Duchess Mecklen’s Elegant Revolt - Side Story 21

With his mouth shut tight, Lennoch’s brow twitched dramatically.

It clearly meant: Why Jack Ruby?

The expression was so absurd and endearing that Eleanor stepped in a little closer.

“He seems to be the person Hail needs most right now.”

Seeing how excited Hail was about traveling with Jack Ruby had given her confidence.

If it were him—maybe he would see Hail just as he was.

Rough and wild as he was, Jack Ruby surprisingly had a soft spot for the weak and gentle.

Eleanor leaned in toward Lennoch as if to kiss him.

“You’ll do it, right?”

Not that he was thrilled.

But as he looked at Eleanor tugging him with both hands, he couldn’t bring himself to refuse.

Trapped once again by her, Lennoch’s eyes gave a subtle nod of agreement.

“All right. I’ll trust in Your Majesty.”

“…You’re getting better and better at handling me.”

As the hand that had been blocking her path was removed, Lennoch caught Eleanor’s face just as she tried to step away.

She didn’t avoid the kiss that followed—she only let out a soft laugh.

***

“Boss is a noble now!”

“Ooooh!”

The subordinates who heard the news cheered wildly.

It wasn’t just a triumph for Jack Ruby—it was a victory for the entire Ferret gang.

Rising from commoner to noble wasn’t something that happened every day. Without extraordinary merit, it was nearly impossible.

Basking in the flood of praise from all around, Jack Ruby puffed up proudly.

“From today on, I can march right through the main gates of the palace.”

“That’s amazing, Boss! …Wait, does that mean you’ll be living with all the nobles in the palace now?”

“Huh? Why would I live with them?”

“Well, if you’re going into the palace…”

The subordinate trailed off.

They didn’t know much about noble customs, and just assumed all nobles lived in the palace.

Realizing the misunderstanding, Jack Ruby waved it off. “I don’t mix well with nobles. They act all high and mighty, but they’re worse than us behind the scenes. What’s the point of being close to them?”

That was something he’d long felt as an information dealer.

After years of digging up dirt on nobles in high society, Jack Ruby had zero intention of joining their world.

He grumbled loudly, “Just imagine me waltzing through some fancy party with noblewomen hanging on my arms. Doesn’t suit me at all, right?”

“…It’s quite a disturbing image.”

“Exactly. Disturbing. …Wait. Did you just say I’m disturbing?”

“No, not disturbing—hot. Just the thought of you dancing made me feel hot in the face. Haha.”

Realizing the slip, the subordinate quickly backpedaled.

Jack Ruby’s eyes narrowed like a flounder’s, but there wasn’t time to press the issue further—he was running late for his palace appointment.

“Anyway, I’m not leaving Ferret. Don’t worry. I’m just off to the palace.”

“Safe trip, Boss!”

Even if it was an honorary title, he still had duties to perform.

With his men seeing him off, Jack Ruby boarded the carriage. Lazily propping up his feet, he let out a huge yawn.

‘Still… what’s the real deal here?’

Becoming a noble was great.

The Emperor had granted him the title of Baron for protecting the Empress from Adler’s scheme and recovering the Hartmann royal ring.

He’d accepted it readily enough—

“What’s the catch?”

But something didn’t sit right.

Puffing away on a cigar, Jack Ruby mulled it over.

From what he knew, the Emperor wasn’t the kind of man to give something out of pure goodwill.

Kind and gentle on the surface—but beneath it, meticulous and shrewd.

In contrast, Empress Eleanor was far softer and more flexible.

“Maybe Her Majesty put in a word for me?”

A likely guess.

The Emperor was a man of principle. If he had granted something, it was probably because the Empress asked him to.

So—what had she offered to get the Emperor to agree?

“…Well, I’ll find out soon enough.”

Jack Ruby stubbed out his cigar.

As he stepped down from the carriage, smoke that had been trapped in the small cabin billowed out.

Several nobles passing by the palace gate whispered among themselves as Jack Ruby appeared trailing a cloud of smoke.

Arriving at the Empress’s palace, Jack Ruby gave the greeting he’d been practicing.

“Baron Jack Ruby, at Your Majesty’s service.”

“Welcome.”

Eleanor was there—with the Emperor stuck to her side like a magnet.

Lennoch wrinkled his nose slightly at the scent wafting off Jack Ruby.

“Could someone open a window?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Before the servant could move, Jack Ruby darted over and flung the window open. He could’ve ordered someone to do it—he had the rank now.

But seeing that his nature hadn’t changed, Eleanor smiled.

“I like that you’re still the same.”

“Being a noble’s no big deal. It’s just a title.”

“Funny, you look very pleased for someone saying that.”

“Position makes the man, Your Majesty. Ahem.”

Jack Ruby gave a sheepish laugh as he sat before the imperial couple.

“So… what’s the job?”

Eleanor glanced to the side.

Who would explain it first?

Then Lennoch spoke up. “The Empress tells me you’re a childcare expert. Is that true?”

“A… childcare expert?” Jack Ruby blinked.

Then, belatedly, he remembered Hail. He had shouted that once—just to avoid getting dragged off by Berenice. He’d clung to the Empress and boasted he was great with kids.

Jack Ruby awkwardly nodded. “I may have said something like that…”

Eleanor picked up where Lennoch left off.

“Perfect, then.”

The reason he’d been made a noble.

“Your task is to become the prince’s guardian.”

“…What?”

“As his legal guardian, protect him until he reaches adulthood.”

What on earth were they saying?

Jack Ruby practically leapt to his feet. “Dear employer—I mean, Your Majesty! Even if it’s your request, I can’t do this!”

The infamous information broker of Ferret… becoming a babysitter?

He had a reputation to protect!

Jack Ruby shouted, voice hoarse, “You know better than anyone—someone like me can’t watch over His Highness! Look at me! I came here with a bundle of cigars! I’ve never married, never raised a child. What if I mess up while caring for him?”

“Then was it a lie, what you said about being a childcare expert?”

“Th-that was…”

Jack Ruby, usually smooth as flowing water, fell completely silent.

A lie told to escape a tight spot had come back to bite him.

He needed another excuse—and fast.

While Jack Ruby was desperately racking his brain, the door opened just then.

“Jack!”

Catching the scent of cigars, Hail called out his name with perfect accuracy.

As the little prince rushed over, Jack Ruby instinctively scooped him up and turned to Eleanor in bewilderment.

“What on earth…”

The answer came from Hail.

“Her Majesty gave permission!”

“……?”

“If I go with Jack, I’m allowed to leave the palace!”

No way.

Though the young prince was nestled in Jack Ruby’s arms, Eleanor continued calmly, without the slightest hint of surprise.

“We’ll provide the best treatment: land and a mansion near the palace for you and the prince, servants, noble maintenance expenses, and everything else you might need.”

“……!”

“Your task is to protect the prince until he reaches adulthood. If needed, we’ll dispatch knights disguised as mercenaries to assist you. Your payment will be issued separately every month.”

Holding the prince in his arms, Jack Ruby faltered. His face flushed red—not with anger, but with excitement.

Eleanor could tell that the offer had piqued his interest.

Still, even for someone like Jack Ruby, who loved money, the social gap made him hesitate.

Not to mention, it was a long-term assignment.

Then Hail, still in his arms, snuggled closer and chirped, “Jack.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“I wanna eat baked pudding.”

“……”

Where had Hail picked up such adorable tricks?

Just as Eleanor was wondering, Jack Ruby’s expression visibly softened.

Then, startled by himself, he quickly straightened his face. “Ahem. I’m not such a soft-hearted man.”

“I know.”

“If Russell saw me like this, he’d laugh his head off. The great Jack Ruby, babysitting a child.”

Despite his grumbling, he couldn’t put Hail down. He worried the visually impaired boy might fall if he let go. On top of that, he was even indulging Hail’s whims.

“Jack! Bouncy-bouncy!”

Lennoch watched in surprise as Jack Ruby played cheerfully with Hail, so unbefitting his large frame.

Seeing how close they already were, Eleanor slyly tested him. “So, are you going to turn down the job?”

“Would I be allowed to?”

“Of course. But you’d lose your noble title and would have to report to the palace every day.”

“……!”

Jack Ruby’s face changed slightly.

“You’d have to argue with nobles, and if needed, participate in policy discussions to support His Majesty. You know how my brother Henrik ended up attending political meetings, don’t you?”

Of course he did.

Henrik’s verbal beatdown of the nobles was still infamous in aristocratic circles.

Naturally, Jack Ruby had no desire to get involved in such tangled politics.

‘I knew it.’

Unlike the laughing Hail, Jack Ruby’s face grew gloomier.

A noble title came with responsibilities.

If he didn’t like it, he’d have to accept the mission.

After all, there was no such thing as a free gift from the Emperor.

At last, Jack Ruby let out a sigh. “Maybe I should’ve gone to Bahama instead. This kind of thing is more Russell’s area.”

“Russell?”

“He raised his siblings when his wife fell ill. That’s part of why he got so obsessed with making money.”

Jack Ruby scratched his head with a thick hand.

Still, for a job this difficult, the compensation was generous.

They even offered palace knights for protection.

‘Wait a second.’

As a former mercenary, he’d now have knights at his disposal?

‘This could be more useful than I thought.’

His calculating mind whirred, and his face brightened slightly.

“I’ll do it.”

“I knew you would.”

Eleanor smiled softly, having secured his agreement.

Just as she expected.

There were very few nobles with no political ambitions who could be a strong protector for Hail.

Someone who wouldn’t use Hail’s blindness for their own gain.

In that sense, Jack Ruby was perfect. Not to mention, he was closely connected to them.

Eleanor looked warmly at Hail, clinging happily to Jack Ruby. “Do visit the palace often with Hail.”

“Of course. …By the way, Your Majesty, there’s something I’m curious about.”

“Yes?”

“I mean, not that I would, but… What if I just kidnapped the prince and ran off? What would you do then?”

It was just a lighthearted question.

A mischievous attempt to hear them say how much they trusted him. But the reply came from an unexpected source.

“Then the army would hunt you down.”

“…My apologies, Your Majesty.”

He instantly regretted it.

He had no desire to become a fugitive.

Jack Ruby dramatically shook his head in protest.

At that moment, Hail, brimming with excitement, chattered on. “Jack! Are we going today?”

“Ahem, Your Highness. It’s getting late, and I haven’t made preparations yet. Please wait in the palace a bit longer. I’ll come fetch you when I’m ready.”

“But I wanna go now…”

“Ah, if you keep this up, there’ll be no more baked pudding for you.”

“Then… five nights?”

“Ten nights.”

“Why ten?!”

“Ten’s my favorite number.”

“I like one.”

Whether Jack Ruby’s mental age matched Hail’s, or Hail was wise beyond his years—

The two got along unexpectedly well, and Eleanor couldn’t help but laugh.

Unconsciously, her hand drifted to her lower belly.

“……”

Maybe it was just her imagination.

She stroked gently but felt nothing yet.

Still, the anticipation kept growing.

Suddenly, Lennoch came up behind her and gently pulled her into an embrace.

“A perfect ending.”

“It really is.”

Just as he said—it was the perfect conclusion.

The world that awaited them would be happier and more joyful than ever before.

And in that world was the precious life growing within her.

Filled with anticipation, Eleanor beamed.

『End of The Elegant Rebellion of the Duchess of Mecklen: Side Story』