I Stole The Duke - Chapter 113

“If you’d called for me, I would’ve come right away. What brings you here in person?”

Joel Terius quickly handed off his musket to another knight and hurried toward Eliana.

“The matter was urgent. I couldn’t afford to wait.”

“Then allow me to escort you immediately.”

“You’re the commander of the Second Knight Order, yes?”

“Yes, my lady. I am Sir Howard Tobias, at your service.”

“Very well, Sir Tobias. I’m in need of an escort—I’ll be borrowing one of your knights.”

“Of course. Sir Joel Terius, from this moment, you will serve exclusively as the lady’s escort.”

“Yes, Commander.”

“Sir Joel, I need to go somewhere. You’ll come with me.”

“Yes, my lady. I’ll bring my horse.”

Just like that, Eliana had secured her trusted support.

“……”

The lady herself had come to select her own escort.

My knight…

That phrase echoed in the minds of every knight standing on the field.

I want to be her ‘knight’ too…

“Focus on your muskets! Check your flints. Begin.”

Click. Clack. Click.

But despite their orders, the knights couldn’t help but sigh.

Why do I look like this?

Apparently, the standards for personal escort weren’t just about skill—they required charm too. For the rest of the unit, their plain, rock-like faces suddenly felt like a cruel curse.

“My lady… this is the prison.”

This time, Eliana had taken the lead, guiding her horse to a stop in front of a place Joel hadn’t expected—the underground prison in the outer fortress. A dark, damp place for soldiers and commoners who had committed crimes.

“That’s why I need you. I plan to go inside. Handle things quietly and carefully.”

Joel was the type of knight who didn’t question orders. He’d get the job done.

“If you intend to go in, please stay on your horse for now. I’ll fetch the warden. If anyone unfamiliar gets too close, ride straight to the inner fortress.”

“Understood.”

“It’s an honor to meet you, my lady! I am Freeson Schofield, baronet and current warden of this prison.”

Soon after, the warden came rushing out, breathless and nervous.

“Keep your voice down. Her Ladyship is here on a confidential inspection.”

Joel smoothly set the tone, as if they’d rehearsed it.

“Ah—yes, of course.”

“My lady, you may dismount now. Please wear this—it’s clean.”

Joel helped Eliana off her horse and handed her a guard’s hooded cape. It was a standard issue cloak, but brand new.

This is exactly why I trust Joel Terius.

People assumed being a personal escort meant having the right look, but really, it was all about instinct. Joel had that. With the cloak over her riding outfit and the hood pulled low, Eliana’s striking silver hair was completely hidden.

“I’ll walk behind you. A visible escort would attract attention.”

“Haha, I’ll lead the way then. The underground prison is divided into three sections. Shall we begin with the nearest?”

“There’s a green-haired man who was brought in today, correct?”

“Ah, you mean the one accused of trying to assassinate the Duke?”

“……”

Joel’s face stiffened immediately. That was news even the knight order hadn’t heard yet.

“Yes. I want to see the face of the man who tried to harm my husband.”

“He’s classified as a death row inmate and has been placed in solitary confinement—in Section Three.”

“Then take me to him.”

“Of course. Please follow me. It’s very dark inside, so watch my back closely.”

Magic lamps were too luxurious for this place. Even candles were considered a waste. The underground prison was lit by crude lamps fueled by fish oil. It was hot, humid, and smelled awful.

I can’t believe I put Michalis in a place like this…

Eliana couldn’t lift her head. She followed the warden closely, eyes fixed on the heels of his boots.

“This is Section One. We keep thieves and violent criminals here.”

A narrow corridor lined with cells on both sides stretched into the darkness. Thick iron bars sealed each one shut.

“It’s too hot! Water… Warden, just a drop, please!”

The prisoners, spotting the warden, raised their voices all at once.

“Quiet! Keep yelling and you won’t get water for the rest of the day!”

“Guh—”

With one harsh bark, the cries died instantly.

“This is Section Two. Mostly con artists and sex offenders are kept here.”

“……”

Eliana remained silent, her lips pressed tightly together, as she followed the warden deeper inside.

“Warden, is that little one behind you a new recruit?”

Some prisoners had taken interest in the smaller figure walking behind the warden, mistaking Eliana for a young guard.

“Heh… assign the little guy to our block, will you? Or maybe throw in a woman instead!”

“Shut it! Say one more word and I’ll slice you in half.”

“Guh!”

The corridor immediately fell silent on both sides.

“This is Section Three. It holds confirmed death row inmates… and those awaiting execution.”

Section Three was the deepest, most isolated part of the entire underground prison.

* * *

“Me? A twig? A walking anchovy? I refuse! I absolutely refuse!”

A chest with nothing but skin over bone was unforgivable. A proper navy man needed at least one manta ray on each pectoral. Fueled by sheer stubbornness, Michalis Ascher pushed through and finally hit fifty push-ups.

“Huff… Huff…”

His arms were numb, his lungs were burning, and he was gasping for breath like he was about to collapse.

“Next… abs. After a short rest.”

“Guard, bring me some water.”

Michalis reached his hand out toward the guard who had been silently watching him the entire time.

“……”

The guard stared at him with a distant, confused look—this crazy prisoner was giving him orders like a nobleman. And not just any prisoner, but a death row inmate whose sentence could be finalized at any moment. And here he was, completely absorbed in torturing his own body.

“So… it’s not going to happen unless I bribe him, huh.”

“If you bring me water and a clean towel, I’ll grant you a promotion—one full rank.”

The guard blinked. Was this guy seriously trying to negotiate?

Of course he’s a noble.

That much was obvious.

“…You’ve got to be kidding me.”

Still, after a long hesitation, the guard finally moved.

“Thank you. What’s your name?”

Before long, Michalis received a cup of water and a fresh towel.

“It’s not because of your offer. I just thought your effort was… admirable.”

Yes, the man seemed completely unhinged—but at least he was serious about his workouts. The guard was honestly impressed. Michalis had pushed his scrawny body to its limit, trembling all the while, just to meet his goal.

“So… why did you attack the Duke?”

The guard couldn’t help asking. What kind of story lay behind this paper-thin man trying to throw an egg at a boulder?

“Tell me… Do you think the Duke is a good man?”

The prisoner replied with a question of his own.

“I’m just a commoner. I wouldn’t know. But… Plencia is a good place to live. The Duke governs it, so I guess that means he’s a good person.”

“Feels good to hear that. Makes my work feel worthwhile.”

The prisoner spoke as if he were the Duke himself.

Ugh. Why am I even talking to this lunatic?

The guard sighed and kept his mouth shut.

One… two…

Rest time was over. Michalis straightened up and started doing sit-ups.

“Want me to hold your feet?”

“That would be helpful.”

This guy… was seriously committed to exercising. The guard—despite himself—began to admire the crazy prisoner’s dedication.

“That’s forty… Come on, you’re almost there. Just a little more!”

He was someone you wanted to cheer for—right up until the day of his execution.

“Hrgh!”

Just as Michalis Ascher completed his 40th sit-up—

“What exactly do you think you’re doing?!”

“Warden!”

Startled by the booming voice, the guard who had been holding Michalis’s feet jumped up in alarm.

The warden, huh… Wasn’t he a baronet or something?

The man’s name escaped Michalis. A minor noble, barely memorable, and not someone he’d ever spoken to directly.

“Wait outside the office.”

“Yes, sir.”

Pale with panic, the guard quickly left, stealing a glance at the unexpected visitors behind the warden. A small, hooded “guard” and a knight in shining armor stood behind him.

Is this a visit? Or am I being transferred to the noble detention wing?

Whatever it was, he had a strange feeling that his time in this cell was coming to an end.

“Is this prisoner the only one currently held in Section Three?”

As they entered the area, row after row of empty cells stretched out around them.

“A woman! That’s a woman’s voice!”

The moment Eliana spoke, voices erupted from Section Two.

Eliana?

Michalis’s ears perked up immediately. Despite the echoing acoustics of the underground, he would never fail to recognize his wife’s voice.

“Yes, by coincidence, there was a mass execution yesterday. For now, Section Three is empty except for him.”

“Warden, please—just let me see her face!”

The inmates’ shouting grew louder, their voices bouncing wildly off the damp stone walls.

“I’d like to speak with the prisoner alone. Warden, you’re dismissed.”

“With respect, my lady… this man is a dangerous criminal who attempted assassination. It’s too risky to leave you alone with him—”

“Baronet, are you questioning the capability of my escort knight? His job is to protect me. Yours is to follow my orders.”

A baronet ranked barely higher than a common knight—compared to Joel Terius, a count’s son, the warden had no real authority.

“N-not at all. I’ll trust the knight and step away.”

“Warden! Please! Just a glimpse of her face!”

“Cells 917 and 980—want to be in surgery tomorrow?”

“Guh!”

The warden silenced the prisoners in an instant and withdrew.

“Imperial Interception of Information.”

As soon as he was out of sight, Eliana pulled a card from her pocket and whispered the activation phrase.

“My lady… what did you just do?”

Joel’s eyes widened at the unfamiliar ritual.

“I cast an information-blocking spell. Down here, even a whisper can echo loud enough for others to hear.”

That card… Was that a magical artifact? Did the lady just use magic herself?

Suddenly, the once-noisy prison corridor turned completely silent. Not even breathing could be heard.

“Sir Joel, how much do you trust me?”

“My lady, I follow your every word. That is the duty of a personal knight.”

Joel dropped to one knee, showing the full respect of a knight’s vow.

“Good. You are my one and only personal knight.”

“If you order me to die, I will. And anything I see today… will go with me to the grave.”

Joel knew exactly what to say—and said it.

“If you trust me, I’ll trust you. I need your help.”

“Whatever the command, I will obey.”

“Then rise, Sir Joel.”

“Yes, my lady.”

As Joel stood, Eliana finally turned to face the man behind the iron bars.

“Michal… are you alright?”

“I’m fine.”

The moment he had heard her voice, Michalis had quickly straightened up and fixed his prison uniform. Now he stood at attention.

What… what exactly am I looking at?

Joel’s hand instinctively reached for his sword hilt.

Is the lady… having an affair?

Right before his eyes, the Duchess gently took the prisoner’s hand through the bars. He had sworn loyalty just ten seconds ago—but now, his faith was seriously being tested.

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