Duchess Mecklen’s Elegant Revolt - Chapter 30 Part 7

From the moment he was blocked, he knew the conversation would not go smoothly.

Ernst stepped closer to the Emperor.

Like a finely honed blade, his sharp presence exuded an unspoken tension.

“There is no one in this country unaware that Your Majesty arranged my marriage.”

Ernst struck at the Emperor’s greatest flaw.

“Was it not Your Majesty who first proposed a political marriage due to political concerns? In my family’s treasury, we still hold the pardon letter Your Majesty offered as a bargaining chip.”

“……”

“I remember it well. Your Majesty personally explained the political advantages of merging with Hartmann and how this marriage would benefit that cause.”

This was the boldest provocation yet.

Ernst’s face, devoid of any humor, was twisted with undeniable resentment.

“Did you make that decision after hearing her opinion back then as well?”

While attacking the Emperor, Ernst also sought to shake Eleanor.

‘You need to realize that the place you believe to be safest is, in fact, the worst choice you could have made.’

A cursed thought darkened Ernst’s expression further.

And just as he wanted, Eleanor reacted—if only slightly.

Her eyes wavered, ever so faintly, and Ernst did not miss it.

“…That’s true.”

Unexpectedly, the Emperor did not deny it.

The sharper Ernst’s words became, the calmer and more composed the Emperor appeared.

The Emperor tilted his head slightly toward Eleanor.

“As you say, you and I are alike. The same mistakes, the same faults. Even failing to be there for her when she needed it most.”

Hundreds of times a day.

Not a day passed without regret, from the moment he woke up to when he fell asleep.

Once, Lennoch had even avoided asking Ernst about his married life.

Because he couldn’t bear to hear stories of their happiness.

But by the time he realized what a foolish mistake that was, it was already far too late.

“Then let’s see.”

In full view, the Emperor pressed a kiss to Eleanor’s forehead.

Yet his eyes remained locked onto Ernst.

His gaze burned, dark with desire.

“If you want to take her back, try.”

“……!”

“But you’d better be careful.”

Lennoch knew all too well that Ernst could never truly make Eleanor happy.

Ernst was not holding onto Eleanor out of pure feelings.

“If you’re not sincere, don’t even begin.”

The Emperor’s arrogant voice crushed the air around them.

“Because you won’t be able to handle the consequences.”

***

The charity party was being held in an old building.

Unlike the main building, this structure had a lower ceiling, making the terraces closer together than in other places.

As a result, those standing on the terraces could easily overhear conversations from the levels above and below.

It was even possible to lean over the railing and check who was there.

And directly beneath the terrace where Eleanor, Ernst, and Lennoch stood—

‘Oh ho.’

Marquis Delph, who had been holding his breath on the lower terrace, smirked inwardly.

So this was the situation.

‘I had no idea the three of them were tangled like this.’

At first, he had been following Eleanor and Ernst, but when they moved onto the terrace, he was momentarily flustered.

The terrace was a separate space, making it difficult to eavesdrop on their conversation.

However, as someone who knew palace affairs as well as any attendant, Marquis Delph quickly found a solution.

With the lower terrace conveniently empty, he secured an ideal spot.

“See you tomorrow.”

He heard the Emperor’s voice as the conversation upstairs concluded.

Marquis Delph, who had been standing on a chair with his face pressed as close to the floor above as possible, only moved when the footsteps faded completely.

‘Is the Duke still there?’

After the Emperor left, there was no further noise from above.

Leaning as far as possible beyond the railing, Marquis Delph caught sight of a familiar silhouette standing rigidly.

“Perfect.”

Muttering to himself, the Marquis smirked.

The dark hair—it was undoubtedly Ernst.

‘I have to secure him before it’s too late.’

As soon as he grasped the relationships between the three, a brilliant plan came to mind.

Not wanting to miss the opportunity, Marquis Delph hurriedly left the terrace.

The party hall, now devoid of the Emperor, remained lively and festive.

A few nobles greeted him as he passed, but he only responded with brief nods before quickly ascending the stairs.

But perhaps he had been too hasty.

Amidst the bustling nobles, someone subtly peeked toward the terrace where he was heading.

“……”

It was Lambert, a reporter from Fox.

Dressed in a worn-out tailcoat, Lambert’s eyes gleamed with interest.

***

Holding Eleanor, Lennoch stepped out onto the terrace and left the party behind.

The nobles gasped at the sight of the Emperor carrying her, causing a brief stir inside.

But the commotion soon died down.

As he walked down the moonlit corridor, Lennoch remained silent.

Eleanor, nestled weakly against his chest, had already resigned herself to the situation.

No matter what, the alcohol refused to wear off.

Once she admitted she couldn’t fight it, dizziness overwhelmed her.

Her vision spun as if the world was flipping upside down, and when it momentarily settled, nausea followed.

With a click, a door opened.

“Bring cold water.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The attendant waiting outside the bedroom bowed deeply.

The massive bed was large enough to accommodate five people with room to spare.

Carefully, Lennoch lowered Eleanor onto the plush mattress, ensuring she remained undisturbed.

The moment her head touched the soft bedding, her closed eyes snapped open.

“Don’t let Ernst’s words get to you.”

“……!”

Suddenly, her hand reached out, brushing against Lennoch’s cheek.

Her fingertips, heated from alcohol, felt more fiery than warm.

Lennoch placed his hand over hers, letting it rest atop her fevered skin.

“Are you all right?”

Eleanor’s complexion was different from before.

She nodded at Lennoch’s worried gaze.

“Of course.”

However, the expression on Lennoch’s face as he looked down at her was far from pleasant.

It seemed Eleanor was unaware of how she appeared right now.

Her speech slurred, her pronunciation jumbled as she mumbled on.

“Back then, you did what you believed was the best choice.”

Her hazy eyes, blurred from intoxication, did not waver as she continued speaking.

“I have already forgiven you.”

In the dizziness, one thought from earlier resurfaced.

It was what Ernst had said while attacking Lennoch.

That the past mistakes, forcing unwanted choices, were not something he could avoid either.

Eleanor worried that Lennoch might be tormented by guilt.

“But the Duke was not wrong.”

Lennoch, unable to take his eyes off Eleanor’s blue eyes, which glistened as if wet, whispered softly.

“To be honest, I was worried just now.”

“Why?”

“…That you might be uncomfortable.”

Eleanor was not the only one concerned.

Though he had not spoken of it, Lennoch felt the same way.

Ernst’s words, describing her as someone who had been sold into the Mecklen Duchy for a political purpose, must have been another wound for her.

“As Ernst said, I am a sinner to you.”

“Lennoch.”

“Forget everything else, but never forget my sins.”

I will repay you for the rest of my life.

“If you ever feel any resentment toward me or suffer because of me, tell me anytime. Even if you hand me a poisoned chalice, I am ready to drink it gladly.”

For a fleeting moment, Eleanor, who had begun to doze off, suddenly became alert.

“What do you mean? A poisoned chalice?”

“I know that this wound will not heal easily. If my presence causes you painful memories, I will always put your feelings first, no matter what you decide.”

Lennoch’s voice trailed off slightly at the end.

Eleanor belatedly noticed his dimming eyes.

The way his gaze lowered slightly, as if he feared rejection.

Such a strong man—

Yet in front of her, he seemed more vulnerable than anyone else. What should she do with him?

Through her blurred vision, she reached out with both arms and cradled his head.

“Do you really want to be apart from me?”

“……!”

“But I like being with you.”

Was alcohol always this dangerous?

Tonight, Eleanor was unusually bold.

Unlike her usual reserved self, who struggled with embarrassment over affectionate words, she now exuded an entirely different energy. Lennoch froze in place.

Eleanor, gazing up at Lennoch’s green eyes, let out a soft laugh.

“Your eyes are so beautiful.”

“…Eli.”

“Every time you look at me with those eyes, my heart races.”

“Do you really like them that much?”

“Looking at them makes me feel warm and safe. It’s different from when you’re working.”

“Different how?”

Eleanor’s voice wavered, rising and falling inconsistently.

“When you’re working, you look a little scary. Like you’re smiling, but it’s not really a smile.”

“If I look scary, I’ll try to change.”

“No, it’s not that bad.”

Her gaze softened drowsily.

Between her slightly parted pink lips, the faint scent of alcohol lingered.

“I like even the scary Lennoch. Because no matter how intimidating you seem, to me, you’re always reassuring.”

“Really?”

“Mm, but what I like even more… is Lennoch in bed?”

“……!”

“I love it. Because you’re so gentle.”

In the end, her words carried a hint of drunken teasing.

Lennoch, who had been listening seriously, let out an involuntary chuckle.

“Just how much did you drink when you can’t even handle alcohol well?”

This unfamiliar side of her was surprising, yet he didn’t dislike it.

As Eleanor rubbed her face against his, Lennoch felt the heat rising within him.

Feeling troubled, he gently touched Eleanor’s flushed ear.

She was too intoxicated to even realize what she was doing.

He couldn’t possibly take advantage of her like this. Holding back his desire, Lennoch’s expression tensed slightly.

“From now on, you’ll only drink with me.”

“Okay.”

“And never meet the Duke of Mecklen alone again. Tonight, I was able to find you in time, but next time, I don’t know what kind of danger he might pose.”

“Alright.”

Not even fully understanding his words, Eleanor simply nodded.

Then, out of nowhere, she lifted herself and pressed her nose to his, tapping it lightly.

“Lennoch.”

“Yes.”

“Love is absurd.”

Love is an emotion that cannot be explained logically.

“You are someone who has wronged me, yet at the same time, you are the one I cannot stop thinking about.”

“……”

“So.”

As if playing around, Eleanor’s voice carried a teasing tone.

The once-creased corners of Lennoch’s eyes slowly relaxed.

“I love you very much.”

Those were the words he had wanted to say more than anyone.

“I love you too.”

With a bright laugh, Eleanor’s face was suddenly cupped by Lennoch’s hands. Her small face fit perfectly in his palm, held gently in the air.

“All of this feels like a miracle to me.”

It was a moment so overwhelmingly happy that it felt terrifying. He feared that this warmth in his hands would slip away at any moment.

“Maybe I endured for so long just to meet you like this.”

Lennoch tilted his head slightly.

A subtle fruit scent lingered between their touching lips.

Though he rarely got drunk, the faint scent of alcohol on Eleanor made his head spin.

At first, he kissed her gently, savoring her as if pacifying her drunken state.

But in the next instant, his lips grew more demanding.

A wet sound echoed between them as he deepened the kiss.

Eleanor’s lips, caught between his own, opened helplessly to his heated desire.

A soft moan slipped out.

As their breaths intermingled, the tension rose.

Suddenly, a knock sounded from outside.

It was the servant bringing the cold water he had requested.

But Lennoch ignored him, pulling Eleanor even closer.

Like a man desperate to quench his thirst, his deepening kisses showed no sign of stopping.