Noble Lady Reformation Guide — Chapter 90: Baron (2)

Chapter 90: Baron (2)

Talking⁠‌‍ to a drunk‍ was a headache.⁠

But⁠‌ it was unavoidable.‍‍ Living in the slums or wandering the streets near⁠ taverns made it‍ common to run‍‌ into people swaying⁠‍ under the influence‍ of alcohol.

In⁠ fact, in the‌⁠‌ harsh reality of‌ life, it wasn’t‌ so strange to drown one’s sorrows⁠ with a few‌ drinks.

That’s⁠‌ why Dereck didn’t have any particular aversion to dealing‌‌ with drunks.

“This Linus… Ugh… Uff…‌ I don’t make⁠⁠ empty promises… I’ll⁠‍ reward you, Denin…⁠⁠‌ Just one favor…⁠ Ugh…”

“It’s‌⁠ Dereck, not Denin.”‌

“Oh,‍⁠⁠ heavens. What a slip. Yes. Denin.”⁠

“…”‍‌‍

Linus,‌ delighted to see Dereck despite never‍⁠⁠ having met him,‌⁠ put his arm⁠ over his shoulders‍‌ again and raised⁠‍‌ his beer mug.‍⁠

Since⁠ Linus was thin‍ and not very heavy, Dereck wasn’t‍ too bothered, but‍⁠ he wished this‌‍ mysterious noble would⁠‍ get to the‍⁠⁠ point.

“Dereck.”

While‍‌ Linus kept rambling⁠ drunkenly and slumped⁠‌ over the bar‍‌⁠ again, Jayden, watching‍‍ with a serious⁠‌⁠ expression from behind⁠⁠ the counter, quickly⁠‌ approached Dereck and‌ whispered quietly.

“He seems like an⁠‌ unusual person.”

“Really?‌‌ He just looks‌ like a drunk‍ to me.”

“He‌⁠ introduced himself as‍⁠ Linus, right? As⁠‍ far as I know, there’s only one person in⁠⁠‍ the noble family‍ of Ebelstein who’d⁠⁠ use that name.”⁠‍⁠

Jayden,‍ who managed several‌‍‌ clients, usually memorized members of families‍ that placed important⁠‌ commissions.

If‌ Jayden knew him,‌‍ then he really⁠‍‌ must be someone‍⁠ special.

“When‍‍ you say Linus,‍‍ are you talking‍ about the eldest‍ son who left⁠ the Belmierd family?”‌‌

“…What? The Belmierd family?”‍‌

For‍ a moment, I was thrown by‌ the unexpected prominence‍‍ and couldn’t help‍ but feel a little bewildered.

However,‍‌ recalling the Belmierd‍⁠⁠ family’s history, there‍ were certain nuances.

Linus‌‌‌ Rugel Belmierd, the‌‌⁠ eldest son of‌ the Belmierd family,‍⁠ might once have⁠ been the heir‍‍⁠ to the prestigious‍‌ house of the⁠ Belmierd counts, famous‌‌‍ for its greatness.‌‍⁠

But‍ now he was‌‍‍ infamous for having‌ abandoned all worldly‌ authority and indulged⁠‌ in drinking, singing,⁠ and lust.

It‍ was said that⁠‍ the only thing‌⁠ the perfect Marquis‌‍ Belmierd lacked was‌ luck with his‍ children.

Fortunately,⁠⁠ Ellen had a good head on‌‍ her shoulders. If⁠⁠⁠ not for her,⁠ the descendants of‌ the Belmierd family‌‌ would be considered⁠⁠‌ a total disaster.‌⁠

The‌ cause of those rumors was none‍‌ other than the libertine Linus, now slumped on the bar next to‍‌ Dereck.

Linus,‍‍ who in his⁠‌ youth had an‍ intellectual and sharp‍‍ appearance thanks to⁠ his training as‌ an heir, now‍ wore messy hair‌ tied back, and⁠ without caring to‍‌‌ groom his unkempt⁠‌ beard, had become⁠ a loafer wandering⁠⁠‌ taverns.

His⁠⁠ body exuded a mix of stale‌‍ sweat and strong⁠ alcohol, and dirt‍ accumulated under his‍ broken nails.

Dereck,‍‍ tilting his head slightly as he‌ observed him, finally‍‍‌ spoke to Jayden.‍

“I‌‍‌ heard the eldest⁠⁠ son of the Belmierd family left⁠ Ebelstein.”

But‍ the reply didn’t⁠ come from Jayden.‌⁠

“A‌‌ man’s life is like a gust‍ of wind, going‌‍ from here to⁠ there, and from‌⁠ there to here.‍⁠ Hic…”

“You heard all that?”‍‌

“I⁠ have sharp ears. Just by hearing‍‍ the sound of⁠ cards being dealt,‌ I can tell‌ if there’s cheating.”‍‍

“If⁠⁠‌ I was rude,‌‌ I apologize.”

“Rude?‍‌ Our dear Denin‍⁠ is curious, so‌ if you have more questions, ask⁠ away! Or was⁠ it Deril…? Ah,‍ yes, Dereck. It‍‌‌ was Dereck.”

Speaking‍ loudly, he ordered‌‌ another beer from‍‌ the owner and‍ then, with squinted⁠ eyes, gave Dereck⁠ a light pat⁠⁠ on the shoulder.‌

“Kahaha.‌‌‌ What’s in a name? Once men⁠‌ clash mugs, they⁠ become lifelong comrades!”⁠‌

“What’s‍‍ the commission you‌ want to ask⁠⁠ of me?”

“Well,‍ it’s hard to⁠⁠‌ say right now.”⁠‌

“…?”‌

What‌‍‌ the hell was‌ this man trying⁠⁠ to say?

While‌⁠⁠ Dereck stared at⁠‌ him in disbelief,‍‌ Linus, completely drunk,⁠ burped again and continued speaking.

“Still, I have a sense of honor.‌‌ If you fulfill my commission, I won’t let you‍ walk away empty-handed.”‌‌

“…”‍‍⁠

“You‌ seem skeptical. Well,⁠ that’s understandable. Who⁠ would trust a libertine who even‍‍ puts his drinks‌‍‍ on credit to‍ pay for a commission? Don’t worry,‍ I’ll pay you⁠ upfront.”

Linus,⁠‌ smiling mischievously again,‌ took another sip‌ of his beer.⁠‌‌

With⁠ a heavy exhale,‍ he set the‌‍⁠ mug down and‌ patted Dereck’s shoulder‍ again, acting like‍‍ they were old‌ friends.

“If⁠ you pay in‍‍ advance, I have⁠ no objections. But‌‍ I still need‌ to hear the details of the‍⁠ commission.”

“Of‍⁠ course I’ll pay⁠⁠ in advance… but‍‌⁠ the problem isn’t‍‌‍ money.”

“…What?”

Dereck⁠⁠ looked at Linus,‌‌ wondering what nonsense⁠‍ he’d say next. Linus smiled, then‍⁠‌ waved his hand⁠‌ near his mouth‌⁠‌ like a talking⁠⁠⁠ puppet.

“I’ll⁠ give you a horse.”

“…If‍‌ it’s not money,⁠ I won’t accept⁠‍‌ it. Sorry.”

“No,⁠ don’t turn me‍‌‌ down so quickly.⁠⁠ You’re about to‍ receive the title‌ of baron, right?‍‍ I heard they‍⁠ sent a letter‍‍ to Belmierd to⁠ ask for opinions‍ on the matter.”‍

Dereck‍ tensed at those‍‌ words.

His‌⁠ current goal was⁠⁠⁠ to receive the⁠‍ baron title without complications.

“If⁠‍ you’re trying to‌‍ persuade me with‍⁠‌ that… well, I don’t know.”

“Haha.‌ I’m not a fool. The decision-making⁠‌‌ power in the Linus Rugel Belmierd⁠‌ family lies mainly⁠ with my sister⁠‍ Ellen. Our father,‍‍ who has the‌ final say, always‍‌‌ respects Ellen’s opinion…‌ so I have⁠‌ no sway. The‍ Belmierd family will‍⁠ support your title.”‌‍

Ellen‍⁠‌ would support Dereck’s title. So, Linus’s thoughts didn’t matter⁠⁠ much.

Linus,⁠ knowing this well,‍‌⁠ leaned his arm⁠⁠⁠ on the bar⁠⁠ and spoke.

“The‌‍ real problem isn’t‌⁠⁠ me, but that‍⁠ old Deltus.”

“…Are‍ you talking about‍ Grand Duke Beltus?”⁠

“Yes.‍ That old man‌ is so stubborn‌‌ he won’t be‍ happy about a new noble appearing⁠ in the neighboring⁠‍ territory. I’ll make‍ sure he supports‌⁠ you.”

Linus laughed heartily, resting‌⁠ his chin on‌ his fist.

“Deril…‍‌ I mean, Dereck, you might have‍‌ connections with the‌‌ Beltus family, but‌ that girl is‍ just a puppet⁠‌ and doesn’t have⁠ much sway with⁠ the old man.”‍

“…Still, it seems unrealistic‍ that you, Lord‌ Linus, could influence‍ the Beltus family’s⁠ decisions.”

“True.⁠‍‌ I can’t. But‌ my best friend,‍ Robenalt, is a different story.”

Robenalt.‌⁠ Dereck tried to recall where he’d‌‌ heard the name.⁠ It was the‍ name of the‌ eldest son of⁠ the Beltus family.⁠‌

Linus‍‌‍ seemed to have a separate friendship with Robenalt.

Though‍ it was hard⁠ to believe him⁠⁠ immediately, Dereck thought‍ it better to‍ listen to the‌⁠‍ end and adjusted‌‍ his posture.

“Unlike‍ my father, who⁠ ignores the eldest‌ if he doesn’t‌⁠ meet expectations, old⁠‍‍ man Beltus has‌ an old-fashioned view‍ of primogeniture. He values his eldest‍ son so much⁠ that he barely‍⁠ pays attention to‌ the others.”

“…So‍⁠⁠ he gives a lot of weight⁠‌ to that eldest‌ son’s opinion, Robenalt.”⁠

“Yes,⁠‌ whatever happens, the‍ Beltus family plans⁠ to give him everything.”

Linus again mimed talking⁠‍ with his hand‍ near his mouth⁠‌ and then took‍⁠‍ a long drink.‌‌

“I’m‌ good at talking.⁠⁠‍ I’ll make sure‍‌ Robenalt supports you,‌‌ so just wait,‌‌ receive the baron‍ title, and dance⁠ with joy.”

“That’s⁠ what you call⁠‍‍ an advance payment?”‍

“Yes.‍‌‍ Once you become a baron without⁠ issues, you’ll carry⁠‌ out a task‍ for me.”

Dereck,‌⁠ resting his chin in thought, looked⁠‌ back at Linus‌ and spoke.

“Hearing‌‌ you, it sounds‍⁠‍ like the task‌ is so complicated⁠‍ that at least‍⁠ the rank of‍ baron is needed‌ to carry it‍ out. If you need someone with‍ influence, don’t you‌ know many others besides me?”

“Well…⁠ I won’t deny⁠⁠ it. But looking‌‍‌ at things now,⁠⁠⁠ it seems like‍ you, Deris, are⁠‍ the most suitable… hic…”

“It’s not Deris, it’s⁠ Dereck.”

“Sorry,⁠‍ Deril. hic, sigh…”‍‌‍

“It’s⁠ not Deril, it’s‌‌⁠ Dereck.”

“Sorry,‌⁠ Deren.”

“…”⁠

Dereck stared at Linus‌‍ with a resigned‍ expression.

Linus‌ laughed awkwardly, then slumped back down on the bar‍ counter.

“Oh~‌ I’m getting drunk~.‍ Ugh, sigh…”

“…And‌ what if I just accept the‌ title and ignore⁠⁠ you? Why are‌ you making me‌⁠‌ this kind of‍ offer?”

“Then⁠ I would’ve made‍ a bad bet.‌⁠ Wouldn’t I?”

“…”‌

As⁠ he said, Linus⁠⁠ wasn’t an idiot either.

There was probably some⁠ certainty mixed into‍⁠‌ the offer that‍‌ seemed so one-sidedly‍ in Dereck’s favor.‍‍ The certainty that‌⁠ Dereck would follow⁠‌ through with Linus’s‌ future request.

And‌‍‌ what that request‍‌‌ was.

“Ellen‍‌ will die if‌‍ left alone.”

“…”‍

“Help‌ her not be‌⁠ pushed out as‍⁠ heir.”

Though Dereck didn’t know⁠ the inner workings‌ of the Belmierd⁠ family, this exiled⁠⁠ eldest son seemed‍ to anticipate something⁠ would happen in‍ the future. Dereck‍ held his breath‌‌ for a moment‍‍‍ at those words.‍‍

Though‍ Linus was drunk,‌ his expression turned‌ deadly serious when‍ he spoke of⁠⁠ his sister Ellen.‌⁠‍

***‌

“Did⁠ something like that⁠‌ happen up north?‍ I knew Dereck‌ had a reckless‌⁠ side, but I didn’t think it⁠⁠ was to that‍‍ extent…”

The⁠‍ following morning.

In⁠ a corner of⁠ Aiselin’s mansion garden in the noble⁠⁠ district of Ebelstein,‍‌ three people sat‍‍ together.

One⁠ was Aiselin, the‌‌⁠ mistress of the⁠‍ mansion, another was her younger sister⁠‍ Diella, and the third was Siern—though⁠ not her biological‍ sister, she was‍ a sister nonetheless.⁠‍

“Yes.⁠⁠‌ But Lord Melverot‍‌ gave us a good amount of‍ cash. We won’t‍ have to worry‌ about the servants’‍⁠ wages for a while.”

“That’s…‌‌ a relief, but…”‌‌⁠

Diella⁠ wore an oddly⁠‌ restrained expression. Anyone⁠‌ who saw her would be surprised,⁠ as she always⁠ tried to maintain⁠‍ a stern look.‍‌

However, she didn’t try‌‌ so hard in‍‍ front of Aiselin.⁠‍ After all, Aiselin‌ was her beloved‍‍ older sister.

“I⁠⁠ never expected Lady⁠ Siern to come⁠ with you all…”‍‌

“Ahaha…”

In‍ Aiselin’s arms, awkwardly‌‍ laughing, was Siern,⁠‍⁠ the young lady⁠ from House Rochester.‌⁠

She‍ looked like a princess sealed in‍ ice, but her‍ behavior was oddly‌ wild, like a feral animal, and‍‌‍ she now slept⁠‌‌ peacefully in Aiselin’s‌ arms.

Diella⁠ and Siern.

The‍ nobles of Ebelstein‌‍⁠ would be left‌‍ speechless if they‌‌ saw these girls.

Both⁠⁠⁠ had the temperament‍‍‌ of rabid dogs‍‌ that no one‌⁠ could control, but‍ in front of⁠⁠ Dereck or Aiselin,⁠‍ they turned into‍‍ meek lambs.

Even⁠ the arrogant Lady‌ Trisha swallowed hard⁠⁠ and backed away‌ when facing Aiselin,‌ who had both⁠‌ girls at her⁠ side.

“I‍ should’ve slapped that‌ arrogant Trisha a few more times…”‌⁠

Just‍ thinking about Trisha‌ still made Diella‌‌ grind her teeth, but she took a deep breath to calm down⁠ and sat back‍‌ at the tea table.

Seeing‍ Diella that upset‍‌‌ gave Aiselin a strange sense of‍‌ comfort, as if‍ she’d finally come home.

“By‌ the way, what‌‌ were you doing‌ there after the⁠‍ salon meeting ended?⁠ Lady Denise and⁠ Lady Ellen were⁠ also—”

“Oh…‌ now that you‌ mention it, I haven’t told you⁠‌‍ yet, Diella. There’s some news I thought you should‍ know, since I visited the salon…”

“News?‍ Aiselin, you’re not‌ a messenger—why would‍ you be going‌ around delivering news…?”‍⁠

Watching‍‌⁠ Aiselin’s lighter steps⁠⁠ tugged at Diella’s heart.

When‍ the Duplain family‍‍‌ was at its⁠ peak, everyone came⁠ to the mansion‌ to see Aiselin.‍

Now‌ she had to⁠ run around just‍⁠ to deliver a piece of news…‍ It hurt, but‍⁠ Diella chose not‍ to show it.‌‌

So‌ Diella took a sip of tea‌⁠‍ to calm herself.⁠‌

“Dereck‌ is getting married.”‍⁠

“Pffft!”‌‌‍

Of⁠ course, the tea‌ didn’t go down‍ her throat.

In front of Aiselin,‌ who had dropped‌ that bomb so⁠ casually, Diella, now a mess, took⁠‍ a deep breath‍⁠‌ and spoke again.‍‌‌

“I⁠‍ must’ve misheard… surely I misheard…”

“Dereck‍ is getting married.‌ I heard he’s‌ starting a family‍⁠ with Pheline, the mercenary archer from‌ the Beldern Mercenary⁠ Corps…”

“What?‌⁠ Dereck? Dereck is‌ dating a woman?‍ It’s hard to‌⁠‍ believe he’s even‌‌ seeing someone… but⁠ getting married?”

“Y-yeah.”‍

The‍‍‍ Dereck Diella knew‌⁠ was just a man obsessed with‌‍ magic.

Of‍ course, as a man, he could‍ have the desire‌‌ to find a good partner and‍‍ build a happy‍ family, but she⁠ never expected him‌ to make such‍‍ a sudden decision.⁠

First⁠⁠ of all, even‌‍ if he was⁠‍ a commoner, wasn’t‌⁠ he someone deeply‌ involved with high‍ society?

Not‌‍‍ just with Diella,‌ but with people‍ like Aiselin, Ellen,⁠‍ and Denise—he was‍ someone who naturally mingled with all‍ kinds of nobles⁠‍ whom the lower‍‌‌ class rarely even glimpsed. Naturally, his‌⁠ standards must’ve gone‌⁠⁠ up.

At⁠⁠ that point, there‌ was no way a mercenary woman‍ from the slums‍ would catch his⁠ eye. Thinking that⁠‌‌ gave her a strange sense of‌ relief.

At‌ that realization, Diella⁠ felt out of‌ place. Relief? Why⁠ the hell would‍ she feel relieved? Dereck had his⁠ own life.

Still,‌⁠ she couldn’t help‍‌ being struck by‌⁠‌ a great shock‌ that felt like her chest had‌‍ been blown open.‍‍

“…”

It‌‍‌ seemed like a bad joke, but‍‌ Aiselin wasn’t the type to make those.

Diella,‌⁠ holding an empty⁠‍ cup in her‌ trembling hands, had‍‍⁠ no choice but‍ to study Aiselin’s⁠ expression.

Aiselin‍⁠ awkwardly avoided her‍‍⁠ gaze. As if‍‌⁠ she knew this‍ news would have‌ a strange impact‌‍⁠ on Diella.

However,⁠⁠ Aiselin also hesitated‍‌‍ to tell her‌ the whole truth.‌⁠

The‌‍⁠ fact that Dereck’s marriage was only‍‌ a façade to‍‍ obtain a title‍⁠ wasn’t something she couldn’t share with‍‌‌ someone as precious as her sister⁠ Diella.

But‌ Dereck had asked her earnestly. The‍ fewer people who‌‌⁠ knew the marriage‌⁠‌ was just a fake contract, the⁠⁠ better.

After‍‌ all, it was a deception—and not⁠ something to be‌‌ proud of.

Besides,‌ everyone knew how‌ fast rumors spread in noble society.⁠ This contract marriage‌⁠ should only be‌‌ known to the‍ involved parties.

Aiselin’s‌ deep loyalty was‌ certainly touching, but‌‍ for Diella, it‌⁠ was like lightning‌ striking from a clear sky.

‘D-Dereck didn’t marry magic,⁠ did he…?’

She‌ tried to make‌⁠ that absurd quip,‍‌ but there was‍‍ no undoing the‌ marriage now.

As⁠ Aiselin had said,‍ it was believable⁠ enough, yet Diella‌ still felt the need to see it for herself.⁠

Creak.⁠

Diella‌‍ rose from her‌‍ seat.

“…I-I’m‍ going out for‌‍ a bit. Sister‍‌ Aiselin.”

“D-Diella…‍‍ You don’t look‍ well… Are you‍⁠ really okay?”

“T-the⁠‍ name of the‍ mercenary, what was‌⁠‍ it? Ph-Pheline?”

“…Why‌ are you asking?⁠ Y-you’re not thinking‍‌‍ of going to find her, are‌ you?”

When‌‌⁠ Aiselin asked with⁠ a worried expression,⁠ Diella shook her⁠ head without much⁠ of a response⁠‍ and left.

Seeing⁠ that, Aiselin also⁠ felt a strange‌‍ unease and couldn’t‍⁠ help but break‍‌ into a cold‌⁠ sweat.

Zzz.⁠

Only⁠‍ Siern, who was‍ now peacefully sleeping‌‍ in Aiselin’s arms⁠⁠ after a long⁠ time, remained in⁠‌‌ a good state.‍

***‌‍⁠

Swoosh!‌‌

Thwack!‍‍‌ Thwack!

Screeeech!

The⁠ sharp tip of‌⁠⁠ the arrow pierced‌ the goblin’s eye.‍‍

The goblin, spitting blood‌‍‌ and writhing in‌ pain, finally collapsed‍‍ on the grass‌‍ and exhaled its⁠ last breath.

Step, step.

Thwack!‍‌‌

A girl in light‍ mercenary gear and⁠⁠ a cloak tied⁠ back her platinum hair.

She‍⁠ stepped on the‍ goblin’s face, pulled⁠‍‍ out the arrow,‌‌ and shook the‌‍ blood from the‍‌ tip with her‍‌ boot.

Around‌⁠ her, the area‍ was filled with‌ goblin corpses. The⁠‍⁠ slim, petite girl‌‌ had killed them all.

The scene was so‍ surreal that anyone‌ seeing it for⁠‍ the first time⁠⁠ would be speechless.⁠‌‌

“This‌⁠ side’s pretty much⁠ done. I finished‍‍ a bit early,‍⁠ so maybe I’ll‍ stop by Tears‌‍ of Beldern for‍ some mead~.”

Pheline,‍⁠‍ in a cheeky⁠‍ tone, rolled her‌ shoulders, slung her⁠ bow over them,‌ and stretched.

The⁠ job had been‍ easier than expected,‌ and the sun‌‍‌ was still high‍‌‍ in the sky.‌

Getting‍‍ briefly lost in⁠⁠ the warm landscape of the meadow,‍‍‌ she finally shook her head and‍ quickly headed toward⁠‍‍ Ebelstein’s gate.

She was, without a doubt, Dereck’s wife.‌‍‍

Though‌⁠ her status was⁠ enough to make⁠ anyone’s hair stand‌‍‌ on end, at⁠‌ least she was‌ well paid. Thinking‍ of it lightly, Pheline quickened her⁠ pace.

“♪♬♪”‍

At‌ this point, she‌ had no idea.‍⁠‍

What‍ it meant to⁠ be partnered with⁠ the magic master⁠ whom Duplain, Beltus,‌‌ and Belmierd had‍⁠ all fought to⁠‌ claim—she wouldn’t understand⁠ until she lived‌ through it.

In‌‌ short, what awaited⁠‌ her were trials.‍‌