I Became a Slave to the Man I Abandoned Novel (Completed) - Chapter 111

“He’s here.” Nox slowly tilted his head, looking at the application. By normal standards, this person would have been far from qualified and would never have become a ducal aide.

“You said you could do anything.”

The eldest son of the fallen Launder family. He had a younger sister, and his family had collapsed, leaving nothing—no territory, no mansion, no fortune.

“I wonder how far you can go.”

Those with something to protect are strong. However, that also makes them vulnerable. Would he become Nox’s hands and feet, or another pair of eyes for the two men? If the latter, it would be his mistake. If the former, he might become a very useful tool.

“Butler.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Summon these four to the mansion.”

“Understood.”

Nox rubbed his temples for a moment, appearing tired from looking at documents for so long. He had no people of his own in the mansion, and the life of having to painstakingly check each person he hired to ensure they weren’t placed by Feltion or Khalid was incredibly tiresome.

But as he had said before, this was the life he had chosen, and these were the burdens he would have to bear. As the shimmering sunlight hit his eyes, he frowned. The pupils within his narrowed eyes remained dark and black.

The Interviews Begin

Thus, the next day, Nox proceeded with interviews for the four men, one by one. Even if he had been at rock bottom, a Duke was still a Duke. He didn’t expect any trouble. After all, even if they cursed him behind his back, they’d have to bow before him.

Before starting the interviews, Nox reviewed the applications once more. Their families were mediocre, their abilities unremarkable; normally, they wouldn’t even have crossed the threshold of a ducal family. Nox didn’t feel his pride wounded. Such feelings had been crushed long ago.

There were four applicants, but only three were needed.

The selection wasn’t difficult. One applicant behaved incredibly foolishly. His transparent intention to curry favor with the Emperor, coupled with his terrible speaking skills, was astounding.

“His Majesty the Emperor favors Your Grace, so I will do my utmost to support Your Grace!”

To discuss the Emperor’s favor in front of him? While it was something anyone might mention, it was also something a sane person wouldn’t dare say directly to Nox.

“So I, hic…!”

Thwack!

The sword from Nox’s waist immediately grazed the man’s ear and embedded itself in the wall. The sharp blade vibrated in the wall. Nox stated curtly to the fool, “Get out.”

He stumbled out of the room, his face ghostly pale. Nox had to hold his head for a moment, needing a minute to himself. Perhaps it was a relief that the previous two had been uneventful. At least they hadn’t revealed any strange ambitions in front of him.

“Next.”

After a short break, Nox ordered the last applicant in. Soon, the man entered. His family was utterly ruined, he possessed little of value, and he needed money for his ailing sister’s medicine.

Esterion Launder, the man who had told him he would do anything. He was here.

Unlike their previous encounter, he was dressed neatly. His sleeves were a bit short, revealing his wrists, suggesting it wasn’t tailor-made, but it was better than the old shirt he’d worn before. He met Nox’s gaze and delivered his line with the poise of an actor.

“A pleasure to meet you, Your Grace.”

“Indeed.”

His greeting was neither excessive nor lacking. It suggested he was well-versed in etiquette. Though his clothes didn’t fit perfectly, his posture was good, making the bow quite polished. Nox leaned his elbows on the desk, propping his chin on his hands, and looked at Esterion’s application.

“Let’s start with something simple. Why did you apply?”

“To make a living.”

Nox, still looking at the application, asked, “And to pay for your sick sister’s medicine?”

“Yes.”

“You work to earn money. Very simple.”

“That’s right.”

“Did you not think I would view you poorly for saying that?”

“I simply thought it better to be honest than to lie.”

“In noble society, honesty is poison.”

Since he spoke of honesty, Nox also spoke honestly. Esterion’s mouth was momentarily shut.

“Well, it’s fine though. It was refreshing.”

Nox tapped the desk where Esterion’s application lay. Thud, thud, thud. A brief silence followed, filled only by the sound of Nox tapping the desk. Then, suddenly, the tapping stopped.

“Are you not desperate?”

“I am desperate.”

“And a desperate man prioritizes honesty?” Nox said, as if offering advice.

“If you were truly desperate, you should have been prepared to use any honeyed words to secure this position. Lies, flattery, empty praise. You should have employed all of it.”

“…That’s…”

“But for now, it’s fine.”

“Pardon?”

Nox covered his mouth with the hand that had been tapping the desk. If he were a plant from Khalid or Feltion, he would have been thoroughly trained and sent here. But Esterion Launder, standing before him, was attempting to conduct an interview with honesty—a trait utterly unsuitable for noble society. A man completely un-noble, Esterion Launder.

“I’ll ask again. What is your motive for applying?”

“…”

Esterion was silent for a moment. His eyes met Nox’s. Esterion knew well that Nox was testing him.

Esterion fell into thought. What was Nox testing him for? He soon recalled what he had presented: honesty. A quality no noble should possess. But it was also what Nox Rainerio had just said was “fine for now.”

“…I need money. I want to cure my sister.”

At his words, Nox gave a faint smile. “Good.”

Nox rose from his seat. He walked past Esterion, who stood with his hands clasped behind his back, then stopped about two paces away.

“If you, who wield honesty as a weapon, were to lie to me?”

“…I would offer my life.”

Nox clicked his tongue, as if disappointed. “No, that’s not what I’m talking about, not for something so trivial.”

Nox’s voice was devoid of inflection. “If you lie to me, your sister dies too.”

At that moment, Launder’s face hardened. Though Nox couldn’t see his expression, he continued as if he knew everything, slowly, soothingly. His voice was so low it felt like someone was tickling his ear. Esterion’s eyebrow twitched.

“But if you tell me only the truth, I will support you fully until your sister is completely cured.”

“…Really?”

“Yes, if you speak only the truth.”

Nox’s eyes narrowed. Then, in an instant, he was behind Esterion Launder, whispering into his ear. Launder unconsciously felt his shoulders tense, to the point of aching. The whispering voice felt like a snake’s.

“That’s all it takes.”

Launder replied, as if in agreement. “I will tell Your Grace only the truth.”

“And.”

“I will pledge my complete loyalty to Your Grace.”

“And.”

“I swear.”

“On what?”

“…On everything I have.”

Esterion knew well that “everything” he had just mentioned didn’t just include his life.

“Good.”

Satisfied, Nox smiled and stepped away from his back. He then returned to the desk and sat down. Only after Nox moved away did Esterion realize his heart was pounding too fast. Thump, thump, thump. It seemed to be from the intense tension caused by Nox’s every word.

‘Strange,’ Esterion thought. He recalled the Nox he had met before. On the terrace, Nox had seemed more pitiful than anyone. At the pub, Nox had seemed indifferent. But the Nox in this study was adept at exerting pressure. He made one feel as if he held everything in his hands.

Nox placed Esterion’s application in the inner desk drawer.

“He can start tomorrow,” Nox stated.

Esterion bowed politely. Nox, displaying no particular emotion, simply gestured for him to leave. Once Launder was gone, Nox reflected on the two previous applicants, who had been neither particularly good nor bad.

“I suppose that fulfills the formality.”

Excluding the idiot, that left exactly three. Nox placed all the applications in the drawer and summoned the butler.

“You called, Your Grace?”

“I’ll be taking all three starting tomorrow. Prepare the aides’ offices.”

“Understood.”

The butler offered no additional comments on Nox’s decision. Despite Nox personally reviewing them, the butler showed no concern about the unconventional selection process for the aides. Nox, however, didn’t care. They weren’t his people anyway.

Nox began reviewing the documents from the territory. If he pushed himself today, the newly appointed aides would have a well-prepared environment to familiarize themselves with the work starting tomorrow.

“Shall I bring you some tea?”

“Do as you please,” Nox replied indifferently, and the butler personally brewed and served the tea. Nox continued reviewing documents until the tea grew lukewarm. The butler observed Nox, who didn’t even touch the tea he had served, with an almost observational gaze. Nox simply let him be, regardless of what he did. They were Feltion’s and Khalid’s people, after all. He couldn’t let them run wild, but he probably couldn’t control them entirely either.

Nox pretended not to notice the butler’s subtly watchful demeanor and continued with his documents. The butler, feigning assistance to Nox, didn’t leave his post. He only moved when the tea had completely cooled, around the time the sun set and Nox, done with his paperwork, needed to retire to his bedchamber.

Nox stacked the reviewed documents on one side of his desk and headed to his bedchamber. At a mere glance from the butler, the waiting servants followed him. The butler cleared away the cold teacup and returned to his own room. There, he found a bird waiting.

“You’re quite impatient, aren’t you?”

The butler, Andy Adrian, promptly took a small piece of paper from his desk, scribbled something with a pen, and attached it to the bird’s ankle.

[All planted individuals have been dismissed, and Lord Nox’s vigilance is intense. Detailed reports will be difficult for now.]