Duchess Mecklen’s Elegant Revolt - Chapter 23 Part 3

The Empress Dowager felt apologetic, but Eleanor was actually pleased by the request.

“I had already made plans to invite Sir Pedro to my office during our luncheon,” she said.

“Oh? Is that so? That works out well then.”

“Yes. If His Majesty would allow it, I’d be happy to meet with him often before he returns.”

Considering Pedro’s potential, this was also an opportunity for Eleanor. Building a friendship with him now could strengthen the influence of the Hippias Trading Company. Once Henrik returned from the Kingdom of Mondriol, they could discuss concrete plans.

Thanks to the Empress Dowager, Eleanor found herself with a good excuse to meet Pedro and gladly accepted the opportunity.

“Then I’ll personally contact Pedro right away. If I tell Duke Nestor, he won’t have any choice but to send Pedro.”

It had taken the Empress Dowager a long time to make her decision, but once she did, it was swift. She rose from her seat to send a letter. However, as she walked to the desk, she suddenly stopped.

The sight of Eleanor’s soiled dress had bothered her once more.

“By the way, what about that dress?”

“It’s fine. I only need to endure it for today.”

“No, I can’t allow that. It makes me uncomfortable.”

The Empress Dowager shook her head, roughly estimating Eleanor’s figure. Unlike herself, who was plump, Eleanor was slender, meaning her own dresses wouldn’t fit. They would probably hang loosely around the waist, looking quite shabby.

After some thought, the Empress Dowager spoke up. “There is one dress that would fit you, though.”

It was brand new, never worn.

“However, it’s an old-fashioned style. I’m not sure if you’ll like it.”

“Are you referring to one of Your Majesty’s dresses?”

“Yes, if you don’t mind. I’d be happy to give it to you.”

Understanding the Empress Dowager’s intentions, Eleanor shook her head. Even if it was out of fashion, it couldn’t be that bad—certainly not unwearable. With no spare clothes available, she was grateful for any alternative.

“No, Your Majesty. Just receiving a dress from you would be an immense honor for me.”

When Eleanor accepted, the Empress Dowager stood up immediately. “Then let us go to my private vault.”

“Your private vault?”

Wasn’t it supposed to be a dressing room? She had never heard of a dress being stored in a vault before.

Seeing Eleanor’s reaction, the Empress Dowager’s wrinkled face curled into a mysterious smile.

“I couldn’t just hang it on a coat hanger. It is a dress meant to be worn only once in a lifetime, so I kept it in the vault.”

***

Not long ago, Countess Lorentz had been in high spirits.

Seeing Eleanor come to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager wearing a ruined dress had thrilled her.

To think Eleanor had even tried to protect that pitiful maid, May, by covering up the incident—it was laughable.

She had heard all about Eleanor from Caroline. She had always disliked Eleanor’s sanctimonious attitude, pretending to be virtuous and gaining the Empress Dowager’s favor. It was infuriating that she never shed that mask of goodness.

And that had been just a few minutes ago.

“…Did Eleanor really say that?” Countess Lorentz asked.

“Y-yes,” May stammered, her head nodding vigorously. Her eyes were swollen and red as if she had been crying.

“What… what should we do? I think she suspects something between you and me… What if this goes wrong…”

“Quiet!” Countess Lorentz snapped sharply, causing May to hold her breath.

The countess’s smiling face contorted into a grotesque, devilish expression. “If you go blabbering anywhere, you will be the first to die. Understand?”

“M-my lady…”

“She’s just bluffing. Don’t get scared and act normal.”

“But…”

May hesitated.

It didn’t seem like bluffing. Eleanor had spoken with absolute certainty, as if she already knew Countess Lorentz was behind everything.

Seeing May so terrified, Countess Lorentz approached her. “If she tries to threaten you again, make sure everyone around hears you scream.”

“H-huh?”

“Whether it’s assault or something else, make it look like you’re being hurt.”

“……!”

That wouldn’t work.

Accusing a noble of assault when there was a clear difference in social standing wasn’t realistic. Though terrified, May shook her head in refusal, but Countess Lorentz glared at her.

When the countess raised her hand as if to strike her, May flinched, shrinking back.

“O-okay, I’ll do it.”

After all, she had nowhere to run. May was fully aware of her situation—she had to do whatever she was told. If she displeased Countess Lorentz here…

“You have to work hard if you want to save your mother. Understand?”

“…Yes.”

Her mother’s life was in their hands. More precisely, in Caroline’s, who was a close confidante of Countess Lorentz.

May lowered her head in resignation.

“Now, get out of here.”

“Yes, my lady.”

May bowed deeply at the waist before leaving the room.

Even after the door closed, Countess Lorentz stood in silence for a long time. It was as if she was in a staring contest with an unseen enemy, her gaze fixed on empty space.

After standing still for several minutes, she suddenly let out a soft groan, wrapping her arms around herself.

“Since when… did she know?”

Fear, which she hadn’t shown in front of May, now flooded in.

She had acted tough to hide her anxiety, but ever since May mentioned the scandal involving Childe, Countess Lorentz had felt chills running down her spine.

Her lips trembled slightly.

‘How could she know?’

Proof?

No, there couldn’t be any proof. She had made sure to leave no trace when she secretly cut Eleanor’s dress.

Even if she had run into Eleanor afterward, Eleanor hadn’t noticed anything at the time. Caroline had also cleaned up perfectly afterward.

Countess Lorentz had never doubted Caroline’s assurances that there would be no repercussions.

“…She must be bluffing.”

Yes, that must be it.

It had to be an attempt at fishing for a reaction.

Eleanor would latch onto any mistake she made.

But…

“What if it’s not a bluff?”

Imagining the worst-case scenario, Countess Lorentz shuddered as if struck by lightning.

Eleanor was someone whom the Empress Dowager cherished. Moreover, for some reason, the emperor had created an entire department just to allow her to reside in the palace.

If it were revealed that she had fabricated evidence about Childe’s scandal…

“Oh no…”

Countess Lorentz knew very well what had happened to Childe during the trial.

She might not die, but a humiliation worse than death could await her.

Panicking, Countess Lorentz rushed out of the room.

‘I have to meet Caroline.’

***

The reception room was quiet and spacious.

Eleanor sat on a sofa near the fireplace, avoiding the terrace, and sipped her warm tea.

It didn’t take long before someone appeared in the reception room. Seeing him almost running towards her, Eleanor stood up and extended her hand.

“Sir Pedro.”

“Haha, I’m so glad we meet again like this.”

“I’m glad too.”

Pedro had rushed over as soon as he received the Empress Dowager’s letter.

He took Eleanor’s hand and shook it vigorously. It seemed that this was his unique way of greeting everyone, as if they were old friends.

Seeing his familiarity, Eleanor invited Pedro to take a seat.

“I’ve heard a lot about you from Her Majesty the Empress Dowager. She said you’re a good person.”

“Me?”

Pedro, who was calling for a servant to bring some milk, looked at her with wide eyes, as if he had just heard something unbelievable.

Pedro tilted his head in confusion. “This is the first time I’ve heard something like that. The Empress Dowager dislikes my father so much, I never expected her to see me in that light.”

“She dislikes the Duke?”

Though Eleanor was well aware of the Empress Dowager’s disdain for Duke Nestor, she hid her reaction and asked innocently. She couldn’t predict how Pedro would respond.

Without hesitation, Pedro answered her question, “Well, even I think my father is cunning.”

“…Pardon?”

“So, it’s only natural that Her Majesty wouldn’t like him.”

Eleanor’s hand, which was holding her teacup, paused in midair.

Did she just hear what she thought she heard?

Oblivious to her reaction, Pedro flashed a bright smile, as if he knew nothing. “Of course, despite that, I love my father. I respect him too.”

“I… see.”

“He’s cunning, but there is still much to learn from him. Oh, I don’t mean I want to learn his cunning ways. I’m not good at that sort of thing.”

Pedro was straightforward—too straightforward.

She had expected him to be blunt, but experiencing it firsthand made Eleanor realize how challenging it was to engage with him.

It made her understand why the Empress Dowager had asked her to keep an eye on Pedro.

Pedro continued talking without pause. “Despite everything, I’m proud of the Nestor family. I also want to be of some help to my father. With the expectations he has of me, I’ll give my best to any task I take on.”

At some point, Pedro had clasped his hands together, almost as if in prayer, as he spoke of his dreams. Eleanor looked into his eyes for a moment—eyes as clear as a tranquil lake.

She nodded. “You’ll do well, Sir Pedro.”

Pedro’s ambitions would undoubtedly come to fruition.

“Your abilities are second to none.”

Currently, Duke Nestor was one of the wealthiest men in the empire, but Pedro’s potential foretold an even greater fortune for the future.

“You’ll surely become the greatest merchant in the empire.”

“Oh, you’re making me blush with all these compliments.”

“I mean every word.”

“Oh, don’t say that.”

Hearing Eleanor’s sincere praise, Pedro scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. The quirky charm he initially displayed transformed into a pure-heartedness the more they spoke.

Eleanor smiled warmly, thinking that he might be a much better person than she had imagined. Then, a sudden curiosity arose, and she asked him.

“So, are you not interested in becoming the head of your family?”

“No.”

His answer came swiftly, almost like a knife’s edge. Pedro shook his head from side to side.

“I’m not cut out for it. Evan would do a much better job leading our family than I would.”

“Don’t you regret not taking the position?”

“Haha, not at all.”

Just then, the milk Pedro had ordered arrived. He added a generous amount of sugar, stirring it with a teaspoon, and transformed it into a sweet latte.

Taking small sips of the warm milk, Pedro continued, “I love people. I’m curious about so many things. When I find something I like, I can’t sit still; I have to do something about it.”

“……”

“But my brother dislikes that part of me. He thinks my personality isn’t helpful to our family.”

Pedro was well aware that his activities within the country weren’t beneficial to his family. To be precise, the high society gatherings were the complete opposite of what Pedro pursued.

Instead of attending gatherings where people wore complex masks and exchanged veiled criticisms, Pedro preferred activities like sailing on the sea and clashing with rough sailors.

His father’s decision to send him overseas had been a wise one. If his father had kept him confined to the palace, Pedro believed he might have withered and died like a bird with clipped wings.

“In fact, I came here in secret. I was the first to receive the letter from Her Majesty the Empress Dowager. If Evan had seen it, he would’ve refused immediately. Whenever I cause trouble in the palace, Evan is the one who has to clean it up.”

Pedro ended with an apologetic expression.

“So I’m always sorry to my brother.”