Duchess Mecklen’s Elegant Revolt - Side Story 8

Sowing the seeds didn’t take long.

With the remaining time now completely theirs, the two strolled hand in hand, exploring the surroundings.

The streets, buzzing with festival energy, were full of life.

“Eli, how about that?”

“What is it?”

Eleanor turned her head in the direction Lennoch pointed and widened her eyes.

There stood a row of worn-out carts.

Inside the open stalls, vendors were absorbed in cooking.

“Are you interested in street food?”

“Jack Ruby mentioned it once. He boasted it was far tastier than anything made by the palace chefs, and I wanted to try it with you.”

So Jack Ruby had been planting ideas again.

Eleanor read the curiosity in Lennoch’s eyes and chuckled softly.

Out of the many carts, they chose the one run by an elderly woman.

The savory scent carried by the wind was unlike anything she’d had in the palace.

The old woman silently held up four fingers.

“Four coopers?”

“Yes,” she answered bluntly.

Then she placed two grilled puddings into a wide bowl and handed them over.

“Wasn’t it one for four coopers?”

“Stop yapping and take it. My arm’s gonna fall off.”

Lennoch checked the posted price and took the bowl with a puzzled look.

‘Surely she didn’t just give us one extra for free?’

It was so generous, it was hard to imagine there’d be any profit left.

But when the two tried to eat the soft pudding right then and there, the old woman scowled. “You young ones are always in such a rush to eat. Don’t stand around here—go over there to eat.”

“Pardon?”

“It’s hot, and standing here’s tiring. Just around the corner, there are plenty of wide, scenic spots. So go on, get moving.”

It was impossible to tell whether she was scolding or worrying.

Unable to argue, the two followed her directions.

Just as she said, a wide and scenic spot appeared shortly after.

Water gushed from a marble fountain, refreshing the area around it.

Settling into a comfortable spot, Eleanor set the pudding bowl down and muttered quietly, “It wasn’t intentional, but… it seems that owner truly doesn’t recognize us.”

“So it seems. It’s my first time being spoken to like that.”

“Did it upset you?”

Lennoch gave a small laugh as he split the pudding in two and shook his head. “Judging by her tone and behavior, it seemed that was simply her way. I don’t find it wrong. And there’s no need to waste emotions on something so trivial.”

“That’s a good way to put it.”

“More than anything, I’m already overwhelmed just focusing on you.”

“……”

“Here, try it.”

A bite-sized piece of pudding was offered to her mouth.

Blushing slightly, Eleanor opened her mouth and accepted it.

The street pudding wasn’t anything exceptional.

Mild and somewhat bland.

“Jack Ruby’s taste in food is… rather…”

Lennoch trailed off after tasting it too.

His grimacing face made Eleanor burst into a small laugh.

“The smell had me expecting more.”

“We’ve been duped.”

“Want to try something else? Looks like this whole area is full of food stalls.”

There were many other stands around the fountain.

Compared to the old woman’s cart, these were more colorful and eye-catching.

Eleanor placed the last piece of pudding into Lennoch’s mouth and rose to her feet.

“Let’s try everything before the day ends.”

***

“No wonder it felt familiar. I never imagined we were academy classmates.”

After finishing the ritual, Joshua was now relaxing, noticeably more at ease than before.

Seeing the chilled milk tea in her hand, Eger silently murmured,

‘Lady Eleanor, thank you.’

Bringing a drink that suited her taste had been a winning move.

With the tension eased, their conversation flowed much more naturally.

“If you were in the humanities and economics division, then your building was on the north side.”

“Yes. The one with the library…”

“I remember now. The professor would sometimes send me on errands there, so I visited often.”

‘I remember too.’

The only time I ever left the classroom was that day.

She might not remember, but they had met face-to-face once.

He had helped her find a book while covering for the absent librarian.

Of course, the exchange had lasted barely three seconds.

‘I should’ve said something then.’

Unaware of Eger’s flustered thoughts, Joshua kept the conversation going.

“In any case, it’s nice to meet you. I was always curious who the genius of the economics division was. Never thought we’d meet like this.”

“G-genius is a bit much.”

“You were famous across all years for being the smartest. I’ve heard the stories. And how professors were against you becoming the Emperor’s aide after graduation. They said the imperial court stole away a scholar the academic world had its eyes on. Some were even said to have wept.”

“……”

Eger, too embarrassed to respond, sucked on his juice with all his might.

It had been a long time since he’d heard someone praise him so openly.

Especially when that someone happened to be the person he had secretly admired for so long.

“Young Lord, when you smile, show more teeth. Six teeth.”

‘Six teeth.’

Eger recalled Eleanor’s advice.

Maybe now he could make a stronger impression on Joshua.

Taking his lips off the straw, Eger steeled himself.

“Sir Joshua.”

“Yes?”

“What do you think of me?”

Joshua’s expression turned slightly unreadable at the sight of his wide smile.

“…You have a lovely smile.”

‘Success.’

He had pulled off the smile he’d worried about most.

Filled with quiet pride, Eger pushed up his slipping glasses and gave a subtle shrug, as if this were nothing to him.

“Will you be returning to your usual duties once the Flame Ritual ends?”

Now emboldened, Eger asked the question.

Joshua, a member of the White Blossom Knights, was in charge of guarding the Empress.

Especially during events like the Founding Festival, the role of knights like her became all the more crucial.

Amid the excitement, it was easy for vigilance to slip.

While there hadn’t been any major threats so far, it was unwise to be away from the palace too long.

“Yes, about an hour remains.”

Checking the time against the distant red clock tower, Joshua nodded.

Eger returned the nod, trying not to show his disappointment.

As he turned his gaze from the clock tower—

“Then for the remaining time, shall we—hm?”

“Is something wrong?”

“Over there, that person.”

Startled, Eger stood up without thinking.

Joshua instinctively grabbed the sword beside her.

As she drew the blade in one smooth motion, startled onlookers quickly stepped back.

“What is it?”

“That’s…”

‘The Duke of Mecklen—no, Count Mecklen? What is he doing here?’

***

After snacking on a bit of everything, Eleanor was more than full.

Tired from the food tour, she finally raised the white flag, saying she couldn’t eat another bite.

To walk it off, the two agreed to take a leisurely stroll through the capital before returning to the palace.

As the sun began to set, the streets lit up with new sights.

“Look at that, Lennoch. That person is eating fire.”

Catching sight of a street performance by a group of gypsies, Eleanor let out a soft exclamation.

It was her first time seeing the famed skills of the gypsies in person.

One performer urged a donkey to leap over a vaulting box, drawing loud applause from the crowd.

Lennoch, watching Eleanor’s captivated expression, let out a quiet laugh.

“Looking for a firewood chopping champion!”

Near the performers, a promoter was gathering a crowd.

Beside him stood a hefty pile of thick logs, too wide to wrap one’s arms around.

A muscular vendor, likely in on the act, clapped along to stir excitement for the contest.

“Whoever splits all this blue ash wood within the time limit will win gold coins!”

For such a straightforward chopping challenge, the prize was unusually generous.

People began to gather out of curiosity.

Eleanor and Lennoch paused to watch.

“No one else?”

Blue ash was known as one of the hardest and toughest woods.

The firewood used for the challenge looked particularly thick.

It wouldn’t be easy to split without considerable strength.

Still, whether enticed by the prize or goaded by others, quite a few men volunteered. Some even joined in to impress their lovers.

“Just one more!”

The promoter scanned the crowd.

They needed one more contestant to make the entry fees balance out for the 1-gold reward.

Just then, a familiar head of silver hair caught his eye, and he rushed over.

“Gentleman over there, how about a wager?”

“No, I’ll pass.”

Lennoch flatly refused the promoter’s eager pitch.

He had only meant to watch quietly and move on.

There was no point in drawing attention while sneaking out of the palace.

But the promoter was persistent.

“Aw, don’t be like that. You’ve got a beautiful lady with you. Win some points with her, grab the prize, and get a round of applause—kill three birds with one stone, right? Heh.”

“Come on, leave the coward and let’s get started already.”

Seeing the promoter still pestering Lennoch, one of the participants shouted loudly.

“He looks so weak, he probably can’t even lift an axe. What’s the point of dragging a loser like that over here?”

“……”

“Poor girl, really. Walking around with a guy like that—doesn’t she feel ashamed?”

Lennoch’s brow twitched sharply.

Eleanor, still holding his arm, felt the sudden tension in his muscles.

When she let go, Lennoch immediately stepped forward.

“Ah, thank you. Entry fee is one silver!”

Seizing the moment, the promoter held out his hand.

Lennoch dropped a gold coin into it.

The promoter and nearby onlookers gasped at the excessive payment.

Lennoch took his place next to the loudmouth who had provoked him.

Watching from a distance, Eleanor quietly raised her hand to stifle a laugh.

***