Duchess Mecklen’s Elegant Revolt - Chapter 27 Part 3

“Forgive me, Your Majesty. I am deeply ashamed.”

As soon as he entered, Duke Nestor bowed deeply.

There was no one else in the antechamber aside from the Emperor. Never before had Duke Nestor found himself bowing so low before anyone, and it left a bitter taste of humiliation. Still, he couldn’t lift his head easily.

“I failed to educate my son properly. I will take special care to ensure such a thing never happens again.”

“By ‘your son,’ do you mean Evan?”

“Yes. Since he’s the youngest, I indulged him too much, and he’s gone and done something this outrageous. It’s because he is still immature. If Your Majesty could show him leniency, I’m sure he would learn from this.”

Duke Nestor emphasized the words ‘still immature.’

“Your Majesty knows how diligently Evan has worked as an aide. I apologize for this disappointment, but if you could take into account the efforts he has made to assist you…”

“This is not a matter that can be resolved as simply as you suggest.”

The Duke flinched at the Emperor’s icy tone. Even without looking up, he could sense the cold expression on the Emperor’s face.

“He tried to incite chaos in the nation. Posting slanderous posters, distributing anonymous letters, and even attempting to stir up riots among the refugees. Were you aware of this?”

“…I was not.”

Duke Nestor’s head lowered further. He had never expected Evan to go this far.

“This cannot simply be dismissed as a failure of parental education. Moreover, the responsibility lies entirely with Evan. Don’t you think he’s crossed the line far beyond what could be called a youthful mistake?”

“Your Majesty…”

“I have nothing more to say. You should leave now.”

The Emperor’s curt command left the Duke crestfallen.

‘He’s truly furious,’ Duke Nestor thought to himself.

Realizing that this was not a problem that could be solved with mere pleading, Duke Nestor felt a pang of regret.

That night, when Evan stormed out of the house, why hadn’t he stopped him?

If only he had intervened, things might not have come to this.

But what was done could not be undone.

Though he sensed it was futile, the Duke decided to make one last desperate plea.

Dropping to his knees, he said urgently, “Your Majesty, please reconsider just this once.”

“……”

“I can’t fully grasp the extent of your anger, but if you could show mercy to my son, I would never forget your grace. The Nestor family would remain your eternal and unwavering loyal servants.”

He was sincere in his words.

Duke Nestor bowed his head as low as he could, humbling himself to the utmost.

But the Emperor’s reaction was far from encouraging.

The Emperor’s green eyes narrowed into slits as he looked down at the Duke.

“It sounds almost like a threat.”

“…Pardon?”

“Are you trying to bargain with me, offering loyalty in exchange for your son’s safety? That’s insulting.”

A chill ran down the Duke’s spine as though cold water had been poured over him.

Startled, he quickly raised his head to explain himself but gasped at what he saw.

‘My god.’

It was as though a sharp blade was pointed directly at him.

Facing the Emperor’s piercing gaze, Duke Nestor belatedly realized the truth.

The Emperor was looking for an excuse.

His eyes instinctively fell to the sword resting on the table. It was an object he wouldn’t have seen by the Emperor’s side before.

A terrifying sense of foreboding overwhelmed him.

“You misunderstand, Your Majesty. The Nestor family has always pledged eternal loyalty to the imperial family. You know how devoted the late Duke was to you.”

“……”

“Even my sister serves as a great elder within the imperial family. How could I possibly dare to offer loyalty as a condition? That’s unthinkable.”

Clinging to his fraying composure, Duke Nestor struggled to continue speaking.

The Emperor had no intention of sparing Evan from the start. That much was clear.

And perhaps not even him.

‘If I make one wrong move, I’ll die too.’

The weight of that realization filled Duke Nestor with a fear he had never known before.

***

Eleanor couldn’t focus on her work as usual.

The conversation from the night before kept surfacing in her mind.

At that time, Eleanor had been secretly eavesdropping on Lennoch’s discussion with Duke Nestor from the bedroom.

As expected, Duke Nestor ultimately failed to achieve his goal and left empty-handed.

Though she and Lennoch had continued their private time afterward, the matter had weighed on her mind since she arrived at work that morning.

‘How can we achieve mutual benefit without bloodshed?’

Lost in thought, Eleanor toyed with her quill. Just then, Brianna, who had finished her tasks, approached her.

“Eleanor, you haven’t forgotten we’re visiting the Turin family after work, have you?”

“Oh, is that today?”

Snapping out of her reverie, Eleanor checked the date.

Her schedule was filled with plans for upcoming parties.

Glancing at the elaborately dressed Brianna, Eleanor offered an apologetic smile.

“I’m sorry, I forgot.”

“Eleanor, really. What were you thinking about to forget a party?”

In response to Brianna’s question, Eleanor simply smiled and hastily organized the documents she’d been reviewing.

She then hurriedly moved to the carriage with Brianna.

Like Brianna, Eleanor was also dressed more lavishly than usual.

The unexpected outing was for a charity party.

“Eleanor, you should formally establish your presence in society.”

The moment they settled in the carriage, Brianna offered her earnest advice.

“As you know, the House of Turin isn’t particularly friendly toward the imperial family. However, if you can win them over, families like Ibraun, Saxon, and Coyte are likely to follow.”

“That’s good. Isn’t the Lady of Coyte famous as a socialite? I’ve heard she has an exceptional sense of fashion.”

“You’re right. If the Lady of Coyte learns about this charity party, it will also draw the attention of other young ladies. It’s like catching one to attract ten others.”

Prideful nobles often judged their social influence by the attendance at the parties they hosted.

Inviting others to their parties and attending theirs in return was considered basic etiquette.

However, while sending out invitations for the charity party, one issue arose: Eleanor herself had hardly participated in social activities.

Her presence had been limited to occasional appearances at official imperial events.

“I’ve been far too indifferent to social activities,” Eleanor said with a faint smile.

She had noticed the shift in her standing through the influx of invitations and people’s positive reactions.

However, she had been so busy that she could hardly see the change herself.

Brianna frowned. “From now on, accompany me. I may not be the flower of society, but I’ve made connections here and there.”

Her pride in her social network was evident. Seeing Brianna’s raised chin, Eleanor softly smiled.

“Thank you. I feel bad for always relying on you, Brianna.”

“Rely on me?”

“Yes, you’re always working so hard for me.”

“You’re the one who does more for me.”

Brianna didn’t take kindly to Eleanor’s modesty. Raising her voice slightly, she said, “When I was kidnapped in Hadum, and during the New Year’s banquet, you saved me. I’m in my current position in the imperial court because of you.”

“Well, that was just…”

“Hmph. Anyway, when I offer help, just accept it. Consider it repayment for everything you’ve done for me.”

Cutting Eleanor off, Brianna resolutely shook her head.

To an outsider, it might have seemed like she was scolding Eleanor, but it was her sincere way of expressing gratitude.

Reading Brianna’s true feelings, Eleanor chuckled softly.

“I don’t see it as a debt.”

“……?”

“We’re friends, after all.”

Brianna froze mid-motion and blinked rapidly.

“I only did what any friend would do.”

Sometimes Eleanor found it hard to believe how much Brianna had changed—like now.

Eleanor regarded Brianna warmly, causing her face to flush bright red.

‘That’s the first time I’ve heard that.’

Hastily hiding her face behind her fan, Brianna felt as if she were receiving excessive praise.

Hearing the word “friend” directly made her feel incredibly shy.

“Th-th-th. Back then…”

Brianna stammered, uncharacteristically.

Now was her chance. Finally, she could apologize for something she had long agonized over.

Determined, Brianna forced her trembling lips to speak.

“I-I-I…”

“I?”

“I… apologize!”

Her sudden outburst startled even herself. She flinched in surprise.

Lowering her fan slightly, she peeked at Eleanor, whose eyes were round like a rabbit’s.

‘Oh no,’ Brianna thought. ‘What kind of apology was that?’

With her apology failing spectacularly, Brianna wanted to cry but held back.

“Anyway, I’ll keep helping you. You should just accept it.”

Delivering her proclamation, Brianna raised her fan again.

She felt mortified, but her primary concern was Eleanor’s reaction. What if she found her behavior unpleasant?

While Brianna wrestled with her thoughts, Eleanor’s gentle voice reached her.

“Thank you for apologizing.”

“……!”

“Let’s continue to work well together, Brianna. Let’s be lifelong friends.”

“O-of course.”

Brianna felt as if she had received an unexpected gift.

She remained hidden behind her fan until they reached the Tyurn family estate, unable to bring herself to emerge.

Eleanor’s bright laughter filled the carriage.

***

Duke Nestor paced the garden anxiously all day.

His plans to persuade the Emperor had long fallen apart. On top of that, he had received devastating news from the Emperor.

‘Execution?’

The mere thought of it made him feel faint.

The Emperor’s decree to treat this incident as treason and punish it equivalently left Duke Nestor collapsing on the spot. Yet he couldn’t even beg for mercy. Any careless words might provoke the Emperor to draw his sword right there and then.

The Emperor had even gone as far as to say that Duke Nestor should consider himself lucky for not being held accountable for his son’s crimes.

“This is maddening.”

Duke Nestor stomped his feet in frustration, disregarding his dignity.

With the Emperor’s stance so unyielding, what could he possibly do?

‘Perhaps I should offer money.’

It was painful to consider, but losing his son was far worse.

Conflicted, Duke Nestor wrestled with his thoughts for a long time before finally deciding to act.

He would return to the main palace.

‘I need to find someone who can help.’

He needed an intermediary to persuade the Emperor. His first thought was Duke Ezester.

“Duke, are you busy?”

“What is it?”

Duke Ezester, who had just finished tidying his desk and was about to leave, turned to Nestor, who quickly explained the situation.

“My son has committed a grave offense. I went to plead with His Majesty, but he refuses to forgive him. If you could lend me some influence, I will surely repay the favor. I recently acquired a rare artifact—one of only three in the entire empire. I’ll gladly give it to you.”

However, Duke Ezester’s reaction, after hearing the details, was indifferent.

“I’m not interested.”

“Duke, come now. Can’t you help a friend?”

“I can’t. If he’s done wrong, he must be punished.”

Duke Ezester shook his head firmly.

To Duke Nestor, it sounded as though Ezester was condemning his son to death. He raised his voice in protest.

“He’s my son! How can I just let him be punished? That’s impossible. If you were in my position, would you cast your child aside for such a matter?”

“I already have.”

“……”

“I even disowned him from the family.”

Duke Ezester coldly recalled how he had completely cut ties with his only son, Childe, following a scandal. With nothing more to say, Duke Nestor fell silent.

Duke Ezester continued with detached words, “You still have your eldest son, don’t you? Your situation is far better than mine. Let your eldest inherit the family, and give up on the second son.”

“…You’re speaking too lightly of someone else’s problem.”

Holding back his rising anger, Duke Nestor realized further conversation was futile.

He left without even a formal goodbye, muttering under his breath.

‘Heartless man.’

No wonder his son turned out the way he did.

Duke Nestor bitterly ridiculed Ezester, but no amount of scorn could ease his unease.

His next thought turned to Duke Mecklen.

Everyone knew Duke Mecklen was a close associate of the Emperor.

“Duke!”

Duke Nestor burst into Ernst’s office without even knocking, startling Vincent, Ernst’s aide.

Ignoring the startled aide, Nestor approached Ernst.

“I need your help.”

“What’s the matter?”

“You’re close to His Majesty. Could you please persuade him to show leniency toward Evan?”

“……”

“I’ll give you whatever you want—money, items, anything. In fact, we’re business partners in a trading venture. I’ll increase your profit share by 1.5 times. Just name your price.”

Ernst’s expression changed as he listened to Nestor’s offer. However, it wasn’t because of the excessive reward.

It was the mention of the Emperor that made Ernst’s tone turn cold.

“I am not His Majesty’s close associate.”

“…What?”

“His Majesty is the Emperor. The only relationship I have with him is that of a vassal. There is no friendship.”

“…What?”

The Duke was stunned, as this completely contradicted everything he thought he knew about Ernst’s relationship with the Emperor.

Was there some falling-out between them?

Even Vincent, listening from the side, looked shocked.

Ernst cut the conversation short.

“Please leave. I have much work to do and no time to waste.”

“……”

“Vincent, escort the Duke out.”

“Y-yes, sir!”

Vincent jumped to his feet to comply.

Duke Nestor could only stare blankly at Ernst, who had already resumed his work.

‘Why?’

Why had everything gone so wrong?

Where had he miscalculated?

“Your Grace, may I escort you out?”

“…Fine.”

Duke Nestor finally managed to reply and trudged out of the office.

He was now at a complete loss as to where he might find someone to persuade the Emperor.

Realizing how little time Evan had left, Duke Nestor could only lower his head in despair.

***