Duchess Mecklen’s Elegant Revolt - Chapter 27 Part 2

“I heard the news.”

Eleanor greeted Lennoch at Zaire Palace.

She had just heard about Evan’s arrest. The rumor that the second son of Duke Nestor had been caught posting anti-imperial posters had spread throughout the palace in less than half a day.

Even though the Nestor name was well-known across the empire, the consensus among nobles was that the Emperor would not let such a blatant attempt to undermine imperial authority slide.

“I never imagined Lord Evan would plot something like this.”

“The speed of palace gossip is truly impressive,” Lennoch replied with a smile, removing his vest.

He unbuttoned the collar that had been tightly fastened around his neck and rolled up his sleeves comfortably. He then sat across from Eleanor at a small round table.

“How do you plan to handle this?”

“For now, I intend to make Duke Nestor sweat a little,” Lennoch replied leisurely, leaning back against the chair. “He’ll probably try to negotiate in some way. Perhaps he’ll even come to plead with me.”

“Do you think so?”

“For all his faults, he’s someone who cherishes his family dearly. He won’t give up so easily.”

At those words, Eleanor thought of Childe.

Compared to Duke Ezester, Childe’s father, Duke Nestor seemed quite different. Duke Ezester acted as if he couldn’t care less even if his son were tortured.

Lennoch continued, “Evan attempted to disrupt Baden by exploiting people from your homeland. I don’t know how Duke Nestor will try to negotiate, but I have no intention of letting this matter slide.”

Though he outwardly smiled, Lennoch was clearly angry.

Thankfully, he had assigned someone to keep an eye on Evan earlier. Had he not done so, the trouble might have extended to Eleanor as well.

“The nobles’ opinions are divided. Initially, some advocated flogging, but now, perhaps out of deference to Duke Nestor, opinions are split between a fine and flogging.”

“What is Your Majesty’s opinion?”

Anti-imperial activities were no small matter.

Eleanor cautiously sought Lennoch’s thoughts. His emerald-green eyes curved softly, but their transparent clarity could not conceal the cold glint beneath.

“I told you, didn’t I? If anyone seeks to harm you, I’ll cut them down, no matter who they are.”

“……!”

“In two weeks, I will sentence him to execution.”

Eleanor’s lips parted slightly in shock.

She hadn’t expected such a matter-of-fact declaration of death.

Sensing the gravity of the moment, Eleanor chose her words carefully.

“Your Majesty, if Duke Nestor bears resentment over his son’s death, he may harbor disloyal intentions…”

“That’s precisely what I want.”

“…Pardon?”

“I want Duke Nestor to act boldly. The more he does, the clearer the justification for his removal becomes.”

Lennoch was intent on fighting—and using rather extreme methods at that.

“It will also reveal the depth of Duke Nestor’s ties with Caroline and Count Verdik.”

“Ah.”

“Regardless of the outcome, it doesn’t matter. If they rise up, I’ll label them traitors and implicate them all. They won’t even have the chance to preserve their family name. Treason applies to all direct relatives, after all.”

It was a clear statement of intent to eliminate Duke Nestor’s entire family.

With proper justification, deploying troops wouldn’t be difficult.

This marked the prelude to an imminent conflict. Starting with Evan, Lennoch planned to gather the implicated parties one by one, like stringing beads.

As Lennoch elaborated on his plans, Eleanor’s complexion darkened slightly.

“Isn’t Duke Nestor connected to Your Majesty’s maternal family? Her Majesty the Empress Dowager may find this troubling.”

“It’s fine. My mother would turn her back on her own blood without hesitation if it were for the imperial family. I grew up under such a mother.”

“Your Majesty.”

“Don’t worry.”

Reading Eleanor’s concern, Lennoch reached forward.

His hand sought hers, and when she did not resist, he took her wrist. Lennoch pressed his lips deeply against the snow-white back of her hand.

“Both my mother and I are merely doing what must be done.”

“……”

“It’s not just for you. You don’t need to feel guilty. As the Emperor of Baden, it was something I had to do, and I’ve merely advanced the timeline.”

Though his gaze lacked warmth, Lennoch’s lips were warm against Eleanor’s skin.

Without wavering, he delivered his final words with conviction.

“This will be the first step toward rebuilding the imperial authority that crumbled during Leopold II’s reign.”

Eleanor understood his determination and hesitated to speak further.

Of course, she supported Lennoch.

But one person weighed heavily on her mind.

After some deliberation, Eleanor gently stroked Lennoch’s hand, which still held hers.

“Your Majesty, could you give me some time?”

“What kind of time?”

“If you grant me a two-week reprieve, I’ll try to win Duke Nestor over to our side before Lord Evan’s execution.”

“It seems there’s something on your mind.”

“It’s…”

Worried Lennoch might take offense, Eleanor carefully continued.

“Lord Pedro weighs on my conscience.”

Pedro had committed no crime.

However, if Duke Nestor were condemned for treason, Pedro would also face execution.

After all, this plan’s purpose was the annihilation of House Nestor, regardless of guilt.

“I understand it’s a difficult decision. It’s also hard to ignore the fact that the Nestor family isn’t entirely unconnected to those plotting against us.”

Even so, Eleanor was determined to save Pedro, who had helped her business.

The thought of the pain Pedro might endure from this ordeal saddened her. For someone who cherished his family deeply, the loss would be immense.

“If I can’t think of a better solution in two weeks than what Your Majesty has proposed, I’ll abide by your decision then. But could you grant me this time?”

Eleanor widened her eyes as she looked up at Lennoch.

Caught off guard by her gaze, Lennoch let out a soft groan. This was almost…

“…Difficult to refuse.”

Having surrendered, Lennoch’s cold demeanor softened.

“I didn’t realize you cared for Pedro so much.”

“Oh, no, Your Majesty. Just to clarify, I don’t see him in that way…”

“I know,” Lennoch replied lightly, leaning forward over the table. “I won’t grant this favor for free. I’ll need some bribe.”

“Lennoch, really.”

Seeing Lennoch’s playful smile, Eleanor’s tension melted, and her face flushed.

Since the previous incident where he had teased her while undressing, Lennoch seemed to have developed a taste for toying with her. Once again, he mischievously tapped her cheek.

Feeling a boldness surge, Eleanor stood up and approached him, casting a shadow over his face.

“Eli?”

Though his voice sounded puzzled, Eleanor didn’t answer. She bent down, and in an instant, their lips met briefly before parting.

Lennoch’s expression froze as he registered the soft sensation on his lips.

“If you keep teasing me, I’ll do the same… Ah!”

Eleanor let out a short scream as she suddenly felt like the ground slipped away beneath her.

It wasn’t until she was dangling her legs mid-air that Eleanor realized Lennoch had lifted her by the waist.

She quickly clung to his broad shoulders right in front of her.

“Your Majesty—no, Lennoch…!”

“You provoked me first.”

With an enigmatic remark, Lennoch strode toward the bed.

Eleanor tried to plead exhaustion to avoid the situation, but her words didn’t carry much weight.

Before she knew it, she was lying on the soft bedding, looking up at Lennoch, who loomed over her.

“This wasn’t the outcome I intended…”

Before she could continue, Lennoch’s face closed in, and their lips locked again.

As her body temperature soared, Eleanor instinctively clutched at his shirt collar.

The breaths passing between their parted lips felt almost scalding in their intensity.

Her slender neck strained as she tried to pull away, but Lennoch’s persistent lips wouldn’t let her escape. The soft sensation of his tongue deepened the kiss.

His hand had moved to the ribbon of her waistline without her realizing.

The quickened breaths and heated sighs exchanged between them filled the space.

“Your Majesty.”

The sudden call from outside brought both Eleanor and Lennoch to an abrupt halt.

***

“Why can’t I see him?”

“It’s His Majesty’s order. No one is to be allowed in.”

“I am Duke Nestor. Surely I’m an exception. Open the doors at once.”

“I’m afraid not. Without His Majesty’s permission, it’s impossible.”

The confrontation had been going on for hours.

The Duke of Nestor’s frustration was palpable as he faced the unyielding guard.

But he couldn’t give up now.

The grim iron door visible beyond the guards only deepened his torment.

‘To think he’s locked up in a place like that. How cold and miserable it must be.’

The Duke of Nestor stomped his feet in anguish.

His son had lived a life of privilege, never lacking for anything. Now, to be confined in conditions worse than a commoner’s hovel—what parent could endure such thoughts?

“I’ll go seek His Majesty’s permission immediately.”

Defeated by the guard’s refusal, the Duke hurried back to the palace.

It was late, and the surroundings were eerily quiet as most people had already left for the day.

Out of breath, the Duke finally reached the Emperor’s palace and pleaded with the knight stationed at the entrance.

“Please, allow me to see His Majesty.”

“His Majesty retired early. I cannot disturb him.”

“At least convey a message to him. This is urgent.”

The Duke of Nestor, uncharacteristically insistent, pressed his case.

The knight’s gaze hinted at pity, but the Duke remained undeterred.

What does dignity matter when his son’s life is at stake?

“I will not move from here until His Majesty hears me out.”

The Duke sat on the floor, a resolute expression on his face.

The knights exchanged uneasy glances. As a Duke, he outranked them by an unbridgeable margin.

Faced with his determination, they found it increasingly difficult to refuse.

“I will convey your message.”

One of the knights retreated into the palace.

The Duke considered this a small victory.

If the Emperor refused to summon him, he was prepared to spend the entire night at the entrance.

“His Majesty has granted permission.”

Contrary to his worries, the approval came swiftly. Relieved, the Duke rose and followed the knight.

Navigating through corridors different from those of the main palace, they arrived at an antechamber adjacent to the Emperor’s bedchamber.

The knight knocked on the door.

At the Emperor’s invitation, the Duke of Nestor entered, his face taut with tension.