The Slave Is Too Handsome - Chapter 59

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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!
059.
“Hmm?”
“I can’t just leave you here alone. Let’s go back together today. I’ll explain everything to His Majesty.”
Eloïse read Lucian’s intent in his eyes and shook her head.
“Oh… I’m fine, really. Just haven’t had much appetite, and I’ve been busy. I had a lot on my mind yesterday, stayed up late working on things. There’s still so much to do.”
“Don’t be stubborn.”
“But when did your piano playing improve so much? You surprised me.”
“…”
Eloïse laughed brightly and patted the sofa beside her, inviting him to sit. He lost again to her attempt at deflection.
“I practiced at the Imperial Palace whenever I had time. I wanted to play it for you on your birthday.”
What had started as half-stubborn practice was driven by a desire to show Eloïse—who’d sighed that her piano skills never improved—that she could do it.
“Thank you. It’s the best birthday gift.”
She’d even forgotten it was her birthday… Lost in a moment of sentiment, Eloïse felt Lucian settle beside her. His familiar scent steadied her mind and heart.
“But how did you get here? Is it really all right for you to be out like this?”
Lucian, who’d been hesitant, broke into a mischievous smile.
“Truth is, I snuck out. So I can’t stay long.”
“Some things never change.”
Both recalled at once when Lucian had fled from the Separate Building. The moment their eyes met, laughter burst out without either of them initiating it.
“I guess this really is my specialty.”
“How was the regular meeting?”
Lucian recounted in detail his first encounter with the Council of Elders. When La Croix came up in conversation, Eloïse’s eyes widened.
“…Father did? I mean, the Duke did that?”
“Yeah, I was surprised too. I’m not sure if it’s just my impression, but he seemed rather favorable toward me.”
As Lucian recollected yesterday’s events, Eloïse’s brow furrowed.
‘He wouldn’t act without reason. Could Father really be coming around to Lucian’s side?’
After a moment lost in thought, Eloïse quickly changed the subject.
“Are your lessons bearable?”
Lucian, speaking of his packed schedule, made a playful face of exasperation.
“You’re having quite the arduous time, Your Highness.”
“Still, compared to your lessons, mine are nothing. I’m just pretending it’s difficult to keep you company.”
Eloïse, smiling at that, briefly recounted how she’d followed Camilo and even had a short conversation with him.
A shadow began to cross Lucian’s previously calm features.
“Don’t worry. Camilo seemed to have struck out and gone home empty-handed.”
Lucian shook his head at her reassuring tone. Eloïse had misunderstood his meaning.
“Eloïse, I’m begging you—please don’t do anything dangerous.”
The mere thought that Eloïse had wandered into dangerous areas made his vision darken, regardless of Frederick’s protection.
And Camilo was someone who’d wielded a blade without hesitation within the Imperial Palace itself. The fact that he’d even proposed made Lucian’s eyes roll back in fury.
“…”
Eloïse only pressed her lips together, saying nothing. Though he’d tried to speak as carefully as possible, her face had already grown displeased.
Growing increasingly frustrated, Lucian continued his lecture.
“You know what kind of man Camilo is. Can’t you trust me a little more? I’ll achieve your goal by any means necessary, so please don’t do anything reckless…”
“I get it. I get it, so please stop.”
Unable to bear it any longer, Eloïse cut him off.
When had it started? At some point, watching Lucian act like her guardian, Eloïse’s feelings had grown complicated.
It wasn’t that she disliked it, but she resented that he seemed not to trust her judgment, and this unfamiliar concern from someone was oddly unsettling.
Most of all, like all the other men around her, Lucian seemed to view her as a fragile noblewoman in need of protection, which felt suffocating.
Her gaze toward him naturally hardened.
“I’m worried about you…”
“I’m managing perfectly fine on my own. So you don’t need to worry. Besides, from now on, could you please be more careful about your actions?”
“What?”
“There are many eyes watching in the Imperial Palace. We can’t be as informal as we used to be. I’ll be more proper too, so I’d appreciate it if you’d keep some distance.”
“Eloïse.”
Hah. At her cold gaze, Lucian laughed weakly. His mind understood her words, but his heart did not.
He felt hurt by her drawing a line, by her pushing him away.
“If we need to talk in the future, I think it would be best to meet secretly in Princess Danae’s hideout or through the secret passages.”
“…”
“It seems our business is finished. Shouldn’t you be going now?”
“Yeah, I understand.”
Lucian barely managed his reply, swallowing all the words he’d wanted to say.
He rose weakly from his seat. Eloïse approached the door first and grasped the handle. A Guest Dismissal Order.
Lucian, standing before the door, glanced at her with wounded eyes.
“I’ll go. Take care of yourself until we meet again.”
“…Yeah, you too.”
Though Eloïse opened the door for him herself, Lucian hesitated and didn’t step through.
He shouldn’t have brought it up.
The thought that he’d ruined Eloïse’s eagerly awaited birthday in this way left a bitter taste.
“Eat properly, Eloïse.”
In the end, with those words, Lucian left the room.
Alone now, Eloïse stood in the same spot for a while with a hollow expression. She hadn’t needed to be so sharp with him.
The hurt in Lucian’s eyes lingered like an afterimage, dancing before her vision.
“…Oh?”
As Lucian emerged into the corridor, his eyes met Mary’s. She was holding a cake with lit candles.
Quick-witted Mary had understood from his expression alone that the two had quarreled.
Unable to decide what to do, she offered an awkward greeting.
“Ah, um, Your Highness. It’s been quite some time.”
“Have you been well?”
Lucian asked listlessly as he approached Mary. She nodded.
After staring at the cake for a while, Lucian asked.
“…Would it be all right if I gave her the cake?”
“Of course!”
Before Mary could even finish her answer, Lucian had taken the cake from her. He turned and retraced his steps, knocking on the salon door.
“Come in.”
With permission granted, Lucian opened the door and stepped inside.
Eloïse, assuming the knock came from Mary, looked startled.
“What… Lu, Lucian?”
Lucian appeared with the door flung open, holding the cake with a resolute expression.
“I can’t leave like this.”
“What?”
He closed the door and carefully set the cake on the table. Eloïse, standing before the door, watched in silence.
“Come here.”
Though Lucian gestured, Eloïse remained rooted in place.
She hesitated awkwardly, but he approached and drew her to the table, seating her. As an uneasy silence fell, Lucian, sitting across from her, spoke.
“Blow them out quickly.”
“Hmm?”
“Blow out the candles and make a wish. It will come true.”
“I know that already.”
I’m not a child… With that look, Eloïse slowly blew out the candles.
Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap. Lucian applauded lightly. He didn’t need to ask what wish she’d made—he already knew. Making that wish come true would be his task.
As he cleared away the extinguished candles and began cutting the cake, Eloïse spoke softly.
“I’m… sorry about just now.”
“What was that?”
Eloïse shot him a look. She found it irritating that he was pretending not to hear her properly.
Lucian placed a neatly cut slice of cake on a plate and slid it toward her.
“Hmm? You said you didn’t hear me?”
Eloïse glanced at the cake, then fixed Lucian with a petulant stare.
“…I said I’m sorry. For acting emotionally.”
“Right, I forgive you. With a generous heart.”
Lucian picked up a fork and poked a small piece of cake, then placed it in Eloïse’s hand.
“And you? Aren’t you going to apologize?”
“Me? Why would I?”
Lucian shrugged his shoulders and tilted his chin, urging her to eat. But Eloïse didn’t move.
“Eloïse.”
“What?”
Spotting his opening, he brought the cake to her lips. Eloïse had no choice but to eat it.
Lucian watched with satisfaction, then gently wiped the cream from her mouth with his thumb.
After swallowing the cake completely, Eloïse sent him a look that said this wasn’t right.
“When you fight, both people are supposed to apologize.”
“No matter how I think about it, I don’t see what I did wrong.”
Lucian laughed playfully. Eloïse was searching for a counter when—
Knock, knock.
“Your Highness, you really must leave now.”
A soft knock followed by a man’s voice. It was Lucian’s aide.
Their eyes met. A look of reluctance crossed Eloïse’s face.
He felt the same reluctance. If he could, he’d want to stay with her until midnight, when her birthday ended.
With that desire set aside, Lucian made to rise, but Eloïse urgently grabbed his sleeve.
“Soon I’ll be entering the Imperial Palace through Princess Danae. Just wait a little longer.”
Lucian nodded with a smile.
“I’ll be waiting.”

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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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