The Slave Is Too Handsome - Chapter 36

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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!
036.
George had done nothing wrong.
The Duke’s words continued to circle in Eloïse’s mind even as she forced a smile.
The kidnapping may have been her own scheme, but it was true that George had tried to violate her.
“Kidnapping his sister? George was simply led astray by that vulgar baron’s enticement. The boy is grieving. For days now he’s refused all food and drink…….”
“You believe that?”
“Should I not trust the words of family?”
As the Duke spoke, his eyes had glazed over halfway.
‘Am I not family to you?’
She barely managed to swallow those words that had risen to her throat. The answer was obvious without asking. And so Eloïse abandoned all lingering attachment in that moment.
‘The Duke is no longer my family.’
Once she had made up her mind, everything became clear.
“If Father promises to transfer his Peerage to me, I will turn Your Highness’s mind around.”
The Duke raised his eyebrows and struck his cane against the floor with a sharp thud, making his refusal plain.
‘Just as I thought.’
If he didn’t like it, he could worry about it alone. Eloïse finally rose from her seat first.
“Where are you going? We haven’t finished speaking!”
“There is nothing more to say. Discuss George’s punishment with the Second Prince.”
“Eloïse!”
Though Eloïse had ridden for days without tiring, this time she was truly worn out. All she wanted was to retreat to the Annex and rest.
“I will grant you anything but the Peerage.”
……
“The Second Prince will propose to you on his birthday. Therefore, the Peerage can never be yours, my child.”
Her determined stride halted at the door. This was something she hadn’t known. And yet it was neither surprising nor entirely new.
‘I would have accepted his proposal that day even if I were the Second Prince.’
Seeing his silent daughter, the Duke felt a glimmer of hope—that intelligent Eloïse might face reality and come to the aid of her unfortunate brother.
“Then let him.”
Eloïse answered as though speaking of someone else’s affair, and left before the Duke could say another word.
The moment she stepped out of the study, the servants about the hall simultaneously averted their eyes as if by agreement.
Not one of them dared address the young lady. Rather, they bore the look of those who had witnessed something they shouldn’t. But Eloïse paid them no mind.
Ever since George’s Biological Mother had claimed the position of mistress of the Duke’s Household, the servants in the Main Building had grown distant with Eloïse.
She found the distance preferable. She had the people of the Annex, after all…….
“Miss!!!!!!”
A familiar voice rang out. Mary was rushing toward her from a distance.
Eloïse had just crossed the Main Building’s gardens and entered the Annex’s grounds.
“Mary!”
Neither hesitating, the two women embraced each other tightly.
“Is it really you, Miss? Do you know how worried I’ve been? I truly couldn’t eat or sleep…….”
Mary, weeping like a child, poured out her laments.
“For someone who couldn’t eat, you seem to have gained a bit of weight.”
“When I worry, I gain weight! Sob!”
Eloïse had her hands full soothing Mary, patting her back. Yet paradoxically, her own dampened spirits lifted considerably.
“Miss!”
Arthur the butler and the other maids followed, greeting the Annex’s mistress.
“Miss, what suffering you must have endured!”
The maids were aghast at their young lady’s appearance. To their eyes, their pride—Eloïse—had returned looking no better than a beggar.
“Damn that young master! May he be cursed!”
Soon the other maids joined Mary in tears, cursing George.
“I’m truly fine, really. Let’s go inside, shall we?”
Eloïse and Arthur barely managed to console the maids as they made their way into the Annex. The other servants and knights within greeted their young lady with fervent warmth.
“Where is Lucian?”
“He’s in the reception room on the second floor.”
After exchanging greetings with each person, the young lady ascended to the second floor.
“Lucian?”
The spacious reception room was empty save for Lucian, who sat sleeping on the sofa.
‘Yes, you must be tired too.’
Rather than wake him, she sat down on the opposite sofa.
Her gaze naturally found him. Simply looking at him steadied her heart, as though it had finally found its place.
Her eyes observed him with quiet intensity.
Tousled dark hair, the straight forehead beyond it, closed lids, a sharp nose ridge, and…….
……
The moment her gaze touched his lips, a forgotten memory surfaced abruptly. Lucian pulling her from the sea without warning, and the kiss that followed.
Her parched lips warmed. Something felt strange.
‘That wasn’t a kiss—it was artificial respiration. Stop thinking about it.’
Yet her body, despite her mind’s protests, remembered that touch vividly.
The lips that had breathed life into her were soft and warm and…….
“Miss!”
An unexpected voice startled Eloïse—entirely unlike herself—causing her to flinch.
Mary burst through the door into the reception room. Lucian, roused by the commotion, finally opened his eyes.
“Are you unwell? Your face…….”
“I’m fine. But what is it? Is something urgent?”
Seeing Mary’s brow furrow at her flushed cheeks, Eloïse quickly changed the subject. Lucian, unaware of the situation, simply blinked in confusion.
“The Second Prince wishes to speak with you. He’s waiting in the reception room downstairs.”
Mary, knowing Eloïse disliked the Second Prince, relayed the message hesitantly. Lucian’s eyes narrowed.
“What should we do? Shall we make some excuse and turn him away?”
“There’s no need. I have things to discuss with him anyway.”
Eloïse rose from her seat with the demeanor of a warrior marching to battle.
‘Things to discuss? What could those possibly be?’
Doubt remained with him alone. Lucian’s mood sank as it had when he’d spotted Camilo near the Harbor.
Why? Why did his mood darken?
His brow furrowed. As he grew absorbed in thought about Camilo, Mary summoned him back to the present.
“Thank you for taking care of our Miss so well.”
He shook his head at her lightly offered words. Mary, oddly embarrassed, feigned indifference.
“I merely did what needed doing. You’re the one who had it rough.”
“You’re still the same as ever.”
Their eyes met, and Lucian and Mary smiled faintly. Though they said nothing more, both felt an unspoken camaraderie.
***
“Miss!”
The moment Eloïse entered the reception room on the first floor, Camilo, who had been sitting on the sofa, sprang to his feet.
“I apologize for keeping you waiting, Your Highness.”
“I’ve only just arrived myself.”
Once both were seated on the sofas again, a maid entered and set tea and light refreshments on a small table.
“Did your conversation with Father go well?”
“Well, you see…….”
Camilo, looking sheepish, rubbed the back of his head and paused.
‘It didn’t go smoothly.’
Unlike Baron Graham’s situation, George’s Overseas Exile seemed to have fallen through.
Eloïse waited patiently for the Prince to speak, sipping her tea. She felt no regret. George was beneath her notice now.
‘I have Lucian. And…….’
She herself had lost any desire to receive the Peerage from her father. Her plan was to seize it through her own abilities and expel the three from the Main Building.
‘Just wait and see.’
Eloïse’s heart burned hotter than the steaming tea before her.
“Overseas Exile is difficult, it seems.”
As Camilo opened the discussion, she quickly composed her expression.
“Instead, we’ve agreed to send him to Red Fall Academy in the Border Region. He’ll likely have to remain there for at least two years.”
The Second Prince’s face bore confidence as he spoke. His eyes, seeking praise, turned toward Eloïse.
“Red Fall?”
Red Fall was widely known as a strict academy in the barren Border Region where only noble-born children could enroll.
Yet beyond that public image, it was truly a repository for hopelessly troublesome family members and inconvenient bastards—a place of last resort.
‘I thought it would end in mere confinement, but this is unexpected.’
Finding satisfaction in this surprising outcome, she hid her smile behind her teacup.
Admission was easy, but departure was not—which is why all secretly called it a prison. It was precisely fitting for George.
“Incidentally, the Duchess has agreed to go as well. It seems she’ll stay at a relative’s house nearby. I suppose no one wants to leave their son alone in such a place.”
Though his tone was indifferent, Camilo’s eyes prompted Eloïse earnestly: Come, praise me now.
“I knew you would manage it, Your Highness. Now I can finally rest easy.”
It was half genuine. By the time George and his mother returned, La Croix would be under her command.
“I find myself deeply indebted to you in a way I hadn’t anticipated. I’m uncertain how to repay such a favor.”
At the young lady’s public courtesy smile, Camilo, who had been wearing a deliberately dignified expression, relaxed. He cleared his throat to reset the atmosphere.
“There’s no debt between us.”
That’s fortunate, Eloïse thought. She truly hated owing favors.
“Though you may already know, my birthday is approaching. The Imperial Palace is preparing quite an elaborate celebration.”
“As it should be, naturally.”
“If you truly wish to repay my kindness, spare me some time that day. There is something I must discuss with you urgently.”
His intentions were transparent, but Eloïse managed a smile nonetheless.

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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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