I Became a Slave to the Man I Abandoned Novel (Completed) - Chapter 128

“What is the matter?” Marquis Andelass asked, looking into Nox’s eyes, then naturally curving his own. The wrinkles around his eyes made him seem genuinely friendly, almost intimately close.

“The domestic exclusive distribution of diamonds has been decided, and I’d like to start discussing international distribution…”

The nobles swallowed hard. The diamonds from the Imperial Palace were of the highest quality. The profits from selling them domestically and internationally would be enormous.

“How would you like to handle the overseas distribution?” Andelass asked.

“Me, Your Grace?”

“If you wish.”

Marquis Andelass’s eyes wavered. Nox merely smiled. It was entirely his choice whether to seize this opportunity or not. And the Marquis’s hesitation was brief.

“If you entrust it to me…”

“If I don’t trust the Marquis, who can I trust?”

Nox needed to demonstrate to the nobles what benefits they could gain by associating with him. At Nox’s words, the nobles’ ears perked up.

‘How many businesses does the Rainerio family own?’

‘At least over twenty.’

‘The Marquis’s distribution channels are limited, so the international routes are likely still undecided.’

Nox dangled an obvious bait, and the nobles, knowing the hook was at the end of the line, swarmed to bite. Nox, covering his mouth, pulled up the corners of his lips. Let’s see. One, two, three to pick from…

***

A Fleeting Escape and a Familiar Face

Nox, surrounded by nobles, used his slight intoxication as an excuse to step out onto the terrace. The nobles, each with eyes blazing, had spoken tirelessly of business, and Nox was slightly exhausted from dealing with them.

It seems the Emperor and Khalid haven’t approached yet.

It was clear they couldn’t approach, as people swarmed around Nox.

Trying to act concerned now, are they?

The dirty rumors had already spread anyway. Nox leaned his elbows on the railing and gazed out at the distant garden. A meticulously sculpted fountain was visible. The water looked cold, reflecting the moon above. The terrace door opened just as Nox was tracing the flickering reflection of the moon.

“…Duke Rainerio.”

“…”

At the familiar voice, Nox straightened and turned around. Khalid stood there.

“What is it, Duke Via?”

“…You suddenly disappeared.”

“Is there a reason I should face the Duke?”

“…”

Just then, music began to play inside the banquet hall. A soft violin melody drifted onto the terrace. Through the gaps in the curtains, nobles holding hands were seen emerging into the dance hall. Nox followed that fleeting image for a moment, then asked Khalid, “Do you remember the dance I taught you last time?”

Khalid’s eyes widened slightly. Nox’s expression remained unchanged. Khalid couldn’t discern Nox’s intentions but had no choice but to answer truthfully.

“…I remember.”

“Come here.”

Nox extended his hand as if asking for a dance, and Khalid took it without a moment’s hesitation. Nox looked at him, his green eyes shimmering in the light spilling from the banquet hall. Khalid felt a subtle wave of emotion, unsure how long it had been since he’d seen Nox’s eyes untainted by darkness, yet simultaneously he chastised himself for not having noticed it sooner.

With a faintly trembling hand, Khalid wrapped it around Nox’s waist and pulled him closer. Nox naturally followed, placing his hand on Khalid’s shoulder.

“Are you now capable enough not to cruelly refuse a lady’s dance invitation?” Nox asked.

“…Perhaps,” Khalid replied.

“Well done.”

To the faint strains of music, Nox began to move first. Khalid matched his steps. He remembered the dance quite well, and even moved with a newfound proficiency. While not as perfect as Nox, it was enough not to embarrass himself.

Tap, tap-tap.

To the music, their feet moved slowly. Khalid felt Nox’s breath close by. He could almost hear his heart beating. But Nox didn’t smile at all. Khalid bit his lower lip tightly.

Khalid wished this moment wouldn’t end. He knew this time, holding each other’s hands and moving in sync, would never come again.

But soon, the music stopped, and the dancing nobles released each other’s hands and parted. Khalid, despite knowing the music had ended, didn’t release Nox’s hand. Nox looked up at Khalid, seeing his eyelashes tremble slightly.

“Why?” Nox asked.

“…”

“You don’t want to let go?”

“…Presumptuously so,” Khalid admitted.

“Haha.”

Presumptuously so. Nox laughed aloud at the words. He then subtly raised his heel, leaning in as if to kiss him. Khalid’s eyes widened slightly. Just as Khalid’s lips parted slightly and his eyelids fluttered shut,

“Khalid,” Nox stopped.

“I no longer have a reason to kiss you.”

“…What?”

“I have no reason to endure something I dislike and kiss you right now.”

Khalid’s pupils wavered. Nox took a step back from him. Khalid’s hand briefly squeezed Nox’s wrist before letting go.

“That kiss with His Majesty earlier was…” Khalid began.

“There was a reason for that kiss,” Nox finished.

Nox’s fingers crawled like spiders up Khalid’s shoulder.

“You have none.”

“…”

“Do you understand… what do you lack?”

Nox patted Khalid’s shoulder and walked past him. Khalid stood frozen in place. Nox, his back to Khalid, re-entered the banquet hall. Khalid clenched his fists, his gaze still lowered.

Nox moved along the wall, avoiding people’s eyes, and slipped out of the terrace. He was too exhausted to deal with more people. He’d had enough conversations with nobles for the day and wanted to go home. Fortunately, he found it easy to leave the banquet hall; people, engrossed in dancing and drinking, weren’t looking at the walls.

Nox asked a Marquis’s servant waiting outside the hall to call his coachman and carriage, and soon he was inside the carriage. The ride back was…

‘Empty,’ he thought.

That was it. That was all he felt. He had clearly achieved something, yet felt no joy. Nox clenched his fists. Just hold on a little longer. Just a little more.

One by one, resolutions piled up in his heart, so full they seemed utterly black.

Nox wanted to think of nothing else. So, he emptied his mind for the entire carriage ride. It felt as though he was sitting alone in a pitch-black space.

Thump, thump.

The carriage rattled a few times, then soon arrived at the Rainerio mansion. It was infuriating to return to the home they had prepared for him after seeing Feltion and Khalid. He disembarked from the carriage, his lips pressed tightly, and walked straight ahead as a servant opened the door. His cold expression clearly signaled “do not speak to me.”

“Welcome back, Your Grace,” a voice greeted him. Nox narrowed his eyes, looking to his side. Standing there was…

“Did you have a safe journey?”

It was Esterion Launder. The only confidant he had chosen himself. Hah, a sigh burst out. Esterion quickly saw his exhaustion and irritability after a brief glance at his face.

“Ah, should I withdraw?”

“…No. Come here.”

Nox moved as if telling him to follow, and Esterion tilted his head once before trailing behind him. Nox didn’t utter a single word as they ascended to his room. He was too tired for light conversation. Sensing this, Esterion also remained quietly by his side.

When they reached the bedroom, Esterion reached out and opened the door, letting Nox enter. He then seemed to think for a moment before addressing the servants responsible for Nox’s room.

“No one is to enter until tomorrow morning.”

“Yes, understood.”

“If His Grace needs anything, call Angela.”

“Yes.”

The servants, following Launder’s orders, left the door. When Launder finally entered the room, Nox was sprawled on the bed. Esterion frowned slightly and quickly approached him. Nox was staring at the ceiling with vacant eyes. Esterion didn’t fully understand his Duke’s frequent bouts of deep depression, but he knew well that there was nothing he could do to help.

Esterion supported Nox’s waist, gently lifting him to remove his formal wear. He knew Nox disliked being touched, but if left alone, he’d likely just fall asleep like this.

“Launder,” Nox spoke then.

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“I was offered to sell my body.”

“Yes… Yes?” Esterion’s face crumpled in a profound frown. Seeing his expression, Nox began to divulge details he didn’t necessarily need to.

“I had already planned to use this body, which has been through so much, this way and that. But when I was bluntly asked to sell my body, my pride was wounded.”

“…” Esterion listened in silence. There was no agreement, no comfort. But Nox preferred it that way. The quiet. Nox liked that.

“It felt miserable, irritating, and like this is just how it always ends up.”

Nox’s eyes were darkly sunken. Esterion began to unbutton Nox’s shirt. Plink, plink. As he unbuttoned it, Esterion saw the marks he himself had left. Esterion’s hands paused for a moment, then calmly, as if nothing were amiss, he stripped off the clothes.

“Launder,” Nox called him again. Esterion, who had finished undressing him and was bringing over a gown, replied, “Yes.”

“Should I just sleep with you?” Nox’s voice was tinged with a faint resignation.