The Slave Is Too Handsome - Chapter 23

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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!
023.
The fateful day had arrived. On George’s birthday, Lucian woke earlier than usual. Whether it was hope that he could finally leave, or something else entirely…….
“…….”
He couldn’t say if it was unease about Eloïse, left alone. Lucian sat on the bed, staring for a long time at the door connecting to Eloïse’s bedroom.
‘She’ll have guessed, but tomorrow the young lady plans to rest all day, so study on your own.’
Following Mary’s words from the previous night, Lucian had killed time studying alone in the office.
Pretending to read his books, he sketched out his escape plan. Through his walks, he’d been gradually mapping the geography of the Annex Building and its surroundings.
‘I don’t know everything, but at least I know the way to the Back Gate.’
After running through the simulation several times, eating his final meal, and enduring the tedium of his cramped room, the night he’d been waiting for at last arrived.
Lucian piled scattered odds and ends onto his bed and draped a blanket over them. At a glance, it would look as though he were sleeping. Even if his absence were discovered, he’d already be gone by then.
Bang! Boom!
Loud sounds echoed from afar—the crack of fireworks. The party was in full swing.
‘If I’d known, I’d have given that George bastard a parting blow.’
No, don’t let petty feelings shake you. Lucian straightened his clothes and composure.
Before leaving his cell of a room, one he would not return to, he did a final check of his belongings. He’d stayed here long enough, yet there was little worth taking.
‘I’ll take this, at least.’
Lucian went to a shirt hanging on the wall and carefully detached the topmost button.
‘Always dress neatly. It suits you well.’
He turned the button over in his hands like a jeweler handling precious stones, then slipped it deep into his trouser pocket.
He turned the knob of the door connecting to Eloïse’s bedroom. As expected, it wasn’t locked. It seemed Lucian was the only one in the Annex Building who knew this door existed.
“…….”
Eloïse’s bedroom was dark, as always.
Lucian moved silently toward the window, each step careful. Her room was on the second floor—more than high enough to climb down the outside wall.
It was then, taking one last look toward Eloïse, that he froze.
“……What?”
Against all expectation, the wide bed stood empty, its mistress absent. Lucian’s body turned instinctively. Search as he might, he was alone in her bedroom.
‘Where did she go at this hour? Could it be…… she went to that damned party?’
Lucian’s face twisted. His traitorous heart quickened.
“Calm down. This isn’t about her.”
What matters is me. This is my last chance to escape.
Having steadied himself, Lucian opened the window. Cool night air rushed in along with the noise of music flooding the bedroom. He brushed off his hands and, gripping the exterior wall, lowered himself through the frame.
“Phew.”
The moment his feet touched the ground, a breath of relief escaped him unbidden.
He surveyed the surroundings and made his way toward the Main Building. Suspiciously, there was barely anyone about.
‘It’s coming undone this easily?’
Lucian kept his guard raised as he advanced toward the Main Building, ducking behind trees whenever he glimpsed Eloïse’s knights.
As the Main Building drew near, he caught the festive atmosphere. Figures strolled through the Garden beyond. Perfect. He just needed to slip into the crowd and make it to the Back Gate.
“Kuh-uh, hmm.”
A man lay sprawled across the lawn, snoring loudly. He wore a ridiculous cat mask and clutched an empty wine bottle in one hand. Lucian passed him, then stopped two paces later and turned back.
“Pardon me.”
He glanced around, then dragged the man’s arms toward a secluded spot.
“Heave.”
Before a quiet cottage, Lucian released the drunken man.
“Since I’m already being rude, I’ll be a bit more rude.”
Lucian stripped away the man’s cloak, then removed the mask from his face. The man, his skin scratched in the process, slept soundly through it all.
‘A cat mask? How irritating…….’
Naturally it was a cat mask. Lucian put it on and draped the cloak about himself. A thorough disguise was better safe.
It was then.
“I’m not sure I can pull this off.”
“My Lord, or rather—brother. You said you wanted Eloïse. I want to become family with you too!”
At the name Eloïse, Lucian’s hands—which had been fastening the Shirt Button—froze. He looked around, but saw no one.
Only what looked like a Warehouse building remained nearby.
“I want her, of course I want her. Only…….”
Lucian pressed himself against the wooden wall and brought his ear close. The murmur of voices grew clearer. Two men were conversing.
“It’s not difficult. Exactly as I explained in my letter. Just keep that girl occupied until dawn—until sunrise. Then I’ll bring people at the right moment. All we need is the impression that you and Eloïse spent the night together.”
Lucian’s eyes sharpened. He circled slowly around the Warehouse, searching for a gap.
Through the gaps in the rough wooden planks, he glimpsed the two men.
‘George!’
Even in the darkness, George’s repugnant face was unmistakable. Beside him stood a short, squat old man, gnawing his thumb with anxiety that didn’t suit his years.
“If it pleases you, spending the Wedding Night in advance wouldn’t be so bad. Hehehehe. And if a nephew comes of it, all the better.”
“What? The Wedding Night?”
“You’re to be husband and wife anyway, aren’t you? Once that’s done, even the second Prince won’t want Eloïse anymore. Her father will permit the marriage to you as well.”
“That…… that makes sense?”
“Of course! Just trust me, brother.”
At the word “brother,” the Baron laughed unpleasantly. Lucian’s hands clenched into fists. He wished he’d brought a blade.
“All well and good, all well and good, but I’m worried about how to get la Croix to come out.”
“Don’t worry about that either. I’ll bring Eloïse to you somehow. You just wait in the Barn.”
“Right, right, I understand. That’s the Barn at the far end of the Garden, yes?”
“That’s the one. There’s an old ash tree standing beside it, so you shouldn’t have trouble finding it. It’s a bit far, though.”
Lucian ground his teeth. When he left, when he escaped—he would have to deal with these two wretches first.
He was moving toward the Warehouse entrance in angry strides when——
“My Lord!”
Four or five knights rushed into the Warehouse. They seemed to be George’s men. Lucian stopped abruptly and watched from cover.
“Where’s Eloïse?”
“That is…… she doesn’t appear to be in the Annex Building.”
“What?”
“Have no fear. The others are searching now; we’ll have her in no time.”
His heart raced unpleasantly. His promise to Brick faded to white static. There was only one thought: he had to save Eloïse.
‘Eloïse!’
Lucian slipped away from the Warehouse without a sound. He had to find her before they did—no matter what. There was no time.
***
“Where is the young lady?”
“Well…… she said she wasn’t feeling well and retired early.”
“Is that so, or making excuses?”
Upon hearing the report, Camilo set down his wine glass with a sharp clink.
Seated at the head of the Banquet Hall, he was in foul spirits. He’d come to this shabby party solely to meet Eloïse, yet she hadn’t shown her face once.
‘I even sent a letter saying we’d meet at the party……!’
Camilo’s pride crumpled in real time. His aide’s expression darkened.
“Your Highness, shall I go check once more?”
“Never mind. We’ll be here all night anyway. I’ll see her in the morning.”
“Your Highness, why don’t we enjoy ourselves a bit more with just us?”
The courtiers who regularly kept company with the second Prince raised their glasses. Soon they clinked together with a bright chime.
Through this crowd of the second Prince and his circle, Lucian cut a path. He was half out of his mind.
Finding Eloïse was no easy task. The party was far more crowded than he’d imagined, and everyone wore masks, making it impossible to tell them apart.
“Elo…… forgive me.”
In the end, Lucian had no choice but to check each woman he thought might be Eloïse one by one.
‘This is maddening.’
What’s more, George had planned the party with such poor taste—the lights were dim and the orchestra was playing something chaotic and eerie.
It was, in short, a madhouse.
“Hey there, did you come alone?”
Someone grabbed his cloak as he hurried past. Turning, he saw a woman in a dark mask smiling at him.
“Would you like to dance with me?”
“My apologies, I’m busy at the moment…….”
Lucian, exhausted beyond measure, gently withdrew his hand from hers. The woman’s tone changed sharply.
“What, were you looking for Eloïse too?”
“Elo…… have you perhaps seen the young lady?”
“Wow. Really, till the very end.”
Dong— dong— dong—.
The great clock chimed. He turned to see a large grandfather clock beyond the woman’s shoulder. The hands pointed to eleven.
‘Right, Brick!’
The moment he remembered his promise to Brick, he glimpsed through a window nearby the Garden beyond—and the back of a golden-haired woman heading toward it.
‘Eloïse?!’
Lucian’s eyes blazed alive. He rushed away without hesitation. Watching his departing figure, the woman clicked her tongue.
“Everyone’s after Eloïse. Men are really all the same.”

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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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