I Became a Slave to the Man I Abandoned Novel (Completed) - Chapter 23

“…….”

“…What is it?”

Suddenly, Nox’s eyes met Khalid’s. Khalid silently watched Nox from amidst the nobles. Nox felt the moment their gazes met lasted an eternity, though in reality, it was but a fleeting instant. The moment their eyes disconnected, he unconsciously let out a shaky breath. He hadn’t intended to hold his breath when their eyes met. And then, he heard laughter from behind him.

“You’re doing better than I expected. Is it thanks to you?”

Before Nox could turn, a large hand from behind cupped and pulled his chin.

Nox’s body tilted backward, leaning against someone’s shoulder. Nox knew the owner of that voice. It was the one and only Imperial royalty, the Emperor himself: Feltion Andras Daidalonts.

“…Your Imperial Majesty.”

“You don’t need to call me that; I know very well I’m the Emperor.”

The Emperor looked down at Nox with a faint smile. His hand, still cupping Nox’s chin, remained. Nox wanted to escape his grip, but the hand held his chin surprisingly firmly, refusing to let go easily.

“It’s been a long time, hasn’t it?”

The Emperor’s eyes curved as he met Nox’s gaze. The moment he heard those words, Nox was transported back to a day when he was eighteen. The day Feltion and Nox first met eyes.

* * *

The Crown Prince’s birthday banquet. Nobles, each elaborately adorned, attended the banquet, bearing expensive gifts to curry favor with the Crown Prince and Empress. The Emperor, feigning illness, did not attend the Crown Prince’s banquet, but Nox knew well. He knew that even then, the Emperor was displeased with the Crown Prince.

“The Empress seems to be in good spirits today?”

“Indeed, even though His Imperial Majesty didn’t attend.”

“Does anyone know why?”

The nobles whispered amongst themselves. Nox was at this banquet today because he had heard a certain “rumor.” And it seemed no one else knew of that rumor. This also meant that while the Rainerio family might be crumbling in his father’s hands, they were still formidable. Nox stood at the edge of the banquet hall, dressed in a dark blue suit, his back straight.

He felt the nobles eyeing him, exchanging glances, but Nox neither looked at them nor spoke to them. He simply stood there, stiff and unmoving. Though displeased by Nox’s lack of attention, the nobles didn’t dare approach him carelessly. It was the Rainerio family, after all. The most powerful family currently supporting the Crown Prince and Empress, who were at their peak. If nothing unforeseen happened, the Crown Prince would ascend to the throne, and Nox’s family would be his right hand. Even if Nox didn’t wish it, his family was known as such due to his father’s actions.

The nobles chattered amongst themselves. The fact that Nox Rainerio, who rarely appeared at official functions, was present was proof that the Rainerio family fully supported the Crown Prince. But Nox was not waiting for the Crown Prince. He was waiting for…

“His Imperial Highness, the Second Prince, Feltion Andras Daidalonts, enters!”

It was Feltion, the Second Prince. His arrival made everyone begin to whisper. It was the appearance of a Second Prince who held no power whatsoever. And now, he had appeared at the Crown Prince’s birthday banquet. Come to think of it, last year’s Second Prince’s birthday banquet had been completely ruined by the Empress’s tyranny. Small whispers circulated.

“Welcome, Your Highness, Second Prince.”

The Empress greeted him with a radiant face. The Empress didn’t like Feltion. But there must be a reason for her to greet him with such a smile.

“I knew you would come to congratulate him personally.”

Nox realized from the Empress’s words that Feltion had been forced to attend. There was a reason the Empress wasn’t displeased, even though the Emperor wasn’t present. The Second Prince, Feltion, smiled back at the Empress, replying,

“Is there any reason I wouldn’t attend my brother’s birthday banquet?”

Feltion smiled gently, like someone with no complaints. The Empress openly scoffed at him. Covering her mouth with a fan, she fanned herself lightly and spoke as if she cared for him.

“I cannot express how relieved I am that the brothers get along so well. It is truly heartwarming to see you live so quietly, without grasping for any power, for the sake of the Crown Prince.”

A penniless prince who possessed nothing. The Empress underscored this, insulting him. But unfortunately, Feltion had no power to counter the insult. Literally, an Imperial family member who held nothing. That was Feltion. Nox narrowed his eyes and looked at Feltion.

‘If the Emperor is displeased with the Crown Prince, he would probably want to empower the Second Prince, Feltion.’

However, the Emperor had yet to make a move. Even to Nox, it seemed too risky to act now. The Crown Prince and Empress’s power was simply too firmly entrenched.

‘There’s also a rumor that the Empress’s relatives are eyeing the diamond mine owned by the Emperor. It’s not something to ignore.’

Nox took a glass of champagne from a passing servant and lightly sipped a few mouthfuls. The Empress was still standing in front of Feltion, mocking him.

“Crown Prince, come here. Your brother has arrived, why aren’t you looking at him?”

The Crown Prince then slowly approached the Empress and said, “Ah, my apologies. I had so many people to see, I momentarily forgot about you.”

“…Not at all. You are busy, so of course that happens.”

“Thank you for understanding. I hope you enjoy the banquet since you’ve come out after a long time. Especially since you couldn’t enjoy your last birthday.”

Knowing full well that the Empress herself had caused a ruckus at his last birthday, the Crown Prince still spoke thus, opening his arms wide. It was an attitude as if bestowing a favor. Feltion, his face unreadable, merely smiled.

‘…He’s not one to easily show his true feelings.’

Nox observed Feltion, thinking that he was entirely different from the Crown Prince, who loved to show off and put others down. He began to understand why the Emperor had grown displeased with the Crown Prince. It was probably because the Second Prince, Feltion, had caught his eye. Rumor had it that Feltion lived quietly in his palace. But if one delved deeper, there were other stories—stories that other nobles likely didn’t know.

‘They said his mastery of all academic subjects, including imperial studies, was incomparable to the Crown Prince’s.’

Nox shifted his gaze sideways. That was probably why the Empress was so anxious to keep him in check. Especially after Feltion’s victory in the gladiatorial combat two years prior, which changed the Empress’s confident demeanor.

Feltion’s mother had died giving birth to him and came from a humble family, so he had no powerful maternal relatives. Because of this, the Empress initially hadn’t viewed him as a significant threat. After all, a Second Prince with no real power wouldn’t threaten her son’s position.

However, as time passed, Feltion’s exceptional abilities became apparent, and the more they did, the more desperate the Empress became to crush him. She likely had something prepared to humble him today as well. It was then that the Crown Prince offered Feltion a glass of champagne.

“Care for a drink?”

“Ah, thank you…”

Feltion reached out a hand to take the champagne. But suddenly, the Crown Prince’s eyebrow twitched. He dodged Feltion’s outstretched hand and poured the champagne over his brother’s head instead.

“Oh dear.”

“My word…”

The nobles flinched and covered their mouths. The Crown Prince’s face was contorted into a sneer as he taunted Feltion.

“How dare you try to take a glass from me with one hand?”

“…”

Feltion lowered his head for a moment, saying nothing. Champagne streamed down his hair and chin. The Crown Prince then held out the empty glass to Feltion once more. His intent was clear, and Feltion couldn’t refuse it.

“…Thank you, Brother.”

And so, Feltion had to accept the empty glass with both hands. Only then did the Crown Prince’s face relax into a smile. The Empress also watched the scene with amusement. Nox let out a short sigh at this unentertaining spectacle.

Nox saw the slight tremor in Feltion’s mouth. He was probably struggling to bear this humiliation. But,

‘It’s not time to show your teeth yet.’

Nox whispered to himself as he watched him.

‘Endure, you must endure now.’

After Feltion had taken the glass, the Empress and the Crown Prince smiled contentedly and said, “Then, I hope you thoroughly enjoy the banquet.”

“That was an order not to leave the banquet hall even after being doused in champagne. Feltion couldn’t reply, and the Crown Prince and Empress turned their backs, seemingly unconcerned, leaving him. Nobles then swarmed towards the Empress and Crown Prince. No nobles paid attention to the Second Prince, power-less Feltion. Seeing the nobles flocking to the Empress and Crown Prince, Nox slowly walked towards Feltion. He then offered him a handkerchief.

“Are you all right?”

“…Ah, I’m fi—”

Feltion, about to say he was fine, saw Nox and fell silent. Nox Rainerio. The most powerful family supporting the Crown Prince. He probably thought that, Nox considered, finding it preferable if Feltion did think that way. Because what he was about to do to Feltion was cruel, a test.

“The Crown Prince was quite mischievous.”

“…Is that so?”

The Second Prince’s voice was delayed, as if the recent humiliation had been a significant blow. As Feltion and Nox began to converse, the attention of both the nobles and the Crown Prince and Empress shifted to them. Feltion looked at Nox with a wary gaze. Nox, seeing this, tilted his head.

“I seem to make you uncomfortable.”

“…That’s not true.”

“Then that’s fortunate.”

Nox said this, then lightly raised his hand. He took off the ring on his finger. People’s gazes fell upon his hand. Nox ignored their stares and removed the ring. And then, he dropped it.