Chapter 46
Chapter 46
Translator: XZY
Chapter 46: Wild Horse (3)
***
To my dear Lady Diella.
Although it has been late spring for quite some time, a chill still rises at night. As you have an important time ahead of you, I hope you will always be careful so that there are no major issues with your health, Lady Diella.
The reason I have come to write this private letter, moving my quill pen in secret like this, is because it is so unfortunate that you, Lady Diella, harbor such great animosity towards me.
Though I could not openly express it in a public setting, I am a person who has no reason at all to be hostile with you, Lady Diella. Above all, I am in a position where I am always anxiously tapping my feet, wanting to dismiss the magic teacher you mentioned, Derek.
As you well know, the Beltus family will never want to dismiss Derek. In other words, my wish to dismiss Derek goes against the will of my family.
I believe that just by conveying this intention, I have revealed my weakness to you, Lady Diella. If by any chance you think this letter is a lie or a trick, you can simply take this letter and come to the Beltus estate.
If you were to present the letter to my father and report that the noble young lady of the Beltus family is committing an act that harms the household, a great disadvantage would naturally befall my own standing.
The reason I am revealing my weakness so openly is simple. It is because our interests align.
As I said, I am in a position where I truly wish someone, anyone, would take that magic teacher named Derek away.
However, since I cannot openly make a decision on a matter that concerns the practical interests of my family as I please, I would like to make you a proposal.
Let’s have a magic duel.
I will wager Derek. Please wager something of commensurate value, Lady Diella.
As he is a magic teacher that all three great families are coveting, a duel will not be established with a small price, but in truth, it doesn't have much meaning. Because I am going to lose the duel on purpose anyway.
If the Duplein family wagers a price valuable enough for even my father to accept, we will be able to make this duel happen.
Handing over Derek after losing a duel so regrettably is something I can handle. This will also be seen as my own mistake, but the backlash will be far less than if I were to hand Derek over by openly going against the will of my family. I have to endure this much.
As I said at the tea party, Derek is a truly good magic teacher, and he will become an even more excellent person in the future. But he is not yet a person I can handle.
A good teacher shines brighter when they meet a good disciple. I truly hope that an outstanding person like you, Lady Diella, can take this treasure named Derek well.
Then, I will be sure to await your reply.
I repeat, as this is an important matter concerning my position within the family, I ask that you please ensure this letter is not leaked.
Denise.
<><><>
Scratch, scratch —
Dawn, where only the sound of chirping insects crossed the windowsill.
In the darkness, Denise’s hand, which was leaning on a small candle and moving a quill pen back and forth, was busy.
The sight of her writing the letter while occasionally glancing at the door and window seemed very urgent.
In any case, she had to complete the letter without being caught by anyone and deliver it to Diella in some way.
This was because the only person who could take Derek at this point was that wild-horse-like noble young lady.
‘I hope there were no parts that went against etiquette since I wrote it in a hurry... Let’s review it just once. Even if it’s a bit crude, Lady Diella will understand.’
Since nothing good would come from the contents of the letter being known anywhere, Denise wanted to finish the job quickly.
It was no different from a piece of evidence containing the fact that Denise herself was actively opposing the will of the Beltus family. She could not show this to anyone, not even the servants of the family.
It was the moment she was thinking that and glanced towards the door.
She made eye contact with the head maid, who was making her rounds in the corridor late at night, through the crack in the door.
“Heok...”
“...!”
The head maid also had a slightly flustered look in her eyes.
However, she was a person who had assisted Denise for a long time. Without showing any signs of panic as much as possible, she spoke to Denise in a quiet, whispering tone.
“I-I felt a presence, so I came to check for a moment, wondering if there might be an intruder.”
“Th-This is... well...”
“N-No. It is alright. I have confirmed that it is not an intruder, so I will be on my way. By all means... uhm... I am sorry for breaking your concentration... I... please... do your best with your writing!”
“....”
The head maid, in consideration of Denise, quickly walked into the darkness of the corridor. She looked as if she were almost fleeing.
“....”
Denise couldn't help but fall into a distant and complex, subtle mood.
<><><>
The season changed, and the heat began to rise in the southwestern region of the empire.
The warm scenery of a romantic spring day was gradually receding, and it was a time when the mountains and fields all turned green. The servants of the Duplein estate were moving busily day by day to prepare for the coming heatwave.
— Creeeak!
— Clatter! Clatter! Clatter!
Every day was a busy day, but today was bound to be even busier.
It was the day the family's army, which had left to subjugate the White Region north of the territory, was making its first return.
Valerian and Reigh, who had brought only the most reliable adjutant and a few soldiers who had achieved the greatest merits from among the private soldiers who had primarily disbanded at the entrance of the Duplein territory, were entering through the estate gates.
The two sons, on large white horses, were splendidly dressed in thick armor.
The soldiers who followed the two, and their uncle Flamm, who had left in the role of a teacher, were also accompanying them. A seasoned 4-Star mage, he was a figure who had accompanied them to pass down the knowledge of battlefield command to the two sons of the Grand Duke of Duplein.
Prince Valerian, who was leading the party, already possessed all the dignity of a reliable nobleman.
“Father. The subjugation of the White Region is still a distant task, but it was not without its achievements.”
It was Valerian who had returned after defeating the magical beast tribes of the White Region and exploring a few labyrinths with numerous soldiers. He already looked more reliable, as if he had aged a few years.
The Grand Duke of Duplein wore a satisfied smile as he looked at his eldest son, then rose from his office, approached the armor-clad Valerian, and patted him on the shoulder.
“I am glad that you have returned with a bright face, even though it was your first battlefield experience.”
“Not at all. As I said, we have subjugated a few labyrinths near the White Region. Although the number was not yet large, the number of magical beast tribes in the border region will decrease quite a bit.”
“Yes. You cannot be full on the first spoonful. It is enough that you have returned safely and in good health. You must have received much guidance from Flamm?”
“Yes. My uncle, a seasoned soldier, certainly passed on a great deal of knowledge on how to lead an army. I believe I can bring back more achievements on the second expedition.”
The Grand Duke of Duplein also saw Reigh, who was standing behind Valerian with his arms crossed reliably.
His second son also looked much more steadfast compared to when he had trained alone at the estate.
Although the great families of Belmeade and Beltus were also formidable in their power, one of the reasons they could never catch up to Duplein was the presence of reliable heirs.
Robenalt, the eldest son of the Beltus family, was a person who was diligent in everything, but his head was not good and his vessel was small, so he still had a long way to go.
As for the sons of the Belmeade family, they had all either gone astray or devoted themselves to religion, so the eldest daughter, Elente, was in a situation where she was shouldering practically all the burden.
However, the Duplein family, from Valerian, Reigh, Aiseline, to Diella, had not a single person lacking, so the rumor that they had a bountiful harvest of children was rampant.
That was the reason why the Grand Duke of Duplein could sleep with both feet stretched out, even with the Grand Duke of Beltus and the Margrave of Belmeade coveting the Duplein family’s position.
“I have returned to the estate with a few soldiers who achieved great merits in the subjugation of the White Region. They are people who fought for the glory of the family, even risking their lives, so please be sure to commend them.”
“Yes. Bring them to the banquet this evening. Aiseline and Diella have also come to the estate after hearing news of your return. Be sure to see them before the banquet.”
“Oh, is that so?”
It had been quite a while since he had seen his cute younger sisters’ faces.
Valerian’s face brightened, but Reigh, who was behind him, wore an awkward expression.
Aiseline, who was kind to all, was one thing, but Diella still found Valerian strangely uncomfortable.
It seemed that the awkward feeling from the memory of her troublemaking childhood still remained.
Both Valerian and Reigh had a clear desire to reconcile with the adolescent girl, but Diella’s attitude, which seemed to hold a strange sense of discomfort, showed no signs of changing.
In the end, those two robust men would often end up anxiously tapping their feet and feeling flustered whenever they stood in front of Diella. The sight of two robust men being flustered by a single girl of about half their size looked like a scene from a third-rate comedy.
“Do not worry, Reigh. I have prepared my secret weapon.”
“...Pardon?”
Valerian, who had seen Reigh’s expression, spoke as if he had read his mind.
“There is an item I obtained from a labyrinth during the subjugation of the White Region, is there not? The clay of Reintheim.”
“Ah... you mean that? I heard it is quite a precious item, is it not an object that changes its shape according to the user’s will? I heard its durability is not very good, so it lacks practical use...”
“Yes. While on the battlefield, I remembered Diella and Aiseline, and I have materialized them in the form of two statues.”
Valerian took out the statues, which had the forms of Diella and Aiseline, from a leather backpack held by a servant.
“How is it? The quality is completely different from the handmade doll I failed with last time, isn’t it? It was certainly my mistake to try to win my sisters’ favor with such a tasteless object.”
“...”
“They will be so surprised they will clap their hands when they see this. Not only is the beautiful appearance of Aiseline and Diella revealed, but their graceful figures are as well.”
The expression of the head maid, who was watching the two from behind, became distant.
The statues, which took the form of the two girls, were not just similar but looked exactly the same, to the point where it was more creepy than surprising. It was an appearance that could have been called a cursed doll without exaggeration.
Reigh, who was examining the statues, wore a serious expression for a moment, then finally met Valerian’s eyes and spoke with conviction.
“Ooh... It is very good, Hyung-nim. The two of them will surely be delighted by such a witty gift. When did you prepare such a thing?”
In truth, he was not so different from Valerian.
“Haha... no matter how busy the battlefield is, how could I stop thinking of my family? It warms my heart to return to the estate after a long time.”
Valerian’s face brightened, and he rose to his feet, wanting to quickly go and meet his two cute younger sisters.
Still, he had to report everything that needed to be reported. In fact, he had not yet brought up the most important story.
“In any case, the most important report remains. While subjugating one of the labyrinths in the White Region, we discovered a magic weapon in its deepest part. It is being stored in the carriage, and I have ordered the squires to move it to the warehouse.”
“Oh, is that really so? If it is an item from a labyrinth in the White Region, it must be a considerably high-grade item. I must check it.”
“...However, that is...”
Valerian’s expression became a little troubled. Reigh also cast his gaze downwards.
The Grand Duke of Duplein, who sensed that something was amiss with his two sons, stroked his chin and said.
“...Is there some problem?”
“...It was a large staff, but it seems to be an item used for necromancy. I believe you will have to check it.”
The Grand Duke of Duplein’s expression gradually hardened.
He had heard that there were many peculiar treasures buried in the White Region, but this seemed to be the most ominous item among them.
<><><>
“Heok.”
As Denise’s eyes flew open in bed, the chirping sound of the morning birds crossed the windowsill and entered the bedroom.
It was morning. No, it was dawn.
After she had started sharing her daily life with Derek, waking up at dawn had become so natural. Recently, she had even reached the point where her eyes would open on their own at daybreak.
Her feelings became complex and subtle at the current situation where even her body had completely adapted to Derek’s life pattern, but in any case, since her eyes were open, she had to get up.
Since Derek maintained a life pattern as precise as if he were a machine, he would open the door and enter within five minutes of Denise waking up and recite the day’s training schedule.
Then Denise, as always, would drink a glass of milk with an expression as if she had chewed on sand, let her disheveled hair hang down, and go to adorn herself with a face as if she were about to die.
The series of events was easily drawn in her mind, and Denise wanted to cry as soon as she opened her eyes.
Thus, for the five minutes before Derek stormed in, she saw her life flash before her eyes. It had been a reasonably happy life.
“...”
However, far from five minutes, even after ten minutes had passed, Derek did not storm in.
Only the sound of birds chirping drifted into the quiet and calm bedroom, as always.
“...What is it? Does that machine-like man get his schedule mixed up?”
It was the first time that the man, who had kept to his schedule without a single error for the past few months, had shown such an anomalous pattern.
Denise managed to get up and sat at the table in the center of the bedroom.
After she stretched her stiff body, the pleasant air of the early morning filled her lungs.
Finally, as she was sitting still like that, a maid came and checked on Denise’s condition.
“Lady Denise, you are awake. I will inform the kitchen to prepare breakfast.”
“Oh, r-right... But, has Derek not come?”
“Yes, I was about to tell you. The leader of the Veldern Mercenary Corps, Jayden, was seriously injured and is in critical condition, so he urgently requested a day off. His Grace the Grand Duke also gave his permission, so it seems your schedule will be free for today.”
It was truly welcome news. It was a golden opportunity to deliver the letter she had diligently written to Diella.
“....R-Really?”
“Yes. It is said that His Grace gave his permission because he requested it, saying he has a very special relationship with the leader of the Veldern Mercenary Corps. He was very sorry for the sudden change in schedule and earnestly apologized, saying he would make up for today’s absence no matter what.”
“No, he doesn't have to make it up. He really doesn't need to, tell him he doesn't need to apologize either.”
Denise suddenly saw an illusion of flowers blooming all over the world.
She didn't have to do anything.
Her schedule was completely empty for the whole day.
At that supreme happiness, which had come after several months, she had the illusion that her whole body was being steeped in honey.
Derek wasn't coming. That man, who was like a messenger from hell, would not show even a glimpse of himself for the entire day.
She replayed it several times, but she couldn't believe the fact. However, it was the reality she faced. Indeed, Derek had not even visited the mansion even though it was training time.
“It can’t be...”
Denise, in a dazed state, quietly went to the window and looked at the scenery outside. The wide-open scenery enveloped her.
Life. This was life. The lost daily routine, those lazy days that were like gold and jewels, had returned to the girl’s embrace.
Amidst her welling tears, for now, Denise lay down on the bed.
“I’ll just skip breakfast.”
“W-Will you be doing so? Then I will let them know.”
After sending the maid out like that, Denise took out all the numerous famous books she had bought but had not been able to read.
, , , , .... She quietly laid out the countless masterpieces and pondered which one to read first.
However, since she had put them down for a while to train, she was hesitant to pick one up, unsure of where to start. In the first place, Denise usually read in the late afternoon or at night; she had not been one to read books in the early morning when she was not fully awake.
“Hmm...”
The girl lay down on the bed for a moment.
Amidst the scattered books, she simply looked up at the ceiling.
The cool dawn breeze entering the quiet room was scattering the curtains by the window.
In the room after the maid had left, only a quiet peace remained.
“...”
Silence.
The boy magician, who had worked body and soul for her, remembering her every move, was not there.
Only one person was gone, yet this bedroom felt like a huge void. She was reminded anew of just how passionately he had worked.
“...What did I usually do at this time.”
When you spend a long time buried in a certain task, there are times when you can't remember your daily life before that task was finished.
As such, Denise was just lying there, quietly looking at the ceiling.
It was a day without Derek.
<><><>
Creek—
‘Veldern’s Tear’ was temporarily closed.
After returning to Ebelstein, Derek had no spare capacity as he was carrying out the request from the Beltus family. In the meantime, he had stopped by this tavern a few times to check on them, but for the past few weeks, he had been so busy that he had barely been able to come to the tavern street at all.
Thus, when he opened the main door of the tavern he had visited after a long time, only a dust-covered counter greeted him.
Derek nodded and moved his feet past the inner kitchen towards the door to the private room.
“I’m coming in.”
After saying that roughly and opening the door, he saw Jayden lying on the floor of the large private room, and Felinne, who was nursing him.
At a glance, it was not a good atmosphere.
“Oh, it’s been a while. As you can see, I’m not in a state to come out and greet you.”
“Derek....”
Next to Jayden, who spoke in a worldly, relaxed voice, Felinne sat demurely with a complicated expression.
She was not wearing her platinum-blonde hair tied up behind her as usual, but had it let down long, and was wearing a cloak.
Derek swallowed a gasp and went to sit on a wooden chair in the corner of the room. Then he spoke quietly.
“Did you go on a dangerous request somewhere?”
“Heh heh... Making a busy guy run all the way here, I must be getting old too.”
As Jayden raised his upper body, Derek’s expression couldn't help but harden even more.
“I went to a labyrinth in the White Region.”
Jayden, who had managed to raise his body, was missing his left arm.
Only a tightly wound bandage was replacing its place.
"I have something to say, Derek."
Jayden’s expression and voice became serious.
It was not a common occurrence.