The Slave Is Too Handsome - Chapter 74

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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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A slave who’s far too handsome!
074.
Eloïse tilted her head in confusion. Lucian, whose face had flushed in the meantime, dodged her gaze this way and that.
“Why did Simon suddenly…?”
“…You know as well as I do. That man is practically Camilo’s lackey. There’s nothing to gain by getting close to him.”
Lucian offered a clumsy excuse while watching her expression carefully.
Eloïse, silent for a long moment, finally nodded. The explanation didn’t quite satisfy her, but it wasn’t an unreasonable request to refuse either.
“All right. I’ll do that.”
Only then did Lucian’s face brighten.
“Now stop preparing and get ready, Lucian. You know there’s a major announcement today.”
Eloïse’s eyes grew grave. Lucian nodded, confirming he was well aware.
Today, the third day of the Harvest Festival, the Emperor planned to finally proclaim the Crown Prince—a decision he’d long postponed. And barring any surprises, that title would be Lucian’s.
***
The afternoon sun still hung high. High-ranking nobles and clergy gathered in the innermost hall of the Imperial Palace.
The building, distinguished by its sharp spires, had been the site of state ceremonies since antiquity.
Thus Eloïse entered dressed not in a banquet gown but in elegant formal attire befitting the occasion.
Soft light filtered through stained glass, casting a sacred atmosphere throughout the space.
Nobles who had arrived early were already engaged in conversation. All wore expressions of excitement at the prospect of the long-awaited Crown Prince announcement.
Duke La Croix had also taken his place early, exchanging casual pleasantries with others nearby.
Eloïse, ignoring her father’s presence, quickly blended into another group of conversing nobles.
Then, when her gaze happened to meet Camilo’s, her expression darkened.
‘What is that smile…?’
Camilo, unusually appearing at such a formal event early, wore a thin, unpleasant smile. His face overflowed with confidence—so much so it seemed to spill over.
‘It’s probably nothing.’
Though she turned away as if not noticing, Eloïse could not shake an ominous premonition.
The bustling atmosphere grew calm as the royal family appeared.
The Emperor took the highest seat, with the Empress and imperial concubines, princes and princesses, all seated in their places.
“On this day blessed with abundance, I am gladdened to be among you.”
The Emperor rose, and applause erupted.
“You all know why we have gathered here today. At last, I shall determine the future of the empire, a matter long deferred.”
An even louder wave of applause followed. This was the moment everyone had waited for.
It was then.
“Before you proceed, Your Majesty, I have something to say.”
A sharp voice rang out to the rafters. It was Camilo. He thrust himself from his seat and approached the Emperor with a deliberate stride.
All eyes turned toward the Second Prince in astonishment.
“Second Prince, that matter can wait until—”
“No, Your Majesty. It must be said now. Because…”
With an arrogant expression, Camilo cut off the Emperor’s words and fixed his gaze on Lucian, who stood beside the throne.
“It concerns the First Prince—or rather, this wretch here.”
“What?”
The Emperor, taken aback, demanded clarification. Camilo laughed mockingly.
“I too am curious, Your Majesty, whether your resolve will waver after hearing what I have to say.”
The hall grew restless. As Eloïse moved forward to intervene, Simon appeared and blocked her path.
“Stay put, Eloïse.”
“…”
Eloïse shot Simon a glare. His expression suggested he already knew what was about to unfold.
‘What is this? What have I missed?’
Eloïse’s mind raced, but she could not fathom what he knew.
“You insolent—! What are you all doing? Seize this disrespectful wretch at once!”
At the Emperor’s command, the Guard Corps knights approached, but they hesitated, intimidated by Camilo’s threatening expression.
“Your Majesty, perhaps we should hear what the Second Prince has to say,” the Empress, descending from the dais, interjected as mediator.
“I concur with Her Majesty’s counsel.”
Lucian continued with composure. “I confess I am curious myself. What could he possibly have to say about me that warrants such a commotion?”
As Lucian spoke, Camilo strode forward to face him directly.
“Let’s see how long you can maintain that confidence.”
Lucian did not yield. From their first meeting, he had sensed it—that Camilo would be a lifelong rival.
“I wonder how much longer you can play the fool.”
The two men stared at each other for a long moment. Then Camilo, turning his head first, his voice rising sharply.
“Open the doors!”
At his command, the double doors burst open, flooding the hall with sunlight.
Everyone squinted against the sudden brightness. As their eyes adjusted, they saw a large man standing in the doorway.
“Come in.”
At Camilo’s call, the man entered slowly, a contemptible smile playing across his face.
The nobles withdrew, naturally clearing a path.
“Who is that?”
“I don’t recognize him…”
The nobles exchanged puzzled glances as they studied the stranger’s face.
Unkempt hair, an unshaven jaw, rough skin, tattered clothes—he looked like a vagrant dragged from the back alleys moments before.
Those nearby wrinkled their noses at the foul stench he emanated.
‘This can’t be real.’
As Eloïse pushed through the crowd to see the man’s face, hers turned pale.
The stranger who had unexpectedly entered the Imperial Palace was none other than the Vice Captain of her own Guard Corps—the man she had personally dismissed.
Startled, Eloïse lunged forward again, but Simon seized her arm with surprising strength.
“Let go!”
“What are you going to do? Hm? Please, just stay still.”
In the meantime, the Vice Captain approached Camilo’s side and bowed respectfully, first to the Second Prince, then to the Emperor.
“It is a great honor to be in the presence of the Empire’s radiance, Your Majesty.”
“Who exactly is this man…?”
Rising from his bow, he regarded Lucian with a meaningful smile.
“…”
As their eyes met, Lucian’s expression hardened immediately. He remembered the man’s true identity all too well.
“He once served the illustrious House of La Croix. He is also one of the precious few who know the past of this imposter—this man masquerading as Valensio.”
When Camilo mentioned the La Croix family, the nobles murmured and cast sidelong glances at Eloïse and Duke La Croix.
Eloïse and the Duke both watched the unfolding scene with cold expressions.
“So, what have you come to say? If it amounts to nothing, you should be prepared to forfeit your life.”
Undeterred by the Emperor’s threat, the Vice Captain didn’t flinch. Instead, his eyes gleamed with the fervor of a man who had nothing left to lose.
The Vice Captain slowly raised his arm and pointed directly at Lucian.
“I declare to Your Majesty, the esteemed Emperor: This man is not Prince Valensio—he is a filthy slave acting the role of a prince!”
“What?”
At the word “slave,” the atmosphere in the hall turned turbulent. Some wore expressions of shock, unable to accept what they had heard.
Count Miller, who had been foremost in supporting Lucian, visibly paled.
The Emperor, unprepared for such a revelation, staggered.
“Your Majesty!”
His startled attendants and the Empress rushed to steady him.
Lucian moved quickly toward the Emperor’s side, but Camilo blocked his path.
“Such filthy blood dare not approach Your Majesty!”
“It is slander, Your Majesty.”
Lucian’s eyes bore into Camilo.
“Is it, though?”
Camilo gestured for the Vice Captain to continue, who, delighted at the encouragement, pressed on.
“It pains me to speak thus to Your Majesty, but as a loyal subject of this realm, I believe it my duty to reveal the truth.”
The Vice Captain, now emboldened, swept his gaze across the gathered nobles. Some averted their eyes at once; others flinched in alarm.
He found their reactions to his every word rather amusing.
“Ah, let me see… Yes, there!”
The Vice Captain pointed directly into the crowd of nobles. Standing where he indicated was Eloïse, her eyes blazing with determination.
“The Lady of House La Croix—the distinguished noblewoman I once served—deliberately brought this wretch from the Slave Market and falsely claimed he was the First Prince!”
At the accusation, the nobles recoiled hastily from Eloïse’s side, repulsed by the revelation.
Camilo’s supporters, clustered in a corner, wore triumphant smiles. None more so than Camilo himself.
“Now then, let us hear the accused’s account.”
At Camilo’s gesture, a waiting knight seized Eloïse’s arms as though binding her.
For the first time, Lucian’s and Duke La Croix’s expressions faltered.
“Let me go!”
Eloïse was dragged forward and thrown before Camilo. Every eye in the hall pierced her with accusation.

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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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