Duchess Mecklen’s Elegant Revolt - Chapter 27 Part 7

Henrik’s body froze completely.

Milo, who had casually brought up the topic, suddenly felt awkward at the young master’s overly shocked reaction.

Fortunately, Becky chose that moment to knock and enter the room.

“You must be hungry. The chef saved some bread from this morning. Try it with some jam.”

“Thank you.”

Becky’s cheerful voice lightened the tense atmosphere.

Milo silently sighed in relief as he glanced at Becky.

Milo’s stern and rugged face was always more suited to scowls than smiles, so his attempt at smiling ended up looking forced. Yet Becky gazed at him as if he were the most lovable person in the world.

Her affectionate demeanor, dripping with warmth, only unsettled Henrik further.

‘So, my sister will have this kind of relationship with someone one day?’

The tender dynamic between Becky and Milo felt like a preview of what it might be like to meet his future brother-in-law. Overwhelmed, Henrik placed a hand on his forehead and muttered seriously.

“Does that mean there’s already a man by my sister’s side…”

“Oh my, Madam?”

Becky’s sharp ears caught Henrik’s murmur.

“Isn’t there already someone? He’s this tall, has silver hair, and always wears a mask.”

“A masked nobleman?”

“He’s been here before. Oh, that’s right—young master, you weren’t home at the time.”

This was news to both Milo and Henrik.

Becky briefly explained how, during Eleanor’s bout with a cold, a masked man had escorted her home.

“He even entered her bedroom and tended to her.”

“…Her bedroom?”

Milo jumped up, while Henrik clenched his fists.

Despite dropping such a bombshell, Becky continued explaining nonchalantly.

“He seemed very close to Madam. Watching them, the atmosphere between them was unusual. Young master, you’d think so too if you saw them together.”

“Very… close?”

“He even stroked Madam’s cheek like this.”

“Stroked her… cheek?”

Henrik’s clenched fist trembled.

As the tension in Henrik rose to an alarming level, Milo tried to intervene, reaching out to stop Becky from saying more.

But before he could, the sound of Henrik slamming his desk made them both jump.

“He must have approached her with ulterior motives.”

“Y-young master?”

“Wearing a mask? Someone who can’t even show his face properly can’t possibly have genuine intentions for my sister.”

Henrik was resolute.

“Next time he shows up, tell me immediately. I’ll remove his mask and uncover which family he belongs to.”

“But… Madam already seems to know. She avoided mentioning his title to me…”

“I won’t allow some mysterious man to steal my sister away.”

Though Becky tried to add more context, it seemed Henrik was no longer listening.

Fuming, Henrik declared his determination to uncover the identity of the suspicious masked man.

Neither Milo nor Becky could calm the fiery outrage of a younger brother determined to protect his sister.

Abandoning their attempts to console him, Milo and Becky exchanged awkward smiles.

***

Escorted by Lennoch, Eleanor walked through the hall.

Turning her head slightly, Eleanor glanced toward where Brianna was likely standing.

Brianna, sensing the atmosphere between Eleanor and Lennoch, casually waved as if nothing was amiss.

As the Emperor exited the ballroom, nobles along his path paused their conversations to bow respectfully.

Some couldn’t help but steal glances at Eleanor, who walked alongside him.

When the pair finally disappeared from sight, murmurs filled the room.

“Did you see that?”

“Yes, I did.”

“What’s their relationship?”

“Wasn’t there a rumor a while ago about Princess Hartmann possibly becoming Empress?”

“That was half a year ago, wasn’t it?”

“More than that, actually. It must have been about a year now.”

“So that rumor was true?”

“I doubt it. If it were true, she wouldn’t have gone to the Mecklen family.”

“Still, did you see them just now?”

“Yes. There’s definitely something special between them.”

The room buzzed with divided opinions.

Everyone seemed to sense that the relationship between the Emperor and Eleanor was far from ordinary.

Then someone raised their voice dramatically.

“I’m still against it. A princess from a fallen kingdom as Empress? What bad luck.”

“I agree. And wasn’t she divorced from Duke Mecklen? Who knows if she wasn’t the reason for it?”

Lady Coyte was among those who voiced opposition.

Having secretly hoped to dance with the Emperor herself, she couldn’t help but find Eleanor’s presence irritating.

This time, Lady Metron interjected.

“The divorce was mutual. Besides, if there had been any issues, His Majesty wouldn’t have appointed her to the position of Director. Isn’t it obvious, considering Duke Mecklen hasn’t said a word against her?”

“……”

“And the circumstances are different now, aren’t they? She’s officially been adopted into the Hippias family.”

With Lady Metron leading the defense, others who supported Eleanor joined in.

“The Hippias family, while not well-known to the younger generation, has a long and storied history. It’s one of the most respected families in Baden.”

“Exactly. And hasn’t Princess Eleanor’s tea business been thriving lately? She’s incredibly capable.”

“I heard the Empress Dowager is especially fond of her. Didn’t you hear? She’s the one who proposed the upcoming charity event.”

The once unanimous criticism of Princess Hartmann had shifted.

As opinions split, two opposing groups naturally formed.

While some debated heatedly, others grew increasingly curious about Eleanor’s special relationship with the Emperor.

A few nobles quietly slipped out of the hall, eager to confirm with their own eyes.

“Oh my, look over there.”

A lady who had stepped outside pointed toward a distant scene.

They could see the Emperor’s carriage waiting, with Eleanor being escorted inside by him.

“My goodness, could their relationship really be genuine?”

The Emperor did not immediately board the carriage but instead summoned a knight nearby.

As onlookers watched him whisper something to the knight, someone murmured, “Has His Majesty ever kept anyone by his side like this before?”

“Never. Not even a mistress.”

“To be honest, I thought His Majesty had no interest in the opposite sex… Oh dear, that was rude of me. Forgive me.”

Realizing their mistake, a noblewoman coughed awkwardly.

At that moment, her eyes accidentally met the Emperor’s as he turned his head.

“……!”

The startled nobles hurriedly tried to hide, but there was nothing around to shield them.

The Emperor, watching their flustered movements, smirked.

He said nothing to them, however, and climbed into the carriage after Eleanor.

Already seated inside, Eleanor glanced at Lennoch, who had taken the seat beside her.

“What were you discussing just now?”

Through the window, Eleanor had seen Lennoch summoning the knights and giving instructions.

Seeing the curiosity in her blue eyes, Lennoch’s expression softened.

“Something urgent came to mind. I’ve instructed Eger to handle it by tomorrow.”

“Didn’t you say earlier that you had completed all your tasks?”

“Did I say that?”

This was when feigned ignorance proved invaluable.

Unable to outmatch Lennoch’s playfulness, Eleanor simply laughed it off.

She murmured to herself, “After tonight, the nobles will surely know about us.”

The weight of their reactions had been palpable.

Eleanor couldn’t decide whether to laugh or cry at how quickly the rumors of their romance would spread.

Lennoch, speaking as if to comfort her, continued gently, “That’s exactly what I wanted.”

“……?”

“I did it intentionally.”

Intentionally?

“They need to know. That you are mine.”

Startled, Eleanor raised her head quickly.

At the same time, Lennoch’s hand moved toward her right ear.

She flinched instinctively, but his touch was soft as he tucked her loose hair behind her ear.

“From now on, I’ll let them know, one thing at a time.”

Having tidied her hair, Lennoch smiled gently.

“How they should treat you.”

“……!”

Her heart raced wildly as if ignited.

Standing against the backdrop of the dimly lit carriage interior, Lennoch exuded an aura entirely different from before.

Lowering her gaze hurriedly, Eleanor, overwhelmed, blurted out, “Lennoch, I’m content as things are. Even if they oppose me being by your side, I’m willing to wait until they accept it. You don’t need to go to such lengths for me…”

“Eli.”

Suddenly, his hand cupped her chin.

The strength of his grip compelled Eleanor to lift her face.

His intense gaze locked onto hers, making it impossible to look away.

“It’s not enough.”

“……”

“You must rise even higher.”

So no one would dare to challenge you.

“Have I not made it clear? I’m willing to do anything for you.”

He had been restraining himself, worried that she might blame herself if his changes led him astray.

His low voice carried a soft yet faintly cruel undertone.

“Whether it’s the nation, its people, or anything else, I’m prepared to abandon them.”

“……”

“So don’t hesitate and take your place beside me.”

I will protect you.

“I will neither disappoint nor hurt you this time.”

Trust me.

“This seat is yours and yours alone.”

His unwavering gaze seemed to plead for acceptance.

Her heart, which had been racing uncontrollably, seemed to freeze, making it difficult to breathe.

With trembling hands, Eleanor finally reached out and touched Lennoch’s elegantly sculpted nose.

Her pale fingertips visibly shook.

Like stroking a beast, her cautious and delicate touch was accepted by Lennoch, who slowly closed and reopened his eyes.

“Lennoch.”

It was all she could manage to say.

Her mind was in turmoil.

Could she truly handle this?

The position he offered her was the highest and most noble in the world but came with its own weight and severity.

One thing was clear: her heart was already moving toward him.

The deliberation didn’t last long.

Her crimson lips parted, and her soft pink tongue moved gracefully.

“I will become your Empress.”

***

Lady Jutland, finally regaining her composure, surveyed her surroundings.

Chairs were overturned, and cushions lay scattered across the floor—the room was a mess.

“…Damn it.”

She cursed under her breath, clutching her sore cheek.

Her face had swollen considerably from the harsh slap she had received.

Searching for her fan, she reached out blindly along the floor and accidentally grabbed someone’s leg.

It was Caroline’s.

“You’re in the way.”

Lady Jutland shoved Caroline’s leg aside roughly.

Caroline let out a pained groan.

Having injured her back severely, Caroline was unable to move properly.

Ignoring Caroline’s discomfort, Lady Jutland picked up her fan and rose to her feet.

“What a wretched day.”

Using the fan to partially cover her swollen face, Lady Jutland hurriedly left the room.

She couldn’t care less about what had happened to the other women.

As the lively sounds of laughter and chatter from the party grew closer, Lady Jutland lowered her head further.

She was embarrassed to let anyone see her swollen face.

‘Eleanor…!’

The memory of being humiliatingly beaten made her curse once more.

‘I’ll make sure she can’t show her face in public again.’

Lady Jutland swore to herself that she would repay Eleanor for the humiliation.

Seething with anger, she left the party and ordered a servant to fetch her carriage.

However, the carriage, which was supposed to arrive promptly, took an unusually long time.

“Why is it taking so long?”

Growing increasingly agitated, she tapped her foot impatiently. Finally, the carriage arrived.

Eager to leave, Lady Jutland stepped into the carriage without hesitation.

In that instant…

“Mmph…!”

A hand shot out and covered her mouth.

Before she could resist, the carriage door slammed shut with a loud bang.