Chapter 09 …

The Slave Is Too Handsome!

Unlike the serious Lucian, Eloise was thinking about something entirely different.

The gods are helping me too. How did I manage to get my hands on someone like this?

A slave who could read.

In this era, there were countless commoners who couldn’t read, let alone slaves. This alone would drastically shorten the time she needed.

“That’s right. It’s the First Prince’s name. Remember it. Because it will soon become your name.”

Valensio Seth Floren.

Valensio Seth Floren.

Valensio…

At Eloise’s words, Lucian absentmindedly rolled the First Prince’s name around in his mouth.

A man whose face he had never even seen. To Lucian, he felt no more real than a character from a book.

A man with a long, splendid name, unlike himself, who didn’t even possess a proper one.

“Lucian, can you speak any other foreign languages? Ah, never mind. Why don’t you try writing your name first?”

After sitting in thought for a while, Eloise suddenly asked with sparkling eyes.

She handed him a quill dipped in ink.

“My name?”

“Yeah. Your name, Lucian.”

But that’s not my real name.

Muttering inwardly, Lucian neatly wrote across the parchment.

My name is Lucian. You boastful Demon King young lady.

“Wow. You even have beautiful handwriting— Wait, who’s calling whom a boastful Demon King? It’s not boasting if it’s actually true. I really am amazing.”

“Anyway, I can at least read and write.”

“Lucian, the more I see you, the more I like you.”

“……”

Eloise smiled brightly.

For a moment, Lucian frowned.

It was strange.

Ever since he’d first met her, Eloise had always been expressive and quick to smile.

And yet…

It’s not even the first time I’ve seen her smile, so why is it bothering me?

Lucian couldn’t find an answer.

Eloise spoke again.

“Do you know any foreign languages?”

“I know a little Kalaum, and only the basics of Pavelos.”

“That’ll be enough.”

After that, Eloise taught Lucian the royal family tree.

The names of the current imperial family members, their characteristics, and similar details.

She had expected him to get bored, but surprisingly, Lucian listened to her explanations with complete focus.

And so, their first lesson came to an end.

Eloise found herself growing more and more curious about Lucian.

What kind of life did he live?

What sort of past gave him knowledge of so many languages?

And how did he end up becoming a slave?

She felt that if she learned those answers, she could make the First Prince’s missing link—the vanished fifteen years of history—even more convincing.

Should I just ask him directly?

No.

Eloise questioned herself and answered herself.

For some reason, she couldn’t imagine Lucian willingly telling her about his past.

Asking directly would have to wait until after they had built some trust between them.

Instead, I should investigate him from behind the scenes.

George stormed toward the annex where Eloise lived.

A few days ago, he had been summoned by his father and subjected to both a lecture and shocking news.

Not only am I banned from leaving the estate for two weeks, but they’ve even taken away my authority over the southern territory!

George ground his teeth.

Truthfully, managing the territory had always been a bothersome task, so losing that authority wasn’t a huge blow.

The real problem was the two-week confinement.

George was the type who was never home.

He spent his days wandering outside, meeting other young noblemen, drinking, hunting, and talking about women.

That was his greatest joy in life.

And now he was forbidden from going out!

I need to meet Baron Graham as soon as possible and figure out a way to marry Eloise off to him.

This was all Eloise’s fault.

George needed to get Eloise out of his sight as quickly as possible and become Duke himself.

He wanted exclusive control over the family and its wealth.

To do that, he first had to visit Eloise and apologize.

His plan was simple: pretend to be sorry and get the confinement order lifted.

I’d love to yell a few more things at her, but I’ll hold back this once. Haa…

Unfortunately for George, trouble arose before he even got to see Eloise.

“I’m sorry, Young Master, but you are not permitted to enter.”

The knight guarding the entrance to the annex blocked his path.

The knight was at least a head taller than George.

For a moment, George flinched beneath the man’s downward gaze.

Then he quickly straightened his neck and snapped,

“Hah. Hey, do you even know who I am?”

The knight answered bluntly.

“It is the Young Lady’s order that you are not to be allowed inside under any circumstances. The Duke has also approved it.”

“Hah! I need to see that woman— I mean, Eloise!”

Frustrated, George threw a childish tantrum.

But the knight remained firm.

He even looked slightly annoyed by George’s presence.

“My apologies, but the Young Lady does not wish to see you.”

“Urgh! Then is Eloise inside right now?”

“I cannot tell you that either.”

What am I supposed to do?

Part of him wanted to punch the knight a few times and teach him a lesson.

But seeing the obvious difference in size, George unconsciously lost his nerve.

Instead, he reconsidered.

Maybe I’ll just wait here until Eloise comes out.

Having settled on the idea, George gave a sneaky grin and leaned against the outer wall with his arms crossed.

The knight looked at him oddly but didn’t stop him.

About thirty minutes passed.

Ah, I’m bored to death.

George let out a huge yawn.

There wasn’t even an ant in sight, much less Eloise.

Should I just give up and go back?

The impatient George finally uncrossed his arms.

Then—

“Is everyone here?”

A loud voice rang out from behind the annex.

Apparently, knight training was beginning.

Already bored, George headed toward the source of the noise.

Just as expected.

Eloise’s knight order was conducting light training in the rear courtyard under Frederick’s command.

The La Croix Ducal House’s knights were divided into two major groups.

The official ducal knight order and a smaller knight order dedicated solely to Eloise.

Normally, noble ladies did not have their own private knight order.

But Eloise was an exception.

Wait a second.

As he watched the training, George tilted his head.

Come to think of it, why was that blond-haired guy in Eloise’s room at that hour?

No matter how much of a knight he is, shouldn’t it be inappropriate for him to be alone in a noble lady’s room?

George recalled Lucian, the man who had stood in front of Eloise that day.

Because he had been drunk, he couldn’t remember the man’s face clearly.

But he did remember that he had blond hair and a strong build.

For once, George’s brain worked quickly.

Found it.

A way to get revenge on that woman.

Baron Graham had been sipping honey wine since morning.

He liked enjoying a morning drink while gazing out the window.

It made him feel as though all the troubles of the world disappeared.

Today was different.

No matter how much wine he drank straight from the bottle, his mood refused to improve.

It was all because George had stopped contacting him.

If that fool who constantly bragged about being a future duke hadn’t filled his ears with sweet promises about giving him his younger sister…

I have no intention of forming a marriage alliance with the Graham Barony—or with any other family.

Heh.

Baron Graham recalled what had happened at Count Miller’s ball.

The image of Eloise boldly declaring that she would not marry him was vivid in his mind.

A certain part of his body, usually lacking in size, grew heavy.

She’s still a woman I desire.

Baron Graham preferred women like Eloise—proud and confident ladies—over quiet, obedient dolls.

He wanted to break that confidence.

This was no time to sit around.

He needed to act before the young Second Prince made his move first.

Just because a flame is bright and beautiful doesn’t mean you should get close, Baron. You might burn to death.

After Count Miller’s ball had ended and he was waiting for his carriage, the Second Prince had casually thrown those words at him before walking away.

The foolish young nobles surrounding the prince had snickered.

The tip of Baron Graham’s nose turned red with anger.

The prince had spoken as though it were a joke, but no fool would fail to recognize that he meant every word.

That brat who still hasn’t become Crown Prince despite his age.

Baron Graham’s expression changed from moment to moment.

If nothing else, he had to make Eloise his in order to put the Second Prince in his place.

At that moment, the butler entered after knocking.

“Baron, I have heard that Young Duke George has been placed under a confinement order.”

“A confinement order?”

“Yes. I heard it directly from a servant who attends him, so the information is reliable.”

“I see.”

Lost in thought, Baron Graham set down his bottle.

“Bring me parchment. I need to send a letter.”

The butler quickly brought fresh parchment, a bottle of ink, and a quill.

Baron Graham sat at his desk, thought for a moment, and then began writing without hesitation.

To the Esteemed Young Duke George La Croix,

This is Graham, your faithful friend.

I have heard news of your confinement order.

It is frustrating not being able to spend time with you.

Instead, how would you feel about inviting people to your estate?

Everyone would gladly await an invitation.

I, too, look forward to the day I may cross the threshold of the ducal house.

Two hours later, Baron Graham received a positive reply from George.

The man’s greedy eyes gleamed with satisfaction.