I Became a Slave to the Man I Abandoned Novel (Completed) - Chapter 113
“Pardon?”
Did they no longer care about appearances between them? The letter contained a single, terse line:
[Come and retrieve your kin.]
It was, in essence, an order for him to show his face. And it came with a condition Nox absolutely couldn’t refuse. He immediately tore the letter to shreds. Rip, rip. The stationery, likely chosen by the Emperor himself, was mercilessly ripped in his hands. The butler’s eyes widened in alarm, but Nox, indifferent to his reaction, tossed the shredded paper to the floor.
“I’m going to see His Majesty the Emperor immediately.”
“Immediately… Your Grace?”
“Yes.”
It was clear this letter was intended to summon him at once anyway. With his kin in the Emperor’s hands, there was no way Nox could rest easy.
“Prepare my bath.”
“Ah, yes, sir.”
Nox went straight to his room. He removed his clothes, put on a bathing gown, and entered the bathroom. He spent some time gazing blankly at the still-empty bathtub before finally stepping in once the servants frantically filled it.
“Do you require assistance…?”
“No need.”
Since his life had completely changed, Nox had grown averse to others touching him, regardless of their intentions. He slowly finished his bath. He strongly disliked the idea of going to the Imperial Palace. But his kin was there. The child he had sent out of the capital, Jemeil. That child was now in the Emperor’s hands. Nox scoffed to himself once more.
“How impatient.”
He had intended to find Jemeil and make him his heir once things were somewhat settled, but the Emperor had been one step faster. This was also his own mistake. Hah, but it didn’t matter anyway. The more “leeway” he could give them, the better. After washing himself, he stepped out of the bathroom and received assistance from the servants. He flinched at their hands wiping him dry, then snatched the dry cloth to dry himself.
“Find clothes suitable for a boy around fifteen.”
“Yes, Your Grace. Understood.”
“Also, prepare the heir’s room in advance.”
“Pardon? The heir’s room, Your Grace?”
“Yes.”
Nox had always intended to find Jemeil and make him his heir anyway. Even if the boy didn’t want it. He himself likely wouldn’t be able to have a proper marriage. His reputation in high society was such, and his practical future dictated it.
Fully dried and dressed in the clothes the servants brought, Nox properly adjusted his cuffs and began to walk.
“The carriage?”
“Ready, Your Grace.”
“Ah, and.” Nox commanded the servant beside him, “Bring Esterion Launder.”
“The aide, sir?”
“Yes.”
“Understood.”
Nox descended to the first floor to wait for Launder. Soon, Launder appeared, looking as if he had hurried out. He quickly tidied his hair and approached Nox.
“I heard you called for me.”
“Yes. A Duke cannot enter the Imperial Palace alone. You will assist me.”
“Ah, understood.”
As Nox stood before the carriage, the servants opened the door. Nox climbed in, then gestured with his eyes to Launder. Launder, seeing his cue, quickly got into the carriage. He sat carefully opposite Nox and asked, “…May I ask something?”
“What is it?”
“Others would know court etiquette and the palace better. Why are you taking me?”
Nox chuckled. “You said you could do anything, didn’t you?”
“Yes.”
“That’s why.”
“If that’s why…”
Are you saying you have something special for me to do? That unspoken question reached Nox through Esterion’s eyes. Nox, still smiling, looked at him languidly and asked, “You are…” His words made Launder’s eyes widen.
***
Arrival at the Imperial Palace
The Imperial Palace, even after all this time, seemed nothing but extravagant to Nox. Then again, what could possibly appear beautiful to him now? Nox and Esterion were walking down a corridor, following the Emperor’s chief chamberlain.
“His Majesty the Emperor awaits you,” the chamberlain stated before guiding them further. Yes, Pheltyon knew I would come immediately. Nox, aware of Esterion following behind him, walked after the chamberlain. At the end of the corridor, he saw a grand door—the Emperor’s audience chamber. As Nox reached the door, the chamberlain announced his arrival.
“Your Majesty, Duke Nox Rainerio has arrived.”
“Let him enter.”
A slight shiver ran down Nox’s spine. Just hearing his voice sent chills through him. Instead of rubbing his arm, he straightened his back further and tensed his shoulders. He then stepped into the room as the chamberlain opened the door.
“…You’re here.”
Nox almost frowned fiercely at the Emperor’s face, which he hadn’t seen in a long time. Silently observing the Emperor seated at the head of the chamber, Nox maintained a neutral expression and bowed.
“I greet the Illustrious Sun of the Empire.”
“Have you been well?” The Emperor asked about his well-being, his voice tinged with personal emotion, which Nox found utterly unamusing.
“Thanks to Your Majesty’s concern.”
His tone was level, yet the content was almost sarcastic. The Emperor had shown him no concern after merely granting him the title. Of course, even if he had, Nox would likely have refused it.
The Emperor understood Nox’s sarcasm but merely gestured for him to sit. Nox refused the gesture.
“I am merely here to reclaim my kin.”
“Sit down first.”
“Is that an order?”
The Emperor offered a wry smile at Nox’s chilling words. “Yes, it’s an order.”
“In that case.”
Nox sat down on the sofa to the Emperor’s left, maintaining a suitable distance. Esterion Launder stood behind the sofa, hands clasped behind his back. The Emperor’s gaze now settled on Launder.
“…Is that the new aide you recently appointed?”
“Yes, that’s correct. Please pay him no mind.”
As Nox spoke coldly, the chief chamberlain pushed in a tea tray. Nox watched as each teacup was placed, waiting until the tea was fully poured. Once the steaming tea was ready, he asked, “So, where is my cousin?”
“…I thought we could discuss this slowly.”
“Discussing it slowly is not difficult for me, but I must see the child immediately. I trust you understand my impatience.”
“…Chamberlain.”
“Understood.”
At Nox’s even tone, the Emperor finally ordered the chamberlain to bring the child. During this time, the Emperor and Nox did not exchange a single word. Nox had no desire to speak, and Pheltyon was too busy observing Nox’s every move. Nox merely found the situation amusing. After treating me so poorly, now he’s trying to gauge my mood? And a man who is the Emperor, no less.
“If you have a desire, please state it.”
At his words, the Emperor tilted his head slightly.
“Since you’ve found my cousin for me, surely Your Majesty must have something you desire.”
“…It wasn’t done with that in mind.”
“Do not say it wasn’t. Whatever it is, simply state your desire.”
His tone implied he wouldn’t accept anything from him lightly. The Emperor gazed at Nox. And then he made a shameless request.
“…I would like it if you would show your face occasionally.”
“…”
At that, Nox calmly met the Emperor’s gaze. Dark, chilling eyes stared directly at Pheltyon.
“What is so difficult about that? Understood.”
Nox smiled. As his eyes crinkled, the Emperor’s gaze fixated on them. Perhaps it was because it was an expression he had never seen Nox wear before. But such a smile was, after all, an expression he could show to anyone. Unlike the faces they had forcibly extracted from him, this one was effortless.
“Brother!”
Just then, the door to the reception room opened, and a loud voice rang out. Nox shot up from his seat and headed for the door. It was Jemeil, the child. He was clean, as if the Emperor had bathed and dressed him, but he was painfully thin. Nox pulled the child into his embrace and said,
“Jemeil, Jemeil. Are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere?”
Nox knelt, looking at his now sixteen-year-old cousin. Jemeil gripped his arm tightly and began to cry, tears streaming down his face.
“Brother… Wh-what happened?”
“Our family has been reinstated. Now, we’re going back to how things were.”
“…Reinstated? How?”
“…I’ll explain on the way.”
Jemeil wiped his tears and nodded. Nox quietly offered a bitter smile before the child. It was a relief that at least this child had survived. So many of their bloodline had died unjustly—because of his father, and because of those who had deceived and betrayed him. Nox’s hand tightened into a fist. But he didn’t want to lose control in front of Jemeil, so he called Launder.
“Launder.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Take the child to the carriage.”
“Understood.”
Launder approached and lightly bowed to Jemeil. “Young Master, this way.”
“Ah, yes…”
As Launder straightened up and met Nox’s gaze, Nox slowly blinked. He then mouthed something silently. Launder understood what the gesture meant:
‘You said you could do anything, right?’
Behind that thought, the words he’d heard in the carriage echoed in his mind. Launder briefly pushed Jemeil’s back, turning him away, then said to Nox, “I’ll be waiting for you to return… quickly.”
“Well, I don’t think I can be that quick.”
“…Yes, sir.”
Launder slowly bowed his head towards Nox. Nox, in contrast, slightly raised his. The Emperor’s eyes widened. Nox’s and Launder’s lips slowly met, brushed lightly, and then Nox bit his lower lip. His eyes narrowed thinly, like a mischievous child, like a villain.
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