I Became a Slave to the Man I Abandoned Novel (Completed) - Chapter 135

Before the grand Imperial banquet began, guests gathered in small groups, their conversations buzzing. The topic of Nox Rainerio’s sexuality was briefly touched upon, quickly dismissed as irrelevant to the political machinations of noble marriages, where lineage and alliances trumped personal preference.

The primary focus of their chatter, however, quickly shifted to the upcoming hunting festival.

“Isn’t there a strong contender for the win this year?” someone mused.

“You mean Duke Khalid Via, of course?”

“Yes, His Majesty the Emperor himself even said Duke Via is unmatched in hunting.”

“Unless there’s a huge upset, he’ll probably win.”

“And to whom will he dedicate the glory of his victory?”

“Well, let’s see. Which noble house connected to the Via duchy has an eligible daughter?”

Then, someone asked, almost in a whisper, “Surely he wouldn’t name Duke Rainerio, would he?”

A sudden silence fell over the gathered guests, their eyes darting nervously. Though they inwardly considered the possibility, their lips uttered polite denials.

“Of course not. Not in such a formal setting.”

“Wouldn’t Duke Rainerio take that as an insult?”

“Absolutely.”

They deliberately ignored the possibility, but each harbored a different thought: a marriage proposal for Duke Rainerio would likely make Duke Via concede something akin to defeat. They quickly resumed their smiles and fanned themselves gently.

The sun beat down, hot and lingering, though it wasn’t particularly late. People from different nations gathered, subtly exchanging information and assessing the Empire’s situation.

Under the assembled tents, madams and ladies had taken their seats, while gentlemen led their horses, receiving handkerchiefs from their fiancées. It was then that Khalid Via appeared, causing a ripple of murmurs through the crowd. His shimmering ash-gold hair and sapphire-sharp eyes, combined with his smooth features, made it hard to believe he was once a mercenary.

Sighs escaped some of the ladies, but none dared approach him easily. However, one woman, in a yellow dress suited for the season, rose from her seat, her legs trembling as she slowly approached Khalid.

Khalid turned, sensing her presence. She had bright, almost blonde, brown hair and dark brown eyes, wide and flushed as she stammered, thrusting out a handkerchief.

“H-here…”

“…What is this?” Khalid asked, forcing a gentle tone. She was a marquess’s daughter—what was her name again? Khalid struggled to recall her, a face he felt he’d seen before, but ultimately failed to remember. He gave an ambiguous reply.

“Ah, it’s a handkerchief embroidered to wish you safety.”

“I see. Thank you, Lady.”

Her face brightened at Khalid’s response, but his next words were a soft, forced rejection: “However, it seems someone other than me might need it more.”

Her face flushed crimson, beyond any previous redness. A public rejection inevitably brings shame. With a small, mumbled “Understood,” she scurried back to her seat, where her friends, fellow noblewomen, began to console her.

As the first brave soul was rejected, the women who had secretly intended to offer their own handkerchiefs gave up. ‘Right, don’t be fooled by that face. He’s a sodomite,’ they thought, shedding silent tears. ‘Why is someone with a face like that a sodomite?’

As they subtly tore at their hidden handkerchiefs, the area once again stirred. Someone whispered, “It’s Duke Nox Rainerio.”

“Ah, I wondered if he’d participate this time.”

Their whispers sounded like rustling leaves in the wind. Nox led his black horse and positioned himself a good distance from the main tents. He had no desire to worsen his already less-than-pleasant mood.

“You’ve found a good horse.”

Someone approached Nox. Nox looked up to see Demetri, who had also come to participate in the hunting festival. Nox’s face relaxed slightly as he replied, “It seems winning this hunting festival will be difficult.”

“Ah, you mean Duke Khalid Via?” Demetri asked.

“Yes.”

In past hunting festivals, the winner was almost always, if not always, one of the knights from the Rainerio Knight Order. And among them, Demetri himself had the highest chance of winning.

“That’s a pity,” Nox said.

“It’s not much of a pity for me. Besides, you never know until you try.”

“Really?”

“Giving up early isn’t my style.”

Nox offered a faint smile. He was always this unyielding, like a log. Nox, still smiling, stroked his black horse’s muzzle. Despite having only recently been accustomed to human touch, the horse rubbed its nose into Nox’s palm.

As Nox conversed with Demetri, Khalid stood a short distance away, observing them. The relaxed expressions, the faint smiles—all things so difficult for him to achieve. He knew well who the other man was: Demetri, the former Vice-Commander of the Rainerio Knights, who had returned to his lord’s side, honoring his sworn oath of loyalty. Khalid gripped his reins tightly.

‘…No, I have a task to do today.’ He mustn’t let his emotions ruin it. He couldn’t disappoint Nox, his Young Master. Khalid steeled his resolve.

Just then, the largest and most ornate carriage stopped at the forest entrance. Everyone instantly rose to their feet. A noble-looking attendant opened the carriage door, revealing the Emperor, Feltion, dressed in light hunting attire, and…

“You insisted on dragging me out here, didn’t you?”

“Sometimes you need to see the sun,” Ellerdine Weiss said. The Emperor looked around and said, “Haha, everyone looks well.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Everyone replied as if with one voice. The Emperor looked around and then paused, having spotted Nox standing far from the tents. As soon as their eyes met, Nox turned his head, looking at Demetri. The Emperor had heard the rumors and knew well. Feltion tried to smile as if unaffected, but it only lasted a moment.

“Demetri, just a moment.”

“Yes,” Demetri replied.

Nox reached out and smoothed Demetri’s hair once. Demetri looked at him, bewildered. Nox offered a faint smile and replied, “You had a dandelion seed stuck there.”

“Ah, I see. Thank you.”

The Emperor’s gaze instantly fixed on Nox Rainerio. Everyone knew where the Emperor’s eyes were directed, yet they pretended not to. The Emperor lightly bit the inside of his cheek, then, forcing a casual smile, approached Khalid.

“Indeed, Duke Via. My expectations for you today are high.”

“What is there to expect from me?” Khalid replied.

“Well, everyone’s predicting you as the winner, aren’t they?”

“That remains to be seen.”

The relationship between the Emperor and Khalid was currently ambiguous. Two men desire the same man. A subtle war of nerves between them was inevitable, but the Emperor knew well that no one could surpass him. Thus, he slightly underestimated Khalid, and Khalid didn’t bother to correct him. If the Emperor underestimated him, there would be an advantage in that. There was no pain like being bitten by one you trusted.

The Emperor soon turned his attention to the people and then gestured to his attendant. The attendant, seeing the signal, loudly announced, “The hunt begins at 11 o’clock sharp! Please gather back here by 4 PM! The winner will be determined by the number of arrows collected by each family!”

“Is it finally starting?”

“The competition is fierce this time. We can certainly look forward to it.”

The ladies held expressions of anticipation, and the gentlemen quickly mounted their horses. The Emperor and Khalid did the same. As the two tall men easily mounted their horses, people murmured in admiration. But both men’s gazes were fixed on Nox, who had mounted his black horse.

“Then I wish you victory in this hunting festival.”

“I will certainly win and dedicate the glory.”

Nox frowned for a moment. “To me?”

“It should, of course, be dedicated to the lord one serves.”

“No, Demetri. Haven’t you gotten engaged yet?”

“My fiancée is my sword,” Demetri replied.

“Right, that’s who you were.”

Nox, as if leaving them to it, spurred his horse and galloped into the forest. Demetri watched him go, then headed in a different direction. The other participants, too, scattered, careful not to mix. Khalid watched Nox’s retreating form, then slowly turned his horse in another direction, while the Emperor…

“…Then I’ll see you afterwards, Weiss.”

“I expected as much. I’ll just be passing the time, so don’t expect any game from me.”

“Understood.”

Feltion then rode his horse in the direction Nox had disappeared.