Duchess Mecklen’s Elegant Revolt - Chapter 20 Part 1

20. Eleanor von Hippias

“It’s been quite a while, hasn’t it?”

The Empress Dowager gazed at the Emperor’s face, her eyes half-lidded with a clear expression of complaint. Though he understood the reason, Lennoch responded with a light smile to brush it off.

“I’ve come to ask a favor of you.”

“A favor?”

It was a strange word to hear from the Emperor’s lips. The Empress Dowager, wearing a somewhat displeased expression, turned her gaze to the person standing beside the Emperor—Eleanor.

“How is your ankle?”

Her voice softened and became infinitely gentle, completely different from when she had spoken to the Emperor. Eleanor responded as she caught the sound of Lennoch’s uncomfortable cough beside her.

“It’s much better now. I’m sorry to have caused you concern.”

“I was so startled when I heard you were hurt. Are you comfortable with life outside the palace?”

“…Yes.”

Though she felt a little guilty, Eleanor awkwardly replied. Glancing sideways at Lennoch, who acted as though he knew nothing, she bowed her head slightly.

She had hidden the matter of the nanny, but keeping her brief stay at the palace from the Empress Dowager didn’t seem quite right either.

However, since the situation had already occurred, Eleanor decided to remain silent.

“So, what is this favor you wish to ask of me?”

“It’s…”

After hesitating for a moment, Eleanor cautiously spoke, “Could you accept me into the Nestor family?”

“The Nestor family?”

The Empress Dowager’s eyes widened at the unexpected request. Though momentarily caught off guard, her ability to grasp the situation was quick. She remembered hearing from Berenice about the divorce of the Duke and Duchess of Mecklen not long ago.

‘She must need a foundation.’

Even though one could retain an independent name after a divorce, it was difficult to be recognized as a proper family. To establish herself quickly in Baden, Eleanor would need to be accepted into a prestigious noble family.

After a brief silence, the Empress Dowager lifted her teacup and took a sip of the lukewarm tea.

“What happened with the appointment as the governor of Hartmann? That position doesn’t require any family background, does it?”

Instead of giving an immediate answer, she chose to ask a question first. She intended to grant Eleanor’s request only after hearing what she wanted to know.

Eleanor was about to answer when Lennoch raised a hand to stop her and stepped forward instead.

“There is a new organization being established next year. It will not only address the Hartmann refugees but also encompass the poor of Hadum. The project will focus on the relief of the impoverished until the Poor Law is revised, during which time the organization will function as a temporary body.”

“Ha.”

The nobles opposing the Hartmann refugees were no easy group to handle. To garner support from both the nobles and the people, Lennoch planned to address the recently prominent social issue of poverty relief while integrating the refugees.

The Empress Dowager, who had taken an interest in the relief project, felt quietly pleased with Lennoch’s words.

“It’s a good idea.”

“However, it will be difficult to manage alone. Those opposed to the project will likely question qualifications from the start. Without family backing, the project could falter before it even begins.”

“So you want me to be that foundation?”

“Yes. If you vouch for us, most issues will be approved without difficulty.”

The Empress Dowager looked closely at the Emperor, who had been speaking. Was this her son? Had he ever been so proactive in someone else’s affairs?

The Emperor had always maintained neutrality. Even with friends or family, he had been extraordinarily impartial. The Empress Dowager’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“What if I refuse?”

“I believe you won’t.”

“And what makes you so sure?”

“You already like her. It’s obvious.”

“…You sly snake.”

The Empress Dowager grumbled aloud. Though she had tried to conceal her affection, it seemed she had been too open about it. Embarrassed at having her feelings exposed, the Empress Dowager couldn’t help but show her thinly veiled delight.

“Let’s see… If you join the Nestor family, you’ll become siblings with Evan….”

“Evan is out of the question.”

“Hmm?”

The Emperor decisively interrupted the Empress Dowager’s deliberation.

“It would be best if she were associated with a more distant branch of the Nestor family. Not the direct lineage from your side, but one where she could simply take the name.”

“Huh?”

The Empress Dowager’s expression became puzzled. If she needed to join the Nestor family, wouldn’t a closer connection be better? She drummed her fingers lightly on the table, clearly perplexed.

“Even so, the Nestor family has few members. The only option left would be Josephine.”

Josephine was the Empress Dowager’s sister and Eger’s mother. But after considering it, the Empress Dowager shook her head.

“That’s a problem too. She’s so eccentric, she likely wouldn’t accept easily. And she’s not in the country right now, so it’s difficult to contact her.”

“Is she traveling?”

“She said it was her dream to travel the world, so she abruptly left a month ago. Didn’t you hear this from Eger?”

“He doesn’t talk much about such things.”

“How cold.”

The Empress Dowager clicked her tongue and rested her chin in her hand.

“Then how about coming under my wing?”

“…Excuse me?”

“As my daughter.”

“……!”

For a moment, Lennoch’s expression changed. But Eleanor, focused on the Empress Dowager, missed the shift in his face. A faint blush appeared on Eleanor’s cheeks.

“How dare I…”

“You’re of royal blood. It wouldn’t be bad to join as my adopted daughter and become part of the imperial family. It’s unprecedented, but there’s no law against it, so it’s technically possible.”

“Your Majesty…”

“No matter how much of a figurehead I may be, I still have that much influence. You needn’t worry.”

The Empress Dowager glanced at the Emperor as she spoke. And in that moment, she nearly bit her tongue in surprise.

‘What’s this?’

Lennoch, standing next to Eleanor, did not look pleased. No, he looked far from pleased. While Eleanor seemed slightly excited, his eyes had grown cold, like frozen ice. Though he was usually skilled at controlling his expression, to the Empress Dowager, who had observed him for decades, the shift was clear.

“…Whose idea was it to join the Nestor family?”

“Excuse me? Ah, it was mine, Your Majesty.”

At the lowered tone of the Empress Dowager’s voice, Eleanor cautiously responded.

“I apologize. I haven’t been able to find any nobles willing to assist me yet, and with the founding of the new department so close, I had no choice but to ask His Majesty for help.”

“Hmm.”

There were a few nobles who had a favorable view of Eleanor, but they hesitated to act openly due to the Duke of Mecklen’s influence. The Empress Dowager’s face grew increasingly thoughtful as she listened.

Eleanor, feeling tense, looked at her anxiously, while beside her, Lennoch silently descended into what felt like an endless abyss. The Empress Dowager’s sharp gaze caught her son’s subtle transformation.

‘Oh, my.’

“This has become quite amusing.”

“……?”

“I didn’t expect this at all.”

Both Eleanor and Lennoch stiffened at the unexpected remark.

The Empress Dowager alternated her gaze between the two.

“It seems Nestor won’t work after all.”

“……!”

“We’ll need to find another way.”

Despite the regretful tone in her voice, the Empress Dowager’s eyes gleamed with mischief, like a sly fox. A brief hint of childlike mischief crossed her face.

***

After leaving the Empress Dowager’s office, the two of them walked side by side in silence. The knights followed behind them, but Lennoch and Eleanor remained quiet. As they passed through the corridors of the main palace, attendants and servants occasionally greeted them, to which Lennoch responded with a curt nod.

Just before they reached the Emperor’s office, Lennoch broke the silence.

“Would you like to have some tea?”

“…Sure.”

Eleanor responded in a slightly weary tone. Seeing her disappointment, Lennoch felt a twinge of sadness but also an odd sense of relief.

‘I promised myself I wouldn’t be greedy.’

Yet again, a storm of conflicting emotions swirled inside him. Should he go back to the Empress Dowager right now and ask her to accept Eleanor? At the same time, the thought of Eleanor becoming a sister to him was unbearable. His mind was in turmoil.

“…I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s alright. Your Majesty did everything you could to help.”

As Eleanor shook her head, refusing his apology, Lennoch secretly clenched his fist. Why did his heart ache so much hearing her say that he had done his best? Unable to meet her gaze, Lennoch hastened his steps.

He led them to the indoor glass garden. “This way.”

When Eleanor instinctively started walking toward the Emperor’s bedroom, Lennoch gently placed a hand on her shoulder to guide her in a different direction. Following his lead, Eleanor leaned slightly toward him, and for a brief moment, their shoulders almost touched. She quickly straightened herself, nearly leaning into him.

“Th-thank you.”

“Think nothing of it.”

Eleanor’s face flushed, and her eyes briefly met Lennoch’s. His profile, looking straight ahead, appeared sharp and refined. Unintentionally mesmerized by his features, Eleanor quickly looked away, trying to compose herself.

“I’ll have some tea brought.”

By the time they arrived at the glass garden, Eleanor didn’t even realize how they had gotten there. She had been too focused on avoiding eye contact with Lennoch. When the attendants brought tea and cookies and left, Eleanor remained silently focused on the table.

“…Are you very upset?”

Seeing her staring at the table, Lennoch felt even heavier inside. If he had known she would be this downcast, he would have made sure her request succeeded, no matter what.

After the Empress Dowager had suggested adopting her as a daughter, all he could think about was getting out of that situation as quickly as possible. Now, guilt flooded him for not fulfilling her wishes.

His voice softened as he spoke, “I wasn’t able to do enough….”

“No, Your Majesty, that’s not true.”

Eleanor suddenly looked up, surprised at Lennoch’s self-blame. She had been disappointed, but she didn’t want him to sink into despair because of it.

Worried that his misunderstanding might grow, Eleanor deliberately brightened her tone. “But the Empress Dowager gave us a clear direction, didn’t she? She suggested we approach the Hippias family.”

“That’s true, but…”

“That’s more than enough. The Empress Dowager even promised to write me a letter of recommendation. It will be fine.”

Eleanor quickly grabbed her teacup to hide the fact that she was once again tempted to look at Lennoch’s face. ‘What is wrong with me?’ she wondered, trying to steady herself.

‘He’ll feel uncomfortable if I keep staring.’

His height, his striking appearance—it was impossible not to notice him. Even if he weren’t the Emperor, his looks alone would draw attention anywhere.

Eleanor blushed as she realized she was only now acknowledging the Emperor’s appearance. Though it hadn’t been intentional, she felt guilty as if she had been sneaking glances at something forbidden.

As she fidgeted with her teacup, Eleanor opened her mouth slightly.

“Your Majesty…”

“Eleanor…”

They spoke simultaneously, their words cutting off as they looked at each other in surprise.