Duchess Mecklen’s Elegant Revolt - Chapter 20 Part 4

“Why do you look so tense?”

“Oh, it’s not really… anything.”

Henrik’s face was paler than usual, and his stuttering betrayed his discomfort. His twisted smile was a habit, meant to make him seem calm, but Eleanor noticed the change in him immediately.

She gently patted Henrik’s shoulder. “They’re all just people, no need to be so nervous.”

‘No, it’s this action itself that’s making me nervous.’

Henrik suppressed the urge to shout. It seemed like Eleanor was determined to act like his older sister. Every time she affectionately patted his shoulder or occasionally ruffled his hair, Henrik couldn’t stop his body from trembling. Although they had joined forces for mutual benefit, it was still awkward.

Henrik, having grown up as an only child, had no siblings to speak of. When close friends casually complained about their own brothers or sisters, Henrik had always thought it was a distant matter, not something that concerned him.

But Eleanor treated him as if they had been siblings for years, guiding him naturally.

‘Who exactly is this woman?’

The old Hippias mansion had been transformed by the workers Eleanor had hired. Every time she gave instructions, expensive paintings were brought in, large mirrors were installed, and new landscaping trees were planted in the garden.

“We should also grow the company, don’t you think?”

“How could I grow a company when I have no funds?”

“Don’t worry about that. Bring me all the documents you have. I need to check something.”

In a matter of days, Eleanor had reviewed all the finances and declared that she would soon decide on new business ventures. Everything had happened within a week.

Henrik, bewildered, asked her, “Where did you get all this money?”

“Oh, I borrowed it from someone I know.”

“Someone you know?”

Henrik was curious, but Eleanor didn’t offer further explanation.

“Henrik?”

“Y-yes, sister!”

Lost in thought, Henrik snapped back to reality. He had forgotten, for a moment, that he was still at the party. Standing beside Eleanor was a man Henrik didn’t recognize.

“It seems the head of the Hippias family is quite tired,” the man remarked.

“My apologies,” Henrik stammered.

“No need to apologize. It’s understandable.”

The man standing beside Eleanor smiled kindly. This was Count Hilda, Norah’s father.

“I’ve heard a lot about you from Norah. She mentioned how much she’s indebted to you.”

“Not at all. In fact, it’s me who has received a great deal of help.”

‘Do they know each other?’ Henrik wondered, looking back and forth between Eleanor and Count Hilda.

This was Henrik’s first appearance in the central social scene, so he was unfamiliar with most of the high-ranking nobles. Understanding his discomfort, Eleanor introduced him to Count Hilda.

“This is Count Hilda. And this is my younger brother.”

“Henrik von Hippias.”

“Benjamin von Hilda.”

Henrik awkwardly shook Count Hilda’s outstretched hand. As the count studied Henrik’s face, a curious smile appeared.

“You look a lot like Morgan.”

“You knew my father?” Henrik, surprised, broke his calm demeanor to ask.

“Of course. I also knew Rachel of Hippias. My wife was very close with her.”

“……!”

Henrik’s eyes widened in shock. He hadn’t expected to hear Rachel’s name here. Count Hilda, aware of the struggles the Hippias family had faced since the Rachel incident, looked at Henrik with a mixture of sympathy.

“I’m glad Lady Eleanor is providing such strong support for the head of the family.”

“……”

“Would you two like to come to a formal dinner at my family’s estate soon?”

‘Is this even real?’

Henrik was confused by everything. It felt like Eleanor had cast some kind of spell. Since meeting her, his entire world had rapidly changed—the expensive clothes he now wore, his successful entry into high society, even meeting nobles who knew Rachel. It was as if he were dreaming.

“Of course.”

His answer slipped out awkwardly. Henrik instinctively turned to Eleanor, who smiled warmly back at him with gentle eyes.

***

As the party progressed, the atmosphere grew more lively. The nobles of Baden couldn’t help but notice Eleanor, newly introduced as a member of the Hippias family. Though some regarded her with suspicion, others couldn’t suppress their curiosity and greeted her one after another.

While Eleanor interacted with these nobles, she also kept an eye on the important figures she needed to watch.

‘It’s best to deal with Duke Nestor and Duke Ezester later.’

Both were formidable opponents. Eleanor remembered how Caroline had often agonized over the mention of these two dukes. The title of one of the empire’s three dukes wasn’t just for show. Rather than confront them prematurely, it was better to observe them for a while.

‘Caroline didn’t show up after all.’

Was it because she couldn’t leave due to her house confinement, or did she simply not want to come to the palace? Perhaps it was both reasons. Even in her previous life, Caroline had always loathed the palace and avoided it as much as possible.

“That’s when Lady Eleanor reached out her hand to me. She asked if I would join her on the debutante stage, and suddenly, there was this radiant glow around her!”

“Ah, yes…”

Norah, who had just joined the group, was regaling Henrik with a story. Henrik, however, seemed overwhelmed by Norah’s chatter. Eleanor smiled inwardly as she watched Henrik’s sharp eyes gradually soften.

‘He’s quite innocent in some ways.’

The icy demeanor he had shown when they first met at the tavern had gradually melted away. Beneath the cool exterior, Henrik still possessed a certain innocence. Compared to the complex political machinations of the central nobles, Henrik’s simple background as a provincial noble seemed to shine through.

Lost in thought, Eleanor suddenly remembered something and glanced around.

“Where’s Lady Brianna?”

“That’s a good question,” Norah replied, her voice trailing off. “I was told her carriage arrived a while ago, but perhaps she’s talking with someone?”

“Hmm.”

Given Brianna’s personality, it was hard to imagine her engaging in a long conversation with the other ladies.

As Eleanor pondered, Norah suggested, “Maybe she’s resting in the powder room. Shall we go look for her?”

“No, just tell me where it is. I’ll go check.”

As Eleanor prepared to excuse herself briefly, Henrik shot her a look that seemed to plead for help. But since it was inappropriate to take a man into a women’s room, Eleanor simply reassured him and went on her way.

‘Why am I even here?’

Brianna was grumbling internally. She had intended to head to the Grand Hall like everyone else. After all, that was where most of the nobles had gathered. Her father, the Marquis of Liege, was probably there too, sipping champagne and making a ruckus.

“Lady Brianna, you agree with that, don’t you?”

“Huh? Yes, yes, I suppose so.”

Not even paying attention to the conversation, Brianna absentmindedly agreed. She was currently in the tea room that had been set aside for the ladies.

Although the main event was in the Grand Hall, the overwhelming number of attendees led to the creation of a separate space for the noblewomen to gather. Originally, the powder room was meant for touching up makeup or adjusting dresses, but it had become a place for ladies to chat over tea.

Those unfamiliar with the annual New Year’s party wouldn’t know this, but women like Brianna, who attended every year, were well aware of the space.

‘Where is Norah?’

Brianna had come looking for Norah, but instead, she had been cornered by Cordelia from the House of Kazek and several other ladies. They had latched onto her and wouldn’t let her leave. Forced to stay and listen to their tedious gossip, Brianna stifled a yawn.

Just as Brianna was suppressing a yawn, Cordelia suddenly exclaimed, “Lady Brianna, I had no idea you were capable of such behavior.”

“What?”

“Even so, I didn’t expect you to talk behind Norah’s back like that.”

“……!”

Brianna’s face stiffened immediately. For a moment, she couldn’t tell if what she had just heard was real or not. But before she could gather her thoughts, Cordelia struck again.

“No wonder you don’t have any friends, hoho.”

“…Ha.”

‘So that’s how you want to play it.’

Now Brianna understood why Cordelia, who was never friendly with her, had suddenly been acting so amicable.

Realizing what was happening, Brianna shot back. “What did you say? Talking behind her back? Who was it that started all the gossip, and now you’re lecturing me about friends?”

“Pardon? What did I say? Lady Evotte, did I say anything like that?”

“No, not at all. I think Lady Brianna is just being too sensitive.”

“Exactly, Lady Cordelia was only making conversation.”

Other ladies quickly jumped in to support Cordelia’s claims. But Brianna wasn’t one to take this kind of treatment lying down.

She shot to her feet. “Unbelievable! You’re the ones who started all this, deliberately bringing up Norah to make it seem like I was badmouthing her. And now you’re trying to play it off as a joke? Just admit it—you’re trying to humiliate me. Don’t pretend it’s anything else!”

Brianna spat out her words furiously, her face flushed red with anger. Her outburst caught the attention of the other ladies in the room, who began watching the scene unfold.

Then, as if on cue, the ladies supporting Cordelia all rose from their seats.

“My goodness, now she’s resorting to insults.”

“We always knew her temper wasn’t ordinary, but look at those eyes. It’s like she’s ready to kill someone.”

They seemed determined to back Brianna into a corner. The other ladies, sensing the escalating tension, began discreetly leaving the room, not wanting to get caught in the middle of the fight.

“Where are you all going? In a hurry?” Cordelia called out loudly.

Her words only spurred the remaining ladies to leave even faster, eager to avoid any conflict. Brianna watched as the room quickly emptied.

‘I won’t run away.’

Determined not to retreat, Brianna clenched her lips.

“Well, well. Everyone’s gone.”

“Vivia?”

Startled, Brianna instinctively turned her head. Hidden behind a partition was Vivia, who was now peeking out. Her gray eyes curved upward slightly.

“Hello, Lady Brianna. Fancy seeing you here.”

“Don’t tell me… this was your doing?”

“Hmm? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Unlike at the theater, Vivia seemed to be in a very good mood. Humming softly to herself, she leisurely walked out from behind the partition.