Duchess Mecklen’s Elegant Revolt - Chapter 23 Part 4

Eleanor almost laughed at the sight of Pedro looking so dejected. She could feel his genuine concern for his family.

She gently comforted Pedro. “I’m sure Sir Evan will come to understand your feelings.”

“I hope so too,” Pedro replied weakly, finishing the rest of his milk.

Eleanor handed him a cookie brought in by the servant. As he chewed on the crunchy cookie, Pedro’s mood gradually improved.

Seeing his expression brighten, Eleanor smoothly shifted the conversation to business.

“By the way, Sir Pedro, do you only focus on overseas ventures?”

“Well, yes, that’s mostly what I do.”

“That’s a shame. I was hoping to get some advice from you.”

“Advice?”

“Yes, recently I’ve been considering starting a business of my own.”

The mention of business made Pedro’s eyes light up, a stark contrast to his earlier defeated demeanor. Seeing Pedro’s revived interest, Eleanor let out a small chuckle.

“Have you heard of the Kingdom of Mondriol?”

“Of course.”

It was where Pedro had primarily conducted business before establishing trade with Lubraith.

Pedro spoke with enthusiasm, “Mondriol is a fascinating country. The natural scenery is beautiful, and it’s well-known for its tourism. It also has abundant resources, particularly high-quality gems. It’s even called the ‘Land of Gems.'”

“I’ve heard of that as well. Though I don’t know much, I’ve tasted some of Mondrial’s traditional food before. It didn’t quite agree with me.”

“Ah, the spices there are quite unique, aren’t they? I’ve tried them several times, but it’s hard to get used to.”

“Yes, exactly.”

Finding a point in common, the two nodded in agreement, and Eleanor felt the initial barrier between them slowly crumbling.

She continued, “There’s a region in the Kingdom of Mondriol called Ceylon. It’s not well known yet, but the tea produced there has a wonderful aroma and flavor, comparable to any premium tea.”

“Ceylon?” Pedro tilted his head. “Is there really a need to import tea from there? We already have plenty of tea produced in Baden.”

Tea was largely a luxury item, primarily enjoyed by nobles. Most of the teas in circulation were cultivated directly by noblewomen on estates and then blended. The ‘Roné Line’ that Norah had once gifted as a blend by Lady Roné was a prime example.

Teas sold under noble names carried a premium, making them quite expensive.

“I want to change the standard for tea.”

“…What do you mean?”

“My goal is to make good quality tea affordable for anyone who wants it.”

Pedro’s eyes widened in surprise. “You mean to make tea accessible to the masses?”

“Yes. It will be a product not only for the nobles but also for the middle class and any potential consumers with purchasing power.”

Eleanor nodded, glancing down at her teacup. The golden-brown tea emanated a subtle aroma.

“The traditional method relies on direct cultivation, which makes large-scale supply difficult. Expanding the size of the estates could make it possible, but it would also double the investment costs. We can cover the funds needed to run the estate, but the cultivation process is unpredictable, and we lack experience in handling the risks involved.”

In her previous life, Caroline had imported Ceylon tea to sell to Baden nobles. Surprisingly, it had held its own against other tea brands and gained unexpected popularity. Moreover, importing was cheaper than direct cultivation, resulting in greater net profit.

Eleanor intended to take it one step further.

“I plan to import Ceylon tea in bulk and target the wealthy class that can actually afford it. The key to this business is breaking the notion that high-quality tea is exclusively for nobles.”

Pedro, who had been listening attentively, nodded. “There will be resistance from prideful nobles, but the idea is good.”

“Do you think so?”

“Yes, I also believe that targeting the demand among the affluent middle class is important. Many prominent merchants aren’t nobles, after all.”

Looking at the empire alone, except for the few top-tier companies run by high-ranking nobles, most others struggled to succeed. If they could tap into that market, this venture wasn’t impossible.

“Wait a minute, it seems like you’re not just seeking my advice, are you?” Pedro tilted his head, having caught on to something. “You’re actually looking for a partner, right?”

Eleanor, who had been spinning her teacup around, chuckled. The formerly naive-looking Pedro now had a sharp glint in his eyes.

He wasn’t entirely simple after all.

That made things even easier.

“I need an intermediary who can connect me with them. I’d prefer it if you could do it, Sir Pedro. I’ll match any conditions you have.”

“Hmm.”

“I’m confident this business will succeed. If you join me, I think the expected profits will increase tenfold.”

Pedro seemed to consider Eleanor’s proposal seriously. After rubbing his chin for a moment, he looked up with a curious smile.

“Can I see the product myself?”

***

A carriage pulled up in front of the Duke of Mecklen’s residence.

The lady who stepped out hurriedly entered the mansion.

A maid who was passing by approached her. “Good day, madam. What brings you here?”

“Is Lady Caroline in?”

“Pardon? The madam is currently under house confinement. She cannot meet with anyone from outside…”

“Shut up and take me to her immediately!”

“……!”

The frightened maid closed her mouth at once.

The lady, flushed with agitation, was none other than Countess Lorentz. She had the look of someone being chased.

The butler, who had noticed them from afar, hurried over as the maid hesitated, startled by the lady’s unrefined tone.

“Madam, you’ve arrived. Let me take you to her.”

“But the Duke has instructed that no one is to be allowed in…”

“Shh. Keep quiet,” the butler hissed at the maid, glaring. “If you say anything about this to the Duke, it won’t end with just you losing your job. Keep your mouth shut.”

“…Yes.” The subdued maid nodded reluctantly, intimidated by the tense atmosphere.

As if accustomed to such situations, the butler led Countess Lorentz inside.

In a large bedroom formed by combining several smaller rooms, Caroline, dressed in a robe, was sitting upright, drinking tea.

“Lady Caroline.”

“Countess Lorentz?”

Caroline’s brow furrowed at the sight of her visitor.

She was still under Ernst’s order of house confinement, and she had been avoiding outside visitors as much as possible. If necessary, she would send letters or sneak out without Ernst knowing.

Countess Lorentz, oblivious to Caroline’s discomfort, immediately sat down before her.

“That girl knows everything.”

“What do you mean, everything?”

“The affair scandal involving Childe. She knows it was me who cut that dress.”

“Eleanor?”

Caroline’s expression turned sour, matching Countess Lorentz’s urgency.

‘Impossible.’

It was a matter she had already put behind her. While it had bothered her that they hadn’t finished Childe off, he didn’t know enough to pose a real threat.

But to claim that Eleanor knew about an incident from so long ago? How could she possibly know?

Unconvinced, Caroline snapped back at her. “Isn’t that just your assumption? I told you I took care of everything neatly.”

“I thought so too, but it’s not true. That girl even told May to tell me she’d cut the dress herself. She also said she’d choose the target for the next scandal—Duke Nestor’s second son, Evan.”

Countess Lorentz rambled on, her voice shaky.

“She must truly know everything. What do we do now? I’m terrified that Her Majesty the Empress Dowager will summon me.”

Initially, she had simply disliked Eleanor. She couldn’t stand the fact that Eleanor had entered the palace through forged recommendation letters and gained the Empress Dowager’s favor. Seeing her gain the emperor’s trust and secure a new position made her even more envious.

But now, trying to harm Eleanor had backfired, putting her in a dangerous position instead. Not only could she be expelled from her position, but she also feared being shunned by high society in disgrace.

Countess Lorentz watched Caroline anxiously, her gaze fixed on her lips.

“…How presumptuous.”

Caroline’s dry lips twisted into a grimace.

“Now she sees everything as beneath her, does she?”

That must be why she dared provoke her like this.

Since Countess Lorentz hadn’t mentioned having May spill the water, Caroline assumed Eleanor was trying to pry out some information.

“There’s no need to respond to every little provocation.”

“But…”

“This is just her fishing for evidence.”

“……”

Caroline declared, “If she had proof, she wouldn’t be testing you like this—she would have accused you outright.”

“Ah.”

Only then did Countess Lorentz let out a sigh of relief. If that was the case, she felt reassured.

Her frightened expression brightened, but Caroline’s face remained displeased.

‘It’s all because of this house confinement.’

Being confined at home under Ernst’s orders had restricted her movements. If she had been able to move freely like before, Eleanor wouldn’t have dared to make such a bold move.

It was infuriating.

Caroline’s anger surged alongside her resentment.

‘She’s flaunting her position after clinging to the Empress Dowager for favor and finally securing one.’

Did that woman, who once groveled at her feet in this very residence, now think she could shake her?

“You mustn’t speak of today to anyone. Do you understand, Countess Lorentz?”

“Of course. I’ll be careful.”

Caroline looked at the now-relieved Lorentz in disdain. She could no longer trust this woman alone with this task.

Caroline’s eyes flashed with determination—it was time to break free of Ernst’s imposed house confinement and take matters into her own hands.

***

Talking with Pedro had made time pass quickly.

Seeing the sun setting outside the window, Eleanor picked up her pace.

She was headed to the emperor’s office.

Business ventures inevitably required capital. And she planned on spending even more to ensure the success of her goals.

Lennoch had said she could use as much as she wanted, but she felt more at ease reporting to him.

Just as Eleanor was about to ascend the stairs, she noticed the knights standing guard.

“I have something to report to His Majesty.”

“Understood.”

One of the knights blocking the entrance recognized Eleanor and stepped aside.

The security had indeed become tighter.

Naturally, her thoughts turned to Lennoch.

Yesterday had been her first fishing trip, but it had been quite fun. And they had even held hands. He had taken her home, worried that she might catch a cold…

Caught up in her thoughts, Eleanor found her steps slowing down as she approached the office.