Duchess Mecklen’s Elegant Revolt - Chapter 1 Part 5

Maintaining ties with the Empress Dowager could certainly be advantageous. With no Empress in the palace, she was now the de facto mistress of the inner court. The only issue was that Caroline and the Empress Dowager did not get along particularly well. This was partly due to Caroline’s complete absence from court, but she also harbored personal grievances against the Empress Dowager.

Still, there was no need to make an enemy of the imperial family.

‘This could be an opportunity,’ she thought.

The empire has three ducal houses. The first is Mecklen, the second is Ezester, and the third is Nestor. Caroline firmly believed that Mecklen was the most prestigious of the three, but when it came to actual influence, Ezester was slightly stronger. This was because Mecklen had long been seen as a loyalist family, which made some nobles reluctant to get too close.

In terms of wealth, Nestor was the richest.

“Who would be a suitable candidate?” Caroline mused, tapping her fingers lightly on the desk.

Though the current Duke of Mecklen, Ernst, was doing well, one could never predict the future. It would be wise to further solidify their foundation, just in case.

The Emperor’s friend, the Emperor’s sword.

These were all fine titles, but they did little to expand the influence of her family. Caroline was well aware that while many nobles praised her family in public, they secretly whispered that they were nothing more than the Emperor’s lapdogs.

A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts.

“Madam, you have a visitor.”

“Who is it?”

“Lady Brianna.”

“Brianna?”

Caroline sprang up from her seat and hurried to the drawing room.

‘What brings her here?’

It had been a long time since Brianna’s last visit. Caroline had thought she would never set foot in this mansion again after Ernst’s marriage.

As soon as she entered the drawing room, her eyes were immediately drawn to the vibrant red hair of Brianna, who greeted her with a seductive smile, her cat-like eyes narrowing with delight.

“It’s been a while, Madam Caroline.”

Brianna removed her hat adorned with ribbons and jewels, curtsying slightly as she addressed Caroline. Her flawless manners were a testament to her impeccable upbringing as a noblewoman.

“I’ve been remiss in not visiting you sooner. My mother sends her regards,” Brianna said.

“You’re too kind. I should be the one apologizing for not keeping in touch,” Caroline responded with a warm smile, expressing her delight.

Brianna was the daughter of the Marquis of Liege, who had long been close to the Mecklen family. The Marquis had been a junior to the late Duke of Mecklen at the academy and was also the godfather to the current Duke, Ernst.

Caroline instructed the chef to bring out some ganache and tea for Brianna.

“Please, have a seat,” Caroline invited, gesturing to the chairs.

While they waited for the tea, Brianna handed Caroline a small box tied with a satin ribbon.

“It’s nothing special, but I hope you like it.”

“Oh, what’s this?”

“It’s a brooch designed by the new jeweler,” Brianna explained.

Inside the box was a brooch intricately decorated with rubies and pearls. Caroline’s eyes widened with delight at the sight. A lover of jewelry and ornaments, she was thrilled by the gift.

Caroline, who was usually sharp and difficult to please, softened immediately.

“This is so beautiful. It’s just perfect,” Caroline gushed.

“I’m glad you like it.”

“You didn’t have to bring a gift. You’ve already done so much.”

“You are Ernst’s mother… Oh, I apologize,” Brianna stammered, suddenly looking embarrassed as she had mentioned Ernst without thinking.

The mention of Ernst seemed so natural that no one around them noticed it had been intentional.

“I should have said ‘His Grace.’ But I’m so used to calling him Ernst from when we were young. My apologies,” Brianna said, looking sheepish.

Caroline chuckled. “It’s fine. You can call him whatever you like.”

“But he’s married now…”

“That doesn’t matter between us. It’s alright,” Caroline reassured her, reaching out to hold Brianna’s hand warmly.

“It’s still a shame,” Caroline sighed.

“Madam…”

“I would have loved for you to join our family. Who could have predicted things would turn out this way?”

Caroline couldn’t hide her regret. She had once pushed for Brianna to marry Ernst. If the Emperor hadn’t intervened, Brianna, not some foreign princess, would have become the Duchess of Mecklen.

‘If only Ernst had shown even a little interest in Brianna,’ Caroline lamented, regretting that she hadn’t managed to pair them sooner. If she had, they might have been engaged by now.

Brianna lowered her head slightly, blushing with embarrassment. “No, it’s alright. It seems His Grace is getting along well with his wife…”

“Who? Ernst?” Caroline shook her head dismissively. “They’re sleeping in separate rooms. It’s ridiculous.”

“What? Separate rooms? But aren’t they newlyweds?” Brianna’s eyes widened in disbelief. It had only been a short while since their wedding, and she couldn’t understand why a perfectly healthy man and woman would choose to sleep in different rooms.

Caroline, knowing full well that she had orchestrated their separation, kept that detail to herself and feigned ignorance. “I can’t believe how stubborn that princess is. She stands up to me with such pride that even I can’t handle it.”

“Perhaps she still thinks she’s a princess,” Brianna speculated.

“Exactly. She should learn to be more agreeable, at the very least,” Caroline’s spirits lifted as Brianna echoed her sentiments.

Caroline went on to grumble about how Eleanor had insisted on using her middle name when officially joining the Mecklen family’s registry, prompting Brianna to show a sympathetic expression.

“She doesn’t know her place. How pitiful,” Brianna remarked.

“Pitiful? She’s so arrogant that she hasn’t even made her debut in society yet. I’m too embarrassed to take her anywhere.”

“So that’s why you haven’t attended any parties recently.”

“At the very least, she should learn the manners required to uphold the Mecklen name. It’s not easy making her into a proper person.”

“Oh, madam, you have my deepest sympathy,” Brianna nodded, her face full of understanding.

The ganache, sweetened by their conversation about the haughty Princess Eleanor, tasted even more delicious.

As their conversation reached a comfortable lull, Brianna subtly changed the subject. “By the way, madam, have you heard? They’re publicly recruiting for a new lady-in-waiting to replace the Marchioness of Radsay.”

“Yes, I know. That news has caused quite a stir,” Caroline replied. It had been the hottest topic among the noblewomen during recent tea times. The Empress Dowager herself was choosing a new lady-in-waiting.

Everyone was speculating about who it might be, and there were even some ladies who fancied applying themselves. The position of the Empress Dowager’s lady-in-waiting was highly coveted. Anyone who remembered how the previous Marchioness of Radsay had been treated couldn’t help but be tempted.

It was an unparalleled opportunity to cultivate one’s etiquette and expand one’s network, which is why even the younger noble ladies were eyeing the position.

“There seem to be quite a few applicants…” Brianna trailed off, watching Caroline’s expression carefully. She could see that Caroline was in a very good mood.

Brianna’s eyes narrowed slightly. “I was thinking of applying for the position myself.”

“You?”

“I know I’m lacking in many ways, but I think it would be a valuable experience.”

“And the Marchioness of Liege has given her approval?”

“Of course, my mother fully supports me,” Brianna said, stabbing her fork into the ganache with a quick motion. The chocolate oozing down the side of the moist cake looked particularly appetizing.

Caroline watched Brianna silently as she elegantly brought a piece of the cake to her mouth.

‘Not bad,’ she thought.

Brianna was a clever young lady, with remarkable beauty and a sharp intuition that allowed her to read the room and respond appropriately. Her manners were impeccable, of course.

Moreover, Brianna’s mother, the Marchioness of Liege, had been Caroline’s peer, studying under the same professor. Brianna was a young lady who was ready to side with Caroline whenever needed.

‘And she even knows how to give such charming bribes,’ Caroline mused, though she wasn’t sure whether the gift had been her idea or her mother’s. Nonetheless, Brianna’s ambition was clear—to become the Empress Dowager’s lady-in-waiting.

That desire aligned perfectly with Caroline’s own needs. She needed someone who could be both the Empress Dowager’s person and hers.

Having made up her mind, Caroline let out a soft, approving laugh. “I’ll support you.”

***