I Became a Slave to the Man I Abandoned Novel (Completed) - Chapter 136

Feltion found himself unconsciously following Nox, a near-instinctive act. He hadn’t seen him since their last exchange of letters. Feltion remembered Nox’s angry dismissal, the eyes filled with fury, despair, and humiliation. He knew appearing before Nox now wasn’t a good idea, yet he couldn’t overcome his desire.

Nox Rainerio. The man he had held in his palm, toyed with at will. And now… the man who had made him a sinner. The twisted blend of desire and guilt forged through their shared intimacy was instantaneous. Feltion knew his own perverse longing for Nox well, but the problem was, he had no desire to relinquish it.

He was the Emperor, and it was Nox who had enabled his survival. Therefore, he believed it only natural that Nox Rainerio should remain by his side. He wanted Nox to bask in glory, to be given everything he desired. But above all, Nox Rainerio himself did not want it.

Feltion slowly rode his horse, quietly watching Nox’s distant back. Nox was riding at a pace that made it unclear whether he was hunting or simply strolling. Feltion was doing the same. After all, Khalid Via would uphold the Emperor’s faction’s prestige. He simply had to gaze upon the man he hadn’t seen in so long.

But did he truly only want to gaze?

Feltion soon had to admit that wasn’t true. When Nox was before him, he wanted to speak to him, to touch him. He wanted to see the faint smile on Nox’s face when his fingertips brushed his cheek. But knowing it was impossible, he kept his distance, watching like a coward.

Nox, however, knew someone was following him. He also knew it was the Emperor. Nox rode on, his expression cool, staring straight ahead, deeper into the forest. Behind him, he heard the rustling of leaves. The faint sound of someone stepping on grass behind him. And then, another sound.

Nox suddenly turned his horse. He wasn’t seriously hunting with his bow, but he took it from his back, drew an arrow, and pulled the string taut.

In that instant, his eyes met Feltion’s, who was following behind him. But Nox, his face devoid of emotion, released the bowstring.

The arrow whizzed past Feltion’s ear with a swish, followed by a loud squawk.

Gulp.

A deer, struck in the neck, stumbled a few steps before collapsing. Feltion turned his head to look at the fallen deer. Though his ear, where the arrow had grazed, bore no wound, it still felt hot.

“My, my,” Nox drawled, riding up leisurely. Feltion looked at the fallen deer, then shifted his gaze back to Nox.

In the moment Nox fired, Feltion couldn’t move. He felt utterly caught by their sudden eye contact. Or perhaps, even if he could have moved, he would have stood still. If it eased Nox’s anger even a little, he would have willingly taken an arrow. And, subtly, there was also the arrogant certainty that Nox wouldn’t aim for his heart.

Nox knew Feltion’s arrogance well, and he looked at the Emperor with an expressionless face.

“I apologize for the oversight.”

“…It’s fine.”

Nox turned his horse away again. Feltion immediately spurred his horse closer to Nox. He desperately wanted another glance from Nox, but Nox simply stared ahead, seemingly oblivious to his presence.

Feltion was anxious. Anxious that he might become nothing to Nox Rainerio. He would rather Nox hate him until the very end. Such was the twisted desire, the twisted heart, that Feltion possessed. So, without hesitation, Feltion spoke.

“I’m waiting.”

Nox’s gaze flickered towards him.

“For the day you come to me.”

Eventually, the day you come to me willingly. Nox’s brow furrowed, the deep crease between his eyebrows pleasing to Feltion. If he had his way, Feltion would pull Nox into his arms right now. Unbeknownst to anyone in this forest. To press him down, to crush his lips against Nox’s… to make Nox unable to tear his eyes away, whether with scorn or tear-filled gaze.

Nox, seemingly unaware of Feltion’s thoughts, continued to frown, silently watching him. No, wait. Nox’s gaze was passing just beside Feltion’s eyes.

‘Where is he looking?’

Just then, a rustling sound came from behind.

The furrow in Nox’s brow deepened. He instantly leaped from his horse, drawing his sword.

Wham! Just then, something hidden in the bushes lunged forward. It was in the blink of an eye.

Clang!

The loud clash of large, sharp teeth against steel rang in their ears. Feltion’s eyes widened. It was a brown wolf.

“Why is something like that here…!”

There were no wild beasts like that in the capital. So, a wolf of that size couldn’t possibly exist here.

However, the wolf before them quickly retreated, snarling. Its body appeared to be easily over two meters long. Its dark brown fur contrasted sharply with the green leaves. Its color perfectly matched the swaying tree branches and the forest floor. They understood now why they hadn’t detected it earlier.

If Nox hadn’t reacted swiftly, it would have surely lunged at one of them. Feltion leaped from his horse, drawing his own sword.

Shing.

At the sound, Nox glanced at Feltion.

“Go. It would be best to call for people.”

“How can I leave you alone?”

“It seems I’ve been underestimated.”

“I’m not underestimating you.”

At that, Nox replied, “Don’t talk about worry. It’s not funny.”

Feltion’s mouth snapped shut. The wolf, its sharp eyes glaring at the two men, lowered its body, poised to spring.

Both men shifted their left feet back. The moment they moved, the wolf lunged.

Nox swiftly swung his sword. The wolf leaped high, evading the blade. It seemed to be a rather intelligent creature.

Nox twisted his body, slashing at the wolf’s flank. Though its hide was quite tough, blood spurted with a whoosh.

The wolf, its side stained with blood, snarled and instantly lunged once more.

Nox’s sword swung horizontally.

Clang!

The wolf retaliated, biting Nox’s blade. Crunch, gnash. The biting force was considerable. Nox, gripping the hilt, began a struggle of strength with the wolf.

Feltion seized the opportunity, aiming for the wolf’s neck. As he moved to thrust his sword into its side, the wolf seemed to abandon the power struggle, violently shaking its head to dislodge Nox’s sword.

The sudden shift in force made Nox stumble for a moment. In that instant, the wolf quickly retreated, then pushed off its hind legs, lunging at Feltion, who had lost his balance while thrusting his sword into the suddenly empty space.

‘Ah, damn it!’ Feltion desperately tried to pull his leg back and change direction, but the movement was too abrupt, and he couldn’t regain his balance. He ultimately stumbled backward and fell.

A large, gaping maw appeared before his eyes. Sharp fangs loomed close.

But just then, an arm thrust itself between the falling Emperor and the wolf. Nox, having recovered his balance, had swiftly rushed forward, inserting his hand into the wolf’s jaws to protect the Emperor.

Snap! The jaws clamped shut, and sharp teeth pierced Nox’s arm.

“Ugh…!”

“Nox!”

Drip, drip. Blood flowed. Feltion, lying on the grass, sprang to his feet as if recoiling. Nox, despite the pain of the sinking teeth, pushed his arm deeper.

While Nox held the wolf, Feltion, gripping his sword again, stabbed deeply. This time, his sword pierced the tough hide, accurately going through the wolf’s neck.

The wolf gurgled, spitting blood. It released Nox’s arm and tried to lunge at Feltion, who had attacked it. But Nox, his uninjured hand still gripping his sword, brought the blade down, aiming for the wolf’s head.

Crack! Splat!

The sword, having instantly penetrated its skull, emerged from beneath its jaw, dripping with blood, and fell.

Hmph, huff. Labored breaths escaped them. Thud. As the enormous wolf’s body slowly collapsed to the ground, Nox pulled out his sword.

His left arm was drenched in blood from the wolf’s bite.

Feltion rushed to him. He reached out as if to examine the arm, but Nox recoiled. Feltion’s hand froze in mid-air. Nox’s refusal to be touched was absolute.

Why? Just a moment ago, he protected me.

Nox’s arm was mangled, appearing dangerously injured and needing immediate treatment. Feltion, deeming it too risky for Nox to ride alone with such an injury, spoke, “…It would be best if we returned to the tents together for now.”

“No,” Nox said stiffly. “Please bring someone else.”

“…” Feltion looked at Nox with a bewildered expression. Blood still dripped steadily from Nox’s arm. His face had grown pale, and he was still breathing heavily. Clearly, he was not in good condition.

“Don’t be stubborn.”

“I know,” Nox admitted readily. Then, cutting him off like a blade, he added, “But I still don’t want to touch Your Majesty.”

At that refusal, Feltion bit his lip.