The Slave Is Too Handsome - Chapter 12

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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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A slave who’s far too handsome!
012.
“Don’t just stand there. Come inside.”
……
Lucian seized Eloize’s sleeve and drew her inward. The door slammed shut with a bang the moment she stepped into the changing room, startled by his sudden gesture.
‘Let me have a bit of fun with her.’
Lucian studied Eloize’s expression first. Contrary to his expectation that she’d be flustered, her face remained oddly unmoved.
“What are you doing without clothes on?”
Eloize fixed him with a sharp gaze.
“My, the Young Lady is truly exceptional. Not even a blink at the sight of a man’s bare body?”
Lucian shot back without yielding. Bending his torso, he leveled his eyes with hers. A playful smile curved at the corner of his mouth.
“First, you’re not a man to me—you’re a slave.”
“Ah! M-Master, wait just a moment!”
Eloize pinched both his cheeks.
“Second, this isn’t even the first time I’ve seen your body bare like this.”
She wasn’t wrong. The first time she’d gone to meet Lucian, he’d been just as shirtless as he was now.
“So don’t play pranks like that on me again.”
Having said her piece, Eloize released his cheeks.
“So charm doesn’t work on the Young Lady, then.”
Lucian’s assumption that Eloize, no matter how accomplished, was still just a girl her age—proved wrong yet again. He rubbed his reddened cheeks with the back of his hand.
“Get dressed. Quickly.”
Eloize thrust a shirt from the rack at him.
“I don’t need clothes like this. I’m not a peacock, and they’re cumbersome.”
“Stop being difficult. Any noble wears at least this much.”
“It’s not stubbornness! Besides… the shoulders are too narrow.”
The boy who’d been teasing her just moments before admitted this with a bashfulness that seemed almost adolescent.
Eloize forced the shirt onto him, as if to verify whether he was being truthful.
“He’s right.”
The shirt, unable to accommodate Lucian’s broad shoulders, draped awkwardly across him.
As the fabric slipped down his arm, his wide back emerged fully into view.
Straight shoulders lined at the sides, and beneath them sat smooth musculature arranged in pleasing relief.
……
For a moment she felt the reality of him being a man, but Eloize quickly swept such thoughts away.
In the end, she had to leave the changing room with Lucian, though it pained her.
“If you can give me just a few days, I’ll have it tailored and sent to you straightaway!”
The tailor, reading the situation, sought Eloize’s understanding.
After that, the attendants busied themselves taking his measurements. He stood in a more modest shirt, vest, and jacket that actually fit, rather than the tailor’s masterwork.
The tailor’s disappointment matched Lucian’s. He’d finally thought he’d found the perfect figure for his creation.
“Take all the time you need. Just make it splendid, won’t you?”
“Of course, Noble Lady.”
“Oh, one more thing.”
Eloize covered her mouth with her hand and spoke quietly to the tailor—asking him to say nothing about Lucian’s existence. The owner nodded, his expression reassuring.
“Do visit again, Young Master.”
Several attendants watched Lucian and licked their lips. Everyone in the shop regretted not seeing him in his full finery.
Everyone, that is, except one—the man himself.
‘I hope the clothes take a very long time to finish. Preferably after I’m gone.’
Lucian followed Eloize out of the shop, wearing a placid smile.
“Is our outing finished now?”
“What are you talking about? This is just the beginning.”
Hm?
The carriage carrying them both swept rapidly away from the Tailor Shop toward its next destination.
Once more Lucian descended first to escort Eloize, muttering almost to himself.
“Why are we…”
A massive building loomed into Lucian’s view.
Beneath the vast domed roof, pure white marble columns stretched upward in grand succession, creating an atmosphere as solemn as a temple.
Only then did Lucian realize their destination was the Art Museum.
“Come on, keep up.”
Eloize swept past him toward the Museum’s entrance. Lucian, still dazed, quickly matched her pace.
“His Majesty takes great interest in the arts. He’s certain to take you to the Museum and many other places like it, so shouldn’t you at least be able to say something intelligent when the time comes?”
Lucian doubted such a day would ever come. Looking at the certainty on Eloize’s face as she spoke, he felt an odd pang of sympathy.
“Leaving that aside—they’re actually open today, are they?”
When they’d climbed the tall steps and reached the entrance, Lucian realized that not a soul was to be seen around the Museum—not even an ant. Yet just minutes ago in the carriage, the Plaza and Market had been teeming with people.
“Of course it’s open.”
“But why is there no one…”
“Because I rented the whole place out for the day, that’s why.”
Eloize strode confidently through the entrance with a self-assured laugh. Ha. Lucian’s chest shook with silent laughter at Eloize’s grandeur. Of course—she was a Noble Lady of the esteemed La Croix Ducal Family.
That’s right. A proper young lady of the distinguished La Croix line, indeed.
“What are you doing? Aren’t you coming in?”
Eloize, already well ahead, called back to him. Only then did Lucian snap to attention and follow his mistress inside.
Unaware that someone was watching them both.
……
Only after Eloize and Lucian had vanished inside did a figure emerge suddenly from behind the pillar at the Museum’s corner.
A man who’d been shadowing the wall moved with an enigmatic smile, circling the spot where the two had stood.
***
The spacious interior of the Museum was not merely quiet—it was desolate. Only paintings and frescoes welcomed the pair.
The interior, lined in white marble from ceiling to wall to floor, emanated an uncanny chill. Only the sunlight streaming through the glass windows breathed any life into the space.
‘Places like this have never been my taste.’
Overwhelmed by the Museum’s atmosphere, Lucian stood motionless as a statue.
Eloize took him by the hand and led him toward a painting on the wall.
“Look carefully. This work is distinguished by the most popular painting style of our time…”
Eloize continued her explanation with the ease of an academy professor. From paintings to sculptures to decorative arts—her lecture on art flowed without interruption.
Lucian found Eloize’s depth of knowledge rather impressive. Though he concealed his amazement and only marveled inwardly.
But Lucian wasn’t the only one surprised.
‘He’s actually listening intently.’
As Eloize explained the works and their movements, she watched his reactions carefully.
The boy she’d expected to show boredom was, against her prediction, listening with genuine concentration.
Sometimes he even asked curious questions, suggesting he might have had some natural interest in art.
“Well, that concludes today’s lecture. I’ll give you a bit of free time.”
“Fine.”
Lucian smiled broadly for the first time since leaving the house, stretching his limbs.
But his behavior took an unexpected turn. Though Eloize had assumed he’d sit on a bench and rest during his free time, instead he spent it admiring the artworks without pause. Before some pieces, he even stood in deep contemplation, his expression serious.
‘What kind of life was he living before he met me?’
And it wasn’t just today.
Over the past few days she’d been watching him, she’d noticed that despite his pretense of indifference, despite his show of annoyance and distaste, Lucian possessed a genuine eagerness to learn that even surprised her as his teacher.
Eloize found herself genuinely curious about Lucian as a person, beyond all her plans.
“Young Lady!”
Hm?
Eloize, who’d been speculating about Lucian’s past from various angles, snapped back to attention at the sound of his voice.
Lucian stood at the far end of the exhibition hall, gesturing for her to come closer.
“What’s this painting?”
Lucian pointed to a large work that dominated one wall. Eloize’s expression grew noticeably grave as she looked at it.
“This is…”
***
At the same moment, George was striding purposefully toward Eloize’s Annex Building, a vicious smile on his face.
Today was his chance—the perfect day to repay Eloize and that blond-haired creature for their affront. After all, it was a training day for Eloize’s Exclusive Knight Unit without their commander Frederick present.
‘How exciting.’
As he approached the Training Ground in the Annex, the sounds of training grew audible. Catching sight of knights far taller than himself, George hesitated briefly before walking to the center of the Training Ground and clapping his hands.
“Stop!”
At George’s command, the knights ceased their training and straightened their posture.
George strode toward them, his eyes scanning their faces. Several blond-haired men caught his attention.
“Young Master, what brings you here?”
A man who appeared to be the vice-commander approached and bowed respectfully. George bristled at being called “Young Master” instead of “Young Duke,” but decided to let it pass.
“Let’s cut to the chase. I’m here to catch a rat.”
“A rat, sir?”
At George’s absurd pronouncement, the knights exchanged glances, their eyes communicating confusion.
George looked over each of their faces and continued speaking with contempt.
“A few days ago, I personally witnessed a creature who broke into my beloved sister’s chambers without permission.”

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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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