There Are No Bad Young Ladies in the World

Value (3)

Although the noble district is littered with the residences of prestigious families, gaining entry to even one of them is not an easy feat.

In Ebelstain, the paradox lay in the fact that the most famous place, coveted among the people, was permitted to only a select few.

In that sense, the residence where the noble ladies of Duplain, Belmiard, and Beltus families lived was a peculiar place for Derek, who had been inside all of them.

It was indeed exceptional that Derek, a man from the slums, could now freely visit the youngest daughter of the Duplain family, newly debuted in high society.

‘It doesn’t mean much, though.’

Sitting in a carriage specially prepared by the Beltus family, Derek rested his chin on his hand, squinting at Diella’s mansion visible through the window.

No matter how grand the noble mansions were, there was an inevitable difference between a newly built one and one weathered by time.

The homes of those making a name in society showed signs of age despite maintenance, but Diella’s mansion was truly a blend of grandeur, mystery, and immaculate cleanliness.

It was clear why so many noble ladies were eager to debut in society, stomping their feet in anticipation.

Even a fraction of that status would have people groveling at their feet, plentiful in both the commercial districts and the slums.

“Have you come to persuade Miss Diella…?”

“Yes. The Roséa Salon is earnestly hoping for Miss Diella’s membership. Though she’s with the Beltus family now, I have a history with her, so they think I might succeed in persuading her.”

Butler Delron, while managing the Duplain estate, seemed to think that Diella’s stable debut in society was more important, hence his presence in Ebelstain.

Sometimes arrogant, he was fundamentally loyal and diligent, well-regarded by the Duplain family.

However, his expression wasn’t great as he came out to greet me at the mansion’s gate.

“Miss Diella does hold you in decent regard, but be cautious when voicing opinions about society matters.”

“Is that so? I hadn’t thought it was such a sensitive issue.”

Derek handed off his miscellaneous luggage to the servants as he alighted from the carriage.

The servants at Diella’s mansion, mostly from the Duplain’s annex, knew Derek well enough to take his luggage without fuss and quickly carry it inside.

In the Duplain family, Derek was treated almost like an honored guest, a fact well-known to the household staff.

“Lately, you’ve drawn quite the attention in society, even clashing with a few ladies. You know how it is, with a tendency to act on emotion, it’s difficult for the retainers to offer counsel.”

“What kind of counsel do you mean?”

“Well, it’s not set in stone. A lady of the Duplain family should naturally blend smoothly with society. But given her strong personal convictions, it’s tough to voice opinions.”

Listening to Delron’s words as they approached the mansion, it seemed Diella had acquired the bare minimum of sociability over time but hadn’t completely shed her haughty nature.

The servants they passed inside all seemed worried.

It appeared many had suffered setbacks trying to persuade Diella or offer advice. The reactions of the servants were telling.

“Honestly, even you might not sway Miss Diella’s will. Lady Aiselin, who initiated this, must be grasping at straws.”

“Still, it’s an unusual situation. For the Beltus family to permit such an excursion to the Duplain family, it’s not a common occurrence.”

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

In fact, Denise was ready to grant any request from the Duplain family.

Not knowing such intricate details, Butler Delron simply expressed his amazement at the situation as it was.

Following the path for a while, the entrance to the reception room, guarded by numerous maids, came into view. It seemed almost certain that Diella was inside.

Derrick dusted off the dust from his mercenary attire and straightened his cloak. Even for a former student, meeting a noble lady in private demanded a minimum level of decorum.

“Please conduct yourself well so as not to suffer any great harm. Do what you can within your means.”

“Yes, I understand. Thank you for your consideration.”

Derrick bowed politely to Delron and knocked on the large wooden door.

– Knock knock

“Co-come in!”

A peculiarly forceful voice answered from within.

As Derrick confidently entered, Diella, dressed in a chic black and white monochrome dress, was seated on the opposite side of the reception room sofa.

*

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

“Is that so? Derrick, you’ve learned to flatter. I heard you’ve been mingling with the nobility; seems it’s true.”

“It’s not flattery. I’m genuinely pleased to see you again in Ebelstein.”

– ‘Let’s meet again in Ebelstein.’

Since parting ways so cleanly with the young Diella, both Derrick and Diella had gained many experiences.

Especially Derrick, who had become more versed in the culture of the nobility than when he first entered the Duplain household as a teacher.

He had internalized it through numerous encounters with the nobles.

To Diella, Derrick seemed even more mature, making the fact that they hadn’t seen each other for a while feel all the more real.

Guided by the servants, Derrick handed over his cloak, which served as an overcoat, and sat opposite Diella in his mercenary attire, consisting of a leather vest and a cotton tunic.

The scent of exquisite tea spread throughout the reception room from the low tea table.

‘Why has he grown so tall…?’

Diella, who had been practicing magic alone for years, had never once forgotten Derrick.

That sudden, lightning-strike encounter had completely changed Diella’s life.

Now, Diella was spoken of as a figure as influential as Aiselin within the Duplain household. At the heart of it all was Derrick, her magic tutor.

With such accomplishments, one would expect Derrick to stand proudly or even show off in front of the Duplain family, but as always, the magic tutor, formerly a mercenary, remained nonchalant and calm.

That was the fascinating thing about this magic tutor. He was earnest in his duties, without the greedy gaze or the intense ambition for advancement that was typical of commoners dealing with nobles.

Because of this, Diella always kept the memories of her time with Derrick tucked away in her mind.

But even that was, in truth, just a memory of the past.

‘Yes, I remember there used to be about half a span difference… Is it because he’s a man that he grows so quickly every year? At this rate, I’ll seem too childish.’

When Diella learned magic from Derek, he was just sixteen.

Now, as he leaves boyhood and steps into his youth, his growth could not be the same as Diella’s, who had just finished her childhood.

Already towering over her by a head’s height, Derek’s unexpectedly sturdy figure took Diella by surprise.

Yet, those distinctive red eyes from his boyhood still bore the imprint of Derek.

No matter what anyone said, this man was indeed the magic teacher who took in Diella when everyone else had given up on her.

“I’m truly happy to hear you’ve become the mistress of such a fine manor. All I did was teach you some 1-star magic, so it’s not much to claim credit for.”

“No, no… it was quite helpful. But I heard you’re now teaching magic at the Beltus family…”

“Yes. For the time being, I plan to assist Miss Denise with her magical achievements.”

“Did you choose to go?”

“The Beltus family approached me first, but the terms were fair, so I accepted.”

In truth, he had accepted because the Beltus family was the only one with no prior connections.

However, there was no need to explain all that to Diella. The fact that Derek was trying to navigate between the three great families was not something she needed to know.

“Is that so…”

The servants, already standing respectfully at the edge of the room, were shocked.

The teacher who had taught magic at the Duplain family was now playing the role of a mentor at the Beltus family, looking only at the conditions.

Diella, with her character, wouldn’t stay quiet if she knew. She took great pride in being a lady of the Duplain family.

Yet, Diella just looked down awkwardly.

The maids had to bite their lips to keep their eyeballs from popping out at the sight.

Who was this demure and gentle girl sitting there?

The maids who had assisted her for the past few years could only blink in disbelief. Only the maids who had served her for a long time from the Duplain main house nodded as if they understood.

“The Duplain family also offers good terms.”

“Yes. They offered too generous conditions, but as you know, Miss Aiselin doesn’t need teaching, does she?”

“That’s true. My sister has to be perfect.”

“Just in time, Miss Denise mentioned she was struggling with mastering magic, so I decided to lend a hand. Whoever I teach, my lessons must be valuable, right?”

“What about me?”

“…Yes?”

Caught off guard by the sudden question, Derek paused.

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

“If it’s Miss Diella, I would be the one feeling honored. It’s kind of you to offer.”

“Really?!”

In an instant, Diella’s face flushed with color, and she rose abruptly from her seat, but suddenly realizing she had raised her voice without any dignity, she quickly swallowed her breath and sat down again.

After clearing her throat several times, Diella spoke hesitantly.

“Ah, no… I know it’s an honor. Since Derrick has proven himself as a teacher, and we’re acquainted… The truth is, there’s a line of magic teachers waiting to teach me.”

“Of course, anyone would be eager to secure a position as a teacher for the Duplain family. However, as you know, I am currently under contract with the Beltus family.”

“…”

“The rules of the nobility are set, aren’t they? At least for a commoner like me, it’s not permitted to simply discard a promise.”

At Derrick’s words, Diella’s expression darkened further. Indeed, Derrick was right.

Unlike Diella, who was of noble birth from the Duplain family, Derrick was thoroughly a commoner. If he had made a direct contract with the grand duke of Beltus, breaking it and leaving the family was absolutely forbidden.

However, when that contract would end, no one knew.

Diella felt a lump in her throat. Derrick was right there before her, yet she couldn’t bring him into the embrace of Duplain because he was caught in the clutches of that cunning Lady Denise.

“So, you’re saying we just need to find a way to end the contract with the Beltus family?”

“Yes?”

“Since Derrick has expressed a willingness to teach me, I’ll see what I can do about it.”

Derrick studied Diella’s expression for a moment.

She might act like a docile lamb in front of Derrick, but she had never shed her tyrannical nature.

She was truly prepared to confront Denise.

No matter how noble she was from the Duplain family, opposing one of the three most influential ladies in the Roséa Salon was no easy task.

Yet, for her purpose, she was willing to risk that much.

“Couldn’t you maintain a cordial relationship with the Roséa Salon?”

Then, Derrick cut in deeply.

As soon as he spoke, all the servants around gulped nervously.

It was a plea many vassals and lower nobles had made, but most were met with reprimand.

A follower of Lady Denise had even poured wine over their head. It was a direct challenge to Lady Diella’s sore spot.

“Roséa Salon?”

“Yes. Before we even discuss the unwritten rules of the prestigious families, there’s also a personal request involved. I have personal ties with the people of Roséa Salon, so if Lady Diella opposes them, I will be forced to take sides.”

“You won’t take my side?”

“I will speak with conviction. If I had to weigh between an organization where all the ladies of the three great families gather and Lady Diella alone, how could I, a mere commoner, not be swayed by greater intentions? It is the way of the world for the weak to be scattered by the strong winds.”

By this point, even the head butler Delron had to swallow hard.

He knew Derrick always spoke his mind, but he never thought he would make such a statement in front of the wild animal-like Diella.

No matter how justified, it’s not easy to openly say that it’s difficult to take your side.

Dielra’s anger did not always follow reason and rationality. In fact, not just Dielra, but human emotions have always been so.

If one were to make a statement with such conviction, no one knows what kind of harm they might incur.

Yet, Derek spoke firmly without changing his expression.

And at Dielra’s ensuing reaction, the servants all had to struggle not to fall backwards in disbelief.

“Is, is that so…?”

“…”

“Why would Derek ask for such a favor?”

“If this matter were to create a distance between Miss Dielra and myself, it would be most regrettable, wouldn’t it? After all, she was the first person I taught, and personally, I have received much from her. Having been graced with so much, I personally wish to maintain an amicable relationship with Miss Dielra.”

“I feel the same way. Yes, if I bare my teeth at the Roséa Salon, it would put you in a difficult position too, Derek. Hmm… Umm….”

Dielra crossed her arms and groaned in frustration.

Where had that tyrant gone, who would dismiss anyone’s words and drive them away?

Not only the servants but even the head butler Delron seemed not to have anticipated such a situation, merely alternating his gaze between the two.

“Ah, I understand. I will try.”

“Thank you very much for your consideration.”

Who could possibly leash this lioness who seeks to command the entire world?

In fact, the answer was not far at all.

*

[ Membership Application ]

From noble mtl dot com

Dielra Catherinne DuPlain

The three young ladies who attended the next gathering of the Roséa Salon were quietly observing the document that lay before them on the round table.

Even the ladies of the three great houses, and Dielra’s own sister Aiselin, had been unable to persuade her to join, yet there it was, Dielra’s application for membership to the salon.

It was Derek who had personally retrieved it from Dielra’s mansion not long ago.

“…”

Ellente was so taken aback that she had to momentarily verify the authenticity of the document.

However, the seal of the DuPlain family on the application was not something that could be easily forged.

Glancing sideways at Aiselin, she too seemed to wear an expression of disbelief, and by the time it came to Denis, he was swallowing his dry saliva.

“How could such a document possibly exist…?”

No one could give a clear answer to Ellente’s question.

Dielra, an individual brimming with haughty arrogance and tyrannical obstinacy, had a peculiar tendency to yield flatly to Derek’s words.

Knowing this, one couldn’t help but ascribe new value to that white-haired mercenary.

In truth, those who called themselves masters of magic in high society were all the same.

They were desperate to have renowned figures as disciples, and there was always a reason for their eagerness.