The Slave Is Too Handsome!
009.
Unlike the serious Lucian, Eloise was thinking about something entirely different.
‘Even God is on my side. How did I manage to get my hands on someone like this?’
A slave who could read. In an era where even many commoners—let alone slaves—were illiterate, this was an unexpected windfall. It would cut her work time dramatically.
“That’s right. It’s the First Prince’s name. Remember it. It will soon become your name too.”
Valencio Ses Floren. Valencio Ses Floren. Valencio…
At Eloise’s words, Lucian absentmindedly rolled the First Prince’s name around in his mouth.
A man he had never even seen—someone who felt no more real to him than a figure in a book. Unlike himself, who had no proper name to speak of, this man carried a long, splendid name.
“Lucian, do you happen to know any other foreign languages? Ah, never mind. First, try writing your name.”
Eloise, who had been lost in thought, suddenly asked with bright eyes. She even handed him a quill dipped in ink.
“My name?”
“Yes. Your name, Lucian.”
That’s not my real name.
Lucian muttered inwardly as he carefully wrote the letters on parchment.
My name is Lucian. You arrogant know-it-all lady.
“Wow. You even write beautifully… Hey! Who are you calling an arrogant know-it-all? I’m not arrogant—I’m just genuinely amazing.”
“Anyway, you can read and write at least.”
“Lucian, the more I look at you, the more I like you.”
“……”
Eloise smiled brightly. For a moment, Lucian frowned.
It was strange. Eloise had always been expressive and smiled often since the first time he met her. And yet…
Why does this smile feel different, even though I’ve seen it before?
Lucian couldn’t find an answer. Eloise spoke again.
“Can you speak any other foreign languages?”
“I know a little Callaum, and only the basics of Pavelos.”
“That’s more than enough.”
After that, Eloise taught Lucian the imperial family tree—the names and traits of the current royals.
She had expected him to be bored, but surprisingly, Lucian listened with full attention.
Thus, their first lesson came to an end. And Eloise grew even more curious about Lucian.
What kind of man was he? What kind of past did he have, to speak so many languages—and how did he end up a slave?
Knowing that would make it easier to turn the missing fifteen years of the First Prince’s history into something far more compelling.
Should I just ask him directly?
No. Never mind.
Eloise answered herself internally. Somehow, she didn’t think Lucian would willingly reveal his past. It would be better to build rapport first, and ask gradually later.
Instead, I should do some background investigation.
Georges stormed angrily toward Eloise’s separate residence.
A few days earlier, he had been summoned by his father and received a scolding along with shocking news.
A two-week confinement—and they even stripped me of my authority over the southern estate!
Georges gritted his teeth. Managing the estate wasn’t particularly important—it was mostly a hassle—so losing that wasn’t the real issue. The problem was the two-week ban on going out.
He was a man who could not stand staying indoors. His life’s pleasures were going out, meeting other noble heirs, drinking, hunting, and talking about women.
And now—house arrest?!
I need to meet Baron Graham and figure out how to marry Eloise off to him.
This was all Eloise’s fault.
Georges needed to remove her quickly and become the head of the ducal house. Then he could take control of the family and its wealth.
For that, he first needed to visit Eloise and appease her. His plan was to apologize just enough to get the restriction lifted.
I’d love to scold her more, but I’ll hold back this once… sigh.
But Georges’ plan ran into an obstacle before he even saw Eloise.
“I’m sorry, but you cannot enter, young master.”
A knight guarding the entrance to the annex blocked his way.
The knight—at least a head taller than Georges—looked down at him. Georges flinched for a moment, then lifted his chin proudly.
“Hah. Hey, do you even know who I am?”
The knight replied flatly.
“Lady Eloise’s orders are that you are not to be allowed inside. The Duke has approved it as well.”
“Ha! I need to see that woman—no, Eloise!”
Frustrated, Georges threw a tantrum like a child, but the knight remained unmoved. If anything, he looked mildly annoyed.
“Lady Eloise does not wish to see you.”
“Ugh! Then is Eloise inside right now?”
“That information cannot be disclosed.”
What now?
Georges briefly considered punching the knight, but the size difference made him hesitate. Instead, he changed his mind.
What if I just wait here until she comes out?
With that thought, he leaned against the outer wall, crossing his arms with a sly grin.
The knight watched him suspiciously but did not interfere. Thirty minutes passed.
Ugh, I’m dying of boredom.
Georges yawned loudly. Not even a single insect was in sight.
Should I just leave?
The moment he unfolded his arms—
“Are they all assembled?”
A loud voice echoed from behind the annex.
It seemed knight training had begun.
Curious, Georges walked toward the sound.
As expected, Eloise’s knight corps was training lightly in the backyard under Frederick’s command.
The La Croix ducal house maintained two knight groups: the official ducal knights and a smaller unit dedicated solely to Eloise.
It was unusual for a noble lady to have her own knight order, but Eloise was an exception.
Wait a second.
Watching the training, Georges tilted his head.
Come to think of it… that blond guy. Why was he in Eloise’s room at that time? Even if he’s a knight, he shouldn’t be alone in a noble lady’s chambers, right?
Georges recalled the blond man who had blocked his way on that day.
Because he had been drunk, he couldn’t remember the face clearly—but the blond hair and strong build stood out.
For once, Georges’ mind worked quickly.
I’ve got it.
A way to take revenge on that woman.
Baron Graham was sipping honey wine since early morning.
He enjoyed watching the scenery outside his window while drinking, as it made all worldly troubles feel distant.
But today was different. No matter how much he drank, his mood didn’t improve.
It was all because of Georges, who had cut off contact. If that brat who called himself a “young duke” hadn’t tempted him with promises of his sister, none of this would have happened.
“I have no intention of forming marital ties with the House of Graham, or any house for that matter.”
Heh.
Baron Graham recalled the ballroom at Count Miller’s estate.
Eloise’s defiant eyes, saying she would not marry him, were vivid in his mind. A familiar heaviness stirred within him.
Just as expected… she’s desirable.
He preferred proud, strong-willed noble ladies like Eloise over quiet, obedient dolls. He wanted to break that arrogance.
Now was not the time to hesitate. He had to act before the young Second Prince got to her first.
“A flame that is bright and beautiful will burn you if you get too close, Baron.”
At the Miller Count’s ball, while waiting for his carriage, the Second Prince had casually thrown those words at him.
The fools around him had laughed. Baron Graham’s ears had turned red. It sounded like a joke, but no idiot would mistake it—the Second Prince was serious.
That brat hasn’t even become Crown Prince yet.
His expression shifted constantly.
To crush the Second Prince’s arrogance, he needed Eloise.
At that moment, a knock came and his butler entered.
“Baron. It appears Young Lord Georges has been placed under a travel restriction.”
“A travel restriction?”
“Yes. I confirmed it with a servant who serves him.”
So that’s how it is.
The baron set down his bottle.
“Bring parchment. I will send a letter.”
The butler quickly prepared ink, quill, and parchment.
Sitting at the desk, the baron thought for a moment, then began writing without hesitation.
To the honorable Young Lord Georges La Croix,
from your devoted friend, Graham.
I have heard of your confinement and find it regrettable that we cannot spend time together.
Perhaps you could host guests at your estate instead? I am certain everyone would gladly accept an invitation.
I look forward to the day I may once again step into the ducal residence.
Two hours later, Baron Graham received a positive reply from Georges.
The man’s greedy eyes gleamed slickly.
