Chapter 48

Chapter 48
## Chapter 48

In the aristocratic district of Ebelstain, numerous societies, salons, academies, and groups operated, each with distinct objectives, but in reality, they all shared a single great purpose.

To gather the most prominent figures of this dazzling social world in one place for the game of networking.

Of course, lower-ranking nobles who frequented these circles solely to establish contacts were usually easy to identify, so most feigned a genuine interest in the topics at hand. Whether it was magic, tea ceremonies, history, art, or cultural refinement, at least a basic knowledge was required to maintain decorum. This was why the ladies of the nobility dedicated their days to study.

Therefore, the competition between these groups was fierce; connections with the nobility were always limited.

Whenever rumors circulated that someone from a prominent family was arriving in Ebelstain, various academies and salons rushed to invite them.

And in the case of Diella, who was already starting to stand out in the art world, several art academies competed earnestly to recruit her.

Among these social circles, the Rose Salon reigned as a queen, and it also made efforts to welcome Diella. It was a tacit rule among the ladies.

The descendants of the three most noble families in the southwest of the empire attended the Rose Salon. That premise had never been broken.

That was the reason why the Rose Salon was able to exert maximum influence among so many social groups.

“Lady Diella does not attend any salon or academy, nor does she show interest in social activities,” they said.

“I have heard there are many such figures among the frontier nobility, but what is the point of coming to the Ebelstain social circle?”

“Indeed… I would love to share a cup of tea with Lady Diella if she would agree…”

Aiselin listened to these conversations among her followers at a meeting of the Rose Salon after a period of absence. Her dear younger sister, Diella, supposedly showed no interest in social activities.

She thought: who could object if Diella herself admitted it? But, as her older sister, she couldn’t help but worry; after all, connections and culture were the social power of a noble lady.

The Duke of Duplain deeply valued aristocratic authority.

The same was true for her mother, Miriella, and other family members. Even if one became a housewife and left the paternal home, one could never escape that social role.

Even the lazy Denise attended all the basic meetings. Her numerous greetings and this magnificent mansion were not in vain.

Aiselin sat at the large tea table with a worried expression.

At every important meeting, this table received admiring glances from many ladies.

Sitting at the large round table with Aiselin were Ellen, of the Belmierd family, and Denise, of the Beltus family.

Ellen, with her striking red hair, looked somewhat displeased as she brushed it back. Apparently, she had heard the rumors on the way to the meeting.

“Lady Diella’s behavior is the talk of the town. What do you think, Lady Aiselin?”

“Well… Diella has always been very firm in her opinions within our family, so once she decides something, no one can change her mind.”

“I am not one to question the traditions of the Rose Salon, but if the tacit rule that the ladies of the three noble families must attend the salon is broken… the visitors will not be happy.”

Breaking a rule once was difficult. The second and third times, the challenge weakened.

If Lady Diella decided to ignore all social activities, the Rose Salon could see its unique position as a meeting place for the nobles of the three great families threatened.

For this generation, with Ellen, Aiselin, and Denise present, the salon still retained great influence and power, but in the long run, Diella’s deviation could be considered a bad omen.

Although they feigned otherwise, a strange current flowed between the members of the Rose Salon. The three women perceived it.

Only if Diella joined the Rose Salon would that privileged position be maintained. However, those who had seen her at that meeting sensed otherwise.

The youngest daughter of the Duplains was someone whom no one could convince.

She maintained a minimum of decorum, but her spirit was fiercer than anyone could imagine.

Even Denise, in their first encounter, had shown a reckless indifference to consequences, challenging anyone who stood in her way, no matter who they were.

This person, more like a wild beast or a rabid dog, had only been socialized until then thanks to the deliberate intervention of a mentor named Dereck. Without his influence, her integration into society would have been impossible.

Taking this into account, Diella’s social debut was worthy of celebration, but many matters remained unresolved.

In the end, the only person the Rose Salon could trust was Aiselin.

She was someone Diella respected and admired; the most recognized lady of the Duplain family… in other words, the only one who could try to control her.

But even Aiselin could not breathe easily.

Diella respected Aiselin, but she did not comply with her orders or requests.

“Speaking of Diella, I heard she was rude to you, Lady Denise. As her sister, I would like to apologize.”

“To me?”

Denise, who seemed distracted for some reason, responded quickly.

Since she took Dereck as her mentor, she seemed to be more exhausted every day.

Both Aiselin and Ellen seemed to perceive the chronic fatigue she suffered. Of course, Dereck was no ordinary mentor, and Ellen prayed silently for her.

“Don’t worry too much about it.”

“Diella may have that temperament, but deep down she is not a cruel child. I hope you can set aside any resentment toward her, for my sake.”

“Resentment? I have none.”

Denise considered Diella almost a savior. While others around her searched for signs whenever Diella was mentioned, Denise didn’t care. Thinking about how to thank that charming and adorable little doll—the only one who could rescue her from Dereck’s clutches—made her calm, paradoxically, enhance her reputation in social circles.

Maintaining dignity in the face of such a wild woman was no easy task.

It wasn’t limited to inattention during tea; sometimes, afterward, Diella would hurl discourteous comments at Denise. If they crossed paths, she would blatantly ignore her greetings or scowl.

Finally, one of Denise’s followers, visibly tired, rebuked Diella for not showing more dignity and decorum, telling her she had disrespected Denise.

However, a rumor circulated that Diella had poured wine over the follower’s head, reproaching her for having forgotten their difference in status.

The rumor seemed true, as the ladies of the nobility began to see her as an uncontrollable natural disaster.

“I’m not sure Diella can adapt properly if she is introduced to the Rose Salon like this.”

Aiselin sank into those thoughts.

Even if it meant asking Ellen and Denise for help, it seemed necessary to take drastic measures to control Diella.

Then, Aiselin looked at Denise seriously. Denise tilted her head, uncomfortable under her gaze.

“I would like to ask you a favor, Lady Denise.”

***

On the main street of Ebelstein, a large mansion stood out.

Diella, while meticulously inspecting the interior, was silently assisted by the maids who followed her.

Her ruffled dress, reminiscent of peacock feathers, accentuated her delicate charm, but imagining her ruling like a tyrant in that mansion made her small figure seem gigantic.

Diella was busy supervising the final details of the mansion and preparing her debut party for next month.

Even while dressing in the fitting room, her gaze scrutinized every corner, looking for anything that might have gone unnoticed.

All the maids trembled under the girl’s intense gaze.

“Miss Diella, a letter has arrived from the Rose Salon. It contains the program for the next meeting.”

“Wasn’t it enough for me to show my face once? What else do they want?”

“It seems the salon wishes to give you a warm welcome, Lady Diella.”

“Once again, they are trying to bind me with their unwritten rules. I will not go to a place that does not interest me.”

Diella flatly refused. Not even her sister Aiselin could make her change her mind.

In her unrestrained youth, her capricious nature had turned into arrogance and annoyance. But with a certain social elegance and an understanding of reality, that singularity transformed into an untouchable personality, and her temperament into that of an inflexible ruler.

Despite her young age, she was already beginning to gather followers within the Duplain family.

In time, she seemed destined to become someone capable of challenging even Valerian or Leigh. Kind and considerate, always attentive to others, such a person could win everyone’s affection. She would be a good leader.

But someone worthy of being a king was different.

They knew how to rule, they did not let themselves be influenced by the mood of their subordinates, they made momentous decisions without making mistakes, and they had the world at their feet.

“I am the best in the world, without a doubt.”

It was the perfect description of the little tyrant, Diella.

Since I started inspecting the mansion the day before yesterday, I wonder if rumors have spread: there are so many visitors now. They bring gifts, claim to be distant relatives, profess a hidden admiration. They are all so anxious to connect with people, but their magic remains intact.

“Today’s visitor schedule is also very tight. Preparing the reception could take more time.”

“Do it quickly. Honestly, I don’t even know who I have to see. All of them stink of ambition in their eyes, acting as if their thirst for status weren’t obvious. When will they realize the stench of their inner darkness?”

High officials of Ebelstein, prominent merchants, academic colleagues, and veteran mages tried to impress the youngest daughter of the Duplain family, but none managed to move Diella.

Finally, a low-ranking frontier noble, who claimed to be a supporter of Denise, made a comment so bold that Diella had no choice but to pour a glass of wine over his head.

For a while, rumors circulated about her tyrannical temperament, but Diella didn’t care. She only regretted having wasted good wine.

The maids and the butler could only swallow hard. Who could tame this runaway lioness and lead her to the Rose Salon?

It would be a relief if she didn’t bite and devour them in the attempt.

“Today we will be visited by a senior official from Renpel Trade and the four-star mage from the Adlan Magic Academy, Master Odette.”

“Pathetic. Well, I can smile at them and greet them at the reception… but I feel it’s a waste of time. Ow! Do you want to die?”

Diella let out a deep sigh, and when the comb tangled in her hair, she lost her patience.

The maid brushing her hair flinched, trembled, and fell to her knees.

“I’m sorry! Miss Diella…!”

Her icy gaze pierced the maid, who cowered before her. In her rebellious days, she would have fired her without hesitation.

But Diella knew well the difference between maintaining charisma and senseless bullying.

“Don’t make another mistake.”

With those cold words, the maid held back her tears and apologized repeatedly.

Fear was the most effective weapon for controlling people. But using it aimlessly only turned someone into an irresponsible bully.

The girl had understood this intuitively since she was small.

Yes, they all gather to earn a place in the Duplain family… but it’s not bad to meet them. There might be a good one among them, like a grain of sand in the middle of a drought… Don’t cancel the morning schedule.

“There is another appointment before breakfast. It’s not very important, but a messenger from the Beltus family has arrived.”

“The Beltus family?”

Diella fixed her gaze on the butler. The messenger was innocent, but he had to swallow nervously. The Beltus family was a curse for the girl named Diella.

“Why should I receive someone from that side? Don’t open the door for him. Just take the letter and send him elsewhere.”

“Is that all right? The person from the Beltus family might represent Lady Denise…”

Do I have to repeat it? Be glad I’m not throwing cold water on you. Why is it taking so long? Finish brushing your teeth at once!

Diella shook her head and sat back down in front of the mirror. She wanted to finish that ritual quickly, see those sad faces, and then practice magic.

It was then that, under the care of the maids…

“It’s just that… a mage named Dereck, from the Beltus family, is coming in person… Is that okay?”

“What?”

In that instant, a chill ran down Diella’s spine. The maids held their breath seeing the sudden change in the girl. Just moments ago, the little tyrant’s expression, so cold toward the world, had suddenly returned to that of a girl her age.

“What? Dereck is coming in person? But, isn’t it strange for him to show himself in public, since he is busy with Beltus family matters?”

“We… are unaware of the true situation of the Beltus family…”

“Why didn’t you say so before? Wait… see him suddenly?”

Diella quickly looked around. Only the maids who helped her with her daily routine were present.

“Is Katarina… in the main house? And Laila isn’t here? She is the best makeup artist…!”

“She is preparing breakfast in the kitchen.”

“Bring her immediately! And I’m wearing this old lace dress… No, all my luxury cosmetics are in the main house… What am I going to do?!”

Suddenly, Diella became nervous. The simple fact of receiving a letter from a Beltus messenger had made her sweat profusely; she was more nervous than with any other important visit that morning.

“What a tight schedule before breakfast…!”

“It’s… just to receive a letter… It’s not as if a noble were visiting…”

“You should have asked me before deciding something like that! Before breakfast means… wait… What time is it…?”

Looking out the window, she saw the Beltus family carriage already coming down the street.

Diella’s face turned pale as she quickly sat back down at the dressing table. Her restlessness was like that of a small animal before a predator, a marked contrast to her usual attitude.

The maids surrounding her turned pale.

It was the first time they had seen Diella like this.