Duchess Mecklen’s Elegant Revolt - Chapter 28 Part 6

I never had any siblings.

The only family I could rely on was my father, but even he passed away early.

Everyone around me fled, leaving only an old servant. I spent my days drowning in alcohol until, by some miracle, I met Eleanor.

“I know my behavior just now was childish.”

As soon as he resolved to be honest, Henrik found the words flowing easily.

“To be truthful, I was a little jealous of your partner and felt left out. I was also worried that you wouldn’t consider me family anymore… I just want to stay part of your family for as long as possible.”

Even if it’s only a family in name.

At first, Henrik didn’t trust Eleanor.

After hearing about Caroline, the person responsible for Hippias’s downfall, all he thought about was seeking revenge.

But after moving into a new mansion with her, attending a party at the imperial palace for the first time, meeting new central nobles, and running the trading company, Henrik began to change bit by bit.

People who acted according to his will.

People who sometimes helped him, and at other times received his help.

And the wealth that steadily accumulated as a result of his efforts.

At the center of these changes in this new world was Eleanor.

In such a short time, Henrik had come to trust and depend on Eleanor more than he had realized.

“I thought you’d leave the family once you avenged Caroline.”

“……”

“Honestly, that thought made me anxious.”

Henrik worried that the sense of achievement and happiness he had found with Eleanor might suddenly vanish.

“That’s why I tried harder. I thought if I proved myself capable, you might find me necessary and stay with me longer.”

Eleanor let out a sympathetic sigh as she listened.

She realized she should have reassured him more.

Because Henrik was doing so well, she had assumed he shared the same thoughts as she did. But from the beginning, he had been shaky and uncertain.

Her preoccupation with palace affairs had left little time to focus on the family, which she had entrusted to Milo. She hadn’t foreseen how it would come back to her like this.

Eleanor moved her hand from Henrik’s shoulder to gently pat his head.

“I’ll always need you.”

Though they weren’t blood relatives, Henrik had trusted her and followed her lead.

That alone made him an excellent younger brother.

“And the reason I’m building up Hippias isn’t just for revenge. I have much higher goals in mind.”

“……”

“To restore what Hippias originally deserved.”

It wouldn’t be long before they reclaimed everything Caroline had taken from them.

Henrik asked cautiously, his voice tinged with curiosity, “Why would you do that for our family?”

From a pragmatic perspective, Eleanor and the Hippias family were unrelated. What benefit could she possibly gain from taking on such burdens?

As though anticipating his question, Eleanor replied gently, “I’m not doing this for any sort of gain.”

“……”

“It’s simply an act of goodwill.”

Henrik’s eyes widened slightly as he listened.

“I feel sympathy for your aunt, Rachel. Her circumstances are so unjust—driven out on false charges and disappearing without a trace. It’s heartbreaking and pitiful.”

Whether it was coincidence or destiny, Rachel, who was said to resemble Eleanor, seemed similar in ways beyond appearance.

Rachel’s circumstances mirrored her own in a past life.

She had been wrongly accused and left to die, unnoticed by anyone.

Just as Rachel had to vanish in sorrow, unable to clear her name, Eleanor had experienced a lonely death.

‘Only Lennoch cared for me.’

Just as Lennoch had once cried for her in a previous life, Eleanor wanted to mourn and comfort Rachel, who had disappeared so quietly.

“That’s the only reason I’m helping you.”

“……”

“Well, to be honest, there is one more reason.”

If she were to be completely honest, she also hoped Henrik would grow into a solid pillar for the Hippias family in the future.

After hearing her candid explanation, Henrik murmured softly, “I’m sorry, Sister. I was short-sighted.”

Henrik kept his head lowered, staring at the table.

“I was also rude to your guest earlier. I’ll apologize to him personally tomorrow.”

“No, I’m the one who’s sorry for making you feel uneasy.”

The siblings reconciled quickly.

Moved by Henrik’s sincere apology, Eleanor gently patted his head.

Henrik, awkwardly enduring her touch, hesitated before finally speaking, “If you do get married, will you still visit the mansion often?”

“Well, I might get busier then, so it could be difficult.”

“…Is that so?”

Though he had expected it, hearing it aloud still deflated him.

Watching Henrik’s shoulders slump again, Eleanor chuckled softly.

“Instead, you should move to the palace.”

“Me?”

“We’ll probably see each other more often there. His Majesty also wants to get to know you better.”

“His… Majesty?”

Henrik couldn’t understand why the Emperor was suddenly being brought into the conversation.

Eleanor, sensing that the butler’s reaction earlier meant the news would soon spread throughout the estate, decided to be honest before rumors got out of hand.

“Sorry, Henrik. Actually… that man earlier was His Majesty.”

“…What?”

Henrik’s head shot up for the first time, his eyes wide with shock.

‘Did I really act so rudely to the Emperor just now?’

No wonder he seemed so familiar.

Recalling the Emperor he had encountered briefly after the New Year’s banquet, Henrik grabbed his spinning head in disbelief.

Henrik, now visibly distressed, felt a wave of regret wash over him as Eleanor continued explaining in a slightly guilty tone.

“I didn’t want to overwhelm you. I thought knowing his status would make you feel too pressured… I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. I wasn’t trying to deceive you.”

“That’s all right, Sister.”

If he had known earlier, he wouldn’t have been able to eat or act properly at all.

Henrik’s concerns now lay elsewhere.

“This makes it the second time already.”

The first time, he had dared to wield a weapon. This time, he had ignored the Emperor’s goodwill and stormed out of a meal.

With each meeting, his mistakes seemed to multiply, and Henrik wanted nothing more than to bury his face in a bowl of water.

As Eleanor comforted her despondent brother, she smiled warmly.

“You’ll get much busier from now on. Eventually, you’ll even attend noble councils as the head of the Hippias family, so you should study hard until then.”

“…All right.”

Henrik replied weakly, wondering if that day would really come as quickly as she seemed to think.

***

“Did you have a good talk with your brother?”

As soon as she left Henrik’s room, Lennoch, who had been waiting in the hallway, greeted Eleanor.

Lennoch was leaning casually against the wall.

Seeing Eleanor’s noticeably more relaxed expression, Lennoch smiled faintly.

“It seems things went well.”

“Thanks to you. Thank you, Lennoch.”

Taking his advice had been the right decision.

Lennoch, mesmerized by the way Eleanor’s eyes crinkled prettily as she smiled, continued, “I’m glad to hear that. Then, I’ll return to the palace now.”

“Already?”

It’s still quite early.

Does he have urgent business?

Noticing Eleanor’s surprise, Lennoch explained gently, “You have a family too, and I feel I’ve been monopolizing your time lately. Why don’t you spend the night here for once?”

Looking back, it was true that Lennoch had been the one keeping Eleanor from leaving the palace.

Recently, she hadn’t spent any time at home.

Reflecting on Henrik’s sensitive reaction, Lennoch had taken some time for self-reflection. Eleanor hesitated before responding reluctantly.

“I suppose so, but…”

“To be honest, I’m a bit reluctant too.”

Suddenly, Lennoch tapped the bridge of her nose lightly with his fingertip.

Though the touch was light, the playful gesture made Eleanor’s face flush as red as a ripe apple.

“But I’ll yield for today.”

After all, he hadn’t let her out of his sight for even a moment lately.

Though their parting was abrupt, Lennoch decided to step back for the sake of Eleanor and her brother.

As he genuinely prepared to leave the mansion, it was Eleanor who suddenly felt a pang of urgency.

“Wait, Lennoch.”

Without thinking, Eleanor grabbed the hem of his coat.

“Why don’t you stay here tonight?”

“……”

“Of course, my room would be off-limits, but we have plenty of guest rooms. It might not be as comfortable as the palace, but if you don’t mind, you can leave with me tomorrow.”

Besides, Henrik had promised to apologize to Lennoch tomorrow, so she wanted to ensure they met again.

Eleanor glanced up at him with a hint of concern.

At this, a subtle change flickered across Lennoch’s expression.

When she clung to him so earnestly, looking up at him with such hopeful eyes…

“…Fine.”

How could he refuse?

“Show me to the room, then.”

At this rate, Lennoch wasn’t sure he could trust himself.

Oblivious to his inner turmoil, Eleanor beamed brightly as soon as he agreed.

Her radiant smile made it impossible for Lennoch to tear his gaze away.

***

After showing Lennoch to a guest room and bidding Henrik goodnight, Eleanor returned to her own bedroom feeling content.

Changing into a soft chemise didn’t take long.

After preparing for bed, she lay down immediately.

She had worked tirelessly all day and expected to fall asleep quickly, as usual.

However, despite her fatigue, her mind remained unusually alert.

“…Why can’t I sleep?”

No matter how hard she tried to close her eyes, sleep wouldn’t come.

Her restless tossing and turning only grew worse with time.

Unable to endure it any longer, Eleanor finally sat up in bed.

‘Maybe reading a book will help me fall asleep.’

She approached the nightstand to light a candle.

As she searched for matches in the dark, her gaze fell upon the glass of water Becky had placed there earlier.

‘Did Lennoch’s room have this too?’

Though she had instructed the staff to pull the bell rope if Lennoch needed anything, the thought still lingered in her mind.

After hesitating briefly with the matchbox in hand, Eleanor finally picked up the glass of water and stepped out into the hallway.

The corridor was silent and deserted, with no servants in sight.

The floor where the guest rooms were located was entirely unoccupied, adding to the eerie stillness.

Reaching Lennoch’s door, Eleanor took a deep breath.

Knock, knock.

No response came from inside.

‘Did he fall asleep already?’

The door wasn’t locked.

Opening it carefully, Eleanor stepped inside and immediately noticed Lennoch’s hair tousled across the pillow.

Placing the glass of water on the bedside table, she approached the head of the bed cautiously.

The room wasn’t entirely dark, as moonlight filtered through the clear glass windows.

Without thinking, Eleanor reached out and gently touched Lennoch’s hair.

“Sleep well.”

Her voice was so soft that it could barely be heard.

Just seeing him like this made her feel content.

With a faint smile, Eleanor turned to leave.

“Where are you going?”

“……!”

Startled by the sudden voice, Eleanor froze as a strong hand grabbed her wrist, pulling her back firmly.

She found herself falling into a broad, solid chest as if she had been swept away.

Her wide eyes stared up in shock.

Lennoch, his face completely composed as if he had never been asleep, gazed down at her.