Duchess Mecklen’s Elegant Revolt - Chapter 36 Part 1

36. Completed Happiness

The tense atmosphere in the palace regained a touch of liveliness.

It was due to the Emperor’s upcoming wedding.

“Careful, over here! Be sure not to break it while carrying!”

“Chamberlain, where should we put this frame?”

“Hmm, the Empress’s office would be nice. It looks a bit bare behind her desk.”

A fresh wind blew into the East Palace, which had been without a mistress for so long.

In preparation for the new Empress, they cleaned, brought in furniture, and filled the space with various decorations.

Amid the bustling attendants, the excited Brianna shouted sharply, “Lady Eleanor’s bedroom must be as luxurious as possible, got it?”

“Of course.”

“And Chamberlain, that dinnerware set—let’s place it in the first-floor reception room. Isn’t there a new display cabinet there?”

“I was thinking the same thing.”

No one could go against Brianna, the soon-to-be chief lady-in-waiting of the East Palace.

As she commanded, everyone moved in perfect order.

After confirming that everything had been placed properly, Brianna returned to the West Palace.

Eleanor, who had been chatting with the Empress Dowager, welcomed her warmly.

“Perfect timing. The dress just arrived.”

“I’m lucky today.”

Brianna gasped at the case containing the wedding dress.

The Empress Dowager, watching, set down her teacup and murmured playfully, “Honestly, Brianna looks more excited than Eleanor, the bride-to-be.”

“Oh, Your Majesty. You wouldn’t believe how much she pouted to me, saying she didn’t want Eleanor to leave. I had a hard time consoling her.”

Norah whispered in the Empress Dowager’s ear so Brianna wouldn’t hear.

The Empress Dowager, hearing about the close friendship, burst into a hearty laugh. “It would’ve been a disaster if she weren’t made chief lady-in-waiting. Anyone else would’ve felt like an outsider.”

Many noble young ladies had volunteered for the position serving the new Empress.

Even though the wedding hadn’t happened yet, the enthusiasm made it clear how popular Eleanor was among them.

While Eleanor and Brianna went off to change into the dress, the Empress Dowager asked Berenice, who had been silently sipping her tea, “Has Countess Lorentz shown any signs?”

“None, Your Majesty. She likely won’t dare show her face again. Rumors that she tried to poison Lady Eleanor’s tea are everywhere, and many nobles are waiting to pounce.”

“Waiting to pounce?”

“So many nobles want to win favor with the new Empress. They think if they bring Countess Lorentz’s head, they might at least get a few crumbs.”

“Ah, nobles will be nobles.”

Still, the Empress Dowager couldn’t stop smiling.

She might’ve been better off just accepting punishment.

Trying to cling to a pathetic life, she ended up expelled from her family and now on the run.

Clicking her tongue, the Empress Dowager savored the aroma of her tea.

“Make sure May is looked after.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Even if she had been threatened, May could no longer stay in the palace after being involved in the poisoning.

Instead of punishment, she had been sent away. Now, she would likely live peacefully with her mother.

“It’s a shame. If not for that incident, she would’ve been a good one to keep around.”

“I disagree.”

To the Empress Dowager, who couldn’t let go of the regret, Berenice shook her head.

“What do you think, Your Majesty?”

Just then, Eleanor reappeared before them, changed into the dress.

The one-of-a-kind, custom-made design captivated all eyes at once.

Noticing the smooth lines of the dress accentuating her figure, the Empress Dowager gave a meaningful smile. “If that child finds out, he’ll be very jealous.”

“Jealous?”

“That we saw such a beautiful sight before he did.”

Everyone knew who she meant, even without saying the name.

As Eleanor’s cheeks flushed slightly, those around her let out a delighted laugh.

The waiting designer stepped forward and gently placed a translucent veil atop Eleanor’s head.

“For the ceremony, wear the long veil. For the parade, I recommend a shorter one. Outdoor settings are restrictive, and excessive embellishments could hinder movement. The crown is heavy as well.”

“Please do it that way.”

“I’ll make sure everything is perfect by the wedding day.”

The designer, who had won the fierce competition to create the Empress’s dress, reaffirmed her resolve.

Norah, who had been admiring Eleanor with envious eyes, suddenly said, “It feels strange.”

“What does?”

“I never imagined you’d get married after we first met… Oh, I didn’t mean that badly. Sorry if that sounded rude.”

“No offense taken. I didn’t think I’d remarry either.”

Eleanor smiled softly, unbothered.

In truth, she felt just as unreal.

Back when she divorced Ernst, she had been trying to figure out how to survive—and Lennoch was never part of that plan.

She had no noble acquaintances in Baden, no family, not even distant relatives. Alone, she had pursued nothing but a stable foundation.

She simply wanted a better life, and not to die unjustly.

But as she ran forward, she began to notice people she couldn’t see before.

“Is anything uncomfortable?”

Brianna approached, inspecting the dress as if she were the one about to wear it.

“Doesn’t the waist seem a bit loose?”

“It does feel a little empty.”

“This part needs to be taken in. The sleeve length is okay, right?”

“No issues.”

“Anything else? It’s best to speak up while the designer’s here. People often forget and bring it up later.”

Yes, these were the people.

Those who cared for her so generously, loved her more than she deserved.

It was thanks to them that she had come this far.

Watching Brianna’s round head as she inspected the dress, Eleanor couldn’t help the smile tugging at her lips.

Then, by chance, her eyes met Berenice’s, who was sipping her tea.

Berenice gave a faint smile. “You look happy.”

With just that one line, all of Eleanor’s emotions were expressed.

She smiled brightly at those she was thankful for. “Yes, I’m happy.”

***

After finishing the dress fitting, she headed straight to the Emperor’s office.

As always, Eger welcomed her.

Out of habit, Eleanor glanced toward Lennoch’s seat and saw the chair was empty.

“Where is His Majesty?”

“Duke Mecklen has submitted his resignation.”

“His resignation?” Eleanor’s eyes widened slightly at the unexpected news.

Eger sighed. “It seems his mother’s situation weighed heavily on him. Though he was spared punishment, he said the current position no longer suits him and has chosen to step down.”

“Then…”

“His Majesty allowed him to retain his knighthood. However, he’s now on standby and won’t be reporting to the palace anymore.”

Even after Caroline’s death, Ernst hadn’t changed.

Always arriving at the same time, with the same expression, some nobles had begun to complain.

That the Mecklen family should be punished as well.

After the execution, the Delph family had completely collapsed—Count Verdik had his title revoked.

Their assets were confiscated, their noble status stripped, and all remaining associates were rounded up. While reexamining the Delph estate, another discovery was made.

The secret garden of the East Palace.

“I’ll bring you some tea.”

“Thank you.”

Eleanor quietly sipped her tea.

“Then where is His Majesty now?”

“He’s gone out with Duke Mecklen to deal with Saruka.”

“An unofficial execution, then.”

“That’s correct.”

Though Saruka had testified in court, letting him live was not an option.

What began as revenge had become a path of desensitized murder and countless crimes.

Moreover, under the pretext of his grudge against Oth III, he had killed Lennoch’s father, Heinrich II.

The former Duke of Mecklen had also died in the same incident.

Knowing that Ernst had gone with them, Eleanor realized they intended to end Saruka—the man who had killed their fathers—together.

Suddenly, Jack Ruby’s request came to mind.

“Lady Eleanor, won’t you let me be the one to end him? I want revenge for my men.”

“…Harboring too many grudges is such a heavy burden.”

As she pondered how to explain this to Jack Ruby, Eger handed her some documents.

“We’ve selected several candidate sites for the memorial stone to honor those who died during Oth III’s reign. A separate memorial service will be held after the wedding.”

“That’s a relief.”

The memorial had been Eleanor’s suggestion.

It couldn’t soothe every family that had lost someone under Oth III’s regime, but she had wanted to offer comfort—and Lennoch had readily agreed.

After checking the schedule, Eleanor nodded. “I’ll help make sure everything goes smoothly.”

“That would be most helpful. Oh, and this as well.”

Eger handed her another report.

“It’s the list of important guests attending the wedding. With Lubraith’s unstable internal affairs, I thought their prince wouldn’t come, but he contacted us first, saying he’ll attend.”

Nearby countries had also announced their attendance.

Mondriol, a nation on good terms with Baden, was sending over dozens of envoys, requiring separate accommodations.

As she reviewed the list, Eleanor’s gaze paused on the Bahama Kingdom.

“Is something wrong?”

Eger followed Eleanor’s suddenly serious gaze.

Compared to Mondriol, Bahama’s delegation was small.

Still, they couldn’t be taken lightly. Each individual held significant status, well-known even beyond their nation.

Among them, Eger’s eyes landed on the last name.

[Adler de Venom]

Former prince of Hartmann, now a noble of Bahama—Eleanor’s brother.

“Shall I exclude him?” Eger asked carefully, gauging Eleanor’s reaction.

She said nothing, then shook her head.

“No.”

Invite him.

***

The day of the Emperor’s wedding.

It was a day when the cold had fully passed and spring warmth filled the air.

People poured into the streets, marveling at the perfect weather—as if even the heavens were blessing the occasion.

Flowing in a long line, the destination of the crowd was the imperial palace.

At the parade’s starting point, a massive assembly had already formed, including not only commoners but also rural nobles who hadn’t even received invitations.

“The wedding parade starts at 11, right?”

“Yeah. Still a long way off—how are we supposed to wait that long.”

“Still, if you don’t grab a spot early, there’s no point coming out. Judging by the crowd, it’s only going to get worse. We were lucky—any later and we’d only get to see the backs of people’s heads.”