The Slave Is Too Handsome!
008
“Or die by my hand.”
Haa. At the sight of the duke’s daughter, who was uttering such murderous words with an angelic face, Lucian let out a deep sigh.
No matter where he ran, it felt like this woman would chase him to the ends of the earth and kill him. And then, just to make a spectacle of it, she would probably preserve him as a display piece in the ducal estate.
In that case, Lucian would become neither truly alive nor dead—just a ghost lingering in the duchy.
So I really should’ve left yesterday.
Last night had been his final chance to escape this insane noble lady.
Only now did regret wash over him. Was it curiosity about this unpredictable girl that made him stay just a little longer to “hear her out”? Lucian found himself resenting that past decision.
He had grown up on the streets, seen every kind of ugliness life had to offer, and built calluses over his heart strong enough that most things didn’t faze him—but a situation with no answer like this was a first.
“So, what’s your choice?”
His mouth went dry. His mind a mess, Lucian ran a hand through his hair and knelt on one knee before Eloise.
“I will obey my lady’s command.”
Yes, that’s how it should be.
With a victorious smile, Eloise rose from her seat.
“Good. I look forward to working with you, Lucian.”
At the young mistress’s voice calling his name, Lucian’s shoulders trembled slightly.
Sorry, but no matter how I think about it, your plan is insane.
For now, he would act obedient. He would play along just enough while waiting for an opportunity to escape. Then he would cross the border and flee to a foreign country where she could never reach him.
Even if she chased him and killed him in the end, he would at least try everything he could.
Lucian lifted his head and smiled brightly at Eloise.
A few days later.
In the afternoon, sunlight stretched long into the room as Eloise sorted documents in her office.
Knock, knock.
A knock sounded.
“Come in.”
The door opened and Mary appeared. Eloise placed her quill back into the inkstand.
“My lady, I have completed the task you assigned.”
“Really?”
“Would you like to take a look?”
At Eloise’s nod, Mary gestured outside the door.
Soon, four slaves entered the office one after another.
“Well? Much better, right?”
Mary said proudly. All four men looked noticeably more presentable. Now that their messy hair had been tidied, faces previously hidden by grime were revealed. Each of them had fairly decent looks.
But among them, Lucian stood out without question.
With his long hair gone, the strands that once covered his eyes, his deep gaze became far more prominent. A face that balanced beauty and handsomeness alike suited Eloise perfectly.
“Wow. I can barely recognize them. As expected, Mary, you’re very skilled.”
At Eloise’s praise, the three men smiled shyly. Only Lucian remained expressionless.
“From now on, you will be members of my knight order.”
The three men brightened further. As expected, Lucian looked like he had been dragged into something troublesome.
“You will still be trainee knights and undergo strict training under Frederick.”
“By the way, there is no one like our lady anywhere in this empire!” Mary said proudly.
And she wasn’t wrong. Taking slaves in as trainee knights of a ducal house was no ordinary matter. It was something that might only happen after generations of merit.
“We will devote our lives to you!”
“This life belongs to you, my lady!”
“We will never forget your grace!”
Ned, Finn, and Gabe shouted in turn.
Eloise watched them with satisfaction, then glanced at Lucian. He gave a lazy bow, as if it couldn’t be helped.
Mary shot him a sharp look.
So being handsome is enough, huh.
She clearly didn’t like his arrogant attitude.
“You may all leave now.”
“Yes!”
“Lucian, you stay.”
Mary led the three out and quietly closed the door.
Once they were alone, Lucian flopped down into an empty chair.
“I will personally train you. There are hardly any people in this empire as well-versed in etiquette, politics, economics, and culture as I am.”
“……”
“Of course, you’ll also undergo Frederick’s combat training. Be prepared.”
“…Fine.”
“Oh? Your speech is slipping again.”
Arms crossed, Eloise looked down at him.
“So what? No one else is listening anyway. More importantly, aren’t we on the same boat now?”
Lucian smiled nonchalantly, but Eloise did not return it.
“Have you forgotten? I am still your master, and you are my slave—”
“Wrong. I am the man who will become the Crown Prince… and ultimately the Emperor of the Finstra Empire. I think, Lady, you should start practicing proper etiquette toward me from now on.”
Oh, is that so?
How cute.
Eloise finally smiled and nodded.
“Fine. Do as you please.”
As long as training starts, I’ll grind that attitude out of you.
She let out a soft, ominous laugh.
Lucian felt a chill run down his neck. He couldn’t tell what she was thinking—but he was certain it wasn’t anything good.
I’m definitely escaping before that second prince’s birthday.
The next day, Lucian’s expression was already dark from the morning.
He sat slouched at Eloise’s desk as thick books began piling up one by one.
“The history and politics of the Finstra Empire, diplomacy, the imperial family’s history and genealogy, basic etiquette, artistic appreciation, languages, piano, and dance—you need to know all of this.”
Eloise dusted her hands off proudly after stacking the books herself.
The tower of books already rose higher than Lucian’s line of sight. It was almost a relief it didn’t reach the ceiling.
Lucian, now pale, asked,
“…What?”
“The history and politics of the Finstra Empire—”
“Wait, wait.”
Pressing his fingers against his temple, Lucian interrupted.
“Do I really have to go this far?”
“Are you going to complain about being weak from day one?”
Eloise looked down at him like he was hopeless.
“Listen, my lady. The First Prince was kidnapped at age five. Do you really think a five-year-old knew all that?”
He spread his hands wide to emphasize “five.”
Eloise replied calmly, as if reciting poetry.
“The Finstra language, imperial history, basic piano skills, poetry writing, and even foundational swordsmanship. Oh, and etiquette, of course. Those were all things the First Prince had mastered at five.”
“…That even human? That’s a monster.”
“Which is why the Emperor still waits for the First Prince—whose fate is unknown.”
Lucian sighed deeply, rubbing his head in frustration. No matter how many times he thought about it, it only felt like he had walked straight into a trap.
“And think long-term. Your goal isn’t just to be recognized as the First Prince.”
When Eloise said “we,” Lucian’s brow twitched.
This was her plan. Not theirs. He didn’t like being lumped into “we.”
“After you’re officially recognized, you’ll compete with the Second Prince for the Crown Prince position. This is the bare minimum.”
She pointed at the tower of books.
Lucian made one last attempt.
“You said the Second Prince is incompetent, right? Then isn’t this a bit excessive—”
“He’s incompetent compared to me. But he is still someone who received imperial education. And he’s sharp in unpleasant ways. Cunning.”
“….”
“You must never underestimate him.”
Eloise’s expression twisted at the thought of him.
“Got it?”
“…Got it.”
Lucian puffed his cheeks slightly, clearly not happy but out of options.
“Haa. Three months until the birthday. We’ll finish it by then.”
Muttering to herself, Eloise pulled out parchment and scribbled on it, then handed it to him.
“Can you read this?”
Lucian stared at the parchment in silence.
So… we start with letters, huh?
She hadn’t expected a slave to read in the first place. This was just a test.
As Eloise was about to speak, Lucian murmured first.
“Valencio Seth Floren… who is that?”
“!!!”
“Judging by the Floren surname, he’s royalty. Ah. The First Prince’s name?”
Eloise said nothing.
Lucian looked at the parchment again to confirm he hadn’t misread it.
Valencio Seth Floren.
No matter how many times he read it, that was the name.
Still, Eloise remained silent.
Lucian glanced at her carefully, trying to read her expression.
No matter how deeply he looked into her dark eyes, he couldn’t decipher the proud young lady.
Eventually, his thoughts settled into a single conclusion.
Maybe I should just give up everything… and let her kill me.
