Chapter 49

Chapter 49
## Chapter 49

Although the aristocratic district was filled with the residences of prestigious families, entering one of them was no easy task.

In Ebelstain, the paradox lay in the fact that the most famous and coveted places in society were only accessible to a chosen few.

In that sense, the mansions where the noble ladies of the Duplain, Belmiard, and Beltus families resided were peculiar to Dereck, who had been inside all of them.

It was astonishing that Dereck, a man from the slums, could now freely visit the youngest daughter of the Duplain family, who had just made her debut in high society.

“But that doesn’t mean much.”

Sitting in the carriage specially prepared by the Beltus family, Dereck rested his chin on his hand, narrowing his eyes to observe Diella’s house through the window.

No matter how majestic a noble mansion might be, there was an inevitable difference between one newly built and one aged by the passage of time.

The houses of high society celebrities showed signs of aging despite all the care, but Diella’s was a perfect blend of splendor, mystery, and impeccable order.

It was evident why so many noble ladies yearned to debut in society, making a triumphant entrance.

Even a fraction of that status would make people bow, something common in commercial areas and poor neighborhoods.

“Have you come to persuade Lady Diella…?”

“Yes. The Rose Salon looks forward with anticipation to the addition of Lady Diella. Although she now belongs to the Beltus family, I have a history with her, so they believe I could convince her.”

Delron, the butler who managed the Duplain estate, seemed to consider Diella’s stable social debut more important, hence his presence in Ebelstain.

Although sometimes arrogant, deep down he was loyal and diligent, and he enjoyed the respect of the Duplain family.

However, his expression was not exactly cheerful when he came out to greet me at the door of the mansion.

“Lady Diella certainly appreciates you, but be careful when expressing opinions on social matters.”

“Oh, really? I didn’t think it was such a delicate subject.”

Stepping down from the carriage, Dereck handed several items to the servants. The servants of Diella’s house, mostly from the Duplain estate, knew Dereck well, so they accepted his belongings without hesitation and carried them inside.

In the Duplain household, Dereck was treated almost like a guest of honor, a fact the domestic staff knew well.

“Lately, you’ve attracted a lot of attention in society; you’ve even had brushes with some noble ladies. You know how she is: she tends to be carried away by emotions, so it is difficult for her followers to advise you.”

“What kind of advice?”

“Well, it’s not an easy thing to determine. It is expected, naturally, that a lady of the Duplain family engages with society. But given her firm personal convictions, it is difficult to express opinions.”

—
*Discover more: Language learning tools | Translator recruitment | Story writing courses*
—

Listening to Delron’s words as they approached the mansion, it seemed that Diella had acquired a minimum level of social skills over time, but she had not completely shed her arrogance.

The passing servants looked worried. Apparently, many had suffered setbacks when trying to persuade or advise Diella. The staff’s reactions were telling.

“Honestly, even you couldn’t change Lady Diella’s wishes. Lady Aiselin, who started all this, must be working hard.”

“Even so, it’s an unusual situation. For the Beltus family to allow such a visit to the Duplain house is not common.”

“That’s true. Lady Denise is quite generous in that regard.”

Indeed, Denise was willing to agree to any request from the Duplain family. Unaware of such details, Delron merely expressed his amazement at the situation.

After following the path for a while, the entrance to the reception room came into view, guarded by several servants. It was almost certain that Diella was inside.

Dereck brushed the dust off his mercenary uniform and adjusted his cloak. Even as a former teacher, meeting privately with a noble lady required a minimum of decorum.

“Please, behave in a way that you don’t suffer any major mishaps. Do what you can within your possibilities.”

“Yes, understood. Thank you for your consideration.”

Dereck made a polite bow to Delron and knocked on the large wooden door.

*Knock, knock*

“Come in!”

A lively voice answered from within.

When Dereck entered confidently, Diella, dressed in an elegant monochromatic black and white dress, was sitting at the other end of the room’s sofa.

***

“You’ve grown, and you’ve become even more beautiful.”

“Oh, really? Dereck, you’ve learned to flatter. I’ve heard you mingle with the nobility; it must be true.”

“It’s not flattery. I’m very happy to see you again in Ebelstain.”

“We will meet again in Ebelstain.”

—
*Discover more: Coin shop | Action and adventure novels | Novel subscription service*
—

Since their sudden separation in her youth, both Dereck and Diella had gained much experience.

Especially Dereck, who was now much more versed in the culture of the nobility than when he first entered the Duplain house as an instructor.

He had internalized it through countless encounters with aristocrats. To Diella, Dereck now seemed more mature, which made the time they had spent apart feel even more real.

Guided by her servants, Dereck left his cloak behind and sat across from Diella in his mercenary attire: a leather vest over a cotton tunic.

A delicious aroma of tea permeated the room from the low table.

*Why did he grow so much…?*

Diella, who had practiced magic alone for years, had never forgotten Dereck. That sudden encounter, like a lightning bolt, had completely changed her life.

Now, Diella was considered as influential in the Duplain family as Aiselin. At the center of that transformation was Dereck, her magic instructor.

With such achievements, one would expect Dereck to brag or boast before the Duplain family. But, as always, the former mercenary remained impassive and serene.

That was the fascinating thing about this instructor. He was sincere in his work, without greedy looks or the grand ambitions common among those who dealt with the nobility.

That’s why Diella always treasured the memories of her time with Dereck. But in reality, they were just memories of the past.

*“Yes, I remember there was a difference of half a head… Is it because he is a man who grows so fast every year? If this continues, I’ll look like a child next to him.”*

When Diella learned magic from Dereck, she was only sixteen.

Now, leaving childhood behind and entering youth, her growth could not be compared to that of Dereck, who had already surpassed her long ago.

Now, Dereck, who considerably exceeded her in height, surprised Diella with his unexpectedly robust build.

However, his characteristic red eyes still retained vestiges of the old Dereck.

No matter what others said, this was the instructor who had accepted Diella when everyone else had lost hope in her.

“I am very glad to see that you have become such a kind hostess. I only taught you top-tier magic, so there isn’t much to brag about.”

“No, no… it helped me a lot. But I heard that you are now teaching magic to the Beltus family…”

“Yes. For now, I plan to help Lady Denise with her magical feats.”

“Did you decide to leave?”

“The Beltus family was the first to contact me, and the conditions were fair, so I accepted.”

In reality, he had accepted because the Beltus family had no prior links with them.

But there was no need to explain that to Diella. The fact that Dereck moved between the three great families was not something she needed to know.

“I see…”

The servants, waiting respectfully at the edge of the room, were surprised.

An instructor who once taught magic in the Duplain family now served the Beltus family, at least as far as they knew. Given her pride, Diella would not take it lightly. She was extremely proud of belonging to the Duplain family.

However, Diella only lowered her head awkwardly.

The servants had to bite their lips to keep from opening their eyes in disbelief.

Who was this quiet and demure girl sitting there? The servants who had attended to her in recent years could only blink in astonishment. Only the veteran servants from the main Duplain house nodded with an air of understanding.

—
*Discover more: Character products | History | E-book publishing*
—

“The Duplain family also offered good conditions.”

“Yes. Very generous, but as you know, Lady Aiselin doesn’t need instruction, does she?”

“Right. My sister must be perfect.”

“It just so happened that Lady Denise mentioned she was having difficulty with magic, so I decided to help her. No matter who I teach, I believe my lessons are worth it, don’t you think?”

“What about me?”

“…Eh?”

Bewildered by the sudden question, Dereck fell silent.

“No, I mean… I’m about to make my social debut… After the ball, I’ll need a private tutor. Wouldn’t you like to teach me?”

“If it is Lady Diella, it would be an honor. I thank you very much for your offer.”

“Really?!”

In an instant, Diella’s face turned red and she jumped up from her seat, but realizing she had raised her voice tactlessly, she caught her breath and sat back down.

After clearing her throat several times, Diella spoke more timidly.

“Ah, no… I know it is an honor. Since Dereck has proven to be a good instructor and we know each other… In fact, there is a long list of instructors waiting to teach me.”

“Of course. Anyone would want a position as an instructor for the Duplain family. But, as you know, I currently have a contract with the Beltus family.”

“…”

“The rules among the nobility are unshakeable, aren’t they? At least for someone common like me, those promises cannot be ignored.”

At Dereck’s words, Diella’s expression darkened. He was right.

Unlike Diella, a Duplain of noble birth, Dereck was a commoner. If he had signed a direct contract with Grand Duke Beltus, breaking it to leave the family was unthinkable.

But no one knew when that contract would end.

Diella felt a lump in her throat. Dereck was sitting right there, but she couldn’t take him to the Duplain territory because he was tied down by the cunning Denise.

—
*Discover more: Online bookstore | Adventure games | Romance novels*
—

“So, do we just need to find a way to terminate the contract with the Beltus family?”

“…Eh?”

“Since Dereck has expressed his willingness to teach me, I will see what I can do.”

Dereck watched Diella’s expression for a moment. She could behave like a docile lamb in front of him, but she never abandoned her tyrannical nature.

She was fully prepared to face Denise. No matter how noble Duplain was, challenging one of the three most influential ladies of the Rose Salon was no easy task.

Still, she was willing to take that risk for her goal.

“Can’t you maintain good relations with the Rose Salon?”

Then, Dereck went straight to the point. Hearing his words, all the servants around him swallowed nervously.

It was a request from many followers and lower-ranking nobles, but most were rebuked. One of Lady Denise’s followers even had wine poured over her head. It was a direct challenge to Lady Diella’s weak point.

“The Rose Salon?”

“Yes. Even before talking about the unwritten rules among noble families, this is a personal request. I have personal ties with people in the Rose Salon, so if Lady Diella opposes them, I will be forced to take sides.”

“Wouldn’t you want to take my side?”

“I’ll be direct. If I had to choose between an organization that brings together all the ladies of the three great families and Lady Diella alone, how could I, a commoner, not be influenced by superior power? That’s life: the weak are scattered by strong winds.”

At that moment, even the butler Delron had to swallow with difficulty. He knew that Dereck always spoke his mind, but he didn’t expect such a bold statement in front of the fierce Diella.

Even if it was logical, openly admitting that it would be difficult to take her side was not easy. Diella’s anger didn’t always follow reason. In fact, human emotions in general don’t either.

If someone made such a sincere statement, who knew what losses they might suffer. However, Dereck spoke firmly, his face impassive.

At Diella’s next reaction, all the servants struggled not to fall over in disbelief.

“Really…?”

“…”

—
*Discover more: Fantasy books | Fantasy books | Translation software*
—

“Why would Dereck say something like that?”

“If this matter creates distance between Lady Diella and me, it would be a shame, wouldn’t it? After all, she was my first student and I learned so much from her. Despite my fortune, I sincerely desire to maintain a good relationship with Lady Diella.”

“I feel the same way. Yes, if I show my fangs at the Rose Salon, it will also cause you trouble, Dereck. Mmm… um…”

Diella crossed her arms and grumbled with frustration.

Where was the tyrant who ignored everyone’s words and threw them out? Not only the servants, but not even the butler Delron could have foreseen this scene, merely looking at them with discomfort.

“Ah, I see. I’ll try.”

“Thank you very much for considering it.”

Who could tame the lioness who tried to dominate the entire world? The answer was not far off.

***

(Membership Application)

Diella Katherine Duplain

The three young women who attended the next meeting of the Rose Salon cast a discreet glance at the document in front of them on the round table.

Neither the ladies of the three great families, nor Diella’s own sister, Aiselin, had managed to persuade her; yet there it was: Diella’s application to join the salon.

Dereck had personally collected it from Diella’s house shortly before.

“…”

Ellen was so stunned that she checked the authenticity of the document twice.

But the Duplain family seal on the application was not something easily forged.

Looking at Aiselin, she also seemed incredulous, and as for Denise, she swallowed with difficulty.

“How is it possible for a document like this…?”

No one could give a clear answer to Ellen’s question. Diella, full of stubborn pride and cruel rebellion, had a peculiar tendency to yield to Dereck’s words.

Knowing this, it was inevitable to attribute a renewed value to the white-haired mage.

In reality, all those who thought themselves experts in magic in high society were the same.

Everyone wanted to have leading figures as students, and there was always a reason behind that desire.