Duchess Mecklen’s Elegant Revolt - Chapter 27 Part 4

Though not on the scale of a Grand Duke’s estate, the banquet hall of the Turin family was spacious enough to accommodate a large number of nobles.

The theme of the party hosted by the Turin family was dancing.

Small groups were forming, with guests searching for dance partners.

During this, someone recognized Eleanor and approached her warmly.

“Oh my, Lady Eleanor, isn’t it? I’m Misty of the House of Saxon. It’s an honor to meet you.”

“I am Eleanor von Hippias, my lady. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Following Misty’s curtsey, Eleanor responded with her own.

At that moment, as if waiting for someone to start a conversation, other ladies quickly stepped forward to introduce themselves.

“I’m Chelsea of the House of Britanny.”

“Louise of the House of Hument. A pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

In no time, Eleanor was surrounded by people.

Most of those gathered were interested in Eleanor’s business ventures. Questions ranged from how she came up with her ideas, to her profits, and whether she planned to branch out into other areas. Eleanor took the time to answer each question one by one.

Brianna, standing beside her, quietly listened, allowing Eleanor to take center stage in the conversations.

Just as the atmosphere reached its peak, a sudden commotion spread through the room, drawing everyone’s attention to the entrance.

“Isn’t that the Duchess Dowager of Mecklen?”

“Goodness, what brings her here?”

“She doesn’t even attend imperial banquets. What could have prompted her to show up at an event like this?”

The crowd parted as if the Red Sea itself had split.

Standing at the forefront of the group now entering was a striking woman.

‘Caroline’

Eleanor’s eyes fell on her.

The surrounding nobles were abuzz with excitement.

It was rare for Caroline to attend such gatherings. While she occasionally held small, private meetings for her own purposes, she was seldom seen at large parties.

“Who would have thought we’d see her here?”

Brianna whispered to Eleanor, sounding just as surprised.

Eleanor leaned in and whispered back, “It seems she followed me.”

“Followed you?”

Eleanor answered with a nod.

Caroline, scanning the crowd, soon locked eyes with Eleanor.

“…Unbelievable,” Brianna muttered, exasperated.

Caroline, having clearly recognized Eleanor, began walking toward her.

Beside her was Vivia, and behind them were three other women.

Brianna glared sharply at the approaching group.

“Well, well, who do we have here,” Caroline called out, her voice dripping with exaggerated cheer. “Eleanor! How delightful to see you here.”

“Indeed.”

Caroline acted as though they were long-lost friends, but Brianna bristled, remembering how recently Caroline had been seething and ready to slap Eleanor. The sudden change in demeanor made Brianna shudder.

“Let’s catch up later. Enjoy yourself,” Caroline said, withdrawing without further comment, seemingly aware of the watching eyes.

Brianna was ready to stop her from leaving so easily, but Eleanor intercepted her with a flick of her fan.

Vivia shot Brianna a glare before turning away.

Brianna whispered to Eleanor, “We can’t just let this slide.”

“For now, let it go. Caroline won’t act recklessly in such a public setting.”

Eleanor gently calmed Brianna, who was still fuming.

Caroline wasn’t alone; she was accompanied by three women.

Lady Jutland, Lady Yavich, and Lady Craister—all familiar faces.

‘The worst possible company.’

These women, known for their proximity to Caroline, often spread gossip on her behalf or acted as her enforcers within social circles. In her previous life, they had also tormented Eleanor under Caroline’s orders.

Eleanor’s gaze followed Caroline, noting Lady Jutland’s occasional glances back at her.

“Alright, everyone. Shall we take some time to dance with our partners?”

The host of the party, Count Turin, stepped forward and clapped his hands.

As the crowd gathered, it was clear that the ball was about to officially begin.

Ladies who had secured partners in advance stepped forward, hand in hand, toward the center. Others sought out partners directly within the party.

“Lady Eleanor, are you not dancing?”

A young lady observing her cautiously asked. She was from the Metron family.

Eleanor smiled and shook her head. “Without a partner, I think I’ll just watch.”

“That’s such a shame. Oh, how about my cousin? He’s an excellent dancer.”

Seizing the opportunity, Lady Metron called over a young man standing nearby.

Eleanor hurriedly declined. “No, it’s fine. Watching others dance is enjoyable enough for me.”

“Hoho, but I insist. My cousin admires you greatly. Come here, introduce yourself.”

“Greetings. I am Jin, the eldest son of the Viscount Metron. We’ve met before, though you may not remember.”

“Ah, isn’t he the one from the New Year’s celebration, Lady Eleanor?”

Brianna, who had been watching silently, recognized him.

It was the young man who had greeted them while they were on their way to the Western Palace on her first day back at work after the New Year’s banquet.

Jin smiled warmly at Brianna, grateful for the recognition.

“I’m glad you remember.”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t recall. Lady Brianna, you have such a good memory.”

Eleanor gave an apologetic smile, genuinely unable to remember. However, Jin didn’t seem offended.

Instead, as if determined not to miss this opportunity, he took a step closer to Eleanor.

“Then could I ask you to remember me from now on?”

“……?”

“I’d like to properly introduce myself this time.”

Jin extended his hand to Eleanor politely.

Brianna, watching nearby, let out a soft gasp, having picked up on Jin’s feelings toward Eleanor.

Lady Metron, who had introduced her cousin, beamed with satisfaction.

“You may not have known, but he spotted you from afar during the New Year’s banquet and wouldn’t stop talking about how much he wanted to meet you. I felt so sorry for him.”

“Sister.”

“Oh, come on. It’s true.”

Lady Metron chuckled teasingly.

Despite his cousin’s sudden revelation, Jin didn’t withdraw his extended hand, his anticipation evident.

Eleanor stared at his hand, her discomfort growing.

‘What should I do?’

Invitations to dance were common at such parties. If she accepted, no one would fault her for dancing with him.

This was how connections were built in society.

Dancing together, holding each other’s shoulders and waists, could even spark feelings where none had existed before.

“I’m sorry.”

But in the end, she couldn’t do it.

Other than Childe, who had approached her with clear intentions, no man had ever come to her like this.

Unsure of how to handle the situation, Eleanor politely declined with an apologetic smile.

“I’m not much of a dancer, but if you visit the palace sometime, I’d be happy to have tea with you.”

Over Jin’s smooth hand, she imagined another—rough and calloused, hardened from countless battles. That hand was not here.

Though Lennoch wouldn’t see her with Jin, the thought of dancing intimately with a stranger who admired her didn’t sit well with her.

***

Lady Jutland’s dismissive voice broke the silence.

“She doesn’t seem like much,” she scoffed. “I feel like she’d start crying if we pushed her a little. I thought she must be impressive for taking over Lady Caroline’s business, but she seems so dull that it’s almost disappointing.”

Caroline, Vivia, Lady Jutland, and the rest of their group occupied a large lounge.

It was one of the reception rooms Count Turin had left open for guests to rest between dances.

Unlike the other rooms, however, this one was exclusively theirs, set aside by Count Turin from the start.

With their feet propped on footrests, they chatted leisurely.

“I feel the same,” chimed in Lady Yavich with a giggle. “It doesn’t even feel worth tormenting her.”

Caroline let out a derisive snort. “If you poke her even a little, you’ll see her true nature. She’s hiding it now, but you’ll be shocked when she starts snapping back at me.”

“You’re absolutely right, Lady Caroline. I’ve experienced it myself—she’s unbelievably audacious.”

Vivia nodded vigorously in agreement. She’d once tried to harass Brianna but ended up being humiliated by Eleanor in return.

Vivia recounted how Eleanor had thrown a vase at her during the New Year’s banquet, leaving her terrified.

Lady Jutland burst into laughter. “I’m curious now. Would she dare do that in front of us?”

“Indeed,” said Yavich. “If I’d known this would happen, we should’ve invited her to one of our gatherings from the start. Then we wouldn’t have to go through all this trouble to meet her.”

“As if that Princess Hartmann would ever come.”

Vivia shook her head at their wistful remarks.

“My father once sent her an invitation himself, but she never attended any of our parties.”

She was referring to the time the Marquis of Delph had invited Eleanor to a debate. Eleanor had simply burned the invitation, but Vivia didn’t know the full story.

Vivia added that Eleanor was unlikely to accept their invitations and that this party was their best chance to confront her.

Jutland smirked. “A coward. Just as I thought.”

“Still, don’t let your guard down. We must act decisively.”

“Don’t worry, Lady Caroline. Have we ever let anything slip through our fingers?”

Caroline’s concerns were dismissed as they laughed together. Vivia, emboldened by the confidence of her peers, smiled brightly.

Just the thought of putting Eleanor and Brianna in their place filled her with satisfaction.

“Does being a minister’s daughter mean everything? This time, I’ll show her what the noble high society is truly like.”

Vivia bit her crimson lips, recalling the times Eleanor had suppressed her with status. Her father had even secured Count Turin’s cooperation, urging her to use this opportunity to teach Eleanor a lesson.

Neither Eleanor nor Brianna would dare lift their heads in their presence again.

***

“Lady Eleanor, Count Turin requests your presence. He has something urgent to discuss.”

A servant from the Turin family approached Eleanor.

Eleanor, who had been chatting with Brianna and other ladies, looked puzzled but nodded.

“Alright.”

“Perfect timing. You can bring up the charity party naturally,” Brianna said enthusiastically, following Eleanor.

Excusing themselves from the group, they followed the servant deeper into the estate.

After climbing a staircase, they reached a door and stopped.

“You may go in. I’ll take my leave now.”

The servant, having completed his task, promptly left.

Eleanor knocked, but there was no response from within.

“He said we could enter, so it should be fine, right?”

“I suppose so.”

Eleanor hesitated, but Brianna pushed the door open first.

Inside stood none other than Lady Jutland.

“Oh, you’ve come at the perfect time.”

“What is… ah!”

Brianna yelped as Lady Jutland suddenly grabbed her arm and dragged her forward. She managed to stay on her feet but was thrown into the center of the room.

Looking around, Brianna saw several people staring at her, including Vivia, who greeted her with a mocking wave.

“You…!”

“Hello,” Vivia said with a crooked smile.

Lady Jutland tilted her head toward Eleanor, who was still standing outside the room.

“What are you doing? Aren’t you coming in?”

Eleanor immediately realized what was happening.

These people had set a trap for her and Brianna.

At the center of the room, Caroline sat leisurely in a chair, fanning herself like a queen among her followers.

Her confident expression made it clear she didn’t expect Eleanor to simply walk away.

Caroline’s provocative gaze met Eleanor’s, and Eleanor’s lips curled into a smirk, mirroring Vivia’s.

“So, you really want to do this.”

“My, my! This young lady is truly unexpected, isn’t she?”

Lady Jutland, who had been watching from the side, let out a burst of laughter. It sounded innocent, like that of a child, but Eleanor knew it was a mocking sneer laced with derision.

Without fear, Eleanor stepped forward.

As soon as she entered the room, the door slammed shut behind her with a resounding bang!