Chapter 03 …

The Slave Is Too Handsome!

Eloise appeared, dressed in a pure white gown.

Though her shining blonde hair was adorned with countless lavish ornaments, it didn’t look excessive in the slightest.

Seeing her looking far more beautiful than usual, everyone attending the ball found themselves speechless and frozen in place. Not only the nobles, but also the servants and even the orchestra specially hired for today.

As if time itself had stopped, silence filled the ballroom while Eloise slowly walked forward.

Though her gaze remained fixed ahead, she was carefully observing the people around her.

From the count’s daughter, to Georges standing in the distance with an unpleasant expression, and even Baron Graham, the subject of recent rumors.

“It’s been a while, Lady Duke.”

Prince Camilo confidently approached and greeted Eloise.

As if he alone had the right to stand proudly before her.

With an expressionless face, Eloise offered a polite greeting.

“I greet the Empire’s Little Sun.”

Camilo smirked.

That upright attitude and those haughty eyes.

I like her every time I see her.

Camilo was also pleased that everyone present was watching the two of them.

“Would you honor me with a dance, Lady Duke?”

Camilo extended his hand.

After staring at it for a moment, Eloise lightly placed her hand atop his.

“Very well.”

The moment she answered, Camilo tightly clasped her hand.

The possessiveness hidden in that gesture disgusted her.

Eloise’s eyebrow twitched slightly.

As soon as the two joined hands, the orchestra picked up on the situation and began playing the next piece.

Cheerful music filled the hall.

Normally, Eloise would never have entertained him, but there was something she needed to confirm with Camilo.

The two danced at the very center of the ballroom.

Around them, the other nobles danced along to the music as well.

“I’ve hardly seen you lately. Has something happened?”

“I haven’t been feeling well.”

“Oh my, had I known, I would have personally visited you while you were ill—”

“Has His Majesty been well?”

Turning gracefully, Eloise interrupted Camilo and asked.

The person Eloise cared about wasn’t Camilo, who was still merely a prince despite being twenty years old and failing to become Crown Prince.

“Well, he’s been somewhat unwell recently, but it’s nothing serious.”

“…”

“Though he still keeps going on about the First Prince. It’s enough to tire anyone. It seems he’s living in the past alone.”

Camilo pouted.

“No matter what he says, the position of Crown Prince will belong to me.”

After wiping away his sour expression, Camilo joked casually.

For once, Eloise smiled brightly.

That was exactly what she wanted to hear.

Her steps became noticeably lighter as they danced.

“I hate to admit it, but they really do look good together.”

One of the young noble ladies seated at a table commented while watching them dance.

The others nodded in agreement.

The Lady Duke and the Prince made a rather fitting pair.

Among all the men in the Empire, the Second Prince was perhaps the only one suitable for someone who possessed everything, like Eloise.

“I can’t believe the song is already over. Lady Duke, perhaps one more dance—”

As soon as the music ended, Eloise released Camilo’s hand without the slightest hesitation and walked away.

Camilo’s face darkened.

He had wanted to continue talking with her.

Eloise sat down on a nearby sofa that happened to be empty.

It had been a long day.

She was exhausted from everything that had happened, but she maintained her posture with deliberate elegance.

At that moment, a group led by Lady Rose of the Viscount’s family approached her.

“Is the rumor true, Lady Eloise?”

Lady Rose asked with one corner of her lips raised.

It was far from a friendly smile.

The expressions of the other young ladies weren’t much different.

One by one, they took seats around Eloise.

“What rumor would that be? I don’t pay much attention to pointless gossip.”

Seated at the center, Eloise took a sip of tea before responding.

Lady Rose’s expression stiffened briefly before relaxing again.

Meanwhile, several other young ladies’ eyes sparkled.

They admired Eloise’s confidence.

“Oh my, calling it pointless gossip seems rather dismissive when it’s such a major topic. The rumor that you’re marrying Baron Graham.”

“Oh, come now, Lady Rose. Does that even make sense? Baron Graham is old enough to be my father if we’re being generous.”

“Oh my, are you insulting the Baron right now?”

The young ladies burst into laughter.

It was obvious mockery.

Crossing her arms, Eloise quietly watched them.

Let’s see how far they’ll take this.

Her gaze fixed directly on Lady Rose, the center of the gossip.

Eventually, the noisy laughter began to fade.

“Allow me to correct the misunderstanding.”

Eloise slowly rose from her seat.

Everyone’s eyes turned toward her.

“I have no intention of forming a marriage alliance with Baron Graham’s family, nor with any other family. And if I ever do marry…”

Eloise looked toward Baron Graham, who was holding a wine glass in each hand.

For some reason, he seemed delighted.

Upon hearing her words, the Baron grinned and raised his glass.

“I will personally choose the man who becomes my husband.”

This time, her gaze shifted toward Prince Camilo.

“Because—”

Finally, Eloise glared at Georges standing in a corner.

His face was bright red as he stomped his feet and pointed at her.

There was no way she would hand over a prestigious family to a foolish bastard.

“I, Eloise Belle La Croix, will become the Duke of La Croix.”

“Eeeek!”

Beside the La Croix Ducal family’s annex, a maid screamed after entering the knights’ quarters.

She had come to bring clothes and had accidentally made eye contact with several naked men who had just finished bathing.

Three of the four slaves Eloise had purchased burst into laughter.

“That’s enough laughing! Get dressed immediately!”

The elderly butler Arthur, who had been watching, ordered them with an irritated expression.

Arthur truly could not understand the young lady.

She should have been focusing on the competition for the position of next Duke.

Why did she insist on doing things that would only create more problems?

Thanks to the young lady, Arthur felt as though he was aging rapidly every single day.

“Once you’re dressed, come eat.”

Stew filled with bread and meat, along with salad, was quickly arranged on the wooden dining table.

“Wow!”

“Whoa! It’s so warm!”

Despite being a modest dinner, every one of the men lit up with excitement.

At the slave market they had always been fed spoiled food.

Compared to that, this was a royal feast.

Instead of using the utensils before them, the slaves grabbed food with both hands and stuffed it into their mouths.

The maid pouring water jumped in surprise and took a step back.

Arthur frowned.

“You fools! Can’t you use the utensils and eat properly!?”

Even after hearing Arthur’s scolding, they continued devouring the food greedily.

Only the blonde-haired man seated at the edge used a fork, quietly pushing vegetables around his plate.

“Sigh. You should be grateful to the young lady who showed mercy and took you in.”

One man, who had been drinking stew directly from the bowl, slammed it down and asked:

“Let’s ask something first. Who exactly is the young lady who bought us?”

At the question, the blonde-haired man finally looked up from his struggle with the vegetables.

Arthur let out a long sigh.

“Did you come here without even knowing where you were going?”

“Would slaves know something like that?”

One man with cat-like eyes chuckled.

Arthur tapped the floor twice with his cane before speaking.

“Listen carefully. Your master is Miss Eloise Belle La Croix of the House of La Croix.”

As though they had rehearsed it, the three men immediately stopped eating.

Even as lowly slaves, anyone living within the Finestra Empire knew of the House of La Croix.

It was a prestigious and authoritative noble family whose standing rivaled even the Imperial Family.

“You mean a family that incredible accepted us?”

“Wow, what an honor.”

The men rejoiced, their faces filled with excitement at the once-in-a-lifetime fortune that had come their way.

Satisfied with their reaction, Arthur’s expression softened.

“Be deeply grateful for her kindness.”

“No wonder. She’s so beautiful I thought I’d go blind.”

“A heart as beautiful as her face.”

The three men continued chatting about Eloise while Arthur repeatedly scolded them for speaking carelessly.

Yet the blonde-haired man showed almost no reaction.

He simply ate slowly, occasionally gazing out the window.

Several moments of silence had descended upon the Count’s ball throughout the evening.

“…”

After finishing her declaration, Eloise cleared her throat and prepared to leave.

Before she could go, several young noble ladies approached her.

“Lady Eloise, what you just said was truly inspiring.”

“When can you attend one of our tea parties?”

“Of course. Send me an invitation.”

“Really? I’ll definitely send one!”

Wearing a perfect business smile, Eloise graciously managed her admirers before making her way toward the exit.

Everyone expressed disappointment that she was leaving so soon.

But she had already accomplished what she came to do.

Eloise maintained her bright smile until the very last moment.

Then, just as she was about to leave the mansion—

“Isn’t being the Empire’s Empress better than being merely a Duke?”

The mocking voice made Eloise stop walking.

She didn’t even need to look to know who it was.

Leaning against the wall beside the entrance stood Camilo, arms crossed, staring at her with a mischievous expression.

Camilo had expected her to pout.

Instead, Eloise smiled warmly.

“If you hand the Emperor’s throne over to me, then I shall consider Your Highness for the position of Empress.”