Chapter 66
Chapter 66
Translator: XZY
Chapter 66: The Noblest and the Poorest (3)
***
Aiseline was also a seasoned figure in the aristocratic world, so she had watched the rise and fall of various families from the sidelines.
There were cases where they accumulated major wrongdoings—plotting treason, breaking the unwritten rules among nobles, or exploiting and killing countless subjects of their domain beyond their limits—and ended up facing justice.
There were also cases where they simply failed to adapt to the changing times, or the management of their territory was driven into such a corner that their influence naturally waned.
As a family’s fortunes declined like that, she came to see quite a few fallen young ladies placed in unfortunate situations.
According to what Aiseline had observed, the characteristics of those who still managed to survive well and maintain their influence to some extent were set.
First, they were resolute. Second, they did not easily despair in the face of misfortune. Third, they had good practical skills.
Aiseline was already equipped with the values and mindset to some degree, so what she ultimately needed to acquire were practical skills... in other words, life skills.
The number of servants had been dramatically reduced, and there was almost no external staff like squires or knights, so simple tasks had to be handled by herself.
Since most of the staff had been concentrated on the restoration work after the mansion was half-destroyed, it became more frequent for her to have to handle things like getting dressed or preparing meals with her own hands.
In short, she often found herself having to handle all the tasks required to carry on with life with her own hands, such as cooking, sewing, cleaning the nearby surroundings, and shopping for groceries.
As she personally stepped forward to roll up her sleeves and resolve every matter like this, she would occasionally wonder if this was really alright, but a certain thought came to her mind.
“...It seems kind of fun, too...”
“...Pardon?”
It was about a month after the mansion had been shattered.
Inside the ruins of the mansion where a draft still blew through, Diella, who was eating turkey meat simply grilled with seasoning, was making a bizarre expression.
“Aiseline Unnie...?”
“Ah, no... it’s a turbulent situation, and there are many people struggling, so I shouldn’t carelessly think such things, but....”
Right now, Reigh and Miriella were still unconscious and had not regained their senses.
The servants were also constantly worried about the future of the mansion and were always concerned for the two young ladies.
Perhaps thinking that muttering such a thing in this gloomy situation was a slip of the tongue, Aiseline once again fidgeted with her hands and quickly cast her gaze down.
“Trying to cook for myself. Trying to sew... or when I have spare time, just blankly staring at the sunset-dyed sky... I’ve never done these things myself, so...”
“R-really? I thought you were a rather versatile person, Aiseline Unnie...”
“Of course, I learned many things under the pretext of a lady’s culture, but they weren’t practical knowledge. I know how to place a splendid embroidery of a beautiful peacock, but I didn’t know how to mend a torn skirt, and though I know how to make fancy desserts... I never learned how to grill rustic meat like this in a way that preserves the most juice.”
“W-well, I suppose that’s true, but...”
“Diella, listen without misunderstanding... th-this might be a bit of a strange thing to say...”
Aiseline continued speaking as she sliced the poor-quality turkey meat.
The quality of the meal was poor, but her movements were dripping with grace, and the discrepancy was immense.
“Going out to the noisy market street to haggle for ingredients, or wiping a dusty window until it squeaks, or washing a carpet cleanly... I think I might like this kind of thing... When I see the old grime being completely removed, I-I think I feel a strange pleasure or ecstasy... Am-am I being too bizarre?”
“...”
In truth, one never knew how a person’s disposition might reveal itself.
Just as the genius Wild School mage Diella was born into the Duplein family, the leader of the Discipline School of magic, there were many cases where one’s birth environment and their disposition did not completely align.
Aiseline had been the most aloof noble young lady in Ebelstein’s high society, so everyone regarded her as the noblest flower that had bloomed in the most beautiful flowerbed.
She herself had lived assuming as much, but now that the situation had changed, she was also discovering a side of herself she had never known.
“The quality of the turkey meat for today’s grill is not good, but I used a spice from the Olderte region, so it tastes better than I thought, right? I marinated the meat in the morning, and it seems to be well-seasoned by the afternoon. Next time, I’ll have to find some time to get more pepper. The servants would like it if I gave them some too, right?”
“Hmm... no matter how much I wash the bedsheets, the old stains won’t come out... I wonder if simply soaking them for a long time isn’t the solution... It would be good to ask Katarina once she returns from buying materials in Ebelstein...”
“I brought the brooms that were in the basement storage, and they’re surprisingly good, you know? The bristles are moderately soft yet stiff, and the quality is so good that not a single speck of dust escapes. Why would they have left such a good item neglected in the basement storage? I wish I could find out which workshop they were bought from...”
At some point, Aiseline was always rolling up her sleeves unless she was making an external appearance.
One day, when Diella went to the mansion’s restoration site, she was groaning with the maids while carrying old bedsheets, or she was looking at herbs she had picked from the mountain and tasting them one by one to see if they were edible.
One day, she even tried to go to the restoration site with a shovel, so a maid, thinking that this was going too far, had to stop her.
Helping with housework was one thing, but for the young lady of a family, no matter how faltering, to try to do manual labor was crossing a line.
Only then did Diella finally understand.
There was a disposition of hers that even Diella, her own sister, had not known. She was a natural-born wife and mother.
It was around the time two months had passed since the family mansion was shattered.
“Aiseline Unnie.... wh-what are you doing right now...!”
“Diella...! It would be best not to come too close! Heave-ho!”
It was around the time Diella, who had been observing the local situation in Ebelstein to prepare for her return to the Rosea Salon, stopped by the mansion.
Behind the mansion, where restoration work was still in full swing, the furrows of the field Aiseline had dug were lined up at a perfect angle.
Aiseline, no longer in a dress but just a light skirt and blouse, was vigorously wiping the sweat with a cloth wrapped around her neck.
Her face was pretty even without makeup, but with her hair tied back tightly and sweat pouring down, she was the very image of a working woman.
As Aiseline set down a heavy wooden bucket like that, it was filled with something like reddish-brown soil. As a foul odor billowed out, Diella took a step back.
“Wh-what is this?”
“Fertilizer. I mixed the manure from the mansion, the falling leaves that are starting to drop, and the sawdust from the restoration work appropriately, and it turned out to be quite good quality compost, you see?”
“A-are you preparing to farm?”
“I thought a certain degree of self-sufficiency would be essential, so I tried digging a field. How is it? The work was a bit delayed because the servants made a fuss... but doesn’t it look better than you thought?”
With the foul-smelling bucket of fertilizer in front of her, the expression on Aiseline’s face as she contemplated how to spread it was quite serious.
“As for the crops... hmm... it seems better to just buy the grains, so I should probably focus on planting vegetables to use in cooking... The servants will have to manage it while I’m away, so I hope it doesn’t require too much work... and I hope it’s resistant to pests and diseases...”
“Wh-where did you learn this kind of thing?”
“I studied by reading the books in the mansion. Also, when I followed along on territorial inspections, I roughly saw what the tenant farmers were doing from over their shoulders... Let’s see, I should probably plant turnips, radishes, onions, and cabbage...”
At this point, it was beyond the stage where even the servants could stop her.
When Diella glanced at the servants who were busy with the mansion’s restoration work, they were bowing their heads deeply as if they were ashamed.
“Let’s plant tomatoes too... they can be used for salads... and what else could there be...”
Yet, Aiseline’s eyes were shining brightly. Without a doubt, she was genuinely enjoying this situation.
She had often heard that extraordinary people were eccentric in some way, but she had never imagined it would be in this direction.
Diella stood with her mouth agape, dumbfounded.
<> <> <>
The fall of the Duplein family became the subject of much gossip within the Rosea Salon. It was only natural.
The thickest of the three pillars—Duplein, Belmeade, and Beltus—had crumbled.
It meant that the influence of the Rosea Salon had waned, but on the other hand, it also meant that it was a new opportunity.
The Belmeade and Beltus families alone could not swallow the entire power structure of Ebelstein. In the end, a gap created by the absence of the Duplein family was bound to be revealed.
Some saw this great upheaval as an opportunity for social advancement, while others recognized it as a time to focus on defending their vested interests.
As the nerve-wracking tension of the Rosea Salon, like walking on thin ice, continued, a rumor finally began to circulate that the young ladies of the Duplein family would once again attend a salon meeting.
“Oh my. I hear a young lady from a fallen family that dabbled in the forbidden is now trying to set foot in the Rosea Salon.”
“The ways of the world are truly fleeting. Lady Aiseline was a beautiful, noble, and benevolent person... but who would have known she would be cast down to the bottom like that...”
“It would be one way to not set foot in the salon if she knew her place was at the bottom. Well, I suppose she has nowhere else to turn to for help, so she’s trying her best to cling to our Rosea Salon in any way she can. It’s quite pitiful, in a way.”
“Lady Aiseline is at least pitiful, but Lady Diella got what she deserved. Acting like she owned the world and treating Lady Denise so rudely, she was punished for it.”
People who gain a base pleasure from finding fault with others exist everywhere.
Lady Elente, who was crossing the corridor of the Elfontaine Hall, saw the young ladies exchanging such gossip and strode over to them to speak.
“Lady Roent, I understood you to be little more than a follower of Lady Aiseline, but you are truly quick to change your tune.”
“Wh-what? Ugh... L-Lady Elente?”
“Even if you cling to one side or the other like a bat, how many people do you think will speak well of you, Lady Roent? It would be best for you to take a look at yourself.”
Lady Roent stared at Elente with wide eyes.
However, Elente, as if she did not care at all, turned sharply and moved deeper into the Elfontaine Hall.
She was tired from having stayed up all night studying to exchange discourse on magical philosophy at the society today.
In truth, it was all expected that the Duplein people would be the subject of gossip. The weak who had fallen into the mire were always the first to become victims of backbiting.
She was not unaware of that disgusting aspect of high society, but for some reason, she was more irritable today and ended up saying something. It was strange, even though she knew it was best not to make enemies unnecessarily.
‘I wonder if she’s at the society’s discussion room by now. Lady Aiseline must be going through a lot.’
Elente was quite worried. She knew that Aiseline was a person with a strong core, but to set foot in high society in a situation where all her foundations and authority had crumbled was a truly difficult thing to do.
But it wasn't as if Elente was in a position to actively step up and do something for her, so she could only watch her dispirited figure from a distance.
Her heart was heavy in this situation, and it was the moment she entered the society room with a deep sigh.
“Oh my, Lady Elente. It’s good to see you after so long!”
‘...?’
Lady Aiseline’s complexion, on the contrary, had gotten better, and her expression had also brightened.
At first, she felt even more pity, wondering if she was trying hard to act strong, but she could tell just by exchanging a few words that this appearance of hers was not an act. Aiseline was the type whose inner thoughts were easily revealed.
“It’s a nice change of pace to come out to Ebelstein after so long. I’ve been spending my days so busy without a moment to rest, so it was really nice to just blankly look at the scenery from inside the carriage.”
“Ah, I’m glad you look healthy, Lady Aiseline.”
“As for me, if you take away my health, I’m as good as a corpse! So I have to be even healthier!”
She was dressed in a pretty dress, but it was not as splendidly adorned as before. She had few accessories, and there was not a single hair ornament made of fresh flowers anymore.
However, Aiseline looked at Elente with sparkling eyes and said,
“Thank you so much for not holding us responsible for the great discourtesy that occurred at the Duplein mansion! Thanks to that, a few of the major families saw the Belmeade family’s example and also did not hold us responsible. Most still made various demands in the name of the catastrophe, but it still lessened the burden a lot!”
“It’s alright. I just did what I thought was right.”
“Still, the Duplein family owes you a great debt. I will never forget this debt.”
“No, it’s nothing. You must have a lot on your mind these days, but please let me know if you need help again. I’ll consider it within the realm of what’s possible.”
“...Then, may I be shameless and ask?!”
“...Pardon?”
She had just said it as a courtesy, but Aiseline jumped on it like a ghost.
Somehow, it seemed her very way of speaking was filled with a new vitality compared to before.
“I don’t have much available capital right now, so I’m selling the artworks and magical items in the mansion at a low price. But as you know, many of them are high-priced items, so I’m worried that they’re not moving quickly.”
“R-really?”
“So I’m doing some sales myself like this. It won’t be a bad deal for you either, Lady Elente. You won’t be able to purchase such renowned artworks or magical items at such a low price anywhere else. I even stayed up all night to make a catalog of sorts, would you like to check it out yourself?”
At the force of Aiseline’s barrage, Elente took a step back for a moment.
The old Aiseline was a person who felt so aloof and graceful that one could not even dare to touch her, but now she was emitting an energy that seemed to have an almost frightening fervor.
“Odelton’s grimoire is just 300 gold coins. In other words, I’m selling it at a price that would make the people of the Drest Society faint. Also, the sculpture collection of the great northern artist Theon is also being sold for just 100 coins. If you purchase the entire collection at once, I’m willing to give you a 30 percent discount. Will there ever be another opportunity like this?”
“...”
“And look here and here too... there are staffs I had prepared for my own use later, and magical items that were actually used by high-ranking vassals. An unbelievable price, right? It would be truly absurd to miss an opportunity like this, wouldn't it? There are many who are eyeing this covetously right now... so if you don’t buy it now, you might go home tonight and keep thinking about it.”
“...Hoh.”
It was not just empty words; there were certainly many good items. In fact, coming from none other than the Duplein family, it was inevitable that high-quality items would be piled up in large quantities.
Elente, who was momentarily tempted and looking at the catalog, quickly came to her senses, shook her head, and said.
“Ah, no, is it really alright to sell off even these things?”
“Is this a situation to be picky about hot or cold water? It’s better than the servants starving right now. Artworks don’t feed you.”
“...”
Remembering her wonderful appearance as she always gracefully discussed the value of artworks in aesthetics debates, Elente fell into a rather complicated mood.
“Ta-da, look at this too. A portrait personally painted by Count Antras is less than 100 gold coins. I know it’s not polite to the artist to sell it at such a low price, but the situation is what it is, so it can’t be helped.”
“H-have you been going around selling like this to the other young ladies too?”
“Of course. The results aren’t too bad right now. I plan to show it to Lady Denise soon when she arrives. If you don’t reserve the items now, you might miss your chance, you know?”
Aiseline, clenching both hands tightly, said with a light in her eyes.
“This might be the chance for the highest sales record ever!”
“C-calm down, Lady Aiseline. No matter what, it’s not right to do business all the way here in the Elfontaine Hall, the venue for social gatherings...”
“I thought you might say that, so I checked beforehand from the entrance of the corridor. They don’t prohibit artistic exchanges among the young ladies. This is an ‘artistic exchange’.”
“W-well, if you insist, I suppose it becomes so, but...”
Kkiik—
As a new person entered the society room, Aiseline quickly straightened her dress and turned her gaze that way. Her expression was less like someone seeing a welcome face after a long time and more like a salesperson who had discovered a new customer.
“Ah, Lady Denise. It’s been a while!”
Quickly gathering the catalogs, she trotted over and greeted the newcomer.
Lady Denise, beautifully dressed in an elegant and graceful dress, was entering with a weary expression.
It was the moment she saw Aiseline’s expression and flinched in surprise.
“Lady Aiseline. It’s been a while.”
“Yes. You are beautiful as always today, Lady Denise! By any chance, would you listen to me for a moment? I have a list of contents I brought, and the price is quite good, you see—heuk!”
Just as she had with Elente, she had resolved to talk a mile a minute to Denise and rack up a lot of sales.
It was the moment she was about to start her pitch in earnest, but upon seeing a man who followed Denise in, she was at a loss for words. As if she had seen something she should not have, she blushed furiously and suddenly put away all the product lists she had taken out.
“Young Lady Aiseline. You look well.”
“Derek?! Why is Derek at the Elfontaine Hall...?”
“The Imperial Magic Advisor wanted to see me this afternoon, so I am escorting Lady Denise as I was coming to the noble district anyway.”
“R-really?!”
Elente felt a strange sense of dissonance seeing Aiseline’s reaction.
She had always seemed composed, but in front of Derek, she was blushing as if she were particularly anxious.
As if she were a wild animal that had met its natural predator, she faltered upon seeing Derek and cast her gaze down.
“What are those documents?”
“Ah, that is... well... there are some items I wanted to show Lady Denise...”
As if Derek’s sudden appearance was such a huge event, Aiseline was stumbling over her words.
“W-well, it’s not that important right now. I just wanted to say that it’s a bit surprising that Derek-ssi is here.”
“...? It’s not that strange to be accompanied by a servant or a household staff member to the Elfontaine Hall, is it?”
“Wh-what Lady Denise says is right, but... I was just a little curious. H-how have you been, Derek?”
“Yes. I’m always about the same.”
“R-really...!”
Aiseline said only that much and did not continue the conversation. Considering her way of speaking, where she would smoothly turn the topic no matter when one spoke to her, it was truly a strange thing.
In fact, it had been more than a day or two that Aiseline had been conscious of Derek.
From the time she was going from one mercenary guild to another to find a master for Diella, to when he entered the Duplein mansion, taught the other young ladies, and when she went to ask for his teachings herself... she was someone who had wanted to take him in as a master for quite a long time.
Now, the family situation was very bad, and Derek’s price had become too high, so it was no longer possible. It was a time when she had to let go of that goal.
However, the signs of Aiseline being conscious of Derek seemed to have become even more exaggerated.
Sometimes, when her eyes met Derek’s, the image of him wiping away her blood at the mansion on that rainy night would flash through her mind.
Then, for no reason, heat would rise to her face, and she would strangely be unable to even meet his eyes.
“D-Derek-ssi...!”
“Yes?”
As Aiseline called his name, Derek answered nonchalantly.
“You’re amazing!”
“...Pardon?”
“I mean, the story that the Imperial Magic Advisor is personally looking for you... that means the Imperial Family wants to directly commend you for the merit you established at the Duplein mansion, right? You might receive valuable magical supplies, or if you’re lucky, you might even be granted a magical weapon...!”
“Being commended for my merit is an honorable thing, but... looking into the situation, it might not necessarily be a joyous occasion. There’s word that Lord Melverot of the north is looking for me...”
“R-really? I-if it’s Lord Melverot, then there’s definitely something, something going on!”
“...?”
Suddenly, the end of her sentence squeaked upwards, and Aiseline, flustered, covered her own mouth. She belatedly added an apology in a mosquito-like voice.
It was almost unheard of for Aiseline to make such a basic conversational mistake, so Denise and Elente narrowed their eyes as they watched her.
“...”
“...?”
A moment of silence hung in the air. It was a strange and awkward moment.
Aiseline was covering her mouth, her pupils darting back and forth.
Elente merely showed a questioning face at this sight, but Lady Denise, who had been engrossed in writing romance novels lately, could easily discern the meaning of that reaction.
Before long, Lady Denise’s expression hardened, and cold sweat began to pour down.