I Became a Slave to the Man I Abandoned Novel (Completed) - Chapter 130

Nox looked at the invitation Esterion had chosen. On the elegant navy stationery, the sender’s and recipient’s names were inscribed in white ink. Nox slowly reached out and took the letter. Sensing something, Esterion readily handed it over, calmly observing Nox’s expression.

[Demetri Andelass]

Nox stroked the name. How could he forget this name? Nox offered a bitter smile. Esterion, noticing the change in Nox’s expression, cautiously asked, “Is he someone you know well?”

“…Very well,” Nox slowly replied. “He was the Vice-Commander of the Rainerio Knights.”

At his words, Esterion looked down at the stationery. Nox frowned, gazing at the neatly written letters. The edge of his smile was sharp with bitterness. Nox returned the letter to Esterion.

“This place will do.”

The date on the letter was one week away. Nox hesitated, wondering if he should attend. How would the Vice-Commander, who had once given the young him faith, now look at him? He felt a tinge of fear.

It’s fine. There’s enough time to prepare myself mentally. Next Wednesday. That’s enough time to prepare to stand silently, no matter the gazes directed at him.

“Are you truly alright, Your Grace?” Esterion asked.

“I’m fine,” Nox replied flatly. Esterion quietly looked down at the invitation. Should I be by his side when he meets the Vice-Commander? Such a question floated in his mind. But Nox, who never reversed a command once given, simply proceeded with preparations to go to his office.

Esterion put away the invitation, then left the room with him.

***

Preparing for Khalid’s Visit

The aides grew more accustomed to their work with each passing day. Initially, Nox had to personally verify everything, but now things were relatively stable.

Still, Nox would individually review the documents they had processed. Esterion initially wondered if they were untrustworthy, but with time, he naturally understood. Nox was simply like that.

From early morning, the mansion was lightly bustling. It was natural, as Duke Khalid Via, the one who had placed them here, was coming. How could they be anything less than thorough? Nox thought wryly as he finished his daily training and took a quick bath.

After drinking the tea Angela brought and reviewing the documents Esterion provided, it was already past 1 PM. Nox had a simple lunch and then headed to the reception room to greet Khalid.

He didn’t particularly want to go out and meet him directly. When Nox seemed to have no intention of personally receiving Khalid, the butler volunteered to do so himself. Nox, now beyond even a forced smile, simply told him to do as he pleased.

“Launder,” Nox said.

“Yes,” Esterion replied.

“You should return to the aide’s office.”

Esterion asked, “Will you be alright?”

Nox looked at him for a moment, then let out a short laugh and said, “You’re not my guardian.”

“…I was presumptuous.”

“It’s enough that you know.”

Nox leaned back on the sofa, closing and opening his eyes. He could have made Khalid wait, but he personally didn’t want him in the house for long. That’s why he’d come out and sat down beforehand. Nox spoke to Angela.

“What are the recent movements of the Khalid Via family?”

“They’re continuously increasing the number of their knights. We don’t know the exact purpose, but it’s probably the largest knight order in the Empire right now. Soon, it will be the size of a full military unit.”

Nox offered a faint smile. Angela, as if she hadn’t just reported something significant, returned to her cheerful smile. After a while, the sound of two people walking down the hallway could be heard. It was clearly the butler and Khalid approaching.

Nox leaned comfortably back on the central sofa in the reception room, crossing his legs. Soon,

Knock-knock.

A knock sounded. Angela approached the reception room door and opened it. Khalid, whose size was almost the same as the door, stood before it. Nox, instead of rising, simply replied, “Please, have a seat.”

At Nox’s concise instruction, Khalid sat opposite him without a word. The butler looked at the two for a moment, then left. Nox then commanded Angela, “Bring tea.”

“Understood.”

As Angela exited the reception room, only two people remained. A heavy silence hung between them. Nox slowly inhaled and exhaled before speaking.

“So, what’s the reason you wanted to see me like this?”

Khalid narrowed his eyes for a moment. He couldn’t read Nox’s expression. Indeed, since meeting Nox again, he hadn’t truly paid attention to him. Now, even if he tried, he knew nothing about him, so he couldn’t even read his expression, let alone his thoughts. Khalid slowly parted his lips.

“The words you spoke last time,” Khalid’s blue eyes gleamed coldly, “the words about having no reason to kiss me.”

Nox slightly lifted his chin, his eyes narrowing. Khalid stared intently at Nox’s jawline before slowly beginning to speak. “I know saying I’d do anything for you—no, for you—is tiresome to you.”

Yes, I don’t know how many times I’ve heard that, Khalid, Nox thought. But unlike his inner thoughts, Nox said nothing. Khalid slowly rose from his seat and approached the sofa where Nox sat. Following his movement, Nox tilted his head up slightly to look at Khalid. But then, his head slowly lowered.

“What is this act now?” Nox said with a faint smile. Khalid knelt on one knee before him.

“…Anything is fine. It doesn’t matter if you use and discard me. I wish to be your pawn.”

Nox’s lips curved upwards. Khalid couldn’t tear his eyes from them. Perhaps it was the first truly sincere smile he’d seen from Nox, even if it was a bitter one. Khalid cautiously extended his hand, trembling slightly, desperately, as if asking to be taken.

“I will follow whatever you do. I won’t even expect you to kiss me.” Khalid’s voice was deep and hoarse as he uttered his firm resolve. “Just allow me to kiss the back of your hand.”

***

Nox looked down at him without a hint of surprise. What could Khalid have been thinking on his own? Nox pondered, but his contemplation didn’t last long. There was no way he could understand Khalid.

Nox gazed into the eyes of Khalid, who was kneeling before him. A blue light shimmered in those eyes. Eyes so blue and bright that Nox had no choice but to believe the sincerity of the words just spoken. Nox had once loved that blue light dearly. A very long time ago, yes. When Khalid was a child.

But now, to Nox, that blue light felt like a blade piercing him. Yet, Nox continued to gaze at Khalid’s eyes. His own eyes, shadowed and appearing dark, did not waver.

Khalid, on the other hand, was anxious. He wished Nox would say anything, no matter what. But Nox, as if tormenting him, offered no reply.

Nox’s gaze dropped, suddenly falling upon the arm Khalid had extended to him. He noticed a faint mark inside the slightly shortened sleeve, a result of his arm being stretched forward. Nox’s eyes narrowed for a moment, then he seized Khalid’s wrist.

“…This is…”

Khalid instinctively tried to withdraw his hand, but Nox stopped him.

“Stay still,” Nox said, his voice soft. Khalid slowly blinked. It felt like the way Nox used to speak to him when they were children. How could Khalid refuse? Khalid slowly relaxed his arm, and Nox gently rolled up his sleeve.

There, an identical burn scar was visible. Nox, finding something perversely amusing, deliberately traced the scar with his finger and asked, “Why did you do this?”

“…I wanted to understand you.”

Nox pulled a soft smile onto his face at Khalid’s answer. As if this would ever make you understand me. After all I’ve been through, how could merely imitating my struggles ever lead to understanding? Nox was certain of this. But it wasn’t bad. The fact that a corner of Khalid’s brain was so damaged that he’d harm himself truly pleased Nox.

His lips trembled, trying to suppress the smile, but then he burst out laughing. “Hahahaha,” the soft sound filled Khalid’s eyes with expectation. But Nox quickly stopped laughing and said, his voice firm yet a little soft, “I can’t trust you right away, Khalid.”

Yes, just like when you were the young master I served. Khalid’s blue eyes wavered. He looked as if he was about to cry. Nox had already thrown away those memories, but Khalid still clung to them.

Nox didn’t care about Khalid’s memories. He simply didn’t care, as long as he could use him. If Khalid wanted to bring up those memories Nox was desperately trying to erase, Nox was more than willing to play along.

“What, what should I do…?”

Nox, like a great serpent, whispered chillingly, “Cut off the most important of the Emperor’s limbs.”

Khalid’s eyes widened. Nox lowered his eyebrows slightly and released Khalid’s hand.

“Of course, you can’t do it.”

Khalid urgently grabbed Nox’s wrist as he tried to pull away.

“No, I can do it.”

“No, you can’t,” Nox asserted. “Because you only care about yourself. Because you don’t know what love is. And because you are utterly foolish.”

Despite Nox’s harsh words, Khalid only looked at him with desperate longing. Khalid’s hand gripped Nox’s tightly. Nox didn’t forcefully pull away, simply waiting for Khalid’s next words.

“It won’t take long.”

“Khalid.”

“Truly…”

Nox cut him off. “The Emperor asked me to sell my body.”

The atmosphere instantly shifted. Nox watched Khalid’s expression slowly change, and he smiled, quite amused. Yes, it doesn’t matter if that’s anger for me, or anger for yourself because you can’t reach me. As long as you’re angry at the Emperor, I’ll be satisfied. Nox then asked Khalid, “What do you think I’ll do?”