There Are No Bad Young Ladies in the World

Power and Love (2)

– ‘Ah! If there is a god, I want to ask! Why have you given me such a cruel fate! Why have you made me love the princess of an enemy country, and live with this burning heart! All the glory of the empire is mine, and everyone bows to me, but she alone does not look at me..!’

– ‘Rather than living with this cruel fate, I will lay down this glory and head towards her. Life without her is worthless, so I will even give up the power that rules this world!’

The opera at the Calimford Theater was a famous spectacle.

In her childhood, Elente, holding the hand of the Countess of Belmiard, followed her into the theater, where she was completely immersed in watching the actors’ passionate performances.

Although she was not yet ten years old, and could not fully understand the artistic value of the stage, the Countess wanted her to experience the upper-class stage culture early on.

And, contrary to the adults’ concerns, she was completely absorbed in the actors’ vocalizations and lines, fully immersed in the stage ＜The Love of Prince Rodian＞.

Watching the detailed love story of Prince Rodian, who loved the princess of an enemy country, one could deeply feel the playwright’s message about human agony and the sublimity of love.

The final backdrop of the stage was a cliff bathed in the setting sun.

With his decision to lay down all his authority as a prince and embrace Princess Iriana, the curtain fell, singing the value of beautiful love.

As the stage ended with the poignant music played by the orchestra, the upper-class audience, sitting in the seats, all clapped with tears in their eyes.

The Countess also stood up, clapping for the beautiful and sublime story, and Elente followed her, clapping with her tiny hands.

Thus, the Countess and Elente left the Calimford Theater side by side. The sun was already setting.

– ‘It was a good stage. What did you think, Elente?’

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– ‘The actors’ performances were really impressive. The orchestra’s performance was also of high quality, much more diverse in melody than what I heard in my music lessons.’

Since Elente had an extraordinary artistic sense from childhood, she could easily express her impressions of the stage she had seen.

– ‘But… I didn’t really empathize with the characters’ thoughts.’

– ‘Oh, really? I thought Prince Rodian’s poignant love story was very beautiful…’

– ‘When you say prince… all the power of the world is his, right?’

Although she was still young and did not fully understand the power a prince held, she could feel how high that authority was.

Therefore, Elente spoke to the Countess with a nonchalant expression.

– ‘With such great power, to be swayed by such fleeting emotions…’

The prince’s choice to lay down his power and choose Princess Iriana was something Elente, watching, could not empathize with.

Having lived in the aristocracy since childhood, Elente knew better than anyone how noble and beautiful the value of power was.

The girl loved power from a young age.

Although she sometimes harbored a romantic notion about the sublimity of love seen in fairy tales or literature, in the end, what she kept by her side was a strong will to grasp power.

—

—

She had never loved anyone in her entire life.

So, it wasn’t all that strange that her emotions were directed towards power.

*

‘If it’s Leonard from the Belmiard family, is he the youngest that Lady Ellente mentioned?’

He had been away on a pilgrimage for a long time and had recently returned to the Belmiard family.

For some reason, the youngest of the Belmiard family, who had recently returned, sent a letter to Derrick.

Derrick opened the letter, but there wasn’t much of substance in it.

It was a request to meet and talk with Derrick, asking if he could spare some time at the Belmiard estate.

“…”

Derrick was lost in thought for a moment.

Leonard, the third son of the Belmiard family, seemed like a benevolent religious person at first glance, but in reality, he was known to be a cunning individual skilled in politics and intrigue.

There must be a reason why Ellente was so openly wary of him, so Derrick had no desire to get involved with this man.

No matter how much he was the third son of the Belmiard family, there was no need to meet him.

Ignoring a letter sent by a noble was impolite, but Derrick had a good excuse to politely decline Leonard’s request.

“Please fill the central part of the second-floor pillar with a thicker one! It seems we don’t need to apply the insulation material yet… For now, please start with the brickwork!”

As he sat quietly on a tree stump watching the construction site, a peculiar figure was raising their voice among the burly construction workers.

Her name was Aiselin Eleanor Duplain, the precious daughter of the Duplain duchy and the lady of the Rosea Salon.

The girl, who seemed like a fairy descended to the earth, was commanding the site while wearing safety equipment over her luxurious frilled dress.

It was a bizarre sight, like an elephant riding a bicycle.

The members of the Ravenclaw barony already knew enough about how this scene came to be.

“Team 2, take a break, and Team 3, start the general construction as soon as you finish your break! Oh! There’s cold water, so if anyone feels dizzy, make sure to hydrate immediately!”

Although it was still late spring, the midday heat was already rising.

However, Aiselin, as if the heat didn’t bother her, roughly rolled up the sleeves of her pretty dress and controlled the burly workers.

Her authority, almost like that of a construction foreman, was so commanding that even the workers being directed by the delicate girl felt no sense of incongruity.

“Mr. Derrick, if you’re tired, please go into the office! The dormitory construction is almost on track, so there shouldn’t be any major decisions that require your confirmation!”

“No, it’s fine. I was just sitting down to read a letter.”

“A letter? Oh? Is it from the Belmiard estate?”

“Yes. But it’s nothing important.”

Derrick had no desire to get close to Leonard, so he just crumpled the letter and shoved it into his pocket.

He was grateful for the invitation, but the Ravenclaw barony was too busy with a major construction project to go and meet him – that was the excuse he would use.

—

—

In fact, the construction of Baron Ravenclaw’s estate was so large in scale that the size of the classroom and dormitory buildings was even larger than the main house.

Derek thought as he watched the facilities gradually grow.

“…Surely… this used to be my barony… How strange…”

“Yes…?”

“Nothing… Let’s go check the construction status of the classroom building.”

“Yes!”

Aiselin’s lively response. She seemed more energetic than ever.

It was a busy time.

*

– Caw Caw

The setting sun was painting the sky red.

The era was also fading away like the sunset,

The once mighty Duplain family, which seemed to rule the noble society of Ebelstein forever, had fallen so much that it seemed only a matter of time before it disappeared into the annals of history.

“At the recent meeting of the local nobles, we completely lost control over the outer trade routes, the southeastern granary, and the northern villages of the Duplain territory. Now, less than a third of the territory remains compared to its peak.”

Rayg, the last son of the declining Duplain family, spoke as he quietly watched the setting sun.

The place was a cemetery on a hill southeast of the Duplain mansion.

There stood a tombstone with the name of Grand Duke Raymond Oswald Duplain, and below it, a tombstone with the name of Valerian.

Judging by the still clean appearance of the tombstone compared to others, it was clear that the owner of this grave had not been buried for long.

In front of the tombstone, Diela sat quietly with her eyes closed.

The light of the setting sun looked like red watercolor paint.

Looking down at the long shadows wrapping around her feet, Diela quietly stood up.

Rayg, who had been standing far behind, lowered his gloomy gaze.

Soon, a tear was about to fall from the eyes of the sturdy man.

“I did nothing, Diela.”

“…”

“While this foolish brother lay bedridden, unable to even lift a finger… my precious sisters must have been fighting the world.”

Aiselin and Diela had endured all kinds of humiliation to somehow restore the declining Duplain family.

Rayg was not unaware of this, and he was deeply ashamed.

Nevertheless, the helplessness and fear that rose in his chest consumed him.

The confident figure who once declared his ambitions to the world was no longer to be found.

—

—

“Since I got up from my sickbed, I tried to speak up at various gatherings, but… I couldn’t do anything.”

“…”

“Aisellin is working tirelessly, day and night, to earn even a little more money, but her brother is just getting beaten, robbed, and humiliated wherever he goes. I… feel pathetic… and ashamed…”

Raig looked up again at the sky, which was turning red.

His eyes were also tinged with the same red hue as the sky.

“I don’t have the confidence to take responsibility for this family. My capacity… was only this much.”

No one can resist the passing of an era.

The Duplain family had already lost its support base and trust among the nobility. There was a limit to what Raig could do on his own.

Therefore, Diela had no intention of blaming Raig.

Rising gracefully, Diela spoke with determined eyes.

“Yes. I was mentally prepared for this. Perhaps the Duplain family… really has nothing left but to collapse now. Maybe an individual can’t do anything against this trend and flow.”

It was heartbreaking to see Raig in a state of helplessness, but Diela had no intention of sympathizing with that helplessness.

Still, maintaining that strong heart is not an easy task.

‘The power structure of the nobility can change at any time, but is there a way for a family that has fallen so hard to rise again?’

Even Aisellin, who rolled up her sleeves and worked hard at everything, might secretly think that.

The Duplain family was already finished, and they were just struggling to delay the collapse a little longer…

Thinking that way, Diela also found it hard to endure the helplessness and emptiness rising in her chest.

The setting sun felt very poignant.

The era is ending.

Nevertheless, we must resist. Because Aisellin is resisting.

As long as she is holding on, I must also hold on with both legs.

That is the least courtesy towards Aisellin, who bears all this misfortune.

The captain steering the sinking ship must bear so much misfortune as his fate.

So, for the sake of Aisellin, who is struggling in this misfortune, Diela thought she must endure.

──However, unfortunately, Aisellin had no thoughts of rebuilding the family.

“I borrowed some funds by holding an investment seminar at the lower nobles’ seminar of the Rozea Salon. We might even be able to build a large auditorium facility.”

“…What?”

“Many nobles agreed on the business potential of the Ravenclaw Training Center. When I guaranteed a good return, everyone lined up to sponsor gold coins, so I had a hard time.”

Aisellin even managed to attract an investment seminar using her noble connections, successfully raising more funds.

“Since we need a social dance class and a magic training ground, let’s build an auditorium too!”

—

—

“…”

“We’ll need some management staff, and since Mr. Derek can’t teach everything by himself, we’ll also hire some assistant teachers.”

“Wait, do we have that much funding?”

“To be honest, we might be able to expand the garden a bit more and build a proper school gate. We could also get some better teaching materials.”

Aiseline scribbled numbers in the ledger with her quill pen.

Derek, upon confirming the scale of the funds, widened his eyes and sat down at his desk.

“…”

“This way, we can get more money under the pretext of facility and teaching material expenses. As you know, noble ladies easily open their wallets, so they won’t feel much burden. This will increase the expected revenue by about 25%, and we can use this to borrow more funds to decorate the interior.”

“Isn’t the timeline a bit tight?”

“That’s why I’ve already hired all the staff. However, for the hiring of assistant teachers, I thought it would be better for you to select them personally, so I’ve only organized the related documents. Mr. Delbritton helped me. He’s quite good at paperwork!”

At this point, things were progressing so smoothly that it was almost like a sprint.

Even Derek hadn’t expected Aiseline to be this driven.

Then, with sparkling eyes, Aiseline said something truly remarkable.

“Business… is more fun than I thought…!!!”

“…”

“I think… I’m getting addicted…”

With an expression as if she had discovered something, she looked ecstatic.

A noble girl who had lived like a flower in a greenhouse, discussing metaphysical subjects like art and philosophy. This was her first experience with the practical studies of the outside world.

How much does opening one’s eyes to a new world push a person into a state of extreme excitement?

Those who have experienced it even once know. No drug can compare to the sense of achievement.

Watching Aiseline, Derek thought.

If we start making profits… let’s make sure to allocate a lot to the Duplain family….

“Regarding the start date of the classes, how about having a Q&A session with the people who learned magic from you before the official classes begin?”

As if ideas were continuously springing up, Aiseline continued.

“All of Mr. Derek’s students are renowned, right? I’ll ask Diela separately. If famous people like Lady Drinis or Lady Ellente come and show their faces, it will enhance the credibility of the education. The word will spread more widely, too.”

“Well… it’s not easy for ladies from the Beltus or Belmiard families to come… but…”

Considering that Lady Drinis had come all the way here just to see Derek’s face, and Lady Ellente occasionally visited to ask for magic advice, it didn’t seem like they would refuse such a request.

So Derek had no choice but to remain silent.

“It’s not unrealistic.”

“Right?! Of course, if we’re going to make such a public request, we should be polite, but I think if you show your face personally, both of them will gladly accept! Just buy some gifts and visit their mansions to show the minimum courtesy!”

—

—

Aisellin clenched her fists tightly and began to think of the gift list.

It seemed that even a seasoned imperial official would find it hard to keep up with her momentum.

Although Aisellin had lived her whole life being treated like a precious gem, was she actually more competent as an advisor? Derek found it hard to describe that subtle feeling.

A person’s talent, if met with the wrong environment, would wither away without ever blooming.

In that sense, considering Aisellin’s situation, it was ambiguous whether to call it a misfortune or a blessing.

*

“There won’t be any major issues while you’re away. I’ve checked everything that needs to be checked. Here, I’ve prepared the gifts for the Belmiard family through the Delbritton butler. They will be loaded onto the carriage soon.”

The next day, Derek’s business trip was decided.

While swiftly moving the quill on the ledger, Aisellin came out to see Derek off as he was about to board the carriage.

No matter what, if you wanted to directly involve the count’s daughter in the academy’s affairs, you had to follow the proper procedures and formally request it.

Therefore, Derek, the master of the Ravenclaw barony, had no choice but to head directly to the Belmiard family.

“The visit to the Beltus family hasn’t been confirmed yet, so let’s quickly handle what needs to be done first. The Marquis of Belmiard holds you in high regard, so he will probably welcome you warmly.”

“Yes. It’s just a visit to have a chat and make a request, so there shouldn’t be any major issues. Please supervise the construction while I’m away.”

“Don’t worry, Derek!”

Although Leonard’s letter said he was too busy, the situation led Derek to visit the Belmiard family first.

The situation had become a bit delicate, but he had to take responsibility for what he had started.

The journey to the Belmiard family.

Although he had visited Ellen’s private residence in the Ebelstein noble district a few times, it was his first time visiting the count’s mansion in the Belmiard territory.

Hoping for a peaceful journey, Derek boarded the carriage and quietly looked back at the baron’s mansion.

– Kaang! Kaang!

– Kiiiiiik!

Amidst the workers engrossed in construction, a tiny mansion came into view.

Due to Aisellin’s expansion plans, the scale of the construction had more than doubled.

Inevitably, it seemed as if Derek’s private mansion was buried within the construction site.

‘This… is my private mansion… right…?’

Derek quietly muttered. It was something he had murmured once before.

Anyway, it was time to head to the Belmiard count’s mansion.