The Slave Is Too Handsome - Chapter 13

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

The slave is far too handsome!
013.
At Jorgeau’s abrupt remark, the Vice Captain drew a measured line.
“That cannot be. We stand watch at the Annex Building every night, and from the beginning of the month until now, there has been nothing worth reporting.”
The knights exchanged glances. They grasped Jorgeau’s intention at once.
Ah, he’s come looking for trouble while the Lady and the Commander are away!
“What? Are you saying I’m lying?!”
Jorgeau’s face flushed crimson as he raised his voice and pointed accusingly.
“I saw them clearly! In the dead of night! In Elowise’s chamber! That swaying blond hair!”
“I’m not suggesting you’re lying, merely that—”
“And wearing a Navy Training Uniform, no less!”
That last claim was a patent lie, yet it had its intended effect. At the mention of the Navy Training Uniform, every knight in the order bowed their head to stare at the Navy Training Uniform they wore.
“None of us would ever—!”
When one knight, unable to endure Jorgeau’s insolence any longer, burst forth with a cry of injustice, the Vice Captain held him back. Then he turned to Jorgeau and asked calmly.
“Was the man you saw fair-haired, sir?”
“Yes!”
A brief silence fell between Jorgeau and the Vice Captain. The frown that had creased the Vice Captain’s brow smoothed gradually away.
“Recruits. Step forward.”
Before the Vice Captain’s words had finished, the knights parted like the Red Sea opening.
There, standing at the back, watching the commotion unfold, were Ned, Finn, and Gabe—now fully exposed.
“Come on, the Vice Captain’s calling! Move it!”
“Oof!”
One knight kicked Finn’s backside for good measure, and the three men shuffled forward reluctantly.
“So, daring to break into the Lady’s bedchamber without permission—is the culprit among you three?”
Jorgeau, leaning on one leg, narrowed his eyes as he looked over the three men one by one.
“No, sir! We’re innocent—”
Finn, flustered, began to protest, but Ned jabbed him sharply in the ribs to keep quiet.
Jorgeau continued to scrutinize the three men with half-closed eyes.
The man had been blond, yes, but taller than these three, and far more handsome besides.
“It seems familiar, but I can’t quite recall who it was, truth be told.”
“Then—”
“Hrgh!”
This time, the Vice Captain delivered a kick to Ned’s back for all to see.
Under the sudden assault, Ned tumbled comically to the ground. Gabe and Finn toppled after him.
“We’ll have to wait for the culprit to confess.”
With those words, the other knights rushed forward and began enthusiastically beating the three men.
“That’s a fine idea.”
Jorgeau watched the three men being trampled and laughed without shame. His mood, spoiled by Elowise, was beginning to ease.
“Argh!”
“Un—we’re innocent—oof—we beg your mercy!”
The Vice Captain felt something similar. Elowise’s knight order, composed of elite few, was primarily made up of second and third sons from good houses, along with lower nobility.
For four men of unknown origin to join their ranks was unthinkable.
‘What in the world was the Lady thinking….’
The pride of knights sworn to serve the Legitimate Heir of the Duc de la Croix Household had cracked. Their own sense of honor wavered.
Before discontent festered openly, a hierarchy needed to be established.
Perhaps that was why the Vice Captain found himself grateful, for once, for Jorgeau’s recklessness.
‘A shame the most insolent one of all got away.’
***
“What kind of painting has you so transfixed?”
Lucian glanced sidelong at Elowise’s silent face and asked. Her gaze was fixed upon the large canvas hanging on the wall.
‘Well, even a talented noble lady can’t know everything.’
The moment Lucian turned to leave, Elowise slowly opened her mouth.
“It’s a portrait of the Imperial Family.”
“The Imperial Family?”
“Yes, look closely at it. It’s from over ten years ago, and it’s rare to see the current Emperor and Empress in person like this.”
Lucian retraced his steps and stood beside Elowise.
The atmosphere of the imperial couple standing side by side in the center of the painting was peculiar. Even the disordered background seemed to carry a melancholy air.
“Why did the artist paint such a somber portrait?”
“Mm?”
“Look at their expressions. From a distance, I thought they were smiling. But up close, it seems more like… weeping.”
Lucian, studying the painting intently, gestured to the couple’s faces. Elowise’s eyes followed his long fingers.
‘How perceptive.’
Elowise did not tell Lucian an important fact.
That the First Prince had disappeared while this portrait was being painted. That the work had been abandoned as a result, and the Court Painter had rushed to finish it in this strange atmosphere.
The painting, which had inadvertently preserved a tragic season, had been stored away in the Imperial Palace’s warehouse before eventually being transferred to the Art Museum.
‘There’s no reason Lucian would know such things.’
Lucian remained lost in thought as he gazed at the painting.
“No, wait. The Empress does seem to be smiling.”
“Is there anything else the painting brings to mind?”
Elowise asked lightly of the man who was murmuring to himself.
“Hmm. The bouquet the Empress is holding—doesn’t it seem out of place?”
“How so?”
Lucian, studying the painting with a serious expression, pointed with his index finger at the bouquet.
“She’s wearing heavy winter clothing, yet she’s holding flowers that bloom only in spring. I suspect the artist originally intended to paint something else, not flowers at all.”
“…”
“But something arose, so he hastily painted flowers over it instead, and they don’t fit at all.”
After staring at the painting for some time, Lucian slowly turned his head and met Elowise’s eyes directly.
“If my guess is correct, what should have been in the Empress’s arms wasn’t a bouquet—it was the missing First Prince.”
It was the perfect answer. Elowise felt a chill run through her entire body for a moment. She suppressed the sensation and laughed.
“An amusing theory.”
“Theory?”
“Unfortunately, there’s no such dramatic backstory. The Court Painter fell ill during the commission and had to finish hastily, which is why the painting turned out this way.”
“I see…”
At Elowise’s words, Lucian nodded awkwardly, feeling suddenly self-conscious.
“Still, your story was entertaining.”
“Are you teasing me?”
The two bickered as they walked toward the exit.
By the time Elowise and Lucian emerged from the Art Museum, the sun was already setting.
Elowise walked straight toward the carriage waiting for them. That was when it happened.
“Mama! Mamaaa!”
A child’s cry echoed through the air.
In the middle of the Plaza, a young girl stood alone, weeping. The people around her watched uncertainly, but no one stepped forward to approach her.
After quickly assessing the situation, Elowise moved toward the carriage without much concern. Then she heard rapid footsteps moving away.
“Lucian?”
When Elowise called his name, Lucian was already running toward the crying child.
“Lucia—”
Elowise trailed off, staring blankly at his retreating figure.
He had knelt to match the child’s eye level. More than that, he wore a tender smile she had never seen before.
“Where is your mama? Why are you crying all alone?”
As Lucian spoke softly to comfort the child, her cries gradually subsided.
“Your mother will be here soon. Would you wait with me until then?”
When Lucian wiped the child’s tears away with his sleeve, she nodded in understanding.
Just as he said, the child’s mother soon appeared and thanked Lucian profusely.
“Thank you so much, sir!”
“Mm?”
The child gave him a bow and extended a small fist. Not understanding the gesture at first, Lucian belatedly opened his palm, and the child placed something into it.
After exchanging farewells with mother and child, Lucian glanced back at the carriage and suddenly remembered what he’d forgotten.
‘I’m done for….’
Indeed. Elowise stood before the carriage with a stern expression on her face.
The problem was that whenever he saw a crying child, he couldn’t help himself. Lucian forced a bright smile and trudged toward his mistress.
“My apologies for the delay, ma’am.”
Only when it’s convenient for you, is it “ma’am”? Elowise nodded and boarded the carriage first. Lucian hurriedly followed.
An awkward silence hung over the carriage as it traveled toward the Duc de la Croix Household.
Lucian had expected her to reproach him for his impulsive behavior. But contrary to his expectations, Elowise remained silent, staring blankly out the window. Her eyes tracked the mother and child as they walked together in the distance.
“…”
Lucian, who had briefly considered saying something, turned his head the other way instead. Elowise’s expression resembled the Emperor’s face they had seen in the Art Museum.
***
After returning home, Lucian endured Elowise’s rigorous instruction and did not reach the Dormitory until nearly midnight.
‘Where did everyone go?’
The dark Dormitory was silent. He assumed they were all asleep, but what greeted him was only four empty beds.
‘Just as well, I suppose.’
Lucian lay down at once and pulled something from his rear pocket.
It was the Note the child had given him in front of the Art Museum. The moment he unfolded it, Lucian smiled.

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