I Stole The Duke - Chapter 87

June 26th, Imperial Year 321.

It had already been four days since the territorial battle and Freya’s death.

Sigh… why did she have to say something like that…?

Because of the bomb Freya had dropped—“Because I love the Duke”—Michalis found himself in an uncomfortable situation.

I’ve never even exchanged a proper glance with her.

It was already frustrating to be caught up in a scandalous love triangle that stirred up the entire Empire—and the one person he could blame was already dead.

Eliana said she was okay… but why does this uneasiness still linger?

Michalis couldn’t help but feel awkward around his wife.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

A cautious knock pulled him out of his resentful thoughts.

“Your Grace, did you call for me?”

Joel, who had rushed over after being summoned, asked politely.

“Yes. There’s something I want to ask you.”

“Of course, please ask me anything.”

Ahem.

Michalis cleared his throat once, then glanced sideways.

“……”

The small desk he had set up for Eliana had somehow become Ladis’s new workspace. Although the fifteen knights from the Azure Order had been sent back to the South the day after the battle, Michalis had kept Ladis close. He needed a capable aide.

Ever since the hunting competition, contracts had been pouring in non-stop.

Rustle, rustle.

Ladis, focused entirely on his task, acted as though he didn’t hear a thing.

“I want to cheer up my wife. Do you have any suggestions?”

That was the truth. After Freya’s death, Eliana had seemed more downcast than usual, and Michalis was genuinely worried. This wasn’t the time for clumsy words—he needed real advice from someone experienced.

“She probably needs some fresh air, wouldn’t you agree?”

“I thought the same.”

It was more or less what he had expected. Thanks to the Intelligence Division’s efforts, the remaining members of the assassin guild were nearly wiped out. It was just about time to lift the restriction on going out.

“Perhaps she could go shopping first, and then stop by a teahouse for some tea and dessert. I recommend Honeycalls, next to the Hulumingdales luxury boutique.”

Joel, ever the expert, listed his suggestions with ease.

Ahem… Yes, that sounds like a solid plan.

It wasn’t so much a suggestion as it was the correct answer.

A date, huh?

Michalis was just about to rise from his seat when—

“Your Grace! This requires urgent approval!”

Ladis suddenly raised his head, surprising Michalis. He had assumed the man wasn’t paying attention at all.

With all this work piled up, are you really planning to go out now?

Ladis didn’t say it, but his eyes said everything.

“Sir Ladis. Have you finished your own tasks?”

The message was clear: Mind your business and take care of your own duties.

“Ah, yes. Just now. Here it is.”

Ladis confidently stood up from the desk and handed him a file.

Rustle.

Michalis took the report with slight irritation and began flipping through the pages.

“……”

The original order form for the Aqua-Bers rifles, which had been over a hundred pages long, had been summarized into just three.

Damn it. I can’t even find anything to nitpick.

Each house and rifle model was neatly categorized, with all specific requests laid out in table form.

“Please check the special requests here and sign in this section.”

Even the fine print in the remarks column was easy to understand—ranging from nobles who wanted their family crests engraved on the stock to those who wanted the barrel decorated with gold and diamonds out of sheer vanity.

“And this is the feasibility report for those requests. Please review it before making your final decision.”

There were only three pages to sign, but the accompanying feasibility report looked like it was well over 200 pages.

“…Good work.”

Michalis reluctantly praised Ladis. In the end, reading and reviewing the entire report would still be his responsibility.

“Well then, while Your Grace reviews the report, I’ll accompany the Madam—with Sir Terius, of course. Ha ha!”

It was an aide’s job to handle these sorts of small tasks so the lord could focus on more important matters.

Should I just kill him?

For some reason, Michalis suddenly felt the urge to give his capable aide a solid punch.

“I may handle paperwork like a civil servant, but I’m a knight at heart. I’ll do my best to escort the Madam.”

“……”

Ladis was clearly thrilled at the idea of getting out of the office. Meanwhile, Joel, ever quick to catch on, looked completely pale.

“Out! Now!”

Michalis shouted, furious at how his date had been taken away so casually.

“Yes, Your Grace! We’ll be off right away. Sir Terius, let’s go.”

“Understood, Your Grace. We’ll take our leave.”

The door to the office shut with a quiet thud.

So that’s why he got dumped.

Now that he was married, Michalis understood. The idea that Sir Ladis hadn’t married yet because of late-night work was just an excuse.

At this rate… he probably won’t make it this year either.

Michalis shook his head. His talented aide was completely clueless when it came to anything outside of work.

The social season was drawing to a close.

Tailors, jewelers, and other boutiques were beginning to quiet down. Meanwhile, behind the scenes, a subtle war was brewing over which styles, fabrics, and designs would set the next season’s trends.

Wespa City. In front of the Hulumingdales luxury boutique.

Clip-clop. Rattle.

A carriage drawn by four horses came to a stop.

House of Ascher?

A guard’s eyes widened when he saw the crest engraved on the carriage. Only one noble family bore the emblem of a shield, compass, and anchor intertwined.

“This way, Madam.”

A man dismounted from a spotless white horse and opened the carriage door.

“Gasp!”

Th-That’s J!

His face was impossible to miss in Wespa’s fashion world these days.

And next to him… is that the Duchess of Ascher?

The boutique guard tensed immediately. The hottest man in Wespa right now—known only as “J”—and the Duchess of House Ascher had arrived. Reservation or not, these were guests who deserved a red carpet welcome.

“Welcome, Duchess of Ascher and Sir Terius!”

Swallowing his nerves, the guard opened the grand double doors. There was another knight and a woman who looked like a maid following them, but his eyes barely registered anyone else.

“Ha-ha, I’ll take the horses and carriage to the back for you.”

He made sure to offer extra service, going beyond what was expected.

How long has it been since I went shopping like this…

Eliana, escorted by Joel, did her best to shake off the lingering gloom she’d felt ever since Freya’s death. Too much guilt only made it harder to heal. It was time to slowly return to normal life.

“Wow… I didn’t know a place like this existed. Thank you for bringing me, Sir Joel.”

The boutique had high ceilings and a white-and-gold interior. It felt like stepping into an old-fashioned department store. It truly helped lift her mood.

“I’m glad it pleases you, Madam.”

Joel had chosen this boutique because it allowed customers to browse both clothing and jewelry in one place, making the shopping experience much more convenient.

“Ha-ha, please follow me. There’s a separate space behind the building for the horses and carriage.”

The guard, who had bowed deeply to welcome the Duchess and her party, laughed cheerfully as he led the coachman away.

It was in that brief moment—when the guard stepped away—that a boy in a robe decorated with gold embroidery appeared in front of the boutique.

Tap.

The boy landed softly at the empty entrance.

I heard this was a good place to shop comfortably.

He had asked the staff at the Magic Tower for recommendations.

No one’s guarding the entrance? Can I just walk in?

He needed formalwear for a banquet at the Imperial Palace, but he didn’t have anything appropriate to wear. Of course, it was also a good excuse to get out and breathe some fresh air away from his stifling office.

Hmm… am I standing out too much?

Olive hesitated and grabbed the hem of his black silk robe. The gold embroidery, which looked like constellations, was actually made up of enchanted magic circles. The robe was a symbol of the Tower Master. Walking around in it was basically shouting, “Hey, I’m the Tower Master!”

“Storage.”

He summoned his subspace and shoved the robe inside. He immediately felt lighter.

Clothes suitable for nobles… I suppose something flashy will do.

The pouch he brought from the office was full. The days of licking his fingers in poverty were over. For the first time in his life, he could enjoy shopping freely.

“Aren’t you going to look at dresses, Madam?”
Joel asked, seeing Eliana head straight for the men’s section.

“I want to buy a gift for my husband first.”

I’ve never given Michalis anything before…

All this time, she had only received. Eliana now wanted to choose something herself and give it to him.

“Ha-ha, looking for something for His Grace? These two items are very popular right now. You can add embroidery or gemstones. As for patterns, feel free to browse this catalog and choose whichever you like.”

As soon as they reached the section, a boutique clerk approached a little too eagerly.

“The Madam would like to browse comfortably. Please give her some space. We’ll call you if we need assistance.”

Joel, ever tactful, stepped in to create some distance.

“Of course. Just ring the bell at any time.”

Thanks to him, the attendants who had been stationed at every corner respectfully stepped back to the walls.

“Madam, if I may… would it be alright if I looked for some personal items as well?”

At that moment, Ladis asked carefully. He had been dragged here without a chance to pack anything. While his everyday clothes had been taken care of by the butler, he needed to personally select formalwear for the Crown Prince’s birthday banquet.

“Of course. There’s no need for guards inside the building, so feel free to browse, Sir Ladis.”

“Thank you, Madam!”

With Eliana’s warm permission, Ladis lit up and began browsing through the racks full of outfits. Though they were ready-to-wear pieces, the materials and craftsmanship were flawless—top-quality, even by noble standards.

Support