I Stole The Duke - Chapter 94

“Did my warning sound like a joke to you?”

A sharp, icy glare pierced through Perrow.

“Duke of Ascher…”

Perrow felt a chill run down his spine as the duke’s aura, cold and unrestrained, gripped the air like a blade.

“I told you not to approach my wife.”

Though ordinary guards were left to the knights, the movements of the Tower Master and his mages were something the duke watched with his own eyes.

“Is my wife still a subject of interest to you?”

“N-not at all. I simply wished to apologize for my previous discourtesy.”

Now that he thought about it, that strange wave of magic he had sensed during the hunting competition was completely gone.

“Then make your apology now.”

Michalis stepped aside, removing himself from Perrow’s line of sight. His meaning was clear—make your apology and be gone.

“Duchess, I sincerely ask for your forgiveness for the offense I caused during the hunting competition’s teleportation spell. And also… I deeply apologize for startling you just now with my sudden appearance through short-range teleportation.”

Perrow bowed respectfully before Eliana, his posture textbook-perfect—like a noble properly trained in etiquette.

“Oh… I’m fine. Please enjoy the rest of the banquet.”

Eliana gently gathered the hem of her dress and accepted his apology with grace.

“I wish you a pleasant evening as well, my lady.”

And just like when he had appeared, the mage vanished again using short-range teleportation magic.

“Are you all right?”

Only then did Michalis relax his expression and gently place the back of his hand on Eliana’s forehead.

“Ah… yes.”

“Your body temperature feels a little low. I think it’s best we greet His Majesty and return early tonight.”

He brushed aside the damp hair stuck to her forehead, caused by cold sweat.

‘Why does he keep touching her like that? Seriously… enough already.’

Watching the scene unfold just steps away, Olive burned with silent fury. Being forced to witness such an affectionate display was unbearable.

‘What is this now?’

That threatening aura radiating from such a close distance—it was impossible not to notice.

“……”

Olive’s eyes lifted instinctively, meeting Michalis’s.

‘Ugh.’

He froze mid-curse. Those piercing blue eyes were staring straight into him like they could see everything.

“I really am fine. I think I was just a little tense. A short walk should clear my head.”

“I’ll accompany you.”

Michalis no longer spared a glance at Olive. A fly like him wasn’t worth his time. All of his attention was already back on Eliana.

“I’ll escort you.”

“That’s all right. Take a moment to rest.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Michalis dismissed the escort with an easy tone.

‘So… that’s the Duke.’

Olive watched, dazed, as the Duke walked away with the fairy on his arm. The man’s arrogance—looking at him like a bug—was so natural it seemed like he was born with it.

‘But… this is kind of fun, isn’t it?’

Olive’s lips slowly curled into a grin.

‘What if I really was someone you couldn’t afford to look down on?’

To look him straight in the eye with such arrogance, without having any idea who he was—it was hilarious. Olive wanted to double over laughing. The tension in his chest loosened, replaced by a strange sense of delight.

‘Huh. Being the Tower Master isn’t so bad after all.’

When he started moving his subordinates around, the Duke had reacted immediately.

‘That high-and-mighty man came running all the way over…’

Why?

Probably because the mage got too close to the Duchess.

‘He’s being overly cautious around mages, isn’t he?’

Even when Olive had approached in the Tower Master’s robes, the Duke had tried to shield his wife.

“Hmmm…”

And then there was that odd reaction from the Duchess when she saw Perrow earlier—she looked like she might faint.

‘Either she’s had a traumatic experience with mages… or she’s hiding something.’

He hadn’t sensed any unusual magical energy, but something definitely felt off.

‘Maybe I should shake things up a bit.’

His mysterious teacher had told him to keep an eye on the Duchess. There had to be a reason.

How far could he push this?

‘Can I kill the Duke?’

If he had permission to do as he pleased, Olive would gladly tear apart the man who looked at him like he was dirt and take everything he had.

“……”

Ista, who hadn’t left Olive’s side the whole time, continued to watch him in silence. The boy stood there grinning, eyes fixed on the Duke and Duchess as they walked away.

‘This boy isn’t normal. I definitely can’t allow him near the Lady again.’

Ista’s expression hardened.

Shhhk.

Olive quickly ran out to the terrace and drew the curtains.

“Blink.”

As soon as the curtains fell, he cast a short-range teleportation spell and reappeared on the terrace in his Tower Master’s form.

“Storage.”

‘Ah. This isn’t good.’

Tap.

After pulling a robe from subspace, Olive slipped it on and removed the emerald neck chain that decorated it. It was the same chain the Duchess herself had chosen for him. If his identity were exposed over something so trivial, it would be a disaster.

The curtains on the terrace, where the Tower Master had disappeared, finally parted after a long while.

‘Oh? I thought he had already left.’

‘What could he have been doing alone for so long?’

The glowing black robe naturally drew attention. But despite the many gazes that followed him, no one dared approach. The Tower Master felt like a distant, unapproachable figure.

“……”

Without hesitation, the Tower Master strode toward the three mages gathered in a corner of the banquet hall.

“Master.”

“Well done.”

Olive gave them a calm word of praise, even as their expressions remained stiff with discomfort.

‘Being the Tower Master… isn’t so bad.’

It was a position won by demonstrating overwhelming skill (though that had been his teacher’s doing). And the fact that no one had seriously questioned his legitimacy boosted his confidence sky-high.

“We merely followed your orders, Master. Your praise is too kind.”

The unexpected compliment softened their grim expressions just a little.

“How’s the situation with the plague in Wespa city?”

For the first time, the new Master spoke with the authority fitting his title.

“Thankfully, the districts were quarantined early on. We lured and incinerated the rats, the main carriers, using attraction magic, and spared no effort in healing the infected with cure spells. The outbreak was contained almost perfectly, and it’s been two days without any new cases.”

Legionty, known for his skill in healing magic, answered with pride.

“You’ve done well.”

“Haha, since we’re out of the Tower anyway, might as well do our part to secure research funding.”

Thinking of the substantial payment they’d receive for plague control, he couldn’t help but smile.

“As you know, I’m not originally from the Tower, so I don’t know much about each of you. I’d like to hear about your research specialties.”

“Ahem. I’m working on improving the efficiency of teleportation magic.”

“I specialize in bodily balance magic.”

“I focus on mana wave frequencies and the resulting variations in energy output.”

Each mage had their own distinct field of study.

“I’ve heard the Master is exceptionally skilled in time magic.”

‘Er… that’s my teacher, actually…’

“Time magic is said to belong to the realm of the gods!”

Time magic was so advanced, it was often called divine. A hint of awe—bordering on obsession—sparkled in the mages’ eyes.

“To witness the reversal of a human body’s time with my own eyes…”

‘Ah… this isn’t time magic. I just have a slow growth rate.’

It was simply that his body hadn’t developed fully due to malnutrition in his earlier years.

“Your fields of study are interesting. Once we return to the Tower, I’d like you to organize and submit your research papers. If I find them sound, I’ll consider increasing your research funds.”

“We’ll do our best to produce results, Master.”

At the mention of “increased funding,” their eyes lit up like children in a candy store.

“I look forward to it.”

“The Tower’s budget is limited. May I ask—where will the extra funds come from?”

Perrow, who had been quietly eyeing the new Master with suspicion, finally voiced the question.

“From external sources, of course.”

Olive’s lips curled slightly.

“Forgive me for asking, but… what sort of external sources?”

“Perrow. Do I need to explain everything to you?”

“My apologies.”

‘Of course, I’ll figure that out starting now.’

Unlike most mages who rarely left the Tower, Olive had traveled across the world with his teacher. As long as one had a solid grasp of basic magic, there were countless ways to make money—even starting with nothing.

‘External sourcing, huh… maybe he’s not completely clueless after all.’

At the very least, it wasn’t a reckless plan. Perrow decided to set aside his doubts for now.

“Don’t worry about the money. Just focus on your papers.”

“Yes, understood.”

‘This is getting more interesting by the minute.’

This slight tension between them—it was exhilarating.

All three were high-ranking mages recognized within the Tower. To Olive, this felt like walking a tightrope. It was also the perfect chance to pick up knowledge he hadn’t yet learned from his teacher.

“His Majesty the Emperor, Her Majesty the Empress, and His Highness the Crown Prince are entering the hall!”

Right then, the stars of the evening made their appearance.

“We greet the Sun of the Empire!”

The nobles lined up on either side, bowing in perfect unison to show their respect for the royal family.

“……”

Standing straight at the edge of the hall, Olive watched the scene unfold with quiet amusement.

‘Power really is something else.’

To think he could greet the emperor without bowing. He was finally tasting the sweet fruit of authority.

The Magic Tower was an independent entity, separate from any nation. Though the Tower itself was located on imperial land, its members were not imperial subjects, but rather an allied force. There was no need to show deference to the emperor.

“Oh! To think we’d have such an honored guest on the day my son celebrates his twentieth birthday.”

The emperor, already informed of the Tower Master’s presence, approached with exaggerated joy.

‘Oh no… I’m terrible with formal etiquette.’

He hadn’t expected the emperor to approach so informally. A cold sweat trickled down Olive’s back. Too many eyes were watching—and it was far too late to run now.

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