas there really anything positive to see in all this?uV4H8Er
xAa1JwWhile Dereck stared at her with a puzzled expression, Aiselin rolled up her sleeves with resolve.HGifR
mHCLRV“Actually, the life I’ve lived until now was too luxurious and perfect. Don’t you think? Living in one of the continent’s most prominent families, with a respected father, a kind family, surrounded by happiness and envy… living in luxury isn’t normal. In a way, I’m finally closer to what normal life really is.”ZNlztUW
lotNni9“It’s surprising you can say that.”jjBVb1h
3Tckv5“Isn’t it? You, Mr. Dereck, came from the slums, from the bottom with nothing. Compared to that, me, born with everything, can’t be the hero of suffering. In some ways, I still have a lot left.”maU
mt8QAiselin counted off tasks and assets on her fingers.uJn
wDXxgRG“Anyway, after selling all the mansion’s assets and saying goodbye to those who had to go… we won’t be left with nothing. We just have to tighten our belts.”c8ey
zont0w“And can’t we do something with taxes or donations?”AzcCI
td6cUt“This year, I can sort out taxes correctly, but… I don’t think the other families will just sit back. They won’t leave a fallen noble in peace. I should get ready to cede control of the rice granaries north of the Theol River or the coastal villages.”sXN34Yx
18XVl5nMany would be ready to claim those fertile lands under any pretext.DVoKO
XclXEoA noble without authority had limits to the territory they could hold.rRbSZT
L3ew“Even if we resist as much as possible… the territory under the Duplain duchy will be reduced to less than half. What remains will be mountainous areas, exhausted mines, or empty pastures. Considering that, we should be ready to lose not just half, but between 70 and 80 percent of our tax revenue…”X5WWJ
88nv“Still… it seems the family line will survive.”iGfLHH
0iW0ZN“Yes. But if we want to keep the ducal title, the taxes due to the Empire are enormous. On top of that, if we want to support family members… I don’t know if there’ll be enough food next quarter…”35Wi2V7
UxeUAiselin looked dazed, as if about to faint. No matter how brave she was facing reality, reality remained harsh and chaotic.jCcf
aAwS2P8And most importantly—the central figure of the Duplain family, the duke—was gone.eQfA3bY
1bEWFThe first heir, Valerian, had also died, and the next in line, Leigh, remained in a coma. In the whirlwind of worldly affairs, people died and disappeared.XctWql5
lop1But those left behind had to get stronger. Now it was Aiselin’s turn to show her true inner strength.c9qMMsb
XHObs“Still… I never imagined we’d reach the point of not even being able to eat.”PsKMP
gwPa“Actually, I could tell the servants to set aside some food, but… even their rations aren’t abundant… All who stayed are loyal to the family, so I’d feel awful eating well when they don’t…”mmDMlh
iQV“…”K9wEc
70RS“Could I occasionally drop by for a meal?”snQgodZ
KvN21Just last week, Aiselin had shown up unannounced at Dereck’s home, bowing to ask for a loan.a8cq
ZLWAt that time, she still preserved some of her noble authority and blushed in embarrassment—but in under ten days, she was confidently asking for food.u5E
zCy7Reality truly does make people stronger, and Aiselin’s adaptability was amazing.8vMt
9NN“It’s no big burden, but… I can’t cook meals at home that would suit a duke’s daughter.”oeW
IlCiTQ“That’s fine. I’m not that picky.”5uUWp
T5v8Aiselin smiled sheepishly.F1n
gsTKeIu“Also, I’ve been studying a lot. I tried gathering wild herbs on the hills behind the mansion and boiling them… Their texture is surprisingly unique and not too bad. If you chop the belladonna flower stems and boil them with the roots, they taste surprisingly sweet. Isn’t that curious?”7dkfUAr
2kmk“Wild plants can be poisonous, so you have to be careful.”cK40MN
N8M“Katarina tried them first and confirmed they’re safe. She seems to know something about that.”qzTMv
orbi“…”Ldvr
7d61s6It was hard to tell whether this girl was poor or noble. In fact, every time Dereck saw Aiselin, she seemed to grow more resourceful.QFJzclk
pKOq0rBack when she was the cherished flower of House Duplain, she had always radiated an untouchable, noble elegance. But these days, she was often seen rolling up her sleeves, giving orders to the servants, and actively participating in the work.HmB
7jZILWShe even oversaw the mansion’s restoration efforts directly, often with dust clinging to the hem of her dress.yT8
jTVQq“I’ve also learned how to save water when washing clothes, preserve candles at night, and reduce ink use when writing with a quill. Living through economic hardship isn’t easy.”16oGK
TWR“You personally handle those things?”7hBHlB7
lLu“We have to save wherever we can. For now, there are too many expenses in the mansion. Once we sell the magic books from the library and the artwork in storage, we might have some breathing room. Then we can clear the debris and get the basic necessities.”d5k
29mLEAiselin nodded proudly, humming to herself. She seemed proud to be enduring such a difficult life.u35d
3lFkrZ5‘She’ll surely become a great person.’lelSnn0
IMVAA person’s life rises and falls like waves; fortune is always shifting. Falling and stumbling isn’t the end. If one just despairs, nothing will improve.PHI
5fOEveryone knows that truth—but living it is another matter entirely.iqms
jguIOzw“I’ve sold almost all my clothes, so I always end up wearing the same thing when we meet. Normally, not making an effort with one’s appearance would be terrible manners, but given the circumstances… I hope you understand.”OU8FY
3ecCF“You know I don’t care about that stuff. But still, didn’t you have quite a few outfits?”TyE6c
D1Bnek“Enough to attend the salon, at least.”Qhckg
sLA“Are you planning to keep going to the salon?”WiYTVio
YJR9B“I have to.”tDoxm
3sWjffAiselin was now the only pillar left standing in the Duplain family. If she lost her status, the family would collapse completely.ph9mL
IGjR2ysThat’s why she had to continue mingling in the salon, find allies, and maintain her position no matter what. The fallen noble had been thrown into the heart of Ebelstein’s social circle.G7d
FHQ1It wasn’t hard to imagine how cruel reality would be for her.pmm
aMykFortunately, she had always been kind and avoided making enemies.EnK
DSWRIt was a relief that she carried no heavy karma.CMQY
TW8“In any case, since I came to House Duplain today, let me know if there’s anything I can help with. House Beltus also said they’d lend a hand if needed.”LGFON
lyUA“Oh, no. Everything’s mostly in order, and the servants have divided up the tasks. You’ve helped enough already, Mr. Dereck. I can’t ask you to do physical labor too.”x4Ae
J4w7Aiselin sat on the worn-out bed. The tent was decorated as luxuriously as possible, but it was still a tent.oBCQR7
GHlVzCompared to a private, opulent room, it was a humble scene.W1a
8QQbcDereck silently watched Aiselin sitting there.PKA
JrGAfter all, the reason he had come that day was because she had called him aside. He thought there might be something more he could help with, so he had come prepared.IlHWdz4
tFxzBut Aiselin said there was no need, and that confused him.RlIKFE
OkuhicF“I didn’t call you here to ask for help… I just wanted to tell you how things are going with the mansion. I’m okay. Even if things are hard, I can endure them. I just wanted to tell you that.”rU0
SIk1S7“To me?”nzX
YaQOFV“Yes. During the disaster and recovery at the mansion, you helped in many ways, Mr. Dereck. So… I thought I should at least show that much courtesy.”wCm
MDxAiselin wore a vacant expression but eventually managed a weak smile.9zvlHM
s1eSn“As you can see, the mansion is in terrible shape. Compared to others you’ve seen, it’s nothing—it just makes one feel miserable.”Kxd
4RARsb“…”MiV4UX
VcCd“Still, it’s the mansion I’ve lived in since I was a child. I must repay the servants who trusted me and stayed by my side. Even if it’s in ruins, even if it can’t be called beautiful—not even as flattery…”dfBtfI
mTOhduAiselin rested her hands on her knees briefly, fidgeting with her fingers. Then she spoke with a faint smile and a warm voice.4tHfePM
0PG7“I just wanted you to know, Dereck. I wanted to tell you that I’m okay.”lKr5
aoWDereck continued watching her in silence.3azMJGt
yibHe wasn’t the type to hide his feelings with slyness or speak in circles.SXdcj
fh2But that didn’t mean he always told the truth. He thought for a moment, then pulled a wooden chair from a corner of the tent and sat across from her.w7Jgl
ofBnwPTHe stared at her for a while before speaking calmly.OpQT7
k4oUn“I know you’re not okay.”ChP6j
8R7S1mAt those words, Aiselin’s eyebrows twitched. She tried to smile and ask what he meant, but upon seeing Dereck’s expression, her smile turned bitter.zrO
g3zewJz“In a situation where it’s normal to not be okay, it’s okay to say you’re not. I might not be able to help much, but if you need anything, reach out. I don’t usually work for free, but I’m not good at haggling either.”jzmF
3RGBCg“…”X0ktZ
6XtGUaU“So, you should rest while you can. I’ll be going.”q2fKix
PKLWith that, Dereck bowed politely and left the tent.Qe0
ZipHe could’ve offered long words of comfort, but his direct, present-focused tone was so typically his.mli
15YOjEven in that firm voice, there was undoubtedly comfort for Aiselin. She felt a strange sense of steadiness from Dereck’s demeanor.sFo
3feShe looked toward the Duplain mansion, feeling the warm midday breeze. It still looked terrible.l5ajn0U
EP30OThe half-destroyed building was covered in places with tents.VScnfxk
6kuG8It looked like it would take a lot of money and time to fully restore.5cWzwb
W5kmBut if they did it step by step, they’d make it one day.RVR
O5A***EOa8yt
Hk6jAiselin lay down alone in the tent.ue7ssK
deE1DShe had spent the whole day checking on the mansion’s condition, handling family affairs, preparing to return to the salon, and catching up with Dereck.rGI
6idHpEven after he left, she kept replaying their conversation in her mind.tQWN
m68“…”sen2rN
gWbAlthough most of it had been necessary, she didn’t truly need to tell Dereck everything in such detail.ZINi
2flPIHe had helped a lot with various things, but ultimately, he was an outsider to the family. She could repay what he lent or gave later, through effort.YzD9
nBYyyVStill, why did she feel the need to tell him all that and ask him to come?EiF
GRgilEven though it was her own decision, Aiselin questioned herself.YWmX
U4FrkMY‘Did I misjudge things for a moment?’cFr10
vegThey say the more exhausting and difficult life gets, the more you instinctively seek someone to lean on. Seeking emotional support is natural when you’re carrying so much.PtM9
Otb‘I must be really exhausted.’i1eg
BQwpRnMAiselin closed her eyes and allowed herself a rare moment of rest. And even then, what came to mind was that boy who had cleaned her blood under the rain at the Duplain mansion.EKYoI
2RYEven when everyone else trembled in fear, he had remained calm until the end. His very presence brought reassurance.3GI9d1A
hrS9TEIf he could stay composed in the midst of such a catastrophe, surely he would always make the right decisions—whether in major crises or minor troubles.zZBNpjE
7QQJmRealizing that, her view of Dereck inevitably shifted a little.17ZMh
z77XEvery time she closed her eyes, the image of that boy in the rain returned. Even when she had no reason to think about him, she often wondered what he would’ve done in her place.tkds1j2
h98She must be very tired. With that thought, she was about to drift off to sleep.X10OiO
yMfSwoosh—fsW5bxa
2guThe sound of the tent flap opening was followed by a familiar voice.HNdX6S
V0B“Aiselin, sister. I just got back from Ebelstein. The Ront family sent some people, and I was wondering if we should include them in the mansion restoration… Huh? Aiselin, sister?”z9jQ
CcPDAZ“Huh…? Diella?”Odw0C
2hcUDiella entered the tent, brushing dust off her ruffled dress, stammering with cold sweat beading on her forehead.Ozt
PMvo“Why do you look like that? Do you have a fever?”JQiYuT
KmJnR1“Me… me? Fever?”vGNPcA
G0R“You’ve been overworking yourself lately. I won’t talk about the mansion restoration today. Just get some rest.”bzaN
qCT4Looking puzzled, Diella left the tent. Aiselin quickly sat up and looked in the mirror in the corner.XDkw
etjA girl with a bright red face—even her ears—stared back with a confused expression.BPl
hm1YC***Wohmz
zPj‘Dereck’s contract is about to expire… Can I keep him?’VUj
uGJx5That night, as always, Denise sat silently at her desk, writing, when the thought crossed her mind.vL4MFw
2wGQDEThe reason Grand Duke Beltus had clung so tightly to Dereck was because many women from the three great houses desired him.L5qYg
KdfXYVHowever, with House Duplain faltering and House Belmierd also loosening their grip, House Beltus’s need to retain Dereck was steadily weakening.KM9s8
vwRDereck’s value had skyrocketed. Unless he was absolutely essential, it wasn’t certain House Beltus would want to keep him.KbRuGs
usrHqfMany would react strongly if Dereck’s affiliation changed. Wanting to avoid such a situation, Denise had to begin thinking ahead.zTCu4
gc8Just then—Mxim
NzICreak.p1Ez
nJ5“Lady Denise.”lQl85c
lTU66kd“Eek…!”myN1Yh
9kDw“I-I was writing. Should I come back later?”ED80K0P
URfF“N-no, it’s fine. What is it?”jLZFup7
OBGtqW“A letter arrived. It was scheduled to be reported tomorrow morning, but… it’s unusual.”u15
pbEDenise quickly stowed her pen in the drawer, composed herself, and asked,OPQ6uHO
VqXgHD“Unusual?”hJ8nPf
CQkWfDo“It was sent directly by the royal family. Officially addressed to House Beltus, but… the intended recipient is rather peculiar.”NhA
C0AERP“Who’s the recipient?”dNDO
Vz18“It’s addressed to Mr. Dereck.”5MSj6T
wsl2dKe“…”pTWeA4
E2F5A foreboding feeling swept over Denise.REo
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