I Stole The Duke - Chapter 57
No, wait—absolutely not!
Duke Ascher was a famously devoted husband—and as terrifying as a wild beast when angered.
“Your Grace… You didn’t already kill him, did you?”
A subordinate who dared sneak off for a romantic escapade with his wife? He might very well have been erased from the face of the earth.
“Pfft!”
At Marquess Rancelloti’s bombshell comment, Eliana nearly spat out the tea she had been sipping.
“What are you even talking about…? Michal, did you really kill Sir Joel?”
“Sigh. Of course not. I merely granted him a day off.”
“Oh… I see…”
Either way, it was a relief to know Joel was still alive.
“Marquess Rancelloti, the House of Ascher does not punish those who are innocent. Watch your words.”
Already irritated from having their time interrupted, Michalis’s expression darkened further at the Marquess’s unfounded suspicion.
“Ahem… My apologies. That was an ill-considered remark.”
“If you understand, then take your leave. Sir Joel Terius isn’t here.”
Michalis saw no reason to explain anything further. This was something Joel would have to handle on his own.
“One last question, if I may.”
“Speak.”
“Will you continue to keep him at your side?”
“I will.”
Michalis’s answer was simple and absolute.
“…I understand, Your Grace. I’ve caused enough trouble.”
After a pause, Marquess Rancelloti took up his cane and rose to his feet.
“Take care on your way.”
There was no need for a warm send-off—he had been an unwelcome guest from the start.
“Michal… what was that all about?”
Eliana asked, still staring at the Marquess’s retreating figure as he exited the drawing room.
“There’s something I should show you.”
Rustle.
…
…
…
“Oh… This is—this is absurd.”
Eliana gave her honest review after reading the tabloid article: cheap, trashy, and scandalous.
So this is how you want to play it, Freya…
Her blood boiled at Freya’s scheming, trying to drag even Joel—who had done nothing but his job—into ruin.
“……”
Still… if I play this right, I might be able to use this to save Riela—who’s fated to die by Freya’s hand. Wait, what am I even thinking? I can’t just force him into a relationship. Sir Joel can handle himself… right?
“Sir Joel will handle it.”
Michalis, echoing her thoughts, muttered with his usual bluntness.
“…He will, won’t he? Anyway, shall we go on that date now?”
“Let’s go, my lady.”
“It should be just about time now, Mother.”
“Yes. He ought to be arriving soon.”
“……”
Standing in the first-floor lobby of the Marquess’s estate, Riela felt like she was balancing on a sheet of thin, cracking ice. On her left stood the Marchioness, arms crossed. On her right, her younger sister Olina, glaring fiercely and clinging to her arm.
Three hours earlier, a luxurious tea set and cutlery set had arrived—along with a note. The surprise was immense. Still, as soon as she received it, Riela had rushed to prepare herself, knowing he was coming.
Ahem!
“A guest has arrived.”
And just like that, three hours on the dot—he appeared. That man, J.
“……”
Step. Step.
Guided by the butler, Joel entered the grand lobby of the estate and drew the attention of every wary gaze in the room.
“A pleasure to meet you, madam.”
Striding confidently forward, Joel greeted the Marchioness with a sweeping bow and presented her with a massive bouquet.
“Th-this is… what… how rude—”
Caught off guard, the Marchioness hesitated mid-sentence as she instinctively accepted the bouquet. Her gaze followed the gentle fragrance tickling her nose—a bouquet of white calla lilies and lilies.
“Lady Riela’s beauty… it must have been passed down directly from you, madam. Your elegance is truly worthy of admiration. In fact, I daresay the lilies bowed their heads in awe of your grace.”
His honeyed voice flowed smoothly, effortlessly—leaving the Marchioness speechless just as she had been about to scold him.
“R-rude… I mean… thank you.”
“It is an honor to be in the presence of such a refined lady.”
My goodness… he’s surprisingly well-mannered for a young man.
The Marchioness, swayed by Joel’s polished attire, agreeable appearance, and perfectly sweet words, was disarmed before she realized it.
“Sister is supposed to be the Crown Princess—because of you!”
She wasn’t the kind of mother to fall for such flattery so easily! Olina snapped, her irritation boiling over.
“Ah, and for the young lady—I brought something I thought might suit you.”
Joel smiled gently and reached into his pocket, presenting something to Olina: a rose-shaped hairpin crafted from diamonds, rubies, and emeralds.
“Oh my!”
The design was perfectly tailored to a teenage girl’s taste, and each gemstone had been intricately cut—a genuine luxury piece.
“With your clear, radiant complexion, I thought this would complement you beautifully.”
Click.
From the other pocket, a small velvet jewelry box popped open with a crisp sound. Inside, a pair of green diamond earrings sparkled brightly.
W-What kind of taste is this?!
Olina, unconsciously drawn in by the dazzling earrings, took a step back in alarm.
“W-what are you trying to do! Bribes like this won’t work on me!”
“Young Lady, you must be quite shy.”
Despite Olina’s guarded stance, Joel offered a relaxed smile and removed his hat with a fluid, elegant motion.
“It’s a pleasure to formally introduce myself. I am Joel Terius.”
“Why… why are you here?”
Riela, watching Joel effortlessly command the atmosphere of the lobby, could only stare blankly as she asked the question.
“Have I not caused you trouble, my lady? I’ve come to take responsibility.”
“How do you plan on doing that?! Are you going to help my sister become the Crown Princess?!”
Olina, who had stepped back earlier, now crossed her arms again and glared at him with renewed intensity.
“Olina!”
The Marchioness raised her voice slightly, chastising her younger daughter’s rudeness.
“To silence a scandal… wouldn’t dating be the most effective solution?”
“Pardon?”
For a moment, Riela thought she had misheard him and asked again.
“Lady Riela. I, Joel Terius, humbly request your hand in a proper courtship.”
Meeting her gaze, Joel extended his hand in a respectful manner.
“……”
Riela’s mind went blank—as if all thoughts had been bleached from her head.
“If you take my hand now, I’ll turn this scandal into a story of a beautiful romance.”
Joel’s soft voice followed gently, coaxing her forward.
“……”
Indeed, nothing doused a scandal like a love affair. It wouldn’t necessarily restore her position as Crown Princess candidate—but it would at least give her some breathing room.
“Will you simply stand by and do nothing? At the very least, we should take shelter from the storm.”
“…Alright.”
Joel was right. If she did nothing, the scandal would only spiral further—fueling baseless rumors.
“Let’s date.”
After a deep breath, Riela reached out and took Joel’s hand.
“A splendid choice.”
Joel clasped her hand gently, his dimple deepening into a heart-fluttering smile.
“Given the urgency of the situation… may I request our first date begin immediately?”
“…Yes.”
Before the scandal could grow any larger, they had to act. The golden hour to take control of the story—was now.
“If I may… would you be willing to dress in something I’ve prepared?”
“Ah… yes.”
At Joel’s signal, the Terius family’s coachman entered the lobby carrying a large box.
“A small gift, to mark our first date.”
“Oh my!”
As the box opened, the Marchioness’s eyes widened in astonishment, all decorum forgotten.
“S-Sister!”
Even Olina gawked, covering her mouth with both hands.
“……”
Inside the carefully opened box lay a stunning white dress adorned with golden embroidery and diamonds, neatly paired with matching accessories.
“Take your time. I’ll be waiting downstairs.”
“Yes.”
“Um… Young Master Terius, would you care for some tea while Riela prepares?”
“With pleasure. I’d be honored, madam.”
Watching the butler and Riela disappear with the gift box, the Marchioness politely led Joel toward the drawing room.
“Hmph. Don’t think you can win my sister over with some fancy bribes.”
Olina, lips pouting, trotted after Joel with determined steps.
Marquess Rancelloti returned home utterly exhausted. Not only had he made a fruitless trip to Duke Ascher’s estate in hopes of confronting that man J, he had also stopped by the Terius estate—only to wait for over two hours in vain.
His mental energy was nearly depleted.
“Oh my, dear, you’re back?”
“Welcome home, Father.”
“…Why is everyone gathered in the lobby? And what’s with this floral scent?”
“That J—well, Young Master Terius—paid us a visit.”
“What?!”
The very man he had been chasing all day… had already come and gone? The Marquess’s blood pressure surged dangerously high.
“W-Where is he now?!”
“If you mean Young Master Terius, he just left for a date with Riela.”
“What?! With Riela? A d-date?!”
“And so gallantly, too. He even asked her out with such class.”
“You—you allowed that?!”
“What else could we do, now that it’s come to this?”
“Madam!”
The veins in the Marquess’s neck bulged, ready to burst.
“Calm yourself, dear. He was truly a fine young man.”
“She’s right, Father. He was a good person.”
On top of that, a dazzling hairpin now sparkled atop Olina’s head—something he’d never seen her wear before.
“…Ha.”
The Marquess could only let out a hollow chuckle, feeling utterly defeated.
Not only had the scoundrel stolen away his eldest daughter without permission, he’d also turned both his wife and younger daughter into flower-struck admirers.
What an outrageously brazen man.
“That damned thief… Just wait until I catch you.”
The Marquess’s knuckles whitened as veins pulsed from the hand gripping his cane.
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