The Slave Is Too Handsome - Chapter 15

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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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That slave is far too handsome!
015.
“Theory and practice are equally important, after all. Haha.”
Lucian added this while observing Eloïse’s eyes, which held no warmth despite the smile playing at her lips. He then returned to his seat and fixed his gaze upon the half-read book before him.
“I like seeing you work so diligently.”
Eloïse threw out the remark—whether sincere or false, he could not say—as she examined the correspondence.
It was Mary who carefully broached the subject next.
“Miss, there is one more important matter.”
“What is it?”
“Susan from the main house mentioned that young Master George has been pestering the Duke to throw him a birthday party.”
…….
Eloïse’s expression hardened noticeably. Mary’s eyebrows twitched sharply at catching this shift.
“The young master clearly doesn’t understand what confinement means!”
“Let him pester all he likes. He’ll just end up celebrating alone anyway.”
“But still——!”
Eloïse tore open one of the envelopes as though dismissing the matter entirely. Mary, who had been grumbling to herself, finally fell silent.
‘He’s not a child, and a birthday party? Even if one were held, what would be the harm?’
Lucian, pretending to read while keeping his ears open to the two women, twirled his pen thoughtfully.
Well, it’s not my concern. Lucian’s mouth curved upward slowly. His time here would end soon enough, and wasting effort on trivial matters was pointless.
Time was entirely on his side.
***
“Perfect.”
Eloïse, standing before the Carriage, examined Lucian’s attire meticulously once more.
He had dressed in the Guard Uniform as instructed, and on top of that, wore an uncomfortable Mask that concealed half his face.
‘Why must it be so thorough?’
He was not the only Guard Knight. Lucian shifted his gaze. A man dressed identically in a Guard Uniform stood behind Eloïse.
‘One person to be rid of.’
Judging by his inexperienced face, he appeared to be an amateur. Subduing one man would be simple enough, but there was no need to draw unwanted attention.
Lucian decided to look on the bright side. When he departed, Eloïse would need someone to protect her anyway.
“Why are you so tense?”
“Huh? Oh, no, yes?”
At her clear voice, Lucian’s eyes darted about before fixing upon his mistress below. Eloïse was studying him with a peculiar gaze.
“Let’s go.”
She withdrew her scrutiny and extended her gloved right hand. Lucian took it naturally.
Eloïse ascended the Carriage with Lucian’s assistance.
The Carriage bearing the noblewoman and her Guard Knight moved slowly toward Downtown.
Lucian made every effort to behave as usual.
When they arrived at the Tea Room advertised in the pamphlet, when Eloïse sat at the best table and conducted business with her partner, when he stood before them on guard—he maintained the facade throughout.
‘If only time would pass more quickly.’
Lucian’s gaze remained fixed on the large window. The appointed hour approached as the sun began its descent.
As the blue sky gradually transformed, Eloïse rose from her seat.
“Shall we head back?”
“I will call for the Carriage at once.”
The Guard Knight departed the Tea Room with swift steps. Once they were alone, Eloïse tapped Lucian’s arm.
“Care for some tea? You’ve been curious about it.”
“No, that won’t be necessary.”
“Why the formal speech? When we’re alone, you always drop it.”
Well… it may be the last time, so I thought to observe some decorum.
Lucian was grateful for the Mask. Without it, his rising smile would have been painfully obvious.
“There are eyes watching and ears listening in the vicinity.”
Despite the excitement churning beneath, Lucian spoke with measured composure. Eloïse nodded as though accepting his explanation.
“Wait for the Carriage outside then.”
“Very well.”
Eloïse followed Lucian out of the Tea Room.
The Plaza sprawling before the Tea Room was crowded with people. The Carriage had not yet arrived.
‘It should be here by now.’
Lucian’s blue eyes moved swiftly across the crowd. He was searching for a man with brick-colored hair.
Would the Carriage arrive first, or his ally?
“Who are you waiting for?”
!!!
“You were staring at people like a child waiting for his mother.”
At Eloïse’s calm voice, Lucian started so violently he trembled like an aspen leaf. He swiftly restored his blank expression and answered levelly.
“Simply enjoying watching people. It’s been so long since I’ve been out—everything seems amusing.”
“Suit yourself.”
Eloïse dismissed him curtly. Truly, there was something unsettling about this woman.
It was then.
A Carriage bearing the La Croix Dukedom banner emerged slowly from the opposite direction.
And in the opposite corner, a man with brick-colored hair came briefly into view.
The man wore a Black Cloak with its attached hood drawn up. He looked suspicious at a glance, but that was not what mattered.
‘Now. I must leave before the Guard Knight returns.’
“My lady.”
“What.”
“Though our time together was brief, I am grateful. Farewell.”
“Lucian?!”
Everything happened in an instant. The Guard Cloak billowed before her, already receding.
Just before the Carriage could come to a halt directly before Eloïse, Lucian bolted across the opposite side without a backward glance.
By the time Eloïse regained her senses, he was already far away.
“Miss!”
The Guard Knight, having grasped the situation, leaped from the Carriage and rushed to her side.
Boom!
The plaza-goers turned with startled faces toward Eloïse.
A gust of wind swirled around Eloïse, and the ground beneath her feet trembled as though struck by an earthquake.
Nine Guard Knights materialized before her.
Tall as ancient oaks, dark-complexioned, they emanated the grim atmosphere of men freshly returned from hell itself.
Frederick, standing among them, approached his mistress with a hardened expression.
“Miss, I shall apprehend that wretched scoundrel at once.”
Frederick, who had remained concealed until now, ground his teeth audibly.
“Wait just a moment longer.”
“Yes?”
Frederick studied his mistress’s face. A faint smile played at her lips, as though amused.
‘How conveniently everything unfolds just as I anticipated. How dreadfully dull.’
Eloïse had deliberately brought more guards than usual for this very moment.
From the moment she received word of the slave trader’s death, she had suspected that someone external sought Lucian.
If that was the case, she would snip the bud before it bloomed. Lucian was hers, after all.
‘Even so, how dare he betray me? I won’t forgive this.’
Eloïse’s mouth twisted into a sinister smile before she adopted the solemn mask of command.
“Pursue him at a pace where you seem to be catching up yet not quite. Let Lucian lower his guard completely. You must not apprehend him until after we’ve identified who he meets with.”
“Understood.”
“If possible, bring back the one he contacts. If capture is impossible, at least return with knowledge of their identity.”
“Yes, I shall carry out your orders precisely.”
All the knights bowed in acknowledgment of Eloïse’s command.
All nine, save the one who remained to guard Eloïse, moved in perfect synchronization. They raced in the direction Lucian had vanished.
“Miss, would you prefer to wait inside the Tea Room?”
“Why? It’ll be over soon. I’ll wait in the Carriage.”
“Very good.”
And so Eloïse boarded the Carriage and settled in for a brief respite, contemplating what punishment to inflict upon Lucian’s return.
***
“Huff, heave!”
Lucian tore through the narrow Alley at full speed. The brick-colored hair of the man ahead was visible in his sight.
The man seemed to deem this place still unsafe and did not slow even upon seeing Lucian.
Seized by a sudden thought, Lucian glanced behind him.
“Huff!”
Not merely one of Eloïse’s knights, but several were pursuing him.
‘Where on earth did they come from? Wasn’t there only one guard?’
His eyes met Frederick’s, who led the chase from the front.
“You there, halt!”
Would you stop if you were in his position? Lucian, his face twisted in exasperation, turned his head and pushed himself to run harder. His thighs felt ready to burst.
“Stop, you bastard!”
The pursuit dragged on for a considerable time. For all that they were a noblewoman’s knights, they were knights nonetheless—disciplined and enduring. Even Lucian, whose stamina was formidable, began to tire.
“Brick!”
At last, running alongside the brick-haired man, Lucian called out his name with relief.
“Reunions can wait—first, let’s lose these dogs.”
The man called Brick responded with a half-smile.
“Right, I’ll go this way and you go that way. After we’ve shaken them, meet me behind the newspaper stand in the Plaza.”
Without waiting for Brick’s acknowledgment, Lucian veered sharply to the right down another Alley.
Two men wearing hats stood blocking the narrow path.
“Move!”
Lucian, his brow furrowed, called out to them. But the men merely cast him an irritated glance.
“Move, I said!”
At his second cry, the two men finally stepped aside, clearing the way.
Just as he rushed to pass them——
Crash!
“Oof!”
In a heartbeat, one man blocked his path again, and before Lucian could dodge, he collided with the man and tumbled to the ground.
“Got you, you bastard.”

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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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