Chapter 48
Chapter 48
Translator: XZY
Chapter 48: Value (2)
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The numerous groups that operated centered around Ebelstein’s noble district, such as social circles, salons, academic societies, and associations, all professed different objectives, but in truth, their greatest goal was the same.
It was to gather the renowned figures of this splendid high society in one place and play the game of connections.
Of course, the lower-ranking nobles who frequented these social groups solely for the sake of connections were obvious at a glance, so most of them acted as if they were genuinely interested in the topics the group dealt with.
Whether it was magic, the art of tea, history, art, or cultural refinement, one had to possess at least a minimum level of knowledge to maintain one's dignity. This was also the reason why those beings known as noble young ladies devoted themselves to studying all day long.
And the competition between these groups was bound to become fierce. This was because esteemed connections were always limited.
Whenever a rumor circulated that someone from a certain family was coming to Ebelstein, there were many cases where various associations or salons were desperate to offer them a seat.
Especially in the case of Lady Diella, since she was already beginning to make a name for herself in the art world, various art societies were drooling over her.
And among those social groups, the Rosea Salon, which reigned like a queen, also sought to bring in Lady Diella, because there was an unwritten rule already shared among the young ladies.
The children of the three great noble houses, considered the most esteemed families in the southwestern part of the empire, all went to the Rosea Salon. That grand premise had never once been broken.
This was the reason why the Rosea Salon was able to wield the most powerful influence among these numerous social groups.
“I hear Lady Diella doesn't attend any salons or societies and has no interest in social activities.”
“I’ve heard there are many such figures among the border nobles, but if that’s the case, why did she even bother coming to the Ebelstein social circle?”
“I know, right... I wanted to have a cup of tea with Lady Diella if she was alright with it...”
Aiseline, attending a Rosea Salon meeting for the first time in a while, heard the conversation her followers were sharing.
The rumor was that her most cherished younger sister, Diella, was showing no interest in social activities at all.
While she thought, who could say anything if that’s what she wants, in the end, for a noble young lady, connections and culture were social influence, so from the position of an older sister, she couldn't help but be quite worried.
Grand Duke Duplein was a person who cared a great deal about aristocratic authority. It was the same for their mother, Miriella, and for all the other family members as well.
No matter how much one became the mistress of a mansion and came out to live independently from the main house, one could not escape such social roles forever.
It said it all that even the lazy Lady Denise attended all the basic meetings. This vast reverence and this large mansion were not received for free.
Aiseline was sitting at a giant tea table with a worried expression.
This very table was the one that received the adoring gazes of countless young ladies at every one of these grand meetings.
At the large round table where Aiseline was sitting, Lady Elente of the Belmeade family and Lady Denise of the Beltus family were seated.
Lady Elente, sweeping back her flaming red hair, wore a rather displeased expression. It seemed she, too, had heard the rumors on her way to the meeting.
“The rumors about Lady Diella’s conduct are quite widespread. What are your thoughts, Lady Aiseline?”
“Well... to be honest, Diella has always been strong-willed even within the family, so once she makes up her mind, no one has been able to stop her.”
“I’m not the type to dwell on the Rosea Salon’s traditions, but if the unwritten rule that the young ladies of the three great noble houses must come to the Rosea Salon is broken... the people of the salon won't be too pleased.”
A rule is hard to break once. The second and third times do not become so difficult.
If Lady Diella decided to put all social activities on the back burner, the Rosea Salon’s unique position as the gathering place for the dignitaries of the three great noble houses might be threatened.
For the current generation, with Elente, Aiseline, and Denise, it would still boast a powerful prestige and influence... but in the long run, Diella’s deviation was close to a misfortune.
In the end, while pretending otherwise, a strange current was flowing among the members of the Rosea Salon. The three young ladies all felt it to some extent.
Only if Diella came into the Rosea Salon could they be reassured that this unique position would remain unshakably firm.
However, all those who had seen Diella after she had attended a meeting once had a gut feeling.
That youngest daughter of the Duplein family was not a being that could be persuaded by just anyone. Although she seemed to maintain a minimum of dignity, she was more strong-willed than one could imagine.
She had a side that didn't look before or after, to the point of confronting even Lady Denise on their first meeting, and she was ready to be hostile to anyone if it displeased her.
That person, who seemed closer to a fierce dog or a wild animal, had only been socialized to this extent after meeting a teacher named Derek. If Derek had not decided to take matters into his own hands, it would have been impossible for her to even enter the social circle.
Thinking of it that way, Diella’s social debut was a joyous occasion in itself, but in any case, it was still fraught with scattered problems.
In the end, the only person the people of the Rosea Salon could rely on was Aiseline.
She was a person whom Diella at least respected and considered, and she was also the most recognized girl in the Duplein family... in the end, she was the only one who could possibly control Diella.
However, Aiseline, too, could only let out a deep sigh.
Diella literally only respected Aiseline; she did not move according to her instructions or requests.
“Speaking of Diella, I heard she was rude to you last time, Lady Denise. I wanted to apologize on her behalf as her older sister.”
“Pardon? To me?”
Lady Denise, who had been looking dazed for some reason, quickly responded.
It felt like the days she looked tired were increasing the more time passed after she took Derek as her teacher.
It seemed that both Aiseline and Elente had a rough idea of the circumstances behind her chronic fatigue.
Derek was certainly not a teacher that just anyone could handle, so Elente merely offered a silent prayer in her heart.
“Please don’t worry about it too much.”
“Diella may have that kind of temperament, but she’s not a bad child at heart. I hope you will let go of your animosity towards Diella, at least for my sake.”
“Animosity? I have nothing of the sort.”
Denise, on the contrary, regarded Diella as something of a savior.
The people and followers around Denise would glance at her whenever Diella’s name came up, but Denise paid it no mind at all.
Rather, she was in the middle of contemplating what kind of reward she should give to that lovely, cute, doll-like girl. It was because she was the only person who could save her from Derek’s demonic grasp.
And paradoxically, her calm attitude was actually raising her reputation within the social circle.
It would not have been an easy thing to maintain one's dignity before that wild-horse-like noble young lady.
It didn't end with the rudeness at the tea party; even after that, Diella would occasionally express words that were no different from insults towards Denise. When they happened to run into each other, she would openly ignore her greeting or glare at her with a furrowed brow.
Eventually, one of Denise’s followers, unable to watch any longer, had reportedly gotten angry at Diella, telling her to have a little more dignity and manners, that this was not proper etiquette towards Denise.
However, a rumor even circulated that Diella had poured wine over that follower's head and reprimanded her not to forget the difference in their stations.
It seemed that rumor was true, so she was already beginning to be regarded as an uncontrollable natural disaster among the noble young ladies.
‘Even if we bring her into the Rosea Salon like this, I’m not sure if Diella will be able to adapt properly.’
Aiseline was lost in such agony.
It seemed she would have to find a special measure that could control Diella, even if it meant borrowing the power of Elente and Denise.
Before long, Aiseline looked at Denise quietly with a serious face.
Denise was tilting her head as if feeling awkward at Aiseline’s gaze.
“I have a favor to ask you, Lady Denise.”
<><><>
The most eye-catching, grand mansion on Ebelstein’s central street.
The servants following behind Diella quietly assisted her as she meticulously inspected its interior.
The pretty, frilly dress reminiscent of a peafowl’s feathers further highlighted her charming aspects, but thinking of her who would now reign like a tyrant in this mansion, her petite frame looked as colossal as a giant’s.
While checking if the mansion's construction had been completed well, Diella was also busy with preparations for her debutante next month.
Even while quietly being groomed by the maids in the neatly arranged dressing room, she was sending her gaze to every corner, checking if there were any parts the servants might have missed.
The servants were all trembling in fear at the sharp gaze of that tiny girl.
“Lady Diella. A letter has arrived from the Rosea Salon. It has the schedule for the next meeting written on it.”
“I already went once and showed my face, what more could they possibly want?”
“It seems the salon wishes to formally accept you, Lady Diella.”
“Again, again, they’re trying to tie me down with that unwritten rule or whatever. I will never go to a place my heart is not moved to.”
Lady Diella firmly dismissed it.
Her heart could not be swayed even by her own sister, Aiseline.
During her days of rampaging like a hooligan, that willful temperament often became dogmatism and a nuisance.
However, now that she had acquired some social skills and had come to understand the ways of the world, that uniqueness had become a difficult-to-approach individuality, and a monarch’s temperament that could not be carelessly judged.
She was still very young, but she was already becoming a person whom many vassals within the Duplein family were beginning to follow.
It seemed that when she got a little older, she would truly become a person who could threaten even Valerian or Reigh.
A person who is benevolent, looks after their subordinates, and is good-natured in all matters receives the favor of all. Such a person is suitable as a leader.
However, a person suitable as a monarch was subtly different from that.
They had to know how to command people, not misjudge the bigger picture by being swayed by the moods of their underlings, and know how to hold the world under their feet and play with it.
Heaven and earth, I alone am the honored one.
It was the most fitting phrase to describe the little tyrant named Diella.
“I wonder if a rumor spread after I came to inspect the mansion two days ago, why have so many people started visiting? Saying they brought a gift, that they’re some distant relative, that they’ve admired me for a long time. They’re all so interested in playing the game of connections, yet their magic levels are all about the same.”
“There are many visits scheduled for today as well. The grooming will have to be a bit longer for receiving guests.”
“Just do a rough job. No, honestly, I don’t even know if they’re people I need to meet. They all have only greed brimming in their eyes, acting as if their ambition for success isn't visible. I wonder when they’ll realize that a foul smell is wafting from their dark innards.”
High-ranking officials of Ebelstein, renowned merchants, society officials, and high-level mages came to pay their respects to the youngest daughter of the Duplein family, but none of them was a person who met Diella’s satisfaction.
It had even reached the point where a low-ranking noble from the borderlands, claiming to be a follower of Denise, came and made a principled statement, so Diella had no choice but to pour wine on her head.
For a while, rumors of her tyrannical temperament circulated among the salons, but Diella showed no signs of caring about this either. Rather, she only left the impression that the wine she had poured was a high-quality product, so it was quite a waste.
The maids and butlers assisting her could only swallow dry gulps of saliva.
Did there even exist in this world a person who could put a leash on this unbridled lioness and take her to the Rosea Salon?
This was a person where it would be a relief if one wasn't bitten and eaten in reverse while trying to forcefully subdue her.
“Today, high-ranking officials from the Renfell Merchant Guild and the 4-Star mage, Mr. Odette of the Adlan Magic Society, are scheduled to visit.”
“A bunch of nobodies. Yes, I can roughly smile and laugh with them in the reception room, but... I feel like it will be nothing more than a waste of time. Ouch! Do you want to die?”
Diella was sighing deeply when the comb that was brushing her hair got caught in a tangle, and she got angry.
The maid who was combing her hair was startled and, trembling, quickly knelt.
“I-I’m sorry! L-L-Lady Diella...!”
Her cold gaze shot down at the maid who was cowering with her whole body.
If it had been her during her peak days as a hooligan, she would have kicked the maid right then and there.
However, Diella had already learned well enough that there was a difference between having the charisma to handle people and just rampaging meaninglessly.
“Don’t make a mistake next time.”
At those coldly spoken words, the maid quickly swallowed her tears and repeated that she was sorry over and over.
Fear is the most efficient weapon for handling people. However, if you brandish it carelessly, you will only become a presumptuous hooligan.
The girl had already realized this instinctively from a young age.
“Yes, they’re all united in their desire to get a foothold in the Duplein family... but it wouldn’t be bad to know them. There might be a good person once in a blue moon... Don’t cancel the morning schedule separately.”
“There is another schedule before breakfast. It’s not a very important matter, but the Beltus family has sent an envoy.”
“The Beltus family?”
Diella shot a sharp glance at the servant.
The servant who had only brought the news had done nothing wrong, but just from that, he had to swallow a gulp of saliva. The Beltus family was the reverse scale of the girl named Diella.
“Why do I have to entertain someone from that side? Don’t open the gate, just tell them to leave a letter and get lost.”
“W-Will that be alright? The person from the Beltus family probably represents the authority of Lady Denise...”
“Are you going to make me say it twice? Tell them they should be grateful I didn't douse them with cold water. ...Why is this grooming taking so long? Just finish up the combing and be done with it.”
Diella shook the ends of her hair and sat down in front of the mirror again. She wanted to quickly finish this perfunctory grooming, see the faces of those worthless people, and then go to her magic training.
It was around the time she was entrusting her body to the maid’s touch.
“W-Well... a mage named Derek from the Beltus family is said to be coming in person... will that still be alright?”
“...What?”
In that moment, a jolt ran up Diella’s spine. At the girl’s subsequent change, all the servants assisting her held their breath.
The expression of that little tyrant, who just a moment ago had been revealing her ice-cold temperament, had in an instant returned to that of a girl her age.
“What? Derek is coming in person? I-I heard he was so busy with the Beltus family’s work that he could barely show his face anywhere else?”
“W-We don’t know the exact situation on the Beltus side either...”
“Why didn’t you say that first?! W-Wait... we’re meeting so suddenly?”
Diella quickly looked around. It was only filled with the maids and servants who assisted with her daily affairs.
“K-Katarina... would be at the main house... Is Laila not here? G-Grooming... she’s the best at it...!”
“She is in the kitchen preparing for breakfast.”
“T-Tell her to come up right away! And I’m wearing such an old frilly dress... no, all the high-quality cosmetics I usually use are at the main house...! W-What am I going to do!”
Suddenly, Diella’s movements began to become frantic.
Even though it was just a matter of receiving a letter from the Beltus family’s envoy, she was sweating profusely, seemingly more nervous than for any of the other dignitaries she was to meet in the morning.
“W-Why was this schedule set so urgently! Before breakfast...!”
“W-Well... it’s just a matter of... receiving a letter... so... it’s not like a noble is coming separately...”
“You should have decided that after asking me! Before breakfast means... wait... what time is it now...”
When she looked out the window, the Beltus family’s carriage was already clattering in from beyond the street.
Diella, with a dumbfounded expression, quickly went to the vanity and sat down.
The way she was tapping her feet looked just like a prey animal before a predator. It was to the point where her appearance until now seemed colorless.
The maids assisting her all had their faces turn pale blue.
It was because it was the first time they had seen Diella like this.