I Stole The Duke - Chapter 47

“……”

Eliana paused, dabbing away the smudges on her cheeks as her gaze fell on the ring gleaming cool and blue on her finger.

“Thank you for the ring.”

It was a silver-white band inlaid with a blue gemstone—clearly of considerable value.

“I’ve infused it with magic. In an emergency, it can be used as a substitute for a mid-grade mana stone.”

“Oh…”

It wasn’t just that the gem matched Michalis’s eye color—it also served a practical function. A very special ring, indeed.

Alright then, time to verify. Dream, image search, please.

Eliana glanced at the ring in the mirror and immediately activated the system.

[Image search complete.]

Image Search Results
Name: Blue Diamond Ring
Type: Accessory
Grade: A
Material: Blue diamond, white gold
Price: 500,000,000RM (includes 100,000,000RM for enhancement)
Function: Usable as a mid-grade mana stone substitute
Craftsman: Alex Juorik
Magic Enhancement by: Nimoney Jura
Note: Can be recharged after mana is depleted.

The price of the enhancement alone was absurd. A mid-grade mana stone normally cost about 15 million RM—yet here, 100 million had been paid just to imbue the stone with magic. The pricing was outrageous.

“Michal… isn’t this a little too extravagant?”

True, she once recklessly spent 400 million RM on a top-tier mana stone. But for someone who had lived like a commoner most of her life, 500 million RM was an overwhelming amount to pour into a single accessory.

“For my wife, I could buy several more of that caliber. Since it holds mid-grade mana, just let me know once it’s used, and I’ll recharge it.”

Michalis wanted to give her something meaningful. Even if it took extra effort, it had to be something useful.

“Really… thank you. I’ll wear it every day.”

It felt like the only way she could truly repay his sincerity—by cherishing the gift.

But I probably won’t be able to use its mana, Michal…

Now that she knew how much recharging it would cost, she couldn’t bring herself to use it unless it was a life-or-death situation.

The Tower is seriously outrageous.

Was the Mage Tower just a den of greedy money-hounds? Eliana’s grudge against them flared anew. She would only use the ring’s magic if her life was truly in danger.

“Michal, let’s wrap up the banquet quickly today and return to the mansion.”

Her face now clean, Eliana reapplied only a touch of lip tint before taking his hand.

The break Michalis had prepared—his attempt at offering her a sweet respite—had become a storm of tears. But her heart now felt lighter, her body more at ease.

“I was planning to do just that.”

With both of their strategies and sentiments tangled in romantic gestures, the Duke and Duchess of Ascher opened the lounge doors and stepped into the corridor—leaving behind a trail of imagined stories in their wake.

Imperial Year 321, June 9

Only two days had passed since the conferment ceremony, and already Eliana was drowning in invitations.

This is completely unmanageable…

She sighed heavily as she looked at the mountain of envelopes dominating her desk. Beyond the neatly stacked letters, a large basket still overflowed with unopened ones.

Do I… need to hire a maid?

Between the “Joel Effect”—him being the most eligible escort knight in the Empire—and the added image of the Duchess deeply loved by the powerful Duke of Ascher, the flood of invitations had only grown worse.

No. Not yet…

She briefly considered hiring help but shook her head. Because of the magic card, she couldn’t risk letting just anyone into her circle.

The one Freya’s most likely to use… is probably this one.

At least sorting through the invitations had its advantages—she had spotted Freya’s likely trap.

Lady Rancelloti’s tea party invitation.

With Freya’s usual covert methods, this was the perfect stage. If poison were to be used, it could easily be pinned on Lady Rancelloti. Two birds, one stone.

Of course, I don’t plan to be an easy target.

Eliana’s plan was simple.

A duchess who simply refuses to die.

By surviving every attempt Freya made within the next month, Eliana would force her to grow more reckless—eventually drawing her out into the open. Once Freya moved openly, that’s when Eliana would strike. First, however, she needed to find a way to counteract the regression magic.

“It’s already time to go.”

Eliana, deep in thought while holding Lady Rancelloti’s invitation, finally grabbed the bonnet resting atop her desk. Today, she was due to go on a picnic by the lake—with Freya.

“Be careful, my lady. The ground is uneven.”

“Thank you, Sir Joel.”

Eliana offered a bright smile as she descended from the carriage with Joel’s assistance.

“Welcome, Duchess. I just arrived myself.”

Freya’s usual poised smile didn’t quite reach her eyes as she greeted Eliana. It was rare for her expressions to falter, but what she saw before her now made her blood boil with disbelief.

‘Ha… so this is a joke to you, huh?’

Freya narrowed her eyes.

She had expected that sly, fox-like escort knight to follow them. After all, he was the Duchess’s personal guard.

The problem… was the nine other knights trailing behind the carriage.

And worse yet, their signature blue uniforms marked them unmistakably as the Blue Knights, the elite unit of House Ascher—each one strong enough to be treated as a commander in any other territory.

“Your Grace… doesn’t this seem a bit excessive?”

Freya’s forced smile twitched ever so slightly. She hadn’t even done anything yet, and already she felt like she was being treated as a potential terrorist.

She had clearly learned during the conferment ceremony that Duke Ascher wasn’t the type to care what others thought.

But this was absurd—even for a doting husband. Bringing a full tactical unit to a picnic? It was an outright insult to the host.

Ten elite knights, five of them practically captain-level. Not even imperial family members would travel with this level of fanfare on a picnic.

“I’m sorry, Freya. I really wanted to come lightly, but… well, it just turned out like this.”

Eliana apologized, her voice polite.

“Lady Espensen, I am the only one assigned to close escort. Please don’t worry.”

Joel added smoothly, his tone kind.

“We will do everything in our power not to be a disturbance!”

One of the Blue Knights, already dismounted and forming a wide perimeter around the area, shouted this with gusto.

“Ah… yes…”

‘You already ARE a disturbance just by existing.’

Surrounded by such overwhelming presence and military discipline, Freya could barely suppress her curse.

Whatever. Let it be.

Her mood had soured a bit, but it didn’t matter. The method she prepared for today—no number of guards could stop it.

“Duchess, let’s head this way. The willow trees over there offer some lovely shade.”

Regaining her composure, Freya smiled like a blooming flower.

“Sure, Freya.”

The two women walked side by side, with Joel and a knight from House Espensen following closely behind.

“This is the most beautiful season to see the lake,”

Freya commented as she settled onto a picnic mat spread out by her attendant. At last, she began to feel at ease. Thankfully, aside from the overly handsome escort knight, the other guards had positioned themselves at least 30 meters away—far enough that their conversations wouldn’t be overheard.

“It really is lovely,” Eliana replied sincerely.

The lake surface was like a mirror, reflecting the fluffy clouds above. A few white swans floated peacefully across the water. The breeze stirred the willow branches, producing a soft rustle that was almost musical.

“What shall we do first, Duchess? Lunch, or perhaps a boat ride?”

“Before it gets too hot, maybe we should go boating first?”

“Great idea.”

The group made their way to the dock, a wooden pier supported by logs. But just as they approached—

“My lady. I am Sir Cedric Brunnois of the First Order.”

A Blue Knight in crisp blue uniform stepped forward, blocking the way.

“Oh… Sir Brunnois. Is something wrong?”

“There will be a brief safety inspection, ma’am.”

“……”

‘What… what is this nonsense?’

Freya smiled politely, but inside she felt like she’d stepped in something vile.

“Of course. Go ahead.”

Eliana was surprised as well, but gave permission calmly. She couldn’t deny the possibility that Freya had tampered with the boats beforehand. It never hurt to check.

The Blue Knights weren’t just swordsmen of the Sword Expert level—they also had formal training in maritime navigation and vessel inspection. Checking a small rowboat took no time at all.

“This one. The third boat is the safest. Use this oar—it’s the best quality.”

Sir Cedric called out confidently after inspecting all six boats tied to the dock.

“Inspection complete! Sir Cedric Brunnois of the First Order, reporting!”

“Thank you, Sir Brunnois.”

Eliana replied awkwardly, his booming voice ringing in her ears.

‘She… she thanked me… by name…’

Cedric’s face turned noticeably pink as he stood stiff at attention.

“Sir Joel.”

Cedric turned abruptly and clamped a hand on Joel’s shoulder just as he was about to board the boat.

“Wind: southeast. Water temperature at the edge: 9 degrees. Estimated central lake temperature: 7 degrees. Proceed five meters, then steer right.”

“Yes, Sir Brunnois.”

‘Joel, the water’s cold. Row properly. If even a drop splashes on Her Grace and she catches a cold—you’re dead.’

His spoken words and his eyes told two very different stories.

“Then… we’ll begin.”

Joel helped both Eliana and Freya into the boat one after the other and then took the oars.

Creaaak…

He rowed cautiously, careful not to let a single drop splash. Having picked up on the laser glare from his towering senior, Joel was clearly on edge.

Creaaak… creeeak…

Though the progress was slow, the boat glided smoothly across the still water, offering a peaceful ride.

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