Noble Lady Reformation Guide — Chapter 83: Siern (2)

Chapter 83: Siern (2)

It‌ had been quite‍ some time since⁠ Aiselin departed for⁠⁠ the Duke of⁠⁠ Rochester’s territory in‍ the north.

Her‍‍ firm message of‌‌ “I’m going to‌ earn money” and‌⁠ her solemn departure alongside Dereck… left‌ Diela with no‍⁠ thought of stopping⁠⁠ her.

“That’s‍ more or less‍⁠ how it was,‌ brother.”

The‍‌‍ Duplain estate, previously⁠‌ patched with tents‍‍‌ here and there,‌ had been partially‌ rebuilt, and most‍⁠ urgent matters had⁠⁠⁠ been resolved, allowing‌ the ducal family⁠ to regain some⁠⁠ of its form.⁠‌

Miriela⁠⁠‍ had been completely‌‍ destabilized and had‍ to be sent‌ to her family‍⁠ to recover, and‌ the other servants‌ were also in‌‍‍ no condition to‍ return to work.⁠⁠

Although⁠‌‌ there was no⁠‍⁠ end to bad⁠ news, at least‍ recently, there was‌‌‌ one piece of‍ good news.

“Really…?”‍

The‍‌‍ second son of‌ Duke Duplain, Leigh,‌‌ who had been in a coma,‌‌ had awoken.

Leigh,⁠ who had been⁠ on the brink of death after being struck by‍‍ dark magic and‌ subdued by Dereck.‍

His‍ short hair had⁠⁠‌ grown a bit,⁠ and along with‍‍ his unkempt beard, his once-clear eyes were no longer⁠ the same.

Even‍ so, his robust‍‍ build hadn’t changed,⁠ and standing before‍‍‍ him still gave‌‌‍ off an odd⁠‍⁠ sense of intimidation.‌‌

“Father‍ and brother… ended⁠⁠ up like that…⁠ Aiselin went north‍ to earn money…‌‌ Damn it… damn⁠ it…!”

Even⁠‌ through the pain⁠‍ coursing through his⁠‍ body, Leigh sat‍⁠ up in bed‌‍ with a distressed‍⁠ expression.

“You‍ must’ve gone through a lot while‌‍ I was lying⁠‌‍ in this bed,‌ Diella. Forgive this‌⁠ useless man.”

“I’m‌‍ fine. I was‍‍ just running around‌‍ bowing left and‍⁠ right. If anyone had it hard,‌ it was sister‍‌ Aiselin…”

“Aiselin…‍‌ Yeah, she must’ve‍ really had it‌ rough too. She‌‌⁠ must’ve been running‍‍ around like she‍‍‌ was on fire,‍‍ trying to hold⁠‍ this ruined family‌‌ together… Ugh…”

Leigh‌‌ held back his‍ tears and took‍ a deep breath.‌

“A‌ girl who lived‍ her whole life‌ protected in a noble family, suddenly‌ thrown into such‍ harsh reality… I can’t even imagine how desperate and⁠‍ hard it must’ve‍ been for her… And me, knowing‌ nothing, just lying‌‍ here in bed…”‌

He‌⁠⁠ pictured Aiselin, sweating‌‌⁠ while working in the fields and‍‌ gazing at the‍ blue sky with‍⁠‍ a satisfied expression.⁠

Diella,‌ watching him silently‍‍ as he blamed⁠ himself again and⁠ again, looked away‍‍ awkwardly.

It‍‌ was true that‌‌‌ Aiselin had it‌⁠⁠ hard, but from‍ Diella’s perspective, there‌⁠ was something oddly‍⁠ fitting about her.‍‌

It‍ sounded strange, but…⁠ Aiselin seemed to‍ have a knack⁠ for being a noble fallen from grace.

Still,‍ saying “it’s fine,⁠‍ don’t worry” sounded‍‌ too insensitive. Diella‌⁠ had to choose‌‍ her words carefully.⁠

“Forgive⁠⁠ this disgraceful second son! Unable to‌ correct my brother,‍ I was dragged down and fell to dark magic…‍⁠ I lost consciousness‍ and caused my⁠‌ sisters to suffer‍ during the most‌‌ critical moment…!”

“It’s⁠⁠ okay. Focus on‌ recovering your body,‍‌ brother. Anyway, the‍‍‍ Duplain family is‍‍‍ in a state‌‍ where everyone is‍‍ needed.”

Leigh‌ was the only‌⁠ male child among⁠‍ the direct descendants‌ of the late‌ Duke Duplain.

Since‍ he was most likely to inherit⁠‌ the headship of‍ the family, his recovery had to‍‍ be the top‍ priority.

However,⁠‍‍ Leigh, with a dim look in‌⁠ his eyes, lowered‌⁠ his head and⁠‌‌ said:

“How could I dare‌ to call myself⁠ the lord of‌ the Duplain estate…? Who would follow⁠‌‍ someone who lost⁠‍⁠ consciousness at the‍ most crucial time?”‍⁠

“…”‌

It‌‍ would’ve been right‍ to deny those words firmly, but‍‍ the truth was,‌ while Leigh was‍ bedridden, the other‍⁠⁠ servants looked to⁠ Diella or Aiselin‍⁠ for guidance.

Leigh⁠ himself had lost⁠ confidence, so it‍ was unclear if⁠‍ he had the⁠⁠ spirit needed to‍ lead the family.‌

The‌ situation grew more‍ and more difficult.‌‍⁠ Diella let out‍ a deep sigh.

‘The‌‌‍ Duplain family really⁠ needs sister Aiselin…’‌‌

Only⁠ a few weeks‌ had passed since‍ Aiselin left for⁠ the north, but‍ she could only‍‍ hope she would‍⁠ return soon.

Creak.⁠⁠

At⁠ that moment—

Amid‌ that somewhat somber‍ atmosphere, head maid‍⁠‍ Katarina entered holding‌‍ a letter in‍ her hand.

When‌ Diella looked at‌ her, Katarina bowed‍ deeply and said,‌⁠

“A⁠ letter has arrived‍⁠ from the Duchy⁠ of Rochester in‌‍ the north.”

It‍‌‌ was an unexpected‌‍ message.

***‍‍⁠

The⁠⁠ next day, on⁠‌ her way back‍‍‌ to the tower‌ after finishing her⁠ meal, Siern ran⁠‍ into Dereck.

Dereck,‌ dressed in his‍ neat mercenary attire,⁠ was walking down‍ the corridor from‍ the opposite direction,⁠ his cloak billowing.‌

As‍ always, he looked⁠‍ imposing, but upon‍‌ closer inspection, he⁠‍ was bandaged in‌ multiple areas. All of it was⁠ Siern’s doing.

“Ugh…”‍

Siern,⁠ walking with the‌ help of servants,‍‍‍ flinched and stepped‍⁠ back.

Only a day had‍ passed since the‍‍ incident in the‌‍ mansion’s garden.

Even⁠‍ though she had⁠ already been told‌‍⁠ about Dereck’s intentions, she couldn’t help⁠ feeling uncomfortable.

The‍ image of Dereck‌⁠ advancing through the⁠‍⁠ snowy field with‌‍ a chilling gaze‍‍ still lingered like‍⁠ a nightmare.

To‍⁠‌ Siern, Dereck was⁠ a difficult and⁠ frightening presence.

“…”‍‍

Dereck, who approached Siern,‍‌ gave a slight‌⁠ bow of greeting.‍‌

Siern⁠‌⁠ recoiled in surprise,‌‌⁠ but Dereck showed‌ no other reaction.⁠‍

“D-D-Dereck… right?”

“I⁠ apologize for yesterday.‍ Lady Aiselin already⁠ explained the situation,⁠ so I have‌⁠‍ no further excuses.”⁠

Siern⁠ felt dizzy. The‍‌ image of a demon-hunting killing machine‌‍⁠ had vanished, replaced‍‌ by a rugged‌⁠ man politely observing‌‍‍ noble etiquette.

It‍ was hard to believe they were‍ the same person—she⁠‍ had to rub her eyes several‌⁠ times to be‍‌ sure.

“You have every right‌ to be upset.⁠‍‌ But please understand‍ it was necessary.”⁠

“N-no… it’s not that…‌⁠‍ not that…”

Dereck,‌‌ as if to‌ show he was listening, silently observed‍‍⁠ Siern’s face.

Even that made her⁠⁠ feel suffocated.

In⁠ any case, Siern‌ held the upper‍ hand in the‌ conversation. No matter⁠⁠‍ how intimidating Dereck⁠ was, a commoner‌ was still a commoner.

He‌ couldn’t be harsh‌ with the duke’s‌ daughter, so if Siern wanted to‌‍ scold him, she‍⁠ could. If she‌⁠‌ wanted to praise‍ him, she could⁠ do that too.‌

However,‌⁠ Siern couldn’t act‍‌ freely. She felt⁠‌ like prey facing⁠ a predator.

“…”‍‌⁠

Siern‌ took a breath⁠ and looked at⁠ Dereck. Then she‌ noticed the wounds⁠ still on his‌‍ body.

They‌‌ were marks from‌⁠‍ having endured all‍‌‌ her magic to⁠⁠ bring her back‌‍⁠ to her senses.⁠‌ The head maid‍ had treated them⁠ somewhat, but they‍ couldn’t have healed‌ completely in such a short time.‍

Seeing‍‍ those wounds made‌ it impossible for Siern to feel‍‍ at ease.

“I,⁠⁠ I…”

“…?”‍

“I’m⁠‌ sorry… I think…⁠‌‍ but also not…”‌

“…”‌⁠

Dereck⁠ looked at Siern⁠⁠ with a puzzled‍‍ expression.

“If⁠‌ it’s too hard,⁠ you don’t need‍ to apologize. I don’t mind, really.”‌

“…I’m⁠‌ sorry.”

“….”‍‌

“You⁠ already know… I can’t even pretend‌ to be human.‍ Even now, I might try to‌ kill you again⁠ someday.”

Siern⁠⁠ spoke while staring‌ at the ground.⁠‍‍

“If⁠‍ you want to‍⁠ teach me, you have to be⁠ stronger than me.‌⁠ So I don’t accept just anyone‌‌ as a teacher.”‍‍

— I heard you’re going to teach⁠‌ me magic.

— Then you have‌‍ to be stronger‌ than me?

Dereck⁠ suddenly remembered the‍ day he took‌⁠‍ the wagon north,‌ to the territory‌‌ of Rochester, when Siern threw a monster corpse at‍ him and charged.‍

Now‍‍⁠ that he had⁠‌ seen Siern lose her sanity once,‍‌ he understood. Back⁠ then, she had still retained her‍ reason.

And‍⁠‍ yet, she attacked⁠ him.

Without cause, she charged‌ the one who‍⁠ had come to teach her, frightened‍ him, and drove‌⁠‌ him away.

Maybe‌‌ that wasn’t the‍‌‌ childish arrogance of a noble, but‌ something else. Something⁠‍⁠ she had learned‍ from countless experiences—that‍‌⁠ if someone uncertain⁠‍ tried to teach‍⁠‍ her, they would‍ end up bloodstained.⁠‌‌

So⁠⁠⁠ she drove them‌‍ off with threats⁠ right at the⁠‍‍ estate’s gate.

Perhaps⁠‌ it was the⁠ conclusion she had‌⁠ reached by resisting⁠ her nature in‍ her own way.‍⁠‍ Trying to explain‌ it in words⁠‍ would be meaningless.

That‍ girl, sitting alone⁠‌ at the top‍⁠‌ of the tower,⁠ silently watching the‍ snow-covered land, didn’t‌‍ know any other‍ way. That wasteland‌‌ was a place⁠ ruled by savage⁠ law, where only⁠‌‌ the logic of‍⁠ strength prevailed.

That’s⁠‍ why Dereck looked‌⁠ her straight in the eyes and⁠‍ spoke. What she‌‌‌ needed was certainty,‍ so he showed⁠ no hesitation.

“Don’t‌⁠ worry. I’m stronger‍‍ than Lady Siern.”⁠⁠⁠

“For now, yes.”

Siern‌ also looked directly⁠ at him. The⁠⁠⁠ meaning behind that‍‍ brief reply was‌ deeper than it⁠‍ seemed.

The‌⁠ blood of Noir‍ flowing through Siern‌ made it impossible‍ to predict what‌ she might become.‌

Dereck‍ had been born‌ with absurd magical talent, blessed by‌‌ the heavens, but it was unclear⁠‍ whether that could‌⁠ surpass the potential⁠‌ of the great‌‌‍ monster Noir, who⁠‍ ravaged the north.‌⁠

Someday,‍ if Siern, at⁠‍ full speed, surpassed‍⁠ Dereck and stained her hands with⁠‍ his blood… it⁠⁠‌ would leave a far deeper wound in her heart.⁠

That’s‌⁠ what she feared. Not the world,‌ nor some unspeakable evil.

She feared herself.

That’s‍ why Dereck crouched‌ slightly, made eye‍ contact, and gave‍ her a firmer‌‌ reassurance.

“Lady‌ Siern will never‌‍⁠ be stronger than me. So don’t‍ waste your time⁠‌ worrying.”

It was a baseless⁠⁠‌ declaration, but there‌‍ was no doubt‌‌ in Dereck’s eyes.‌

“Who⁠‍ worries about getting‌⁠ muscular before they‌ even start working‌‌‌ out? Face reality.”

“…I kind of feel⁠ bad now.”

“It’s⁠ no different than‍⁠ worrying about becoming‍‍ beautiful before buying‍ cosmetics, or becoming‌ a great mage⁠ before learning magic.‌‍⁠ Honestly, isn’t that⁠⁠ a little funny?”⁠‍

“Eek!⁠‍ You’re just saying‍⁠ that to make me feel bad!”‌‌‌

“All‍⁠ learning starts with‌⁠‌ objectivity. I’m just‍ trying to help‌ you get there.”⁠

Dereck’s⁠ words were sharp,‌ but he always‍⁠‍ said only what‌ he believed to‌ be true. That⁠ was one of⁠ the reasons high-ranking‍‍‌ nobles trusted him—he‌ never spoke empty‍‍⁠ words.

“If‌ you’re afraid of killing me, that’s‌‌‍ a pointless worry,⁠ so just let⁠ it go. I’ll always be stronger‍ than Lady Siern.”‍

At‍ that reaffirmation, Siern‌ was at a loss for words.‌‌ That was Dereck.⁠‍

Feeling⁠ the weight of⁠ that reality, Siern⁠‌ had no choice‌ but to relax‍⁠ and nod with‍ a resigned expression.‍

It‌‌ was truly a strange thing.

“Then‍‌ I’ll assume we‍ begin training tomorrow.”⁠‌

“Well…‌⁠ I get that…‌ but is there‍ anything I should prepare?”

A vast training plan‍ unfolded in Dereck’s‌⁠ mind.

As for the intensity‌ of the training…‍⁠‌ there were no‍ words to describe‍ it. Only those who had gone⁠‌‌ through it could‌⁠ understand.

If‍ Diella, Ellen, or‌⁠‌ Denise were there,‍‍‌ they might’ve given⁠ her a clue—but⁠‌ unfortunately, this was‌‌ the Rochester estate,⁠‌⁠ trapped on the⁠‌‌ northern frontier.

“Nothing‍‍‌ in particular. Don’t⁠⁠⁠ worry.”

Seeing‍ the confident gleam‍ in Dereck’s eyes,‍ Siern responded confidently.‍‍

“Understood!”⁠

That‌ was her final‍ will.

***‌‍

‘Huh…⁠ why did I get chills…?’

Ellen,‍⁠‌ who had just‍‌ received a letter from a servant,⁠‍ suddenly shivered as goosebumps rose on‌⁠ her arms. Her‍‌‍ brilliant red hair‍⁠ trembled slightly as⁠ well.

It‍‍ was probably because‍ she saw Dereck’s‌ name written on‌⁠‍ the letter.

Though⁠‍ Ellen fully recognized Dereck’s abilities, she‌⁠‍ still felt a chill down her spine whenever she recalled his lessons.

Despite‍‌ being dependable, Dereck’s⁠‍ curriculum had the power to push⁠ anyone to their‍ limit.

Even‌ the exceptional Ellen‍‌ couldn’t help but‌ turn pale under‍ his instruction.

“Are‍‍ you cold? Should‍‌‍ I ask the⁠‍‌ maids to add‌ more firewood?”

“Oh,⁠ no, it’s fine.‌‍ No need to‍ worry about me.”⁠‍

Ellen⁠ waved off the‌‌ maid’s concern and‌ refocused on the‌‍ letter.

Since⁠ it came from the Duchy of⁠⁠‌ Rochester in the‌ north, she thought‍⁠‌ perhaps it was⁠ from Dereck. She‍⁠ had heard he’d‌⁠ gone north.

However, to her surprise, the sender was⁠ Lord Melverot, lord‍‌ of the Rochester‌ Duchy.

Receiving⁠‌‌ a letter directly‍ from one of‌‌ this era’s great‌ mages was rare.‌

‘They‌ say six-star mages‍⁠‌ are all unpredictable…⁠ and I guess it’s true.’

Drest,⁠‌ the wanderer of‌⁠ the southwest continent.⁠⁠

Melverot,⁠‌ the guardian of‌‍ the north.

Kohella,⁠⁠ the magical advisor⁠‍ of the central continent.

Each⁠ had strong and‌ unique personalities, making them hard to‌ control, but still‍⁠ worth building ties‌ with.

So,‍⁠ determined to respond‍‌ with the utmost⁠ courtesy, Ellen opened‌⁠ the letter… and‍ found something entirely‌⁠ unexpected.

“…”⁠

After‌‍ reading the entire‍ letter, Ellen set‍‍ it aside and⁠ fell into deep⁠ thought, resting her⁠ chin on her‍ hand.

The‌ letter proposed granting Dereck an estate‍‍ with a vineyard⁠‍ in the Rodelen‍‌ region and conferring⁠ upon him the‍‌ title of baron.⁠‍

In⁠⁠ fact, granting a title was a matter for the‌⁠‍ high nobility, but⁠‌ the procedure was‍‍ not simple.

Though‍ it was small‌ in scale, the‍‌ territory of Rodelen‌‌ still belonged to‌ the southwestern continent.‌

Before persuading the central‌ nobles and the‍⁠‍ imperial family to grant Dereck the⁠ title, consent had⁠ to be obtained‌‌ from the powerful⁠ nobles of the‌ southwest who would border the territory.‍‌⁠

And‌‍ the influential figures‌ of the southwest‌ were already well-established:‌‌ Duplain, Belmierd, and‌‍ Beltus.

Recently,‍ Duplain’s power had‍ waned considerably, making‍ them less relevant.

Even‌⁠ if they wanted‌⁠ to object, they‍ likely lacked the‍ means, and knowing the personalities of‍ the Duplain family,‍ it didn’t seem‌⁠ like anyone would⁠ particularly oppose Dereck⁠‍ receiving a title.‌‌

Belmierd also posed no‍⁠ major issue.

The‌ Margrave of Belmierd‌‌ had already delegated‌⁠⁠ much of his‌ authority to Ellen‍‍ and was cultivating her administrative abilities.‌ She could make‍ decisions on such matters independently.

Moreover,‍ the Margrave of‍‍⁠ Belmierd also held‌ Dereck’s abilities in‌⁠ high regard, so‍‌‍ even if the⁠ decision fell to⁠⁠ him, the result‍ likely wouldn’t change.⁠

‘Lord Melverot might be⁠ surprised at how‍‌‍ smoothly things are‌‌ going.’

Dereck’s⁠⁠⁠ disciples were already scattered throughout the⁠‍ southwestern continent.

Though Dereck might have⁠‍ seen them simply‌⁠ as useful connections‍‍‌ while teaching, if‍‌ he truly began⁠⁠ involving himself in‌‌ aristocratic circles, he⁠ would deeply feel‍‍ the difference.

However, what concerned Ellen‍‍‌ was the Beltus‍‍‌ family.

“Hmm…”‌‍

The‌ Grand Duke of‌‍‌ Beltus was very cautious and distrustful‌⁠ of other nobles.‍

No‌‌⁠ matter how small⁠‌‍ or remote the⁠ land, he was reluctant to allow⁠‍‍ a new power‌ to take root‍ in the southwest.‍

Still,‍ there was one⁠ positive: Denise, a disciple of Dereck,‌ was in the‍‌ Beltus family.

If‍⁠⁠ she stepped forward‌‍‌ to persuade the‌‌ Grand Duke, the‍‍‌ situation might change…‌⁠‌ but the problem⁠‍ was that, unlike‌‌ Aiselin or Ellen,‍ her position within⁠ her family wasn’t‌ very significant.

‘Lady‍⁠ Denise is a smart person, so⁠‌ she’ll surely express‌‌ her opinion in‌‍ some way…’

In any case, Beltus’s side was a problem Ellen couldn’t‌ resolve. She could‍ only hope for‍ their support.

Ellen‌‌ placed the letter‍‍‌ into the drawer.⁠‌

“It’s⁠ almost time for⁠‍‌ breakfast. Shall I have the servants‌⁠⁠ prepare your meal?”⁠⁠

“No,‍‌ I want to‍ head out early‍⁠ today. I want to check the⁠ situation at the‌ Rose Hall.”

“Understood.”‌

Dereck‌⁠ had gone north,‍⁠ Aiselin was away,‍‍ Duplain was reeling,‍⁠‍ and the labyrinth⁠ in the White‌⁠‍ Zone was in turmoil.

Still,‌⁠ the world kept‍‌ turning. The situation⁠‌ always changes, and‌ those who adapt‍‍ survive.

The‍ social circles of⁠ Ebelstein were also‍‌ returning to their‍ usual cold state, as if nothing‌⁠⁠ had happened. If‍ one fell behind,⁠ as a noblewoman,‌ she would have‍‌ nowhere to stand.‍

Ellen‌ thought as she⁠‌ adjusted her clothes.‍⁠‌

‘By‌ the way, is‍‌‍ Dereck really teaching‍‌ that famous Lady⁠⁠ Siern?’

Since⁠ there was no‌ bad news, maybe⁠ he really had⁠‌ tamed that lunatic, Lady Siern.

If that were the‌‍‌ case, did that‌‍ mean she’d debut in high society?‌‍ Ellen couldn’t imagine‍ such a scene.‌

However,‌⁠ rumors said her‍ magical talent was⁠ unmatched among her peers.

That‌ nearly unfair talent,‌⁠ inherited directly from‌⁠ Noir, was something‌ other families couldn’t‍ comprehend.

That’s‍ why Ellen couldn’t⁠‍ help but be somewhat skeptical of her magical abilities.‍

She thought the rumors might be somewhat‌ exaggerated. Wielding 3-star magic at such‍ a young age‌ was a talent‌‌ incomparable to other‍ noble ladies.

If‍‍ someone like that‌ claimed to be⁠ Dereck’s disciple and‌ entered high society,⁠ it was impossible⁠‌ to predict how⁠‍‌ it would shake⁠ things up.

‘It’s a bad habit.‍ I always end‍‌ up imagining unnecessary things.’

Ellen⁠ let out a small laugh, stood‌⁠‌ up, and walked⁠⁠ down the corridor‌ with the help of her maid.⁠⁠

Either‍⁠ way, it was‍ time to focus⁠ on the Rose‍‌ Hall.

With‌‌ Duplain, the mountain⁠⁠ tiger, absent, the social circles of⁠ Ebelstein were in‍ disarray.

If⁠⁠‍ she didn’t stay‍‍⁠ sharp, she’d be‌⁠‍ the next to⁠⁠ fall behind.