The Slave Is Too Handsome - Chapter 10

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The slave is far too handsome!
010.
A peaceful morning at the Duke’s Household. Lucian had been leaning against the salon wall since early, arms crossed, his lips pouched in evident displeasure. Something about today clearly bothered him.
A beautiful piano melody drifted through the salon. Tall, narrow windows lined the walls at regular intervals, and pale, luminous light streaming through them brightened the room further.
Eloïse sat before a gleaming Grand Piano tucked into one corner, her graceful hands drawing out an Étude with practiced elegance.
Though Lucian had begun indifferent, as if music held no interest for him whatsoever, he gradually found himself drawn into the piano’s sound.
Whether enchanted by the sweet melody or captivated by Eloïse’s delicate fingers coaxing the notes into being, Lucian couldn’t have said.
One thing was certain: so absorbed had he become that when the piece ended, he heard nothing of the applause that followed.
Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap.
The moment the final chord rang out, Mary, standing beside Lucian, began clapping with fervent enthusiasm.
‘How is it that Miss can do anything?’
Then Mary glanced at Lucian. As always, he stood against the wall like a block of stone.
When Mary nudged his arm, Lucian added his own halfhearted claps to hers.
“Well, what did you think?”
“A performance that stirred the depths of one’s soul, Miss.”
Mary dabbed at her eyes with her apron as if wiping away tears, though the gesture was more theatrical than sincere.
Rising from the bench, Eloïse turned her gaze toward Lucian.
“……Not bad, I suppose.”
Mary’s eyes lit up as she stared at Lucian, but he deliberately ignored her gaze.
Eloïse let out a soft laugh. Having observed him for several days, she understood that for Lucian, such a remark was tantamount to genuine praise.
“Not bad, right? You should be able to play something like this soon enough.”
“Ha. You actually think that’s possible?”
Lucian let out a heavy sigh, and at that, Mary finally erupted. Eloïse’s loyal maid stretched out her arm, wagging her finger accusingly at the man with his insolent manner.
“Miss! Why does this wretch speak to you in such a casual tone? It’s been grating on me since earlier! Is handsomeness everything?”
“Mary. Calm yourself. There’s good reason for it.”
“And what reason could that possibly be, Miss!”
Eventually Eloïse explained the situation and sent Mary out. Mary was one of the few who knew the full scope of Eloïse’s grand scheme.
‘You understand, don’t you? Your role in this plan is quite important, Mary. Gather as much information about Lucian as you can, by any means necessary.’
Cast out of the salon, Mary recalled Eloïse’s words from days past and steadied herself. Yes. That infernal creature’s casual speech must be part of Miss’s plan.
Only the two of them remained in the salon now.
Lucian found himself studying Eloïse’s expression. He’d meant to speak casually only when they were alone, and it bothered him that he’d slipped into it in front of Mary. Though Eloïse seemed utterly unmoved by the incident.
“What are you doing? Come here.”
Eloïse returned to her seat at the piano and tapped lightly at the empty space beside her.
He’d caused enough of a commotion for one day; there was no point in complaining now. Lucian shuffled over and settled beside Eloïse on the bench.
The small bench was now fully occupied. Lucian’s large frame pressed unavoidably against her. A strange sensation stirred within him.
‘For someone with such delicate features, he certainly is imposingly large.’
Eloïse glanced sideways at Lucian pressed against her. At such close proximity, his long eyelashes appeared crystalline.
They reminded her, oddly, of angels in paintings by the fashionable masters, or a finely carved marble Agrippa.
“Are we not having your lesson?”
As Eloïse stared absently, Lucian turned to look at her.
She naturally shifted her gaze back to the piano and replied without affect.
“Of course we are. Go on, place your right hand on the keys.”
Following her instruction, Lucian positioned his right hand above the keyboard.
“That’s right. Don’t curl your hand so much. Now try pressing any key.”
When Lucian pressed his thumb down, a C note sprang forth. Eloïse began explaining the scale to him in a measured tone. Lucian listened without comment.
Or rather, he listened with apparent attention while his mind wandered elsewhere entirely. His full attention was fixed on Eloïse, who sat beside him speaking while studying the Sheet Music.
‘She looks even smaller up close.’
Everything about Eloïse seemed small—her hands moving across the keys, her delicate frame, even her voice as she spoke in that gentle manner, like a small bird whispering.
…….
Eloïse’s explanation stopped abruptly. She’d noticed that Lucian’s attention had drifted elsewhere, lost in his own thoughts.
Finally, she reached over and grasped his hand resting on the keys.
Only then did Lucian’s pale eyes snap back into focus.
“You’re awfully bold about taking someone’s hand, aren’t you?”
Startled, Lucian tried to pull his large hand free from her small grasp, but Eloïse didn’t release it so easily. In the end, Lucian relaxed his resistance first.
“Why? Are you trembling?”
When Eloïse tilted her head and smiled playfully, Lucian’s expression hardened. Then, summoning his strength, he pulled his hand away cleanly.
Eloïse added,
“I wouldn’t want you falling for me, Lucian.”
“Me? Falling for you?”
Lucian let out a snort and tilted his head arrogantly. Arms crossed, he looked down at Eloïse. She met his gaze without flinching.
“I understand the impulse—I am the most sought-after lady in High Society, after all—but my tastes run rather differently…….”
“Let me be clear: my preferences are quite far removed from yours. I prefer something more mature, more compassionate, more refined…….”
“My mind has changed.”
The two of them cut each other off in turn, their gazes clashing like drawn blades.
Eloïse interrupted him firmly.
“During lessons, you will address me respectfully as ‘teacher.'”
“?”
“Otherwise I’ll kill you…….”
“Understood, understood.”
Lucian answered in a placating tone.
That woman’s nature was truly something—threatening to kill anyone who displeased her. If onlookers didn’t know better, they’d think her a common street ruffian from the Back Alley, not a noble lady.
“Then say it.”
Lucian heaved an inward sigh and replied wearily.
“……Teacher.”
“What? I didn’t catch that.”
Eloïse laughed playfully while Lucian glared at her. She paid him no mind, simply running her luxuriant hair behind her ear and repeating her pretense of not having heard.
Finally, Lucian’s voice came out flat and mechanical.
“Teacher.”
“Good. Now, let’s try again.”
Only then did Eloïse smile brightly and play a simple melody with her right hand, oblivious to whatever churned beneath Lucian’s surface.
‘Fine. Do as you wish. I’ll be gone soon enough anyway.’
Lucian was racking his mind for a way to contact his associate. Once he managed that, escaping this place would be simple.
Yes, so he’d endure until then. Humoring some noble woman’s whims was hardly difficult work.
With that thought settled, the simple melody now playing sounded almost cheerful to him.
Lucian found himself wondering what expression this woman’s face would wear if he vanished without a trace one morning.
***
Late into the night, Frederick prowled the Back Alley.
‘First, find that Slave Trader again. Get him to tell you everything he knows about Lucian.’
‘Yes, ma’am.’
‘He may lie, so if necessary, you have my permission to use threats, or take whatever action you deem required.’
‘I shall carry out your orders.’
Frederick was on his way to execute the secret instructions Eloïse had given him.
The entrance to the Slave Shop operated by the Slave Trader was deliberately concealed in a way that made it difficult to locate. The boundary between wall and door blurred intentionally—designed so only those in the know could find their way inside.
Since this was his second visit, Frederick found the entrance with relative ease.
“Please wait a moment.”
The employee who recognized Frederick escorted him straight to the reception room.
As Frederick sat waiting on the sofa, a scream tore through the air.
Frederick checked the Longsword at his belt and rushed toward the source of the cry.
At the end of a dark corridor, he saw an open door—apparently the Slave Trader’s office.
The employee who had greeted Frederick moments earlier sat slumped on the floor. His profile was ashen with terror, as if he’d witnessed something unspeakable.
“What has happened!”
Frederick stepped into the office and found himself at a loss for words.
“Who, who could do such a thing…….”
The employee’s voice trembled violently.
Upon the desk lay the Slave Trader, mouth agape. His lips and jaw were smeared with dark red blood, and a Longsword was driven ruthlessly through his ravaged abdomen.
In short, the Slave Trader had been murdered.
Unlike the employee, whose face had gone deathly pale, Frederick simply exhaled a deep sigh.
There was information he needed to extract, but fortune had turned against him. The dead, after all, cannot speak.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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