Duchess Mecklen’s Elegant Revolt - Chapter 16 Part 2

It was a secluded village, difficult to access due to the surrounding mountains and the rough terrain. The village consisted of only three households and a total of five residents. Among them, one was mute, another had a limp, and one was a retired soldier. The fourth resident was Sarouk, and the last was the newly arrived boy, Lennoch.

“I fetched some water,” the boy announced, carefully carrying a nearly overflowing bucket.

Saruka, who was leaning back in a rocking chair, simply gestured with his chin for the boy to place the bucket down. The boy staggered as he hurriedly set the bucket down and then stood still, panting.

‘This is exhausting.’

He had only been in this place for a few days, but it felt like he had been there for over a year. On the surface, the village seemed peaceful, but in reality, everyone was under Saruka’s strict control.

On the night when all the members of El Gino’s organization were killed, the boy had been forcibly taken by Saruka. At first, he had hoped that this life would be better than his previous one in the organization, but here, he was nothing more than a slave—easy to exploit.

The boy cautiously gathered the scattered firewood, keeping an eye on Saruka.

Bang, bang.

“Dinner is ready,” announced the old man with a limp, stepping outside and banging on a pot with a metal rod.

The boy’s face lit up at the mention of food. He only got to eat one meal a day, and this was the moment he had been waiting for. Despite his eagerness, he didn’t rush forward but hesitated.

“What are you waiting for? Get in here,” the old man called out.

“Yes, yes!” Lennoch, the boy, responded energetically.

While Lennoch hurried into the house after the old man, Sarouk remained seated, lost in deep thought. Inside, the boy’s eyes sparkled as he saw the basket filled with boiled potatoes.

‘Potatoes!’

He wanted to dig in immediately, but he placed his hands on his knees and waited patiently. The other villagers gradually gathered inside. A mute man sat down beside Lennoch.

“Time for prayer,” said the old man, looking around at the gathered villagers, excluding Sarouk, and clasping his hands together.

“Thank you, Madam Caroline, for allowing us to eat dinner tonight through your grace,” he prayed.

“Thank you,” Lennoch echoed.

‘Who is this Madam Caroline?’

It seemed she was someone of great importance, as even Sarouk referred to her respectfully. However, no one dared to speak her name freely in this place. Sarouk was the manager of this village, while Caroline was said to be their benefactor, providing them with work and sustenance.

Madam Caroline’s demands were simple: they were to grow the herbs, flowers, and tea leaves she desired. According to the old man, everyone here was a person with nowhere else to go, and Caroline had personally given them work and provided for them.

“Eat slowly,” the old man advised as he watched Lennoch devour the warm potatoes.

“……”

The mute man beside Lennoch glanced at him briefly before offering the potato he had peeled.

“You’re giving it to me?”

“……”

The mute man didn’t respond but nodded slightly. Lennoch, his cheeks bulging with food, looked at him with gratitude. On the other side of the table, the retired soldier continued to eat his soup, uninterested in the exchange.

“Vito, stop worrying about the boy and eat your own food,” the old man scolded, clicking his tongue as he intervened. “He’s a boy who knows how to take care of himself. No need to fuss over him.”

“……”

Vito, unable to speak, gestured in response. The old man, who understood sign language, frowned.

“You’re saying you’re already eating, so I shouldn’t worry?”

“……”

“Alright, alright. Just eat before your food gets cold. I suppose I can’t even nag you,” the old man grumbled.

When Vito smiled, the stern lines of his face softened, revealing a surprising boyishness despite his age. Watching Vito offer Lennoch water, the old man clicked his tongue again.

“His looks aren’t bad, but he acts like such a fool.”

Vito’s appearance was indeed striking, almost too refined for someone living in such a remote village. His jet-black hair and deep blue eyes, reminiscent of the ocean, sometimes made people wonder if he was a nobleman’s son. However, the old man knew from Caroline’s early remarks that Vito was a former slave from the Kingdom of Bahama.

The old man, looking at Vito with pity, suddenly spoke up, “By the way, tomorrow, we need to replant the flowerbeds in the backyard. Make sure everyone gets up early.”

Gulp.

Lennoch, who had been stuffing himself with potatoes, was so startled that his eyes widened. Choking, he hurriedly drank some water while the old man continued his instructions.

“Starting tomorrow, we’ll be growing flowers there.”

***

Hail had only been in the library for about thirty minutes, but he was already captivated by the new sensations in this unfamiliar space. As he touched a book, he suddenly recoiled in surprise, leaning into Eleanor.

“It feels strange, Eli.”

“Does it feel very strange?”

“Yes.”

Hail had only been in the library for about thirty minutes, but he was already captivated by the new sensations in this unfamiliar space. As he touched a book, he suddenly recoiled in surprise, leaning into Eleanor.

“It feels strange, Eli.”

“Does it feel very strange?”

“Yes.”

The book Hail had touched had a leather cover. Though it had been made long ago, it was well-maintained and had a smooth surface. Hail, who had rarely touched anything other than toys and clothes, found this new sensation both intriguing and unsettling.

Eleanor couldn’t help but smile at the sight of Hail wriggling his fingers.

“Would you like to choose a book yourself this time, Your Highness?”

“Me?”

“Yes, just reach out your hand like this.”

Eleanor moved closer to the bookshelf to help ease Hail’s fears. Encouraged by her gentle voice, Hail slowly extended his hand. Although he hesitated at first, he gradually gained confidence and began to explore the books more eagerly.

“Eli, this one!”

“Oh, that one might be a bit difficult to read.”

Hail had chosen a rather thick legal tome. Although Eleanor had promised to read whatever he chose, she hadn’t anticipated reading a legal text. Gently, she suggested another option.

Hail continued to explore the shelves, moving with increasing enthusiasm. At first, he had clung to Eleanor, but now he ventured forward on his own, much to her delight. After circling one bookshelf, Hail moved on to another, where Eleanor had first checked the books on plants.

“Eli, Eli!” Hail called out excitedly.

Eleanor approached the boy, who was struggling to pull out a book. He dropped it on the floor as soon as he managed to get it out. Unfamiliar with how to handle books, he had simply let it fall. Eleanor, amused but slightly concerned, picked up the book from the floor, only to find a small piece of paper slipped out from between the pages.

“……?”

It was a portrait, faded with age, about the size of a palm. Despite its worn condition, the faces of the man and woman in the portrait were still recognizable, gazing tenderly at each other. Eleanor’s brow furrowed slightly as she looked at it.

‘Could this be…?’

“Lady Eleanor.”

“……!”

The voice behind her was calm, yet it carried a slight chill. Eleanor quickly slipped the portrait back into the book and slowly turned around.

“Nanny.”

“I was wondering where you had gone, and here you are.”

The nanny stood with her hands clasped, her expression serene. Eleanor, feeling a sudden tension, gripped the book more tightly.

The nanny’s gaze shifted from the book Eleanor was holding to Hail.

“I apologize. I felt like reading a bit and ended up here.”

“You should have informed me. I would have gladly looked after His Highness for you.”

The nanny’s eyes returned to Hail, who had suddenly stiffened.

Although he didn’t fully understand the situation, Hail sensed something was off from the nanny’s unusually cold tone. The nanny passed Eleanor and approached Hail.

“I didn’t realize you were so fond of the library, Lady Eleanor. I should have taken more care. I’ll take His Highness back with me so you can enjoy yourself.”

“No, I—”

Eleanor reached out to take Hail’s hand, but the nanny was quicker. She gently placed her hand on Hail’s small shoulder.

“Your Highness, shall we go?”

“Eli…?”

“Lady Eleanor has something she needs to do. And remember, you mustn’t run in the library anymore. You’re a grown prince now, and you should behave with dignity.”

The nanny spoke softly, smiling as she guided Hail away. But watching this exchange, Eleanor couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling that something wasn’t right.

‘What exactly is this?’

It was difficult to pinpoint, but the tone of the nanny’s words made Eleanor uncomfortable. It was too subtle to directly confront, but the more she thought about it, the more it bothered her. Given the high regard Sven had for the nanny, who had been caring for the prince since the time of the late Empress, Eleanor knew it would be unwise to cause a conflict. But there was no denying that the nanny seemed unusually wary of her, especially when it came to Hail.

Seeing that Hail clearly didn’t want to leave, but the nanny was determined to take him, Eleanor stepped in.

“Nanny.”

The nanny’s smile faltered slightly as she turned to face Eleanor. “Yes, Lady Eleanor?”

“I’ll come down with you.”

For a brief moment, the nanny’s brow furrowed, but Eleanor didn’t back down. She moved closer to Hail, standing protectively by his side. After a moment’s hesitation, the nanny let out a small, resigned laugh.

“As you wish.”

***

“I didn’t expect you to come in person, Your Grace.”

Commander Tatar, in charge of the border at Hollander, greeted the Duke of Mecklen with a firm handshake. Hollander was the region where military tensions with Baden had recently flared up. Ernst, unbothered by the taut atmosphere, grasped Tatar’s outstretched hand.

“Was the journey tiring? Perhaps we could discuss matters over a meal?”

“That sounds good,” Ernst agreed with a nod, following Tatar into the barracks.

The tension in the air was palpable, a result of the soldiers’ awareness of the delicate military situation. Although Baden’s forces were on high alert, Ernst remained unfazed.

‘Isn’t this a bit much for a single individual to handle?’ Tatar mused as he watched Ernst take his seat across from him at the large table. Tatar had heard many tales of the Duke’s formidable reputation and couldn’t help but feel a bit daunted.

Once the food was served, Tatar cautiously probed, “Your Grace, could it be that the retinue accompanying you belongs to the First Knights?”