Duchess Mecklen’s Elegant Revolt - Side Story 2

“Well…”

Eger hesitated slightly.

He had never shared this story with anyone before.

As Eger faltered, Lennoch, resting his chin on his hand, casually said, “Sir Joshua probably doesn’t even know Eger was her fellow student at the academy.”

“Fellow student at the academy?”

“Whenever Eger saw her, he’d run away first thing. Sir Joshua never had a chance to notice him.”

Eleanor’s eyes widened in surprise.

As the Emperor exposed him, Eger let out a sigh, eyes full of resignation.

“It’s true. We were in the same academy, but we had no real connection. I was in the Department of Humanities and Economics, and Sir Joshua was in the Swordsmanship Division… We weren’t even in the same wing.”

He decided to unburden his heart.

Once resolved, his thoughts flowed freely.

“Every year, the Royal Academy holds a grand festival where students showcase the skills they’ve honed. The Swordsmanship Division holds a large tournament on that day. That’s when I first saw Sir Joshua.”

“……”

“She was incredible. It was like watching someone become one with their sword. That was the first time I realized people could move like that. She won the third-year championship in that tournament.”

“I didn’t see it myself, but it must have been a sight to behold.”

“It was unforgettable. Almost everyone who watched the tournament fell for her. Her looks, her skill—she had it all. Naturally, she became very popular.”

But Joshua showed no interest in her popularity.

After returning to daily life, she continued to train with unchanging focus. Eger, captivated by her unwavering dedication, found himself tormented ever since.

“I tried to talk to her.”

Eger rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.

“But every time I saw her face, I froze up. Couldn’t say a word.”

He never managed to speak to her, let alone confess, before graduating from the academy.

After entering the palace, Joshua became a knight and Eger the Emperor’s secretary—they simply continued on their separate paths.

There were rare moments when they’d pass each other by chance, but just like in the academy, Eger could only watch from afar as Joshua was always surrounded by others.

Lennoch looked surprised. “You never told me any of this.”

“You always tease me. How could I possibly tell Your Majesty something like this?”

Even now, Lennoch was endlessly dragging it out over one person—Joshua.

Annoyingly, the Emperor replied, “That’s true.”

Eger narrowed his eyes and shot him a glare.

In short, the unrequited love was still ongoing—and the other person remained completely unaware.

After a moment of thought, Eleanor offered a suggestion. “Lord Eger, why don’t you try getting closer to her during the Founding Festival?”

“How would I do that?”

“There’s an event at the end of the Founding Festival. A ritual of sowing seeds in prayer to the Goddess of the Earth, for the Empire’s prosperity.”

“Ah.”

Eger and Lennoch nodded at the same time.

“Right, there is that.”

Worshipping the Goddess of the Earth was a tradition unique to Baden on the entire continent.

Tracing its origin leads back to the imperial capital, Panello—the city that also gave Baden its name.

Famed for its fertile farmland and wealth, Panello became the heart and pillar of the Baden Empire. In honor of their roots, Baden continued to reenact the ancient ritual from Parnello during each Founding Festival.

Eleanor, recalling what she once read in Baden’s history books, smiled softly. “As you know, noblemen and noblewomen are paired up and dispatched throughout the capital that day. If the two of you were chosen to pray to the goddess together, it would give you a natural reason to talk.”

“If you’d arrange that, I’d be truly grateful…”

Eger hesitated.

“But would I be able to pull it off?”

If left alone with her, he might panic and fumble.

He was afraid he might make a fool of himself.

An odd worry, considering he had been the youngest admitted to the academy and had once submitted an exam answer sheet that earned admiration from the professors.

As Eger voiced his premature concern, Eleanor smiled gently. “If necessary, I’ll even lend you a bracelet.”

“……?”

“It’s a sacred relic with spiritual powers.”

A relic surrounded by incredible legends.

“If you truly wish for it, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to rely on the gods once.”

Eleanor gave a small smile.

***

“Are you really going to lend him Kaham’s bracelet?”

In the inner palace, the Emperor, now dressed comfortably, asked.

Eleanor, her gaze fixed on the jewelry box, answered softly, “Do you think it’s a bad idea?”

“You’re the bracelet’s owner. It’s not my place to interfere.”

Eleanor didn’t need to turn her head to know he was approaching.

Lennoch’s shadow fell over the jewelry box she was gazing into.

As he wrapped his arms around her from behind, she took hold of them and smiled.

Lennoch muttered quietly to himself, “If things don’t go as he hoped, the disappointment could be great.”

Eger was sincere.

He had grumbled that he didn’t believe in such superstitions, yet accepted Eleanor’s offer anyway.

If nothing progressed between them—

Would he resent Eleanor for lending him the bracelet?

Or blame himself for foolishly relying on such a trinket?

It wouldn’t be anyone’s fault.

Eleanor realized Lennoch was worried not just for Eger, but for her too.

She lightly kissed the back of his hand.

“I’ll guarantee the bracelet’s power.”

Eleanor believed in the legend of Kaham’s bracelet.

Ever since she learned that the one who turned back her time had been Lennoch.

And since the day the Grand Priest of the Church of Lumana gave that cryptic blessing at their wedding.

“I believe this bracelet was the link that brought me and you together.”

If the bracelet still retained its mysterious power, it might do good to help someone in need, besides the two of them.

After all, Eger was someone important to both Lennoch and Eleanor.

Eleanor took the bracelet from the jewelry box and fastened it around her wrist for the first time in a while.

Though it had gone without care for some time, the bracelet remained immaculately clean.

“Eger must have had a hard time all this while.”

Just then, Lennoch rested his chin on her shoulder.

Feeling the warmth of his forehead, Eleanor raised her wrist, showing the bracelet.

“Sometimes, when you’re overthinking, confronting it head-on might bring better results.”

“Eli.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I love you.”

So suddenly?

Startled, Eleanor reflexively turned to the side.

Lennoch’s breath tickled her cheek as he whispered close.

“It’s a late confession, but I was no less of a fool than Eger.”

“……?”

“At first, I didn’t even consider facing you directly. If I had been a bit more honest, happiness might have come to us sooner.”

In his quieted voice lingered a faint hint of guilt.

Eleanor slowly shook her head. “You’re here by my side now. That’s all that matters.”

“But is it truly okay? If I hadn’t sent you to Mecklen—”

“Lennoch.”

She instinctively raised her hand and covered his lips.

Surprised to find her hand suddenly against his mouth, Lennoch blinked in shock.

‘What am I going to do with this man?’

Eleanor couldn’t help but laugh, but she also felt sorry for him.

Always so afraid she might come to hate him.

While she was slowly moving on from the past, he seemed forever haunted by the invisible fears it had left behind.

She comforted him gently. “The past can’t be changed. There’s no use tormenting yourself over what’s already done. That’s the most foolish thing you can do—or so my old teacher Harmenta used to say.”

“……”

“And now, I have so much more I can do with you, Lennoch. That’s more than enough for me.”

“…Eli.”

“I believe you’ll be the one to bring me happiness from now on.”

The flickering uncertainty in Lennoch’s eyes visibly settled.

Without missing her chance, Eleanor naturally leaned into him.

His broad shoulders, as always, felt strong and dependable.

Looking up at him, she beamed.

“So stop digging around already.”

Come here.

“It’s a rare night without Hail.”

***

“Damn it!”

Adler, who had spent the entire day shoveling, finally snapped and ground his teeth.

He tried covering his nose with a handkerchief, but it was useless against the wretched stench around him.

The task was so disgusting it made him gag.

Unable to stand it any longer, Adler threw his shovel down.

“Eleanor…!”

Eleanor.

Eleanor.

Eleanor.

As Adler kicked the ground in rage, horse dung shot into the air and scattered in every direction.

“You dare make me suffer this indignity?”

Nowhere else had he ever experienced such humiliation.

Even if his nation had fallen, he was royalty by birth.

And yet here he was, reduced to a stable hand shoveling manure—a job fit for commoners.

“This has to be her revenge… for what happened back then.”

He desperately wanted to grab Eleanor by the collar.

But Adler knew his position too well—he didn’t even have the courage to face her.

On one side stood the Empress of the Baden Empire.

On the other, a worthless manure-shoveler.

‘I never should have signed that document.’

Adler regretted it too late.

In his haste to flee Bahama, he hadn’t even read the spy agreement properly.

Now, in hindsight, it had been riddled with traps.

Why hadn’t he realized it back then?

‘…It’s far too late to return to Bahama now.’

The news must have spread already.

That he, who abandoned Bahama, was now shoveling manure in Baden.

He could only hope not to become the subject of ridicule.

And if anyone found out that he came to Baden as a spy from Bahama, the situation would be even worse.

He’d be branded a traitor by Bahama’s nobility and killed.

“Of all the things that could go wrong… why this.”

Completely exhausted, Adler slumped to the ground.

The stench still hung heavy around him, but he no longer had the strength to move.

His dull gaze wandered the area as he let out a groan.

Living out his life in such filth and stench was unbearable.

He had to escape.

But how?

“…Should I return to Hartmann.”

He muttered the thought aloud.

By now, the situation there must have somewhat stabilized.

Though he’d heard the rebels had put up stronger resistance than expected, the year-long war had ultimately ended in Baden’s victory.

In the end, it was a rabble of misfits—they never stood a chance.

And now, with the news of the Emperor and Eleanor’s marriage spreading even to Hartmann, public opinion there wasn’t as bad as expected.

‘That country was mine to begin with.’

Technically speaking, it was true.

Without him, Hartmann would’ve completely collapsed without ever receiving Baden’s aid.

And hadn’t Eleanor ended up marrying the Emperor thanks to him?

Then perhaps reclaiming Hartmann wouldn’t be so impossible.

“As long as I offer something in return…”

Suddenly, a jolt ran through Adler’s mind.

The one who held the Emperor of Baden in her grasp now—was his sister.

Even if Eleanor ignored him now, it didn’t change the fact that he was the last surviving royal of Hartmann, her blood kin.

As this line of thought continued, a realization dawned on Adler.

“A baby.”