Noble Lady Reformation Guide — Chapter 94: Awareness (2)

Chapter 94: Awareness (2)

Even⁠‍ as a baron⁠ in a border⁠ region, at most⁠ one was a minor noble responsible‌ for a couple‍ of villages.

Especially⁠‌ in a remote‌‌ region like Rodelen,⁠ tax revenue was‌‍ minimal, and the‌⁠⁠ number of available⁠‌‌ troops rarely exceeded‍ a few dozen—within‌‌ the nobility, they⁠ were regarded as‍ little more than‍ leaders of peasants.⁠‌

The border barons Trisha‌⁠ had met usually‌‍ had long beards⁠ and wore worn leather armor.

Most‍ rolled up their‌ sleeves to personally⁠‍ take care of⁠ village affairs or⁠‍ went out themselves⁠‍⁠ to hunt monsters—they were people of action.

For⁠ such a noble⁠ to have renovated⁠‍ an old mansion‌‌‍ as a residence‍‍ was already unusual,‍ but for the⁠‍‍ lady of the‍ Duchy of Rochester⁠ to be present there was even‌‍ more absurd.

The⁠‍⁠ Rochester family was‍‍ one of the⁠‌‍ most illustrious of‌‌‌ the high nobility.‍‍

“I apologize for last‌ time. My gaze⁠‌‌ was rather aggressive, wasn’t it?”

Trisha,‍ who had reluctantly‍ agreed to sit⁠‌ with Siern, already‍ wanted to go‍ home.

However,⁠ Siern received her with more refined‍‌ manners than she‌‌ had expected.

“Sometimes⁠ I can’t control‌ my aggressiveness and end up acting‌ rudely. I hope Lady Trisha can‌ understand.”

Siern’s‍‌ white hair was‍ rarely well kept.‍‍

She‌‌ would often use⁠‌ acceleration magic to⁠ run whenever the‍ opportunity arose.

And⁠ when her violent instinct took over,⁠‍ she would go out to kill‍ nearby beasts indiscriminately.‌

And‌‍‍ yet, despite her⁠‍ explosive nature, there‍ was no other⁠‍ young woman as‌‍ mysterious and sacred⁠‍‌ in appearance as‍‍‌ she was.

Noticing‌⁠⁠ that contradiction, it‍‌ was impossible not‌ to swallow nervously—Trisha‌‌‌ felt exactly that.‍‌‍

‘She⁠⁠ doesn’t seem to⁠ have that nature… it’s as if⁠⁠ someone had taught‌ her proper manners…’

At‌ first glance, Siern‌ was much younger‌‌‌ than Trisha.

With‌ more social experience,‌‌ greater age, and‌ better etiquette training, it would be‍ problematic for Trisha‍⁠ to feel intimidated.

In⁠⁠‌ social battles, the‌ one who gets scared first loses.‍‍⁠

Either⁠‍‌ way, to gain‌ power within the‍ Rose Salon, Trisha‍⁠‍ couldn’t allow herself‌ to be intimidated by Siern.

Just‍⁠⁠ as she was‍‍ psyching herself up‍ to take the⁠⁠ initiative in the‍‌ conversation, Siern spoke first.

“But,‌ Lady Trisha… what‍ brings you to⁠ the Ravenclaw Barony?”‌

“W-what?”⁠‍

“Dereck⁠ is very busy⁠ these days. He‌⁠ always sets aside⁠‍ the mornings to‍ help me with⁠⁠ my magic, and he also attends‍‍ to many other‍ noble ladies who visit him frequently.‍ He barely has‌ time left to⁠‍‍ practice his own magic.”

Trisha‌‍‌ had come to⁠‌‍ see Dereck and,⁠ if she found‍ him suitable, planned⁠⁠ to make him‌ a request.

Siern frowned, as if‍⁠ displeased with Trisha’s‍ intentions.

“If⁠‌ more noble ladies—not⁠ just foxes, but‍ others too—start asking⁠‍‍ him for help⁠‍ with magic, he’ll‍‍ be even busier.”⁠

“…”⁠‍‍

“If‌‍ Lady Trisha has‍ come to request⁠ magic instruction from Dereck, I don’t‍‍‍ think she’ll get‌⁠ a favorable answer.”

Siern⁠ smiled softly.

Though she looked like⁠‌ a harmless girl,⁠ Trisha knew full‍⁠ well—this woman was⁠⁠ a beast capable⁠⁠‌ of tearing out‍ throats without hesitation if something displeased⁠ her.

Sitting⁠‍⁠ across from that‌⁠ monster, who could⁠ corner anyone with‌ just her killing⁠ intent, made one‍ instinctively check if⁠ their head was‌ still attached to⁠ their neck.

Although‌ it seemed unlikely‍ she would commit‍⁠ murder in the‌‌ Ravenclaw reception room,‌⁠ one could never‌⁠ be certain.

The⁠⁠‍ will to kill‌⁠ has neither time‍ nor place.

“So, wouldn’t it be better for you‌ to leave right‍ now?”

Though spoken with a smile, the words‍‌ carried a sharp‌⁠ hostility.

Siern‌‌⁠ didn’t want more⁠ students around Dereck.

That‌ message was perfectly‌ clear.

Even so, sending the⁠‌ daughter of Viscount Renouel away without⁠‌ even letting her‍⁠ see the master⁠‍ of the house would be excessively⁠ rude.

Leaving‌‍ with a simple⁠ “Understood” would wound‍ her pride.

And‍⁠ it wasn’t just‌‌ a matter of‍ pride—if she allowed herself to be‍⁠ overwhelmed by the⁠‍ young lady of⁠ the Rochester family,‍ she risked ceding‍⁠ her position as‍‍ a power figure‌‍ in the Rose⁠ Salon.

It was then, while‍⁠ Trisha debated how⁠⁠‌ to respond, that—⁠

Creak.‌⁠

“Sorry‍ to keep you⁠ waiting, Miss Siern.”‌‍‍

It⁠‌ was Dereck opening the door to⁠‍‌ the worn reception⁠⁠ room and entering.‍‍‍

And‍⁠⁠ behind him came⁠ a familiar face.⁠

For‌⁠ some reason, it⁠‍ was Ellen, dressed⁠ in a simple⁠ blouse that any‌‍ commoner could wear.⁠‌

“Oh…‌ Lady Trisha?”

Ellen, sweeping her red‍ hair back, opened‌ her eyes in‍‌ surprise at seeing‌ Trisha.

She‌‌ seemed genuinely surprised⁠ to find her‍ there.

And‍⁠ Trisha, who until‌⁠ then had been‌⁠‌ sitting on pins and needles in a private conversation‌‌ with Siern, felt‍⁠‍ that her salvation⁠⁠ had finally arrived.

***‌⁠

Baron‌⁠ Dereck Lydorf Ravenclaw⁠⁠ was not someone⁠‌⁠ who conveyed any‌ special noble authority,‌⁠‍ just as Trisha had imagined.

He‍‍‍ was young. Tall,⁠ but somewhat slim for a man.‍⁠

With⁠‌ white hair, red‍ eyes, a patched‍ tunic, and a simple cloak, he‍ looked nothing like‍ a noble.

If one met him‍‌ on the street,‌ they would never⁠⁠ think he was⁠‌ an aristocrat.

His‍ presence was far‍⁠ removed from any‌‌‍ air of authority.‌ Still, no matter⁠‍ how approachable he‍⁠ looked, everything had‌‌ its limit.

“Dereck…‍ can you brush‍‌ my hair?”

“Did‌ you go to⁠‍ the forest?”

“Unlike⁠ the snowy fields, the forest is‌ full of the⁠⁠ scent of life.⁠‌ I got so‍‍ excited that I ran without realizing⁠‍ it.”

Though‍‍ he was technically‌ the master of the mansion, the‌ fact that Siern, sitting in front‌ of Baron Ravenclaw,‍ openly asked him⁠⁠ to brush her⁠ hair was already⁠ strange.

But‌ the fact that‌‌ Dereck was actually⁠⁠‌ brushing her white‌ hair without batting⁠‍ an eye was‌ also unusual.

“…”‌⁠

Trisha‌ was speechless for⁠‌‍ a moment.

She‍ couldn’t get used‍‌ to such an informal scene—the sense⁠ of hierarchy was‌⁠ practically nonexistent.

In⁠‌ fact, if one‌⁠‌ were to rank‍ the four people‍‌ present by authority,‍ the order was obvious and undisputed.

The person with the‍⁠ highest authority was⁠‍‌ undoubtedly Ellen, heir‍ to Count Belmierd.⁠‌‍

She‌‌ was the legitimate⁠ successor to the‍ count who ruled‍‌ the entire coastal⁠‌ area south of‌⁠ the Velcos Peninsula.‍‍

More⁠ than half of‍‌ the trade route⁠ to Ebelstein passed‍ through her territory,‌‍ and it was‌ also home to‌ the most important magic society in‍ the southwest of⁠‍ the continent—the Drest⁠⁠ Magic Society.

Whoever‌‌‍ inherited such a domain was not‍ just a noble‌‌ daughter, but someone‌⁠⁠ with a status⁠⁠ close to that‌ of a young‌⁠ countess.

Next‌‌⁠ came Siern, the‌ beast of the⁠ Duchy of Rochester.‍

Sponsored‌ by Lord Melverot, she was steadily‌ advancing toward becoming⁠ a great mage⁠‍ at a young‍ age, making her‌‍ the most influential⁠⁠ figure among the⁠ young ladies of‍‍ the north.

Even‌‌ the most arrogant⁠⁠ women of Ebelstein’s‍ social elite were‌ cautious in her⁠ presence.

In third place were‌ Dereck, who had only just entered‍‍ the noble world,‍‍ and Trisha, the‍ young daughter of⁠⁠ Viscount Renouel, who‌⁠ was still in the process of‍‍⁠ consolidating her power.‍ It was their‍‍‍ first time meeting,‍ so the awkwardness was understandable, but‍ compared to the⁠ other two, they‍‍‍ seemed to get along relatively well.‌‍‍

In‌‌ such a vertical‌⁠ power structure, the‌ atmosphere should have⁠⁠‌ felt somewhat tense.⁠

And‍ yet, Ellen, dressed‍⁠‌ in total comfort,‌ and Siern, being‌‌ brushed while cheerfully‌⁠‌ sniffing the air,‌ looked as if‍‌ they were in⁠‌ their own home.‌‌

“I⁠‍ apologize for the somewhat chaotic atmosphere.”‍⁠⁠

“Oh,‌‌ no… it’s fine…⁠‌ Is it always‍ like this?”

“…”⁠⁠

Trisha⁠‌ spoke somewhat awkwardly,‌‍‍ and Dereck showed‌⁠ a strange, slightly‌ complicated expression.

He‌‌ seemed to know⁠ the current situation⁠‍ wasn’t entirely normal.‍‌‍

In fact, Trisha had⁠ come intending to⁠ display arrogance and‍ crush Dereck.

After‌⁠‌ all, he was‌‌ just a newly⁠ appointed baron. He‍‌ had no backing,‌⁠ and though it⁠ was called a house, he was⁠‌‌ nothing more than‌ the solitary head⁠ of a remote region.

There‍ was no way‌⁠ he could raise⁠ his head before‍‍‍ the daughter of‍ Viscount Renouel, who‍ would soon receive⁠ the title of‍ countess.

She⁠ had wanted to‌⁠⁠ make the hierarchy‍ clear from the‍‍ start. But seeing‍ him so relaxed⁠ between Ellen and⁠‍‍ Siern, she couldn’t‌ utter a single‌ haughty word.

Suddenly,⁠‌‍ she felt that‌ if she dared⁠‌ treat Dereck badly, she might earn‍‍ retaliation from Ellen‍ or Siern.

However,⁠ Trisha was also‍⁠ tough in her own way. She⁠ cleared her throat,⁠⁠‌ lifted her chin‍ arrogantly, and said:‍⁠

“For someone seated in such a modest‍ position, this mansion‍ is quite well‍ maintained.”

“You’re⁠‍ very kind.”

“…”‌‌

Despite‌ making that condescending⁠ remark, Dereck didn’t‌⁠ seem the least bit affected.

If⁠ anything, he looked‌ so accustomed to⁠⁠ dealing with arrogant, stubborn noble ladies‍ that they no‍ longer bothered him.‌

In‍ fact, compared to⁠‌‌ Diella’s attitude or‍ Siern’s intensity, Trisha’s⁠‌ haughtiness was barely‌ a drop in‌ the ocean. To⁠⁠‍ Dereck, it was‌ almost endearing.

If⁠‍ she knew the‌‍ thorny path he‌‍ had walked, she⁠ would realize how insignificant her provocation‌‌ was. But Trisha⁠ had no way of knowing that.‍‌

‘It’s‌ not like he’s‍ offended or bowing⁠ his head… it‍ feels like I’m⁠ pointlessly pounding on‍ a stone wall.’‍

Indeed, Dereck’s composure was‌‌ as solid as‌⁠ rock.

“Well,‍‍‌ anyway, there’s a reason I came‍‍ all the way‌ here.”

“Have‌‍‌ you come to learn magic?”

At‌⁠ that moment, Siern’s⁠ eyes, as she‌ was having her⁠ hair brushed by‌ Dereck, shone intensely.⁠

Dereck,⁠ still calmly combing‍ her white hair,‍‌ couldn’t see it—but‌‌ Trisha, sitting across‌⁠‌ from her, noticed it clearly.

Siern‍‍ slowly moved her‌ lips. It seemed she was muttering something, though the exact words couldn’t‌ be heard.

However,‍‍ just by looking⁠ at her expression,‌‍ anyone could guess‍‍ the meaning “If‌‍⁠ you do anything⁠‍ out of line,‍‌ I’ll kill you.”⁠‍

Trisha‍⁠⁠ swallowed hard, her‌‌ face pale.

For some reason, Siern‌ seemed to have a strange sense⁠ of possessiveness toward‍‌ her magic teacher,‍‌ Dereck.

She‌‌⁠ couldn’t do anything‍ about the ladies‍ who had already‍‍‍ become disciples before‍‍ her, but she‍‌ was fiercely hostile⁠ toward any newcomer‌⁠ who got close.⁠‍

Trisha‌⁠ shook her head‌‌ immediately, driven by‌‌⁠ pure survival instinct.‌

“No!‌ No, of course‍ not! Why would‍ I come all⁠‌‌ this way just‍‌ to learn magic?”‍‌

“…Really?”‌‍

Dereck⁠ replied with an‍ indifferent expression.

And then, Siern’s face‌ instantly changed. She⁠‌ looked peaceful and‌ radiant again, as‍ if nothing had‌⁠ happened.

She‍‌‍ happily twitched her⁠⁠ nose at the‌ feel of Dereck‌‌ brushing her hair,⁠ swinging her legs‍‌ as if she didn’t care about‌‍ anything else.

‘What‌ the hell is⁠ this…?’

While⁠‍‌ slightly trembling her⁠ legs, Trisha spoke.‍⁠‌

“I⁠ didn’t come today‍‌ as the daughter‍ of Viscount Renouel,‍‌ nor to ask‍‌ you to teach‌ me magic.”

“…Then‌‌ what did you⁠ come for?”

“…I⁠ came as a client.”

Only‌⁠ then did Trisha‍‌‌ get to the‌ point.

***⁠⁠‍

The head of House‌⁠⁠ Renouel, Rodeia, had‌‍‌ achieved such an impressive feat that⁠ even Emperor Guttel⁠ personally praised her.‌‌‌

This‍‍‌ was because she⁠⁠ had annihilated the⁠‌ three necromancers who‌‍ had settled on⁠⁠ Rodentz Island.

Rodentz‍‍‌ Island, located at‍‍⁠ the far west‍ of the continent,‍ was completely isolated,‌⁠ surrounded by whirlpools‌‌‍ and turbulent waters.‍ It had become⁠ a haven for‍ necromancers exiled from‍ the continent, where‌‍ they operated actively.⁠

Rodeia,‌‍‍ head of the⁠‌ Renouel Viscountcy, personally‍ entered that place‍ and, after more‌‌‌ than half a year of bloody⁠ battles and pursuits,‍‍ eliminated the three⁠‌ necromancers who ruled‌ the island.

A feat equivalent to‍‌⁠ wiping out in⁠ one stroke the‌ forces of evil operating in the‍ west.

Of⁠ course, it came⁠⁠‌ at a price.‌⁠ She lost the‍ vision in her⁠‌ right eye and could barely use‌ one arm.

Rodeia‌⁠‍ had to give up her life⁠ as a wandering‍⁠ battlefield mage, so‍ Emperor Guttel had‍ no choice but‍ to formally recognize‌⁠ her achievement.

As‍ a result, at‍‌ the next imperial‍ birthday celebration, Rodeia‍‍ would be appointed‌‍‍ Margrave in charge‌ of all the‍ outer regions of‌‌⁠ the northwest continent,‌ in addition to‌ receiving the title⁠⁠ of count, quadrupling⁠‌ the size of‍‍⁠ her territory.

She⁠ was undoubtedly one‌ of the most‍‍‍ promising figures in⁠ the nobility.

“My father, who conquered⁠‍ Rodentz Island, found⁠ numerous research documents‌ on necromancy in⁠ the enemy base.”

“…”⁠

Dereck⁠ felt relieved that‌⁠ the Duplain sisters‌ weren’t in the‍ mansion.

The⁠ wound from a mere necromantic artifact⁠ that had nearly‌‌‌ destroyed their entire family had yet to heal. For‍ them, speaking of‍ necromancy would be‍ reopening old wounds.‍‍

“My‌‌ father, being the⁠ Empire’s loyal sword, burned almost all⁠ of them. Except⁠ for a few‌‍⁠ documents.”

“…He didn’t destroy them⁠‌ all?”

“Yes.⁠⁠ Although the proper‍⁠ thing would have‌‌ been to erase every trace of⁠‍‍ necromantic magic, he‍ thought it necessary to keep some‍ as evidence. And‍ among them was‌⁠‍ truly shocking content.”‌‍

Trisha‍⁠ crossed her arms and glanced around.‌

Siern‌‍⁠ was still curled‍ up under Dereck’s⁠‌ touch as if⁠ nothing mattered, while Ellen frowned in‌ focus.

It‌⁠⁠ might have seemed‌‍ questionable for an⁠‌‌ outsider like Dereck‌ to hear this‌ story, but it‌ seemed Rodeia had⁠ decided it wasn’t‌‌ such a severe‌‌ secret if it‌⁠⁠ leaked a little.‍‍

After‍⁠ all, once the‍⁠ mission officially began,‌‍ those who needed‍‌⁠ to know would end up knowing.

“The‌‌ necromancers who settled‌ on Rodentz Island⁠‍ didn’t learn their‍‍ magic on their⁠ own. They worshiped⁠ and revered a strange book from‍ the other side⁠ of the continent,‍ and from it‌ they obtained their‌‌⁠ spells.”

“What?‌ The necromancers of‍⁠‍ Rodentz Island… I heard they were‍‍ the most dangerous‍⁠ among those who⁠‍ broke the taboo…”‌‍

Ellen‌⁠ said, her expression‍ hardening.

The⁠ leaders of the‍‍‌ Rodentz necromancers were two of four-star⁠‍ rank and one⁠‌ of five-star rank.‍

Even⁠‌‌ among noble families,⁠‌‍ it was rare‍ to produce such‍⁠ powerful mages, let‍‌⁠ alone necromancers—defeating them‍ couldn’t have been‌ easy.

Could⁠⁠ it be that⁠⁠‌ there was someone‍⁠‌ who taught them?⁠

And‍‍ if so.

“…Father⁠ concluded that somewhere‍ on the continent there might be⁠ a six-star necromancer.”⁠⁠‍

Dereck frowned. Ellen, sitting⁠ beside him, also⁠ widened her eyes in surprise.

The⁠⁠ existence of a six-star necromancer was⁠ a high-level secret,‌ known only to‌⁠ the most influential‌‍ figures among the‌ nobles of the⁠ continent’s central regions.⁠‌

Not⁠‌ even the rulers of Ebelstein’s southwest,‌⁠ nor most of‍⁠⁠ the royal family,⁠‍ were aware. Of⁠ all the people⁠ Dereck had met,⁠ only Lord Melverot‌‍ knew about the existence of that‌‍‌ six-star necromancer.

Yet⁠ it seemed Rodeia‌ had found traces‌‍ of them during‍‍ the conquest of‍‍ Rodentz.

And⁠⁠ that was why‌⁠⁠ she wanted to⁠‌ follow the lead.⁠

“We⁠ have information that some low-ranking necromancers⁠ who escaped Rodentz‍ have hidden themselves‍‍ in Ebelstein. If‍‍‍ we can capture‍ and interrogate them,‌‍‌ we might obtain clues about the⁠‌‌ six-star necromancer.”

“That’s‌ why you came‌⁠ to me.”

“That’s‍‌ right. We needed‍⁠‍ someone familiar with‌⁠‌ Ebelstein’s geography and‍‍ situation, able to‍⁠ move freely between noble districts and‍ slums, with experience‍ in facing necromancy,⁠‍ mastery of magic,‌‌⁠ discretion, and who⁠⁠⁠ could carry out‍ tasks with precision.⁠‌ There aren’t many‍‍ who meet all⁠⁠‍ those requirements.”

Trisha⁠‌‌ placed a document⁠‌‌ summarizing the commission‌‌ on the table, and on top‌ of it she⁠ set a large‍ bag of gold‍⁠ coins.

“This is the advance‍ payment.”

“Rophelon⁠ gold from the‌‌ northwest. Did you‌ get it directly from the barony?”

“With‍ this you could⁠‌ build another mansion‍ of the same size. Even if‌ your title is‌‌⁠ symbolic, shouldn’t you⁠‍ live in a more dignified residence‌ now that you have noble rank?”⁠‍

Trisha⁠‍⁠ spoke with a seductive smile.

If⁠ that was just‌ the advance, one‍⁠ could only imagine‍‍ how great the‌‍‍ reward would be upon completion.

“Find⁠ the necromancer hiding‌‍⁠ in Ebelstein. They⁠⁠⁠ will be carrying‌ the necromancy book brought from Rodentz⁠‍ Island. Find them,‍ interrogate them thoroughly,‌‌ and if you⁠‌⁠ manage to obtain‍⁠ information about the‍⁠ six-star necromancer, I’ll double the gold.”‍

“I’m sorry, but I refuse the commission.”‌‍⁠

“That’s‌⁠‍ how you should‌‌ respond~ Then I’ll⁠‍ send a letter once you begin‌ the mission… huh?”⁠

Dereck‍ flipped over the‍‍ document Trisha had‍‍ given him and set it back on the desk.‍‍‍

Then,‍ with a serious⁠ expression, he spoke⁠‍ directly.

“This‌⁠ job is too‍⁠ big for me⁠ to handle alone. I recommend giving it to a more suitable group⁠ of mercenaries.”

“There’s no way an‌‌⁠ official route can‌ handle a matter‍ involving necromancy…”

“In⁠‌ any case, it’s‌ difficult for me‌⁠ to take it⁠‌ on with my‍⁠ abilities.”

Dereck was clear.

Trisha‌ was baffled by⁠ his words. She‍⁠ hadn’t expected him to reject a commission with so‌ much gold involved.

“I‍ think it’s best‍ you withdraw.”

However,⁠⁠ Dereck knew.

The‍‍⁠ grain belt in the far southeast‍ of the continent.⁠‍‌

The⁠ youngest daughter of‍⁠‍ Baron Tigris, Lady⁠ Fina Raffaella Tigris.‌‌

“…”

Known⁠‍⁠ as the Witch of Tigris.

The‌⁠‌ only six-star necromancer‌ on the continent—someone‌⁠ one should never‍ provoke lightly.

Even⁠ Dereck, who had‌ no qualms about⁠ putting Siern, heir to Noir’s blood,⁠ in her place,⁠‌⁠ had no intention‍ of getting involved‌⁠ with Fina.

It‌ was well known⁠ among those in‍ the know—

‘Among six-star mages, there⁠‍ isn’t a single‍ one who’s sane.’‌

And Fina was especially dangerous, even among‍ them.

The‍ wisest choice was‍⁠ to have no‌ ties to her‌ whatsoever.

“Lady‍‌ Trisha, if you⁠ don’t have absolute⁠ confidence, it’s best⁠⁠‍ to withdraw. This‍⁠⁠ commission is far too dangerous to‌ use as a stepping stone within‌⁠⁠ Ebelstein’s nobility.”

Seeing‍ Dereck’s stern expression,‌‌⁠ Trisha swallowed again.‌

Though‌ young, his eyes‍‍ conveyed a maturity⁠ seen only in‌‌‌ experienced nobles.

He feigned disinterest, but‍‌ he was carefully⁠ assessing what kind‌ of person Trisha⁠⁠ was.

One‍ of the reasons‍‍ Trisha wanted to‌⁠ give him the⁠ commission was because‍‍ Dereck was a renowned magic instructor‌ among Ebelstein’s nobility.‌‍ Her goal was‍‌‌ to forge a connection with him⁠⁠‍ through the job.‌‍

And‌‍‍ Dereck had already⁠⁠ seen through that.‍⁠ He was not‌ someone who would‌‌ move like a chess piece just⁠⁠‌ because money was offered.

Even‌⁠ if his title⁠⁠ was purely symbolic‌‍ and his attire‍‌⁠ showed no dignity,‌ there was a reason why even‍ the daughters of powerful families didn’t‌‌ dare treat him‍ lightly.