There Are No Bad Young Ladies in the World

Value (2)

The numerous societies, salons, academic associations, and groups operating around the Ebelstain aristocratic district, while each claiming different purposes, in truth, all share the same grand objective.

To gather the illustrious figures of this dazzling social world in one place for a game of connections.

Of course, the lower nobility who frequented these social groups solely for connections were easily spotted, so most behaved as if they were genuinely interested in the group’s subject matter.

Whether it be magic, tea ceremonies, history, art, or cultural refinement, one must possess at least a basic understanding to maintain dignity. This is why the noble ladies spent their days immersed in study.

And so, the competition between these groups was inevitably fierce. Noble connections were always limited.

Whenever there was a rumor of someone from a certain family arriving in Ebelstain, various academies and salons were desperate to offer them a place.

Especially in the case of Lady Diella, who had already begun making a name for herself in the art world, various art academies were eagerly vying for her.

Among these social groups, the Roséa Salon, reigning like a queen, also sought to welcome Lady Diella, a rule unspoken among the ladies.

The offspring of the three most noble families in the southwestern empire all went to the Roséa Salon. This premise had never been broken.

It was the reason the Roséa Salon could wield the most powerful influence among the many social groups.

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

“I’ve heard there are many such figures among the border nobility, but then why come all the way to the Ebelstain social circle?”

“Indeed… I would have liked to share a cup of tea with Lady Diella if she were amenable…”

Aiselin overheard this conversation among her followers as she attended a meeting at the Roséa Salon after some time.

Rumors were that her dearest younger sister, Diella, showed no interest in social activities.

She thought, who would dare criticize if she herself claimed so? Yet, as an elder sister, she couldn’t help but worry, for connections and culture were the social influence of a noble lady.

The Duke of Duplain was a man who cared greatly for aristocratic authority. So were their mother, Miriella, and the other family members.

Even if one became the mistress of a manor and left the family home, one could never escape such social roles.

Even the indolent Lady Denis attended all the basic meetings. These many courtesies and the grand manor were not received for nothing.

Aiselin sat at the grand tea table with a worried face.

This very table, at each significant gathering, received the adoring gazes of many ladies.

At the large round table where Aiselin sat, there were Lady Elente of the Belmierd family, and Lady Denys of the Beltus family.

Lady Elente, with her fiery red hair, seemed somewhat displeased as she brushed it aside. It appeared she too had heard the rumors on her way to the meeting.

“Lady Diela’s actions have been the talk of the town. What do you think about it, Lady Aiselin?”

“Well… The truth is, Diela has always been quite opinionated within our family, so once she sets her mind to something, no one can dissuade her.”

“I’m not one to fuss over the traditions of the Rosea Salon, but if the unwritten rule that the ladies of the three noble families must attend the Rosea Salon is broken… the salon’s patrons will not be pleased.”

Rules are difficult to break just once. From the second and third time, it becomes less challenging.

If Lady Diela decides to put all social activities aside, the Rosea Salon might indeed face a threat to its unique position as the gathering place for the nobility of the three great families.

For this generation, with Elente, Aiselin, and Denys present, the salon still boasts strong influence and power… but in the long term, Diela’s deviation could be seen as a bad omen.

Despite pretending otherwise, a strange current was flowing among the members of the Rosea Salon. All three ladies were somewhat aware of it.

Only if Diela joins the Rosea Salon can this unique position be assuredly maintained.

However, those who had seen Diela at the meeting knew by intuition.

The youngest daughter of the Duplain family is not someone who can be persuaded by just anyone. She maintains a minimum of dignity, yet her spirit is stronger than one could imagine.

Even Lady Denys, upon first meeting, had shown a recklessness that did not consider consequences, ready to oppose anyone who crossed her, no matter who they might be.

This person, who seemed more akin to a wild animal or a fierce dog, had only become socialized to this extent after meeting a mentor named Derek. Without Derek’s deliberate intervention, entering society would have been impossible.

Considering this, Diela’s debut in society was indeed a cause for celebration, but still, there were many lingering issues.

In the end, the only person the Rosea Salon’s people could rely on was Aiselin.

She was the one Diela respected and considered, and the most recognized girl in the Duplain family… Ultimately, she was the only one who could attempt to control Diela.

But even Aiselin couldn’t help but sigh deeply.

Diela respected Aiselin, true, but she did not move at her command or request.

“Speaking of Diela, I heard she was rude to you, Lady Denys. As her sister, I wanted to apologize.”

“Me?”

Lady Denys, who seemed dazed for some reason, quickly responded.

Ever since taking Derek as a mentor, she seemed increasingly weary day by day.

Both Aiselin and Elente seemed to have an inkling of the chronic fatigue she suffered.

Certainly, Derek was not a mentor anyone could handle, and Elente silently offered her prayers.

“Don’t worry too much about it.”

“Diela may have such a temperament, but she’s not a bad child at heart. I hope you can let go of any hard feelings against her, for my sake.”

“Hard feelings? I have none at all.”

Denys, in fact, regarded Diela almost like a noblewoman.

While those around Denys and her followers would look to her for cues whenever Diela was mentioned, Denys herself was unconcerned.In the midst of pondering what kind of gratitude I should offer for that charming, cute, doll-like girl, it was because she was the only one who could save her from Derek’s clutches.

And paradoxically, her calm demeanor was actually enhancing her reputation within the social circles.

Maintaining dignity in front of that wild noble lady was no easy task, after all.

It didn’t end with just a faux pas at the tea party; occasionally thereafter, Diella would make remarks to Dennis that were nothing short of rude. If they happened to cross paths, she would blatantly ignore greetings or glare with furrowed brows.

Eventually, one of Dennis’s followers, unable to stand it any longer, had scolded Diella to show a bit more dignity and manners, saying it was disrespectful to Dennis.

However, rumors swirled that Diella had poured wine over the follower’s head, chastising them not to forget the difference in their status.

It seemed the rumor was true, as the noble ladies were beginning to see her as an uncontrollable natural disaster.

‘I’m not sure if Diella can adapt properly if she’s introduced to the Roséa Salon like this.’

Aiselin was lost in such thoughts.

Even if it meant borrowing the strength of Ellente and Dennis, it seemed necessary to find a drastic measure to control Diella.

Then, Aiselin looked at Dennis with a serious face.

Dennis tilted her head awkwardly under Aiselin’s gaze.

“I have a favor to ask of you, Lady Dennis.”

*

In the central street of Ebelstein, a notably large mansion stood out.

Diella, meticulously inspecting the interior, was quietly assisted by the servants following her.

Her pretty frilled dress, reminiscent of a peacock’s feathers, highlighted her dainty charm, but thinking of her reigning like a tyrant in this mansion, her petite frame seemed to grow giant-like.

Diella was busy checking the completion of the mansion’s construction and preparing for her debutante ball next month.

Even while quietly dressing with the help of maids in the neatly arranged dressing room, she sent her gaze to every corner, checking for anything the servants might have missed.

The servants all trembled under the sharp eyes of that tiny girl.

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

“Wasn’t it enough that I showed my face once before? What more do they want?”

“It seems the salon wants to formally welcome you, Miss Diella.”

“Again, they try to bind me with their unwritten rules. I will never go to a place that doesn’t move my heart.”

Lady Diella dismissed it firmly.

Not even her elder sister Aiselin could bend her will.

In her wild days, her capricious nature often became arrogance and a nuisance.

But as she gained a bit of social grace and understood the realities of life, that uniqueness became an untouchable personality, and her temperament became that of an unassailable sovereign.

Though still quite young, she was already becoming a figure whom many vassals within the Duplain family were starting to follow.

As she grew older, she seemed destined to become a figure who could even threaten Valerian or Leig.

Kind and caring, always looking out for the lesser ones, a person of good nature wins everyone’s favor. Such a person is suitable as a leader.

But the one fit to be a monarch was subtly different.

They knew how to command people, not swayed by the moods of the underlings, making grand decisions without error, mastering the world beneath their feet.

“I alone am the best in the world.”

It was the most fitting description for the little tyrant, Diella.

“Ever since I started inspecting the mansion the day before yesterday, I wonder if rumors have spread, why there are so many visitors now. Bringing gifts, claiming to be distant relatives, professing long-held admiration. Everyone’s so interested in networking, yet their magic is all the same.”

“Today’s visit schedule is also packed. Preparing for the reception might take a bit longer.”

“Just do it roughly. Honestly, I’m not even sure who needs to be met. All of them are brimming with greed in their eyes, acting as if their ambition for advancement isn’t visible. When will they realize the stench of their dark insides?”

High officials from Ebelstein, renowned merchants, academic associates, and senior magicians sought to make their mark with the youngest daughter of the Duplain family, but none could capture Diella’s heart.

Eventually, a lowly noble from the frontier, claiming to be a follower of Denis, made such bold statements that Diella couldn’t help but pour wine over her head.

For a while, rumors of her tyrannical temperament circulated in the salon, but Diella paid them no mind. She only regretted that the wine she poured was of such fine quality.

Her maids and butlers could only swallow their dry saliva.

Who in the world could collar this unleashed lioness and bring her to the Rozea Salon?

It would be a relief not to be bitten and devoured in an attempt to forcibly subdue her.

“Today, high officials from the Renpel Commerce and a four-star magician from the Adlan Magic Academy, Mr. Odette, will visit.”

“Riffraff. Well, I can manage to laugh and greet them in the reception room… but it feels like a waste of time. Ouch! Do you want to die?”

Diella sighed heavily, and when the comb caught in her tangled hair, she lost her temper.

The maid combing her hair was startled, trembling, and quickly knelt down.

“I’m sorry! Miss Diella…!”

Her cold gaze pierced the maid, cowering before her.

If it were her heyday as a hooligan, she would have kicked the maid away.

But Diella knew well enough that there was a difference between maintaining charisma and meaningless hooliganism.

“Don’t make a mistake next time.”

With those cold words, the maid quickly swallowed her tears and repeatedly apologized.

Fear is the most efficient weapon in handling people. But random firing only makes one a reckless hooligan.

The girl had intuitively known this since she was young.

“Yes, they’re all banded together with the intent to get a foot in the Duplain family… but it wouldn’t hurt to know. There might be a good person among them, like a bean in a drought… Don’t cancel the morning schedule.”

From noble mtl dot com

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

“The Beltus family?”

Diella looked sharply towards the servant.The servant who brought the news was blameless, yet he had to swallow his saliva nervously. The Beltus family was the bane of the girl named Diella.

“Why should I entertain someone from that side? Don’t open the door. Just leave the letter and tell them to leave.”

“Would that be alright? The person from the Beltus family might represent the authority of Miss Denise…”

“Do you want me to say it twice? Be grateful that I didn’t douse you with cold water. …Why is this grooming taking so long? Just finish brushing and be done with it.”

Diella shook her head and sat down in front of the mirror again. She wanted to quickly finish this ritualistic grooming, see the faces of those insipid people, and then go practice her magic.

It was then, under the maid’s attentive care.

“That… A magician named Derek from the Beltus family is coming in person… Is that alright?”

“…What?”

At that moment, a shiver ran down Diella’s spine. The servants attending her all held their breath at the sudden change in the girl.

Just moments ago, the expression of the little tyrant, who had been so cold to the world, had instantly reverted to that of a girl her age.

“What? Derek is coming himself? But, doesn’t he hardly show his face anywhere because he’s busy with Beltus family matters?”

“We… We don’t know the exact situation with the Beltus family…”

“Why didn’t you say that first?! Wait… Meeting him so suddenly?”

Diella quickly looked around. Only the maids and servants assisting with daily tasks were present.

“Is Katarina… at the main house? And Laila’s not here? She’s the best at dressing up…!”

“She’s preparing breakfast in the kitchen.”

“Tell her to come up immediately! And I’m wearing this old frilly dress… No, all my usual luxury cosmetics are at the main house…! What am I going to do!”

Suddenly, Diella became a flurry of motion.

It was just a task of receiving a letter from the envoy of the Beltus family, yet she was sweating profusely, more nervous than meeting any other distinguished guests that morning.

“What kind of schedule is this, so urgent before breakfast…!”

“That… It’s just a matter of receiving a letter… It’s not like a noble is coming…”

“You should have consulted me before deciding on such things! Before breakfast means… Wait.. What time is it now…”

Looking out the window, she saw the Beltus family’s carriage already making its way through the streets.

Diella’s face turned pale as she quickly sat down at the vanity.

Her fidgeting resembled a small animal in front of a predator, a stark contrast to her usual demeanor.

The maids attending her all turned pale.

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