Chapter 78: People (5)
Wzt0Uc— Before teaching her anything else, the first thing Lady Siern must learn is the weight of death.so1zDL
RIXr— Do you think I haven’t tried something like that?yo1pvYP
9MPtPU— It’s not something that can be taught with just words and actions. If Lady Siern’s homicidal impulses come from her instincts, we must use a method strong enough to imprint it into those same instincts.kw7tDy
qHgLThe next day, Dereck visited Lord Melverot’s office. He said he wanted to request his understanding in advance and explained his plan on how to socialize Siern.PmR
Buap— So what? Are you going to push Siern to the brink of death? That’s a rather violent method.tBjX68M
hzMkI— Of course not. But it’s hard to deny that we might resort to somewhat violent means. That’s why I’ve come to ask for your understanding.N59KRI1
r9yM5Dereck laid out to Melverot what would happen in the future.IypFlg
NqwMelverot listened in silence, his face stiff. It was clear he understood Dereck was not an ordinary person.1CCB
PTIu6However, he did not oppose the plan.cFLnab
Io0QHe simply nodded.Atay2
FaZ3yg— If you have no further objections, I’ll take my leave.RiGxa
MDXM7The sound of Dereck’s steps as he bowed and left the office was unusual.fFAiFnV
voGC7It seemed like he didn’t plan to carry this matter for long.PDZd3SL
26206d***a5eL7
L7sSL5“How is Lady Siern’s food delivered?”PYD
EHo“Each meal is taken to the tower by the servants. They go in protected by all sorts of magic and gear. After all… it’s a dangerous task…”p0wE8v
dM8ZLThe next place Dereck went after leaving the office was where the head maid, Serena, was located.QpgKn
9XhShe was supervising the organization of the mansion’s storeroom and, upon meeting Dereck’s gaze, gave a bow. Judging by her still-bruised body, she had clearly been through a lot.9AROi
457bwYDereck expressed his gratitude for her efforts and asked several questions that had been on his mind.m1Hsjbz
SCC“Does Miss Siern often go out into the snowy field?”wxKR
Y5QvfH“Yes… She often comes back covered in blood. Most of it is from beasts or monsters… but not always…”EPmGnS
NSLvATs“…”aKaL38T
oTVNd“How long has this been going on?”5hScR
ASUf“About seven or eight years. Before that, she was a normal child. She laughed, learned well, played…”8CIl
X51SRDereck’s expression didn’t change, but Serena’s grew a little complicated.McNpGhr
3IEV6g2She had been caring for Siern for a long time. Although it would have been natural for her to harbor resentment, she genuinely seemed concerned for her.stb8
4g6KozDAfter all, children are not to blame. The ones at fault are the adults who failed to teach them. That’s what Dereck believed.gWRZ
03pV0aAnd someone like Siern especially wasn’t someone just anyone could teach.mq3HTP
tKBr“The scarlet ribbon is impressive. Was it made here in the mansion?”Gsttmam
Vx3“Eh…? All of a sudden? Normally we use ready-made products, but the head maid’s clothing usually has extra embellishments or patterns.”t3te
z5Iizl“What kind of dye do you use? Do you have a separate workshop in the mansion for that?”2KHLO
plm“Huh…? Why are you asking that all of a sudden…?”jNej
2gr“I’m curious about how the mansion staff works.”Klrnnhm
nigkm“…We use madder or similar plants for dyeing, but for Miss Siern’s clothes we usually use flower petals like safflower or balsam. The scent is also important… And the actual work is usually done by an artisan from Levelton. We just receive the dye and use it.”kBYe
y2J“There must be many people connected to the mansion through distribution.”QiwiD
yj6cZfy“That’s right…”KfOOT
dyrN8It wasn’t clear why he was interested in the mansion workers, but Serena didn’t ask.Vi3l
4uTA maid’s virtue is to not be needlessly curious.Qr8tjAm
NuPzaM“I’m also interested in the protective magic used by the servants before entering Miss Siern’s room. I also want to know how her meals are prepared.”PAEKM
ZKSS“I can tell you everything in detail. Lord Melverot gave us specific instructions to cooperate actively.”HUb6bSV
mfDi“I’m glad to hear that.”ooR1
U3IxbGAs Dereck walked away with firm steps, Serena bowed and followed.wkUxwz
gpN4s5As long as he had Melverot’s protection, no one could oppose him acting as if he owned the mansion.Emf
XEYAware of that, Dereck thought he should gather as much information as possible while he had the chance.IbvZdC
eMMIn any case, Dereck already had all his plans in order. It was time to train the leading actress with his own hands. Most likely, he would also be the director.zpCpGD
lMW2“From today on, I will inspect all the meals that enter Lady Siern’s room.”O2YTNtg
AECIWhile crossing the hallway, Dereck gave that order.tXtZab
dUMSomeone was secretly watching him from afar.AC6Y
eFP3giJ‘…’a2TZ
VRZM7YAiselin swallowed hard as she watched Dereck’s actions.QAx
dg27jD***UUgQHJ
cjpa6“It’s fine even if Lady Siern doesn’t trust me. Even if she thinks to use me and discard me later, I don’t mind.”lXCJL8F
nCdAiselin, who had returned to the room through the snow, took off her cloak and hung it next to the bed, speaking with a determined expression.4pPjsE
rfEnESiern, trembling inside the room, looked at Aiselin’s resolute figure and remembered Dereck again.Z2ZoanP
znXShe remembered the image of that beast-like man walking firmly through the snowy field.vOoS3L
nEJdIn that snowy world where it was either kill or be killed, he had the aura of a supreme predator.3Ml
kxJ31There were few in this mansion who could match Siern’s magical abilities, but at least that man, Dereck, seemed capable of overpowering her with ease.Kk7t1
6PUg5“I… I have to do what I believe is right. Even if Sir Dereck tries to kill Lady Siern, I will protect you with all my strength.”nRx
0nHGtQ“Why… why do you try so hard for me?”Ep37m
TnT“…You won’t believe me, but there’s no concrete reason.”RX2rKm
al3GhThat was precisely the biggest reason Dereck acknowledged Aiselin. She had the ability to embrace people.qXQP
AnvThe way to earn someone’s trust and make them feel you’re trustworthy is simpler than it seems. You only need one thing—sincerity.WmT5
APhfWhen all personal gain, success, and reward are discarded, and one acts solely based on what they believe is right and just, the other person perceives that sincerity.cd8g
wlaSincerity is a quality only the sincere can possess.Z5D3y3H
IiUC5RGThat’s why Aiselin’s noble and brilliant eyes were etched into Siern’s pupils. For a moment, Siern almost nodded.Vz3qu
6cEHowever, the terrible memories stored in her heart could not be undone with a single kind look.LBqm
DiRNhThe expressions of fear and disgust shown by countless teachers when they looked at Siern pierced the gaps in her memory.QTx
h6oIfNTEveryone had approached her with smiles at first, saying they were different.gNw
bo3GThey promised to guide her to a better world with flowery words. In her more naive days, she had hopeful thoughts. But the accumulation of frustrating experiences made her shake her head.6J6T
DnFG0C“I don’t believe it.”lCE4UB
XLfSiern, curled up in a corner of the bed, hugged her knees and growled.0RotvRR
7tgw“I don’t believe in anyone.”z4Tiyxt
F4yBZAw“You don’t have to believe me. Be suspicious of me. That’s better for you, Lady Siern.”zpcxSf
VY7Cy“Of course. After all, you’re the one accompanying that… lunatic named Dereck. Why should I… trust you?”qXkLbt
LjRuNBR“That… is true…”KSId
59iyb0Aiselin lowered her gaze and spoke as if she didn’t have the face to look up.rAiM
HNP3“Even so, I believe in Sir Dereck. To you, Lady Siern, he may seem cold and ruthless… but I still believe there’s humanity and kindness in him.”5At6eU
wXi“Lies. What you’re doing now is betraying that magic teacher named Dereck.”YnCTv
cY2“That… is true. But please, wait a little longer. I’ll do everything I can to convince Sir Dereck.”HCWV
QgOZvAiselin slowly approached Siern.Aab
TJl2YtSiern backed away, pushing the sheets with her bare feet, but Aiselin approached with a gentle smile and held her hands tightly.I79Cq9
l2C“It’s natural to be suspicious of me now, Lady Siern. But please, trust me for now. I’ll try to buy time while avoiding Sir Dereck’s schemes, and I’ll do everything I can to make him change his mind.”31rfOc
gPA“Do you really think that heartless monster will change his mind? I’d rather… tell everything to my father. Tell him that lunatic is trying to kill me and beg him to kick him out.”XWqrDUX
PY4hssq“Right now, Sir Dereck has the full trust and support of Lord Melverot. In this Rochester mansion, having Lord Melverot’s backing means there’s no way to stop him.”aI057X
S2eO9OqSiern showed a look of disbelief.yrt
C5J8To think that a magic teacher she didn’t even know, who had come from somewhere in the southwest of the continent, would have such trust.jeXSV
tzQ0E0However, once she calmed down a bit, she quickly realized that the situation was not in her favor.N483
DOTeoA killer who murdered people when given the chance, versus a competent magic teacher recognized in the southwestern empire.ZXKP
Ceiy2WIt didn’t take much thought to know who Melverot would believe. In the end, she would need Aiselin’s help. If that man named Dereck really tried to kill her, she wouldn’t be able to escape on her own.UfvR
fBMl“Fine. Keep being suspicious of me, Lady Siern. I’ll do what I can.”Lm66
gpRQaEHowever, on Aiselin’s serious face, with her lips tightly pressed together, there was sincerity.RZi
2VbkPT2It wasn’t an act or a lie, but the look of someone who genuinely cared about Siern.ijtZ9r
UhTZntm‘Don’t be fooled.’I804LQ
ODrd7Siern clenched her teeth and pushed Aiselin away. A coldness even more frigid than the vast snowy fields of the north flowed inside her.Uzq
T4eZNo matter how much Aiselin tried to embrace her with warmth, she couldn’t win over the heart of that thorny girl.gNKZ
SkmrRSiern glared at her fiercely. Even so, Aiselin kept a resolute expression.deX6e
1Q8MW0oShe was someone with a strong heart.6Mqc
wneF3ooThus, Aiselin began secretly visiting the tower several times, whispering information to Siern.2T66
xVChShe even warned her that Dereck was poisoning the food. She cautioned her repeatedly not to let her guard down, since it was a slow-acting poison, and not to touch any food brought by Dereck or the servants.pFI9p
GjgAlthough she doubted Aiselin’s words, Siern never touched the food brought by Dereck with the servants.4WWIYS
hLWoF4She pretended to eat just enough, then spat everything out, surviving only on the food Aiselin brought separately. The meals managed by Dereck were removed by Aiselin and discarded completely.U76zb
Yoc1iqFrom time to time, Dereck examined Siern’s body with his icy gaze, as if checking her condition, and each time, Siern suppressed her growing fear and pretended it didn’t affect her.zZR
qDpAWhenever Dereck spoke to her, she responded coldly, provoked him, and thought about how to drive that arrogant commoner out of the mansion.pHx7zL
XrN4Meanwhile, Aiselin never stopped moving around.A2R
1zWSfFearing for Lady Siern’s health, she checked on her condition several times and, when possible, begged Dereck to reconsider killing her.rufA
8JT5bEach time, Dereck firmly rejected her pleas, but she continued her double life without losing her resolve.qJV
tFxCaJThus, one day became three, and three days became a week.UO4upU
H51During that long time, Aiselin barely slept and gave most of her own meals to Siern, enduring the biting cold.6CLf
xrkkaAt night she would visit Siern’s room to report the latest news, and during the day she discussed Siern’s educational policy with the servants or kept an eye on Dereck’s movements.g3FA6bM
mVlAAs time passed, Aiselin’s face grew paler and more exhausted, but thanks to her, Siern remained alive.bVhQEn
dZT“There’s nothing abnormal with your health, right? I hope you never let your guard down, Lady Siern. When Dereck notices the medicine isn’t working, he might resort to other methods. I’ll… try to find out what he’s thinking as soon as I get a chance.”dwmwfTR
Ap5c“…”5gZUhhM
cpym“Don’t worry so much, Lady Siern. I’ve told you many times. Dereck may seem cold and ruthless, but he has a human and selfless side. As someone raised in the Duchy of Duplain, I know that better than anyone.”rPb
6XU“That’s enough.”5KRy
D55nOHNWhen she came to, Siern was already speaking informally to Aiselin.zSkMX7
9RMcBoGHer unwavering righteousness was admirable, but everything had a limit.5q1dgR4
fhl“What’s the point of enduring like this?”Ogv
tKmN“Lady Siern…”5qFR
SXH91kC“Life is like the jungle. Kill or be killed. Do you understand what I’m saying?”QQQHv4
tVwSiern let her bluish hair fall as she got out of bed and looked directly at Aiselin.tPddtL
EF5QqE“You… what are you? You’re not on my side, nor on that man’s side…”6gstK
YzC“That… that’s…”qtTQ
3dV5UyAAlthough she was deceiving Dereck solely to save Siern, she couldn’t completely abandon her fundamental trust in him.3HsT
opHR7Siern couldn’t understand Aiselin’s way of thinking. How could she still have emotional empathy for a man so monstrous, who acted with such violence and arrogance? How was that different from a wife who says she’s fine while being beaten every day?P57i8zB
DSqT8jmHowever, she couldn’t say it out loud because she herself wasn’t free from the accusations of being violent and arrogant.i0s
jAkbFThat girl named Aiselin trusted and believed even in people like them. She was someone who extended her unshakable faith even to the possibility that man named Dereck represented.OXqJ
N9AxOLThat’s why Siern felt frustrated.5gHhj
4ka9R“That’s enough. Let me die. If that man kills me, so be it. I don’t want pity from someone with a head full of flowers like you, nor do I want to beg for my life.”X4iQ
qRN8Snap!kvt
vy8Just as Siern said that, brushing the edge of despair, Aiselin clenched her teeth and slapped her.li31
GK0In an instant, Siern’s pupils widened.ryYbR
X8F7NIf someone were to choose the kindest and most benevolent person in the world, many would name Aiselin.ekT
36e3It was rare for someone so simple to resort to violence. Even Siern was so surprised she couldn’t help but tremble.OhdRK
oKB“Don’t accept death so easily. Don’t you know that everything ends once you give up?”ZWi
vbyAiselin spoke every word through clenched teeth. She was a girl raised carefully in a noble family. Normally, people like that lack a sense of reality and only talk about ideals.jwtT6dA
AJLVUGGHowever, Aiselin was a young woman who rolled up her sleeves to stand even in the crumbled mansion of the Duplain family.acSt8
FSAg0lThe truly strong don’t show their swords. The poison hidden in sweetness is the one that has real value.Hnr4
yCV2wbShe was someone with an iron will to live, capable of spreading manure with her own hands to sow, and selling household items despite the shame.iyg
UHjThat’s why she couldn’t ignore those who gave up on themselves.Jm1Q
8qFEver since she wandered through taverns in search of Diela’s teacher, her strong nature had already been evident.O6A309U
1yn8Siern felt she was seeing Aiselin’s true depths and couldn’t say anything.woMQn
kxhNskd“You can live. I won’t ask you to learn magic or etiquette. You don’t need any of that. Just… don’t throw away your precious life over a nature you don’t even understand. That… just that… I can’t bear it…”OpSC9
x3MOEb“What… what… why… why are you crying…?”IiRl
LXbpH“Did you understand what I said?”A9T
IMNqqQGAiselin’s eyes turned red and she began to sob. It was an undignified reaction, but that didn’t matter in that moment.jn2x85s
TBaTzoAiselin knew someone in a situation similar, though subtly different, to Siern’s. Her sister, Diella.5vj
YJaJrDiella now aspired to become the true power behind Ebelstein, with the qualities of a ruler, but during her wandering days, she had been a girl who despised her own life, just like Siern.QZAGNNT
Wb9Aiselin knew better than anyone how sad, lonely, and painful that was. That’s why she couldn’t leave Siern alone.u58p
oDL4“I… I…”bnHF
FV60TO“I’ll try to fool Sir Dereck a little more. While he changes his mind, we’ll gain time. And somehow… I’ll convince him…”Cd1xH
VAM7Aiselin tried to speak with a deeply serious expression.63r
mwNcyo0“That won’t work.”sd0d1eb
Ov1Bang!sqGD
dVUc96It was Dereck who burst into the inner room.PZSu6
u4YwdlgBoth Aiselin and Siern flinched and looked in that direction. The man, dressed in mercenary garb with a frozen expression, was standing there.FFJtHe
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