The Slave Is Too Handsome - Chapter 61

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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!
061.
The Emperor’s brow furrowed deeper. Just as he opened his mouth to speak to the Empress, Lucian moved faster.
“Yes, I shall study diligently so as not to become a burden to the Imperial Palace, Your Majesty.”
Lucian smiled brightly at the Empress, but she did not return it. After studying his smiling face for a long moment, she turned her gaze away coldly.
“Empress, is that all you have to say to a son who has barely managed to return home after such hardship?”
The Emperor, unable to contain himself any longer, rose abruptly from his seat. Unlike the two Imperial Concubines, who watched his expression closely, the Empress didn’t even blink.
The Empress turned her attention back to Lucian and brought up an unexpected matter.
“I hear you are receiving Imperial Education.”
“That is correct.”
“Once a fortnight, I shall personally verify your progress.”
Silence fell again. Unlike the Imperial Princess and Prince, who exchanged pointed glances, Lucian gazed at the Empress with an untroubled expression.
‘She’s determined to drive me out,’ he thought.
He could already envision the Empress waiting to rebuke him harshly at the slightest misstep.
The Emperor, harboring similar thoughts to Lucian’s, burst with frustration.
“Empress, that was not my intention……”
“Is it a problem for a mother to concern herself with her son’s education?”
The Empress cut off the Emperor’s protest, and his face flushed red and purple in turn. He wanted to retort immediately, but couldn’t find the words, his expression seething with anger.
An Advisor approached from where he’d been standing at a distance and calmed him.
“Yes, I shall do so. I ask for your generous instruction, despite my shortcomings.”
Lucian maintained his smile throughout. Unaware that his very composure was further irritating the Empress.
The Empress, who had been watching Lucian with sharp eyes until the end, left first, and the ruined dinner concluded without ceremony.
While everyone had barely emptied half their plates, only the Imperial Princess Danae finished even her dessert, her eyes sparkling.
***
“Thank you for the invitation.”
Lucian bowed respectfully.
A few days later, he received an invitation to a tea party held by his elder sister, the First Imperial Princess Siena.
“I should have arranged something like this sooner. But please, feel free to speak more casually with me.”
Siena, who had a warm disposition, spoke kindly, and Lucian let out a small laugh.
“I shall do so, sister.”
His sudden smile brought a blush to Siena’s cheeks.
‘I’d say about half the people here today lean toward Camilo’s faction.’
Lucian’s plan was to bring as many of his siblings as possible to his side.
‘I’ve heard he’s close to Eloïse, and the First Princess already seems to be on my side.’
With that thought, he slowly surveyed the faces of those attending the tea party.
The Fourth Prince born to the Empress, the Third Imperial Princess born to Imperial Concubine Nora, and……
“But what brings you here, Danae? The girl who was always locked in her room reading books.”
Princess Siena showed clear disapproval toward Danae, who sat in the corner.
When all eyes, including Lucian’s, turned to Danae, her face immediately flushed crimson.
“I, I also w-want to become close to Prince Valensio!”
Danae, who was older than Lucian, stammered, and the Fourth Prince and Third Princess burst into laughter.
“Danae, you should call him your older brother.”
Siena’s manner was little different. When the First Princess looked at her younger sister with disdain, Danae shrank further into herself.
“Go on!”
Siena pressed her, but Danae only hung her head in silence. The confident bearing she’d shown at the Hideout had vanished entirely.
The atmosphere grew tense. It was a moment that revealed Danae’s standing within the family.
“It’s only natural she’d be startled—a stranger suddenly appeared as her older brother.”
Lucian spoke carefully on Danae’s behalf, opening the conversation.
“I shall try harder so that I can grow closer to all of you.”
Danae lifted her head quickly, and Lucian met her eyes with warmth.
“Will that do, Princess?”
Clap, clap, clap.
Moved by Lucian’s demeanor, Siena began to applaud, and the Fourth Prince and Third Princess soon joined in.
What followed was a barrage of questions from the First Princess, the Fourth Prince, and the Third Princess—all except Danae. They made no effort to hide their desire to grow close to Lucian.
The tea party concluded in a warm atmosphere.
Lucian had wanted to speak more with Danae afterward, but she had vanished from his side.
Danae, whom Lucian sought, had rushed toward the Main Palace. The servant girls who glimpsed her hurrying like that gasped in surprise, but she paid them no mind.
Danae threw open the grandest doors in the palace and cried out.
“Father—no, Your Majesty! I have something to tell you!”
***
Meanwhile, the Annex of the La Croix Duchy was bustling with preparations for guests.
The Garden of the Annex was brimming with flowers that had bloomed with the season, led by meticulously trimmed ornamental trees and vibrant flowering shrubs, as if a painting itself had come to life.
The gardener had clearly taken extra care with the landscaping for this occasion.
As it was an after-long tea party, Mary brimmed with energy. She examined each dessert menu and piece of tableware with meticulous care.
“Here, the tablecloth is crooked. And align the cutlery more precisely.”
There was a pair of eyes watching this bustling scene from afar……
“Klaus, just one person. I need only one.”
“Yes, Mother.”
It was Klaus and his mother. The two, hidden among the bushes, moved their eyes busily like birds searching for prey.
“I need a young lady from a good family, mild-mannered. Understood?”
“As for me, I……”
Just as Klaus was about to add his own preference, a shadow fell across him.
“What are you two doing here?”
The startled pair turned around to find Arthur, the steward of the Annex, standing with a displeased expression.
“Ahem. As the successor of the household, I was merely inspecting how well the family event is being prepared.”
Klaus, leaning on one leg before his mother, spoke with somewhat exaggerated dignity.
“I beg your pardon, but Miss Eloïse instructed that no one besides invited guests be permitted entry today.”
“Does that restriction apply to me as well?”
“It does. Now, if you would return to the Main Palace……”
“Oh? A lady is coming over there.”
Klaus, startled by Arthur’s gaze, quickly turned and hurried forward.
He rushed toward the first guest arriving in the distance and promptly blocked her path.
At a glance, the beauty before him was stunning, and his heart began to pound wildly.
“Ahem, my lady. Welcome to the La Croix……”
“What is this? How does Eloïse train her servants?”
Rose, the first to arrive, glared at Klaus and shoved him aside as she passed.
“I, a servant……”
Klaus, unintentionally humiliated, sat down hard on the spot with a shocked expression. His mother hurried over to her son.
Mary, watching from a distance, let out a small laugh and then disappeared once more.
After that, young ladies from prominent families and noble women began to arrive in succession. They gasped at the Garden, maintained beautifully to rival the Imperial Palace itself.
Truly, the La Croix Duchy is different.
As they all shared the same thought, their eyes met, and without hesitation, they exchanged knowing smiles.
Guided by the staff to their assigned seats, they exchanged light greetings and awaited today’s host.
“When exactly is Eloïse coming?”
Rose fanned herself with an elaborate fan, complaining, when—
“Everyone’s here. Thank you so much for gracing us with your presence.”
At the clear, lovely voice, all heads turned to look in one direction.
Eloïse approached with a radiant smile. As she took her seat in the center, all eyes fixed on her with great anticipation.
“Thank you for inviting me.”
“I was hoping to have a long conversation with you.”
A servant girl poured warm tea into each empty cup, and the subtle fragrance of flowers spread through the air.
They exchanged light pleasantries and began the conversation in earnest.
The topic of conversation was largely High Society gossip—who was meeting whom secretly, who had confessed to whom only to be rejected, and so forth.
“By any chance……what sort of person is His Highness Valensio?”
When the desserts were half consumed, a young lady who had been sitting quietly spoke up shyly.
It was Monica, the young lady of the Miller County House.
The moment the name “Valensio” was mentioned, everyone seated at the table turned to look at Monica. It was a topic they had all been waiting for.
Suddenly the center of attention, Monica’s face flushed red. Eloïse, watching her intently, let out a small laugh.
In truth, today’s gathering was practically held for the sake of discussing Lucian. The news that he had been formally recognized as Prince Valensio after his first meeting with the Council of Elders had already spread widely through High Society.
Eloïse wanted to gauge Lucian’s reputation and build a network of supporters who could strengthen his position.
“His Highness Valensio is the most kind and thoughtful person I have ever met.”
Everyone nodded at Eloïse’s words.
“That’s right, and he has a wonderful sense of humor.”
“He seems to know so much and is quite wise.”
“Above all, he is extraordinarily handsome. Don’t you agree?”
The young ladies who had danced with Lucian at the Ball recalled that memory, their faces flushing. The noble women, seeing their daughters thus, smiled with satisfaction.
Eloïse felt equally pleased. It was like seeing a carefully crafted work of art finally receive recognition for its true worth.
“I’m glad His Highness has finally returned to his rightful place. I do hope he will meet someone worthy of him.”
Barely had Eloïse finished speaking when Rose’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.
“But what about you, Eloïse? Are you not interested in His Highness Valensio?”

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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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