Duchess Mecklen’s Elegant Revolt - Chapter 30 Part 6

The child, cautiously looking around, pretended to inspect the fence.

“Nothing is broken, right?”

Though no one was watching, he spoke loudly, just in case.

After tapping on it a few times and pacing back and forth to check its stability, the child swiftly climbed over the fence.

‘Done.’

Considering how most villages were situated in flatlands, the existence of a farm nestled in the mountain ridges was rather unusual.

As he confidently strode along the forest path, the further he moved from the village, the slower his steps became.

“It’s really dark.”

Glancing back, he saw a faint light in the distance.

The village had now faded to a barely recognizable silhouette.

Somewhere nearby, the cry of a wild bird echoed.

‘Was I being too reckless?’

The child’s bold expression wavered slightly.

Escaping had been almost laughably easy, but the thought of climbing a mountain in the dead of night was somewhat unnerving.

Coming to a halt, he scanned his surroundings again.

The forest path, dim and damp, forced him to rely entirely on moonlight to see his way.

“I’ll just take a quick look and head back.”

Muttering as if to convince himself, the child turned around.

His return trip was significantly faster than his departure.

Avoiding detection by the village elders might be possible, but he resolved that any future escape attempts should be made during the day.

Using the glow of the distant lights as his guide, he clasped his hands tightly and picked up speed.

Rustle.

“Ahhh!”

“Wahhh!”

Startled by a sudden dark figure emerging from the bushes, the child’s terrified scream echoed through the forest.

Stumbling backward, he barely managed to steady himself.

“A-a person!”

“Wow, you really scared me. Are you okay?”

Still bewildered, the child’s shoulders trembled.

He had never seen a traveler before.

The man, disheveled from wandering through the underbrush, awkwardly brushed the leaves from his hair when he noticed the child’s intense stare.

Seeing the child more wary than relieved, the man reached out a hand.

“Need help getting up?”

“I’m fine.”

Rejecting the stranger’s offer, the child quickly stood on his own.

His body ached from the fall, but it was bearable.

However, he hesitated to rush back to the village, standing in place uncertainly. The man chuckled softly.

“No need to be so scared. I may not look it, but I’m a merchant.”

“A merchant?”

“I travel from farm to farm selling seeds. Want to see?”

To ease the child’s suspicion, the man removed his backpack and opened it, revealing its contents.

Inside were not only flowers but also grains, vegetables, and a variety of seeds, gradually melting the child’s initial distrust.

“I never expected to meet a kid like you in the depths of a mountain.”

With genuine curiosity, the man glanced around.

He had no choice but to take this route to reach the next village, but the terrain was rough.

It didn’t seem like a place suited for settlement.

“Do you live around here? With your family?”

At the inquisitive man’s question, the child hesitated, his eyes darting about.

“…Yes.”

‘Brother Vito treats me like family.’

Though he felt a bit guilty, it wasn’t entirely untrue, so he answered vaguely.

‘Suddenly, I feel worried.’

He started regretting his impulsive decision.

What if Vito got in trouble because of his actions?

Aside from Vito, the rest of the villagers were rather cold and indifferent.

“I should head home now.”

The child bowed politely.

He needed to return quickly before it got any later.

Just as he was about to leave, the man stopped him.

“Would it be possible to let me stay the night?”

“H-huh?”

“It’s daunting to sleep in the mountains. I promise I’ll make it worth your while. Just tell your parents for me, will you?”

Speaking frankly, the man winked playfully.

His smile, not too overbearing, was surprisingly charming.

The child blinked in surprise.

“Well, um…”

Flustered, he began sweating nervously.

“Our house is kind of uncomfortable. There isn’t much space to sleep because there’s too much stuff inside.”

Desperately searching for an excuse, the child continued, “It’s… kind of like a farm. We grow plants and vegetables, so there are a lot of tools around. It’s very shabby… Anyway, I’m sorry. My family doesn’t like strangers.”

Understanding the polite rejection, the man merely shrugged.

“Well, that can’t be helped. It’s fine.”

“I’m really sorry.”

“In that case, at least let me walk you back safely. You never know when a wild animal might jump out at night.”

Lifting the wooden stick he carried for protection, the man reassured him.

He had no hidden motives.

It was simply a gesture stemming from natural kindness.

The child couldn’t refuse such an offer.

‘He said near the house, not inside… It should be fine.’

Seeing the child reluctantly nod, the man followed with a smile.

“Oh, by the way, what’s your name?”

“Lennoch.”

“Lennoch?”

The man’s expression subtly shifted.

‘That name…’

It wasn’t exactly common, yet it wasn’t easily forgettable either.

Scratching his cheek thoughtfully, the man glanced at the still-wary child.

“I’m Childe.”

With a grin, Childe reached out and ruffled the child’s hair.

***

“…I greet Your Majesty.”

Defying the Emperor was not an option.

Ernst had no choice but to release Eleanor’s wrist.

Eleanor, relieved that Lennoch had arrived at just the right moment, leaned her exhausted body slightly against him.

“How did you know I was here?”

At her question, the Emperor’s cold aura slightly softened.

“You were nowhere to be seen at the party, so I came looking for you.”

“Your Majesty did not need to trouble yourself. I was going to escort her back personally.”

Ernst, who had been listening, finally spoke up. His expression was strained, as if suppressing his emotions.

Lennoch, who had been watching Ernst sharply, let his gaze drift to Eleanor’s wrist.

“Does this look like the action of someone escorting a lady?”

“……”

“No matter how I look at it, it seems more like you were trying to drag her away by force.”

A red mark had already formed on her pale wrist.

Given Ernst’s past behavior, his feeble excuse only served to further irritate Lennoch.

As a subtle hint of menace flickered in the Emperor’s eyes, Eleanor, wanting to prevent the situation from escalating further, quickly interjected.

“Lennoch, today is a good day.”

If anyone were to witness their confrontation now, it could turn into a serious issue.

A scandalous love triangle at a charity party—Eleanor’s former husband, the Duke of Mecklen, and her current lover, the Emperor, embroiled in a conflict over her.

It would only take a moment for rumors to spread like wildfire.

“No grave discourtesy… Ah.”

Flustered, Eleanor covered her mouth with her hand.

Perhaps due to the alcohol, her words came out slurred.

She tried her best to regain her composure, but she couldn’t stop Lennoch’s expression from twisting in displeasure.

“You drank too much.”

“…I’m sorry.”

Leaning against Lennoch’s chest, Eleanor pouted slightly.

She had tried so hard to avoid such a mistake.

It felt as if she had just exposed a flaw she wanted to keep hidden.

As she lowered her head in embarrassment, Lennoch’s lips brushed lightly against the top of her head before pulling away.

“I’ll do as you say. Let’s go back.”

“Thank you.”

Eleanor, now reaching her limit, was more than grateful for his suggestion.

As she was about to step away, Lennoch, with one arm still wrapped around her waist, slipped his other hand beneath her legs.

In an instant, Eleanor was lifted off the ground, and she let out a startled sound.

“The bedroom is too far.”

Speaking nonchalantly, Lennoch continued walking with her in his arms.

He had already noticed how her weight shifted against him, as if she could fall asleep at any moment.

If she kept walking in this state, she might doze off before reaching her room.

“If you’re tired, you can close your eyes now.”

“Lennoch.”

Caught off guard by his unexpected kindness, Eleanor flushed slightly.

“Your Majesty.”

Just as Lennoch was about to take his first step, Ernst called out to him.

Even though Lennoch had treated him as if he weren’t there, Ernst showed no outward sign of being shaken.

However—

“I regret our divorce.”

“……!”

“Deeply.”

Even in her dazed state, Eleanor did not miss those words.

Ernst’s unyielding gaze settled on Eleanor, who lay in the Emperor’s arms.

“Please arrange another marriage.”

It was not just bold—it was outright shameless.

“I wish to remarry.”

Considering Ernst’s past demeanor, this was an unprecedented statement.

Facing the Emperor, who had stiffened at his words, Ernst stood firm, as if declaring war.

“From now on, I will be the one to protect her.”

From you.

As he watched Eleanor cradled in the Emperor’s arms, Ernst recalled his dream once more.

And by now, he was almost convinced that the Emperor was using Eleanor.

Just as he had first proposed marriage to Ernst for political reasons.

Surely, he was keeping Eleanor by his side with ulterior motives, sweetening the deal with enticing conditions.

‘That explains everything.’

Why Eleanor had so quickly fallen for the Emperor.

“I will return her to where she rightfully belongs.”

“Hmm.”

At those repeated words, Lennoch narrowed his eyes.

It was as if he was trying to decipher Ernst’s true intentions.

As an eerie tension filled the air, Eleanor, still in Lennoch’s arms, found it impossible to relax.

Just as she was about to speak, Lennoch’s voice rang out above her.

“You should have done better when you had the chance.”

“……!”

Lennoch’s smirk curled at the edges.

“You had far more opportunities than I ever did.”

You were the one who let go of her first.

Lennoch still remembered the night he had rescued Eleanor from Hadum, when he overheard her final conversation with Ernst.

“Did you ever sincerely try to understand how Eli felt? What she was thinking?”

“……”

“Do you even know what’s truly best for her?”

The trust Ernst had once taken for granted was now completely shattered.

Before the divorce was finalized—

During their last conversation, Ernst had lied, insisting that Eleanor and Caroline had a good relationship, covering up their conflict for the sake of the family name.

If only, just once—

If he had truly listened to Eleanor’s words.

Perhaps the tragedy could have been avoided.

“And you’re still the same.”

Even now, he was disregarding Eleanor’s wishes, forcing his will upon her, gripping her wrist against her will.

Her wrist, still marked with red, had yet to return to its natural color.

Ernst, realizing he had been called out so sharply, turned slightly red.

“…That applies to you as well, Your Majesty.”