Duchess Mecklen’s Elegant Revolt - Chapter 24 Part 1

Her father, Marquis Delph, had handed her a peculiar item—a scented candle used by gypsies.

He claimed it was a strange tool, one used during fortune-telling to hypnotize the subject. He’d given it to Vivia with instructions to use it when she was alone with the emperor. However, Vivia felt repulsed by the idea.

It wasn’t as if she lacked charm—why should she have to resort to something like that?

“I told you it’s not the right time,” Vivia protested.

Even though it was her father, she couldn’t suppress the wave of humiliation that rose within her.

“Did you do the same to my sister?”

“Yes.”

“……”

“Edea took it eagerly, happy to use it.”

In the end, Edea had used it as a tool to preserve her love. Marquis Delph concealed the truth and spoke with a shameless smile.

“I thought you would be able to do as well as your sister, but I’m disappointed.”

“……!”

Being compared to her sister, Edea, made Vivia’s face twist in anger. It was the thing she hated most.

The person she had wished would vanish from her life now clung to her even in death, tightening the noose around her neck.

The moment her father mentioned Edea, Vivia’s eyes turned red with hatred.

“That’s not the issue right now.”

Resentment welled up, her voice trembling.

Her sister, Edea.

Her father, who drove her into a corner like this.

And the emperor, who kept avoiding her—along with all the women around him.

“There are too many enemies.”

“Enemies?”

“Do you think Brianna is the only one aiming for the empress’s position?” In her anger, Vivia raised her voice. “Eleanor—she wants to become the empress too.”

“……!”

“She tried to seduce His Majesty during the luncheon.”

She was referring to when Eleanor had cut the meat for the emperor.

Vivia explained that Brianna and Eleanor were competing against each other for the emperor’s favor.

“They both have their places in the palace, but I can’t even get close to His Majesty unless he permits it. It’s unfair from the start—what good is hypnosis when we don’t even know what those women are doing to His Majesty inside the palace? You don’t know, I don’t know.”

Vivia’s complaint sounded convincing.

Marquis Delph, who had been listening to his daughter’s grievances, let out a heavy sigh. Then, as if something had come to mind, he asked in a low voice.

“So if those two women are dealt with, do you think you can become the empress?”

“……”

She should have answered confidently—of course. But Vivia hesitated, unable to muster the courage. It wasn’t because she feared killing them.

It was the look in her father’s eyes that made her hesitate. His gaze held an unspoken message—there wouldn’t be a second chance.

Vivia clenched her trembling fists tightly.

“Do you truly have confidence?”

“Y-yes.” Grinding her teeth, Vivia forced out a response. “I’ll use that strange tool right away. I can do anything if it means becoming the empress.”

“Good.”

Satisfied with the response he wanted, Marquis Delph smiled in contentment. It was only natural—this was why he had brought Vivia back to the capital.

The fire that had raged in his eyes vanished, replaced by an eerie calm.

“I was thinking of severing ties with Caroline, but I’ve changed my mind.”

Marquis Delph acknowledged Caroline’s cunning and strategic mind. If necessary, he wouldn’t hesitate to use her to deal with Eleanor and Brianna.

Caroline and Eleanor were already at odds. Brianna, too, had recently fallen out with her. Rather than acting directly, using Caroline would be far more effective.

Marquis Delph made up his mind and smiled coldly. “I’ll ensure Caroline can assist you soon.”

24. The Night is Long, and the Fire in the Hearth…

Ferret Street 13, home to the empire’s top information brokers.

At night, the labyrinthine streets turned eerie. Particularly at night, ambushes were common. Any prominent broker knew that at least once, they could become a target. Knowing this, brokers hired not only their organization members but also temporary mercenaries for protection.

Crash!

“Wow, where is that from today? Quite the noise.”

“Over there—it’s that guy, Russell, who came in recently, right?”

“I knew that guy would get hit eventually. He was getting too cocky lately.”

Despite the deafening roar that echoed through the streets, nobody was alarmed. As long as it wasn’t them, they didn’t care. Some brokers even opened their windows to watch the scene.

One broker, peering out to see who was daring enough to attack Russell, frowned as he spotted a man accompanied by several burly figures.

“Jack Ruby… what on earth is going on?”

“What’s wrong?”

“I heard he got beaten up pretty badly by a client a while ago. I thought all his men had died, but now he’s back with even stronger ones.”

Just the other day, rumors had spread across Ferret Street that Jack Ruby had been beaten by some nameless noble. Everyone thought Jack Ruby would never set foot on these streets again. Yet, here he was, more arrogant than ever, targeting the up-and-coming information broker, Russell.

The broker, who had been observing from a distance, shook his head. “I don’t like Russell, but today I almost feel sorry for him. They’ve come to completely destroy him. Will he even manage to escape?”

He muttered as if talking to himself, but soon his words became reality.

Russell, whose base was overrun by Jack Ruby’s gang, tried to escape, only to be completely blocked. Despite always keeping mercenaries on hand for emergencies, Russell was now facing a dismal end.

Jack Ruby’s subordinates bound the struggling Russell and brought him before their boss.

“Hey, Russell. Seeing you like this makes me even happier.” Jack Ruby grinned smugly, a stark contrast to how he’d avoided Russell just a short while ago.

Furious and incredulous, Russell gritted his teeth. “Do you know who I’ve got backing me? If you knew who it was, you’d be on your knees, begging for mercy.”

“Oh, really?”

Jack Ruby bit down on his cigar and sneered at Russell’s threat. Clearly, this guy had no idea who the masked man was, nor did he know about the incredible wealth of the elegant noblewoman with golden hair.

Jack Ruby chuckled. “Whoever you’ve got behind you, our benefactor is even more powerful.”

“W-what?”

“I’m just doing the job my employer asked of me.”

Russell’s face twisted in confusion at the mention of Jack Ruby’s employer. He thought he had the most formidable support among the brokers. Who could be even more powerful than the benefactor behind him—none other than Caroline, the Duchess Dowager of Mecklen, from one of the empire’s three great ducal families?

“Don’t lie to me! You think I’ll submit to empty threats?”

Despite Russell’s resistance, Jack Ruby looked down at him with a smug smile.

“Believe it or don’t, I couldn’t care less.”

With the daring support of Eleanor, Jack Ruby had quickly gathered the most powerful mercenaries on Ferret Street. Thanks to Eleanor’s financial backing, he had amassed a formidable crew of skilled individuals who flocked to money like bees to honey, making his faction the most powerful among the information brokers.

Naturally, Jack Ruby had no intention of letting go of this opportunity.

‘After all, money is everything.’

Having sworn his loyalty to Eleanor, Jack Ruby sneered at the captured Russell.

“In any case, just stay put until our employer arrives to see your face.”

***

Eleanor received a message early that morning.

[Russell captured successfully.]

It was a note confirming that Jack Ruby had carried out her orders flawlessly. He must have been in quite a rush to catch Russell even faster than expected. Considering the amount of money she had poured in, it would have been stranger if he hadn’t been in a hurry.

Eleanor approached the fireplace and tossed the note in. The paper burned without a trace.

“I’m back.”

“Welcome, Miss Brianna.”

Brianna entered the office just as Eleanor turned toward the entrance. Today, Brianna had dressed especially elegantly. Seeing Brianna in a bright red dress that matched her hair, Eleanor complimented her on how well it suited her.

“Oh, could you take a look at this for me?”

Suddenly, Eleanor handed Brianna the proposal she had been holding. Brianna glanced at the large title printed on it and widened her eyes.

“A wine auction? What’s this?”

“It’s a kind of charity event.”

“A charity event?”

“The idea is to auction off wine, and the proceeds will be donated.”

The organization Eleanor led wasn’t solely for the refugees of Hartmann. Its true purpose was to assist all the underprivileged across Baden and Hartmann, including the poverty relief projects actively supported by the Empress Dowager.

Eleanor was not only working on helping the refugees settle but was also planning various projects to support all the vulnerable people, including those in the Hadum slums. One of those projects was this charity event.

“Auctioning wine—that’s quite unique.” Brianna tilted her head but seemed intrigued by Eleanor’s explanation of the event. “It sounds like it’ll have a lighthearted atmosphere for a charity event.”

“That’s exactly what I want.” Eleanor nodded.

She continued, “I want to create a culture of giving that people enjoy—not one where they’re forced to part with their belongings. I want a culture where both the giver and the receiver can be happy. That’s why I chose wine, something everyone can enjoy together, for the charity party.”

Brianna paused as she listened to Eleanor.

She was reminded of something from when they first became the Empress Dowager’s ladies-in-waiting—a memory she had briefly put aside, of an experience they had in the slums.

There had been a child who accidentally spilled the soup they were distributing. At that time, Eleanor had taken the crying child around the slums herself, asking for more soup. Brianna, watching from a distance, recalled Eleanor’s words as she asked for ‘just one spoonful.’

“I’m not asking for anyone to go without. If you don’t want to, you don’t have to. I don’t want to use my position to take away what’s precious to you.”

From then until now, Eleanor had been quietly walking her own path, whether anyone acknowledged her or not.

Brianna felt overwhelmed, a powerful emotion washing over her.

“…It will definitely succeed.”

Brianna looked at Eleanor, her eyes conveying her admiration.

You’re truly an incredible person.

“I’ll do everything I can to help make this charity event a success.”

“Thank you.” Eleanor smiled at Brianna, grateful for her firm support.

Brianna, her excitement growing, asked a follow-up question, “So, should we report this to His Majesty the Emperor or to Her Majesty the Empress Dowager?”

“To His Majesty the Emperor… of course.”

Although some parts of the poverty relief project were still managed by the Empress Dowager, most of it had been entrusted to Eleanor.

Eleanor answered absentmindedly, but when she mentioned the emperor, her expression grew slightly complicated. A hint of embarrassment flashed across her face, only to quickly vanish.

Seeing Brianna looking at her with bright, curious eyes, Eleanor forced herself to maintain composure.

‘Now that I think about it, how am I supposed to face him?’

The realization dawned on Eleanor, and she swallowed her embarrassment.