Duchess Mecklen’s Elegant Revolt - Chapter 28 Part 5

Henrik’s usually stoic face was flushed with excitement.

However, he maintained his composure as he stared ahead.

Finding it difficult to meet the young master’s piercing gaze, Becky glanced awkwardly at Milo.

“But, young master…”

“I cannot allow such a wedding to take place.”

Before Becky could continue, Henrik interrupted her.

“I will cover all the expenses for your wedding.”

“No, young master. We don’t want that. We’ve saved up a little money from working here, and it’s more than enough.”

This time, Milo stepped in to stop Henrik.

Initially, Milo and Becky had planned to hold a quiet wedding ceremony, just the two of them.

However, as they felt it was their duty to inform their employer, they casually mentioned their intentions to Henrik.

But his intense reaction was entirely unexpected.

Even as Milo repeatedly explained that they hadn’t brought up the wedding to ask for money, Henrik remained stubborn.

“I know how hard you’ve worked for the Hippias family. I don’t want to be frugal in such matters.”

“Young master…”

“And I will give you the entire eastern annex. Take the keys and bring your essential belongings there first.”

“No, the staff quarters are sufficient for us. Just allow us to share a room, and that will be enough…”

“If you keep resisting, I’ll throw a grand wedding party for you two.”

Faced with Henrik’s unwavering determination, Milo eventually gave in, raising both hands in surrender.

While Becky felt overwhelmed by the excessive generosity for mere employees, they realized they couldn’t stop the young master.

Henrik seemed genuinely ready to announce their wedding across the entire empire and invite a host of guests. Resigned to this outcome, Milo chose to remain silent.

Just as Henrik suggested having Becky’s wedding dress made first, a knock came at the door.

Knock knock.

“Young master, the madam has returned.”

“My sister?”

At the welcome news, all three turned to the maid.

Eleanor, who had been distant for some time, was back home unannounced.

Henrik, who had been waiting for her more than anyone else, allowed a faint smile to appear on his usually expressionless face.

“This is perfect. I’ll tell her about your wedding right away.”

“Y-young master.”

Though Milo called out to Henrik in alarm, it was futile.

Henrik swiftly left the study, leaving Becky and Milo no choice but to follow him.

While they had always intended to tell Eleanor about the wedding, they hadn’t expected to do so today.

Unlike the hesitant couple who trailed behind, Henrik’s steps were quick and purposeful.

Descending the central staircase and entering the grand hall, Henrik saw the woman standing at the entrance.

“Sister!”

The staff had lined up in an orderly manner to welcome Eleanor back after such a long absence.

Walking through the rows of bowing staff, Henrik approached Eleanor almost at a run.

Her face, unseen for some time, appeared even more radiant than before.

“Henrik.”

“……?”

As Henrik hurried toward Eleanor, it seemed as if he might embrace her.

However, his steps slowed as he noticed something.

‘Who is that?’

Standing next to his sister was an unfamiliar man.

He was at least a head taller than Henrik and wore an unusual mask.

The man’s appearance matched the description Becky had once mentioned.

Underneath the mask, the man’s enigmatic smile made him seem even more suspicious.

‘What family does he belong to?’

As if to shield Eleanor, Henrik moved to stand closely by her side.

The man appeared unbothered by Henrik’s protective stance.

His relaxed demeanor as he looked down at Henrik only served to further irritate the young master, causing his brows to furrow.

Then, the words Henrik least expected reached his ears like a bolt from the blue.

“I brought him to introduce to you. This is… well, someone I’m seeing with the intention of marriage.”

“……!”

The possibility he had dreaded was now a reality.

Henrik froze on the spot, unable to process what he had just heard.

***

Eleanor found herself at a loss, caught between Henrik and Lennoch.

Henrik’s discomfort around strangers was more severe than she had anticipated.

To ease the awkward atmosphere between them, she led the group to the dining room.

Thanks to the experienced chef’s efforts, an impeccable meal fit to be served anywhere greeted them.

Eleanor couldn’t help but let out a soft exclamation at the sight of the table filled with food for ten.

“You must have worked hard.”

“It’s nothing, Madam. I just hope the distinguished guest finds it to his liking.”

The chef cast a furtive glance at Lennoch, who was wearing a mask.

While preparing the dishes, the chef had overheard some hints about Lennoch’s identity from the butler.

‘To think I’d have the honor of personally serving food to His Majesty.’

It was nothing short of a family honor.

Who would have guessed that the empire’s supreme ruler would visit a noble family estate without any attendants?

As if he were putting the chef to the test, Lennoch gave him a faint smile.

“I’ll do it myself.”

Taking the roast chicken placed before him, Lennoch carved it and placed a piece on Eleanor’s plate.

This action caused the chef, as well as the butler standing nearby, to flinch noticeably.

The sight of the Emperor serving Madam raised a dilemma for the household staff: should they intervene or pretend not to notice?

While the staff fidgeted nervously, Henrik—unaware of the situation—tightened his grip on his fork.

‘This feels familiar somehow.’

Something about the scene felt oddly reminiscent.

Had he encountered someone like this before?

From his actions to his table manners, the man was unmistakably a noble.

But no matter how hard he racked his brain, Henrik couldn’t place the man’s face.

While Henrik wrestled with his thoughts, Lennoch kindly moved to place a piece of meat onto his plate.

“……”

Henrik stared blankly at the food on his plate before glancing back up.

Maybe he isn’t so bad?

But just as Henrik’s impression of Lennoch began to soften, his eyes widened at what happened next.

‘She looks so happy.’

Eleanor appeared far more cheerful than when she was with him.

Her crescent-shaped eyes, filled with joy, were entirely focused on the masked man. This unexpected realization left Henrik feeling strangely unsettled.

It felt as if he were an uninvited guest intruding on their world.

‘My sister and I are family.’

Though their bond was forged on paper, Henrik believed they had grown closer through shared experiences.

He even worried when he heard a mysterious man was approaching her.

Yet, Eleanor’s definition of family seemed to differ from his own, leaving Henrik feeling slightly melancholic.

Suppressing his gloom, Henrik pushed the plate of meat away slightly.

“Henrik? What’s wrong? Don’t you like the food?”

“I don’t eat meat.”

Henrik’s unexpected declaration drew everyone’s attention in the dining room.

Henrik tried his best to keep his tone neutral.

“Starting today, I’ve decided to adopt a vegetarian diet for my health.”

“……?”

The butler, standing behind him, let out a perplexed noise.

If his memory served correctly, Henrik had devoured two plates of beef stew with baguettes at lunch earlier today.

Henrik’s sudden proclamation caught everyone off guard, but he nonchalantly sipped his wine.

It was petty and ridiculous, but Henrik didn’t know how else to express himself.

His refusal to eat left an awkward tension hanging in the air.

“How about the salad, then?”

From across the table, Lennoch gestured toward the salad bowl.

The quick-witted butler promptly brought the bowl closer to Henrik, who responded with a dismissive snort.

“I don’t have an appetite.”

“Henrik.”

Unable to watch any longer, Eleanor called his name firmly.

But once he started sulking, Henrik couldn’t stop himself.

After downing the rest of his wine, Henrik abruptly rose from his seat.

“I’ll excuse myself now. Please, enjoy your meal.”

“……!”

“It’ll probably be much more enjoyable without an intruder like me.”

He regretted the words as soon as they left his mouth, but it was too late to take them back.

Without apologizing, Henrik stiffly walked out of the dining room.

Practically running up the stairs to his room, Henrik shut the door and let out a heavy sigh.

“…Was I too much?”

Though outwardly brash, Henrik’s sensitive nature led him to regret his behavior almost immediately.

***

“I’m sorry, Lennoch. I’ll apologize on his behalf. He’s not usually like this…”

Left in the dining room, Eleanor blushed with embarrassment.

Just hours ago, she had been enthusiastically praising Henrik to Lennoch.

Who could have anticipated Henrik would behave so coldly?

Caught in the middle, Eleanor felt thoroughly awkward.

Unable to meet Lennoch’s gaze, Eleanor lowered her head, only for his warm hand to rest on her cheek.

“It’s all right. I didn’t take offense.”

“But still…”

“I think your brother feels like he’s losing you. It was clear how upset he was.”

Lennoch gently lifted her face and planted a light kiss on her forehead.

The action, unmindful of their surroundings, startled the chef and butler still present in the dining room. Both hurriedly averted their eyes to the ceiling.

Continuing to comfort Eleanor, Lennoch spoke softly, “In fact, I was rather pleased to see how much Henrik cares for you.”

It was evident that Henrik had grown quite attached to Eleanor.

“He reminds me of Eger in some ways.”

“…Eger?”

“It was similar when I first met him.”

Though Eger had been much younger than Henrik at the time.

Initially, Lennoch thought Eger disliked him because he kept pushing him away. In hindsight, it was simply Eger’s way of expressing himself.

“People who struggle to articulate their feelings often have their own difficulties. If Henrik is like that, then he’s likely feeling pretty upset right now.”

“…Lennoch.”

“I’m fine, so why don’t you go and talk to your brother first?”

After a moment’s hesitation, Eleanor nodded slightly.

Standing to escort Eleanor to Henrik’s room, Lennoch glanced at the chef, who was still staring at the ceiling.

“I’m sorry for leaving such a wonderful meal untouched. I’ll be sure to return.”

“Oh, no, Your Majesty. Uh…”

The chef, who had instinctively bowed, quickly covered his mouth.

The butler, gesturing wildly for him to stop, made it all too clear they had guessed Lennoch’s identity.

Lennoch’s eyebrow arched slightly beneath his mask.

“You already knew, didn’t you?”

“…Forgive me, Your Majesty.”

The chef, sounding as though he were confessing a crime, let out a pained groan.

So much for keeping his identity hidden.

Instead of reprimanding him, Lennoch simply laughed and removed his mask.

As the Emperor’s handsome features were fully revealed, the butler beside the chef covered his eyes with both hands, looking utterly defeated.

***

Henrik’s room wasn’t locked, making it easy for Eleanor to enter.

Seeing him still in his clothes from earlier, slumped in defeat, Eleanor found her initial intent to scold him fading away.

“Henrik.”

“……!”

At the sound of her dress trailing, Henrik flinched and turned his head slightly, as if signaling he had nothing more to say.

Sitting across from him at the table, Eleanor noticed the tip of Henrik’s nose was tinged red.

“Are you upset?”

“……”

Henrik remained silent.

Sighing softly, Eleanor asked again.

“Were you hurt?”

“……”

“I’m sorry. I’ve been neglecting you. It must have been shocking for me to suddenly bring someone I plan to marry without any warning.”

At her continued apology, Henrik’s shoulders trembled slightly.

For the first time, Eleanor noticed how small his shoulders seemed.

Reaching out, she gently patted Henrik’s shoulder.

After a long hesitation, Henrik finally opened his mouth.

“Sister.”

“……?”

“I know you only requested to be part of this family because you needed our name.”

He understood that he had no right to interfere with Eleanor’s marriage.

But still…

“To me, you’re the only person I can truly call family.”