The Slave Is Too Handsome - Chapter 82

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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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What a handsome slave!
082.
“Eloïse!!!”
Lucian lunged forward in alarm, catching Eloïse by the shoulders, but she had already lost consciousness.
His eyes fixed on her motionless form, searching for any sign of awareness. No matter how gently he shook her slender frame, she lay unresponsive.
“Your Highness, perhaps we should summon the Royal Physician at once.”
At the aide’s belated words, Lucian forced himself to think clearly and rose to his feet.
The man was right—there was no time to waste.
***
By the time Lucian carried Eloïse back to his chambers, dawn was already breaking.
He sat in the chair beside the bed, watching over her unconscious form.
“Your Highness, I came as quickly as I could!”
The Royal Physician stood before him, flushed and breathless, his formal coat draped over sleeping clothes—clearly roused from bed without ceremony.
“Thank you for coming. Can you examine the young lady?”
The physician’s gaze shifted from Lucian to the woman lying in the bed.
‘The young lady from La Croix? What is she doing here…?’
He suppressed his confusion and retrieved his instruments. Lucian stepped back, his expression grave as he waited for the diagnosis.
That was when—
The bedroom door burst open with a sharp bang, and a sharp voice rang out.
“Miss!”
It was Maery, arriving late with news. Danae followed close behind her.
Lucian pressed a finger to his lips in a silent plea for quiet, and Maery immediately clamped a hand over her own mouth.
The two women approached him, and upon seeing Eloïse—pale and motionless as a corpse—they could not hide their shock.
Maery bit her lip to stifle a sob, but the tears flowing down her cheeks could not be contained.
When the physician finally rose from his examination, Lucian asked urgently:
“How is she? Is it serious?”
“Fortunately, there is nothing grave to report.”
At those words, the tension that had gripped everyone in the room began to ease.
“Has she suffered some severe shock? Her vitality is considerably depleted, which is why she fainted. With proper rest and nourishment, she should recover well.”
“That’s a relief.”
“I shall prepare medicine and have it sent up shortly.”
“Please do. And as for this matter—”
“I shall say nothing, naturally.”
Once the physician departed, Maery hastened to Eloïse’s side.
“What on earth happened?”
As Maery bathed Eloïse’s forehead with a damp cloth, Lucian gave her a brief account of what had transpired with Camilo.
Danae, thoroughly exhausted by Camilo’s antics, let slip a sharp observation:
“Struggling to the bitter end, the fool. And how does he think he’ll manage the fallout?”
Unlike the confident Danae, Lucian said nothing. The situation was hardly in his favor.
“It’s grown quite late. Wouldn’t it be best if everyone retired to rest?”
At the aide’s suggestion, Danae rose from the sofa. The aide glanced meaningfully at Lucian, but he did not stir.
“I’ll keep watch tonight. Maery, go get some rest.”
“But, Your Highness—”
“Your Highness!”
“The young lady should properly be attended by me.”
The aide, startled, shot Maery an approving look, but Lucian shook his head.
“At least for tonight, I want to be here.”
Seeing the resolve in his face, Maery finally rose from her place.
“Understood. But please, if you need anything, do call for me at once.”
“I will.”
Once Maery and Danae had withdrawn, the aide raised his voice for the first time.
“Your Highness, you’ll ruin your health. Let the servants handle this—please go rest, even for a little while.”
“I’m fine. Besides, there’s something I need you to do urgently.”
“Yes?”
Lucian beckoned him closer, and the aide immediately stepped near his lord.
“Send word to Captain Corinthes—the one who sent me that gift before.”
“A message, sir?”
“Tell him I want to know everything about the Grand Duke Dominic.”
“Yes, I understand.”
A gleam of comprehension flashed across the aide’s eyes. Of course—His Highness had a plan all along.
After dismissing the aide, Lucian finally found himself alone with Eloïse. He pulled the chair close to the bed.
His gaze lingered on her face before drifting lower.
….
Dark bruises marked her delicate wrists—Camilo’s handiwork.
Lucian washed his face, then carefully applied ointment to the bruised areas.
A storm of emotions churned within him, but the one that cut deepest was the guilt of having failed to protect her.
I won’t let her suffer anymore. This time, I have to find my own way through this.
With that resolve, Lucian kept vigil through the night, his eyes never closing. Yet exhaustion did not touch him.
***
“Good morning, Your Highness.”
At the cheerful greeting, Camilo—who had been standing with a crooked posture—turned his head.
Grand Duke Dominic approached from across the courtyard, his cloak sweeping grandly behind him, with his aide carrying his son Aden following close behind.
“Yes, good morning.”
Camilo’s response came with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.
He had promised to give the Grand Duke, who had arrived later than the other envoys, a personal tour of the Imperial Palace.
Arriving ten minutes late to such an engagement was unforgivable. Camilo made no effort to hide his displeasure as he continued:
“Follow me.”
As Camilo led the way, the Grand Duke matched his pace.
“The imperial capital is certainly impressive. The palace and gardens are extraordinary.”
“Well, naturally they are.”
Camilo remained cool, while the Grand Duke subtly read his mood.
‘The boy is arrogant beyond measure.’
Camilo, who had been born and raised in the Imperial Palace, was entirely different in bearing from Argen, who had only recently become a prince. The natural nobility that radiated from his very bones was almost offensive.
For a while, the two men walked in silence. Only Camilo’s aide prattled on with commentary about various sights.
It was Camilo who first broke the silence they had been holding like a contest.
“Your Grace, do you enjoy hunting?”
The question came just as Camilo’s group reached the entrance to the Imperial Palace’s hunting grounds, with dense forest stretching beyond.
“Very much indeed.”
The Grand Duke smiled, and Camilo smiled in return.
“Perhaps we should all go hunting together soon? The Imperial hunting grounds are quite vast and treacherous—it makes for excellent sport.”
“All of us, you say…?”
“Myself, Your Grace, and Valensio. That should be sufficient, wouldn’t you agree?”
There was something sinister in that smile, and the Grand Duke’s eyes narrowed. Clearly, the boy had something in mind.
“Excellent. I would be honored.”
The Grand Duke released the tension in his gaze and smiled. Though they had been engaged in subtle maneuvering, it was best to accept any opening offered.
“I’ve heard nothing but praise for Your Highness’s hunting prowess. I would dearly like to learn from you.”
“Well, it’s not undeserved. It seems to be a natural gift.”
As Camilo preened, his eyes accidentally met those of Aden, cradled in the aide’s arms.
The boy’s bright, observant gaze fixed steadily on Camilo.
“So you want to come along too.”
….
“But you’ll have to wait until you’re a bit older.”
After patting Aden’s head once, Camilo resumed his walk deeper into the palace. The Grand Duke, matching his stride, spoke in a surprisingly familiar tone:
“I would very much like to welcome Your Highness to the Grand Duchy someday. You’ve never visited, have you?”
Camilo nodded in agreement. It was only natural—until now, the Grand Duchy had been little more than a backwater kingdom beneath the Empire’s notice.
“You’re right. After meeting you, I find myself curious about the Grand Duchy. And I’d like to see those ore deposits you mentioned.”
“There is someone I would like to introduce to Your Highness.”
“An introduction?”
Camilo tilted his head in question, and the Grand Duke continued with seeming nonchalance:
“I have a niece who has only recently come of age. She’s been celebrated as a beauty since childhood, and her character is equally fine—suitors line up endlessly.”
….
Camilo, who had been walking smoothly, suddenly stopped. The Grand Duke, whose pace had matched his, halted as well.
“Is something troubling you, Your Highness?”
For all the courtesy in his words, the Grand Duke’s tone had turned distinctly sharp. He no longer bothered to hide his unwillingness to continue appeasing Camilo.
“I don’t find that amusing at all.”
“Pardon?”
“Your niece? Not even the Grand Duchy’s legitimate heir, but a mere niece—offered to the Crown Prince of this great Empire? To me, the future ruler? That’s not a jest I care to hear, Your Grace.”
….
The Grand Duke’s smile slowly faded.
“Besides, I am already betrothed. A young noblewoman of such standing that you would understand at a glance.”
Camilo’s eyes were sharp with warning. His hand absently moved to the hilt of his sword.
“I meant no offense with such a thoughtless remark…”
“Though if you wish, I could always offer you Valensio instead.”
….
“What—are you interested in making a trade, Your Grace?”

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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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