Chapter 121

Chapter 121
## Chapter 121
### “Dereck seems more reliable since he received his title.”

Denise, with her innate insight, had realized that both Ellen and Aiselin had feelings for Dereck.

The fact that the precious daughters of Duplain and Belmierd were competing for the attention of a single man was a spectacle as problematic as it was fascinating.

She was probably the only one who knew, so every time she met with Aiselin or Ellen, she mentioned Dereck deliberately.

As a writer of romance novels, Denise couldn’t help but be even more interested in the love intrigues of high-ranking nobles; she thought that, somehow, they could serve as inspiration.

“They say that people change when their status changes, and it seems that saying isn’t just empty words.”

That was what she said to the newly arrived Ellen when she visited the Barony of Ravenclaw under the pretext of checking on Aiselin’s state of health.

Ellen, who was brushing her brilliant red hair, blushed slightly at Denise’s words and replied:

“Yes, you’re right.”

It was not common to see Ellen, normally self-assured and proud, behaving with such shyness.

Enjoying the reaction, Denise narrowed her eyes and smiled mischievously. For anyone who knew the situation, the love was evident.

The setting was the guest room of the Ravenclaw Barony.

Although it was decorated with as much luxury as possible, it was still modest compared to the halls of the three great families.

Seeing the young ladies of Belmierd and Beltus sitting in such a remote barony was something almost unreal.

In any case, given that a connection existed through the Rose Hall, both had gone to visit Aiselin.

The matter of Baron Ravenclaw would be addressed later.

“Well, catching up with Dereck is important, but today we came to see how Lady Aiselin is doing. They said she fainted from overwork and that many people in the hall were worried.”

—That’s right, Lady Ellen. The butler will come soon to report on her condition.

Shortly after Denise’s arrival, Ellen arrived as well.

Unlike Denise, who seemed quite relaxed, Ellen appeared strangely nervous before the imminent meeting with Aiselin. What else could be expected? They were rivals.

Denise limited herself to observing from between them, exhaling softly through her nose with an amused expression.

The young ladies of Duplain and Belmierd fighting over the same man: there wasn’t a girl in the world who wouldn’t be interested in a love story like that.

Furthermore, for Denise, it was like watching a fire from across the river.

There is nothing more entertaining than witnessing a fight, and for girls her age, a romantic rivalry was irresistible, especially when they could see it up close.

In the end, opinions were divided over who would conquer Dereck’s heart: Ellen or Aiselin.

But Denise leaned more toward Aiselin.

No matter how much of an heiress Ellen was, could she compare to Aiselin, who was like a noble lily? She believed so, even without realizing it.

«…Though, now that I think about it, perhaps not.»

They say that love changes a woman.

Even this Ellen, who always seemed more like a monarch than a girl, blushed and acted shyly when talking about Dereck; as if love were truly difficult and complex.

Denise, who spent her days writing romance novels, had never really felt the mysterious nature of love. Of course, she had never experienced it.

Reading cheap romance novels at the Ebelstein bookstore and listening to the lively conversations of young noblewomen in the salon was not enough to understand how love could transform a person.

Even so, she had thought about it a lot, and her vision of love had become distorted.

She believed that love consisted of waiting for a prince on a white horse to arrive, take the princess in his arms, and whisper sweet words to her; it was almost childish that she wrote novels based on that idea.

In short, Denise had only learned about love through **books**.

—

### Books and Literature
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But, unfortunately, she considered herself an expert on the subject for that reason alone.

«Lady Ellen’s love is sincere, but who knows how it will work in a relationship between a man and a woman. They say that whoever falls in love first, loses. So, whether it’s Lady Ellen or Lady Aiselin, both will end up losing to Dereck!»

That was Denise’s reality: she could only repeat clichés.

‘I am very curious to see how Dereck reacts. Very.’

She was thinking that with a smile of satisfaction when…

— Create a reason to control that man. Meet with him often, stay close, and discover his weak points.

It was the message from Grand Duke Beltus.

Remembering it sent a chill through her.

It was as if she had been dragged out of a garden full of flowers and brought into a frozen reality while talking about love.

The bright atmosphere of the reception room turned as cold as winter.

Yes, Denise had come as a member of the **Beltus family**, with the mission to stab Dereck in the back and exploit his weaknesses to close the Ravenclaw training center.

Denise would betray Dereck. That was already decided.

She could not go against the will of the Beltus family, to which she had dedicated her life.

Denise could only consider herself valuable because she was the favored lady of the House of Beltus.

“…”

Talking to Dereck in a friendly atmosphere was only temporary.

Someday, Dereck would inevitably look at her with resentment, and the day of enmity would arrive.

As long as Grand Duke Beltus’s policy remained firm in his effort to contain and overthrow Dereck, she could never maintain a special relationship with him.

That fact was like a thorn stuck in the girl’s heart.

Ellen, who sincerely desired to win Dereck’s heart, and Aiselin belonged to a completely different world than Denise.

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They were the true forces driving their families, while Denise was nothing more than a pawn on the ducal chessboard.

Realizing that difference, Denise lowered her gaze in silence.

Ellen, the powerful heiress of Belmierd, stood before her like a flower growing solitary on a cliff.

***

Denise used to walk through the mansion with a carefree mind, but when she started thinking seriously, her gaze sharpened.

After a brief conversation with Ellen, she went out to the garden to get some fresh air.

«The building has a luxurious appearance, but it was built in a hurry, so its structure is not solid. If a major natural disaster occurred, there could be problems.»

«Behind the baron’s mansion there is a mountain. If an artificial landslide were triggered or the water flow were altered, it could cause significant damage during heavy rains.»

Just by walking through the Ravenclaw mansion a couple of times, Denise was able to identify the weaknesses of the territory with a single glance.

She was a person who tended to tire easily due to her mental agility, but thanks to the physical training Dereck had provided her for a long time, she no longer became exhausted so easily.

Denise crossed the garden with the appearance of an elegant lady, her dress billowing behind her. Her silver hair waved in the wind and the scent of flowers permeated her clothes.

«Being close to Beltus territory could be a great advantage. If we impose high tariffs and tolls only on the border trade routes, it will undoubtedly affect the supply of goods to the Ravenclaw Barony.»

From the perspective of the Beltus family, maintaining control would not be difficult. However, such pressure would require a political justification, and given that Dereck is under the protection of Lord Melverot, it would be dangerous to impose such measures openly. Resorting to obvious tricks would not be prudent.

The young noble ladies of the Ravenclaw training center were astonished to see the lady of House Beltus walking through the garden.

In Ebelstein’s noble society, it was difficult even to speak to someone of such high rank; they could only see her from afar because they were enrolled in the center.

Rumors were already circulating among the students that the true power figures of the Rose Hall occasionally appeared at the training center.

They did not dare to address Denise; they only watched her from afar, whispering and blushing.

Accustomed to those looks, Denise continued observing the baron’s mansion in silence, without showing any concern.

«Staff is still lacking for the extension of the territory, and there is practically no preparation against monster attacks. The deficient security management means it would be easy to cause incidents if we acted from the shadows.»

«The lack of security in a place where young ladies from noble families gather is a fatal flaw. If the Beltus family hired some people to cause disruptive incidents, the heads of the families who sent their daughters there would feel uncomfortable.»

«That would contribute to the deterioration of the reputation of the Ravenclaw Training Center. It seems like a realistic plan.»

A few glances were enough for Denise to come up with all kinds of intrigues and strategies.

But suddenly, feeling a wave of emptiness, Denise let out a long sigh and sat on a nearby bench.

With her head down, she reached her hand forward and opened and closed it several times.

Magic concentrated in the palm of her hand, then dispersed and disappeared.

Even her handling of magic had become much more skillful than before, almost reaching the level of a high-ranking mage regarding detection magic.

If she had to attribute that progress to someone, she couldn’t deny it: the fundamentals that Dereck had taught her remained in her and continued to exert their influence.

If one traces the origin of Denise’s magic, much of it came from what Dereck had awakened within her.

‘…’

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Repaying kindness with betrayal.

Even if it seemed cruel, there was no other choice. Denise gritted her teeth at the thought.

In that cold aristocratic society, anyone who let themselves be carried away by human emotions was eliminated instantly.

Even if one formed bonds and received kindness, there were moments when it was necessary to break them and move forward.

That was the only way to survive in that ruthless world.

Even so, thinking of Dereck —and his sometimes serene face— caused her heart to skip a beat and her mind to become tangled.

Denise was still gritting her teeth when it happened.

“It seems you have many things on your mind.”

“Eek!”

Startled, she looked up and saw Dereck shaking magic residue off his hands.

It seemed he had been practicing behind the garden.

Denise stammered, not knowing what to say. But Dereck, imperturbable, sat beside her on the bench and spoke in a quiet voice.

“Your expression has been tense since I arrived this morning. Is something happening at home?”

“Oh, no… it’s not that. You even notice my expressions. You are very observant, Dereck.”

“It’s not a simple observation. We’ve known each other for a long time; it’s not unusual to realize when something isn’t right.”

“Well, there’s no need to worry so much. Everyone has worries. I also have some that I can’t share with anyone.”

“I see. You’re right.”

Dereck said in a calm tone, leaning back on the bench.

Then he reached out, removed some leaves that had caught on Denise’s waist, and tossed them into the flowerbed.

Only then did Denise realize that her appearance was a bit disheveled and she held her breath.

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“Actually, I’m still the same. My goal was to become a high-ranking mage by training relentlessly, but lately unexpected worries have piled up for me.”

“Do you have worries too, Dereck?”

To discover the weaknesses of that apparently perfect man…

That was the order Denise had received from Grand Duke Beltus.

If Dereck expressed his concerns directly, it would be of great use to her.

“When Lady Aiselin collapsed from overwork, I learned a lot. This barony, this title… at first they meant nothing to me.”

Dereck set his cane aside and spoke calmly, running a hand over his knee.

“To become a high-level mage, I needed a title and lands, so somehow I got them. But before I knew it, I already had vassals, servants, and people who trusted me and depended on me.”

Dereck was talking more than usual.

Denise watched him with curiosity.

The Dereck she knew was usually quiet and reserved, and never spoke unnecessary words.

Even so, everything he said now had a clear purpose.

“When things reach that point, isn’t it natural not to sit idly by?”

“Yes. Dereck, you have truly become a noble.”

“Well, I still have a lot to learn, but I did understand one thing: when you have the opportunity to do something, you have to do it right.”

“Hmm?”

Dereck was looking at Denise with deep seriousness.

When Aiselin collapsed exhausted, Dereck realized something: nothing in this world is guaranteed.

One must never take for granted those who show kindness, sacrifice themselves, or help.

We must pay attention to even the smallest changes.

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Having lived as a mercenary in a ruthless society, it was natural for him to feel that something was missing. Dereck had realized that.

The fact that he had taken Aiselin’s dedication for granted until she collapsed was the trigger.

Dereck was not a perfect man, but he never made the same mistake twice.

Only then did Denise understand the intention behind his words.

His perceptive eyes had clearly noted her unease, and once Dereck detected something like that, he never ignored it.

‘Ugh…’

In short, Dereck was telling her, in his own way, that if something was worrying her, she could talk about it.

His voice was as dry as ever, but understanding the concern hidden behind it was strangely uncomfortable.

That man knew how to show interest without becoming an emotional burden.

It was no wonder both Ellen and Aiselin were attracted to him.

Even while admiring him, Denise felt a tightness in her chest again.

Because, deep down, the reason for her anguish was precisely that man, and she could not confess it.

Trying to dodge the subject wouldn’t work with Dereck, so she had no choice but to change the topic.

“Well, it’s nothing serious. Lately I’ve been about to finish *The Arrogant Lord Robain*.”

“Oh, really? I’m looking forward to it!”

“Well, there’s not much to expect. But the ending I wrote is a bit different from what I had originally thought… I wonder if it’s okay like that. That’s why you saw me so pensive.”

“I see. If it’s that kind of concern, there’s not much I can do.”

“That’s why I told you it was nothing.”

Denise let out a little laugh and also leaned back on the bench.

As they sat side by side under the warm late autumn sunlight, she felt a strange calm. That man named Dereck was annoying and problematic, but by his side she always felt at peace.

“If your worries are reflected so clearly on your face, you should reflect on it. Even if your heart is full of anxiety, you must maintain the appearance of a dignified flower.”

“Well, as you said, we all live with some worries.”

“Exactly. It’s not worth tormenting yourself over that. Why? Are you afraid I’ll faint like Lady Aiselin? Hahaha.”

Denise said this, laughing lightly. Her expression seemed innocent, but at the same time it had a mischievous shade, which made her a girl of a thousand faces.

She was not inherently noble like Aiselin, nor was she born with Ellen’s natural authority.

But she was a fox with her tail hidden under her ruffled dress; lazy by nature, though when she used her intelligence, even the most experienced hunters stopped trying to catch her.

“Well, Lady Aiselin will soon finish getting ready and will come out to the reception hall. If you want to talk to her, you should go now.”

“Oh, thank you very much. Since I’ve come all this way, I should talk to Lady Aiselin too. Dereck, are you busy with your training?”

“I have some free time today, but I still have pending matters. Forgive me for not being able to attend to you properly.”

“Attend to me? This is already more than enough.”

After exchanging a few formal words, Dereck stood up.

In any case, the fact that he worried about her was something she appreciated, so Denise felt a little relieved.

Although she couldn’t tell him that he himself was the cause of her worries, confirming that Dereck trusted her gave her a strange sense of satisfaction.

Thus, Denise smiled, satisfied at having handled the situation perfectly.

“Ah, Lady Denise. Now that I remember, I should tell you something.”

Dereck picked up the cane he had left by the bench, adjusted his cape, and spoke as if making a casual comment.

Just when Denise, with a relaxed expression, was about to ask what it was about, she heard…

“If it is ever necessary, you can hit me in the back of the neck.”

In that instant, Denise stopped breathing.

She held back the sound that almost escaped her by reflex, but she didn’t know how to immediately decide how to respond to those words that pierced right through her.

She stood up abruptly, eyes wide, staring at Dereck.

However, he didn’t seem to give it any importance.

“I understand your situation.”

Before Denise could utter a word, Dereck was already gathering his things and leaving the garden.

She could only watch, with eyes still wide, as he threw the leather bag over his shoulder and headed toward the training center.

***

«It seems the Beltus side will start watching us. It was about time.»

On the road to power, there are always those who try to bring you down.

Dereck, with the leather bag over his shoulder and his cane held horizontally at his waist, walked with a firm step toward the main building.

«I don’t know what method they will use, but right now there are too many deficiencies in the residence. We need more staff, and it is too difficult to fight a battle of wills against someone like the Grand Duke alone.»

Although Melverot, from the Rochester territory, protected him, the physical distance was immense.

He lived in the snowy lands of the northern end of the continent.

Unless the enemy acted openly, it would be impossible to defend against all their intrigues. Before the psychological warfare intensified, it was necessary to secure the support of an influential figure in the southwest with an authority comparable to that of Grand Duke Beltus.

But who could stand up to the head of the **Beltus family**, one of the most prestigious in the southwest?

It was hard to find someone like that, but luckily, there was one person within Dereck’s reach.

*Creak.*

“Good day.”

Dereck opened the door to the guest room and entered.

The young red-haired woman, who was reading a book alone, turned her head immediately.

Seeing the man appear suddenly startled her, and she hurried to fix her disheveled appearance after having rested.

Dereck’s unexpected visit did not sit well with her heart.

“D-Dereck?”

“It’s been a long time, Lady Ellen.”

The only power in the southwest of the continent capable of challenging Beltus’s authority was the Belmierd family.

Some might consider him arrogant, but Dereck was completely certain.

Belmierd would take the side of the Ravenclaw Barony.