The Slave Is Too Handsome - Chapter 71

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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!
071.
Startled, Lucian rubbed his eyes and looked down again.
It was Camilo, no mistake. He was already pulling the blonde woman away into the distance.
He couldn’t simply stand here and watch. Whatever was happening, his instinct screamed that he had to save Eloïse.
His cloak billowed as Lucian turned—only to find someone blocking his path.
“Ah, there you are, Your Highness. I’ve been searching everywhere for you.”
It was his Aide. Beads of perspiration dotted the man’s forehead from his frantic search.
“What is it? If it’s not urgent, it can wait until—”
“The Empress requests your presence.”
“The Empress?”
The Aide nodded, his face etched with anxiety. But Lucian found himself equally immovable.
“Something more pressing has come up. Later—”
“She has ordered that you come at once, Your Highness.”
A heavy sigh escaped Lucian’s lips. He yielded with a nod, his mouth tightening.
He’d take one quick look and leave. With that thought, he strode swiftly away from the Balcony. Not a second could be wasted.
The Aide, reading his urgency, hastily guided him toward the Empress’s location.
As they neared the Private Chamber of the Banquet Hall, the sound of voices drifted out—warm, animated chatter.
The Aide approached the door at a brisk pace, knocked lightly, and spoke.
“The Crown Prince has arrived, Your Majesty.”
The moment Lucian stepped inside, the cheerful conversation ceased abruptly.
Several noblewomen who had been engaged in lively discussion now turned their curious gaze toward him. At the center sat the Empress, her posture perfectly rigid.
“Your Highness, congratulations on your victory.”
“Your Majesty must be so pleased, having such a dignified son.”
“How do you wield a spear so beautifully, Your Highness? I do wish our Jake could learn such skill…”
Light remarks poured toward him. Lucian forced his rigid expression to soften, attempting a smile.
“Thank you. I trust you’re all enjoying yourselves?”
“Oh, indeed.”
“We are, thanks to you.”
“The Crown Prince and I have some pressing matters to discuss. Would you all kindly excuse us?”
The buoyant atmosphere evaporated in an instant at the Empress’s words.
The noblewomen rose slowly from their seats.
“We enjoyed watching you compete. Congratulations again.”
“Thank you.”
The Empress Nora offered these words warmly as she passed Lucian’s side.
“Your Majesty, do arrange a gathering with us next time. After all, we deserve the chance to speak with the Crown Prince too—ho ho ho.”
With that playful remark, all save Lucian and the Empress filed out of the Private Chamber.
“I was told you wished to see me urgently.”
Once they were alone, Lucian spoke in measured tones.
‘I need to hurry.’
His mind was already consumed with thoughts of Eloïse. Unaware of his turmoil, the Empress began at leisure.
“I wanted to discuss the Equestrian Tournament that took place this afternoon.”
The Equestrian Tournament? The unexpected topic made Lucian’s brow furrow involuntarily.
‘Surely she didn’t summon me for praise.’
The Empress offering congratulations seemed absurd. He suppressed his restlessness and waited for her to continue.
“Today you were… most reckless.”
“I beg your pardon?”
Lucian’s eyes widened in disbelief. The Empress regarded him with an expression devoid of warmth—composed yet unmistakably cold.
“Forgive me, Your Majesty, but I don’t understand your meaning.”
“It may have been a competition, but you, the Crown Prince—the First Prince—had no right to humiliate your brother in such a manner.”
Now Lucian understood, and his teeth sank into his lower lip.
“I am not reproaching you for winning.”
“…”
“Everyone was watching. Even honored guests from abroad were present. Was there any need to conduct yourself so viciously?”
He hadn’t expected to be faulted on these grounds. Lucian bowed his head, but the Empress was far from finished.
“Camilo is your brother, yes—but before that, he is a member of the imperial family who merits everyone’s respect. To be the first to tarnish his honor in such a way… I am deeply ashamed!”
After the Empress’s outburst, a heavy silence settled over the chamber.
“Have you finished saying what you wished?”
Lucian lifted his head, feigning attentive listening while his thoughts churned with worry over Eloïse. The Empress’s eyes flashed dangerously.
“Do you still not grasp the weight of your station? Everyone scrutinizes your every word and deed!”
“You are right, Your Majesty. I was careless.”
For a moment, the Empress’s expression softened at his humble tone,
“Though I confess, I didn’t expect Camilo to be unseated so easily by such a blow. If overestimating my brother’s abilities was a fault, then I acknowledge it.”
“What… what did you just say?”
Heat flooded the Empress’s previously icy features.
The old Lucian would have stepped back and yielded obediently.
But today was different. Already wound tight as a spring, he had no patience for the Empress’s unreasonable reproach.
“Is that how you apologize…?!”
“I shall settle this matter directly with the person in question and clear the air.”
As Lucian made to bow and depart, the Empress slammed her armrest with force.
“Crown Prince!”
“Thank you for the unexpected lesson. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
His words dripped with mockery. The Empress rose sharply, but he had already slipped from the Private Chamber.
The dull thud of the closing door was almost immediately followed by the sound of something shattering beyond it. Not his concern.
“Your Highness, is it wise to leave things as they stand?”
The Aide, waiting outside, asked nervously, his face drained of color. Lucian answered with a question instead.
“Where is Camilo now?”
“The Second Prince? He might be at the Banquet Hall, the Salon, or the Second Prince’s Palace…”
“I need to find him.”
Lucian strode away from the Private Chamber at a swift pace. He had already lost considerable time here.
‘Eloïse… I hope she’s alright.’
As he moved, Lucian wrestled to calm his mind. Camilo and the nobles who supported him, the Empress herself—pressure bore down from all sides.
On top of that, his relationship with Eloïse had fractured, and he had done the very thing she’d forbidden him to do, brazenly, before everyone’s eyes.
Everything had gone to ruin.
‘But I must find Eloïse now.’
Lucian’s urgency deepened.
“Your Highness, I believe it’s this way!”
The Aide, who had been searching nearby, led him to a small Separate Palace close to the Banquet Hall.
Two knights stood guard at the entrance—Camilo’s personal guard. Whatever was happening inside, it was meant to be concealed.
“Your Highness, is this really necessary?”
The Aide pulled him back, his face ashen, terrified that violence might erupt. He truly feared bloodshed.
‘Fair point. If I’m going to catch them, I should slip in quietly.’
Lucian skirted the guards and opened a window at the rear of the building.
“You can go on ahead if you wish.”
“I cannot abandon you, Your Highness.”
The Aide was a man of loyalty. So the two of them slipped through the window like intruders.
The interior was silent as a tomb. Lucian’s footsteps halted abruptly as he walked down the eerie corridor.
From somewhere nearby came a muffled sound. It was coming from the far end room.
“…”
“Your Highness, let me check first!”
The Aide seized him, his face turning grave as he tried to hold him back.
“No need.”
“Your Highness!”
Lucian moved toward the sound with careful steps, the Aide reluctantly following.
“…”
Through the partially open door, Lucian saw Camilo pressing his mouth greedily against the blonde woman’s lips.
His lips descended across her face and neck, each contact accompanied by sickening sounds that offended Lucian’s ears.
Fortunately, the woman was not Eloïse.
Relief mingled with contempt. How could someone of such base character bear the title of prince?
Imperial blood? Respect? Honor?
The man deserved a single punch more than any street thug ever had.
“Your Highness, someone’s coming!”
The Aide whispered urgently and pulled him away to safety.
Someone was approaching from the distance.
The two men pressed themselves against a corner wall, holding their breath.
“He’s been well-behaved lately, but look at him now.”
“Yes, blonde hair and green eyes—he loses all sense at the sight of them.”
“It’s because of that lady, isn’t it? The one the Prince keeps chasing after…”
“Shh! Mind your tongue! If this gets out… you understand?”
The maids, chattering softly, passed by without noticing them.
Only after the servants had completely disappeared did Lucian and the Aide slip out of the Separate Palace.
“Shall I escort you to your chambers, Your Highness?”
The Aide asked carefully, exhaustion plain on his face. Lucian, lost in thought, shook his head.
“I’ll take a walk for a bit, then retire. You go rest.”
“But…”
The Aide hesitated, his concern for what trouble Lucian might get into written clearly across his features.
“There’s nothing to worry about. It will be nothing but a stroll, I assure you.”
Only after Lucian had reassured him several times did the Aide finally withdraw.
At last alone, Lucian set out to find Eloïse. There was so much that needed to be said.
After searching for some time, he finally found her in the Garden, a secluded corner of the Imperial Palace where few ventured.

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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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