The Slave Is Too Handsome - Chapter 56

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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!
056.
“A confinement order?”
Lucian’s brow furrowed as he read the letter Eloïse had sent.
The letter began with inquiries after his wellbeing but quickly pivoted to an elegantly veiled critique of the Duke.
‘He’s quite something, isn’t he.’
Learning that a distant cousin had arrived from afar, hoping to claim the ducal title, stirred an odd kinship in him.
‘Eloïse must be struggling terribly right now.’
His grip on the letter tightened reflexively. He regretted not being there to stand beside her.
The letter, which bore the marks of suppressed anger, concluded with a plea to meet soon.

Though he wanted to keep the letter with its neat handwriting, he obeyed Eloïse’s instructions and consigned it to the flames.
“Wait just a moment.”
As Lucian set out a bowl of water and grain on the table, the carrier pigeon approached as if on cue and fed. He stroked the bird once, then settled at his desk to write his reply.
***
“Miss, breakfast is ready.”
Meary wheeled a cart into Eloïse’s office in the Annex of the Duke’s Household.
“Why have you prepared such an extravagant spread this early?”
Eloïse watched Meary arrange the dishes on the table before asking.
Usually she kept breakfast simple—just soup, salad, and tea—but today the table already held several meat dishes.
“The head chef insisted you eat well at times like these.”
“It’s still excessive, don’t you think?”
“Oh, and this too.”
Once the meal was arranged, Meary handed Eloïse a letter she’d hidden between the dishes—one the carrier pigeon had brought to Meary’s room the night before.
“It came!”
Eloïse’s face brightened at the brief letter. Meary, equally curious, drew near.
“What does he say? That man—I mean, His Highness—is he well?”
Meary caught herself mid-sentence and glanced about habitually, nervous despite knowing only the two of them were in the office.
It was the Duke’s knights, who had stationed themselves in the Annex to keep watch over Eloïse, who made her so cautious.
The fact that Lucian had been recognized as the First Prince was still top-secret information known only to the Emperor’s innermost circle within the Imperial Palace itself.
“He says he’s busy with rigorous training.”
“Could his training possibly be harsher than yours?”
Meary murmured half to herself.
As Eloïse continued reading the letter, her eyes paused at Camilo’s name.

Eloïse fell silent, lost in thought.
‘Why do I feel so uneasy?’
Lucian must have felt the same; he’d added a note saying he would investigate Camilo’s whereabouts.
Eloïse would have liked to secretly shadow the Second Prince herself, but the risk was too great.
‘With his nature, he wouldn’t just sit idle like this……’
Just then came a knock and a measured voice.
“Miss, may I enter?”
“Come in.”
Frederick barely waited for permission before stepping inside. Eloïse gestured him toward the table where breakfast was laid out.
“Were you dining? Should I return later?”
“Sit with me. You haven’t eaten yet, have you?”
Frederick nodded sheepishly at the suggestion, and Eloïse invited him to join her once more.
After Meary poured warm tea for them both and left the office, Eloïse cut straight to the matter.
“Have you found the source of the poison?”
“I’ve searched nearly every secret apothecary in the capital, but nothing yet.”
If only they could establish the link between the poison and Camilo, they’d have powerful leverage. Eloïse sipped her tea with a look of frustration.
“More importantly, I spotted the Second Prince in the back alleys over the past few days.”
“Camilo?”
“Heavily disguised, but undoubtedly the Second Prince. He seemed to be searching for something himself, much as I was.”
“Searching for what? An object? Or a person?”
Eloïse’s eyes widened the moment Frederick mentioned Camilo’s name, and she pressed him for an answer.
“That is……”
As Frederick hesitated, a flash of understanding crossed Eloïse’s eyes.
“Could he be investigating Lucian?”
“……I believe so.”
Frederick nodded gravely, and Eloïse’s expression darkened in turn.
That night.
Meary watched her young mistress with concern written across her face.
“Are you truly certain? If you’re discovered……”
“I won’t be discovered, I tell you.”
Before the mirror, Eloïse stood dressed in a shirt and trousers, her long hair bound back in a single tie. She met Meary’s worried gaze directly.
“Meary, hurry.”
Meary let out a resigned sigh and draped the cloak over Eloïse’s shoulders.
She glanced toward the window. Even in the evening, the knights watching the Annex stood rigid at their posts.
“If by some chance you’re caught, and if His Grace learns of it, I fear this time it won’t be merely a confinement order—you might be sent away as far as George was.”
“Don’t you trust me?”
“It’s not about trust, miss.”
A knock came at that moment, and Frederick returned. He was momentarily startled by Eloïse’s unfamiliar appearance but quickly composed himself.
“Are you prepared?”
“Yes. Let’s go.”
Meary swallowed the question she wanted to ask. The Miss she knew was incapable of sitting still.
Meary’s face fell completely; unable to stop her young mistress or find peace in letting her go, she lingered in the doorway.
“I’ll return safely, Meary.”
With that tender farewell, Eloïse quietly departed the Annex with Frederick.
***
While the city center remained bustling even at night, the back alleys were dim and silent as a tomb.
Frederick led the way while Eloïse followed behind.
A damp, musty odor assailed her nostrils. It brought back a memory—the slave market, and Lucian’s cold gaze fixed upon her.
“This way, Miss.”
After walking deeper into the shadowed maze of alleys, the slave trade district came into view. It was near here that Frederick had spotted Camilo.
“Have you ever seen this man?”
Frederick showed a rough sketch of Camilo to one of the slave traders. The young merchant stared at the face in the drawing, then shook his head.
Standing behind Frederick, her face mostly obscured by a hat and mask, Eloïse narrowed her eyes, gauging whether the trader spoke truth.
The two of them moved through the slave markets, tracing Camilo’s footsteps—a form of reconnaissance to determine how much he had already uncovered. They paid informants generously to prevent loose tongues.
By the time they’d covered the major establishments, the night was deep.
“I don’t believe you need worry greatly.”
Frederick, reading the turmoil in Eloïse’s eyes, spoke with steady conviction.
He was right. The slave merchant who had held Lucian was dead, and his establishment had closed not long after.
At the time, Frederick had thoroughly silenced the remaining staff and ensured all traces were covered.
‘It seems Camilo hasn’t obtained any significant information yet.’
“Shall we return now?”
Frederick leaned close and whispered, and Eloïse nodded. They moved swiftly through the narrow passages.
A slave auction was apparently underway, for the small square that had been empty moments before now teemed with people.
‘Simon!’
Then, in the distance, a man wearing a cloak and hat pulled low—just as she was—caught her attention. Even from afar, she was certain it was Prince Simon.
Eloïse’s brow knitted in displeasure.
‘Is he traveling with Camilo? If so…… has he truly sided with Camilo!?’
As the crowd grew denser, Frederick turned back to ensure Eloïse’s safety.
“Stay close behind me.”
“Understood……”
But his caution was for naught; in the next instant, Eloïse was swept away by the surge of humanity, separated from him. The mask that had covered half her face fell to the ground.
“Miss!”
When she regained her senses, Eloïse found herself standing alone among strangers, all of them regarding her with peculiar interest.
‘I must return to Frederick at once.’
She tried to ignore their stares and lower her gaze, to take a step forward, when suddenly someone pressed close against her from behind.
Before she could react, she felt a heavy presence, and a large hand clamped over her mouth.
“……!!!”
Eloïse’s eyes went wide with shock. She struggled desperately to escape the stranger’s hold, fighting to regain her composure.
“Easy now. It’s me, Princess.”
The mysterious man, his other arm around her shoulders, whispered urgently in her ear in a familiar voice.
Eloïse stiffened at the recognition, and the stranger drew her deeper into the shadows. She no longer resisted.
Only when they were alone did the hand covering her mouth finally release.
Eloïse exhaled sharply and turned to glare at the man who had seized her.
“Your Highness Camilo!”

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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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