I Stole The Duke - Chapter 48

“This really does clear the mind.”

It was Eliana’s first time riding in a small wooden boat. The scent of fresh, unsalted water and the cool breeze brushing her cheeks made her feel refreshed. Even with Freya sitting right in front of her, Eliana was finally able to relax—just a little. Unless Freya had lost her mind, there was no way she could attempt anything in this situation.

“Yes… quite.”

Freya smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes.

Behind them, five boats trailed in perfect formation, keeping exactly 30 meters of distance in a V-shape.

‘Why… why are they even following us out here?’

Watching the boats match formation with military precision, Freya was completely exasperated. It wasn’t as if her plan had involved something so childish as pushing the Duchess into the water to begin with.

‘Turns out the Duke isn’t the only one who’s insane. This whole house is absolutely unhinged.’

She didn’t even need to hear them speak. Just their eyes told her—these lunatics would hurl themselves into the lake the moment even the hem of the Duchess’s dress touched water.

“Tsk, tsk… that won’t do at all.”

Sir Cedric, stationed on the right side of the V-formation, clicked his tongue as he watched Joel row.

“Switch with me.”

“Yes, Sir Brunnois.”

At his commanding tone, the knight who had been rowing quickly gave up his seat.

“Watch carefully—this is how you row. Spread your shoulders like wings… and one, two. One, two.”

The boat, which had been moving sluggishly, suddenly surged forward like a dolphin freed into the sea.

“Yes, I see now! I’ve been lacking!”

‘Wow… the Blue Knights are something else…’

The junior knight was deeply moved by the hands-on lesson from one of the elite.

“Let me row next.”

One by one, the Blue Knights insisted on taking the oars themselves. What had been a V-formation quickly morphed into a reverse-V, with each knight taking control of their boat.

“Look at that—Sir Terius’s rowing is completely subpar.”

Now in full reverse-V formation, the Blue Knights all turned to stare solemnly at Joel… and shook their heads in perfect unison.

Their subtle but collective bitterness stemmed from one thing: despite not yet being formally part of the Blue Knights, Joel had been appointed the Duchess’s personal escort.

“Tsk, tsk.”

Their sharp gazes followed Joel’s timid rowing. How could he be so careless with someone as precious as Her Grace?

After all, the position of Duchess of Ascher had been vacant for over ten years—and now, the one who had filled it was none other than the silver-haired fairy herself.

She looked as though she’d melt under the sun, or shatter if she fell. A being so delicate that it drove even the most hardened warriors to madness. To them, even a single splash of cold water on her would be unforgivable.

“The Duchess just furrowed her right brow.”

“She’s uncomfortable. Formation B—switch to formation B.”

The knights exchanged swift hand signals.

“One, two. One, two.”

Eliana could faintly hear their synchronised calls.

“……”

Immediately, the boats shifted seamlessly into a wide, semi-circle formation.

Eliana was… overwhelmed.

‘Are you kidding me? A goose formation on a lake?’

It was all too much. She doubted she would ever grow accustomed to these smurf-colored soldiers and their over-the-top devotion.

“Your Grace, I imagine you must be overwhelmed by the invitations pouring in.”

Freya’s voice cut through Eliana’s thoughts, snapping her back from the ridiculous scene unfolding on the water.

“Yes, you’re right, Freya.”

After what had happened at the conferment ceremony, the Wesperan social circles had become fixated on Eliana. Some were eager to form ties with House Ascher, while others just wanted a chance to catch the ‘Terius Star.’

“I’m glad to see you’re adjusting so well to Wespera’s social scene—even without my help.”

Freya’s lips curved in a faint smile, her tone laced with quiet disappointment.

“I feel guilty… as though I’ve been selfishly clinging to your time.”

The hint of sadness in her expression was artfully done.

It’s starting.

Eliana mentally applauded Freya’s performance. She could feel it—Freya was already setting the stage for what came next.

“No, Freya. I’m truly grateful. Thanks to you, I discovered this lovely hidden spot in Wespera.”

Eliana clasped Freya’s hand gently. Now wasn’t the time to reject the act—it was time to play along.

“Then… can I hope to spend more time with you, Duchess?”

“Actually, about that—Freya, would you like to join me at an upcoming tea party?”

“Of course. May I ask who the host is?”

Freya spoke smoothly, though inwardly she braced herself. Depending on the answer, today’s plan might need adjusting. If all went well, Eliana wouldn’t live long enough to attend anyway—but one had to prepare for contingencies.

“It’s in three days. Lady Rancelloti’s tea party.”

“…Pardon?”

Freya’s eyes widened at the unexpected name.

‘Her? Of all people?’

The second target on her list. Someone she needed to eliminate before she became the frontrunner for Crown Princess.

“Is something wrong between you and Lady Rancelloti?”

“Oh, no. Not exactly. We’re not close, but… not enemies.”

Their relationship wasn’t openly hostile yet, but it was definitely strained—especially with one tied to the imperial faction, and the other to the noble faction.

“Well, if you’re not comfortable, let’s wait for another opportunity.”

Eliana said it as if she didn’t mind, giving Freya a gracious out.

By now, they were nearly a third of the way through June. The bait was irresistible—Freya wouldn’t be able to refuse.

“No! I’ll see you at the Rancelloti estate, Duchess.”

That is… if you live that long.

As expected, Freya—who had hesitated for just a brief moment—quickly took the bait.

‘Even if today’s plan fails, I could get rid of both of them at that tea party.’

The moment she returned home, she would need to dig through her pile of “courtesy” invitations to find the one she had tossed aside.

“Shall we stop boating now and rest under the shade?”

The sun had risen to its peak, signaling midday, and the heat had begun to intensify.

“Yes, let’s do that.”

Freya answered with a bright smile, though her eyes flicked to the fleet of boats behind them—now somehow arranged in a perfect diamond formation.

‘Seriously? When did they even change formation again?’

“The pier’s just ahead, Your Grace. I’ll escort you there.”

And so began Joel’s once-again disappointing rowing, gentle and overly cautious.

Before long, the two ladies were seated face to face on a picnic mat under the shade of a willow tree.

“Your Grace, it’s a little embarrassing, but… I prepared this myself.”

Freya said sweetly as she opened a basket with a demure smile.

“You cooked this yourself? That’s impressive, Freya. It looks delicious.”

Eliana looked admiringly at the plate Freya offered her with bashful pride. Inside the basket were neatly packed egg sandwiches—easy to eat and perfect for a picnic.

“It’s nothing to brag about…”

‘Let’s see just how “impressive” it is, shall we? Dream, image scan.’

Eliana accepted the sandwich with a natural expression, all the while discreetly activating the system. At this point, even a single sip of water around Freya required extreme caution.

[Image scan complete.]

Image Scan Result
Name: Egg Sandwich
Type: Edible item
Grade: D-
Ingredients: Bread, ham, cheese, egg, salt, etc.
Price: Not for sale
Effect: Bacterial contamination
Prepared by: Freya Espensen
Note: Contaminated with Salmonella. High risk of food poisoning upon consumption.

‘Wow. Truly… astonishing. Poisoning through food, huh?’

Eliana had suspected it, and unsurprisingly, Freya had already launched her attack.

“Ah… Freya, I’m sorry, I just don’t have much of an appetite right now.”

Eliana quickly set the sandwich down with an awkward smile.

‘I don’t care if I have a healing spell on hand—I’m not eating that. For all I know, there could be literal chicken poop in it.’

Salmonella often came from animal feces, especially when eggshells were contaminated. Symptoms included stomach cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, high fever, and severe dehydration. Common, yes—but also deadly.

For someone with a weaker constitution like Eliana, such an infection could become life-threatening.

“Huh…”

As Eliana placed the sandwich back down, a tear slipped from Freya’s eye.

“Freya?”

The tear fell far too quickly, catching Eliana off guard.

‘Seriously? Tears now?’

The tactic was laughably obvious and childish.

“It’s alright… I understand. Of course Your Grace might not like it. I should never have presumed…”

Freya was fully leaning into her image as an innocent eighteen-year-old maiden—using even the most shameless tricks without hesitation.

‘Look at me… I’m crying. Eat it. Come on, eat it already.’

Freya was determined to make the Duchess eat that sandwich, no matter what. It was safer than poison, left no evidence, and couldn’t be traced. If only one person fell ill, it would be easy to pin the cause on something else they had eaten.

“I got up early this morning to prepare it myself… I just… I just wanted to do something thoughtful, but I’ve become a burden to you. I’m sorry, it’s just… I’m a little upset. Please don’t force yourself…”

Research confirming salmonella as a cause of foodborne illness wouldn’t be widely published for another five years. That’s why Freya had to strike now—if it succeeded, Eliana’s death would simply be chalked up to “mysterious food poisoning.”

“……”

‘She’s really not going to let up, huh?’

Watching Freya’s academy-level performance, Eliana internally sighed. To an outsider, it would’ve looked like the Duchess had grievously offended her.

‘Now she’s trying to manipulate Her Grace with tears. What a woman… why does Her Grace even associate with someone like that?’

Joel, standing just outside the picnic mat, looked on grimly.

“Don’t cry, Freya. I don’t really have much of an appetite, but… I’ll try some.”

‘If I don’t, she’ll cry forever.’

Unable to stand the pitiful weeping any longer, Eliana reluctantly picked up the egg sandwich again.

“R-Really?”

Freya immediately wiped her tears and let a gleam of triumph flicker in her eyes.

As long as Eliana took a bite, even if she didn’t die, she’d still suffer. That would be enough for now.

“Yes…”

Eliana slowly brought the sandwich toward her mouth.

She did have one last option—a way to end this scene naturally, without eating… and prevent Freya from trying again.

“Ugh!”

Just as her mouth opened to take a bite, Eliana gagged and turned away.

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