I Stole The Duke - Chapter 121

By the time they arrived at the inner fortress, it was already late afternoon, nearing evening.

“If it hadn’t been for you two, I wouldn’t have been able to handle everything on my own. You’ve truly done a great job.”

Eliana sincerely expressed her gratitude to the two men standing before her. From breaking the Duke out of prison to dealing with a cardiac arrest—none of it was something she could’ve handled alone.

“As knights who swore loyalty, we only did what we were meant to do.”

“I showed a disgraceful side of myself to you, my lady. I will accept any punishment you see fit.”

Joel’s voice was calm, while Iadis looked visibly downcast. Remembering the rudeness he had shown to his lady at dawn, he couldn’t even raise his head.

“Disgraceful?”

At that moment, Michalis’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly.

“Sir Iadis, the only thing I remember is your loyalty.”

Eliana quickly waved her hands, trying to smooth things over. Iadis had already endured enough teasing from Michalis. If those pale cheeks darkened with even deeper eye bags, it would hurt just to look at him.

‘I’ll talk to him about it later.’

But Michalis, unaffected by Eliana’s efforts, shot Iadis a meaningful look.

“Sir Iadis, head straight to the underground prison to ensure the prison break case is fully wrapped up. Also, promote the guard in charge of Sector 3 by one rank. He’s the one with the big mole under his nose.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Despite having just pulled an all-nighter, more work was immediately heaped onto Iadis.

“Sir Joel. This operation now depends on you.”

Michalis turned to Joel, lifting the sea turtle out of the oak barrel. The baby turtle, about the size of two palms, was still unconscious.

“Yes, Your Grace. I’ll handle it without issue.”

Joel quickly stepped forward and carefully accepted the sea turtle with both hands.

“It’s best if no one sees the turtle. Don’t return to the knights’ quarters—go home directly.”

“Yes, Your Grace. I’ll see you again with my final report after the mission is complete.”

“You may go, Sir Joel.”

“Yes, my lady. I’ll visit you after I return to work.”

Eliana offered a brief farewell to Joel, knowing she wouldn’t see him for a few days, then turned back toward the main residence with Michalis. Joel stood still for a moment, watching the Duke and Duchess disappear before heading toward his white horse.

‘This thing really is hard to carry…’

Joel was already deep in thought. Carrying the turtle in his arms felt awkward. Slinging it over his back looked ridiculous. Putting it back in the oak barrel made riding difficult.

‘Should I contact the estate and ask for a carriage?’

As he wrestled with his options for a few seconds—

‘Is he gone…?’

The sea turtle, which had been playing dead with not even a twitch, suddenly peeked open one eye.

“You’ve been faking it this whole time?”

Startled by Joel’s words, the turtle immediately snapped its eye shut. Clearly, it hadn’t realized it was being watched.

“Can you hear me?”

“…”

Of course, the sea turtle couldn’t talk.

“This is annoying. Tuck your head in.”

“…”

“If you don’t do it now, I’ll chop your head off.”

Pop!

The turtle’s neck vanished into its shell in the blink of an eye at Joel’s sharp threat.

“…”

A turtle, playing dead. Just because it had turned into an animal didn’t mean it had lost its wits.

You damn fox! I swear I’ll survive this and make you pay for this humiliation!

And so, Olive ended up bound in rope and dangling from the saddle like a piece of luggage.

I’m going to be sick! Hey, you fox—water… give me water! I need water!

He swung like a keychain for who knows how long. Dizzy, parched, and vowing revenge, Olive truly felt like he might die before he could do anything.

“Young master, you’ve returned!”

The Terius family manor was only about twenty minutes away by horseback from the Duke’s estate. As Joel pulled up to the front gate, a servant hurried over and took the reins.

“He’s tired from long travel. Make sure he gets plenty of water and a good rest.”

“Yes, young master.”

So this is the fox’s house?

Olive felt the rope loosening around his shell and cautiously poked his head out.

“You’d better not do anything noticeable.”

With a quiet warning, Joel tucked Olive under his arm.

A sea turtle on land is already plenty noticeable, you idiot!

No matter how loudly Olive raged beside him, all that came out was silent mouthing and flapping jaws.

“Young master, just getting back now? We were a bit worried since there was no night shift scheduled yesterday.”

As Joel entered the manor with Olive under his arm, the butler hurried toward him, relieved.

“Something came up unexpectedly. Anyway, do we have any idle ships at the moment?”

“I believe your Fluyt—the one used for transcontinental trading—is currently docked at the harbor.”

The butler, puzzled by the young master asking about a ship after an all-nighter, replied with a slightly confused look.

“Well, that works out perfectly. Please have it ready to depart by tomorrow morning.”

“Yes, sir. Do you have a specific cargo in mind for export or import?”

“Outfit it for deep-sea fishing.”

“Fishing, sir? Aren’t you returning to work?”

“I’ve been granted special leave.”

“Ah, I see. Then I’ll make sure everything is ready for a relaxing fishing trip.”

Without hesitation, Joel had just repurposed a 300-ton trading ship into a personal fishing boat.

Is that servant useful or not? Hurry up and bring me some saltwater already.

Listening nervously to the conversation, Olive stretched out his neck and opened and closed his mouth desperately. He was certain that if this went on much longer, he’d dry up and die.

“Young master, if I may ask… what’s with the turtle?”

The sea turtle flapping its mouth at him naturally drew the butler’s curiosity before he could even start making fishing preparations.

“I plan to release it into the sea tomorrow. No need to worry.”

“Still… it looks quite dry and weak. I’ll get to work right away on creating a proper environment for it.”

Now that’s a servant worth keeping.

Olive gave a tiny approving nod in the direction of the butler as he hurried off. Servants should always be this quick on the uptake.

Why does everything in this house sparkle so much?

Still tucked under Joel’s arm, Olive glanced around but quickly shut his eyes. The gemstone mosaic lining the walls of the lobby glittered so brightly it actually hurt to look at.

“Jo! Oh my goodness, how long has it been?”

The moment Olive closed his eyes, they flew back open. The voice was melodic, almost like a song. A voice that pretty had to come with a face to match.

Even the people in this house sparkle.

Sure enough, a dazzling woman was rushing down the golden central staircase.

This one’s definitely the mother fox.

As the woman approached, Olive couldn’t help but feel a twinge of disappointment. She had looked stunning from afar, but up close… she clearly came from the same mold as that wretched fox. The same factory settings—just adjusted for gender.

“Mother, you’re back.”

Olive’s guess was confirmed as Joel greeted her with warmth.

“With your engagement coming up, how could your mother just sit around managing the estate? I had to come.”

“The preparations are going smoothly, thanks to my future sister-in-law. But… have you heard from Father?”

“Oh, that man will surely return at just the right time. He always does.”

“Yes, that’s true, but…”

“The Duke’s stressing you out, isn’t he? Your face looks half its usual size.”

The Countess of Terius, who had full faith in her husband’s homing instincts, studied her son carefully. Right now, her son standing before her was far more concerning than a husband who’d been away sailing for seven months.

“My face hasn’t shrunk. My shoulders have just gotten broader.”

“How wide are your shoulders going to get? Honestly… Oh! What’s this little sea turtle?”

Shaking her head at her son’s ever-expanding frame, the Countess suddenly noticed the odd creature he was carrying.

“I’m releasing it tomorrow. Please don’t worry.”

“Look how dry it is, poor thing. It still looks like a baby. You’re handling it way too roughly.”

Without waiting for a reply, the Countess gently but firmly took Olive from Joel’s arms, frowning as she cradled him.

Now this is someone who knows how to treat royalty.

Olive wasted no time settling into her arms, blinking innocently. The perfume was a bit strong, but anything was better than Joel’s sweaty armpit.

“Mother! That creature is a vicious male!”

Joel nearly choked seeing Olive’s head nestled against his mother’s chest.

“What do baby turtles eat, I wonder… Fish? Crab? Shrimp? Lobster?”

Clearly, the Countess wasn’t hearing a word of her son’s protest.

Lobster! That one!

Olive wagged his tiny tail with enthusiasm and gave her a slow, deliberate wink.

“Oh my, how adorable!”

Olive had long mastered the art of charming middle-aged women with his small size and soulful expressions. Even as a turtle, this was easy.

“He doesn’t even deserve crab or shrimp. Just toss him some seaweed and call it a day.”

“Turtle, how would you like to live with us?”

Olive perked up instantly.

That’s it! I’ll stay here for now!

He nodded as hard as his little turtle body would let him. If he were released into the sea, he’d definitely die. But if he could stay here and win over the mother fox, he might find a chance to break the spell.

“No, Mother. He’s being released tomorrow.”

“Oh my! Did you just nod? Turtle, can you understand what I’m saying?”

Olive’s antics had the Countess fully hooked. She didn’t even hear Joel’s protest.

Understand? I could put on a whole show if you ask. Just make sure I stay here.

Olive opened his mouth wide and wagged his tail harder, as if shouting “Yes!”

“Haah…”

Joel let out a deep sigh. His mother had a habit: anything beautiful or rare, she had to own it. If she truly started wanting the turtle, things would get messy fast.

At this point, he needed to redirect her attention. Now.

“Mother!”

Joel quickly glanced around. Was there anything nearby that could be used as a distraction? Thankfully, the only weapon-like object was the sword at his waist.

“Jo, maybe we shouldn’t release the turtle. We could—”

Just as the Countess’s eyes lit up with desire—

“There’s been a robbery at the Wespa Estate!”

Joel shut his eyes tight and shouted.

Support