There Are No Bad Young Ladies in the World

The Bloody Ball (3)

The schedule of the nobles’ ball always had to be centered around the night.

Especially for events like this that celebrated debutantes. The protagonist of the event would only arrive at the mansion after the sun had completely set.

“Is this your first time attending such a ball, Derek?”

Denise sat on the bed in the assigned room, crossed her arms, and explained with a hum.

As a young lady of the Beltus family, she had also debuted in society and had experience being the protagonist of such grand events.

“The debutante day of noble young ladies is excessively busy.”

From early morning, they dress up, wear frilled dresses decorated with daffodils and roses, ride a pretty carriage to the imperial capital, and have an audience with the emperor.

They meet the royal family, introduce themselves properly as Lady Diela of the Duplain family, receive their blessings, and make their presence known to the powers of the imperial capital.

Then, they have tea with relatives working in the imperial palace, ride the grand carriage back to the Duplain estate, and attend the ball.

In a day… depending on the travel distance, they might have to meet all the influential figures of the social world over two days, so they can’t relax.

Usually, they take a nap in the carriage on the way to the ballroom, so much so that the maids would bring blankets onto the carriage.

“In short, Lady Diela will arrive at the ballroom after the sun has almost set. Meanwhile, the distinguished guests who arrived in the afternoon rest in their rooms, chat with those who arrived earlier in the tea room, or take a walk around the mansion’s garden.”

“I read in etiquette books that this rest period before the ball is called ‘mid-time,’ and it’s an opportunity to build new connections or make oneself known.”

“Yes, that’s right. But that’s the story for lower nobles who are eager to build connections. For someone like me from one of the three great noble families, I’m too tired to leave my room.”

“…”

“Derek. It seems like you want to say it’s because I’m lazy. I can read your thoughts just by looking at your face.”

Derek took off his coat and hung it on the chair.

Although he had come as Denise’s companion, it didn’t seem appropriate to stay in the room where the lady was resting. So Derek thought of greeting the people of the Duplain family.

However, Denise lay down on the bed as if it didn’t matter whether Derek was there or not, rolled up the hem of her dress to avoid wrinkles, and bent her body backward.

She was a girl who had studied the art of lying down comfortably without damaging her clothes more than anyone else. The skillfulness in her movements was extraordinary.

“Miss Denise, will you rest in the room?”

“Of course. If I want to wear a smiling mask at the dinner banquet, I need to conserve my energy from now.”

“Then I’ll go outside and greet some people. There are many familiar faces, so it’s a bit awkward to stay still.”

“…”

Denise, who had been lying down diligently, suddenly sat up and stared at Derek.

“Is there something bothering you?”

“Well… there are quite a few young ladies who would try to snatch you away and run off while I’m not around.”

“I am officially contracted with the Beltus family. Would I forget that?”

“That’s something we can’t be sure of. Never mind. I was feeling a bit peckish anyway, so let’s go to the tea room in the main hall together. Lady Ellente will probably be there too. She’s someone full of enthusiasm, so she’ll try to meet as many people as possible.”

—

*

As befitting someone representing the Beltus family, Lady Denise had to receive greetings from all sorts of nobles as soon as she stepped into the tea party hall.

Starting with the merchant lord who traded herring in the outer regions of the continent, to the bishop of the Olberon Cathedral, the largest branch of the Lamic Church, and the commander of the northern Kremlin mercenary group, Vilak… Just hearing their names, they were all big shots.

“Oh my, thanks to the furs you sent to our Beltus family from the north, last winter was so much easier. My father also told me to make sure to thank you, Lord Aldon.”

Leaving Denise, who was now fully in noble lady mode, behind, Derek picked up a glass of wine from the corner of the tea party hall and took a sip.

Standing a step back and watching the tea party hall, he saw lower nobles with their eyes lit up, eager to have even one more conversation with the noble figures.

As for Lady Denise, her surroundings were already crowded, and Lady Elente on the opposite side of the hall was also engaged in conversations with so many people that it was impossible to approach her.

The hall was filled with people trying their best to show their faces even once among them.

They looked like wolves searching for prey.

Occasionally, a few nobles made eye contact with Derek, but seeing the mercenary attire of the man standing alone in the corner of the tea party hall, they quickly averted their gaze.

Time was limited, and they wouldn’t want to waste this precious moment on a commoner.

‘Those people live such tiring lives.’

Derek, being from the slums, had hardly ever experienced noble culture firsthand.

He had become somewhat accustomed to it while teaching the young ladies, but he still found it hard to accept the calculative nature of their interactions.

Of course, Derek himself was not the type to actively socialize with others. He was just observing the nobles gathered in the tea party hall as if he were watching curious animals.

“Thank you, Bishop. I’ll make sure to visit with the elders of the family on the next feast day.”

As he was leisurely spending his time, he noticed a girl conversing with several distinguished guests in the far corner of his vision.

‘…Who is that person?’

Derek had been active in Ebelstein for quite a while, so he had a rough idea of who the notable figures were. Especially in the social circles, he had enough knowledge to recognize their names and faces.

However, the girl quietly chewing on cake at the round table in the corner of the tea party hall was someone he had never seen before.

The dress that clung to her legs was of Eastern Empire style.

Her jade-colored hair, beautifully braided and draped over one shoulder, looked like it required a lot of care. It meant she had a maid dedicated to grooming her hair.

Her demeanor was graceful, and she smiled skillfully at those who spoke to her, indicating she had learned etiquette.

It was clear that she was the daughter of a noble family just by attending this event. However, compared to local nobles like Denise or Elente, she didn’t seem very busy.

‘Is she an outsider?’

Whenever she had some free time, she would gather Mont Blanc, financiers, apple pies, tarts, croissants from the banquet table, and return to her seat, munching happily by herself.

She would occasionally dip this cream and that cream alternately, tear the bread with a fork to examine its texture, and then put it in her mouth, savoring the sweetness with sparkling eyes.

Watching her tremble with joy every time she put a piece of pastry in her mouth, one could see how rewarding it must be for the person who made them.

She looked more like a tourist on a gourmet trip than a noble lady, and Derek couldn’t help but keep his gaze on her for a moment.

Then, he made eye contact with the girl sitting far away. Derek, unsure of what to do, bowed his head in greeting and quickly placed his cup on the nearby table.

—

“Have you already looked into the death penalty?”

“Pardon?”

Denise, who had barely managed to fend off the conversations of the guests, sat down next to Derek with a slightly tired look on her face.

After all, Derek had come under the pretext of assisting Denise, so it wouldn’t do any good to stay far from her side.

“That elegant lady over there. She’s Lady Freya of the Elvester Count family. The head of the merchant guild just informed me that he greeted her earlier.”

“That lady?”

“Yes. By the way… I can’t tell if she’s here for the ball or for a gourmet tour…”

“I heard that the Duplain mansion has three patissiers who used to work for the royal family among their kitchen maids. They often boast that anyone who loves sweets would go crazy over their treats.”

“…No matter how much she loves sweets, I’m starting to worry that her brain might be pickled in sugar. I should grab some sweets myself…”

Denise sighed deeply and took a sip of cold water.

She seemed to be enjoying this moment of rest, knowing that if she stayed seated a little longer, more guests would gather around and start conversations again.

“Fortunately, you seem to have some leisure time now.”

“Of course. The person who is practically the star of the event has just arrived at the mansion.”

“Do you mean Miss Diela?”

“That young lioness was said to arrive at night. It’s her older sister. She went out to help with Diela’s debutante and seems to have finished her work and arrived first.”

As she spoke, the door to the tea room opened, and a graceful woman appeared, leading a crowd of people.

Her dark hair might have looked dull at first glance, but combined with Aiseline’s well-maintained and neat demeanor, it looked like a beautifully blooming flower petal.

With her entrance, the tea room was once again filled with tension.

Who could deny it? Aiseline was currently reigning like a queen in the Ebelstein social circle.

Many guests were eager to step forward and speak to her, but they all hesitated, knowing that there were many people of higher status in this small tea room.

Who would be the first to speak?

In the midst of this tension, Aiseline scanned the room.

Soon, Lady Aiseline, leading her attendants, strode across the room towards Lady Denise.

It was wise to first greet those she regularly faced at the Rozea Salon. The guests in the room all nodded in understanding.

After Lady Denise, it would be Lady Ellente’s turn, and then it would be appropriate to target the next person. Many guests were already wrapping up their conversations and preparing to move towards Lady Aiseline.

– Step, step.

Just as Lady Denise sighed deeply and was about to clear her throat again,

“Mr. Derek. You must have had a hard time traveling such a long way. I just arrived myself and am quite disoriented, but I hope my attendants haven’t been rude to you?”

However, the first person Aiseline spoke to was Derek, who was standing against the wall behind Denise.

For a moment, the tea room fell silent.

—

—

Derek, who was himself bewildered, had to feel the gazes of all the distinguished guests turning towards him.

Aislin was not someone who dealt with people by strictly adhering to all sorts of noble authority.

She simply approached Derek with long strides and greeted him because she was genuinely glad to see him among the people present. There was no political judgment involved in her actions.

All the other distinguished guests gathered there knew Aislin’s nature well, so they had to carefully observe Derek’s face. He was a person they were seeing for the first time at such a social event.

“…Ah.”

It was only after observing Derek’s expression that Aislin realized her words and actions might have been somewhat burdensome for him.

After all, this was the Duplain mansion, and Aislin was in a position to receive the attention of the distinguished guests.

“It doesn’t seem appropriate to exchange greetings here. I plan to chat with the guests who have visited and then go to greet my father. Would you like to accompany me then?”

If someone was to accompany her to greet the Duke of Duplain, it meant that person was treated almost like a noble in this family.

Derek, realizing that the expressions of the distinguished guests looking at him had completely changed, bowed his head and spoke.

“How could a mere commoner like me accompany you? I also need to assist Miss Denise, so if I get the chance and have some free time, I will go to greet him separately.”

“Is that so? My father would be pleased… Anyway, thank you for coming to celebrate Diela today. Diela will be happy to know that you came.”

“The honor is mine.”

Derek responded with a short and polite bow. It was a courteous expression indicating that he had no intention of continuing the conversation.

From Aislin’s perspective, it was not difficult to understand that Derek felt burdened by the increasing attention. Aislin, with a regretful expression, quietly nodded and blended into the crowd of distinguished guests.

No matter how glad she was, she couldn’t talk more than necessary at such an event.

Such is the gap in social status.

Derek was used to it and didn’t mind, but Aislin had to feel that subtle disparity.

It was a story that was no longer new.

*

‘It seems the preparations for the banquet are going well. I was worried because I couldn’t reach anyone through letters or messages, but it turns out everyone was just too busy.’

As soon as Aislin finished taking care of Diela in the capital, she rushed to the mansion.

She wanted to see with her own eyes if the ball prepared for Diela was being perfectly carried out.

She hoped that the debut of her only sister in the social world would be perfect. With that thought in mind, she was busy handling various tasks all day.

‘The nobles from the east and north have all attended, and Derek, whom Diela was most concerned about, has also attended well… Let’s check the schedule again and receive a progress report.’

After finishing the formal greetings at the tea party, Aislin walked along the corridor inside the main hall of the mansion.

The corridor was filled with servants busily carrying dishes. From here on, it was an internal space where only members of the Duplain family could enter.

Seeing the numerous servants moving busily without any waste, Aislin felt satisfaction, gratitude, and appreciation all at once.

Since the overlapping celebrations must have been overwhelming, she decided to suggest to the Duke that they guarantee some vacation time for everyone once this event was successfully concluded.

“Miss Aislin. I have placed the luggage in the room. Shall we go to the office where the Duke is now?”

—

—

“Yes. I should see Father first. By the way, everyone seems really busy. I haven’t seen Valerian or Raig until I crossed the main gate and entered the garden.”

“Yes. Everyone is busy attending to the guests. But His Highness the Grand Duke wishes to see Miss Aisellin’s face.”

“I also want to see Father after a long time. I haven’t been able to come home much because I’ve been helping Diela in Ebelstein.”

Aisellin spoke in a modest tone to the head maid, Katarina, as she passed through the busy servants.

Katarina quietly bowed her head and followed Aisellin, assisting her. Her movements were efficient, making her undoubtedly the most veteran among the maids of this mansion.

“By the way, Katarina, your skin has become more beautiful.”

“Thank you.”

“Did you change the incense you use? Somehow, you seem paler than before… I’m worried if there’s any health issue. You’re not overworking, are you?”

“Yes, thank you for your concern.”

As Aisellin chatted with Katarina on their way to the Grand Duke’s office, she felt a strange sense of discomfort.

The head maid she knew was someone who would respond more warmly when complimented and engaged in conversation.

Feeling the flow of the conversation awkwardly breaking, Aisellin looked again at Katarina’s expression. She worried that perhaps Katarina was too busy and exhausted.

However, Katarina was just looking at Aisellin with the same expression as always.

That made it even more peculiar.

‘Strange… Why do the servants of the mansion feel so awkward today?’

The busy atmosphere was the same as always, but today it felt more unsettling. Watching their efficient, mechanical movements made them seem more like devices than people.

‘Is everyone nervous? Diela’s debut in society is indeed a significant event…’

It was then, as she was climbing the stairs behind the main hall to head to the Grand Duke’s office.

– Whoosh!

– Thud!

“Ugh!”

Katarina, who had been quietly following Aisellin, suddenly took out a cloth from her bosom and covered Aisellin’s nose and mouth.

Then she twisted one of Aisellin’s arms and forcibly subdued her as she struggled.

“Ugh… Hmph! Hmph!”

As Aisellin realized what was happening and tried to resist, her eyes rolled back, and she lost consciousness in an instant. The cloth Katarina had used was soaked with the extract of ‘Shadow Flower,’ which had a powerful hypnotic effect.

From noble mtl dot com

Soon, Aisellin’s body went limp, and Katarina quietly supported her.

Although the servants were busily moving around, none of them paid any attention to the scene.

A dark blue light flickered in Katarina’s eyes. Her eyes seemed unfocused, as if she were entranced.

The other servants were the same.

*

—

– Flinch!

Living as a mercenary on a battlefield where life and death are at stake, there were times when one was led by an inexplicable intuition.

After a tiring tea party, as the sun was setting.

Derek, who was quietly reading a magic book at the table with Denis, who was lying on the bed and breathing softly, furrowed his brows.

A faint magical energy was seeping through the crack in the door.

“…”

Derek closed the book and placed it on the table, then turned his gaze towards the door.

He felt an inexplicable sense of discomfort.

– Creak!

Derek pushed the chair noisily and stood up.

Hearing the sound, Denis stopped snoring and opened her eyes abruptly. She still felt drowsy.

“Ugh… Is it already time for the banquet? Ugh!”

As she stretched and struggled to get up, Denis tilted her head at Derek’s expression.

“What’s wrong, Derek? Is something bothering you?”

Without answering, Derek walked briskly to the door and turned the doorknob.

However, the door did not open.

It didn’t feel like the doorknob was locked. Concentrating, he sensed a bluish magical energy flowing around the doorknob.

“The door won’t open.”

“Huh? Really? Call a servant to check it out.”

Still not answering, Derek walked briskly to the window.

The banquet was about to start.

It should have been a busy time with guests strolling in the garden, servants attending to them, and carriages arriving late at the mansion.

However, the scene outside the window was eerily quiet.

The senses of a mercenary, honed over a long time while lurking in the noble district, were alert.

A sixth sense detecting anomalies. It was a sense Derek had trained and retrained over countless hours.

Derek briefly pressed his ear to the door to grasp the situation outside.

However, it was still quiet outside. Despite the outside being supposed to be noisy with servants guiding guests to their private rooms, there was no sign of life.

Derek quietly closed his eyes and cast a detection spell.

He sensed a lot of magical energy beyond the door.

“Miss Denis.”

—

—

“Yes?”

Derrick’s voice, now serious, was unfamiliar to Denise, who was sweating nervously.

Without changing his expression, Derrick spoke.

“I will break the window.”

His decision was as swift as a machine.

Derrick was a man who had spent half his life on the battlefield.

Hesitation on the battlefield meant death.