I Became a Slave to the Man I Abandoned Novel (Completed) - Chapter 127

He was dressed in a way that practically screamed, “I’m a scoundrel.”

His shirt was unbuttoned all the way down to his sternum, a bottle of liquor dangled in one hand, and his long red hair was loosely tied back. There wasn’t a single thing about him that resembled the heir of a noble count’s house. Nox gave him a cool look and spoke.

“I’ve been waiting.”

“…For me?”

The man let out a snickering laugh. He approached, as if to sit across from Nox but instead, he planted a hand on the table, leaned in, and looked down at him. The stench of alcohol hit immediately.

“I heard the illustrious Duke Nox Rainerio, His Majesty, and Duke Via were all going to be here today. I came to witness something entertaining, but it’s all rather boring, isn’t it?”

“Were you expecting something dramatic?”

“Who knows. A beautiful secret rendezvous, perhaps?”

He chuckled to himself. The words were nothing short of rude. He reached out and flicked Nox’s chin lightly, then slowly began to trace along his jawline.

“Or maybe I should be happy it turned out this way. I’ve always been quite… intrigued by the body that two such powerful men seem to be so hung up on.”

His finger skimmed from Nox’s chin to his earlobe. Nox, unfazed, stared at him and calmly replied.

“You were that interested?”

“Of course.”

Balen’s gaze was fixed on the marks along Nox’s neck and collarbone blood vessels bruised under pale skin, red against white, deliberately provocative. He swallowed hard, lips curling upward.

“So? Care to have a little fun with me?”

“We’ll see.”

Nox tilted his chin ever so slightly.

“Though I imagine you’re more interested in diamonds than in my body.”

Freeze.

The hand toying with his earlobe stopped instantly. Nox gave a faint smile. The expression softened his sculpted, cold features into something effortlessly charming. Balen stared, then let out a small laugh.

“Surely not. I’m not my father. I wouldn’t be interested in something like that.”

“So you think I’m a fool.”

“…”

“You think I don’t know it was you who told Count Glendipic to get into commerce?”

Nox narrowed his eyes.

“You’re insufferable.”

“…I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Of course you don’t.”

Nox gently pushed his shoulder aside and stood.

“Looks like I’ll have to discuss the matter of domestic diamond distribution with someone else.”

With that, Nox turned and walked toward the door. As he reached for the handle, he began counting in his head. One… two… three on the third count, a voice called out.

“Wait.”

“…What, changed your mind about talking?”

Nox asked without turning around, hand still on the doorknob. He could feel the hesitation behind him. Understandable after all, this was a man who had hidden behind his father’s name for every business deal he’d made so far.

“…Fine. Let’s talk.”

“Good.”

Nox returned to his seat. Balen glared at him for a moment before finally sitting down and setting his liquor bottle quietly on the table.

“You’ve been drinking quite a bit. Think you can hold a proper conversation?”

“Don’t try to lowball me with excuses like that when you already know the truth. I haven’t been drinking, I just poured it over myself.”

“…Well then, I stand corrected.”

“I didn’t expect you to be like this.”

“Why? Were you hoping for an easy score and now you’re disappointed to find it’s not so simple?”

“To be honest, part of me just wanted to have some fun.”

“Oh? And here I thought you were just pretending to be a scoundrel. Maybe not entirely, then?”

“Pretend long enough to be a scoundrel, and you become one. I’ve changed a lot.”

“Well, as long as the work gets done properly, I don’t really care how you act.”

At that, Balen grinned.

“The same goes for me. The nobles outside are practically foaming at the mouth waiting for you. Everyone wants to know what’s going on with the diamond matter.”

“And you couldn’t help yourself and came in first.”

“I thought you were an easy target to grab for myself, but turns out it was a trap waiting just for me. I didn’t see it coming.”

“So, does that upset you?”

“…No.”

He shook his head.

“I never thought I’d get caught let alone like this. When did you find out?”

“As soon as Count Glendipic started succeeding in business.”

“That fast?”

“The Count I knew had no real interest in commerce.”

“You’ve met my father?”

“A long time ago. When I was a child.”

“…I see.”

“Anyway,”

Nox crossed his legs and rested his clasped hands on his knee.

“When I offer you exclusive domestic rights to the diamonds from my mines what can you offer me in return?”

Balen’s eyes, previously glazed with what looked like drunkenness, suddenly lit up with clarity. The sparkle in his brown eyes now was striking. As Nox stared into them, he felt certain this negotiation would go well and as expected, it did.

***

“Then we’ll proceed as discussed.”

“I’ll count on you.”

“By the way… why did you walk out looking like that?”

“To lure you in, of course.”

Balen let out a dry laugh and ran a hand through his hair.

“I really fell into that trap.”

“It was a tempting one.”

“That it was.”

“I’ll send someone to your estate later.”

“Understood.”

Nox left the room after finishing his talk with Balen. Unlike when he entered, his shirt was now buttoned neatly. The entire atmosphere around him had changed.

As Nox stepped out of the room, the subtle gazes of the nobles immediately clung to him curious eyes, as if assessing whether they could peel him open and see what was inside. Holding a glass of champagne, Nox strolled leisurely through the crowd.

“Oh my, Duke.”

The nobles approached him far too easily. To them, the names Khalid  Via and Nox Rainerio carried vastly different weight. They spoke lightly to the man who had once been a slave. Their eyes gleamed with greed. One word had stirred them all diamond.

“What is it?”

Nox looked down at them with a cold gaze. The nobles, who had so casually approached, flinched under his eyes. Then Nox slowly lifted a smile to his lips. In high society, a smile was as good as a mask perfect for hiding one’s true thoughts.

“We were just wondering how you’ve been…”

As Nox smiled skillfully, the nobles subtly pulled their shoulders back, taking on a defensive posture. Nox looked at them and lightly extended his glass. One of the nobles, who had approached so casually earlier, glanced around for a cue before timidly clinking their own glass of champagne against his.

“And since when have you been so interested in me?”

“We’ve always wished for your continued stability, Your Grace.”

Nox tilted his head slightly and looked at the noble. The man tried to maintain a smile, but when Nox’s eyes met his, he looked away. It was the classic reaction of someone who had just told a lie. But really, how many in this social circle actually cared about others with sincerity?

Nox took a sip of champagne.

“Thanks. But I don’t think there’s any need to worry.”

He leaned in slightly and whispered into the man’s ear:

“The exclusive domestic distribution deal for the diamonds has been finalized.”

“…Is that so?”

The noble’s expression changed in an instant. Since when? his eyes seemed to ask. Nox knew who he was, one of the nobles who had followed Count Glenfidic into the business world. Nox straightened up.

“However, I haven’t yet secured trading vessels connected to the businesses I’m regaining.”

“Ah, if it’s just that…”

The noble’s face lit up. And as soon as Nox mentioned trade, other nobles began to creep closer. Business was a trend among the aristocracy.

However, most noble-led businesses were interconnected through familiar faces, meaning there was a stagnation, no fresh players, no innovation. Everyone was at a standstill. Then came Nox Rainerio.

“Duke Rainerio ”

“If it’s about trade, our house could offer…”

These were the ones who believed that even a man who had once been a slave was worth dealing with as long as he brought in money.

Meanwhile, a few nobles clicked their tongues at the scene. They were the old nobles, the ones with outdated views. Nox glanced at them briefly, then turned his head. He had no use for aristocrats with such values.

It was the new nobles who had risen with the new emperor who were his real targets. In fact, the nobles crowding around him were relatively young. Of course, not all the new nobles showed interest.

“So the Emperor’s faction isn’t making a move yet…”

Rumored to be the emperor’s lover, Nox was being cautiously avoided by that faction. Their hesitation was almost palpable.

Nox spoke with each noble approaching him, carefully remembering their faces. Right now, he was like a dove bringing them a new business opportunity.

“There’s a banquet at our estate next month…”

“If you’re free next week, perhaps a quiet lunch…”

“Send me a letter later.”

Nox knew full well they saw him as prey. This wasn’t an attraction. This was the cautious advance of predators toward a prize too tempting to ignore. If Nox was to build his influence, he needed attention first.

At that moment, Marquis Andelass naturally entered the circle.

“What’s this lively discussion about?”

“Ah! Marquis Andelass!”

“Perfect timing.”

Nox turned to him and said. The marquess, who hadn’t been briefed, looked momentarily confused. Nox placed a hand on his shoulder. Andelas flinched visibly.

Placing a hand on someone’s shoulder was no different from declaring dominance over them.

The nobles’ eyes shifted to the marquess. They waited to see how he would respond.