Chapter 45

Chapter 45
## Chapter 45

A certain imposing aura made it difficult to approach Diella Katherine Duplain naturally.

Many noble ladies gathered for tea remained seated, staring intently, unable to take a brave step forward.

Her aura did not stem solely from being the youngest daughter of the Duplain family, but also from the cold and impassive attitude she projected.

Of course, for someone like Denise, the Duplain surname alone was enough to prevent her from being eclipsed.

Amidst her disciplined life, she found tranquility in the serene atmosphere of the tea room, which allowed her to relax her mind a little.

Thus, Denise remained sitting comfortably until Diella’s sudden arrival forced her to adjust her posture.

“The youngest daughter of the Duplains is about to debut.”

Accustomed to becoming easily irritated, Denise adopted the poise of a noble lady and displayed the appropriate courtesy.

Mainly because she used to attend the meetings of the Salon Rosé, where servants adorned her with ancient jewelry, making her one of the members of the select trio.

“Are you Miss Denise of the Beltus family?”

Diella’s tone combined bluntness and courtesy. Although she was new to Salon Rosé, she showed no signs of intimidation.

With a penetrating gaze, Denise quickly captured Diella’s temperament.

Her confidence in a room full of foreign nobles came from extraordinary pride. She seemed more arrogant than polite. Although she had been refined by good mentors, the fierceness of a mustang galloping across the plains still remained within her.

At first glance, it was evident that she considered most of the nobles present to be inferior. Therefore, her silence did not discourage Denise; she had never considered them equals.

Only because she considered Denise her equal did she deign to greet her with minimal courtesy.

But it was all a facade; deep down, Diella lacked good manners. If it had been Ellen who approached, she probably would have frowned instantly, but Denise was more indulgent in such matters.

“Lady Diella of the Duplain family, right? I heard you would be attending today’s meeting. You are as beautiful and dignified as they said. It is a pleasure to meet you.”

“Thank you.”

Compliments and respectful words are customary among noblewomen.

After receiving this, it was Denise’s turn to reciprocate. Although she could have praised Diella’s beauty and elegance, she deliberately chose not to.

‘Bold.’

With that word, Denise summarized Diella’s personality. Among the new nobles of Ebelstain, many were either too passive or too daring.

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Diella leaned toward the latter. Failing to maintain proper distance was not a serious offense; one naturally learns to navigate those social whirlwinds.

It could be considered a momentary lapse.

But Denise had to reconsider her judgment after Diella’s next words.

“I don’t like empty words, so I’ll get straight to the point.”

“…”

“I’ve heard that Dereck is with the Beltus family.”

In short, Diella had not ignored the rules of etiquette or been rude in general; her hostility was directed specifically at Denise.

The reason, ultimately, was the presence of a respected mage under Beltus’s control.

“If you mean Dereck… Yes, he teaches me magic.”

When Denise heard Dereck’s name so suddenly, she felt nauseous. She knew that, upon ending the meeting, she would return to the grueling physical training awaiting her at the mansion.

Lately, Dereck had even started cooking himself, claiming it was good exercise; he bought all kinds of food at the market and allowed the servants to enter the kitchen. He seemed completely integrated into the mansion now.

It was terrifying.

But she couldn’t reveal that in front of the nobles, so she merely forced a smile.

“He is a good magic teacher. His dedication and daily lessons are very beneficial to me. There is no point in bringing him here.”

Diella had been Dereck’s first student.

It was difficult to understand why she felt a predilection for that man obsessed with magic, but in essence, she liked Dereck, so it seemed fair to speak well of him.

However, upon hearing Denise’s words, Diella clenched her teeth.

“He seems like a good person.”

‘…Good? In what sense?’

Diella seemed almost displeased by Denise’s satisfied comment regarding Dereck’s teachings, which seemed to irritate her. Now, Denise understood: Diella was jealous.

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After Dereck was expelled from the Duplain house, Diella longed to reunite with him in Ebelstain.

But by the time she made her social debut, Dereck had already become entangled in the political rivalry between families, while simultaneously teaching a young woman from Beltus.

It was not clear to what extent Dereck’s decision was his own. No matter how strong his will was, coming from a humble family, he could be defeated if the three great families clashed.

Diella wanted to know: did Dereck really teach Denise of his own free will?

It was hard to believe that a character as enigmatic as a fox would abandon Duplain and reject Aiselin’s invitation to give classes.

“…”

Seeing Diella staring at her like a growling dog, Denise felt the need to organize her thoughts.

Provoking the hostility of a young woman from Duplain was a serious matter.

Denise, always unflappable in her composure, knew she had to handle this with care.

But the more she organized her ideas, the more perspectives emerged.

‘…So she wants to take Dereck away. My goodness…’

From the outside, it seemed like the Beltus family had a firm grip on the magic-obsessed man, but in reality, he was the one controlling Denise.

If someone could claim Dereck, it wouldn’t matter who it was. But the Duke of Beltus would not allow it easily.

As if holding a valuable chess piece, the Duke would not let Dereck go, who was being pursued by other families.

To achieve this, someone would have to offer an equally valuable gift. Only those from Belmierd or Duplain could accomplish such a negotiation.

And Diella Katherine Duplain was more desperate than anyone to claim Dereck.

Stars began to shine in Lady Denise’s eyes.

“It is truly noble! A noblewoman has come for me…!”

The atmosphere became palpable and tense. A descendant of a distinguished family, newly arrived at Salon Rosé, was openly confronting the most respected woman in the place.

In that rigid environment, where no one dared to swallow naturally, Denise herself began to emanate an aura that surrounded her.

A messenger from the gods, sent from heaven. Seeing her noble figure, I felt as if a savior had appeared.

“Dereck… to take him away…! Are you declaring that you will take Dereck now…? Oh, my God!”

Of course, she didn’t shout it out loud, but she desperately wanted to hug that beautiful doll-like girl.

If she could return to a life of idleness in bed all day, reading third-rate romance novels, she would gladly abandon that trivial pride.

But reason stopped her. Dereck was someone the Grand Duke of Beltus himself wanted to keep, and he signed a contract to retain him.

If she came forward and handed Dereck over to the Duplain family, openly at the Salon Rosé meeting and before the gaze of many, it would likely damage her status and position within the Beltus family. It would be interpreted as an overt challenge to family interests and patriarchal guidelines.

Declaring that you would take Dereck right there, with so many people watching, would be political suicide.

However, opportunities like this were rare. It wasn’t just any family, but a young woman from the Duplain family who wanted to take Dereck in. Denise had to make the most of the situation.

“Miss Denise, you must think carefully. The power of the Beltus family is immense, and although a contract has been signed, no one knows what decision Dereck might make in future negotiations with the Duplain family.”

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Hearing those words, all the noble ladies present swallowed hard. Declaring the intention to take someone from another family was a serious breach of etiquette.

Such a declaration of war before a lady of the Beltus family, no matter how angelic Denise seemed, would not be tolerated.

But Denise wore a serene expression, as if she were lying in a field bathed in warm sunlight.

“Open provocation, yet maintaining calm?”

Diella sensed a deep dissonance in Denise’s attitude. Clearly, the most prominent woman of the Beltus family was not an easy rival.

Even though she was openly insulted in front of many, she calmly evaluated Diella’s stance, and her serenity enhanced her dignity.

Diella felt she was facing an insurmountable wall. Denise had won the competition among the three great families and had kept Dereck. There seemed to be a reason for her success: her competence had been exceptional from the start.

While all the nobles in the tea room were sweating, Denise responded to Diella with a warm smile.

“It is true. No one knows what the future holds.”

“…”

Diella grit her teeth.

The fact that she spoke so naturally about taking Dereck away, without losing her composure, showed that she saw him more as a political tool than a valuable master of magic.

It was a waste to teach magic to someone like that, when Dereck’s talent was so valuable.

“If you want to be a good teacher, you must be a student worthy of being taught. It is evident that Lady Diella is a valuable person who could become a great mage.”

“…”

“So please, be careful.”

It was sincere advice, without ulterior motives. For now, it was all Denise could offer.

But to Diella, that sounded like a provocation.

“If you wish to see Dereck, send me a private letter. I can arrange a meeting whenever you like. I am willing to help you.”

“No, thank you.”

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Although genuinely kind, Diella clenched her jaw and turned away abruptly.

A chill hung in the air as she clenched her fists and walked away.

“Please, be strong…!”

Even in the stifling atmosphere of the tea room, Denise directed words of encouragement toward the charming and admirable Diella, her fists clenched.

All the nobles were trembling, but to Denise, Diella was beautiful.

***

Diella’s visit before her debut became the talk of the Salon Rosé for the rest of the day. Later, during the afternoon snack, she maintained pleasant conversations with Lady Ellen of the Belmierd family and her own sister, Aiselin.

Unlike her overt hostility toward Denise, she demonstrated very noble elegance with the other ladies.

But the women in the room had already noticed: Diella possessed an indomitable and wild spirit that no one could control. Anyone who tried to treat her lightly would find a sharp bite in return.

She managed to give the impression of being someone not to be trifled with. After her successful debut, there was speculation about the possibility of her forming a new faction along with the other three most important ladies of society.

The lower-ranking nobles, swaying like reeds, feared above all the one who would become the most influential figure in Ebelstain’s social circle. Ultimately, choosing a side determined not only personal prosperity but also the future of family power.

The dangerous social circle of Ebelstain was built solely on the basis of ambition and the desire for social advancement.

Now it was an all-too-obvious truth. Denise left the tea meeting, corrupted by that ambition, and walked down the main street of the noble quarter. She preferred to be accompanied by her servants instead of taking a carriage, longing for a bit of fresh air.

If she went home now, the mage would undoubtedly follow her with bright eyes, reciting the schedule for the next magic training session. She missed those moments of rest.

“Ugh…”

Not only Aiselin, but also Diella wanted the teacher. Ellen was also looking for opportunities.

Furthermore, as rumors spread about the great mage, the lower-ranking nobles began to inquire, hoping to seize the opportunity.

“I understand he is a great mage, but… does he really deserve all this fuss?”

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Seeing everyone’s reaction, Denise felt as if she held an immense treasure in her hands. But she herself did not feel superior.

“Anyway… if I want to get rid of the mage named Dereck soon, we need a reason. Yes, if Miss Diella wants him so much… let’s give her the chance to take him away.”

On her way back to the mansion, Denise reflected deeply on how to deliver Dereck to Diella naturally, cleanly, and without consequences.

When she finally managed to organize her thoughts, the imposing mansion located at the corner of the noble quarter appeared before her eyes.

“…”

Dereck stood silently near the entrance, arms crossed. His mercenary uniform was impeccable, and with his striking white hair with silver streaks, his bright red eyes, and his serene expression, he was always the same.

Even from a distance, his presence was unwavering. Like an immovable mountain. Regardless of the chaos, if he was on your side, you felt he would accompany you until the end.

That must be the key to his fame as a mercenary. After all, clients wanted someone who stayed until the end.

“Are you back already, Miss Denise?”

“W-were you waiting here?”

“Yes. You don’t usually use the carriage for distances that can be covered on foot, right?”

Dereck had already memorized all of Denise’s quirks and small habits.

“What do you plan to do today?”

“Nothing special. The weather is expected to worsen later, so I will practice magic inside the mansion.”

“Ugh…”

“We won’t push the magic to the limit. For now, let’s start slowly with what you have already mastered…”

As they discussed their agenda while entering the mansion, this scene had become completely familiar to the servants. Without realizing it, Denise let herself be guided by Dereck without resistance.

Her expression still reflected dismay, but after accepting her fate, a part of her felt more peaceful. After all, constantly fighting with Dereck was no longer strange to her.

That’s how it feels when someone intrudes into your daily life. Like clothes dampened by a drizzle.

Although she always talked about wanting him to leave, Dereck had already become a part of Denise’s daily life.