The Slave Is Too Handsome - Chapter 11

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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!
011.
“The Slave Merchant is dead.”
“Yes.”
Frederick had come to Elowise’s office early that morning and delivered a concise report of what had transpired the night before.
He had almost never failed to execute Elowise’s orders. Perhaps for that reason, though he showed no outward sign, Frederick’s pride had cracked somewhat as he studied his mistress’s face carefully.
His master, stern yet magnanimous, sat lost in thought with an expressionless face, but Frederick could not begin to guess what occupied her mind.
……
Suddenly, he recalled the atmosphere of that day. The reek of decomposed flesh had assailed his nostrils savagely. The two unclosed eyes had lain desiccated, their pupils rolled back. A horrifying spectacle he would carry to his grave.
He had thought many times that it was a mercy Elowise had not witnessed it.
“From the wound marks, I suspect this was no ordinary man. It could be a matter of old grudges——the Slave Merchant was known to have many enemies.”
Unsettled by his master’s silence, Frederick added to his account. Elowise’s green eyes remained fixed on her desk for a long while.
According to Frederick’s report, from the moment Elowise had departed with Lucian and the three slaves until the previous night, there had been no other actual transactions with customers.
It had to be connected to Lucian. Elowise’s instinct was certain of it.
“I will investigate further who the culprit is and what manner of man Lucian truly is.”
Only then did Elowise turn her gaze toward Frederick.
“Yes. And be careful. Something tells me this is no ordinary man. As for Lucian’s past——we can uncover it through other means.”
It was at that moment.
Knock-knock.
At the sound of the knock, which dispelled the heavy atmosphere, both Elowise and Frederick’s eyes turned toward the closed door.
The door opened soon after, and the subject of their conversation appeared in person.
“My…… master.”
Lucian, who had been about to address Elowise by her usual name, hastily corrected himself. Frederick’s piercing gaze had forced his hand.
Though many of the employees in the Annex looked upon Lucian and the three slaves with disdain, Frederick’s animosity was distinctly sharper. Whenever he saw Lucian in Elowise’s presence, he made his displeasure abundantly clear.
As if anyone would choose to be here, Lucian thought indignantly to himself.
“Are you ready?”
Elowise rose from her seat with a bright smile and approached Lucian.
Today was the day she had arranged to leave early with him.
When Lucian had asked where they were going, Elowise had vaguely replied that he would see when they arrived, and that the outing was part of his education as well.
“Maery will have called the carriage.”
Elowise said cheerfully as she drew near to Lucian’s side.
Frederick’s gaze remained fixed on Lucian. Uncomfortable under that stare, Lucian found himself reaching out without thinking and brushing Elowise’s lustrous hair back behind her ear. He watched surreptitiously for Frederick’s reaction.
‘There now.’
Just as he expected. Frederick’s already rigid face darkened further. Had Elowise not been present, the atmosphere would have suggested he might draw his blade on the spot.
“What?”
At Elowise’s question, Lucian twisted his lips into a smile and spoke with unusual tenderness.
“Your hair was falling across your cheek, so I adjusted it for you, master.”
Lucian deliberately emphasized the word master. Watching Frederick’s bristling reaction was quite gratifying.
Frederick finally withdrew his sharp gaze from Lucian and asked, his emotions tightly restrained.
“Miss, shall I accompany you?”
“No need——we’re not going far. Attend to your duties.”
Elowise’s kindness unintentionally pushed Frederick’s mood even lower.
“……Yes, understood.”
The two departed the office before Frederick had even finished speaking.
Just before the door closed, Lucian turned back to flash Frederick an insolent smile. The door slammed shut with a bang before Frederick could utter a word.
He clenched his fist tightly.
You scoundrel. I’ll settle this with you during training.
A murderous glint flickered in Frederick’s eyes.
***
“Where are we going? Won’t you tell me now?”
The moment they boarded the carriage, Lucian changed his demeanor and asked with a sulk. He sat across from Elowise, his body leaning comfortably against the wall, one leg crossed casually.
Elowise, by contrast, maintained her usual upright and elegant posture even within the carriage.
The carriage heading into the city carried only the two of them——no guards, no escorts.
“How amusing——were you not so respectfully calling me master just a moment ago? Now you’re already shortening your words.”
“Miss, would you be so kind as to inform me of our destination?”
……
“Well, how is that?”
Lucian immediately altered his tone at Elowise’s rebuke, mimicking Frederick’s manner of speech mockingly.
“You’ll see once we arrive. And——”
“Just how remarkable must this place be for you to be so secretive about it?”
“Don’t go needling Frederick. You’ll only exhaust yourself.”
Elowise said with a laugh, her perceptiveness cutting through his shallow scheme. Lucian, embarrassed that his ploy had been so easily seen through, shifted his gaze out the window.
In the meanwhile, the carriage came to a gentle halt before the Capital City’s finest Boutique. It was Elowise’s regular establishment.
Having learned some manners, however modest, Lucian stepped down first and offered his hand to Elowise.
‘Hmm, not bad——my teaching has borne some fruit, hasn’t it?’
Elowise accepted his escort and entered the Boutique.
“My, the Lady of House La Croix!”
The moment the door opened, the proprietor and the shop attendants who had been waiting inside formed a line to greet them.
Unlike Lucian, who was flustered by such overwhelming hospitality, Elowise proceeded inside as though such treatment were entirely natural.
“How have you been?”
“Wonderfully, thanks to you! Though I understand today it’s not a dress for you, my lady, but something different?”
“That’s right. I need to have some clothes tailored for this one here.”
Elowise gestured toward Lucian, who was standing woodenly behind her. The instant she did, countless eyes that had been fixed on Elowise pivoted as one toward Lucian.
“What? Me?”
Lucian felt the weight of those stares and froze in place.
Regardless, the attendants continued to study him and began whispering rapidly among themselves.
“Wow, so handsome.”
“Even more impressive than Prince Camilo.”
“I’ve never seen such a beautiful man.”
The attendants’ exclamations reached both Elowise and Lucian clearly. While Elowise seemed pleased by the reaction, Lucian found himself at a loss for words before such transparent praise directed at him.
He cast a desperate look toward Elowise for help, but she had already moved to join the proprietor.
The proprietor, who had been Elowise’s dressmaker for many years, likewise regarded Lucian with interest, appraising him from head to foot.
A tall frame, broad shoulders, a muscular build that was evident even through his clothes, and a beautiful face besides.
To the eyes of a proprietor who had long served every manner of noble in the Capital City, Lucian was a rare and striking beauty whom she coveted immediately.
‘Whatever he wears will be magnificent.’
The proprietor smiled, thinking it was finally time to unveil a masterwork she had painstakingly created.
“I don’t believe we’ve met before. Surely you must be the lady’s lover?”
“Ha ha, lover? Nothing of the sort. He’s a distant relation of mine, come up from the countryside. I’m showing him the Capital City while he’s here.”
“Ah, I see. Such a waste for him to languish in the provinces.”
“Now then, shall we look at some clothes?”
“Of course.”
The proprietor clapped her hands lightly, and the attendants, whose eyes had been gleaming as they watched Lucian, moved with practiced efficiency.
“W-Wait, hold on just a——”
Several attendants urged Lucian forward by his shoulders, leading him into the back room where the dressing chamber was located.
For Lucian, facing such a situation for the first time, the experience resembled being herded like livestock to the slaughter. He cast a pleading look toward Elowise, who merely laughed and waved.
“Miss, would you like some tea?”
“Please.”
A short time later, Elowise sat on an elegant sofa placed before the dressing chamber entrance, sipping fragrant tea. She was waiting for Lucian to emerge in his new clothes.
The proprietor, confident that no face could justify the garments she had so carefully preserved, was prepared to display them with pride.
Meanwhile, Lucian had only just managed to refuse an attendant who insisted on dressing him.
He stared at the obviously expensive and elaborate clothes in his hands and sighed deeply. The other garments they had thrust upon him were no different.
Who did they think he was——some court jester who would parade about in such finery?
His bewildered face was reflected in the dressing chamber mirror. At last, he set his jaw and began undoing his shirt buttons one by one.
‘He’s taking rather long.’
Elowise, having drunk half her tea, began to show signs of impatience. The proprietor and attendants had stepped away to select additional garments.
“Lucian, are you nearly done?”
Unable to wait any longer, Elowise called out toward the dressing chamber door, but there came no answer.
What’s taking him so long? Has something happened in there?
She rose from her seat and walked slowly toward the door, about to call his name again.
“Luci——”
“Elowise, help me out.”
A small voice escaped from inside the dressing chamber. Startled, Elowise grasped the door handle and pulled it gently. The door slid open with a soft sound.
“What are you——”
The unexpected sight before her made Elowise’s face stiffen at once.
Lucian’s bare chest, unclothed and waiting, met her gaze.

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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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