Chapter 65
Chapter 65
Translator: XZY
Chapter 65: The Noblest and the Poorest (2)
***
After that, the Duplein mansion, which Derek visited again after nearly a fortnight, had changed considerably. To be more specific, it looked even more wretched.
There would not have been enough resources to completely restore the half-destroyed mansion in such a short time.
As a temporary measure, they had blocked the gaps in the broken ceiling with tents, and the completely shattered west wing was either left as it was or used to store luggage that did not mind getting wet.
The devastated garden was full of external contractors or servants who had brought camping equipment to stay, and the rooms that were in somewhat better condition were housing the seriously injured or unconscious patients.
The mansion itself looked like an old piece of clothing that had been patched up.
That was Derek’s impression.
— ‘There doesn’t seem to be a pretext for the Beltus family to help the Dupleins at a family level... so I just decided to give them some of the mansion’s operating funds personally. It’s not a large amount, but well... we have the affection of seeing each other often at the Rosea Salon, so I can give that much help.’
— ‘In a way, it could be an opportunity to show off my humane side to the public, right? To graciously offer help to the family of Lady Diella, with whom I used to growl so much... on a grander scale, it’s my victory. Ehehe.’
Lady Denise, who was showing a proud smile with her arms crossed and clearing her throat, was embellishing her good deed, but in truth, it seemed that her desire to simply help was greater.
She had also asked Derek that if the Duplein family requested his help, he should lend a hand as long as it did not greatly interfere with his own life.
“I-it’s a bit of a mess, isn’t it? It’ll get a bit quieter if we cross the garden and go to the mansion’s backyard.”
Aiseline, who had entered the mansion’s entrance with Derek, said awkwardly.
He had thought that she, who had been cornered to the point of visiting Derek’s residence to borrow money, would have little peace of mind. However, it seemed she was somehow maintaining her composure even in this situation.
She was a person with a strong heart. He was not unaware of that, but it was surprising that she could be fine even in this situation where two of her immediate family members had died, the family was in shambles, and the responsibility was placed on her shoulders.
“There are more people than I thought.”
“Half of the surviving servants have remained at the mansion. The other half left, but because of the affection from working together for so long, we introduced them to other families or gave them a few gold coins.”
“Isn’t your financial situation already tight?”
“Once I disposed of the things that could be disposed of immediately, I had some leeway. Still, after taking care of everyone I needed to take care of... it has become a situation where I have to tighten my belt a bit...”
Following Aiseline towards the mansion’s backyard, there were several rather large tents pitched there.
Compared to other places, it was a relatively comfortable environment, but no matter what, it was no different from sleeping outdoors compared to that splendid mansion.
When they entered one of the tents, a simple table and a few pieces of furniture were placed there.
Wondering if this was the space where Aiseline was living, he turned his gaze slightly, and Aiseline spoke with her chest puffed out.
“The room has gotten a bit smaller, hasn’t it? I feel like the cozy sense of space isn’t so bad either.”
“...”
“At times like this, it’s alright to pity me freely, Derek-ssi.”
<><><>
Aiseline spoke boldly with a humming smile.
“After a fortnight passed, all the things that needed to be sorted out urgently have been sorted, and it’s about time I accept what needs to be accepted!”
“Accept what, you mean?”
“The fact that I’ve become a fallen young lady!”
As she said so in a voice that was uncharacteristically loud, Derek was at a loss as to how to react.
Aiseline, without paying any mind to Derek’s reaction, did not hide her confident demeanor.
“I still have many inexperienced parts, so I often get confused when a big incident happens. But I’m a quick recoverer.”
“Still, you must have your sorrows, so isn’t it alright to have a bit of a recovery period?”
“As you can see, that’s not the situation, and at times like this, one must look at the situation positively.”
Was there even a semblance of something to be seen positively in this situation?
As Derek was looking at her with a strange expression, Aiseline rolled up her sleeves and said with a bold demeanor.
“In fact, my environment until now was too luxurious and perfect. Don’t you think? Living happily with a respectable father and a gentle family in the best family on the continent, being the envy of all, and living in splendor is not actually the norm. In a way, I’ve just gotten a little closer to the norm.”
“The fact that you can speak in such a way is surprising.”
“It’s true, isn’t it? Derek-ssi, you’re from the slums, and you’ve come up from the very bottom with nothing. Compared to that, I, who have received so much from birth, can’t just be the heroine of a trial. In a way, I still have a lot left in my hands.”
Aiseline counted on her fingers, organizing the things she had to do and the things she had left.
“Anyway, after I dispose of all the assets in the mansion one by one, and send off the people who need to be sent off... I won’t be completely out of money. Though I’ll have to tighten my belt for now.”
“Has there been nothing done separately about tax revenue or donations?”
“I can handle this year’s tax revenue through the proper procedures, but, well... I doubt the other families will stay still. They won’t leave a faltering territorial noble alone. I’ll probably have to be prepared to give up all the ruling authority over the granary region north of the Theol River and the coastal villages.”
There were plenty of people who would tear away the rights to control the prime land, citing all sorts of pretexts.
There was a limit to the size of the territory that a noble without authority could hold.
“Even if I try to block it as much as I can... it will probably be reduced to less than half the size of the territory that the Duplein duchy used to handle. The remaining territory will probably be mountainous regions, or dead mining areas, or grasslands with nothing. If I think about it that way, I should be prepared for not half, but 70 or 80 percent of the tax revenue to be gone...”
“Still, the family’s lineage will be maintained.”
“Yes. However, if I want to maintain the ducal title, the taxes that go to the Imperial Family are also enormous. In the meantime, if I have to take care of the family members... w-will the food expenses for the next quarter be alright...”
Aiseline had a dizzy expression as if her mind was going blank.
Separate from her bravely accepting reality, reality was always a dizzying thing.
Above all, there was no Grand Duke Duplein, who had been the family’s central pillar.
There was no Valerian, who had been the first in line for succession, and Reigh, who was next in line for succession, was also in an unconscious state.
It was not so strange for people to die and leave in the eventful world.
However, those who were left behind had to become strong.
The time had finally come for Aiseline to be tested on her inner strength.
“Still... I didn’t think it would be to the point of not being able to eat.”
“Actually, I could just order them to set aside some from the servants’ meals... but right now, the amount of the servants’ meals is not very generous... they are all loyal retainers who have stayed with the family in this situation, so it’s a bit much for me to be eating my fill alone...”
“...”
“M-may I come over to get a meal from time to time?”
This was the girl who had suddenly visited Derek’s residence just two weeks ago to ask for money, bowing her head and pleading.
At that time, she still had her aristocratic authority, so she was blushing as if she were embarrassed, but in just ten days, she had reached a level where she could boldly ask for food.
They say that reality makes people strong, and Aiseline’s adaptability was certainly absurd.
“That’s not a big burden... but I cannot prepare food at home that would suit a ducal young lady’s palate.”
“It’s alright. I’m less picky than you think.”
Aiseline said shyly, as if embarrassed.
“And, I’ve studied a lot too. I’ve tried picking wild grasses from the mountain behind the mansion and blanching them... and the texture was surprisingly unique and not so bad. If you trim the stem of a night grass flower and boil it with the root, it has a surprisingly sweet taste. Isn’t that amazing?”
“...You must be careful as some wild plants have poisonous varieties.”
“Katarina tasted it first and confirmed it for me. It seems she has some knowledge in that area.”
“...”
It was difficult to distinguish whether this girl was poor or noble.
Certainly, Aiseline felt like her life skills were becoming more outstanding every time he saw her.
When she was a treasured flower in the Duplein family, the grace of a noble young lady who was always unapproachable flowed from her, but recently, every time he saw her, she was often rolling up her sleeves and giving instructions to the servants here and there, taking charge at the scene.
It seemed she was personally directing the mansion’s restoration work, as the hem of her dress was often stained with dust.
“Other than that, I’m also learning new things like how to save water when doing laundry, how to save candles at night, and how to reduce the consumption of ink when using a quill pen. It’s certainly not an easy thing to endure financial hardship.”
“Do you get involved in such things yourself?”
“I have to save even a single penny when I can. For the time being, there are too many things that will cost money at the mansion. Once the magic books in the library and the artworks in the warehouse are all sold, I’ll have a little more leeway. At that time, I’ll be able to clear the mansion’s ruins and prepare daily necessities.”
Aiseline hummed, euhm, and nodded her head as if she were proud.
It was a feeling of being proud of herself for enduring this terrible financial hardship.
‘She’s certainly a person who will achieve great things.’
A person’s life was like a surging wave, so ups and downs and the rise and fall of fortunes were bound to exist.
If one was just pessimistic because they had fallen and stumbled right now, nothing would be achieved. There was no one who did not know that fact, but whether one could actually do it was a completely different matter.
“I’ve sold most of the clothes I have, so I end up wearing similar outfits every time we meet. Originally, not putting effort into one’s appearance is considered a great discourtesy, but please understand since the situation is what it is.”
“As you know, I don’t care about such things. Still, don’t you have quite a lot of clothing itself?”
“I have to have at least enough to be able to participate in the salon activities.”
“Are you planning to continue attending the salon?”
“I have to.”
Aiseline was now the only remaining central pillar in the Duplein family. The moment she lost her authority, the Duplein family would sink completely.
Therefore, she had to continue to interact with the people of the salon, search for those who could help as much as possible, and maintain her own authority as much as possible.
A fallen young lady was thrown into the middle of Ebelstein’s high society.
It was not difficult to imagine how cold a reality would touch her skin.
What was fortunate, at least, was that she had been a person of a benevolent nature who had tried not to make enemies as much as possible from before.
It was a great fortune that she had no accumulated bad karma.
“Anyway, since you’ve come to the Duplein mansion today, please let me know if there’s anything I can help with. The Beltus family also said to lend a hand where they can.”
“Ah, no. Most of the urgent matters have been sorted out, and the roles have been distributed among the servants. Derek-ssi has already helped me with so much, so I can’t ask you to help with physical labor here.”
Aiseline sat on the edge of the old bed.
It was a tent that had been decorated to be luxurious in its own way, but it was still just a tent.
Compared to that splendid private room, it was a very simple scene.
Derek quietly looked at Aiseline, who was sitting on the edge of the bed like that.
In any case, the reason he had visited the Duplein mansion today was because Aiseline had called for him separately.
He had thought that there might be something more she needed help with, so Derek had also come after warming up a bit. However, he was a bit puzzled when Aiseline said there was not much he could help with.
“It’s just... I didn’t call you to ask for help with something... I just wanted to tell you that this is the situation at the mansion. That I’m alright. That even though I’m in a tight spot, I can endure it. That’s all.”
“To me?”
“You helped me in many ways, both when the catastrophe happened at the mansion and when we were cleaning up... so... I thought I should show this much courtesy.”
Aiseline made a vacant expression, then soon, with difficulty, she brought up a smile again.
“As you can see, the mansion is in a sorry state. Compared to the other mansions that Derek-ssi has frequented, it’s shabby, and looking at it only brings a sense of nostalgia.”
“...”
“Still, it’s the mansion I’ve lived in since my childhood. I also have to repay the vassals and servants who have stayed, trusting only me. Although it’s all falling apart like this, and it’s not a view that can be called beautiful even with empty words...”
Aiseline placed her hands on her knees for a moment and fidgeted with them, then soon, with a nostalgic smile, she spoke in a warm voice.
“I just, I really wanted to let Derek-ssi know. I felt like I should tell you that I’m alright.”
Derek quietly looked at Aiseline.
She was not the type to hide her intentions cunningly or to beat around the bush. However, if asked if she was always an honest person, that was not the case either.
Derek thought for a moment, then pulled a wooden chair from the corner of the tent and sat in front of her.
And after looking at Aiseline for a while, he soon spoke slowly.
“I know you’re not alright.”
At those words, Aiseline’s brow twitched and trembled.
Next, she was about to show a bright face and send a smile, asking what he meant, but after seeing Derek’s expression, it soon turned into a bitter smile.
“In a situation where it’s natural to not be alright, it’s okay to say you’re not alright. There’s not much help I can offer from my end, but if there’s anything you’d like to request, please let me know. I don’t often work for free, but I’m a bit weak when it comes to price negotiations.”
“...”
“Then, you should rest when you can, so I’ll be leaving now.”
And so, Derek gave a polite bow to Aiseline and went out of the tent.
He could have offered a long, emotional consolation, but his attitude of speaking only of the present, decisively and clearly, was truly like Derek.
Even in that decisive tone, his consolation for Aiseline was clearly contained. Aiseline even felt a strange sense of stability from Derek’s appearance.
As she looked up at the Duplein mansion, feeling the warm daytime breeze like that, it was still in a sorry state.
The half-destroyed building was covered with tents here and there. It seemed it would take quite a lot of time and money to completely restore the mansion.
If she did it one by one, it would all be done someday.
<><><>
Aiseline was lying alone in the tent.
All day long, she had checked the mansion’s situation, handled family affairs, prepared to return to the salon, and even told Derek about the current status.
Even after he left, she was still mulling over the conversation she had with him.
“...”
Most of it was necessary, but in fact, it was not particularly necessary to inform Derek of the mansion’s situation in such detail.
Derek had helped her with various things, but in any case, he was an outsider to the family. She just had to work hard and return what she had borrowed or received later.
Nevertheless, what was the reason she had gone so far as to bring Derek along and inform him of the facts in such detail?
Even though it was something she had done herself, Aiseline was asking herself again.
‘Did my judgment get clouded for a moment?’
It was said to be a human instinct to look for someone to lean on the harder and more difficult things get.
Since she had a lot on her shoulders right now, it was natural to wander around looking for someone to lean on emotionally.
‘I must be too tired.’
Aiseline closed her eyes and took a rest for the first time in a long time. Even in the midst of that, what came to mind was a man who had wiped away Aiseline’s blood until the end at the Duplein mansion on a rainy night.
The appearance of the boy, who had maintained his composure until the end in a situation where everyone was trembling in fear, had the power to reassure people.
If he was a person who could maintain his reason even in such a great catastrophe, he would surely always make the right choice in crises, big and small.
After feeling that, her perspective on Derek could not help but change a little.
Sometimes, when she closed her eyes, the boy from that rainy night would come to mind more often. Even when there was no need to think about the boy, there were many times when she would think about how he would have moved.
It seemed she was really tired. It was the moment she was about to fall asleep with such thoughts.
Hwik—
The sound of the tent entrance being pulled aside was heard, and then a familiar voice was heard.
“Aiseline Unnie. I’ve been to Ebelstein. The Ront family sent some people, and I was wondering if we should have them join the mansion’s restoration work... huh? Aiseline Unnie?”
“Huh...? Diella?”
As soon as Diella entered the tent, brushing off her frilly dress that was covered in dust, she broke out in a cold sweat and stuttered.
“Wh-why is your face like that? Do you have a high fever?”
“Me, me...? A fever?”
“You have been overworking yourself a lot recently. I won’t bring up the topic of the mansion’s restoration work today. Please get some rest.”
Diella made a perplexed expression, then turned to leave the tent again.
Aiseline quickly got up and looked at the mirror in the corner of the room.
A girl whose face was flushed up to her ears was making a puzzled expression in the mirror.
<><><>
‘Derek’s contract period is ending soon... can I really keep him...?’
That night, Denise, who was sitting at her desk and quietly writing as always, suddenly had that thought.
The reason Grand Duke Beltus had a firm grip on Derek was because there were many young ladies from the three great families who wanted him.
However, in this situation where the Duplein family was faltering and the Belmeade family had also let go, the necessity for the Beltus family to keep Derek was also gradually weakening.
Derek’s value was already soaring as high as it could. Unless he was a truly necessary person, it was uncertain whether the Beltus family would try to keep him at a family level.
There were many people who would react sensitively if Derek’s affiliation changed. She did not want to create such a situation... so if Denise was going to do something, she had to start thinking about it now.
It was at that moment.
Kkiik—
“Lady Denise.”
“Heek...!”
“Y-you were writing. Sh-shall I come back later?”
“N-no. It’s alright. Wh-what is it?”
“A letter has arrived. Originally, it would be right to report it tomorrow morning, but the letter is a bit unusual.”
Denise quickly put the quill pen in the drawer, regained her composure, and said.
“Unusual?”
“It is a letter sent directly from the Imperial Family. It is a letter officially sent to the Beltus family... but the exact recipient is a bit strange.”
“Whose name is on it as the recipient?”
“It is addressed to Derek-ssi.”
“...”
Denise was engulfed in an ominous feeling.