Duchess Mecklen’s Elegant Revolt - Chapter 20 Part 3

Henrik was firm. His gaze was sharp, completely at odds with someone who had been drinking.

Despite the unexpected rejection, Eleanor wasn’t flustered and calmly asked, “May I ask why?”

“Our family’s financial situation is beyond saving. To be honest, I was deeply tempted by your offer.”

“……”

“But if I accept you with money as the condition, I wouldn’t be able to face my father in the afterlife. Before he passed, he made me swear never to lose the pride of the Hippias family, no matter how poor we became.”

Though they were in dire straits, Henrik hadn’t yet taken on any debts. Despite his cynicism, he had not completely given up on himself, thanks to his father’s final words.

“If you want to be a part of the family, it should be because you want to be a Hippias, not because of money.”

“……!”

“Not as someone buying their way into the family, but as a true member—someone who lives here, shares in our poverty, and helps rebuild the family alongside me. Only then can you be considered true kin.”

“……”

“For someone like you, a noble lady who grew up in comfort, living in a place like this wouldn’t be easy.”

Henrik twisted the corner of his mouth into a smirk. Seeing her fall silent, he thought he’d figured her out. ‘Of course, there’s no way she’d accept this visible poverty so easily,’ he mused.

After a long silence, Eleanor finally spoke, “Do you know Rachel?”

“!”

Henrik sprang out of his chair, his body reacting instinctively to his shock. Gone was his earlier sneer, and he stared at Eleanor with wide eyes.

“Is she not here?”

“How do you know about her?” Henrik’s lips trembled.

Rachel’s name was practically taboo in the Hippias household. Many believed that the downfall of the family began with her. Her divorce had been a devastating blow. Henrik recalled how his father, Morgan, would shudder and rage at even the mention of Rachel’s name.

“She… she hasn’t been here since before I was born. No one knows whether she’s alive or dead.”

“How tragic.”

Eleanor sighed, deeply sympathetic. She imagined that Rachel had likely disappeared because she could no longer bear to remain in a place where she was completely ostracized. Perhaps she had even felt guilty for the family’s downfall in society. On the other hand, considering that Caroline knew about Rachel’s son, Vito, it was possible that Caroline had been involved in Rachel’s disappearance.

Eleanor raised her voice slightly. “The Empress Dowager wrote me a letter of recommendation. Well, technically, it’s addressed to Morgan, not you. But I don’t intend to use it. It doesn’t seem to hold any meaning for us.”

“The Empress Dowager wrote a recommendation…?”

Henrik had suspected as much when the imperial knights accompanied Eleanor, but hearing it confirmed left him speechless. Before he could process the shock, Eleanor dropped another bombshell.

“I believe Rachel was falsely accused.”

Good heavens.

No one had ever said that. In fact, no one could have said it, as no one had ever believed Rachel’s side of the story.

Henrik was utterly baffled by this blonde woman’s words. As if unaware of his turmoil, Eleanor continued speaking calmly.

“I know the one responsible for framing Rachel and bringing down the Hippias family.”

“……!”

“I intend to bring that person to justice, in the name of the Hippias family.”

Henrik’s entire body trembled as if struck by lightning. Eleanor’s every word pierced him to the core. This had been his father’s lifelong wish as well—the restoration of the family.

Henrik’s voice trembled as he spoke, “How… how do you know about this?”

“Because the person who did that to Rachel is also my enemy.”

“……!”

“That should make me more than qualified to join the Hippias family, don’t you think?”

Henrik’s earlier rebellious attitude completely disappeared. His legs shook so much that he collapsed back into his chair. After repeatedly rubbing his face with his hands and taking several deep breaths, Henrik finally managed to speak.

“Is that… is that really possible?”

“Of course.”

“……”

“I will become a true member of the Hippias family and restore its honor.”

Eleanor knew Henrik had already been swayed by her proposal. Alone in this decrepit mansion, what must he have been thinking as he tried to protect it? Gone was the cynicism, and now Henrik sat hunched, like a crumpled sheet of paper. He looked so small.

‘He must have suffered so much.’

Though he had confidently claimed he wouldn’t make a deal for money, Eleanor understood how conflicted he must have felt. On one hand, she admired his resolve to honor his father’s final wish.

With those thoughts in mind, Eleanor stood and approached Henrik.

“……?”

“How old are you?”

Henrik, who had been slumped over, raised his head slightly. His sharp, single-lidded eyes betrayed his confusion.

“T-twenty… why do you ask?”

“I’m older than you.”

Eleanor knelt down so that they were at eye level. Folding her arms comfortably, she flashed a bright smile, causing a flicker of panic in Henrik’s eyes.

“Since we’re family now, I think we should settle the matter of how we address each other.”

“……”

“From now on, call me big sister.”

***

A new year had dawned.

Most of the nobles attending the New Year’s gathering were impressed by the grandeur of the Grand Hall’s interior.

Following the New Year’s speech and the post-meeting with officials of the ministerial rank, a dinner party was held to celebrate the New Year. Unlike other events, this party was intended more for exchanging pleasantries and well-wishes than for revelry, so the main beverage served was non-alcoholic champagne.

In various corners of the hall, small groups of familiar nobles gathered, chatting away.

“Marquis Neto, you don’t look well. Is something troubling you?”

“Hmm. Is it that obvious?”

“You look like someone who’s just watched land prices plummet.”

“You really have a way with words, Count Nopaltzin. Always so tactless.”

“S-sorry.”

After being scolded by the Marquis, Count Nopaltzin apologized awkwardly. Clicking his tongue, Marquis Neto downed his champagne in one gulp to calm his boiling frustration.

“Did you see the latest circular?”

“Oh, yes, I did, but what about it…?”

“A new, unusual department has been created—something like a Rescue Bureau.”

“Oh, right. I vaguely remember seeing that.”

Count Nopaltzin nodded absentmindedly, not recalling much of what he’d skimmed through. The Marquis grew more irritated.

“The head of that department is the princess of Hartmann.”

“The princess of Hartmann…?”

“Duke Mecklen’s ex-wife.”

“Ah!”

Finally, recognition dawned on Count Nopaltzin. The Duke of Mecklen’s divorce was no secret, despite attempts to keep it quiet. Though it would have been more interesting if the couple had a dramatic fight, the matter had ended quietly. Rumor had it that someone saw a priest from the Grand Temple leaving in a huff afterward.

Scratching the back of his head, Count Nopaltzin asked, “But if she’s divorced from the duke, who guarantees her status now?”

“That’s the problem. Hartmann is already over, and she’s lacking as a Baden noble. How can someone like that be made a director?”

“Shouldn’t we step forward and protest to His Majesty?” Baron Erezer, who had been listening nearby, cautiously interjected.

Count Nopaltzin supported his suggestion, “Let’s request an audience with His Majesty. He mentioned earlier that he wouldn’t be attending the party due to other matters, so how about we try first thing tomorrow morning?”

“Are you coming along?”

“Of course. If Marquis Neto is going, I must join.”

“I’ll come too.”

With Count Nopaltzin and Baron Erezer on board, a few other nobles also pledged their support.

The Marquis, his grim face finally easing, expressed his gratitude. “I feel much better now. It’s infuriating to see someone unqualified meddling in state affairs.”

“You’re absolutely right. What’s a woman with no real background doing here?”

“We must expel her immediately.”

Encouraged by each other, their voices grew louder. Soon, even nobles unaffiliated with the Marquis’s group turned to see what the commotion was about—including Duke Ezester and Duke Nestor.

“It seems Marquis Neto is quite upset.” Duke Nestor, watching the scene unfold with his arms crossed, spoke in a relaxed tone. Despite his many wrinkles, he closely resembled his son, Evan. His fox-like eyes squinted mischievously as he grinned.

Duke Ezester glanced at him. “Do you find this amusing?”

“Yes, I do.”

“…You really are cunning. After receiving so much from the Marquis, now you’re cutting ties with him?”

As if speaking to someone already in the know, Duke Ezester muttered quietly. Duke Nestor flinched slightly but maintained his expression.

Instead of responding to the comment, Duke Nestor changed the subject. “About that vote on the Hartmann refugee’ expulsion…”

“……”

“One of the people who voted against it was…”

“Duke.”

Before Duke Nestor could finish, Duke Ezester interrupted him.

“I have never made a decision about state matters based on fleeting emotions.”

“……”

“My vote against the refugees’ expulsion was for the future of Baden.”

It had only recently been revealed that Duke Ezester had been one of the nobles who voted against expelling the Hartmann refugees. His sharp gaze made it clear that he wouldn’t tolerate any mockery.

But Duke Nestor merely chuckled and shrugged. “Did I say something wrong? You’re awfully prickly.”

“……”

“I was about to compliment you for making a good decision back then.”

“……?”

“It seems you’ve inadvertently grabbed hold of something valuable.”

Duke Ezester frowned, confused by Duke Nestor’s words. Following his gaze, Duke Ezester turned to see two figures standing together—a man and a woman with golden hair.

The moment Duke Ezester recognized the woman, his eyes widened.

‘How did she…?’

“That’s…”

It was Eleanor, the former wife of the Duke of Mecklen. She was mingling with the guests, smiling brightly as she greeted them.

Still staring in disbelief, Duke Ezester heard Duke Nestor’s voice beside him.

“After her divorce from the Duke of Mecklen, I wondered what she’d do next. Turns out she’s been up to something rather clever.”

“Clever?”

“She’s now the head of the Rescue Bureau—the very department the Emperor created without our knowledge.”

“……”

Duke Ezester nodded silently. “And it seems she’s made some sort of deal with the head of the Hippias family.”

“…Surely not.”

Suddenly realizing something, Duke Ezester let out a soft sigh. Baden’s upper-class nobles were too proud to accept outsiders into their families easily, let alone someone from another country with the stigma of divorce.

Duke Ezester recalled his fleeting encounter with the head of the Hippias family many years ago.

As if reading his thoughts, Duke Nestor narrowed his eyes into a sly smile and murmured, “The princess of Hartmann is no ordinary woman.”

***