Duchess Mecklen’s Elegant Revolt - Side Story 14

Side Story 3

During the Founding Festival, Adler was granted a short leave and felt like he was flying as he left the palace.

Enriche, a man from Hartmann, turned out to be more competent than expected.

The occasional information he provided was quite useful, but his greatest asset was his wide network of connections.

“Everyone here is a naturalized citizen from Hartmann.”

“There are this many?”

A secret gathering.

Enriche had gone out of his way to arrange this meeting for Adler, gathering Hartmann nobles for the occasion.

Seeing the small room packed with people, Adler was impressed.

“It is truly an honor to meet Your Highness the Prince.”

The nobles, who had been informed of Adler’s arrival in advance, rushed to greet him.

Among them were several he had known well back in Hartmann.

Adler couldn’t contain his excitement at the realization that so many from Hartmann supported him.

‘It can be done.’

There was hope.

A spark that could reignite the reclamation of Hartmann.

As Adler clenched his fist with determination, Enriche whispered softly into his ear, “Your Highness, though these people have come here in search of Hartmann’s former glory, most don’t know what to do next. Without a goal, they’re no more than a disorderly mob.”

“Is that so?”

“That’s why I suggest sharing your ambitions with them. Explain why they should follow you. Promise great rewards to those who contribute. That will surely motivate them to support you.”

“A good idea.” Adler nodded.

As he stepped to the center to give a speech, Enriche handed him a glass of wine from who knows where.

The red wine carried a sweet aroma.

Adler raised his glass high.

“I commend the courage of all who have gathered here today.”

A resounding speech began.

The more Adler spoke, the more it felt like he was returning to his old self—

Back to the days when he had been treated as the rightful heir of Hartmann’s royal family.

Moved by his call to unite and build a new Hartmann together, the nobles lifted their glasses and responded enthusiastically.

Overcome with excitement, Adler even revealed a secret he had kept to himself.

“Though the Emperor of Baden has stolen our country, the spirit of Hartmann has not yet surrendered. The royal treasure passed down through generations, the Hawk’s Seal Ring, is still with me!”

“……!”

Among the cheering nobles, a few quick-witted individuals exchanged glances.

They were the ones who knew about the hostage incident from the day before.

But Adler was unaware of any such news.

Drunk on his own emotions, Adler raised his arm high.

“So support me! If you stand with me, I have nothing to fear. Let us build a new Hartmann together!”

“Long live His Highness!”

“Long live!”

As soon as his speech ended, the crowd erupted as if they had been waiting for that moment.

It was a passionate cheer.

Buoyed by their support, Adler drank his wine in one go.

Every last drop passed down his throat and settled in his stomach.

Watching from a distance, Enriche wore an ambiguous smile.

***

Not long after Eger finished his report and left, Eleanor heard that Hail was looking for her.

Since she couldn’t go herself, she summoned the child to her office.

She intended to use it as a moment of rest and to spend some time with Hail.

Just then, a familiar figure requested an audience with Eleanor.

Clad in an ill-fitting white robe and walking with confidence, he seemed rather excited.

“Employer! Ah, no—Your Majesty the Empress. It’s been a while.”

“Jack Ruby.”

During the festival, the Baden imperial family had introduced a special benefit never offered before.

Verified commoners were allowed to tour the palace on a first-come, first-served basis.

Thanks to this, Jack Ruby had boldly walked through the main gate to submit his overdue reports to the Emperor.

Eleanor let out a small laugh at his explanation. “You look well. Has life been good lately?”

“Heh, does it show that much?”

Jack Ruby rubbed his chin with a sly grin.

“It’s just that watching Russell’s antics has been so entertaining lately.”

“Russell?”

“He’s been desperate to beat me. Running around putting on quite the teary show—it’s a riot to watch.”

“Baroness Berenice actually asked me to speak to you about that. To go a little easier on Russell. Sounds like this is what she meant.”

“Come on, I can’t go easy on him. A bet’s a bet, after all.”

Apparently, they had made some sort of wager among themselves.

Hail, who had been standing by Eleanor’s side, suddenly tugged at her dress.

“Eli, the smell’s like medicine.”

“Hm? I washed up as best I could. The smell’s still there?” Jack Ruby raised his sleeve and sniffed dramatically, prompting a laugh from Eleanor.

“How’s the apothecary business going these days?”

“Damn it, it’s doing too well—that’s the problem,” Jack Ruby grumbled loudly.

He continued, “Thanks to this medicine-peddling gig that doesn’t even suit me, I’ve practically had to quit smoking. The pharmacist won’t stop nagging about not lighting cigars in the shop. I haven’t even been married, but now I get why Russell runs off to the apothecary every time his wife nags him.”

“That’s a good thing, isn’t it? Maybe you should quit for real.”

“Whoa, no way. I’d sooner give up money than this baby.”

“Is that so?”

“…No, I can’t give up either.”

Jack Ruby feigned drama as he hugged an imaginary cigar.

To him, cigars were like an extension of himself.

Knock knock.

“Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager requests your presence.”

Just then, Berenice entered and spotted Jack Ruby.

Her eyes sharpened noticeably.

“…So Jack Ruby’s here too.”

“……!”

Jack Ruby flinched dramatically.

Though Berenice had no personal grudge against him, she had grown quite displeased with how Russell had been neglecting her commissions lately in favor of a bet with Jack Ruby.

As Berenice approached like she meant to drag him away, Jack Ruby instinctively clung to Eleanor.

“Your Majesty, please save me.”

Eleanor gave a soft laugh as she looked between the two of them.

“Baroness Berenice, you’ll be coming to the Western Palace with me, right? I actually had something to discuss with you—this works out perfectly.”

“…Your Majesty.”

“Jack Ruby, could you stay with Prince Hail for a moment? I’ll be right back.”

“Leave it to me, Your Majesty! I may not look it, but I’m an expert in childcare!”

Berenice could never win against the Empress.

In the end, as she followed Eleanor, Berenice cast a resentful glance at Jack Ruby.

Worried Berenice might return, Jack Ruby hurriedly looked for the prince.

“Your Highness, I’m Jack Ruby. You can just call me Jack.”

To accommodate Hail, who couldn’t see, Jack Ruby extended his hand.

Though taken aback, Hail didn’t shy away from the unfamiliar presence.

He could sense from Jack Ruby’s voice that he was someone close to Eleanor.

Turning toward the sound, Hail reached out and took his hand.

“It’s strange.”

“Strange?”

“Your hand is huge! Like a tree!”

Hail sounded genuinely amazed.

Amused by the child, Jack Ruby chuckled.

Since they were in the Empress’s private office and out of view, Jack Ruby used his free hand to ruffle Hail’s hair.

Other than Eleanor and the Emperor, no one had ever touched his head before, so Hail’s eyes widened.

“Your Highness has such a tiny head. Like a chestnut.”

The hand that tousled his hair was rough, but oddly comforting.

As Hail sat quietly letting him pat his head, Jack Ruby grew bolder and lifted the prince onto his lap.

Hail, startled by the unexpected move, quickly relaxed once he realized it meant no harm.

“What’s this?”

“It’s bouncy-bouncy.”

“Bouncy-bouncy?”

Bouncing up and down made Hail burst into laughter.

Neither the Emperor nor Eli had ever done this before.

He couldn’t believe he hadn’t known something so fun.

Excited, Hail shouted loudly, “I want to bouncy-bouncy too!”

“Pardon? With who?”

“Jack!”

“…If I bounce on Your Highness, you’ll turn from a chestnut into a flat pancake.”

If his massive frame sat on Hail, it would be a catastrophe just imagining it.

Jack Ruby shuddered and flatly refused. “Save the bouncy-bouncy for your little sibling in the future.”

“Sibling? I have a sibling?”

“No, I meant if you have one later.”

“When will I have a sibling?”

“…Well, um.”

“How are siblings made?”

“From… your mother’s belly…”

“Can Eli make one now? I want to do bouncy-bouncy too.”

“……”

At Hail’s innocent question, Jack Ruby fell into deep thought.

There had been no word yet of another baby for the Empress.

And explaining how babies were made to a child as young as Hail was no easy task.

Even for someone as brash as Jack Ruby, this topic made him cautious.

After a serious pause, Jack Ruby carefully chose his words. “That’s something only Her Majesty can do.”

“Then if I ask Eli to make one, will that work?”

“Uh… technically yes, but that’s…”

“How do you make a baby? Can I help Eli make one? Why can’t I make one?”

The questions were snowballing.

Jack Ruby deeply regretted boasting about being a childcare expert.

***

The Empress Dowager’s Palace.

Compared to the bustling main palace filled with outsiders, the Western Palace remained quiet and peaceful.

Though they wore bright expressions, the conversation over tea was far from light.

“If that’s the situation in Lubraith, we must be prepared for the worst.”

The Empress Dowager clicked her tongue after hearing Eleanor’s report on the state of affairs in Lubraith.

“How could the Emperor of Lubraith handle the succession issue so poorly?”

“That only proves how deeply he favors the First Prince. Given the weakness of his maternal bloodline, the Second and Third Princes will no doubt challenge him.”

“The Baroness is right.”

Picking up where the Dowager left off, Berenice offered her opinion.

Eleanor continued, “I understand the Second Prince’s consort is from the House of Nestor.”

“Yes, my younger sister Josephine’s daughter.”

The Dowager’s sister Josephine had a free-spirited nature and didn’t often stay with the family.

Her daughter Regina was similar.

The reason she ended up marrying the Second Prince of Lubraith was that, during her travels, she fell in love without realizing he was a foreign prince.

Eleanor nodded after hearing about their connection. “Still, it would be unwise to openly support the Second Prince. Bahama is likely waiting for us to make a move. On the surface, they won’t want to be seen as starting a war.”

“So it’s a game of brinkmanship.”

“Has there been any word from Regina?”

“She sent a letter… but it was full of trivial nonsense. So hopeless.”

News from across the sea contained nothing useful.

She wrote about the gift her husband gave her, the new maid in the palace, and how a lady she disliked was humiliated at a social event—nothing but idle gossip.

Shaking her head at the mention of the letter, the Empress Dowager sighed. “Regina really is a handful. I thought marriage abroad might mature her, but even now, she shows no sign of growing up.”

“Things may change once Lubraith’s Emperor officially announces his successor. If the Second Prince joins the fight for the throne, his consort will naturally follow. Let’s wait and see a bit longer.” Berenice offered a word of comfort.

Still, the Empress Dowager’s frown didn’t ease.

She took a sip of tea, then glanced at Eleanor.

‘It’s still too early to expect news of a baby, isn’t it?’

Seeing how the neighboring Lubraith Empire was caught up in a succession crisis, her mind grew restless.

Prince Hail, due to his physical disability, was not eligible for the throne.

In the end, a child born of Eleanor would be the first in line for succession.

After some hesitation, the Empress Dowager carefully posed a question.

“Have you been craving anything unusual lately?”