I Became a Slave to the Man I Abandoned Novel (Completed) - Chapter 126

Nox’s cold voice made the Emperor pause in silence, appearing to consider his next move. Nox Rainerio waited for the Emperor’s next words, knowing there was only one thing he could say if Nox acted this way.

“I wish to discuss the diamond mine.”

The diamond mine. Nox smiled faintly. The Emperor was acting quite pathetic, trying to capture his attention. What could have driven you to this? Well, what else could it be? Himself. Nox judged him coldly, taking a step closer.

“If it’s about the diamond mine, I suppose I have no choice but to oblige you.”

Nox’s voice, ringing through the banquet hall as if to confirm the news, made the nobles begin to whisper. Their quickly darting gazes were like predators gathering around prey.

“The diamond mine?”

“Surely, they’re not talking about the Imperial diamond mine, are they?”

“Impossible. No one has ever managed to acquire that diamond mine…”

Nox observed their every reaction. Yes, for now, you think you’re the predators. Nox allowed them to indulge in their misconception. The nobles’ gazes fixated on Nox. Nox subtly lifted his chin and addressed the Marquis.

“May I borrow a room?”

“By all means.”

“Then, please come this way.”

The Marquis led the way to guide the two.

Nox walked alongside the Emperor, then briefly glanced back. As expected, his eyes met Khalid’s.

Khalid’s shining blue eyes seemed to have been watching him the entire time. Nox met that gaze with an indifferent expression, then naturally turned his head and entered the room with the Emperor. Click, as the door closed, Khalid’s blue eyes lost their object and dropped, as if in emptiness.

Khalid felt everything turn hollow. The burns on his inner wrist throbbed. Perhaps he had similar burns in his stomach, given the unbearable heat within him. The fact that Feltion, his lord and sworn brother (referring to the Emperor), could shamelessly stand by Nox’s side drove him half-mad.

Something one could only enjoy at the pinnacle of power. Until now, Khalid had been uninterested in all of it. He had never even desired it. But the position of Emperor now represented Nox Rainerio…

Khalid’s gaze finally left the door after a long while. He then casually surveyed his surroundings with an annoyed expression. However, the nobles, sensing an opportunity, received his gaze and began to subtly approach him, striking up conversations.

“Welcome, Your Excellency, Duke Via.”

“We’ve been waiting for you.”

Daughters in tow, nobles gathered in small groups around Khalid. He let their conversations wash over him, his entire focus fixed on the door.

Creak.

Soon after, the Marquis, who had guided the two, emerged from the room. That meant only the two of them were left inside. Khalid clenched his fists. He was worried about what they would talk about. And whether it would truly just be “talk.” That, too, was a question.

This wasn’t about Nox Rainerio. Khalid didn’t trust the Emperor. He was a man who yearned for Nox. Khalid incessantly pictured scenes of the two entwined in his mind, persistently, continuously.

And every noble watched his anguish.

Meanwhile, the nobles’ minds raced. They didn’t know exactly what was being discussed, but given the mention of the diamond mine, something related to it would surely fall to Nox Rainerio.

Shares? Diamonds?

Either way, it didn’t matter. The nobles’ eyes gleamed. They watched the room, holding their breath like predators silently awaiting their moment, a different kind of anticipation than Khalid’s.

Inside the room, the two sat facing each other across a table. Nox was the first to speak.

“So, the diamond mine shares…”

As Nox continued, the Emperor, who had been deep in thought, cautiously cut him off.

“About those mine shares, I’ve been thinking.”

Nox raised an eyebrow. Feltion (the Emperor), as if to avoid Nox’s misunderstanding, quickly continued, “I’ll hand over 30% of the mined diamonds, not the shares.”

Nox’s eyes widened slightly. Certainly, that would significantly increase the profit that fell into his hands. But why would the Emperor have thought of such a thing?

“I’ll ensure the highest quality ones are selected.”

Nox slowly met the Emperor’s gaze. At the same time, his lips twisted. He knew immediately upon meeting his eyes.

“You desire something.”

“…Yes.”

Nox frowned, making no attempt to hide his displeasure. What could he possibly want from him? Nothing special, just his body. Yes. That damned body.

Nox’s face visibly hardened, but Feltion seemed to have no intention of retracting his words. Nox gritted his teeth, glaring at him as if to kill him. After all, he was already called the Emperor’s and Duke Via’s consort. His body had already been used and abused. And it was true that he had agreed to receive shares in exchange for playing the role of consort.

Nox couldn’t believe the Emperor, Feltion, the very man who had ruined him, could so brazenly demand that he sell his already defiled body. He should have laughed, but he was too aghast for any laughter to come out.

Feltion stood before him, wearing a pleading expression. Why on earth are you making such a face? You’re the one who dragged me to rock bottom, and now you’re trying to drag me down again. Why? Nox gritted his teeth and said, “…What do you desire?”

Nox asked, feigning ignorance despite knowing. Feltion slowly moved his lips.

“Just one night.”

“…”

“One night is enough. I ask for nothing more.”

Feltion’s downcast eyes looked at him pitifully. Nox finally burst out laughing. Such a drenched-dog appearance. He was pushing someone into the mud with his words, yet acting as if he were the pitiable one. Nox gripped the armrest of the sofa tightly.

“…Get out.”

“…Nox.”

“Get out!” Nox screamed. His eyes, bloodshot and veins bulging, glared at the Emperor. Nox felt despair and shame. How dare he? To ask me to sell a night, a request one would make of a harlot, to me, who now bears the name of a Duke, even if it’s only in name. Feltion rose from his seat. And softly murmured, “My mind won’t change.”

Nox bowed his head deeply. His clenched jaw trembled. Feltion watched his tightly pressed lips, visible between his hair, for a moment before turning to heed Nox’s shrieked command.

Creak, a sound was heard, and the Emperor exited the room. Nox held the chair’s armrest as if to break it, letting out a hollow laugh that sounded like an exhale.

“…Ha!”

He felt wretched. It was as if his insides were being clawed. He felt the pain of someone reaching down his throat and scraping out his stomach.

“Ahahahah…!”

How much further do you intend to drag me down before you’re satisfied? Feltion, you damned Emperor! You’re a devil of a man, living on the life I spared, yet taking everything from me.

He had gritted his teeth so hard that blood might have oozed from his gums, mixing with his saliva. Nox buried his face in the table, clutching his head. He hated everything. He hated it all. He just wanted to die. He wanted to give up everything and go somewhere where there was nothing, where he could feel nothing.

Everything he had to endure was overwhelming. He wished his body would become an empty shell, unable to hold anything. He wished his soul, or whatever it was, would shatter into fragments and break apart.

Nox slowly raised his head. His eyes, gleaming darkly, stared into the void. No, I have responsibilities. Things to protect, promises to keep. And work that still needs to be done.

Nox, with his disheveled hair, repeated the thoughts over and over. This feeling now. This shame. This bitterness. I will surely return it someday. I will see them bleed and die at my feet.

Nox slowly exhaled, striving to regain his composure. After a few breaths, he was finally able to suppress himself. He could push down the creeping black desires. The intense urge to immediately mutilate himself or throw himself out the window.

And a few seconds later, Nox was able to calmly compose his expression. Don’t break. Yes, on the path I’m taking, the Emperor himself will lay the groundwork for the noble faction. Yes, no matter how far I fall, I will show you that your place is below mine. Absolutely.

“First, the purpose of coming here wasn’t the Emperor,” Nox reined himself in once more. He leaned back against the chair for a moment, waiting for someone to take the bait. His appearance today, like a profligate scoundrel, and his attendance at the Marquis’s party—all had other reasons.

After a few minutes, creak, the door opened. A strange man entered through the open doorway. Nox only knew his name; this was his first time seeing his face.

Through the crack in the door, the Emperor and Duke Khalid Via, surrounded by people, were visible. Nox quietly watched them, then suddenly realized he had made eye contact with Khalid. Hah, Nox let out a hollow laugh. Making eye contact with me at this very moment?

It was nothing short of an admission that he had been constantly looking this way. As Nox continued to stare at the gap in the door, a low but somewhat frivolous voice emerged from beside him.

“I’ve come all this way, and you’re looking elsewhere. I’m a bit disappointed.”

It was Balen Glendipic, the only son of the Count of House Glendipic, entering the room.