The Slave Is Too Handsome - Chapter 31

—————
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!
031.
Eloize’s lips, drained of all color, were not merely cold but glacial. The chill radiating from her entire body transmitted fully to Lucian.
As he cupped her cheeks in his hands, her sealed lips parted slowly. Between their pressed mouths, Lucian breathed warm air into her.
His other hand found the delicate column of her neck. He felt the faint flutter of her pulse.
‘Please, please…….’
His mind held only one thought: he had to save this willful noblewoman.
The sailors standing behind Lucian held their breath, watching the scene unfold.
While they all prayed for Eloize to awaken, only Brick observed the two entwined figures with an unmoved gaze.
“……Captain!”
Eloize’s pinky finger, now transparent rather than merely pale, twitched slightly. One of the sailors, catching that crucial moment, called out to Lucian.
Understanding the sailor’s meaning, Lucian slowly withdrew his lips and examined Eloize’s face. Her closed eyelids trembled faintly.
Lucian’s firm arm supported her back. Gradually, her shuttered eyes began to open.
“Eloize, breathe.”
Watching her unfocused emerald eyes, Lucian spoke, and she responded with a wince and a cough.
“It’s all right, all right.”
His large hand patted her back in gentle, measured strokes.
Just as Eloize’s coughing subsided, a large towel suddenly draped over them both. It was Brick.
“What are you doing? Planning to stay like that forever?”
Lucian gathered up the towel to wrap Eloize and lifted his mistress easily into his arms.
The watching sailors parted instinctively, as if by prior agreement. The moment Lucian moved, Brick followed close behind.
***
“Eloize, do you know who I am?”
Lucian sat at the edge of what was now Eloize’s bed—his own cabin—and asked the question.
His gaze never left her, buried beneath towels and blankets and quilts.
“…….”
As the silence stretched, Lucian’s expression darkened steadily. Color had begun to return faintly to her pallid cheeks, yet her eyes remained utterly still.
“El…….”
Just as Lucian, growing anxious, moved to press the doll-like figure before him—
A languid hand gripped his tightly. The cold of her touch jolted him awake.
“My slave.”
Her soft voice carried a hint of playfulness. Her eyes, now sharp and clear, had been watching him all along.
“My runaway, the man called Lucian who dared betray me.”
“Ha.”
When the previously expressionless Eloize laughed with deliberate mischief, Lucian finally exhaled in relief. He pressed his tired forehead.
“Please, don’t play pranks like that.”
“Ugh, seriously, I’m so annoyed I can’t even look at this.”
At the sardonic remark, both their eyes turned toward the door.
It was Brick, who had grown tired of waiting outside and finally made his presence known.
Eloize laughed brightly at him leaning crookedly against the frame. It was the satisfied smile of a victor.
Already thoroughly disgruntled, Brick scowled all the more. The sparks flew toward Lucian instead.
“Argent! Look at me!”
“If it’s not urgent, later…….”
Bang! Before Lucian could finish, Brick slammed the door shut roughly and stormed out.
“Go. He needs you.”
“Are you sure? Will you be all right alone?”
“Yes.”
“You’re not cold?”
“Not anymore.”
Eloize nodded briskly, and Lucian hauled himself up with effort. He remained reluctant to leave his lord alone, barely conscious.
“Call me at once if anything’s wrong.”
Only after wrapping Eloize once more in blankets and quilts did he leave the captain’s quarters. She was left looking like a snowwoman.
Brick was in the wheelhouse, studying a chart. Keeping his back to Lucian, he spoke without pause.
“You don’t have much to pack, right? Travel as light as possible. If you need anything, that talented lady will buy it all for you.”
“Brick.”
“You tell the crew. No, actually, maybe I should tell them.”
“Brick! I haven’t said anything yet.”
Lucian finally gripped Brick’s shoulder. Only then did he turn to face his longtime companion. Lucian had expected rage, but Brick’s expression was remarkably composed.
“Isn’t your choice already made?”
Brick gently brushed Lucian’s hand from his shoulder and laughed without hope.
Brick carried himself very differently from moments ago in the captain’s quarters—composed, as though he had already finished settling his heart alone.
It was Lucian who was caught off guard.
“Say something that makes sense. A man was dying right before your eyes. You were just going to stand there and watch?”
“So tell me now. Us, or her.”
“…….”
Words stuck in his throat. Brick’s expression turned bitter. Being forced to confirm the killing blow multiple times held no appeal.
Brick wanted to rage at his companion, to ask how he could abandon them like this. Yet seeing that complicated face, such anger evaporated almost at once.
Argent had been a dear friend, a true companion, a good captain—and now he was showing this depth of feeling. Brick could not deny it.
“Play it cool if you want, Argent. The noble lady has laid down every shred of pride and dignity just to have you.”
“Brick, I…….”
“I know you’ve always deferred to my wishes. So this time, follow your own heart.”
Brick flicked his index finger toward Lucian’s shoulder.
Only then did Lucian let out a soft laugh. Of course. A friend who had walked beside him nearly their whole lives knew his heart better than anyone.
“All right, I’ll say it. I want to go with Eloize.”
At his words, Brick tapped his shoulder again with a knowing look, as if he’d expected no less. He longed to hold him once more, but forced himself to refrain.
“I’ll come back. Until then, look after my younger brother and the Trading Company.”
Brick shook his head.
“Who’s going to welcome you back? Go, succeed out there, live well, son.”
“What if I succeed and live well, and then I buy back this Trading Company?”
“We don’t sell to those who’ve left.”
“What if I offered a fortune?”
“Not even then.”
The two men, exchanging words back and forth, finally broke into hearty laughter together.
“Your pride really is insufferable, you know that?”
“Ha, so I’m finally going to be captain!”
The incoming captain stretched both arms toward the ceiling with evident relief. Lucian hooked him around the ribs, teasing.
“Oof!”
“You conniving bastard, this is what you’ve been after all along, isn’t it?”
“Damn right. How long was I supposed to stay first mate? A captain has more face with the ladies.”
The two men fell into juvenile roughhousing, like boys again.
After that, everything proceeded at lightning speed.
Lucian gathered the crew and explained the situation. The gist was that they had secretly undertaken work for the Marquis’s house, though none of the sailors actually believed him.
‘As expected, the captain chose a lovers’ escape.’
Several crew members, interpreting Lucian’s decision as a romantic gesture, quietly shed tears of sentiment.
One sailor even slipped the captain a small cache of savings, only to be firmly refused.
“Thank you all. From now on, Brick will serve as your captain.”
“What? Captain Brick?”
“Well, that’s a bit…….”
The warm atmosphere cooled instantly at news of the succession. As the crew eyed Brick dubiously, his face flushed crimson.
“You lot better be ready. I’ll work you to death.”
Brick’s eyes burned as red as his hair. Whether or not he meant it, Lucian and the crew were already heading toward the galley.
They shared their first and last raucous evening meal with Eloize.
***
A quiet morning broke. The ship, with port nearly upon it, bustled with anchoring preparations.
Eloize did a final check of her meager belongings.
Knock-knock—
Brick thrust open the door and launched into speech at once.
“I bet I surprised you yesterday. Shoving you like that.”
Eloize shook her head and continued packing her things.
“Actually, I’m grateful.”
“What?”
“Because of it, I got to see Lucian’s heart for certain.”
At her bold reply, Brick clicked his tongue.
“To gain something precious, you have to stake your very life.”
The more Brick looked at her, the more he found he wanted her instead of Argent.
Brick approached with reluctant admiration written on his face.
“You haven’t forgotten the agreement?”
“That’s what I was about to say.”
A small backpack holding her few belongings was fastened securely.
“In exchange for the lady’s being our Trading Company’s principal investor, the minerals of Kalaoum fall first to the Marquis’s house. Correct?”
“Correct.”
“Then…… please treat us well going forward.”
Brick extended his hand to Eloize, who had shouldered her backpack. When Eloize simply stared at his palm without speaking, Brick’s ears grew red.
“Good grief, now I’ve seen everything, haven’t I?”
Only then did Eloize smile and accept the handshake. The moment her soft hand met his rough one, he started as if struck by lightning.
“Is this your first time holding a woman’s hand?”
“N-no, it’s not!”
Watching Brick’s large frame fluster about uselessly, Eloize barely suppressed a laugh. Then she offered him proper courtesy for the first time.
“I look forward to working with you, Captain.”
“Ahem, well, take good care of Argent too.”
Brick hastily mumbled the words and pulled his hand free.
“Eloize, are you ready? ……What?”
Lucian, arriving late to the scene, narrowed his eyes. Beside Eloize, who was struggling to contain her laughter, stood Brick with his face covered by both hands, burning crimson.
“Did something happen?”
“Oh for—both of you, just get out of here already!”
Brick tapped Lucian’s shoulder and vanished down the corridor.
That’s strange. Lucian cast a bemused glance after Brick’s retreating back before stepping inside.
“All packed.”
As Lucian approached, he suddenly averted his eyes.
“Why? Do you have something to say?”
“Eloize.”
When Lucian grew solemn, Eloize stiffened slightly.
‘Surely he’s not about to change his mind?’
Contrary to her fears, he gazed at her with sincere intensity.
“Before we leave, I want to say this properly.”
“Say what?”
“My decision to join your plan is entirely my own. I promise you that no matter what comes, I will put your will first.”
“……Thank you.”
While Eloize smiled broadly, Lucian remained grave.
Eloize had tied her long hair into a single knot and wore a large shirt secured at the waist with a belt, paired with slightly loose trousers.
“Something’s missing.”
“What is?”
Lucian rummaged through the room and produced a hat with a wide brim.
The hat settled low over her small head.
“Do I really have to wear it? It feels stuffy.”
Ignoring her complaint, he drew the cord taut to fix it in place.
“Yes. Don’t take it off until we reach home.”
“Why?”
“Let’s go. We’ve docked.”
“But why?”
Eloize grumbled but followed silently after Lucian, who gave no answer.
‘No need to draw unnecessary attention.’
Neither her humble clothes nor the wide-brimmed hat could truly conceal the noble lady’s beauty.
How to quietly escort Eloize to the Capital—faced with this new puzzle, Lucian sighed alone.

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