The Slave Is Too Handsome - Chapter 83

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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!
083.
“……A transaction, Your Highness?”
Dominic’s gaze, which had lingered on Camilo’s sword hilt, slowly lifted. Camilo smiled like a child plotting some mischievous prank.
“Indeed, a transaction. I can give you Valensio, the crown prince of this realm. Take him as a son-in-law, work him as you see fit—do as you please with him.”
“……Then, what might I offer in return, Your Highness?”
“That is for you to consider and propose to me.”
Though Camilo’s mouth curved in amusement, his eyes had gone cold. Unlike the first day when he’d used formal address with the duke, his tone had since grown considerably curt.
The Second Prince has thoroughly offended him. Dominic masked his chagrin behind careful composure.
“Ha ha, surely one cannot pass up such an opportunity. I shall reflect upon it…….”
“Then I shall await the duke’s answer.”
Camilo deliberately cut the conversation short and brushed past Dominic. He swept his cloak with theatrical flourish and left, as though the business were concluded. The Second Prince’s aide hastily followed him out.
Only Dominic and his retinue remained, abandoned in the chamber, their faces flushed with dismay.
“The more I think on it, the more it infuriates me.”
Back within the Second Prince’s Palace, Camilo muttered to himself. The aide trailing behind watched his mood carefully.
“The duke, Your Highness?”
“Yes. How dare a mere grand duchy presume to climb upon me?”
As his anger festered, Camilo’s pace faltered, and he snorted with indignation. His fists clenched with barely contained fury.
Beyond all else, Camilo had been rankled by the fact that Dominic had conducted a separate conversation with Lucian, excluding him entirely.
“…….”
Then, gradually, his flushed countenance settled into something calmer. His lips twisted into a smile as he spoke.
“Perhaps I should sweep them both away at once. Hehehehe.”
Camilo resumed walking, his loud laugh echoing down the corridor.
‘……I want to resign.’
The aide contemplated seriously as he watched Camilo’s mood careen wildly. It was not a rare sight, but one to which he had never grown accustomed.
“What are you doing! Come along!”
At the sharp command, the aide snapped to attention and quickened his pace.
***
Despite Lucian and Meary’s devoted care, Eloïse did not recover consciousness.
Contrary to hopes that she would soon rise from bed, her condition only worsened.
Before a day had passed, high fever seized her, followed by chills. Even as her consciousness fled, faint cries of pain escaped her parched lips.
The death of her guard had been the catalyst; her exhausted body and spirit had finally collapsed.
The physician brought stronger medicine, but could only manage to administer it during the brief moments when Eloïse’s consciousness flickered halfway back.
Unless the emperor summoned him or urgent business demanded otherwise, Lucian returned to the bedchamber without fail to look after Eloïse.
“I am here, sire. Please do not exhaust yourself further.”
Meary, seated at the bedside, regarded Lucian with anxious eyes.
“Do not concern yourself with me.”
Lucian forced a smile, though his own complexion had grown as pallid as Eloïse’s.
He had only just returned from the emperor, who had pressed him relentlessly for strategies to ensnare Dominic.
Outside the window, the sun was already sinking low on the horizon.
It was then.
“Your Highness! I bring urgent news.”
The aide appeared in the bedchamber, flustered and breathless.
The two men left Eloïse and Meary behind and moved to the office.
Once they were alone, the aide began to pour out his report.
“This morning, the Second Prince gave the grand duke a tour of the palace, it seems. According to the spy we have placed in his household, the atmosphere was far from favorable.”
Lucian hardly needed to wonder at the reason—it was certainly due to Camilo’s temperament, which flared at the slightest provocation.
Yet, hoping for clarity, Lucian asked nonetheless.
“Why is that?”
“It appears certain remarks made by the grand duke displeased the Second Prince.”
As expected. In fact, Lucian thought it favorable news. If relations between the two truly had soured, the advantage swung decidedly in his direction.
“There is one more thing to report. The Second Prince has proposed that you all go hunting together soon.”
“Hunting?”
“Yes. He specifically suggested that you, the Second Prince, and the grand duke participate.”
Lucian’s eyes narrowed. He did not like that Camilo had singled out these three persons.
‘He is certainly scheming something.’
The aide, harboring similar suspicions, ventured cautiously for his lord’s counsel.
“Would it not be better to decline, Your Highness?”
Lucian shook his head.
“Tell him I shall attend. But attach a condition.”
“What condition, Your Highness?”
“That other noble youths also attend. I shall provide a list of participants from my side; instruct them to invite guests from theirs as well.”
“I shall convey this at once.”
Lucian drew out parchment and began writing the names of young nobles from families close to him, fluently and without hesitation. If many eyes were present, even Camilo would not dare act rashly.
After handing the parchment to his aide, Lucian rose from his seat. The time to meet with Dominic was approaching.
Before leaving the office, he stopped at the bedchamber to check on Eloïse once more.
The medicine seemed to be taking effect; Eloïse slept with a much more peaceful expression.
“I’ll be back soon.”
Lucian whispered tenderly and departed the palace.
“I beg your pardon, but might you wait a moment? The grand duke is temporarily away.”
It was not Dominic himself, but his servant, who greeted Lucian upon his arrival at the Guest Palace.
“Where has the grand duke gone?”
“That is……. He departed in haste without forewarning. Shall I show you to the reception room to wait?”
Observing the servant’s stammering, Lucian nodded. He was then ushered into the empty reception room.
Seated on the sofa, Lucian gathered his thoughts. Then, suddenly aware of an unfamiliar sensation, he looked down,
“Aden?”
Bright, sparkling eyes met his gaze. Aden, the grand duke’s son, clung to Lucian’s leg.
“Have you eaten supper?”
Lucian smiled naturally and hoisted Aden into his arms. The boy gazed at him intently from his lap, nodding silently without speaking.
“Shall we wait together?”
Aden broke into a grin. Strangely, the mere sight of a child brought peace to his heart.
Meanwhile, the Dominic whom Lucian awaited was in an unexpected place. He had hurried to Camilo’s palace to complete the conversation left unfinished that morning.
As though anticipating his arrival, Camilo greeted the grand duke with a confident expression, then dismissed both their aides entirely.
Thus only Camilo and Dominic remained in the office, seated face to face on comfortable single-seat sofas.
“Have you reached a conclusion already?”
At Camilo’s words, the tension that had stiffened Dominic’s expression eased.
The Second Prince, who had employed a subtly condescending tone until this morning, now spoke with courtesy.
That subtle shift felt to Dominic like a positive signal—that a marriage alliance with Finestra was within reach.
Masking his expression, Dominic nodded and spoke carefully.
“I offer Your Highness the exclusive right to trade in Novadin.”
By Dominic’s standards, this was a remarkably generous condition. Even Camilo, he imagined, had not anticipated terms so bold.
‘Surely the Second Prince will be delighted?’
Yet his expectation proved spectacularly wrong.
“Hmm…….”
Camilo stroked his chin with evident disinterest. At the Second Prince’s lukewarm response, Dominic’s complexion turned cold.
‘Wretched brat!’
Dominic gritted his teeth, then asked with utmost courtesy.
“Does the condition not please Your Highness?”
Camilo’s eyes conveyed the obvious, then he sank deeply into the back of his sofa.
“After this morning, I’ve had time to think matters through, and I’ve come to realize that while Novadin is all well and good, what I truly desire lies elsewhere.”
“……What condition does Your Highness seek? Pray, speak freely.”
Dominic pressed further, but Camilo’s lips remained firmly sealed.
“…….”
As Camilo prolonged the silence, anxiety fell to Dominic’s lot.
What condition could possibly warrant such theatre? Try as he might, his mind conjured nothing more advantageous than what he had already offered.
Dominic’s gaze naturally drifted to Camilo’s fingers, which tapped rhythmically against the armrest.
At the moment those fingers, which had moved at steady intervals, finally stilled,
“The condition I propose is this:”
“…….”
“Bring me Valensio’s head from this hunt.”
Camilo fixed Dominic with an utterly mirthless gaze, his eyes devoid of all warmth.
“Will you accept?”

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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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