There Are No Bad Young Ladies in the World

＜ How the Sun Rises (3) ＞

“Thank you for your hard work, Your Excellency.”

– Clank, clank.

Rodeia, who had taken off her silver armor, which was larger than her own body, was sweating profusely.

Her physical prime had long passed, and the traces of time were showing on her face, but she didn’t seem to care.

This noblewoman, born with the instincts of a warrior, had fought for her life on that terrible battlefield, yet she showed almost no signs of fatigue.

After receiving assistance from the maids and finishing her bath, she sat in a comfortable chair with a much-relieved body and fell into deep thought.

‘It seems there’s nothing more I can do about the Beltus side. I can only hope that the young lady and the eldest son handle it well on their own.’

The fact that the Duke of Beltus had fled was concerning, but for now, the priority was to report everything to Emperor Guttrel.

It was about the events that had occurred at the Beltus mansion and the birth of a new 4-star mage.

Derek Lydorf Ravenclaw, Baron.

Recalling the man who had collapsed at the scene, covered in blood, Countess Rodeia clenched and unclenched her hands, which were full of blisters, several times.

‘Indeed, I want that man under my command.’

However.

No matter how many times she checked, Derek was not someone who would easily pledge loyalty under others.

It was only because Melverot, the ruler of the North, could protect him that he was under him.

However, considering his willingness to risk his life to control necromancers and the fact that he had reached the level of a 4-star mage at such a young age… he was not someone she wanted to give away easily.

Above all, she had learned about his existence ‘before’ other high-ranking nobles.

If it were in the central part of the continent, Kohella would have already caught wind of it, and Emperor Guttrel seemed to have heard some news even though Rodeia’s report had not yet been submitted.

Rumors about Baron Derek were already spreading, and by the time the detailed report was fully completed, his name would be well-known among the high-ranking nobles.

To secure talent, one must seize the opportunity when it is at its lowest point.

From that perspective, having made contact with Derek before others was a significant advantage.

However, he was not someone who could be easily swayed.

If he were someone who could be easily won over by simply treating him well, there would be no worries.

‘…Still, it seems there is a way.’

The advantage of having made contact first.

That was the fact that she had some insight into Baron Derek’s private life.

During the recent Veltus subjugation, Rodeia had heard and seen quite a bit about Derek, but what left the deepest impression on her was the presence of Baroness Peline.

The baroness, who was originally a commoner mercenary… surprisingly did not seem particularly close to Derek.

Of course, having shared the battlefield for a long time, a beautiful camaraderie had blossomed between them, but it was entirely different from romantic affection.

Countess Rodeia, who had a deep understanding of noble culture, realized at that moment.

The presence of Baroness Peline was merely a nominal arrangement to announce the stability of the family and to receive a title… Derek still did not have a proper companion.

At that moment, Rodeia felt as if a lightning bolt had struck her head.

A man who already had a partner publicly. However, upon closer inspection, he was merely focusing on magic alone. Most importantly, Rodeia was the only one among the high-ranking nobles who knew this fact.

In short, if she could connect with the daughter of the Renuel family, she could somehow bring him under her influence.

Perhaps it was divine help. She happened to have a daughter who, despite other shortcomings, was at least good-looking.

Trisha Termina Renuel, the count’s daughter, was somewhat vain and had a bad temper, but if she could be forced to keep her mouth shut, her appearance was passable.

Of course, compared to the dazzling noble ladies Derek was taking as his disciples, she might be somewhat lacking, but romantic relationships often succeeded if pushed hard enough.

‘Trisha, who had always been a headache since childhood, might finally be of some help to the family this time.’

Heaven had not bestowed her with dignity and character, but those aspects could be resolved if Rodeia scolded her.

In the social circles of Ebelstein, she strutted around arrogantly, but at the count’s residence, she was like a small animal trembling at a mere sidelong glance from Rodeia.

Considering the thorough education Rodeia had given her since childhood, it was inevitable that she feared her mother so much. Rodeia was much more tenacious than most men.

With a satisfied smile, she ordered a servant to summon Trisha.

*

“Recently, I heard she has been staying at Duke Duplain’s residence. It seems she is looking into the family’s affairs for his disciple, Lady Diela, or his business partner, Lady Aiselin.”

“Is that so…”

Snow was gently falling at the Renuel count’s residence.

On the large table, there was a spread of refreshments, but neither Rodeia, who disliked sweet foods, nor Trisha, who was extremely tense, reached out for them.

Countess Rodeia glanced at her only daughter, Trisha, and clasped her hands together as she spoke solemnly.

“It seems you have connections with the Ebelstein social circle, particularly the Rozea Salon… Trisha, I think you should put in more effort to deepen your connection with Baron Derek.”

“If, if mother commands it, I, I will… But, but, I need to think about how to do it specifically…”

“Isn’t it obvious? There are quite a few young ladies affiliated with the Rozea Salon. Especially recently, they have been working closely with the Duplain side… It would be good to get close to those people and look for opportunities.”

“By those people, you mean…”

Countess Rodeia, with a nonchalant look as if the question was obvious, said,

“Well, like the eldest daughter, Lady Aiselin…”

“…”

As for Lady Trisha, she had a history of pouring tea over Aiselin’s head. And then she had laughed arrogantly and haughtily as a bonus.

Trisha’s complexion turned pale.

“If it’s too difficult… I heard that the youngest daughter of the Duplain family, Lady Diela, is also affiliated with the Rozea Salon…”

As for Lady Trisha, she had a history of being slapped by Diela.

Rodeia, who didn’t care about the petty skirmishes among the daughters of the social circle, didn’t know, but the relationship between Trisha and the Duplain ladies had already deteriorated beyond recovery.

Why did it come to this?

Because it seemed like it would be okay.

It seemed obvious that Duplain would falter and collapse, and the Renouel family, whose momentum was rising vertically thanks to Rodeia’s merits, would continue to prosper eternally…

It was beyond short-sightedness; it was an arrogant and reckless move dominated by vanity… But now, regretting it was meaningless.

In fact, Trisha’s assumption wasn’t wrong.

However, the variable named Derek had already developed to a level that could significantly impact the power structure of the southwestern continent.

In fact, the only difference between Lady Duplain and Trisha was whether they had a connection with Derek or not… Unfortunately, in the noble social circles, such trivial differences often determined the outcome.

It was truly infuriating.

*

“Ah, hello, Lady Diela.”

As a result, at the Roséa Salon gathering two weeks later, Trisha ended up speaking to Diela first.

The situation where Trisha, the daughter of Count Renouel, whose momentum was soaring higher and higher, spoke first to Diela, the youngest daughter of Duplain, with whom she had a bad relationship.

It was unusual for anyone, let alone Diela, who would pounce like a beast if she caught even a slight mistake in one’s words, to approach her first. It was as if watching someone voluntarily crawl into a lion’s den.

How crazy she was. She was the kind of person who would slap someone without hesitation if things didn’t go her way.

Among the noble ladies, there was already a strange aura around her that made it difficult for anyone to even dare to speak to her, to the point where it was doubtful whether she was truly walking the path of a fallen lady whose family was in decline.

“…”

Diela, who had been glancing through a rather high-level philosophy book, quietly stared at Trisha.

Her gaze seemed to be probing, wondering what this person was up to again.

Just making eye contact with her gave Trisha the illusion of a lion roaring, causing her to flinch and tremble.

“Get lost.”

Saying that, Diela lowered her gaze back to the book.

It was a signal to fight.

Trisha felt a vein on her forehead throb, but she gritted her teeth and somehow managed to hold back her anger.

At this point, Diela had already figured out all of Trisha’s intentions.

The fact that the once arrogant Trisha was approaching her so warmly was an attempt to get closer to the Ravenclaw Baron’s family, just like many other ladies had done.

Unfortunately, the current situation, dominated by such an atmosphere, was extremely annoying to Diela.

Being treated like a gatekeeper protecting Derrick…!

To even try to get close to Baron Ravenclaw, you have to be recognized by one of his four direct disciples… Such a subtly formed atmosphere…!

But that doesn’t mean Derrick is paying any attention to her…

He is currently staying at the Duplain mansion, but he is so busy talking about new business with Aiseline that it feels like Diela is completely out of his mind.

Nothing is going as she wants, either here or there, so she is annoyed… Meanwhile, Lady Trisha, whom she considered an enemy, is approaching and trying to get close… Scratching at her, so this beast-like girl couldn’t possibly be friendly.

Trisha was sweating profusely.

How on earth is she supposed to break through this iron wall and get close to Baron Ravenclaw?

She thinks it would be much more efficient to move separately, like when she went to take on the commission last time….

But without any particular connection, she feels more crisis because it seems like she will be rejected again like last time.

Above all, the most feared Countess Rodeia is directly kicking her butt and urgently pressuring her to make contact with the Duplain family.

Trisha was in a deadlock in her own way.

“It’s not that, it’s just that the Duplain family is doing something this time… If there’s anything that could help from our Renwell family…”

“We don’t need it, so get lost.”

– Creak

Diela pushed her chair and stood up, glaring at Trisha.

It seemed like the figure of a growling beast was revealed behind her, making her wonder who in the world could put a leash on this girl.

Receiving the gazes of the gathered ladies, she strode out into the hallway, looking very unusual.

‘Feeling so up and down like this, my pride is hurt too?!’

Diela is a girl with a temper.

Returning to the main building of the Duplain mansion after a long time, she was walking out briskly, fuming with anger.

In fact, it had been quite a while since she had harbored favorable feelings towards Derek, and she knew well how humiliating it was to grumble and act bothersome just because she didn’t receive some attention.

As a noble with dignity, she thought she should treat him loftily.

But it was only natural that a girl of her age couldn’t always do as she intended.

As a result, she began to feel not just resentful but genuinely upset.

Diela, too, was a girl of noble birth, and she wasn’t someone who needed to cling to anyone to the point of making pitiful pleas.

Even if Derek’s stock was rising these days, there was no need for Diela to be swayed by him… In fact, the very situation of feeling so resentful was absurd.

In the social circles of Ebelstein, she was known as a tyrant.

From her childhood, she had dominated and ruled over her servants, exuding an aura that made it difficult for others to approach her. The fact that she was now fretting over a mere baron from the outskirts was laughable.

Therefore, Diela walked briskly with her lips tightly pressed together, determined to show that it was Derek who should feel regretful, not herself.

– Creak

As Diela walked out with a sullen expression, the door to the reception room on one side of the Duplain mansion opened, and Derek, holding various documents, walked out.

He still had scratches all over his body, but he seemed to have recovered quite a bit.

“Oh, Miss Diela.”

“…Derek!”

For a moment, she almost brightened up, but already in a thoroughly sulky state, Diela pouted and grumbled.

“Well, you seem very busy, Derek.”

“No, it’s just that there are so many things I’ve started… But it’s fortunate. We ran into each other like this.”

“Huh?”

“We haven’t had much chance to talk recently, Miss Diela. Also, if things go well with the branch of the Ravenclaw Training Center, there are many things I’d like to ask for your help with.”

“Me, me?”

“Yes. Did I perhaps offend you?”

“Ha… Well, of course…”

Diela, the tyrant and lioness of Ebelstein, was a person who would growl and bite at anyone she encountered.

Even if you said such things to Diela, who was already in a foul mood, it was unlikely she would respond favorably.

“Well, of course… Totally okay…!!”

“Is that so?”

“…”

Diela answered like that and then sighed, pressing her forehead. The words had come out before she realized it.

Anyway, it was not easy to be harsh with Derek.

‘It seems he has been under a lot of pressure since the family’s situation became unstable.’

Watching Diela tapping her head for no reason, Derek could only look at her with sympathetic eyes.

Such a look killed Diela twice over.

“In fact, the reason for pushing this matter is to normalize Duplain again. It would be better if Miss Diela could be at the forefront.”

It was quite shameful to feel excited just because she was having tea alone with Derek after a long time.

Nevertheless, Diela, with her pretty blonde hair tied with a navy blue ribbon and dressed in a frilled dress, tilted her head at Derek’s words.

“Duplain, you say?”

“Yes. We’ve overcome major crises, and now that the family system has been stabilized, it’s time to seize the opportunity to rebound.”

Aisellin was rolling up her sleeves and going out to earn money, claiming to be a fallen noble, while Diela was being treated like a thorn sticking out at the Rosea Salon.

It couldn’t be left like this forever… Derek was thinking of making Duplain the new social center of the southwestern continent.

From the beginning, he did not want the Ravenclaw territory to become more complicated than it already was.

Aisellin was so competent… If left alone, she would really turn the Ravenclaw estate into the headquarters of the social world…

She was a runaway train, rampaging without knowing the limits.

Someone had to keep her in check…