The Slave Is Too Handsome - Chapter 62

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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!
062.
It was a question she hadn’t anticipated. When Eloïse did nothing but open her eyes wide like a startled rabbit, Rose pressed on.
“I’ve never seen you compliment anyone before. And the two of you seem rather close—your first meeting was unusual too. So I was wondering if perhaps you had feelings for each other.”
Truthfully, Eloïse was the strongest candidate for Crown Princess anyway. Rose left that unspoken, but her eyes made it clear she was waiting for an answer.
……
All eyes turned to Eloïse. Like Rose, everyone seemed to expect a response.
“I owe him a great debt, but that’s not the sort of relationship we have.”
The moment Eloïse drew that line calmly, most of them let out a barely concealed breath of relief.
“……Why not?”
It was Monica. Usually introspective, content to listen rather than speak, she was being unusually forward today.
“I only meant… why wouldn’t you choose someone so impressive?”
Monica’s face flushed crimson as she mumbled. Even her mother, Lady Miller, sitting beside her, looked at Eloïse with obvious curiosity.
It was impossible not to notice that the two of them were particularly fond of Lucian.
“Because I have no desire to enter the Imperial Palace, that’s why.”
The situation seemed absurd to Eloïse. She couldn’t fathom why everyone spoke with such certainty about connecting her and Lucian.
“You were serious about continuing your house?”
Another young lady asked in surprise. When Eloïse’s eyes narrowed slightly, the girl hastened to add an explanation.
“I mean, I naturally assumed you were using your house as an excuse to reject Camilo indirectly.”
“So did I.”
The other young ladies nodded in agreement.
“It’s not an excuse—I’m sincere. I’ll choose my own husband, that’s all.”
……
Doubt lingered in the eyes of the young ladies as they regarded her.
Whether they believed her or not, once Eloïse had made her position plain and taken a sip of tea, the older ladies exchanged meaningful glances.
“What sort of man do you prefer, Eloïse?”
“Speaking from experience as someone who’s been married, a quiet, composed man would be quite suitable.”
“Nonsense, nonsense. A husband must be reliable and responsible above all.”
“Oh my, the most important thing is wisdom, surely. He must lead the house well, after all.”
As the older women began their well-intentioned meddling, Eloïse’s carefully maintained smile gradually faded.
‘As if I wouldn’t notice them promoting their own sons.’
She saw right through their desire to marry their second and third sons into her house.
Eloïse suppressed the urge to laugh and was about to redirect the conversation when someone else beat her to it.
“Well, let’s leave that aside for now. Surely Valensio will become Crown Prince, yes?”
It was Rose.
“Even so, His Majesty wouldn’t overlook Camilo.”
The Duchess, who had long supported Camilo, offered her opposition with grace.
“That was when Valensio wasn’t here. Now that he’s returned, the eldest should inherit the throne.”
“One could argue Camilo is the true eldest in practical terms. Valensio is a complete novice in governance, after all.”
“Doesn’t Camilo’s emotional volatility concern you somewhat?”
What had begun as light conversation had transformed into heated debate. It made sense—the future Emperor would determine the fortunes of every house present.
Eloïse observed carefully as each woman added her voice. Fortunately, those favoring Valensio held the slight advantage.
In truth, for all his striking looks, Camilo was rather unpopular.
‘That temperamental nature of his is certainly problematic.’
Some younger men admired Camilo’s fiery intensity as masculine, but even his supporters worried about a personality so unpredictable.
‘What we need is one decisive move. One strong statement from Lucian backing Valensio as the rightful choice.’
If they could win over not just the moderates but even Camilo’s supporters, all the better.
While Eloïse pondered this seriously, the conversation naturally drifted to the Harvest Festival.
“Come now, enough debate. The Harvest Festival approaches, doesn’t it? Why not use it to grow closer to Valensio?”
Someone spoke up excitedly, and everyone agreed with delight. The talk turned to dancing with him, wearing the latest dresses from fashionable boutiques—all the anticipatory chatter of young ladies.
“Today was such a pleasure.”
“I look forward to it. He’ll make quite an entrance at the Festival.”
The tea party concluded on a bright note, and the ladies rose with cheerful faces.
All except one.
“Do visit our estate soon, Eloïse. We’ve acquired a rare tea from abroad.”
“I’m planning a small concert myself. You simply must come and grace us with your presence.”
“Of course. I’ll make time for it.”
Only after securing her promise did the older women finally release Eloïse’s hand, which they’d been holding tightly.
‘I really am unsuited for social gatherings.’
Once everyone had left and she was finally alone, Eloïse pressed her heavy eyelids with her palms and collapsed into an empty chair.
The faces of those ladies flooded back to her—how they’d regarded her as strange when she spoke of continuing her house.
‘Is the idea of continuing one’s house really so absurd?’
A memory surfaced unbidden. That time when she and Lucian had been returning to the Capital.
They were passing through a small village. The Village Square was bustling with activity—a market had just opened.
Whether Lucian had charmed his way to it or simply found it, he approached Eloïse with freshly baked bread, claiming he’d gotten it for free.
They settled in a quiet corner, sitting side by side. Lucian handed her the largest piece.
‘Why do you want to become a Duke, Master?’
‘Do I need a reason to continue my own house? Isn’t that only natural? Besides, I was born with this intellect for precisely that purpose.’
‘……I see.’
‘And there’s so much I want to do once I become Duke.’
‘Like what?’
At that moment, Eloïse’s eyes lit up.
‘I need to expand the house further. First, I’ll expand our business operations. I’ll conduct more trade with foreign nations, and if there are promising investment opportunities, I’ll pursue them aggressively. Father is rather conservative in that regard, which is unfortunate. I’ll also pay closer attention to managing the territories. When I visited last time….’
Lucian watched with fascination as Eloïse spoke with such enthusiasm.
‘I’m also quite interested in Talent Development, so I want to actively support talented people and bring them in. And….’
‘Pfft.’
When Lucian, who had been listening seriously, burst into laughter, a sharp glare shot his way. He quickly covered his mouth, but it was too late.
‘Why are you laughing?’
‘No, it’s nothing bad, I swear.’
Flustered, he waved his hands in denial. Yet the intensity in Eloïse’s eyes didn’t soften.
‘It’s just… I’ve never seen you smile so openly before. But what’s refreshing is that it’s not about dresses or princes—it’s this that makes you happy. That’s…’
Lucian spoke carefully, as if walking on thin ice.
‘It’s impressive, actually.’
……
‘You’ll definitely succeed, Master.’
He meant it sincerely, but Eloïse’s expression remained fierce.
‘Why are you talking like this is someone else’s affair?’
‘Huh?’
‘You’re going to become Emperor and back me completely.’
‘……Ah, right. I will. I’ll support you with all my strength, Eloïse.’
As Lucian bowed his head, Eloïse’s grip tightened on his collar.
‘Let go of my collar and eat some bread, why don’t you?’
Lucian forced a smile, drawing an arc with his hand, and only then did Eloïse release her hold.
Even as he coughed, he didn’t forget to hand her water for her parched throat.
That was when the longing to see Lucian struck her.
“Miss, you’re not sleeping, are you?”
At Mary’s voice, her eyes flew open. Eloïse stretched.
“The tea party seemed enjoyable? You look quite pleased.”
“Me?”
“Yes, you were smiling just a moment ago.”
Mary pointed at her own mouth corners with her fingers. Eloïse yawned as she rose and shook her head.
“That’s nonsense. I’m exhausted.”
“No, I definitely saw it. You were smiling just now.”
“You must have imagined it. More importantly, Mary, I think we need to pack.”
“Pack?”
“Yes, pack enough traveling clothes and dresses.”
Was the young miss planning a trip somewhere?
Mary pondered this alone, then hurried after Eloïse, who had already moved ahead.
At that same moment.
The majordomo of the main residence approached the Duke of La Croix’s office with an urgent expression.
“Your Grace, someone from the Imperial Palace has arrived!”

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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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