Duchess Mecklen’s Elegant Revolt - Chapter 15 Part 2

A heavy atmosphere weighed down on everyone’s shoulders. The servants of the estate stood silently in their places, barely daring to breathe. They had been ordered not to move a single step until the Duke gave them further instructions.

Though nothing had been said aloud, the servants knew they would be standing there all night, enduring punishment. Some of the maids, struggling to stay awake, pinched their own legs to stave off the encroaching drowsiness, recalling the Duke’s fierce expression as he entered the study with Caroline.

“Is there nothing you want to say?”

“……”

Inside the study, Ernst and his mother, Caroline, faced off. Ernst’s demeanor was far colder than usual, his piercing gaze fixed on Caroline, who avoided his eyes by looking down. Outwardly, she maintained a facade of hurt innocence, but inwardly, her suppressed fury seethed.

‘It’s all because of that damn girl.’

The more she thought about it, the more enraged she became. Why did Ernst have to show up at that moment? And why did Eleanor manage to say everything she wanted before fleeing with Eger?

Grinding her teeth in frustration, Caroline heard Ernst’s voice again.

“You knew the recommendation letter was forged, so why are you bringing it up only now? And if you knew, shouldn’t you have informed me first?”

“T-that’s…”

Everything Ernst said was true, leaving Caroline unable to respond easily. His cold gaze radiated a firm anger, not just because she had hidden the truth. Ever since Eleanor left the estate, Ernst had been visibly agitated, unable to control his emotions.

‘When did he start caring so much about Eleanor?’ Caroline wondered as she continued to play the role of the poor, misunderstood mother.

“I… I just… Ernst, my son…”

Realizing she was cornered, Caroline deliberately dropped the formal tone she usually maintained with her son.

“I’ve been so wronged.”

“…Wronged?”

“That girl did something wrong, so why am I the one being scolded? Isn’t it obvious to anyone that Eleanor is the one who acted immorally?”

“……”

“I’m so ashamed I can’t even lift my head. Just thinking about how she deceived us like this… Who could have predicted that she would bring such disgrace upon our family?”

Caroline tried to shift the conversation away from herself by focusing on Eleanor’s faults. However, Ernst was not one to be easily swayed.

“Perhaps you didn’t fully understand what I was asking, Mother.”

“E-Ernst…”

“I’m asking why you let things escalate to this point over Eleanor’s mistake.”

“……”

“For the sake of our family, you should have informed me immediately.”

If the recommendation letter was forged, then Caroline must have known from the beginning. There was no way she could have mistakenly thought she wrote it herself. Yet, despite numerous opportunities, Caroline had never mentioned it to him.

Moreover…

“When did you start associating with Count Verdik?”

“……!”

Caroline paled at the sharp question. Ernst seized the moment to press further.

“Do you know what kind of person Count Verdik is?”

Given Caroline’s usual behavior, this situation was particularly strange. She rarely attended any major gatherings, even those hosted by the imperial family. So how had she managed to establish a connection with Count Verdik, who was active in the capital?

Ernst’s suspicions deepened.

“That… that was…”

Caroline belatedly realized her mistake. She had acted impulsively, failing to plan more carefully. Despite the cold sweat running down her back, she quickly scrambled for an excuse.

“He… He came by recently with a gift, so I spoke with him briefly. During our conversation, I mentioned my worries, and it just happened to come up…”

“Hah.”

Ernst couldn’t help but scoff at her feeble excuse.

“So you discussed it with Count Verdik, writing a statement like that, when you didn’t even tell me? How absurd.”

Ernst’s anger didn’t subside easily. Although the Emperor had intervened to prevent direct damage to the family, Count Verdik was closely tied to Umar. Even though Umar had committed suicide, his involvement in supporting violent organizations in the slums was undeniable. If any more of Umar’s crimes came to light, the imperial family might even extend their investigation to Count Verdik.

And yet, Caroline had freely shared such information with him.

“Do you understand the consequences of your actions, Mother?”

“……”

“This isn’t just about the family’s reputation.”

Ernst’s voice was strict as he continued, “You will remain confined to this room.”

“E-Ernst…”

“This is not a request from your son but a command from the head of the Mecklen family.”

Ernst was unwavering, even with his mother. Rather than allow Caroline’s reckless actions to endanger the family, he would rather be branded a disloyal son for locking her away.

Caroline, watching her son rise from his seat after delivering his orders, cried out instinctively. “I-I only did it for you…!”

“For me, you say?” Ernst paused just as he was about to turn away. Although he didn’t expect her words to have much impact, Caroline felt she had to say something.

“I meant to tell you, I did! But there was never an opportunity. I was just so worried about how hurt you’d be if you found out about your wife’s misdeeds, and how much damage it would do to our family… I couldn’t bring myself to say it.”

Lies flowed effortlessly from her lips.

“It was all for the good of our family. You know how much I care for this family, don’t you?”

But Ernst’s demeanor remained icy.

“Hmm? My son, please listen to me. It’s all Eleanor’s fault. If only she hadn’t married into this family…”

Caroline vented her frustration, believing that things wouldn’t have turned out this way if the marriage had never happened. Her plans to maintain her position by manipulating the Marquis of Liege’s daughter, who was just as cunning and materialistic as herself, had completely fallen apart. And every time Eleanor interfered and ruined her schemes, Caroline’s hatred grew.

As she continued to speak, her eyes filled with venom. “It’s all that woman’s fault…!”

“Then what about the whip earlier?”

“What?” Caroline stopped in her tracks, her mouth half-opened.

“The whip you were holding.”

“……!”

“I told you to discipline her, not to beat her.”

Moreover…

“Where did you learn to flog someone in front of the servants?”

“E-Ernst…”

“The servants dared to restrain their mistress and force her to kneel. How could you just stand there and watch?”

She had clearly intended to strike Eleanor. Caroline’s whip had been aimed directly at her. The thought of it caused an inexplicable fire to flare up deep within Ernst.

“Have you been handling all the discipline in this manner?”

“N-no… It’s all a misunderstanding. Yes, a misunderstanding. I can explain everything. Please, let me…”

“I don’t want to hear any more.” Ernst cut her off bluntly. Caroline, meeting his cold, steely gaze, felt a wave of despair wash over her.

“All the servants involved in this will be flogged and then expelled from the estate.”

“…Ah.”

“From now on, I will oversee all matters within the household. All reports will come directly to me.”

“No, Ernst, please.”

“Your confinement will last for one month, starting today.”

Caroline thought it was an unbelievably harsh punishment. She begged again, but Ernst ignored her.

Even though she is his mother.

Caroline began to resent her son, who was treating her like a stranger.

“You’re just like your father.”

“……”

“Yes, exactly the same.”

The first time she met the late Duke of Mecklen, he had looked at her with that same expression. If Rachel hadn’t been banished, she would have spent her entire life under that scornful gaze. If she hadn’t borne Ernst, the Duke would have treated her as nothing more than a one-night dalliance.

How hard she had fought to secure her place.

As the memories of all the years she had endured and fought to hold onto her position flashed through her mind, Caroline trembled with rage.

“You’ll still need my help.”

“……”

“You’ll come to me eventually.”

Caroline was certain of it. No one understood the Mecklen family better than she did.

“I’ll wait until then.”

For as long as it takes.

A chilling gleam flashed in Caroline’s wrinkled eyes. Ernst stared at her silently for a moment before turning and walking out. He had decided there was no longer any point in continuing the conversation.

The door slammed shut, but Caroline remained frozen, staring straight ahead.

‘I will never lose.’

The voice deep within her whispered those words.

***

“Your meal is ready. May I escort you to the dining room?”

“Ah, thank you.”

Eleanor, who had been standing by the window where the sunlight streamed in, rose from her seat at the nanny’s prompt. As she did, Hail quickly grabbed the hem of her dress with his tiny hand.

“Shall we go have something delicious to eat, Your Highness?”

“Hehe, yes!”

In just one day, Hail’s spirits were soaring. Until now, his world had consisted only of the nanny and his dolls, but now a new person had entered his life. Even though he couldn’t see, Hail could feel Eleanor’s warm and caring presence, and he thoroughly enjoyed spending time with her.

As Eleanor lifted the grinning prince into her arms, the nanny made a concerned remark. “You might spoil him if you carry him too much. He can walk on his own, so please don’t hold him for too long.”

“I understand.”

While Eleanor didn’t think much of Hail’s affectionate behavior, the nanny seemed to view it differently. Awkwardly smiling, the nanny glanced at Hail clinging to Eleanor and then turned away. 

As Eleanor followed the nanny in silence, she couldn’t help but wonder to herself, ‘Is it because he’s a prince?’

The nanny was kind but also had a strict side, especially when it came to Hail seeking physical comfort. It seemed a bit early to be focusing on the duties and etiquette required of the imperial family. Moreover, from what Eleanor had seen, Lennoch didn’t seem to demand such strictness in Hail’s upbringing.

‘Perhaps it’s just a difference in educational philosophy,’ Eleanor mused, unable to easily look away from the nanny’s back as they walked.