Duchess Mecklen’s Elegant Revolt - Chapter 19 Part 4

“I will speak to the Empress Dowager about it,” Lennoch said, easily agreeing to Eleanor’s request, in contrast to her cautious tone.

Given that the Empress Dowager had taken quite a liking to Eleanor, he believed the request would be granted without much trouble. Though the Empress might feel some regret at losing one of her favored ladies-in-waiting, once she understood the importance of the project Eleanor was about to undertake, she would surely agree.

“As you know, the Empress Dowager is deeply concerned with the well-being of the impoverished. This project will benefit both the Hartmann refugees and the poor, so I’m sure she’ll approve.”

“That’s reassuring.” Eleanor smiled gratefully, appreciating Lennoch’s offer to speak on her behalf. “However, I’m a bit concerned about Brianna’s thoughts on the matter.”

What if Brianna felt uncomfortable being relocated through the Empress Dowager’s direct intervention? Eleanor hadn’t seen Brianna since the document forgery incident, so she had no way of knowing Brianna’s current thoughts.

While Eleanor continued to ponder the matter, studying the project proposal, Lennoch quietly returned to his work, not wanting to disturb her.

***

As preparations for the New Year’s celebration got underway, the palace became even busier.

In addition to wrapping up the end-of-year affairs, there were organizational restructures, personnel transfers, and the pressing preparations for the banquet, leading to a hectic schedule.

Rumors were also swirling about a new administrative department being established on the third floor of the main palace.

The identity of who would occupy the space had not yet been disclosed. However, judging by its size, it was large enough to house two or three ordinary departments, making it quite a grand office.

“What on earth are they planning to use this space for?”

Brianna, who happened to pass by the construction site, pouted as she noticed three expensive mahogany desks being carried in by servants.

She glanced at the door but saw that no nameplate had been installed yet. “Well, it’s not like it has anything to do with me, anyway.”

Brianna quickly lost interest and continued her brisk walk.

She was reluctantly heading to the emperor’s private palace, known as Zaire. Unable to refuse her father’s urging, she had gone to the audience chamber to return a handkerchief, only to be ordered by the emperor to deliver it to his private palace instead.

‘What a nuisance.’

She grumbled inwardly, feeling that all this trouble over a mere handkerchief was far too much.

As she trudged down the corridor, lost in her thoughts, she suddenly bumped into Evan, who was also hurrying in the opposite direction.

“Lady Brianna.”

“Lord Evan?”

“Where are you headed?”

Evan’s eyes curved into a crescent-moon shape as he smiled. Brianna recalled the last time she had encountered him at the theater with Vivia, the younger daughter of Marquis Delph.

Her mood soured instantly, and she responded curtly, “What business is it of yours where I’m going?”

“My apologies. I didn’t mean to upset you. Did my words offend you?”

Evan shrugged, unfazed by Brianna’s prickly attitude, as he had quickly discerned the reason behind her irritation.

“I must apologize for the incident at the theater. I couldn’t be of much assistance because I was with Lady Vivia.”

“Hmph, whatever. Just step aside.”

Brianna ignored Evan’s attempt at a placating remark and tried to walk past him. However, Evan persistently blocked her path, refusing to give up.

“Why are you doing this?”

“I don’t particularly like Lady Vivia.”

“……?”

“I only accompanied her because Marquis Delph asked me to.”

Brianna, who had been about to brush past him, paused mid-step. Evan glanced around to ensure no one was listening, then continued in a much softer, more conspiratorial tone.

“If you wish, I can assist you with whatever you need.”

“Assist me?”

“Yes. For example… I could provide you with certain weaknesses of Vivia’s.”

“……!”

It was like a devil’s whisper.

Brianna’s eyes softened at Evan’s sweet offer, but she wasn’t so naive as to take his sudden kindness at face value.

Feigning disinterest, she said, “I’ll think about it and let you know.”

“Feel free to contact me whenever it suits you.”

As the frosty demeanor she had worn like a winter wind melted into a gentler spring breeze, Evan smiled and stepped aside. Brianna cast a quick glance at him before hurrying off to her destination.

Evan watched her retreating figure, then resumed walking—but not in the direction he had originally been headed.

While Brianna didn’t notice, Evan began following her at a distance, stepping lightly so as not to be detected. He knew exactly where she was going: a place guarded by the palace’s elite knights, the most highly trained of the emperor’s personal guards.

‘That’s His Majesty’s private palace, isn’t it?’

Seeing Brianna show something to a guard before entering the room, Evan couldn’t help but chuckle.

The emperor’s private palace, Zaire, was like a palace within a palace. However, unlike other parts of the palace, only those with explicit permission could enter, making it inaccessible to most nobles.

If Brianna could come and go from such an intimate space, there had to be significant progress in their relationship.

‘Looks like all the pushing I did with Marquis Liege finally paid off.’

Evan clenched his fists in triumph, a smile spreading across his face as he relished his success.

***

The emperor’s private palace was not limited to just a bedroom. Adjacent to the bedroom was a private study, a vault for storing valuables, a bathroom, and even a reception room for hosting personal guests. Each room had a specific purpose. To reach the bedroom, one had to pass through the reception room first.

As Brianna casually glanced around the reception room, she froze when she noticed a woman sitting at the table, reading a book.

“Lady Eleanor?”

“Lady Brianna?”

Startled by the familiar voice, Eleanor looked up. She had left her bedroom for a brief respite from the confinement, never expecting to run into anyone here. Both women were equally surprised, their eyes wide like startled rabbits.

“What are you doing here? Ah, did His Majesty send you on an errand as well?”

“Well, um… Yes, that’s right. I’m here on an errand too,” Eleanor replied, giving a vague answer as explaining the truth was complicated.

Fortunately, Brianna trusted Eleanor completely and didn’t question her further. Overwhelmed with relief at seeing Eleanor again, Brianna quickly sat down across from her.

“That’s so unfair! How could you leave without even sending a letter? Did you enjoy your time without me that much?”

“No, it’s not like that. I’m sorry, Lady Brianna. Things have been so hectic that I haven’t had the chance to write.”

“I thought you had forgotten about us!” Brianna pouted, though Eleanor knew that her words were coming from a place of genuine concern.

Meeting her gaze, Eleanor smiled softly. “I’m truly sorry. I promise I’ll write to you next time.”

“You absolutely must. You have no idea how much Norah has been worrying about you.”

Brianna had previously been formal with Norah, but it seemed they had grown closer since then. As she mentioned that she occasionally had dinner with Norah, Brianna’s expression suddenly darkened.

“Oh, I just had the most frustrating experience.”

“Frustrating? What happened?”

“You have to hear this. His Majesty is just so petty!”

“……”

Eleanor blinked, wondering why Lennoch was being mentioned out of the blue. She listened carefully, though feeling somewhat uneasy.

Brianna, of course, had no idea that Eleanor had spent the entire previous night with Lennoch and began venting her frustrations.

“I went to return the handkerchief and requested an audience with His Majesty, but he insisted that I bring it to his private palace instead. He could have just taken it himself! It’s clear he’s just trying to make things difficult for me.”

“…Is that so?”

“I mean, even if he doesn’t like me, is it really okay for him to let personal feelings interfere with official business?”

Though her words weren’t vulgar, Brianna’s complaints bordered on harsh criticism, and Eleanor had to scramble to calm her down.

Lennoch had deliberately sent Brianna here because…

‘He remembered what we discussed last night.’

Lennoch had recalled Eleanor’s desire to work with Brianna and sent her ahead. Since Eleanor’s ankle had yet to fully heal, she couldn’t move around easily. Moreover, her stay here was kept secret from most of the nobles.

By sending Brianna directly to the emperor’s private palace, Lennoch had arranged for the two of them to meet without anyone else noticing. Realizing this, Eleanor couldn’t help but smile.

‘He really is something.’

“But Lady Brianna, it’s been so long since we last saw each other. Why don’t you tell me about what’s been happening in the West Palace? How is Her Majesty, the Empress Dowager, doing?”

“She’s the same as always.” Brianna, calming down as Eleanor shifted the conversation, nodded. “Oh, and we’ve had a new maid join us.”

“A new maid?”

“Her name’s May, and she’s a commoner with no surname. But she’s so smart and capable that the Empress Dowager has taken quite a liking to her.”

Brianna couldn’t help but feel uneasy about the fact that May had been recommended by Countess Lorentz, and she quickly frowned.

“Lately, everything Countess Lorentz does irritates me to no end.”

“What has she done?”

“Ever since you left, Her Majesty redistributed the duties among us. But of course, Countess Lorentz took all the easy tasks for herself and gave the difficult ones to me and Norah!”

There had never been any issues between Brianna and Countess Lorentz before. However, since Brianna had turned her back on the countess over Eleanor’s departure, the woman had finally shown her true colors. Just thinking about how spiteful Countess Lorentz had been made Brianna shiver with anger.

Eleanor patted Brianna’s arm reassuringly. “Just bear with it for a little while longer. Soon, you won’t have to deal with her at all.”

“What do you mean by that? Why won’t I have to see her anymore?”

“Well, actually…” Eleanor hesitated for a moment before continuing. “I have a favor to ask of you, Lady Brianna.”

***

Before returning to his duties on the emperor’s orders, Evan stopped by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and encountered an unexpected figure.

“Lady Vivia? This must be a special day indeed.”

“Since when were we on such special terms?”

Vivia, dressed far more extravagantly than usual, smiled as she spoke. Her deep red lips stood out against her pale skin, giving her a captivating allure. Evan could tell she had put extra effort into her makeup today.

“Are you on your way to see His Majesty?”

“As sharp as ever.”

“How could I miss it when you look so lovely?”

Though she usually disliked flattery, Vivia couldn’t help but smile at Evan’s compliment. “I occasionally meet with His Majesty to have tea.”

Even though the emperor had publicly declared that he had no intention of taking an empress anytime soon, Vivia was certain it was only because there weren’t any suitable women in his life at the moment.

With a beautiful young woman like herself constantly in his presence, she believed his mind would eventually change. No matter how stoic a man might be, he was still a man. Vivia, confident in her charms and knowing exactly how to use them to capture a man’s heart, exuded self-assurance.

Evan, observing Vivia’s display of confidence, gave her a knowing smile. “It’s a good idea, but… I think you might be a little too late.”