Duchess Mecklen’s Elegant Revolt - Chapter 22 Part 5

My first employer?

The butler’s face was filled with questions, as this wasn’t the answer he had expected. However, his doubts didn’t last long. Though Eleanor was currently their master, he recalled that there had been someone else who had initially sent them here.

While the other servants might not know, the butler had received more extensive training and was aware of some of the broader circumstances.

‘His Majesty, the Emperor.’

Realizing the truth, the butler’s face went pale.

“I apologize for not recognizing you sooner. I will make the preparations immediately.”

The butler bowed deeply once more. Lennoch dismissed it lightly, indicating it was fine, and entered with Eleanor.

“Welcome back.”

The servants who had been working came out to greet her after hearing the news. It was a scene that showed their thorough training.

Eleanor responded with a smile to each of them. “I’m fine, so please, continue with your work.”

“Yes, madam.”

The maids seemed curious about the tall man standing by Eleanor’s side, but they did not speak carelessly.

As Eleanor and Lennoch ascended to the second floor, Becky, who had just finished tidying up Eleanor’s room, noticed them.

“Madam! What brings you back at this hour?”

“I think I might have caught a cold.”

“Oh dear, a cold?”

Unlike the other maids, Becky was more at ease with Eleanor, and she was visibly flustered.

“Shouldn’t you rest? Should I prepare some warm water?”

“I’ve already asked the butler to do that.”

“……?”

Hearing an unexpected answer from someone else, Becky turned her head.

Standing next to her was a man who was at least two heads taller than her, wearing a mask. Becky, taken aback by his imposing aura, shrunk her shoulders.

“It’s all right. Could you help me change my clothes?”

“Of course, madam.”

Becky nodded and led her to the dressing room.

Naturally, Lennoch couldn’t follow them that far.

As soon as they entered the dressing room, Becky began assisting Eleanor while asking, “Madam, which family is he from?”

Eleanor considered giving a vague answer but decided to change her approach.

“He’s a person of high standing, but due to certain circumstances, I can’t freely speak about his family.”

“Oh, I see. Understood, madam. I’ll be cautious.” Becky nodded, understanding enough.

It took quite a while to pick out clothes made from a fabric that absorbed sweat well and to put on an indoor robe.

After being fully tended to by Becky and washing up thoroughly, Eleanor returned to her bedroom, where Lennoch had been waiting.

“Is it all right for you not to return to the palace?”

“I’ll stay just a little longer.”

It seemed he intended to stay until she fell asleep. Eleanor, concerned about his duties at the palace, decided not to say anything further.

The faint headache she had felt was growing stronger as time passed. Before Eleanor could reach for the medicine prescribed by the doctor, Lennoch handed it to her along with some water.

“Have the chocolate afterward.”

“Oh my.”

Even with her aching head, Eleanor couldn’t help but laugh.

So that’s why he had requested chocolate from the butler.

After swallowing the bitter medicine with the water, Lennoch handed her the chocolate. She accepted it without protest, finding it sweeter than usual.

“I’m all right now, so you should go.”

“The palace is not far from here. There’s no rush.”

Lennoch reassured Eleanor as she urged him again to leave. He wasn’t planning to leave until she had stabilized. Thanks to this, Becky, who originally would have been in charge, was left somewhat bewildered.

‘Are they that close?’

Letting someone into one’s private bedroom was proof of Eleanor’s trust in him.

Becky tried to recall if there had ever been anyone who had moved in and out of Eleanor’s room like this, even during the time of the Mecklen duchy.

No matter how hard she thought, she could think of no one. Even Duke Mecklen, her previous master, had never visited.

“Um… should I leave?” Becky, feeling like she was intruding on something, asked cautiously.

Again, it was Lennoch who answered first. “You may leave soon, so don’t worry.”

“N-No, it’s not that…”

It wasn’t that she had asked out of any ill intention.

Receiving such an ambiguous command, Becky was left standing there awkwardly, watching Eleanor on the bed.

Eleanor was beginning to doze off, the medicine’s effects slowly spreading.

‘I’m really fine.’

Eleanor thought to herself.

It was just mild cold symptoms. Hardly serious enough to even mention. He didn’t need to look at her with that face, as if the world were ending.

Her heart racing and the heat she felt had an entirely different cause, but Lennoch, not knowing this, seemed anxious.

“Rest well.”

Eleanor wanted to reply, telling him she was fine, but her lips wouldn’t move.

As her vision blurred, she felt something touch the corner of her eye. Before she could make out what it was, she sank into a deep sleep.

Lennoch waited until her rapid breathing calmed before finally standing.

Becky followed him out of the bedroom.

‘Who is he?’

What is his relationship with madam?

Becky, dying of curiosity about their relationship, walked quickly behind Lennoch.

“Becky, there’s another gift!”

“Again?”

“……?”

One of the servants, who had just come up to the second floor, called out to Becky, sounding excited. He was holding a large gift box.

Lennoch’s steps halted abruptly at the sight of the box, but Becky, too preoccupied with the servant’s words, didn’t notice.

“Is it from the same person who sent the necklace and jewels?”

“Yes. This time, it’s shoes. Look at these—aren’t they beautiful?”

The servant, carrying the box, walked past Lennoch and approached Becky. When he placed the box down and opened it, inside were rows of gleaming shoes, neatly arranged.

Becky inspected the shoes closely. “Hmm, I don’t think these are really to madam’s taste… Oh? But this one is nice.”

“Not her taste?”

“Ah!”

Becky nearly jumped at the voice coming from above her.

Lennoch, wearing his mask, had come up beside them without her noticing.

Becky, trying to calm her pounding heart, barely managed to speak. “Uh, how long have you been here?”

“Just now. But what do you mean by ‘to madam’s taste’?”

“……?”

Why was he curious about that? Though puzzled, Becky assumed he was close to Eleanor and decided to answer.

“Madam isn’t fond of polka dots. She rarely wears them. And she prefers jewels that are subtly adorned, just at the toe rather than all over.”

“I see.”

“I think these purple shoes would go well with the dresses madam wears often.”

Lennoch nodded as he listened to Becky’s explanation.

‘I’ll have to keep that in mind for the next gift.’

“Besides shoes, is there anything else she needs?”

“No, this is plenty. Actually, someone’s been sending gifts to madam every day. I don’t know who they are since I’ve only been here a short time, but they seem to have good taste. Madam wore the pearl necklace set they sent recently, and it looked wonderful on her.”

“B-Becky.”

As Becky’s talk grew longer, the servant tried to stop her. He was worried about discussing madam’s matters so openly with a masked man whose identity they didn’t know.

Becky, however, assumed that since Eleanor trusted him, there was no issue in explaining.

From beneath the mask, Lennoch’s lips curved slightly. “Thank you for the compliment about my taste.”

“…Excuse me?”

“I suppose we’ll meet again.”

The initial intimidation was gone from Lennoch, replaced by a gentle demeanor. As he straightened and walked away, leaving behind a stunned Becky and the servant, Becky murmured quietly.

“Did I just compliment his taste…?”

***

As night fell, the servants of the Nestor estate lit the lamps in every room.

Their masters would be returning soon.

To welcome back the duke and his sons, the servants lined up at the entrance, and, right on time, the Nestor family arrived.

“Welcome back.”

The duke nodded, his eyes smiling, as all the servants, including the butler, bowed in greeting.

“Prepare some tea in the study.”

“Yes, sir.”

Duke Nestor headed straight to his study, with his two sons following side by side. Unlike Pedro, who was all smiles, Evan didn’t look happy.

Some of the servants exchanged glances, noticing the way Evan seemed to be holding something in.

Click.

The study door opened, revealing not books but various works of art.

The value of the items gathered from across the country exceeded the annual budget of an average noble family. It was a sight that exemplified the wealth of the Nestor family.

Stepping onto the bear-skin rug, Duke Nestor turned to his sons.

“Evan, what’s with that look on your face again?”

When the duke asked, Evan replied coldly, “I can’t be around my brother anymore, Father.”

“What now?”

“He’s embarrassing.”

Pedro scratched the back of his head beside Evan, who had spoken curtly.

The duke clicked his tongue in disapproval. “I’ve told you, just put up with it until your brother goes abroad again.”

Evan knew that. He had reluctantly agreed to bear it for ten more days. But after just two days, his patience had reached its limit.

“Do you know how much of a mess my brother has made of the palace in just two days? Rumors are spreading like wildfire that the eldest son of the Nestor family must be an idiot,” Evan vented his frustration without holding back.

The duke’s expression darkened in response. “You know better than anyone that your brother isn’t what people think. Did you just listen without saying anything?”

“Of course not. I explained that he’s like that because he’s lived abroad for so long, that his oddities come from cultural differences.”

But knowing that didn’t make him feel any less embarrassed.

His brother was dull, like a bear. He liked to interfere unnecessarily, was overly curious, and always wanted to touch and examine anything new.

Evan had suffered from his brother’s actions since they were children.

‘Father always sides with him.’

Evan suppressed his rising sense of inferiority.

People thought his father had sent his brother away because he disliked him, but the truth was the opposite. The duke cherished his eldest son’s talents and had entrusted him with an important mission.

The Nestor family had long dreamed of opening trade routes with the Lubraith Empire. Although there had been diplomatic exchanges between Lubraith and Baden, actual trade had yielded little success.

The treacherous sea between the two nations was to blame. Pirates were common, and treacherous whirlpools and other dangers lurked in the sea. The ability to lead a trade fleet through such perilous conditions was crucial.

Who could be more suitable than Pedro, who loved adventure, had a strong sense of curiosity, and had practical knowledge?

“A merchant must always aim higher and look farther.”

That was Duke Nestor’s favorite saying.

Pedro, his proud son, perfectly embodied that ideal.

“So when the Empress Dowager herself invites him, how can we ignore it? Evan, bear with it a little longer.”

Sensing his second son’s anger, Duke Nestor tried to soothe him.

The duke’s fox-like eyes, raised slightly at the corners, looked just like Evan’s. However, Evan’s dissatisfaction wasn’t easily quelled.

“Marquis Delph must know everything by now.”

“……”

“The whole palace knows the Empress Dowager invited my brother herself. Do you think the marquis, who’s conducting illegal business behind the imperial family’s back, will just sit still after hearing that?”