The Slave Is Too Handsome - Chapter 18

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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 too handsome!
018.
Lucian’s shoulders trembled.
Where had things gone wrong? From the moment he’d fled recklessly, caught up in euphoria? Or when Eloïse came looking for him? No—from the moment he was sold to the slave trader, or perhaps far earlier still…….
What use was it to dwell on such things now? From the moment he met this woman, all the power in this situation had been hers.
“You called for me, miss?”
“Take him away.”
Eloïse issued the command tersely to the two knights who had rushed in.
The knights seized Lucian by both arms and dragged him away. He offered no resistance, letting himself be led.
Bang!
The two knights shoved Lucian into a narrow, darkened room and slammed the door roughly shut. His thoughts had already sunk into the darkness.
***
“Your bath is drawn, miss.”
When Eloïse returned to her bedroom without a sound, Mary spoke carefully.
Soaking in hot water to clear her mind—it was something Eloïse often did when she was in a foul mood.
“I’ll just sleep instead.”
“But I’ve already added the salts, miss? You’ll sleep better after a proper bath.”
In the end, mindful of Mary’s feelings, Eloïse changed into her bathing robe.
Eloïse dipped her hand into the salted water to test the temperature. It was perfect. Soon she sank her entire body into the foaming bath.
‘It was a mistake to treat him kindly just because he was pretty.’
While waiting for Frederick to bring Lucian, Eloïse turned over and over the matter of the slave she had taken in herself.
Lucian, from what she’d observed at his side, was not one to reveal his inner thoughts. He spoke well on the surface, occasionally cracked pointless jokes, but even those felt like performance.
‘He only seemed sincere when he brought up that fellow Brick.’
Eloïse smiled coldly. The news about catching Brick had been a perfect lie. Lucian had walked straight into her trap.
‘I’m afraid the other one slipped through our fingers by the narrowest margin. I have failed you.’
Frederick, who had returned late, began by confessing his own mistake.
The loss of that one left a bitter taste in her mouth. Still, she consoled herself that at least she had reclaimed Lucian.
‘Lucian.’
Just thinking of him sent heat rising to her rosy cheeks.
‘How dare you betray me?!’
To suppress the mounting anger, Eloïse curled herself into a ball in the water. She had come into the bath to sort out her thoughts, but instead her mind had only grown more tangled.
‘I happened to encounter the Second Prince earlier, and he mentioned that he was out selecting a gift for you, miss.’
Frederick’s final words came back to her.
‘Why would he go out shopping when the Imperial Palace could provide anything he needs?’
Eloïse saw through the Second Prince’s intentions perfectly.
His birthday was imminent. Before then, it seemed he was planning to make an engagement proposal to her.
“Who said I’d agree? If you want to marry so badly, do it alone!”
The more she thought about it, the hotter her blood boiled. Eloïse rose abruptly from the bath. The soapy water spilled over the edge with a loud splash.
“No matter what it takes, I have to make Lucian the Crown Prince. I have to.”
Eloïse murmured it like a prayer.
***
“Good morning, mistress.”
Eloïse, who had been reading the newspaper on the study sofa, merely glanced up to confirm Lucian’s face before quickly looking away.
‘This fellow Brick must be someone very important to him.’
From what she could see, Lucian was smiling brightly as if nothing had happened. Mary, showing good intuition, had also made sure his appearance was neat and tidy.
Clearly he had decided to play the obedient servant until Brick’s safety was guaranteed.
“Did you sleep poorly last night, mistress?”
Lucian, undeterred by her blatant snub, approached Eloïse. She accepted his concern as mockery, twisting her lips into a smile.
“Oh, I was up all night pondering. How to educate you. How to discipline you so I can straighten out that wayward mind of yours. The thought was so delightful I couldn’t sleep at all.”
…….
Lucian’s entire body went rigid as stone. His mind had stiffened too, leaving him groping for words, when Eloïse suddenly shot up from her chair.
“From now on, except for bathing and sleeping, you’re to be by my side at all times. In unavoidable circumstances, I’ll station multiple watchers on you. That’s right—I’ll assign your supervision to Pin, Ned, and Gabe.”
In other words, Lucian would have almost no time to himself.
Though he was already breathless at the prospect, Lucian forced a smile. He’d prepared himself for this much.
“Yes, I accept your orders.”
“Miss!”
Mary burst through the door, bumped Lucian aside, and approached Eloïse. Lucian, shoved to the side without warning, stared at Mary in disbelief.
“Those three—they’re under the young master George now!”
“What? Why?”
Lucian stepped back and watched the situation unfold. The three that Mary mentioned must be Ned, Pin, and Gabe.
“I’m not entirely sure, but it seems the young master stirred up the Knights’ Order something fierce.”
“That boy’s got nerve. So where’s George now?”
“I’ll show you, miss.”
Mary rolled up her sleeves decisively and took the lead. As Eloïse followed, she suddenly turned her head back to Lucian.
“Are you just going to stand there?”
“I was already planning to follow you.”
The moment Lucian snapped to attention and pressed close behind Eloïse, a familiar face appeared.
“Miss, the Duke has summoned you.”
It was Arthur, the butler.
“Now?”
“Yes, it seems rather urgent.”
Eloïse made that sort of expression—what was happening today, anyway?—and nodded.
The three crossed the beautifully manicured garden and arrived at the Main House.
“What are you thinking so hard about?”
Mary jabbed Lucian’s arm, noticing his dazed expression.
His mind had been occupied with thoughts of Brick, and only now did he truly take in the sights of the Main House.
The Annex where Eloïse lived was lovely, but the Main House was different from the very start—the scale of the mansion and gardens themselves were on another level.
‘I’d believe it was the Imperial Palace itself.’
Looking at the endless gardens, he scoffed inwardly. Under normal circumstances, he would have marveled, but not now.
‘Brick isn’t dead, is he?’
The thought that Brick was locked away somewhere in this vast Duke’s Mansion sent a chill through his chest. He realized anew that Eloïse letting him live rather than killing him was nothing short of miraculous.
If he made the Duke’s House his enemy……. He didn’t want to imagine what came after.
“Hey, quit dawdling!”
By the time Lucian snapped back to awareness at Mary’s criticism, Eloïse had already entered the mansion.
The interior of the mansion was every bit as splendid and ornate as the exterior. There were far more servants than in the Annex.
‘The atmosphere is different.’
The difference was this: while Eloïse’s Annex, despite its beauty, retained a certain warmth, the Main House was permeated with a cold, austere atmosphere.
“Wait here for a moment.”
The Duke’s study was on the second floor. Standing before the study door, Eloïse glanced once at Mary, then once at Lucian, before stepping inside.
“What did you wish to see me about?”
Eloïse’s tone, though respectful, was distinctly cold. The Duke, who had been reading documents at his desk, looked up.
“Is it so strange that a father would spend time with his daughter?”
“You wouldn’t have called me without reason.”
Suspecting the conversation would be lengthy, Eloïse seated herself rigidly on the opposite side of the desk.
“You’re aware that in a fortnight it will be George’s birthday, and in two months it will be yours.”
“And?”
“It’s time we found you a match.”
Here it comes. Eloïse carefully gritted her teeth to hide the tremor in her eyes.
“The Imperial Palace has sent word. They say there’s no noblewoman more suited to be the Second Prince’s consort than you. I agree. There’s no match worthy of you except the Second Prince himself.”
“I don’t see it that way.”
“……Do you perhaps have someone else in mind?”
The Duke’s eyes twitched slightly.
The Duke had gotten completely the wrong impression, and all Eloïse could do was sigh.
“I don’t wish to marry. I will inherit the title.”
A shadow fell across the Duke’s face. He muttered as if speaking to himself.
“The Ducal Title, you mean.”
“Then am I to go to the Miller Count’s House and ask for a countess seat?”
Eloïse clenched her fist on the armrest.
“The position of heir goes to George, as you well know.”
“No. It’s mine.”
“Eloïse, my child. Not because you’re my daughter, but because anyone can see you’re beautiful and brilliant. There’s no other noblewoman as suited for the position of Crown Princess as you are. Everyone desires that seat. But you understand, don’t you? Only you can claim it.”
His cajoling, as if trying to soothe a child, only grated on Eloïse’s nerves further.
“I don’t need a marionette’s seat like that. Becoming a Duke and leading the house better is——”
“Eloïse!”
The Duke, rarely raising his voice, finally shouted. Eloïse didn’t budge.
“Everything you’ve said can be done as the Crown Princess as well. You can support George when he becomes Duke, and George in turn will be your strong backing——”
“Are you trying to ruin the house?”
Eloïse decided she would hold back no longer.

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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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