The Slave Is Too Handsome - Chapter 33

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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!
033.
When the old woman’s eyes narrowed at the strange silence of the two, Eloize answered smoothly.
“Yes, one room will be more than enough.”
The old woman led them to a corner room on the second floor. Eloize took the lead, pulling Lucian along.
The darkened room carried a chill. When the old woman lit a candle, the interior became clear—just a worn bed, a single wardrobe, and a small side table.
“It used to be a guest room, but no one’s visited in quite some time…….”
As the old woman spoke awkwardly, Lucian smiled softly.
“This is more than adequate.”
The old woman left after bringing extra blankets, leaving the two alone in the room.
“Sleep on the bed, Eloize.”
While Eloize gazed at the faded wallpaper, Lucian arranged the bedding with practiced ease.
“What about you?”
“I’ll keep watch outside. After all, I’m your knight, aren’t I?”
After finishing with the bed, Lucian gathered the remaining blankets. Eloize quickly blocked the door.
“Sleep here.”
“……What?! Does that make sense? How can we sleep in the same bed?!”
“Who said anything about the same bed? Sleep on the floor.”
Lucian looked flustered, and Eloize immediately corrected herself.
“I……. Still feels awkward though.”
“We said we’re siblings. If you act like this, it’ll look suspicious.”
That was true, but…….
While Lucian hesitated, Eloize deftly plucked the blankets from his arms.
She spread one blanket across the carpet and gestured for him to come quickly.
‘I don’t know what she’s thinking either.’
When Lucian approached as if surrendering, Eloize sat down on the edge of the bed. Then she pulled a map from her pack and unfolded it.
“Bear with me, even if it’s uncomfortable.”
Lucian, leaning his back against the bed, tilted his head to gaze at Eloize.
“That’s what I should be saying, isn’t it? I’m the one who’s used to sleeping like this.”
Lucian stared at Eloize’s face as she studied the map, lost in thought. She showed no signs of noticing him.
Come to think of it, ever since she’d boarded the ship on a whim, until now, Eloize had never once complained. And yet she’d hardly ever left the comfort of the Duke’s Estate.
“What are you thinking about?”
Her long hair tickled Lucian’s cheek. Even in this place where proper washing was impossible, the noblewoman’s hair remained incredibly soft.
“Hm? What am I thinking about, you ask?”
Lucian pressed, toying with a strand of her hair, but Eloize couldn’t bring herself to answer.
His touch, which would have meant nothing before, now occupied her thoughts far too much.
‘Why is that?’
The moment her wandering eyes met his blue gaze, Eloize deliberately blurted out something casual.
“I was wondering if there might be a shortcut.”
“Show me too.”
Eloize thrust the map forward. As Lucian took it, he rose naturally and sat beside her.
Eloize flinched at their touching warmth, but he seemed not to notice.
“Hmm, it would’ve been better if there’d been a ship going straight there.”
Lucian murmured as he scanned the map, recalling the plan they’d made the night before.
‘Apparently, the next ship from the Port City straight to the Capital doesn’t depart for another fortnight.’
At his words, Eloize’s face darkened, but she quickly found an alternative. She pointed to a spot on the map between the Port City and the Capital.
‘I’ll send word to Frederick to meet us here. We’ll ride horses to this point.’
‘To Frederick?’
‘Yes. Once Frederick arrives by ship, we’ll rendez­vous here. It’s the fastest option we have right now.’
At this pace, they’d reach the midpoint within days.
Just as he finished his rough calculation, the map vanished from his hands.
“It’s late. Go to sleep.”
Eloize set the map on the side table and lay back on the bed. Lucian covered her with the blankets as a matter of habit. Eloize no longer found his attentiveness strange.
‘She must be exhausted.’
Eloize, who’d been energetic all evening, fell into sleep the moment her eyes closed.
Lucian blew out the candle and watched her peaceful sleeping face for a long time.
Could she desire something that desperately?
He suddenly recalled Eloize fighting with all her strength even as she fell into the sea. She was pitiful, and yet admirable.
Above all, the way she needed him so urgently felt both strangely embarrassing and subtly exhilarating.
Lucian spoke softly, teasingly.
“Even so, aren’t you being far too defenseless? I’m still a man, after all.”
The moment he stretched his aching shoulders and lay down across the blanket, sleepy murmurs drifted from the bed.
“Because it’s you, I trust you.”
Lucian, startled, pretended he hadn’t heard and pulled the blanket over his head, closing his eyes. It was good to be trusted, and yet for some reason, the words didn’t sit well with him.
‘Why did she have to say such things…….’
Lucian quietly kicked at his blanket a few times before trying in earnest to fall asleep.
Sunlight poured through the window above the bed. Eloize’s eyes opened naturally, and she stretched as she sat up. Lucian was still sleeping soundly beneath the bed.
‘I’ll let him sleep a bit longer.’
She crept quietly to the door and opened it, and a sweet fragrance tickled her nose.
‘Pumpkin?’
Drawn by the smell of pumpkin, Eloize descended to the first floor, where the old woman greeted her warmly.
“You’re up early. Is your brother still sleeping?”
“……Yes. You were cooking.”
The old woman held a ladle in her hand.
“It’s hardly cooking. It’ll be ready soon, so have your brother eat with us.”
“Is that alright?”
Eloize broke into a bright smile at the appetizing aroma, and the old woman smiled in return. The quiet house came alive with the presence of visitors.
“Can I help with anything…….”
“No need. I’m nearly finished, so just sit for a moment.”
Eloize was ushered to the table and examined the interior while listening to the old woman hum.
Her eyes caught on something as she looked at the wallpaper and aged furniture.
“My, what a beautiful cabinet you have.”
Last night she’d been too preoccupied to notice, but the furniture and decorations were quite fine. The dinnerware displayed in the cabinet was equally impressive—far too good for a house in such a remote, sparsely populated place.
“You have a discerning eye, young lady. Though worn, these are well-crafted pieces.”
As the old woman arranged the food, Eloize asked with an innocent expression.
“Couldn’t you only get such things in the Capital?”
“How would you know that, child?”
The old woman, setting out dishes for three, asked with curiosity tinged with suspicion.
“I have a cousin who lives in the Capital and works at the Baron’s House. She used to boast about things like this.”
“I see.”
“Even my cousin hasn’t seen dinnerware this fine. It’s truly beautiful.”
At the innocent sparkle in her eyes, the old woman’s suspicion melted away.
“Of course. Such things can’t be collected by just anyone. Truth be told, I worked at the Imperial Palace when I was young.”
“My goodness, at the Imperial Palace?”
At the girl’s awestruck voice, the old woman’s chest swelled slightly.
“What’s the Imperial Palace like? Is it true the inside is all gold? And they say the Prince is just as handsome…….”
“Child, even the Imperial Palace can’t have everything made of gold inside.”
The old woman chuckled with amusement, and Eloize pulled out a chair for her. A silent invitation to sit and tell her more. The old woman, unable to resist, was already lost in reminiscence.
‘An unexpected windfall.’
Eloize, sitting across from her, waited for more.
“Still, the Imperial Palace was quite magnificent. The Prince was adorable too…….”
“Did you know the Prince well?”
“I did. I served the Empress.”
Eloize caught the words let slip so casually.
“The Empress! Did you perhaps see the First Prince as well?”
“Of course. Like all the young princes, but he was truly like a cherub. If he’d grown up properly, by now he’d probably…….”
The old woman’s words trailed off. Her complexion visibly darkened, as if she’d glimpsed something she shouldn’t have.
Last night’s darkness had been a mistake—she hadn’t seen his face clearly. Had she examined the man’s features properly, she would never have allowed siblings into her home.
Eloize also turned to follow the old woman’s gaze. Lucian had just woken, approaching with disheveled hair.
“El……. You should’ve let me sleep.”
He stifled a yawn as he began to say Eloize’s name but stopped himself. There was no need to give anything away.
“Good morning.”
“……Welcome. Please, eat. I’m not hungry, so I’ll leave it at that.”
The old woman brought out pumpkin soup and bread, speaking awkwardly.
“What? You’re not eating?”
As he sat, Lucian tried to stop her, but she’d already vanished.
‘Something’s off…….’
The conversation about the Imperial Palace ended there. Eloize wanted to dig deeper, but no further opportunity came.
***
‘Was she a lady’s maid to the Empress? Or could she have been a governess?’
Having finished preparing to leave, Eloize waited for Lucian at the door.
‘No. If she were a governess, would the Imperial Palace treat her this way?’
Looking at the old, remote house, she deliberately pushed aside her idle thoughts and unfolded the map.
“El……! Look at this. She gave us food for the road!”
Lucian, holding a pouch of provisions, wore a fairly bright expression. After placing it in his bag, he pointed to the map.
“I figured it out. We took the wrong turn back there. We should go this way.”
“Ah…….”
Eloize examined the point Lucian was indicating carefully.
“We should’ve gone left there.”
“No, actually it worked out well.”
“Worked out well?”
Lucian tilted his head, but Eloize mounted her horse without answering.
“Besides, we got free food out of it, so I’d call that a success.”
Lucian, having found his own error, also mounted and took the reins.
Before leaving, Eloize took one last look at the old woman’s house. By chance, the curtains inside were drawn at that very moment.
“Let’s go, Eloize.”
At Lucian’s words, Eloize turned away. The horses bearing them both galloped swiftly ahead.
“…….”
The old woman, hidden behind the curtains, held her breath and watched out the window until the two disappeared from view.

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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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