There Are No Bad Young Ladies in the World

Wild Horse (2)

A certain imposing aura made it difficult to casually approach Diela Catherine Duplain.

The numerous noble ladies gathered in the tea party only watched, unable to boldly step forward first.

The reason she could exude such an aura with her small stature was not only due to the influence of being the youngest of the Duplain family but also because Diela herself emitted a cold, icy demeanor.

Of course, for someone like Denise, the name of her family was enough to prevent her from being overshadowed.

In the respite of her disciplined life, she found solace in the serene air of the tea party hall, allowing her mind to unwind slightly.

Thus, Denise sat comfortably until Diella’s sudden approach compelled her to adjust her posture.

‘The youngest daughter of the Duplain family, soon to make her debut.’

Denise, who would languish in annoyance, appeared quite the noble lady when she adopted the proper demeanor.

Especially when attending the gatherings at the Roséa Salon, where the servants adorned her with antique finery, making her every bit the part of the Salon’s esteemed trio.

“Are you Lady Denise of the Beltus family?”

Diella’s tone was a curious mix of brusqueness and politeness.

Despite being new to the Roséa Salon, she showed no signs of intimidation.

With a sharp gaze, Denise quickly discerned Diella’s temperament.

Her confidence in such a room full of unfamiliar nobility stemmed from exceptional self-esteem. She seemed more arrogant than polite.

Though refined by a good mentor, the wildness of a mustang racing across the plains remained within her.

At a glance, it was clear she regarded most of the nobles gathered in the Roséa Salon as beneath her. Hence, she wasn’t disheartened by their silence; she never considered them equals to begin with.

It was only because she saw Denise as somewhat of an equal that she bothered to address her with minimal courtesy.

However, this was just a facade, as fundamentally, Diella lacked basic manners.

Had it been Lady Ellente, she might have frowned immediately, but Lady Denise was more forgiving in such matters.

“Lady Diella of the Duplain family, correct? I heard you would be attending today’s gathering. You are as beautiful and dignified as I was told. It’s an honor to meet you.”

“Thank you.”

Compliments and respect are customary in exchanges between noble ladies.

After being praised, it was now her turn to reciprocate. While it would be proper to commend Denise’s angelic beauty and grace, Diella deliberately chose not to.

‘Presumptuous.’

With a single sentence, Denise summed up Diella’s character.

Among the nobility new to the Ebelstein social circle, many were either too passive or too bold. Diella seemed to lean towards the latter.

Not maintaining the proper distance wasn’t a grave sin. Buffeted by the social whirlwinds, one would naturally learn to navigate. Such was forgivable as a momentary lapse.

But Denise had to reconsider her thoughts following Diella’s next words.

“I’m not fond of idle chitchat, so let’s get to the point.”

“…”

“I heard Derek is with the Beltus family.”

In short, Diella wasn’t ignorant of etiquette or universally impolite. Her hostility was specifically directed at Denise.

The reason being, ultimately, the presence of a cherished magic tutor held tightly within the Beltus family.

“If you mean Derek… Yes, he’s teaching me magic.”

As Denise heard Derek’s name suddenly mentioned, she felt a twist in her stomach. As soon as this meeting ended, she knew she would have to face the physical training that awaited her at the mansion.

Lately, Derek had even started cooking himself, claiming it was good for training, buying various foods from the market district, to the point where he allowed the servants to enter the kitchen, seemingly having ingrained himself into the mansion.

It was terrifying.

Yet, she couldn’t show such feelings in the company of these nobles, so Denise managed a strained smile.

“He’s a fine magic tutor. The daily diligence and lessons have been greatly beneficial to me. It was worth the trouble to bring him here.”

Lady Diella was Derek’s first disciple.

Why she favored such a madman obsessed with magic was beyond understanding, but fundamentally, she was favorably disposed towards Derek, so it seemed appropriate to speak well of him.

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

“He seems nice.”

‘…Nice? Where?’

Diella seemed almost pleased with the world as she listened to Denise’s satisfied remarks about Derek’s teachings, which appeared to irk her.

By now, Denise could tell. Diella was jealous of her.

After sending Derek away from the Duplain mansion, Diella had been looking forward to reuniting with him in Ebelstain.

But when it was time for her to debut in Ebelstain’s social circles, Derek was entangled in the political rivalry between families, teaching the young lady of the Beltus family.

How much of it was Derek’s own will was uncertain.

No matter how strong-willed Derek was, being of common birth, he could be swept away if the three major families began to squabble.

Diella wanted to know. Was Derek truly teaching Denise of his own volition?

It was hard to believe that this inscrutable, fox-like character would abandon even the Duplain family and refuse Aiselin’s invitation to teach.

“…”

Watching Diella stare at Denise like a growling small dog, Denise felt the need to organize her thoughts.

Provoking the hostility of the young lady of the Duplain family was a daunting task. Denise, who always managed perfect decorum even in the smallest matters, felt the need to handle the situation with care.

But the more Denise organized her thoughts, the more a new perspective emerged.

‘…So she wants to take Derek away? My goodness…’

Externally, it seemed as though the Beltus family had a firm grip on the mad magician, but in reality, it was the mad magician who had a hold on Denise.

If only someone could take Derek away, it wouldn’t matter who. However, it seemed unlikely that the Duke of Beltus would allow it.

The Duke of Beltus, like holding a precious chess piece, would not let go of Derek, coveted by other families.

To pry Derek from his grasp, one would have to offer a worthy reward. Only those from the Belmiard or Duplain families could engage in such negotiations.

And Diella Catherine Duplain.

She was the young lady of that very Duplain family, more desperate than anyone to take Derek away.

Stars began to pour from Lady Denise’s eyes.

“A noble person indeed. A noble has come to me…!”

The atmosphere at the scene had completely solidified.

A scion of a distinguished family, who had just come to greet the Roséa Salon, openly picked a quarrel with a lady who was originally the most authoritative in the Roséa Salon.

In that tense and rigid atmosphere, where no one could comfortably swallow even a dry spit, Denis himself seemed to be radiating a halo from behind the girl named Diella.

A messenger of the gods sent from heaven. Looking at his noble figure, it’s as if a savior has manifested.

“Derek… to take him away…! You’re declaring to take Derek away now…! Oh, God!”

Of course, he didn’t shout hurray in a vulgar manner, but he wanted to hug that doll-like cute girl right away.

If only he could return to that life of rolling in bed all day, reading third-rate romance novels, he could let go of such a trivial pride.

Yet, reason put a brake on Denis.

Derek was a person whom the head of the Belthus family, the Grand Duke himself, wanted to hold tightly, even making a contract for it.

For him to step forward and hand over Derek to the Duplain family would likely have a too negative impact on his status and position within the family in the future. It would be seen as openly opposing the family’s interests and the head’s decisions.

Declaring to hand over Derek in the middle of this Roséa Salon meeting, where many eyes were watching, would be nothing but strangling oneself.

However, such an opportunity was rare. It was not just any family, but a lady of the Duplain family declaring to take Derek away. He had to make the most of this situation.

“Lady Denis, you should think carefully. The might of the Belthus family is great, and even if a contract has already been made, what decision Derek will make in future negotiations with the Duplain family is unknown.”

At those words, all the noble ladies gathered there swallowed their dry spit.

To declare to take away someone from your family was a great breach of etiquette.

To make such a declaration of war in front of a lady of the Belthus family, no matter how angelic Lady Denis may be, she would not stay quiet here.

But Denis himself wore a peaceful expression as if lying in a meadow bathed in warm sunlight.

“…To be so openly provocative and yet so composed?”

Diella felt a great dissonance from Denis’s demeanor. Surely, the most renowned lady of the Belthus family was not an easy opponent.

Despite being openly insulted in front of so many, she checked on Diella’s condition without changing her expression, her composure making her dignity stand out even more.

Diella felt as if she was facing a massive wall.

He was the one who had beaten the competition among the three great families and taken Derek away. There seemed to be a reason for his success, as the size of his capacity was different from the start.

Even as all the nobles gathered in the tea party hall were sweating, Denis answered Diella with a warm smile.

“That’s right. No one knows how things will turn out.”

“…”

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Diella clenched her teeth.

To talk so openly about taking Derek away right in front of her, yet to remain so composed, it was clear that she regarded Derek more as a political tool than a precious magic teacher.

It was too wasteful to teach magic to such a person and waste time when Derek’s talent was so precious.

“If you want to take a good teacher, you must be a good disciple worthy of being taught. It’s clear that Lady Diella is such a valuable person who can take a good teacher.”

“…”

“So, please, take heart.”

It was a pure encouragement, devoid of any hidden meaning. At this moment, it was all that Denis could offer.

However, to Diella, it seemed nothing more than a provocation.

“If you wish to meet Derek, please send a separate letter. I can arrange for you to see him anytime. I’m more than willing to help.”

“No, thank you.”

It was a genuinely benevolent gesture, but Diella ground her teeth and turned away sharply.

A cold chill lingered in the air as she clenched her fists and strode away.

“Please, be strong…!”

Even amidst the suffocating atmosphere of the tea party, Denis was sending a surge of supportive energy towards the adorable and commendable Diella, fists clenched tight.

All the gathered nobles were trembling, but to Denis, Diella looked incredibly lovely.

*

Diella’s pre-debut visit was the talk of the Roséa Salon all day. Later, at the tea party, she had several pleasant exchanges with Lady Elente of the Belmierd family and her own sister, Aiselin.

Unlike her openly hostile demeanor towards Lady Denis, she showed a surprisingly noble grace when dealing with other ladies.

But the ladies of the salon had already taken note.

Diella possessed a wild, untamed spirit that would not be controlled by anyone. Any attempt to use her carelessly would result in a sharp bite in return.

She had successfully given the impression of being no easy mark.

After successfully completing her debutante ball, the possibility of her forming a faction different from the other three major ladies began to emerge as she started to mingle in society.

The lower nobility, swaying like reeds, were most concerned about who would become the most authoritative figure in the Ebelstain social circle.

Ultimately, which side one aligned with could determine not only one’s own prosperity but also the direction of their family’s power.

At the base of Ebelstain’s treacherous social circle lay nothing but ambition and the desire for advancement.

It was a fact that seemed all too obvious now.

Denis left the tea party, stained with those desires, and walked along the central avenue of the noble district. She chose to walk, accompanied by her servants, rather than take a carriage, wanting to catch a breath of fresh air.

If she returned home now, that magician would surely follow her with fire in his eyes, reciting the schedule for the next magic training session. She longed for a moment of respite.

“Sigh…”

Not only Aiselin but also Diella was eager to take that teacher away.

Elente was also watching for an opportunity.

Furthermore, as rumors of a decent magic tutor spread, other lower nobles also inquired, hoping to seize the chance.

“I understand he’s a great magician, but is it really something to fuss over…?”

Observing the reactions of those around her, it felt as if Denis held some tremendous treasure in her hands. Yet, Denis herself felt no sense of superiority.

“Anyway… to quickly get rid of that wizard named Derek, we’ll eventually need to create a pretext. Yes, if Miss Diela desires Derek so much… let’s give her the opportunity to take him away.”

All the way back to the mansion, Denise pondered deeply on how to naturally, cleanly, and without repercussions, hand over Derek to Diela.

By the time all these thoughts were sorted out, the mansion tucked away in the corner of the noble district began to come into view.

“…”

Derek was quietly waiting for Denise near the entrance of the mansion, arms crossed.

His mercenary attire was neat, and along with it, his stark white hair with stray strands here and there, bright red eyes, and firm expression were always unchanging.

Even from a distance, he always looked the same.

He had the feeling of a sturdy mountain. No matter what happened, no matter how tumultuous the situation, once he’s on your side, he gives you the reassurance that he will definitely stand by you.

That must have been the key to his fame as a mercenary. After all, employers want someone who will stick with them to the end.

“Have you arrived, Miss Denise?”

“Y-you’ve been waiting here?”

“Yes. You usually don’t take the carriage for distances you can walk, do you?”

Derek already remembered all of Denise’s minor quirks and habits.

“What are you doing today?”

“Nothing much. The weather is supposed to turn bad in the afternoon, so I’ll practice my magic skills inside the mansion.”

“Ugh…”

“There won’t be any use of magic to its limits. For now, I’ll slowly start with what I’ve mastered before…”

As they naturally discussed Denise’s schedule while entering the mansion, to the other servants, it already seemed like a familiar scene.

Before she knew it, Denise too was being led around by Derek without resistance.

Her expression was still one of doom, but having accepted her fated demise, there was a part of her that felt more at ease. After all, this situation of constantly bickering with Derek didn’t feel so strange anymore.

That’s what it’s like when someone seeps into your daily life. Like clothes getting wet in a drizzle.

Though she always talked of dying, Derek was already becoming a part of Denise’s everyday life.