I Stole The Duke - Chapter 90

“As of now, all protective escorts and security orders are lifted.”

Michalis stopped briefly and gave the order to Lucas, who had been standing guard outside Eliana’s bedroom.

“Yes, Your Grace.”

With that, Eliana’s house arrest and in-mansion security were officially over.

“Thank you for your service. You may stand down now.”

“Understood!”

Watching Lucas retreat, Michalis turned and knocked on the door.

“It’s me. I’m coming in.”

“Imperial Illusion.”

At the sound of his knock, Eliana activated the magic card she had prepared in advance. The illusion she’d carefully designed sprang to life in three-dimensional light.

“You may come in.”

“…!”

The moment Michalis stepped through the door, he froze. Inside the room, snow was gently falling.

“What is this…?”

White snow blanketed the floor up to their ankles. Whether it was the magic itself or just the power of suggestion, the air even felt slightly cold.

“Welcome, Michalis.”

Seated at a tea table moved to the center of the room, Eliana swirled the empty wine glass in her hand with a smile.

“…Is this magic?”

He’d seen snow in pictures and paintings—but never right before his eyes. Michalis instinctively stretched out his palm to catch a snowflake. It landed softly in his hand like a feather.

“Yes. Do you like it?”

She had agonized for days over what might surprise and delight him. This was what she’d settled on.

“I do. Very much.”

Though it had no real temperature or weight, the snow crunched softly underfoot with every step, leaving delicate prints behind. As someone born and raised in the South, this was an experience he might never have had otherwise.

Crunch. Crunch.

Listening to the satisfying sound beneath his boots, Michalis approached the tea table and sat across from her.

“What’s the occasion?”

On the table were some light finger foods and a bottle of low-alcohol white wine. Up until dinner, Eliana hadn’t said a word about any of this.

“There’s no occasion.”

She answered simply and poured the wine into his glass with a soft trickling sound.

“……”

A birthday?

No, that wasn’t it. Their one-month wedding anniversary? Was that something they were supposed to celebrate?

Michalis grew slightly nervous, wondering if he’d forgotten something important.

Could it really be that she’s this happy just to be free again?

She didn’t yet know that the remaining assassins had been captured. Try as he might, he couldn’t think of anything else to explain the celebration.

“Go on, try it.”

“Ah… sure.”

Michalis took a sip. The sweet wine tasted even more refreshing when paired with the snowy illusion around them. Sitting together like this, in the middle of a private winter wonderland, was unexpectedly delightful.

“Michalis… there are so many things I’m grateful to you for.”

“Hm?”

He turned to look at her. She’d only had one glass, but her cheeks were already glowing pink.

She’s drunk…

Whether it was because the illusion was connected to the caster’s mood, or because of her nerves, the elegant snowflakes began to flicker, their shape starting to distort.

Michalis couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.

“I didn’t know what you’d like, so I bought one of everything.”

With a serious expression bolstered by wine, Eliana stood from her seat. One by one, she began to bring out gift boxes that had been hidden behind an illusory tree.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

“What’s all this?”

Michalis stared in surprise as five beautifully wrapped boxes stacked up in front of him.

“Gifts.”

It was the first time she had ever given a man a gift. She felt uncharacteristically nervous, unsure if the things she chose would be up to his standards.

Michalis carefully pulled the ribbon from the first box.

“……”

So this is what anticipation feels like.

Even though the alcohol hadn’t fully kicked in, his face flushed and his heart fluttered. Inside were a brooch, a bracelet, cuff buttons, a neck chain, and a pendant—all items Eliana had chosen with great care.

“They’re wonderful. I really love them.”

Michalis gently traced the blue diamond brooch with his fingertips, his voice low and sincere.

“Phew… I’m so glad.”

Eliana, who had been watching him anxiously, finally exhaled in relief.

“See? I knew it would suit you.”

Brightening instantly, she picked up the brooch and held it up to his chest, smiling proudly.

“This one too.”

The sapphire neck chain matched him perfectly. It would go especially well with his ceremonial cape.

“Is that all of them?”

Thirsty, Michalis downed the rest of his wine in one gulp. But the sweet alcohol only made his thirst worse.

“Hm?”

“This can’t be the end, can it?”

He reached out and gently caught Eliana’s wrist as she fidgeted near his chest.

It is the end, though…
Eliana’s eyes darted nervously.

Her delicate hand, held in his large one, now rested lightly against his firm chest.

“Let’s hold hands every day. Always.”

Michalis wasn’t shy about asking for what he truly wanted.

“I don’t think I can sleep anymore without you right here against me.”

Oh my… oh my goodness…!

His burning gaze pierced straight through her, making Eliana scream inside. The once graceful snowflakes in the illusion popped with a soft pfft and vanished, leaving only the background behind.

“Ah… I, uh…”

Her mouth suddenly felt dry. Not a single drop of moisture left.

“Well, that is to say…”

Without finishing her sentence, Eliana grabbed the wine glass in front of her and chugged it.

“Alright then!”

Slamming down her now-empty glass, she declared boldly. The truth was, she’d already grown used to having him by her side—without him, she felt oddly uneasy and empty.

“Ahem. Then perhaps… we should go to bed early tonight.”

Michalis slowly began unbuttoning his shirt.

“Um… y-yes. Maybe we should.”

The sinful duke’s body exuded an effortless kind of decadence. Eliana flushed and placed a warm hand against her blushing cheek.

As the shirt hit the floor, the snowy landscape in the illusion finally burst and vanished with a loud pop!

“Eek!”

And so, the newlywed couple went to bed—though they certainly weren’t sleeping.

Imperial Year 321, June 30.

The social season that had begun in spring was finally coming to an end.

“Oh my goodness…”

The grand banquet hall of the Imperial Palace, opened wide for the Crown Prince’s 20th birthday celebration, was abuzz with murmurs.

“Isn’t that robe…? Isn’t that what the Tower Master wears?”

“Yes, yes, I believe it is!”

A man standing alone in one corner of the vast hall had become the center of attention. The Tower Master—rarer to see than even the Emperor—had appeared at the banquet. It was nothing short of shocking.

Just when did His Majesty… First the Duke of Ascher, now the Tower? What kind of ties has he been building?

This year’s social season had already seen an unusual amount of political shifts. Now, even the reclusive Tower Master had made an appearance.

Is this His Majesty’s way of showing open support for the Crown Prince?

“……”

But the man, presumed to be the Tower Master, stood perfectly still, unaffected by the murmurs and attention.

Did I… arrive too early?

Of course, Olive had no idea that higher-ranked nobles purposely arrived late to show off their status—it was a subtle game of pride in the aristocracy. He had simply come exactly at the time printed on the invitation.

Why do these people act like they know me? So annoying.

His black satin robe shimmered under the lights, embroidered all over with golden constellations. That shimmer indicated multiple active magical enchantments.

“Haha, what an honor to meet the Master of the Tower! I am Count Centerin, from the central region.”

“……”

Olive had learned only just enough formalities to avoid disgracing his master—not a bit more. Since improper etiquette would expose him faster than silence, he chose to keep his mouth shut.

Strange. He looked like a child from afar…

Count Centerin felt almost enchanted. From a distance, the Tower Master had looked small. But up close, he had to look up to meet his eyes.

“……”

Instead of speaking, Olive put all his energy into one piercing look that clearly said: Go away.

“Hahaha… A man of few words, I see.”

The count, flustered by his own failed courage, blushed and backed away quickly.

Wait, what does the Tower Master even look like again?

Thanks to a recognition-inhibition spell built into the robe, no one who exchanged greetings with Olive could remember his face.

When are they going to arrive?

Olive had been standing at the corner of the banquet hall since the doors opened, eyes fixed on the entrance.

The Duchess of Ascher… or maybe… the fairy lady…

His master had instructed him to observe the Duchess of Ascher—but that was no longer what occupied his thoughts.

She should be here by now… She wouldn’t miss the banquet, would she?

All he could think about was the silver-haired fairy.

And who exactly is her husband, anyway?

That thought always followed whenever he thought of her.

“Sir Joel Terius and Lady Rancelloti have arrived!”

“Oh my! So the rumors of their engagement were true?”

“They really make such a perfect couple.”

“As expected, their fashion tonight is—”

The arrival of the much-talked-about couple brought a change in the stiff atmosphere of the ballroom.

Ugh. Great.

After standing in the same spot for over an hour, Olive finally spotted a familiar face.

Why’d you come alone?

His glare drilled straight into Joel’s back. He had always found the man irritating—but seeing him here without the fairy only made it worse.

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