Chapter 67: The Most Noble and Impoverished (3)
vaRfSince Aiselin had been a prominent figure in aristocratic circles, she had witnessed the rise and fall of many noble families.DvAZIl
XhqroopSome had plotted rebellions, broken the unwritten rules among nobles, or exploited their servants beyond the limit, driving them to death… In such cases, they accumulated too many wrongdoings and ultimately faced justice.JkteIrj
SzQOthers simply failed to adapt to changing times or were cornered to extremes in managing their territories, which led to a natural decline.1Hw221
vR26kAs their fortunes crumbled, Aiselin had seen many fallen noblewomen end up in miserable circumstances. From her observations, those who managed to survive and retain some influence shared certain traits.fbX
n315c6pFirst, they were resolute. Second, they didn’t succumb easily to despair. Third, they had practical skills.YO6O
TxPPxEuAiselin already possessed some of these values and attitudes. What she lacked were practical skills—that is, the ability to manage day-to-day life.MdLy
qxqBThe number of servants had drastically decreased, and there were barely any external personnel like squires or knights remaining, so she had to handle many tasks on her own.Ges36w
fYpuSince the mansion was half-destroyed, most of the remaining workforce was focused on restoration work, meaning she often had to take care of personal hygiene and meals by herself.jfSt
dyw1In short, she had to cook, sew, clean the surroundings, and do the shopping on her own… she had to take charge of all the tasks needed to move forward.RKQYxC
ctpPgKWhile she rolled up her sleeves and personally took care of each task, she sometimes wondered if this was really okay… but such thoughts merely passed through her mind.C4wG3n
qmJc“This is… kind of fun…”49ye
Dgz1Vf“What?”nf1d
ZZ2HMFIt had been about a month since the mansion was destroyed.bAgcE
lZWFhfWithin the still-drafty ruins of the building, Diella, who was eating roasted turkey with some seasoning, looked at her with a strange expression.U9q
ZwWtt6t“Aiselin… sister?”4QBtP
3be6“Oh, no… It’s just that… with everything so difficult and so many people suffering, maybe I shouldn’t be thinking this way, but…”5YWlc4M
PmJ3sAt that time, Leigh and Miriela were still unconscious.aZJm3QW
Pbd7VThe servants lived in constant worry over the mansion’s future, and the condition of the two noblewomen was a source of ongoing concern. In that gloomy atmosphere, Aiselin fidgeted with her hands, uncomfortable at having said something inappropriate, and quickly lowered her gaze.0HmLP
TDhMZ“I had never cooked for myself before. Or sewn… I’d never even just stared up at the evening sky because I had free time… I had never done any of those things alone…”vNraE
SuMdgCC“R-really? I thought you were pretty capable, Aiselin.”ON0H9
nVH6“Sure, I learned a lot under the pretense of a lady’s education, but those weren’t practical skills. I know how to embroider a beautiful peacock, but I don’t know how to patch a torn skirt. I know how to make refined desserts, but… I never learned how to roast tough meat to make it tender.”8rv8Ib
n4PQgXv“Well, maybe so, but…”GemAj
A0oz9OV“Diella, don’t misunderstand… This might sound weird…”1x9bY
luuSOVXAiselin continued speaking as she sliced the low-quality turkey.J0f5
W6PQ83Despite the simplicity of the dish, her movements still carried elegance, creating a striking contrast.ghKn7N
qtprpLu“Going to the noisy market to haggle over ingredients, scrubbing dusty windows until they shine, washing rugs until they’re spotless… I think I enjoy those things… When I see all the dirt come off completely, I feel a strange satisfaction, a kind of euphoria… Is that weird?”8g62
zdnAlQ‘Maybe I’ve lost my mind,’ she thought silently.iB0w
InXYhIn truth, a person’s temperament can reveal itself in unexpected ways.8tH60X
C0bIJust as Diella, a wild prodigy mage, had been born into the Duplain family known for their disciplined approach to magic, there were many cases where the environment one was born into didn’t match their true nature.hsN
HMFOxAiselin had been the most noble lady in Ebelstein’s social circle. Everyone saw her as the purest flower blooming in the finest garden.b3Ht0
7m1She herself had believed for a long time that this was her role. But as circumstances changed, she discovered parts of herself she never imagined existed.Z3KBNkx
KVrE3“Today’s turkey isn’t the best quality, but I used spices from the Alderete region, so it turned out better than expected, right? I marinated it this morning, and it seems to have absorbed the seasoning well. Next time I’ll try to get more pepper. I bet the servants would like it too.”mB8
buF7L8“Hmm… No matter how much I wash the sheets, the old stains won’t come out… Soaking them for a long time doesn’t seem to help… When Katarina returns from Ebelstein with supplies, I’ll ask her about it…”tjt3Jp
dIj“I found some brooms in the basement, and they’re surprisingly good, you know? The bristles are soft yet firm—not a speck of dust escapes. They’re top quality. Why would they have left something so good down there? I’d love to know which workshop made them…”23N
emXtUnknowingly, Aiselin was always seen with her sleeves rolled up when not in public.FEsqqL
Mv7fGoZOne day she was helping the maids carry old sheets in the mansion’s restoration. Another day she was up in the mountains testing whether certain plants were edible.3pCUQgT
dnIoZPrShe even tried going to the construction site with a shovel, but a maid stopped her, thinking that was going too far. Helping with chores was one thing, but a noble lady doing manual labor was considered crossing the line.UXAiOAD
GTDVzThat’s when Diella realized something. There was a side of her sister that even she hadn’t known. Aiselin had been born to be a homemaker.7EG4m7c
TG8Nearly two months had passed since the mansion’s destruction.PXL
jJCRS“Aiselin! What are you doing!?”2Xt3o
chm2T“Diella! You better not come too close! One, two!”QelcR
swgTqeDiella had just returned from Ebelstein, where she’d gone to gather information on the local situation in preparation for returning to the Rose Salon.3hCx
2pIYVBehind the still-restoring mansion, the furrows Aiselin had dug in the field were perfectly aligned. She was no longer wearing a dress, but a light skirt and blouse, wiping sweat from her neck with a cloth.6dZORj
dWDwHer face, though makeup-free, was still beautiful. But with her hair tightly tied and soaked in sweat, she looked like a true laborer.IEU4yL
v00When Aiselin set down the heavy wooden bucket, it was filled with reddish-brown soil. A foul smell filled the air, and Diella took a step back.Za7j
3Z5k“W-what is that?”CDiE6
XpZ7“Fertilizer. Mixing the mansion’s manure with fallen leaves and sawdust from the construction work makes a pretty good compost.”msci0HD
80X0Z“You’re… thinking of farming?”oOS
3T9V9C“I think we need some degree of self-sufficiency, so I prepared a field. What do you think? The servants opposed it at first, so it took some time… but not bad, right?”oxbQN
ghzStanding in front of the fertilizer pile, Aiselin had a very serious expression, evaluating how to distribute it.C3wr
i5nfV7“For crops… I think it’s better to buy grain and plant vegetables for cooking. The servants will have to take care of it when I’m not here, so I hope it’s not too much work… It’d be ideal if it were pest-resistant…”lgK
gJpR“Where did you learn all this?”poZuW
MUpMMn7“I studied the mansion’s books. And when I did territory inspections, I more or less observed what the farmers were doing… Let’s see, we should plant turnips, radishes, onions, and cabbages…”AHg
WLUF1At this point, the servants no longer tried to stop her.XhhTt
gNDmYWhen Diella looked at the servants busy with restoration work, they all lowered their heads in embarrassment.GghZZ
UPBhnfP“And tomatoes too… We can use them in salads… What else could we plant…?”yQjbTD
2wUSAiselin’s eyes sparkled. There was no doubt that she was truly enjoying herself.RchL
FWm5U5People always say the extraordinary have something eccentric about them… but no one expected her eccentricity would take this path.BrApk4
q4xW8nnDiella was so stunned she couldn’t even close her mouth.0hWz
emTtQ***PtsB
lf6i5zhThe fall of the Duplain family became one of the main talking points within the Rose Salon. It was inevitable.6TzIf0p
5GY4The strongest pillar among the three—Duplain, Belmierd, and Beltus—had crumbled.6RNV
4lbLThis didn’t just mean the weakening of the Salon’s influence; it also created new opportunity.kMVk
hp7qeThe Belmierd and Beltus families couldn’t absorb Ebelstein’s entire power structure on their own. Inevitably, gaps would appear in the void left by Duplain.l4M9JyC
CDYASome saw this great upheaval as a chance for social ascent; others viewed it as a signal to protect the status they’d already gained.T0qoKWQ
LRbFAmid the tense atmosphere of the Rose Salon, rumors began circulating that the young Duplain women would attend the gatherings again.wOdD5w
V5woSy“Oh my… I’ve heard the fallen Miss Duplain—the one who dared to cross a line—wants to return to the Rose Salon.”sQk
vzvL“Life is fleeting. Miss Aiselin was beautiful, noble, and kind… Who would’ve imagined she’d fall like this?”qwxTLZ
rqhj“If she really hit rock bottom, she’d better stay away from the salon. But if she’s got nowhere else to go, maybe she’s seeking refuge with us. Pitiful, in a way.”tNcDDB
8jX0z“At least Miss Aiselin inspires pity. But Miss Diella got what she deserved. She thought herself superior and treated Miss Denise poorly. So this is her comeuppance.”rQo
SlEeV9There are always those who take a small pleasure in another’s misfortune.sJL5
ce0t1BkAs Ellen walked along the salon corridor, she spotted some ladies whispering gossip and approached them with purpose.sUpIQV
aKgS2“Lady Rovent… weren’t you practically one of Miss Aiselin’s supporters? How quickly you turned your back.”hIc4e
a1edF“W-what? Ugh… L-Lady Ellen…”cDf
ilMaA“No matter how much you flit about like a bat, do you think many people say good things about you, Lady Rovent? You should take a look in the mirror.”xpX4RPL
vqkckNzRovent stared impassively. Ellen, barely acknowledging her, turned on her heel and entered the Salon. She was exhausted after pulling an all-nighter preparing for today’s lecture on magical philosophy.Mzzu
h1RIt was expected that the Duplains would be defamed. Once someone is in the mud, they’re the first target of gossip.HIb
b6ntqi7Though she despised such social cruelty, Ellen was on edge that day and perhaps spoke out more than was wise. Best to avoid making enemies, yet she’d done exactly that.GDU
XuYShe sighed downcastly as she stepped into the lecture hall.3yoDMB
1q9J“Oh, Lady Ellen! So long—it’s wonderful to see you again.”tQhWiC
LEkY‘…?’HoNX
9QKXoAiselin looked much healthier, her expression far more vibrant.knWS5
zsKayrSAt first, Ellen thought it was an act, but after exchanging a few words, she realized it wasn’t. Aiselin was not one to hide her emotions.C01Agn6
InK“I’m so glad to be back in Ebelstein after all this time. I’ve been so busy lately that just enjoying the countryside ride in the carriage felt lovely.”68gRaTo
DOOU“I’m glad to see you well, Lady Aiselin.”Snnp
fuUtmP“Well, aside from being alive, I feel like a corpse! I have to stay standing.”5WBCBi
1ejGiThough she wore a pretty dress, it was unadorned and understated. Few accessories, no fresh flowers in her hair.FUYmvy
6bxYet she looked at Ellen with bright eyes and said:2Cg
3ifjqLL“Thank you so much for not blaming us for the great disaster at the Duplain mansion. Because of your intervention, many important families also didn’t blame Belmierd. Most still make demands, but the burden has been greatly reduced.”yeMAJB
mU2V1“Don’t worry. I just did what I thought was right.”mxe0c
Vuc“Still, the Duplain family owes you deeply. I’ll never forget this debt.”OKpMZq
haJ8“It’s not necessary. You must have a lot on your mind these days, so if you need help, please tell me. I’ll do what I can.”UrCyEk
dPR4bQ“…So, may I make a bold request?”FNXJJQ
6RUN“…Eh?”5qA4fK
mJYzIt was a courteous lead-in—but Aiselin seized the moment like a spirit. She sounded more determined than ever.7a5gbuv
LNmc“I don’t have much funds available right now, so I’m selling the mansion’s artworks and magical items at bargain prices. But as you know, many are highly valuable and not selling quickly. It’s a big problem.”V9lhuW
M98a“Ah, yes?”ZD23
FpQjs5Z“So I’m doing direct sales myself. It could be great for you, Lady Ellen. You won’t find these renowned pieces or magical items at these prices elsewhere. I spent all night compiling a catalog—would you like to see it?”WIlua
0cAw1Ellen stepped back, overwhelmed by Aiselin’s energy.PZ0UQx3
ciHLONlThe old Aiselin radiated untouchable nobility. Now she exuded a ghostly determination.pAIH
gTR2“The Odelton grimoire is only 300 gold coins. The Drest Academy would faint in outrage. Also, I have a collection of sculptures by the Northern master Theon for just 100 coins. If you buy the whole collection, I’ll give a 30% discount. Will you let an opportunity like this pass?”Zg4DO
wXvf7iD“…”FmD6T
pxt6E“And look here, and here too… There are staffs I had reserved for myself, and magical items that once belonged to former high-ranking officials. The prices are insane, right? Missing this opportunity would be madness. A lot of people are interested in these items… If you don’t buy them now, you’ll definitely be thinking about them tonight when you’re at home.”KRTawmw
7zATi“…Hoo.”d6e
1RuhIt wasn’t empty talk—there really were fine items. They were Duplain property, after all, so quality was expected.eroytB
5GqfybbEllen almost gave in, poring over the catalog, until she shook her head.NcSOR
0KQe5s“Ah… Is it really all right to sell these items?”WKOwo
q5txgw“And is now the time to be picky? Better than letting the servants starve. Art won’t fill stomachs, will it?”vyXtEKw
v1zkg6z“…”yLtpH
JSEbxKEllen, recalling Aiselin’s former elegance and dignified discussions, was thrown off balance.uu4EEyr
R34F“Look at this too—this portrait by Count Antras is under 100 coins. I know deep discounts offend the artist’s intent, but given our situation, we have no choice.”G5r
ATTF9Y“And have you been selling these things to other ladies as well?”60R
tPl“Of course. Sales are going well. When Lady Denise arrives, I plan to show her the catalog too. If you don’t claim something now, someone else will.”dn5m
yRqjEAiselin squeezed her hands with intensity.6GbbYD
0jBbfhH“This could be the best chance to sell!”XWzrMQm
GT6W“Please calm down, Lady Aiselin. You can’t conduct business from the Elfontaine Salon, can you?”wHWm
sViZZdx“That’s why I scoped it out from the hallway. They don’t prohibit ‘artistic exchanges’ between ladies. This qualifies as one.”M7es
foTE“Well… if you say so…”ebJtWj
ZobwCreak.UfWF8W
7KI4PvoSomeone entered. Aiselin straightened her dress and looked up—more like a salesperson spotting a customer than someone greeting a friend.udmvD5
a6pb5id“Oh, Lady Denise! Long time no see!”wMYd
MU06orUShe rushed forward, catalog in hand.tH9AneY
q2jUyPJDenise appeared, well-dressed but weary. Aiselin froze at the sight of the man accompanying her, face flushing as she hurriedly gathered her wares from the table.U7YNV
yzJq0z0“Miss Aiselin. You look healthy.”Kv1yo
KcL“Yes. Lady Denise, as always, you look gorgeous! Could you spare me a moment? I have a catalog and the prices are quite reasonable, so…”numGg
bVG3dJust like with Ellen, she was determined to speak enthusiastically and boost her sales with Denise.6DDUI
ljCBut just as she was about to begin her sales pitch in earnest, she saw the man who had accompanied Denise… and was left speechless. As if she had seen something she shouldn’t have, her face turned red and she hurried to put away all the items she had laid out on the table.tczuq9
aPOQ“Miss Aiselin. You look well.”DtzvS
9TQ“Dereck!? What are you doing at the Elfontaine Salon…?”b7hoD
TtvsTby“This afternoon, the royal magical advisor wanted to see me, so I’m accompanying Miss Denise while we’re in the noble district.”nhN
yrZS7G“R-really?”r8pHO3
fZLOEllen felt a flutter of discomfort at Aiselin’s reaction.NAH
aVfdTypically composed, Aiselin was suddenly nervous before Dereck—eyes downcast, shifting uncomfortably.XAiKTh
9rRNLike a wild animal in front of its natural predator, she looked down and turned restlessly at Dereck.Mq0gx
rVk8hiJ“What are those documents?”0sjcQq
0Dej“Oh… these… Are some items I wanted to show Miss Denise…”sR08v6w
mJ2“Its nothing terribly important. I was just surprised to see Dereck here, so I mentioned it.”HvD
1NWEzk“Huh? It’s not odd to bring a servant or someone from home to the Elfontaine Salon, right?”TvO1LFB
wqKQVGR“Lady Denise is correct, but… I was curious. How have you been, Derek?”cNBIDN
wCls8“Fine. As always.”nqmFQ
1wHBgg“R-really…?”El1Rk
kG0cAiselin trailed off. Normally able to slip around such moments, but this time, she couldn’t.pZJ
0uJTAlAIn truth, Aiselin had been feeling drawn to Derek for some time.njd
RMjFrom the day he visited mercenary guilds to find a mentor for Diella, to coming to the Duplain mansion, teaching other young ladies, even trying to receive training directly—she had hoped he would become her mentor.cTs
E0CNow, with her family’s fallen status and Derek’s inflated value, that wish was impossible. She had to let it go.BZj
vSZ7GBut her feelings for Derek only deepened. Every time their eyes met, memories of him tending her blood in the rain at the Duplain mansion returned.Nr2C0LA
qikoHer cheeks heated, and she could barely look him in the eye.CWwI2z
bDB0V“D-Dereck…!”Sl8v
PiWfVX“Yes?”XQiK
c1otcaWhen Aiselin suddenly said his name, Dereck responded naturally.y7DPgZF
4Hq“You’re incredible!”NK5dX7Y
5dJQ“What…?”MKIyWh
217“I mean… that the royal magical advisor sought you out personally means the royal family wants to reward you for what you did at the Duplain mansion, right? You could receive valuable magical items—or with luck, even a magical weapon…!”AQkbjp
E0h“That I’d be recognized for my deeds is an honor, but… from what I heard, it might not just be about celebration. They say Sir Melverot from the North is searching for me…”UoDywvI
Vi0s9qO“R-really? If it’s Sir Melverot, it must be important…”wUUH
YfOB8F“…?”BJa8
B5BUiStartled by her own words, Aiselin covered her mouth, whispering an apology under her breath.mCt
mTogHC1She rarely slipped this way in speech, so Denise and Ellen narrowed their eyes.SIo7Nml
bSs“…”B8M
S1oR“…?”m57
rM7A strange silence followed, heavy and uncomfortable. Aiselin still covered her mouth, eyes flickering.a7Jq
21cqLmEllen looked confused, while Denise—a writer of romantic novels—understood immediately what her reaction meant.4ImMboj
QChhGVKIn no time, Denise’s face stiffened, and she began to break out in a cold sweat.SOyEyY
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