I Stole The Duke - Chapter 89

“There’s nothing else worth looking at. Sir Ladis, let’s go with this outfit for the banquet.”

As expected, Joel’s sense of style was unmatched.

Sir ladis always looked handsome, but today he’s at his best.

The outfit brought out his strengths and hid his flaws—an impeccable combination. Eliana clapped lightly, impressed both by the styling and the model who wore it perfectly.

“Haha! Then I’ll go with Madam’s recommendation,”
Ladis replied with a bashful smile, scratching the back of his head, clearly pleased by the praise.

Tch. That pale, glasses-wearing flour face…

Olive’s mood soured even more as he heard Ladis’ hearty laugh from the fitting room.

He should go suffer in hell too.

To think that guy was beaming just because the fairy had complimented him. Jealousy—yes, that was exactly what this feeling was.

“Abdominal pain.”

Olive bit his lower lip and whispered the incantation.

“Aagh!”

The effect was immediate.

W-What is this?!

Ladis suddenly clutched his stomach in agony. This was no ordinary discomfort—it was a dire warning from his gut.

Rumble!

His stomach churned violently, like something was about to burst out.

“Sir Ladis? Are you unwell?”

Eliana looked at him with concern, noticing his pale face.

Did I just hear a weird sound?

“N-No, I just need to… ugh… c-check something real quick…!”

Of all times for his body to betray him—in front of the Madam, no less.

Ladis wanted to die. If he didn’t control himself fast, he’d ruin the very trousers he hadn’t even paid for yet.

“Hurry along, then.”

Clutching your stomach like that… who cares about the bill?

Eliana pretended not to notice the emergency and nodded gracefully.

“Hmph!”

As the “flour man” dashed off toward the bathroom, Olive finally let out a triumphant snort and stepped into the fitting room.

A few minutes later, Olive emerged, dressed in his new outfit, casually brushing off imaginary dust.

“Excuse me…”

He walked straight toward Eliana. The nuisances had all been dealt with. The maid could be ignored—she wasn’t a threat.

“Huh?”

Startled by his sudden voice, Eliana turned and widened her eyes. The once scruffy-looking boy now looked like a well-groomed young nobleman.

“Where’s Sir Joel?”

Eliana glanced around the boutique. Joel was nowhere in sight.

“He ran off to the bathroom all of a sudden.”

Olive shrugged innocently.

Is there a problem with the food storage at the knights’ barracks?

This was turning into a serious concern.

“Ahem… So… what do you think of this outfit?”

“It suits you.”

It seemed Joel had chosen well. Compared to the stage costume from earlier, it was a night-and-day difference.

Tch. She gave flour-face a big smile, but just one word for me?

Olive felt a little miffed at her short reply.

I need to check the food storage as soon as I return to the estate.

Eliana’s mind was already filled with worry. If both her escorts were down with food poisoning, who knew what condition the others back home were in?

“Um… I’m not sure which cravat to go with.”

Olive touched his bare collar, clearly hoping the fairy would help him choose something again.

“……”

“I’ve never bought one before…”
he added, frowning with a pitiful look that turned his delicate features even softer.

“What if I pick something weird and people laugh at me?”

He was good at playing the innocent boy card—honed from years of begging on the streets. Olive knew exactly how to look vulnerable.

“All right. Come with me.”

Eliana still wanted to rush home and check on the food stores, but she’d have to wait until her escorts returned. She might as well use this free moment to help the boy.

Sir Joel and Sir Ladis better come back soon…

She figured a few minutes spent helping this poor-looking boy wouldn’t hurt.

—

One hour later.

I’m completely burned out…

It felt like they had sent off hundreds of fluttering doves.

“Madam…”

After what felt like an hour in hell, the two men looked utterly drained—soul and all.

“Sir Joel, Sir Ladis, are you all right?”

Eliana stood up quickly from the boutique sofa where she had been waiting patiently. Olive, fully satisfied with his shopping, had long since returned to the Magic Tower.

“I’m ashamed… I’ve committed a grave offense.”

I can’t believe I kept the Madam waiting…

Joel, still hanging his head low, caught sight of several gift boxes stacked neatly on a nearby table.

“…I showed you a disgraceful side of myself.”

Ladis couldn’t lift his head either. He too felt ashamed for having lost control in front of the Madam.

“It’s all right. These things happen. It’s not your fault.”

Eliana’s calm voice and understanding gaze made it clear—she already knew exactly what had happened.

“I’ll escort you to the next location—the teahouse.”

“No, Sir Joel. I don’t think that’s what we should be worried about right now.”

This wasn’t the time to sip tea in peace. They needed to return to the estate immediately and check the food storage.

“…I’ll go get changed.”

“I’ll have the carriage prepared.”

And just like that, their day at the luxury boutique came to an end. For the two knights, it would go down as one of the worst days of their lives.

In a forest full of vibrant green, a boy came to a stop.

“……”

He’d seen someone standing beneath the shade of a tree, their back turned to him.

“Little one.”

A woman, sensing his presence, turned with a gentle smile. She had long silver hair and wore a flowing white dress—she looked like a fairy straight out of a dream.

“Don’t call me that. I’m not a kid anymore.”

Olive pouted. He was only a few months away from adulthood and was sick of being treated like a child.

“Oh really?”

The fairy mirrored his pout with her dazzlingly pretty face.

“I’m serious! I’m not a kid!”

Without realizing it, Olive stepped closer to her, his throat going dry.

“Then prove it.”

It came out of nowhere.

“…What?”

Before he could even react, the fairy began slipping off her dress. Olive nearly fainted on the spot.

“W-Wait—what are you doing?!”

She walked toward him, completely bare, each step graceful and light.

“Wh-why are you doing this?!”

His face turned bright red as he stumbled backward in panic.

Thud.

His back hit a large tree.

“Come now, little one. Take off your clothes too.”

The fairy reached out and grabbed his waistband with a quick, practiced motion.

“Don’t move. I’ll take care of everything.”

“W-Wait!”

In a flurry of motion, his clothes were tossed aside one by one.

“……”

Beneath the shade of that tree, a feverish passion ignited like wildfire.

—

“Waaah!”

Olive shot up from his chair, letting out a scream. He had been approving documents but must’ve dozed off at his desk.

Why… why does it feel wet down there…?

Sure enough, the one place that shouldn’t have been wet was soaked.

“Ugh! Clear!”

Panicking, Olive immediately cast a cleaning spell before anyone could see.

“……”

For some reason, he felt like he’d just… become an adult.

What the hell is wrong with me?!

Just a few hours ago… and I’m already dreaming about that fairy like that?!
The memory of the dream wouldn’t leave Olive’s head, and his heart kept racing for no reason.

Ughhhh! It felt like… like we got married or something!

Even in the dream, he had called her “Madam.” Why, of all people, did his dream have to be about a married woman?!

Damn it. Damn it all!

The more he remembered, the more he wanted to scream.

Well… she was beautiful.

The guilt only lasted a moment. While tugging at his hair, Olive caught himself grinning.

No no no! What the hell am I thinking?!

But the dream’s vivid details wouldn’t let him go, and he ended up pulling at his poor hair all over again.

She… seemed like someone of high status.

Back and forth between groaning and smirking, it took a while for Olive to calm down enough to breathe properly.

Will I… get to see her again?

The Imperial banquet he had dreaded suddenly didn’t sound so bad anymore.

It was nearing 9 p.m.

Flap.

A barn owl—trained for night deliveries—fluttered into the brightly lit office.

“Your Grace, here it is.”

Ladis detached a small tube from the owl’s leg and handed it to Michalis.

Inside was a tiny scroll. Once unrolled, a short report written in code appeared clearly:

{ Apprehended. }

All remaining members of the assassin guild had finally been captured.

“……”

Michalis read the message, but instead of relief or joy, he felt something more bittersweet.

“We’ll wrap up the day’s work here.”

“Yes, Your Grace. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Ladis smiled faintly at the welcome news of dismissal and quickly began tidying the messy desk.

So tonight is the last night we’ll share a room.

That was what made him hesitate to rejoice. Since the assassination attempt, Michalis had been sharing a bedroom with Eliana for security. Now that all threats were gone, he had no excuse left to be by her side.

Should I… keep the news a secret?

His hands, foamy from shampoo as he washed his hair, suddenly paused.

Sploosh!

Michalis poured cold water over his head as if trying to wash the thought away.

I can’t keep Eliana living in fear just to satisfy my selfishness.

It was a foolish, pathetic thought—and he knew it.

His Grace has arrived.

Lucas, standing guard outside Eliana’s room, straightened in surprise as the man they’d all been waiting for finally appeared at the end of the hallway.

Knock. Knock. Knock-knock!

Just as agreed in advance, Lucas knocked on the door with a specific rhythm to signal his arrival.

“He’s here!”

Inside the room, Eliana immediately got up, her movements quick and purposeful.

Support