Duchess Mecklen’s Elegant Revolt - Chapter 1 Part 4

Hearing Eleanor’s request, Ernst’s cold expression softened for the first time. He tilted his head slightly, his face reflecting mild astonishment. Meanwhile, Eleanor, having resolved herself, finally voiced what she had been holding back.

“Any position is fine,” she said. “Even a low-ranking one. If I’m at the branch, I will do my utmost to avoid being a burden to you, Your Grace.”

This was the conversation she had intended to have with Ernst during the dinner two days ago, but Caroline had intervened, forcing her to retreat.

“If it’s difficult, I’m fine with wherever you think is best. I’ll work hard wherever I am, just give me a chance,” she pleaded.

To leave this house, Eleanor knew she needed Ernst’s permission. She set aside all pride and asked earnestly. It was something she never would have imagined doing before—almost kneeling in desperation, her face conveying everything she felt.

But Ernst was far from impressed. He found Eleanor’s words distasteful, and his lips twisted as he delivered a single word.

“Arrogant.”

“……!”

Eleanor’s face went pale. She looked up to see Ernst’s expression, and for some reason, he seemed angry. He took a step closer.

“I thought you were quiet and obedient,” he said.

Eleanor, startled, took a step back. But for every step she retreated, Ernst advanced, closing the distance until they were nearly face-to-face. The overwhelming presence of his solid frame made it difficult for her to breathe, and his icy blue eyes seemed to burn with a cold fire.

“I hate people like you the most,” he continued. “Those who don’t know their place and overstep.”

His words cut into Eleanor like a knife.

“You’re nothing more than a person from a fallen kingdom,” he spat. “The value of a princess ends with marriage. You should just quietly embroider, follow orders, and fulfill the role of a dutiful wife.”

Ernst despised crossing boundaries, especially those he had set himself.

“So stop being troublesome and behave,” he said.

A vision suddenly flashed before Eleanor’s eyes—noblewomen mocking her, calling her the parrot of Baimach Island, laughing and ridiculing her. Her hands trembled, but she couldn’t find the words to respond.

Ernst straightened his posture, clearly losing interest in the conversation. He gave a small nod toward the door, signaling her to leave.

“…I’ll take my leave,” Eleanor murmured, turning slowly. She barely managed to keep from collapsing as she made her way out of the study, heading directly to her room.

Complete humiliation.

The Duke of Mecklen was demanding that she become a parrot, just as others had mocked her for being.

‘Ernst is just like Caroline,’ she thought bitterly.

In her previous life, she hadn’t imagined it would be this bad.

Though he had been indifferent, he had at least maintained some decorum in public, treating her with the respect due to a duchess. But now she realized that his actions were merely about maintaining appearances, ensuring she fulfilled her role as a dutiful wife.

Eleanor bit her lip hard.

‘I have to find a way to leave.’

All the power in the household rested with Ernst. Her ideal plan had been to be assigned to oversee or assist at a branch of the company, which would allow her to leave the estate under a legitimate pretext. Other options, such as feigning a serious illness or creating a scandal severe enough that the Duke could no longer tolerate her, carried too many risks.

As soon as she entered her room, Eleanor threw herself onto the bed. She buried her face in the soft bedding, remaining still for a long time.

Her chest burned with anger.

“I have to endure,” she repeated to herself like a mantra, trying to steady her emotions.

She had endured countless humiliations before, so she could survive this.

But the unease gnawed at her.

‘Is it really okay for things to be like this?’

She was completely alone.

No one from Hartmann, none of the nobles who had also been assimilated into the Baden Empire, had come to her aid.

She had to find her own path, even if she was on her own.

‘Where can I establish a foundation?’

The social scene was out of the question—Caroline would ensure she had no influence there. She had no substantial assets to invest in anything either.

When she had married into the Mecklen family, all she had brought were a few gold coins and the jewelry and clothing she had owned in Hartmann. The jewels were valuable, but she hadn’t yet found the right time to sell them, keeping them as a last resort.

‘I feel so lost.’

Despite the overwhelming despair, Eleanor held back her tears.

She was certain that a turning point would come, a moment when she could end this suffering and start a new life.

Until that moment arrived, she would endure and hold on.

But Ernst’s words kept piercing her heart like thorns, making the pain worse.

Eleanor lifted her head from the bed, her lips stinging. When she carefully dabbed them with a handkerchief, she saw that they were bleeding.

She pressed down on her lips to stop the bleeding.

It hurt.

So much.

***

“An open recruitment for ladies-in-waiting?”

Three women sat in a circle around the Empress Dowager, their curiosity piqued. Among them, a black-haired woman carefully set down her teacup. She is Countess Lorentz, one of the Empress Dowager’s ladies-in-waiting.

“Your Majesty, wouldn’t that process be too cumbersome? Recommendations should suffice,” she suggested.

All the ladies-in-waiting present had likely received at least one request for favors. In Countess Lorentz’s case, more than five people had already approached her, asking for her support.

Agreeing with her, Norah chimed in, “I also think recommendations should be enough, Your Majesty. An open recruitment would take more time than recommendations and would require a larger budget.”

Norah, who had just turned twenty-one this year, was the youngest among the Empress Dowager’s ladies-in-waiting.

“That’s true,” the Empress Dowager nodded, understanding their concerns.

The Empress Dowager, now in her sixties, had her gray-and-gold hair neatly braided and pinned up. Despite her age, she had a clear complexion and was often complimented for her youthful appearance.

After savoring the aroma of her tea, the Empress Dowager spoke, “Berenice, what do you think?”

Following the Empress Dowager’s prompt, Countess Lorentz and Norah turned their gaze to the left, where Berenice, the only one among them with a baroness title and the younger sister of Count Verdik, sat. Despite the sudden question, Berenice remained composed, calmly swallowing the dried fruit she had been chewing before responding in a steady tone.

“I support it.”

“And why is that?”

Norah tilted her head, not understanding Berenice’s reasoning. Countess Lorentz quickly interjected with her counterpoint.

“I agree that the Marchioness of Radsay did a great job. But do we need to be more cautious just because she’s being replaced? As long as the new lady-in-waiting is properly trained, there shouldn’t be any issues.”

“What were the duties of the Marchioness of Radsay?” Berenice’s sharp question made Countess Lorentz flinch. Though directed at the Marchioness, her question also encompassed the duties of the ladies-in-waiting present.

Berenice continued swiftly, “As you know, this is our shared responsibility. It’s not just about serving Her Majesty closely; we represent her. We might also have to handle administrative tasks. I believe an open recruitment would be much fairer and allow us to find someone truly capable.”

Berenice paused and looked at the Empress Dowager, who was watching her with a gentle smile.

“And if you’ve seen the list of families who were recommended, you’d be even more opposed.”

“……”

“Can they truly be Her Majesty’s people?” Berenice asked firmly.

Norah and Countess Lorentz exchanged uneasy glances, finally realizing Berenice’s intention behind supporting the open recruitment.

“Even if Your Majesty is comfortable with it, I can’t trust those people,” Berenice concluded resolutely.

The Emperor currently had no official Empress, nor did he keep any concubines, as the Baden Empire followed strict monogamy. The first line of support for the currently unstable Emperor, who had no heir, was undoubtedly the Empress Dowager, followed closely by the Duke of Mecklen, one of the three most powerful noble houses in the Empire.

However, most of the families recommended for the lady-in-waiting position this time were not aligned with the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager chuckled softly. “I didn’t suggest this with such intentions, Berenice. You’re too worried.”

“My apologies, Your Majesty.”

“I simply thought it would be nice to meet a wider variety of people. Now that I’m an old woman stuck in this palace, I don’t often get the chance to meet young and clever individuals.”

“Your Majesty, how could you say such a thing?” Norah exclaimed in a hushed voice, her face turning pale. Who could dare refer to the Empress Dowager as an old woman?

While Norah fervently protested, trying to soothe the Empress Dowager, Berenice sipped her tea calmly. Watching her, Countess Lorentz narrowed her eyes.

‘Playing innocent, are you?’

The Empress Dowager must have subtly conveyed her true intentions to Berenice. Berenice, in turn, presented those intentions as her own opinion.

It was clear that the Empress Dowager had never been pleased with the women recommended for the position.

Countess Lorentz found Berenice slightly irritating. A little heads-up would have been nice. Now it seemed like Berenice had monopolized the Empress Dowager’s trust.

“Very well, we shall proceed with an open recruitment,” the Empress Dowager concluded.

“I’ll start the preparations immediately,” Countess Lorentz replied, finally averting her gaze from Berenice and answering with respect.

A satisfied smile spread across the Empress Dowager’s face as she savored the aroma of her tea.

“I’m looking forward to meeting this new child.”

***

“What expectations?” Caroline scowled, crumpling the invitation she had been reading in one swift motion before tossing it into the fireplace.

The fireplace was already filled with a significant number of letters she had discarded in the same manner—letters overflowing with flattery and praise for the Duke of Mecklen, all ending with thinly veiled pleas for her to attend some event hosted by their families.

“Who do they think they are to summon me?” Caroline fumed. Despite being preoccupied with her many responsibilities, a mere count had dared to send her such an invitation.

“Burn them all immediately,” she commanded.

“Yes, madam,” a servant quickly struck a match. The flames grew as they consumed the invitations, roaring higher with every piece of paper fed to them.

Resting her chin on one hand, Caroline watched the fire, mumbling to herself, “The Empress Dowager is looking for a lady-in-waiting.”