I Stole The Duke - Chapter 88
“Oh, this one looks good.”
Ahem, ahem.
Joel, standing nearby, made a subtle gesture as he watched Ladis pick out a suit.
What an awfully dull color… Even someone with a fair complexion would look washed out in that.
“I suppose something in a darker shade would be more formal for a banquet at the Imperial Palace.”
It seemed Ladis didn’t catch Joel’s signal.
“Eh… Choo!”
Joel let out an exaggerated fake sneeze—his not-so-subtle way of saying “That’s terrible.”
“There—”
“Sir Ladis!”
Eliana quickly called out as Ladis reached for the bell.
“Yes, Madam?”
“I don’t think that’s the right one.”
“Ah… is that so?”
“……”
With a small nod, Eliana successfully stopped Ladis from committing fashion disaster.
“Hmm… then what about this one?”
Ahem! Looks like this one’s a bit dusty.
Joel was getting increasingly frustrated watching his superior’s lack of fashion sense.
That fabric might look elegant under indoor lights, but in natural light, it’ll shine like a silver fish!
“It’s the Crown Prince’s birthday banquet. Something brighter and livelier would suit the mood better.”
“Eh… Choo!”
Please, just get the message!
Joel was about to lose his patience.
“Sir Joel, just relax and help him properly.”
Eliana finally stepped in. They were supposed to be shopping—not playing guessing games under the guise of escort duty.
“There are more staff than customers here. What kind of bodyguard stands stiff in a boutique? You’re making me uncomfortable. Take a break from the escorting.”
“Yes, Madam.”
Joel finally relaxed his shoulders.
“For Sir Concerto, I think this color and this combination would suit him much better.”
Letting out a quiet sigh, Joel quickly pulled out a few outfits that actually looked good on Ladis.
“Ah, really?”
“If you try them on in the fitting room, I’ll help check the fit.”
“Then I’ll browse the other section for a bit. Take your time.”
“Yes, Madam.”
Maybe jewelry would be a better choice than clothing.
Eliana glanced toward the fitting room, then made her way to the accessories section.
“……”
Accessories for men like Michalis usually included things like brooches, pendants, neck chains, or cuff buttons.
This one looks nice.
Eliana’s eyes lit up as she slowly browsed the men’s accessories with Amy.
It would go perfectly with his ceremonial cape.
It was a white gold neck chain with a sapphire accent—an accessory meant to fasten both ends of a cloak or robe.
Oh, this would look great with his robe.
Clink.
Two hands reached for the same chain at the same time.
Rustle.
The long chain stretched taut as both hands pulled from opposite sides.
“Oh.”
Startled, Eliana turned to look.
“I touched it first,”
said a boy with soft green hair, holding the other end of the chain.
“No, the Madam reached for it first,”
Amy responded sharply, narrowing her eyes.
“I’m clearly older than you, so I’ll speak casually. Hope that’s all right?”
The boy looked to be around fourteen or fifteen. Eliana decided to gently assert authority with her age.
Though honestly, he doesn’t seem much younger.
“Speak however you like.”
With his petite build, it wasn’t unusual for people to assume he was younger.
“Were you planning to wear this yourself?”
“Yes, I was.”
“Stand still for a second.”
“W-What?”
Eliana suddenly stepped closer, and Olive froze in place.
Tap.
She held the chain up to the boy’s neck. As expected, the color suited Michalis far better.
“Hmm… golden eyes and green hair…”
Her gaze grew serious as she scanned the display for something better.
“This one suits you more.”
She picked out a gold chain adorned with emeralds and held it up to his neck.
“Take a look in the mirror.”
“…Okay.”
He might have looked young, but he still had his pride. If she spoke informally, he would too.
“See? It looks great on you.”
Their eyes met through the mirror on the wall.
“……”
Eliana smiled softly, glancing between Olive’s face and the necklace. The boy, staring at his reflection as if in a daze, quickly blushed.
“Ha! Well… I don’t look too bad,”
Olive said, snatching the chain from Eliana’s hand and turning away with a huff.
What kind of person… Wait. Is she even human?
She was so beautiful that she hardly looked like a person at all—more like a fairy.
“Then I’ll take that as you giving it up for me.”
Having won the little competition, Eliana genuinely felt pleased.
“F-Fine, whatever!”
Olive flinched at the amused tone in Eliana’s voice.
“But… don’t tell me—are you actually planning to buy those pumpkin pants?”
Just as she was basking in her small victory, Eliana caught sight of the clothes Olive was carrying over his arm—and her expression turned serious again.
“I am.”
Oh no… please, no!
The pants were wildly puffed out from the hips to the thighs, with thick shirring that made them look like a shriveled pumpkin.
“And what about the top?”
“This one.”
He opened up an enormous shirt.
Wow, those shoulders are ridiculous! Where is he trying to launch them to, the moon?
Eliana’s eyes widened.
“Are you… an actor by any chance?”
Honestly, the fact that he managed to find something like that in a boutique like this was impressive. There must be a hidden costume section somewhere.
“I’m not. Does it look weird?”
It was Olive’s first time shopping for noble clothes, so he’d just picked out the most extravagant ones he could find.
“Yes. Very weird.”
Normally Eliana wouldn’t meddle, but this was too much to ignore.
“This is your first time shopping alone, isn’t it?”
“Wh-what makes you say that…?”
Caught off guard, Olive took an awkward step back.
“Amy, go get Sir Joel.”
“Yes, Madam.”
Ladis may have lacked a bit of fashion sense, but at least he wasn’t bizarre. This boy, on the other hand, clearly needed Joel’s help—urgently.
“Did you call for me, Madam?”
Joel came hurrying over, then glanced at the boy standing beside Eliana.
Who is this kid?
Any man, young or old, who hadn’t pledged loyalty to his lord was automatically someone to be wary of.
And what’s with this fox-faced brat?
His shoulders were far too broad, and his annoyingly handsome face made Joel scowl even more.
“I’d like you to help this boy.”
“Yes, Madam. As you wish.”
The moment Joel saw the outfit in Olive’s hands, he immediately understood Eliana’s intentions.
“Come with me.”
With a sense of duty, Joel turned toward the section for children’s and teen clothing.
Ugh… I really don’t want to go.
Having been unceremoniously passed off, Olive bit his lower lip and had no choice but to follow Joel.
Maybe I should look at cufflinks next.
Eliana had already turned her attention back to finding the perfect gift for Michalis. Her interest in the boy had reached its limit.
This is not what I had in mind.
Watching Joel walk ahead, Olive felt deeply irritated.
Why should I wear clothes picked by this guy?
If it were the fairy who chose them, maybe he’d be fine with it.
Damn it.
He may not have grown much due to years on the streets, but he was just a few months away from adulthood. Yet no one even considered checking the adult section for him. Olive had to hold back his wounded pride with all his strength.
“Would you mind standing here a moment?”
“Yes, sir,”
Olive replied, hiding his frustration and nodding calmly. Telling the truth about his age now would just make things worse.
“May I ask what your budget is?”
“No need to worry about that.”
“And what sort of event will you be attending?”
“The Crown Prince’s birthday banquet.”
“Ah, in that case—these pants would be suitable, with a standard shirt. For the vest, let’s go with this one… and for the jacket, this would look best.”
Joel quickly scanned Olive’s proportions and pulled together four outfit combinations with ease.
“Uh… okay…”
In a matter of seconds, Olive’s arms were full of clothes.
Damn fox. These are clearly meant for children.
The knight was kind, but Olive hated being treated like a kid.
“We’ll choose the cravat once you’ve tried everything on. The fitting room is over there—please go ahead and change.”
Joel had simply chosen clothes that fit well and suited him, nothing more.
“Yes, sir.”
Olive hugged the pile of clothes and reluctantly made his way toward the fitting room.
I hate your stupid pretty face.
He was so annoyingly handsome, Olive wanted to make him suffer.
“Abdominal pain.”
Pretending to go change, Olive whispered a spell under his breath as he approached the fitting room.
Madam asked me to help him, but there’s something suspicious about this boy. I’ll just pick out a cravat and be done with it…
Still lost in thought while watching Olive’s back, Joel suddenly gasped.
“Ugh!”
His hand flew to his stomach. A sharp, crushing pain struck like a wave.
This was, without question, a life-threatening emergency.
Grrrrgle!
A thunderous sound rumbled from his gut. If he didn’t get to a bathroom immediately, disaster would strike.
What the—why now? Where’s the Madam?
Joel’s face turned pale as he frantically searched for Eliana.
Wait—Sir Concerto is with her. Thank goodness.
It was a miracle that he wasn’t the only one on escort duty today. Just then, he spotted Ladis walking toward Eliana, having finished changing.
First things first—emergency comes first.
Relieved, Joel turned and rushed toward the bathroom. His steps grew faster and faster until he was nearly running.
“Pfft—!”
Watching him from behind, Olive exhaled with a smirk.
Serves you right, you smug fox. You’ll be suffering in there for at least an hour.
Now that Joel was out of the picture, Olive smugly took in the boutique’s luxurious interior.
The fairy…
Almost instinctively, his gaze searched for Eliana.
Huh? What’s with those glasses?
It didn’t take long to spot her—and Olive’s face twisted into a grimace.
“Wow, that looks great on you, Sir Ladis. It really suits you.”
“Haha, you think so?”
Some pale-looking guy was chatting cheerfully with the fairy. His face was as white as flour, and—just like that damn fox—he was annoyingly good-looking.
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