Duchess Mecklen’s Elegant Revolt - Chapter 29 Part 1

“I’m glad you came here first.”

A low, deep voice resonated in her ears.

Completely ensnared by his strong arms, Eleanor could only gaze at the face illuminated by moonlight.

His silver hair, glowing softly, gave him an almost ethereal, fairy-like appearance.

Suddenly, a finger brushed her slightly parted lips.

“Had you not come, I might have climbed through your window in the dead of night.”

“……!”

Eleanor’s neck stiffened instantly, as though someone had sunk their teeth into her nape.

Lennoch pulled her trembling form closer, pressing a light kiss to the corner of her eye.

“You find it hard to sleep, don’t you?”

“……!”

“You lie down, but sleep evades you.”

“That… is true.”

“Even when you close your eyes, an emptiness nags at you, and restlessness sets in.”

“How do you know that?”

The symptoms he described matched her sleepless night exactly.

His lips, which had been pressing soft kisses along her nose, gradually began to wander lower.

“I know the remedy for it.”

Like a predator toying with its prey, his lips hovered tantalizingly before finally making contact.

As her lips were engulfed in his heated embrace, Eleanor felt the dam break within her, the flood of warmth rendering her breathless.

Their faces tilted, sealing their proximity as their breaths mingled in the intimate silence.

“Len… noch.”

Managing to create a small gap, Eleanor gasped for air, calling his name.

At some point, her soft chemise, which had draped down to her ankles, had been pushed up.

Her sensitive body reacted swiftly to the sensations breaking through the thin fabric.

“You’ll sleep well soon.”

Something warm and soft brushed against her earlobe.

“Because I suffer from the same symptoms.”

She felt his face tracing the line of her neck.

Each touch of his hand awakened dormant sensations within her.

Instinctively, she wrapped her arms around Lennoch’s broad shoulders, finding solace in his sturdy frame.

Her restrained moans slipped through her tightly pressed lips as he persistently teased her most vulnerable spots.

“Mmm.”

A shiver ran down her spine, causing Eleanor to curl her toes in reaction.

Though her shoulders remained tense, her lower body began to surrender, melting under his touch.

All the meticulous care Lennoch had poured into her was now bearing fruit.

Breathlessly, Lennoch’s lips continued their descent.

“No… more.”

As Lennoch’s silken white hair dipped lower, Eleanor’s smooth, elegant back quivered softly with every touch.

“Lennoch….”

Her words trailed off into a breathy whisper, her flushed features betraying her emotions.

A tingling sensation coursed through her entire body, painting a vivid picture of her deepest desires.

Closer.

Deeper.

Her long, slender legs moved restlessly, seeking release.

“……!”

Her narrowed eyes widened as something heavy and firm entered, pressing against her from within.

The overwhelming sensation made Eleanor’s body arch dramatically.

“Slowly, breathe.”

His voice, husky with pleasure, brought her mind back from the brink of collapse.

He pressed gentle kisses to her lips repeatedly.

“Eli.”

His voice, sweet as honey, whispered deeply as he filled even her most secret places.

Her blurry gaze fixed on the slight crease in his brows beyond her hazy vision, softening at the sight of him waiting patiently for her.

“You… can move.”

If it’s you, anything is fine.

“…It’s okay.”

As Eleanor whispered her consent, she tightly embraced him, breathing in his scent.

“Lennoch.”

What had started as gentle, tender movements quickly transformed into a storm of passion.

As the intensity surged, the bed shook, and Eleanor’s nails left vivid marks on Lennoch’s muscular back, as if to engrave the memory of this moment forever.

The deepening moans continued through the night.

***

Eleanor’s closed eyes fluttered open.

By now, daylight had crept into the room.

She hastily sat up, glancing around.

It was her bedroom.

Confirming that the space was different from where she last closed her eyes, Eleanor immediately checked her body.

“My clothes…”

Her neatly worn chemise remained in place, leaving Eleanor momentarily disoriented.

“Was it a dream?”

She distinctly remembered going to Lennoch’s room last night.

She recalled their intimacy vividly, yet here she was, dressed and lying in her own bed as if nothing had happened.

A knock at the door interrupted her musings, and Becky entered.

“Madam, did you sleep well?”

Becky greeted her cheerfully as usual, prompting Eleanor to respond with an awkward smile.

“You should get ready for work soon. I’ve brought washing water.”

“Thank you.”

Though bewildered, Eleanor had little time to linger on her thoughts.

After washing up and styling her hair, she stepped into her dressing room to change.

Becky, who had followed to assist her, suddenly gasped.

“Oh my, Madam!”

“What is it?”

Startled, Eleanor looked in the direction Becky was pointing.

Her gaze landed on her reflection in the full-length mirror, and her cheeks flushed scarlet.

There, on the middle of her neck, was a mark she hadn’t noticed before.

Round and reddish, it looked fresh, as if someone had left it deliberately.

Realizing the significance of the mark, Becky’s face turned red as she coughed awkwardly.

“I’ll prepare something that covers the neck.”

“Ah, yes.”

Eleanor stammered, hastily covering the spot with her hand.

Fortunately, it was the only visible mark on her.

But as her fingers brushed over the distinct red circle, Eleanor realized that last night had not been a dream.

‘Lennoch carried me to my bedroom.’

The comforting hand that had patted her as she fell asleep wasn’t a dream either.

Not wanting to cause her any discomfort, he had even dressed her and brought her back to her bedroom before dawn.

Embarrassment and happiness bloomed in her chest simultaneously.

With Becky’s help, Eleanor chose a winter dress with a high neckline and quickly left her room.

As she descended the staircase to the main hall, the staff waiting below greeted her in unison.

“Good morning, Madam.”

It seemed she was the last to wake.

After acknowledging each greeting with slight embarrassment, Eleanor spotted two familiar figures at the back of the line—Lennoch and Henrik.

Though Henrik appeared sheepish, his proximity to Lennoch suggested that he had apologized that morning.

As Eleanor approached, Lennoch extended his hand as usual.

“Did you sleep well last night?”

He asked so nonchalantly, as if nothing had happened, that Eleanor barely suppressed a laugh.

“Yes, I slept well, thanks to you.”

She cast a small glare at him, the culprit behind her high-necked dress.

Lennoch, unfazed by her teasing glance, gracefully kissed the back of her hand.

“I slept well, too. It was a sweet sleep, thanks to you.”

Behind them, Becky let out a peculiar noise, clearly piecing together who had left the mark on Eleanor’s neck.

Catching sight of her reaction, Lennoch offered an enigmatic smile.

“Shall we?”

With Lennoch escorting her, Eleanor stepped outside, trailed by the household staff.

Naturally, Henrik joined the procession.

Though he had reconciled with Eleanor, the thought of not seeing her for a while left Henrik feeling uneasy.

As Lennoch helped Eleanor into the carriage, Henrik suddenly called out in a loud, booming voice.

“Please take care of my sister, Your Majesty!”

His voice carried across the courtyard, startling those who had yet to realize Lennoch’s true identity.

For Becky and Milo, who were still oblivious, the shock was indescribable.

Before closing the carriage door, Lennoch turned back to Henrik and arched a sleek brow.

“See you again, brother-in-law.”

29. Nestor’s Loyalty

From the early morning, Ernst’s mood was unusually sour.

Vincent, wary of his superior’s temperament, moved cautiously around him.

Ernst had a morning ritual—spending a few minutes admiring the quill pen Eleanor had gifted him.

Though it was an expensive pen compared to standard ones, Vincent found Ernst’s sentimental gazes rather excessive.

Today, however, Ernst’s expression was different.

It wasn’t wistful admiration.

‘He looks like he wants to destroy it.’

If looks could burn holes, the quill pen would have been reduced to ashes by now.

Intimidated by Ernst’s seething aura, Vincent hesitated with the report in his hands.

“Your Grace, shall I present today’s report later?”

“No. Do it now.”

Without looking away from the pen, Ernst replied curtly.

Startled but sensing this might be his only chance, Vincent stepped forward and presented the report.

“This is the list of knights newly appointed to the 3rd Cavalry this week. Detailed information is included in the appendix.”

Taking the report Vincent handed him, Ernst finally tore his gaze from the quill pen and began to skim through it.

Recently, changes in positions within the knighthood had become frequent.

This was due to an increasing number of knights leaving the palace for personal reasons.

Although the frequent resignations were unsettling, Ernst couldn’t stop them when the individuals were resolute in their decisions, so he approved all of them.

Even the Emperor hadn’t made any special comments regarding this matter.

As Ernst casually flipped through the report, an unexpected guest arrived at his office.

Knock, knock.

“Good morning. Am I interrupting?”

It was Marquis Delph.

A man who had never before set foot in Ernst’s office.

Frowning slightly, Ernst reluctantly set the report aside.

“What brings you here?”

“I had a question and thought it best to ask in person.”

“…Have a seat over there.”

Ernst gestured toward the guest table near Vincent’s desk.

“Thank you for accommodating me on such short notice.”

“Think nothing of it.”

As Vincent prepared tea, the two men sat facing each other.

Marquis Delph wasted no time getting to the point.

“It’s about the recent council meeting.”

“……”

“I got the impression you and I share similar views and wanted to confirm.”

The council meeting in question had addressed the Hartmann refugees, during which Eleanor had proposed her plan.

Recalling the events, Ernst’s face hardened.

“While the Director’s proposal was well-intentioned, it struck me as overly ambitious. The budget required for such development is astronomical. I wonder if the benefits truly outweigh the costs.”

Marquis Delph’s hollow cheeks deepened as he smiled, his gaze calculating.

Ernst’s stiff lips parted reluctantly. “I share your concerns.”

“I thought so.”

“And I don’t believe that plan originated solely from Eleanor.”

The reason Ernst had glared at the Emperor during the meeting.

“I suspect His Majesty is backing her.”