Duchess Mecklen’s Elegant Revolt - Chapter 30 Part 3

If the investigation begins based on Duke Nestor’s report, does that mean the materials obtained from East Harlem won’t be used?

While explaining the Balkan Trading Company to Lennoch, Eleanor had also heard about East Harlem.

Noticing the question in her eyes, Lennoch added a kind explanation, “The confidential documents from East Harlem cannot be disclosed. The Emperor of Baden and the owner of the East Harlem auction house cannot officially have dealings.”

The many legal restrictions in Baden also played a role in this.

“Once we summon Duke Nestor and complete the formal investigation, we will then apprehend the three nobles involved.”

If necessary, knights would be sent to thoroughly search their estates.

Hearing this, Eleanor slightly parted her lips. “Will they confess so easily?”

Duke Mecklen suddenly came to mind.

He had no direct involvement with the Balkan Trading Company.

However, if Caroline was entangled in the matter, it would eventually become his problem as well.

Eleanor recalled how Ernst had once turned away from her with a cold face, saying they would talk about his mother’s affairs later.

After that, they never had another chance to speak.

‘It’s too late now.’

A faint sense of melancholy settled over her.

Lennoch did not miss the subtle change in Eleanor’s expression.

“It doesn’t matter. My goal isn’t to make them confess.”

“……?”

“I intend to use the investigation to keep them restrained. Meanwhile, I’ll dig into other suspicious connections besides the Balkan Trading Company.”

Especially Marquis Delph.

Lately, he had been troubling Lennoch’s mind.

Although there was no clear reason yet, the strangely coincidental events continued to stir suspicion.

‘Coincidence or intention?’

Lennoch recalled the first time Marquis Delph had introduced Empress Edea.

At that time, the Empress Dowager, who was present at the same gathering, had immediately taken a great liking to Edea.

Their preferences aligned perfectly.

From food to favorite books, clothing, and even hobbies.

Since their conversations flowed so naturally, their meetings in the palace became more frequent, leading to deepening ties.

Back then, he had overlooked it.

But now…

“I did it!”

Hail’s cheerful voice suddenly broke through the heavy thoughts.

With his third successful attempt, Hail beamed with confidence and grinned triumphantly.

Lennoch’s gaze, which had unconsciously turned toward Hail, shifted upward to Eleanor.

“That’s enough for tonight.”

Lennoch preemptively put his foot down, not wanting to entertain any more requests.

His once-complicated thoughts had already been pushed aside, replaced by a single goal: spending time with Eleanor.

A resolute voice rang out above them, leaving Hail sulking as he puffed out his cheeks.

Just as he was about to beg for one more round—

Hail, trying his usual tactic of grabbing Eleanor’s hand and pleading, was met with an unexpected response this time.

“Your Highness, it’s late, and we’ve played enough. It’s time for bed.”

“Ugh…”

Hail let out a disappointed groan.

To soothe him, Lennoch joined Eleanor in persuading him.

“Eli has an important party tomorrow.”

“A party?”

“She’s been preparing for it for a long time, so she needs to sleep early. Otherwise, tomorrow will be difficult for her.”

Hearing that staying up would make Eleanor tired, Hail hesitated.

Seizing the opportunity, Lennoch gently led him toward bed.

“Let Eli go, and we’ll sleep together.”

However, despite the suggestion, Lennoch had another plan in mind.

Once Hail was asleep, he intended to spend a quiet moment alone with Eleanor.

Even if just for a brief time, he hoped to take a stroll through the garden…

“No.”

“……!”

At the unexpected refusal, Lennoch stopped in his tracks.

“I want to sleep with Eli.”

Ignoring Lennoch, Hail clung to Eleanor.

It was almost as if he had read Lennoch’s mind.

Not long ago, Hail had declared his father the best person in the world.

But now, he was rejecting him so coldly.

If Eli and Hail slept together, then what about him?

“It seems we’ll have to go straight to bed tonight, Lennoch.”

“……”

Eleanor, finding the situation somewhat awkward, turned to Lennoch.

She wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry about the unexpected turn of events—especially now that she’d be spared from the usual nighttime aches and pains.

Watching Hail cling to Eleanor like a cicada on an old tree, Lennoch let out a deep sigh.

***

“So many people have come.”

Norah, looking around the party hall, let out a genuine exclamation of admiration.

The hall was so packed with people that there was hardly any space to step.

There were so many attendees that the heat radiating from the crowd made the air feel stifling, forcing Norah to wave her fan to cool down.

“How did you manage to gather so many guests? It’s amazing, Miss Brianna.”

“Well, this is all part of my skill, isn’t it?”

Receiving the compliment, Brianna lifted her chin proudly.

It wasn’t just Norah who thought so.

Every noble who arrived had expressed admiration.

The party, which turned out to be more grand than expected, was receiving unanimous praise.

As she looked around at the lively crowd, Norah suddenly asked, “By the way, where is Lady Eleanor?”

She asked because Eleanor, who should have been greeting the guests, was nowhere to be seen.

Brianna pointed to a small door beside the stage. “She’s preparing for her speech over there. She will come out once the party officially begins.”

“Wow, hearing you say that makes it feel so strange. It’s as if she’s become someone really important.”

Back when she served as the Empress Dowager’s lady-in-waiting, she was never in a position to be ignored by others.

However, compared to the days when they sat together for tea, Eleanor now stood in an entirely different position.

Brianna responded nonchalantly, “Of course. Soon, she will be so far beyond our reach that we won’t even be able to look up to her.”

“Even more than now?”

“His Majesty has his eyes on Lady Eleanor. At this rate, an engagement announcement will come soon.”

“…What?”

Norah suddenly let out a loud cry. The hall was already noisy, so no one else seemed to notice, but Brianna heard it clearly.

“That rumor was true?”

Recently, there had been talk circulating in the palace.

That the Emperor might take the Director as his Empress.

The nobles who attended Count Turin’s party had spread the gossip so widely that no one in noble society was unaware of it.

As Norah stood in a daze, Brianna frowned slightly. “It’s true. I’m not usually quick to notice these things, but their atmosphere lately has been quite strange. On top of that, Lady Eleanor goes to Zaire Palace every time she leaves work.”

“Oh my…”

Norah covered her mouth with her hand, unable to say more.

If that was true, there was no clearer proof needed.

Zaire Palace was a place no noblewoman could enter without the Emperor’s permission.

Unsure how to react, Norah remained frozen, while Brianna spoke bluntly.

“Honestly, I’m not happy about it.”

“……?”

“I don’t particularly like His Majesty.”

There were still unresolved grudges from Hadum and other matters.

Brianna, who never forgot a grudge, narrowed her eyes sharply.

The way she looked was similar to a parent disapproving of the man their daughter brought home, making Norah chuckle to herself as she gently intervened.

“If Lady Eleanor likes him, isn’t that enough? And he’s the Emperor, after all. He’ll give expensive gifts, maybe even grant her an empty palace. He’s a kind person, so he’ll treat her better than anyone else.”

“Hmph, I can do that too. Do I look like someone who can’t give gifts? I have enough money to buy her a dress from the empire’s top designer, Charlotte.”

“…Haha.”

Brianna, clearly unhappy about Eleanor’s potential marriage, fumed.

Norah did her best to soothe her, worried she might say something disrespectful about the imperial family.

Then, over Brianna’s shoulder, Norah spotted a familiar man standing still.

‘Duke Mecklen?’

Ernst stood motionless among the crowd, staring fixedly at something.

Following his gaze, Norah turned her head.

His eyes were locked onto the stage.

“……?”

On the stage, Eleanor, having finished preparations, was speaking with her attendants.

Gesturing as she gave instructions, she seemed completely unaware of Ernst’s gaze.

“What are you looking at?”

Noticing Norah’s sudden silence, Brianna turned her head as well.

But with so many people moving about, she couldn’t immediately tell whom Norah was observing.

Sensing Brianna’s curiosity, Norah hesitated and remained quiet.

“His Imperial Majesty the Emperor enters!”

At that moment, the chief attendant’s voice rang through the hall.

Wearing a black uniform with a red cape, the Emperor entered, walking alongside the Empress Dowager.

The nobles immediately bent their knees.

“May the great blessings of the heavens be upon Your Majesty.”

As if rehearsed, their voices united in a formal chant.

The Emperor strode confidently down the red carpet between the nobles, without hesitation.

Eleanor, who had just stepped off the stage, approached as if to greet them.

“Your Majesty.”

“You’ve worked hard preparing this event.”

The Emperor’s tone was warm as he praised her efforts.

The Empress Dowager, standing beside him, simply smiled without saying a word.

Eleanor lifted the hem of her dress slightly and bowed. “It is an honor to have you here, Your Majesty.”

Just last night, she had fought to stay awake alongside Hail, yet the Emperor showed no signs of fatigue.

His gaze, warm as if caressing, lingered on her. Embarrassed, Eleanor smiled softly.

She had maintained a formal demeanor with the Emperor for the sake of propriety, but those watching had different thoughts.

‘Brianna was right. Their atmosphere is different now.’

From a distance, Norah observed them.

The emotions passing between them, if she was not mistaken, were undoubtedly those of anticipation.

If this continued, a grand event might truly be in the nation’s future.

With that thought, Norah suddenly became curious about Ernst’s reaction.

“……?”

He was still standing in the same spot.

And his eyes were still fixed ahead.

‘Was I overthinking?’

He remained as calm and composed as ever, his expression unchanged.

Losing interest in his reaction, Norah turned away.

***

“A velvety texture. A red wine from Evabelli, with a rich aroma of sweet and tart plums. Starting bid: 100 gold.”

“Two hundred.”

“Three hundred.”

As soon as the auctioneer finished speaking, the bids soared without hesitation.

The auction had begun immediately after Eleanor’s speech, and the atmosphere grew livelier by the minute.

Aside from the wine being auctioned, guests were also served complimentary wine and appetizers, making it easy to drink as much as they wished.

Those enjoying the event, now pleasantly intoxicated, enthusiastically raised their paddles.

“One thousand. Any further bids?”

The auctioneer glanced around.

No one else raised a paddle.

He struck his gavel down.

“Sold for one thousand gold.”

“At this rate, I’ll go broke.”

One of the tipsy nobles jokingly called out.

With more guests actively participating, spending naturally increased.

Among the cheerful and boisterous crowd, lighthearted jokes about bankruptcy spread.

Eleanor, watching the lively scene, let out a soft chuckle.

Everything was proceeding according to plan.

Her initial nervousness began to ease, and as her tension melted away, she reached for a glass of wine to quench her thirst.

As she sipped, someone approached her.

“You look like you’re enjoying yourself.”