There Are No Bad Young Ladies in the World

The Beltus Subjugation (8)

Shame.

What an unreasonable emotion it is. When a person makes a mistake, unbearable shame and embarrassment are designed to surge up.

After hearing Derek’s explanation, Drinis had to endure dizziness while holding her face.

From the beginning, Derek had no hostility towards Drinis.

The words “You can hit me on the back of my head” were not a bold declaration thrown at the enemy, but rather words spoken out of consideration for Denise’s position.

“Ah, no… if you think about it logically, I’m the most renowned lady of the Beltus family, and if someone is hostile to Beltus, it’s natural to think they would harbor ill feelings towards me as well, isn’t it…?”

“How many times have I assured you? I don’t particularly have any ill feelings towards Lady Denise.”

“…”

“Do you remember the words I always say?”

Denise, who had collapsed, looked up at Derek under the moonlight and spoke as if reciting.

“…There are no bad ladies in the world, it’s all about how you teach them…?”

“In fact, there’s nothing to teach or not teach, Lady Denise doesn’t have any particularly bad parts to begin with. I understand if you can’t trust me, but can’t you trust yourself?”

“No, it’s just that… logically… yes, logically this is… inconsistent…”

With that, Denise hiccuped and pondered over the man named Derek.

He is ruthless to those who are hostile, show malice, and try to trample on him.

If someone attacks, he retaliates, if they draw a sword, he draws one too, and if they try to kill him, he kills them without mercy.

But what about the opposite?

He is infinitely gentle to those who do not show hostility. He rarely takes the lead in doing good deeds, but he is not someone who doesn’t appreciate what he receives.

He seemed to cherish the teachers he met on his life’s journey deeply in his heart, and never seemed to forget them. Didn’t he visit the grave of an old man in the slums whenever he had time, exchange letters with Katia, and look pleased when he heard news of Drest?

Didn’t you think he had a keen eye for people?

Derek was someone who, if approached with goodwill, would respond with goodwill… a thoroughly logical person. Even knowing this, Denise couldn’t bring herself to judge the situation rationally.

In fact, it was natural. It would be strange for someone to maintain rational judgment in such a situation.

The only reason he drew his sword against the Duke of Beltus was because the Duke drew his sword against him first.

Denise covered her face and bowed her head deeply.

“I want to die…”

“What… to that extent…”

“Yes… given the situation, I’ll be honest. I thought you, Derek, were completely cornering me and trapping me, trying to punish me…”

“Me?”

“Isn’t it a situation that warrants it? Beltus clearly harbored clear hostility towards you.”

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Denise already knew well.

The Duke of Beltus had even attempted to kidnap Baroness Felinne, and if necessary, was prepared to take Baron Derek’s life.

It was unthinkable to go easy on such a person, so Denise thought Derek would also use any means necessary.

However, Derek knelt on one knee, lowered his posture, and looked Denise in the eye as he spoke.

“That’s the Duke of Beltus, not Lady Denise, isn’t it?”

“I am a person of Beltus.”

“So what?”

At those words, Denise’s eyes widened, and she was at a loss for words.

“The Duke of Beltus is the Duke of Beltus, and Lady Denise is Lady Denise. What an obvious thing to say…”

What implication could be hidden in those words, thrown out as if they were nothing?

Because it was Derek, who deeply understood the arrogant Lord Robain and the person named Denise, who said those words… Denise understood the consideration contained in them.

What is there to say now? In her life, there was no one who thought of Denise herself and the Beltus family separately.

Therefore, at the point of opposing Beltus, Derek thought he had become completely Denise’s enemy.

However, the premise itself was wrong.

This man, who always looked at Denise indifferently under the moonlight, was thinking of the Beltus family and Denise as completely different entities.

Whatever she achieved, it was for Beltus… Whatever she did, she moved only for Beltus.

Therefore, a person who saw Denise purely as an individual was more precious than gold.

Why did she realize this only now? Even when teaching Denise magic, he never taught her as ‘the Lady of Beltus.’

Only when Denise ignored the profundity of magic or dismissed it as futile did he get furious and teach her with all his might.

In fact, when he thought the teaching was more or less over, he would leave briskly.

To him, Denise was just Denise.

Denise, who had lived her whole life under the glory of her family, finally understood why she couldn’t harshly push Derek away.

He was the only person in this world who saw Denise separately from the Beltus family. The girl subconsciously did not want to lose him.

“Derek…”

“…”

“If… if the power of the Beltus family is greatly diminished by this incident, and I end up being treated like Lady Aiselin… will you still remain my teacher…?”

Even Denise herself couldn’t understand why she was asking such a question.

However, she felt she had to ask it now.

“…Why are you asking such a pointless question?”

Derek didn’t even consider it a proper question.

Once a teacher-student relationship is formed, it continues. Looking at how Derek treated the teachers who had taught him, it was clear what he thought of the teacher-student relationship.

At those words, Denise felt a lump in her throat.

Even if the name Beltus were to be removed from her name, she was convinced that this man would remain on her side until the end.

The reason is clear. Because they are teacher and student.

Just as countless teachers had taken Derek’s weak arm and guided him, this man was also determined to embrace the person he once considered a student until the end.

Diela did, Ellente did, and Siern did.

Derek had more than enough reasons to abandon them and turn away, but he never once shirked his responsibility.

The old man in the slums, Katia, and Drest… Derek was taught that way.

He acted on what he was taught and taught others the same. When you think about it, everyone in the world is someone’s teacher and someone’s student.

Derek also naturally lived with that belief.

To doubt such a person, one would feel ashamed. It seemed like he knew the identity of the shame that was surging in.

Denise brushed her face again and again, sighing in relief several times.

He is truly a mysterious man. Like the unchanging zelkova tree that always stands in the same place, only Denise was confused and in turmoil.

“You’ve had a hard time, Miss Denise. Don’t worry too much. The situation will be over soon.”

Seeing Derek defending her like that, Denise felt her breath quicken for some reason.

A man from the slums. However, he has firm beliefs, always embraces everyone, and does not judge people by the power of their family.

It felt like a familiar character, so she bowed her head and repeated it several times. Only then did she recall who it was── the heroine Tracy from ＜Arrogant Lord Robain＞.

At that moment, she felt her breath being swallowed up.

＜Arrogant Lord Robain＞, a romance novel filled with Denise’s personal desires, the male protagonist and the most significant character, Lord Robain, was none other than a projection of Denise herself.

The unfortunate character who loses precious connections due to the power of the family, that Robain, whom she put in to mock herself, loved someone like Tracy.

He was just a character in a story.

However, after a long time of immersing herself in Lord Robain and wielding the quill, the character’s mindset and values were already deeply engraved in Denise’s mind.

The reason why Lord Robain loved Tracy so much was already a process she had convinced herself of.

So, when she looked at Derek, she understood Lord Robain’s feelings.

The process of someone oppressed by the power of the family, feeling affection for Tracy, who innocently treated him as himself… Denise herself had convincingly and well described that process.

And, unfortunately… the passion for that work became the firewood that ignited Denise’s heart.

Derek, seen through her eyes, looked as precious as a jewel.

While everyone in the world chanted the name of Beltus, Derek’s voice, asking about Denise’s situation, felt strangely sweet.

Denise is a rational person.

Even in the midst of her heart swelling, she objectively judged her current situation.

‘This is bad.’

In this crisis where the family is overturned, and monsters are rampant everywhere… she tried to convince herself that it was just a simple suspension bridge effect, but it didn’t work as she thought.

It felt like jumping into a thorny path. Of course, it did.

Derek’s relationships with women were so complicated – just watching from nearby made her head throb.

Just watching the fire across the river made her head throb, but to jump directly into that war… it was something that Denise, who was always lazy and easy-going, could never tolerate.

However, human emotions do not always follow reason.

Having a history of devouring all sorts of third-rate romance novels, Denise knew better than anyone how this situation was unfolding.

In short, Denise did not just respect this man as a mentor.

“…Miss Denise. The situation is urgent right now…”

“D-Derek… J-just a moment…”

Denise, flustered, took a step back, but the tree stump behind her blocked her retreat.

Trying to somehow hide her face, which was turning red for no reason, she swept her face and bowed her head.

Everything is so confusing.

In the midst of monsters rampaging and demons arriving, getting swayed by such emotional parts would only reverse the order of things. Therefore, Denise calmed her breath… and just as she thought she should listen to Derek’s course of action…

– Snap!

– Whoosh!

– Bang!

When Denise raised her head, Derek was suddenly knocked out by a flying spell.

– Crash! Bang!

First-class combat magic ‘Shockwave’

Derek, who was blown away by the impact, was pinned to a tree on one side of the forest, and dust rose.

Although it happened in an instant, Derek, who drew out his magical power with superhuman reflexes to block the impact, appeared through the dust.

He was kneeling on one knee, taking out his staff and assuming a combat stance. His reaction speed was so fast that it seemed almost impossible.

“W-What…?”

Looking in the direction the magic came from, the mercenary leader Orel had arrived with his detachment.

He had long served as the commander of the Emperor’s direct guard. Although his skills might have slightly declined with age, his ability to respond quickly in crisis situations was exceptional.

“Are you alright, Miss Denise!”

He surrounded Denise with the mercenaries in a protective formation. General Orel, who had quickly protected Denise, drew his sword and pointed it towards Derek.

Rising from the dust, his eyes were already sharp.

“O-Orel, leader… W-what are you doing…”

“You are safe. That’s a relief.”

Orel, who had turned his sword once, glared at the beast rising from the bushes.

At a glance, it did not seem like an easy opponent.

Although he looked young, he was already a seasoned veteran mercenary.