Duchess Mecklen’s Elegant Revolt - Chapter 9 Part 5

Eleanor felt as though she was getting hurt more often than usual today. As she briefly thought about Ernst due to her bruise, she quickly returned to reality.

“It seems this case will have to be concluded with just Lord Childe,” Berenice remarked with regret. It had been a good opportunity to reveal Caroline’s true claws, but she hadn’t managed to seize it properly. Eleanor, understanding Berenice’s disappointment, offered her consolation.

As they continued to chat, the conversation naturally drifted to the Empress Dowager’s ladies-in-waiting. While Eleanor was praising Norah’s sociability, she suddenly, almost casually, asked, “By the way, do live alone, Baroness?”

“……?”

Berenice’s expression stiffened slightly. Though it was just a simple question, Eleanor quickly added when she noticed the change in Berenice’s expression, “I was invited to Lady Norah’s home recently and was curious about your situation, Baroness. You usually don’t say much, so… Please don’t feel obliged to answer. I apologize if I made you uncomfortable.”

Given that Berenice was often present in the Empress Dowager’s confidential discussions, she was likely the lady-in-waiting Eleanor saw most frequently. Although Eleanor was curious about Berenice’s relationship with Count Verdik, her interest in Berenice herself was greater.

Berenice sighed lightly at Eleanor’s attempt to clarify. “You seem to be curious about me.”

“I’m sorry. I was just—”

“There’s no need to apologize,” Berenice interrupted. She seemed lost in thought.

While Berenice remained silent, Eleanor quietly nibbled on a biscuit. Just as Eleanor was about to take a second biscuit, Berenice spoke again.

“I live alone.”

“I see,” Eleanor responded lightly, still chewing on the biscuit.

“I’m not on good terms with my family, like you, Madam.”

“Cough, cough.” Eleanor, who had just swallowed, quickly covered her mouth, barely avoiding an embarrassing accident. The discomfort of something almost getting stuck in her throat made her forget her manners as she hastily drank some tea. Berenice took the opportunity to make a light-hearted joke. “It seems even you have your moments, Madam.”

“Cough, I’m sorry.”

“No need to hide it. It’s well-known that you’re not on good terms with the Duke either…” Berenice trailed off as she checked on Eleanor’s condition. Thankfully, Eleanor regained her composure and returned to a calm expression.

After waiting for Eleanor to settle down, Berenice continued, “I suspected that you became the Empress Dowager’s lady-in-waiting to escape the Mecklen family.”

“……!”

“There’s no need to worry; we chose you with full knowledge of that.”

Eleanor fell silent. It felt as though Berenice had uncovered a hidden wound. Before Eleanor could feel too embarrassed, Berenice quickly shared her story.

“I’m not on good terms with my family either. I was abandoned… or rather, I was the one who abandoned them after becoming a Baroness and severing all ties.”

“Why…?”

“I’m the child of my father’s affair.”

“……!”

Fortunately, Eleanor didn’t have a biscuit in her mouth this time. She swallowed dryly.

Berenice spoke of her hidden family history with remarkable composure. It was as if she had always known she would one day tell this story, and she continued calmly.

“Among the nobility, infidelity is a kind of stigma. Many people have never set foot in politics again because of a single night’s mistake.”

“I’ve seen evidence of that,” Eleanor remarked, recalling her recent experience with the scandal involving Childe. It was fortunate that Lennoch had intervened and that several witnesses came forward. Had the matter not been resolved, she might have ended up like Rachel.

“My father, now deceased—the late Count Verdik—must have been quite passionate for a single night of love. He was very sincere with the commoner woman he loved.”

“……”

“He secretly brought his lover’s daughter into the house. He was honest with his wife about it. Amusingly, the Countess also had someone she loved. That’s how I was able to enter the Verdik family as part of their arrangement.”

Berenice had never shared this story with anyone other than the Empress Dowager. The moment it left her lips, she knew the aristocracy would immediately reject her. The nobility would never welcome a half-blood, and Count Verdik, Berenice’s half-brother, felt the same.

“My brother must have despised the sister brought in from the outside.”

“……”

“As I grew older, home became a battlefield where I had to survive each day.”

“Baroness…”

“I understand. A half-sibling born from an affair. It must have been particularly unbearable for a child. Even though it wasn’t my choice to be born this way.”

Eleanor realized why Berenice was telling her these things so freely. The weight of Berenice’s words was too heavy for Eleanor to easily respond. Berenice smiled for the first time in front of Eleanor, as if to reassure her that it was okay.

“That’s why I left. Living alone is much more comfortable, and it’s also better for Count Verdik.”

Later,

“I’ll invite you to my home, Madam.”

***

After conversing with Berenice late into the night, Eleanor realized that she was a far more remarkable person than she had initially thought. As they grew closer, the previous barriers between them began to dissolve.

From then on, Eleanor found herself even busier than before. The groundwork for a poverty relief policy required extensive research. It seemed simple enough, but when she delved into it, there were countless things to consider. Gathering the data for just a few reports involved searching through thousands of documents.

Spending all day working closely with Berenice often meant that evening would arrive before they knew it. Although she barely had time to rest and her body was exhausted, Eleanor immersed herself in her work with joy. The fact that this project was an area of personal interest for her only fueled her focus.

“Lady Eleanor…”

“Ah, Lady Norah.”

“Are you busy again today?”

Because of this, Norah had become the most disappointed person in the world. It had become routine for her to chat with Eleanor over tea when there was some free time. But now, with Eleanor so busy, all Norah could do was become more observant.

“I’m sorry. Would you like to sit with me for a while?”

“I’d love to!”

Norah excitedly took a seat next to Eleanor. Fortunately, today seemed better than yesterday. Eleanor wouldn’t have invited her to stay if she were truly overwhelmed. Norah became Eleanor’s source of news, sharing bits of information.

“Oh, by the way, Lord Childe’s trial is tomorrow.”

“……!”

Eleanor, who had been busy organizing her materials, suddenly paused.

“It seems they still haven’t found anyone to defend Lord Childe.”

“Why?”

“Because they’re afraid of being labeled as part of the same group if they lose the trial.”

Norah added that it was better not to get involved at all if one couldn’t expect any gain. “I wonder if he’ll really receive the death sentence…”

“…Surely not.”

“The atmosphere feels ominous. I thought the judge, who’s close to Duke Ezester, was specifically chosen to help Lord Childe?”

“And?”

“But he keeps talking about strange punishments.”

“……?”

“It’s terrifying just to hear about it. Apparently, the judge has ordered them to prepare torture devices usually reserved for serious criminals.”

Screech.

The pen Eleanor had been holding suddenly slid across the paper, making an unpleasant noise.

“Where did you hear that?”

“Lady Brianna mentioned it. It seems the Marquis of Liege is well-acquainted with those people. She said Lord Childe is completely finished…”

Norah shivered as if the mere thought gave her chills. “He deserves to be punished for his crimes, but somehow I can’t help feeling sorry for him as things get worse… Isn’t that strange?”

“…Indeed.”

“Oh, maybe Lady Brianna exaggerated the punishments to tease me. She laughed like this when I got scared.”

Norah imitated Brianna’s fan-closing gesture and laugh. Though her mimicry was quite good for an impromptu attempt, Eleanor couldn’t bring herself to laugh freely. After a moment of deliberation, Eleanor stood up.

“Lady Eleanor?”

“I’ll be right back.”

“I’ll come with you!”

“Sorry, Lady Norah, I just remembered something urgent. I’ll be back soon.”

After reassuring Norah that they’d talk more when she returned, Eleanor left the room. One person had come to mind.

***

“What?”

“The Duchess of Mecklen requests an audience…”

“I’ll go immediately.”

Lennoch tossed aside the papers he was holding and quickly left his office. He moved so swiftly that the knights following him were startled, but Lennoch waved them off, indicating they shouldn’t follow. When he opened the door to the audience chamber, he saw Eleanor standing there with her hands clasped together.

Overjoyed, Lennoch quickly approached and took her hands in his.

“An audience request, what brings you here?”

“Your Majesty, please… my hands…”

As Eleanor, who had been thinking about what to say upon meeting Lennoch, looked down at their joined hands in surprise, she wondered if it was appropriate. It was so natural that she didn’t even think to pull away. Lennoch, following her gaze, realized what he was doing and awkwardly chuckled.

“I’m sorry, I was just so happy to see you… But why are your hands like this?”

“Oh, it seems I got ink on them.”

She had been so preoccupied with Childe’s situation that she hadn’t noticed the ink stains on her hands from writing. Feeling embarrassed for unintentionally appearing careless, Eleanor tried to pull her hands away, but Lennoch was quicker. He took out a handkerchief.

“Your hands are so precious. Please take better care of them.”

“Le, Lennoch…”

Lennoch smiled mischievously. He gently wiped the black stains from Eleanor’s hands. Although he didn’t need to be so gentle, the delicate way he cleaned her hands, as if handling fragile glass, caused Eleanor’s face to flush slightly.

“This isn’t what I came here for…”

“What? What did you say?”

“No, nothing.”

Regaining her composure, Eleanor took a deep breath. She had nearly forgotten the reason she came. Eleanor cautiously called out to Lennoch, who was still looking down as he cleaned her hands.

“Lennoch.”

“Speak freely.”

“Is it possible to find someone to defend the young lord of House Ezester?”

“……?”

For a moment, Lennoch’s hand stopped moving. Sensing the need to elaborate, Eleanor continued, “I’m not asking you to absolve him of his crimes.”

“I understand that.”