I Became a Slave to the Man I Abandoned Novel (Completed) - Chapter 24

Clink.

With a soft sound, the ring fell to the floor, and Feltion’s eyes widened. The Empress couldn’t contain her laughter, letting it burst forth.

“…”

Feltion stared silently at Nox. Nox looked at the fallen ring, then up at him, saying, “My hand slipped for a moment.”

Nox acted as if he was insulting Feltion—or rather, he was truly insulting him. Feltion was visibly gritting his teeth. Nox whispered to himself again, “Endure. Show that you are willing to endure future humiliations.”

“What are you doing, Second Prince?” The Empress cackled, egging Feltion on. “A precious Rainerio ring has fallen; aren’t you going to pick it up?”

The Empress cast a satisfied glance at Nox. But Nox didn’t look at the Empress. He simply watched Feltion, who quietly knelt on one knee, his gaze fixed on Feltion’s hair. Nox then slightly bent his upper body towards Feltion as he rose, having retrieved the ring. He whispered, out of the Empress’s and Crown Prince’s earshot, “Send someone to my family estate.”

Then, he straightened up and turned to leave. Feltion tightly gripped Nox’s recovered ring. His fist trembled. His eyes, burning with rage, couldn’t easily close. But in the end, he endured. Despite being humiliated by Nox Rainerio, he remained silently closed-mouthed.

‘That should be enough,’ Nox thought, then left the banquet hall. He no longer wanted to be there. He had hinted at sending someone to his estate, so the Second Prince would likely ponder his words and then send someone to test him. That would be the time to reveal his true intentions: that his intentions differed from his father’s, and that he would become Feltion’s strength.

So Nox returned to the mansion, and for a long time, there was no news from Feltion. The ring never came back. But a few years later, Valtias Deron infiltrated the household. Nox keenly noticed this but said nothing to anyone. He simply believed he had understood Feltion’s intent.

‘Does he want us to secretly exchange information without revealing our connection?’

Being cautious wasn’t a bad thing. Especially now, with the Rainerio family known to support the Crown Prince, exercising extreme caution was only natural. Nox readily agreed to his wishes.

Unknowing that he would eventually be so thoroughly used and discarded by Feltion.

Nox snapped out of his old memories. The Emperor was still looking into Nox’s eyes. Feltion, perhaps recalling that distant past, was also smiling faintly, a slight frown on his brow. And then, as if nothing had crossed his mind, he continued,

“Khalid is like a brother to me. I was very worried because his personality makes it hard for him to blend into noble society, but with you by his side, he should be able to integrate quite easily. Choose those who can help him, and make him a Duke worthy of the name. You can do that, can’t you?”

The Emperor’s tone was gentle, but it was a clear command. Instead of answering, Nox nodded a few times. The Emperor treated Nox like a well-behaved cat, briefly burying his nose in Nox’s hair to kiss it before pulling his hand away. Only then could Nox stand straight. But the Emperor was standing so close behind him that he couldn’t turn around freely. The Emperor placed a hand on Nox’s shoulder from behind.

“It’s truly fortunate that you’ve become Khalid’s slave.”

“…….”

“Yes, did my brother treat you gently in bed?”

The Emperor showed him no consideration.

“Khalid has quite a grudge against you. And of course, I detest you quite a bit myself.”

“I…”

“Shh,” the Emperor smiled faintly and advised him. “All you can do is endure Khalid’s wrath. It’s best not to utter excuses. The more you do, the more repulsive you’ll become.”

“Indeed, was it enjoyable to open your legs for one who was once your servant?”

Nox’s lips trembled, unable to answer.

“You must answer. A slave not answering the Emperor’s words? Is such a thing possible?”

Nox felt his throat constrict. Yet, compelled by Feltion’s warning-like tone, he had no choice but to speak. The words Nox had to say were predetermined.

“It was… enjoyable.”

“Ah, so that’s how it is.”

The Emperor, having forced such a reply, spoke with an air of intrigue. And then, he quickly stepped back from behind Nox. Just as suddenly as he had appeared behind him, the Emperor distanced himself. When Nox turned around, he saw him walking away with Ellerdyne Weiss.

“So, where did Valtias Deron go?”

“He’s ill.”

“Ill, my foot. I knew it.”

The sounds of the Emperor and Ellerdyne Weiss conversing drifted to him. Nox momentarily covered one ear with his hand. Feltion’s whisper seemed to linger in his ear. Nox stared blankly at their retreating figures. And then, someone strongly grabbed his arm. It was Khalid. Nox stumbled for a moment, then managed to straighten himself and look at him.

“What did you say to His Majesty?”

“Nothing… too important. Ugh.”

The grip on his arm tightened. Nox frowned at the dull pain. Khalid silently looked down at him, then dragged him towards the terrace. Nox dared not resist his forceful strides, and the nobles cleared a path. The nobles exchanged knowing glances, openly scrutinizing Nox.

‘They say he’s the new Duke’s concubine.’ ‘Did you see him trying to flirt with His Imperial Majesty? No sense of his place.’ ‘He must have always been like that.’ ‘One who opens his legs to his enemies to survive?’ ‘Exactly.’

Ahahaha, someone’s meaningless laughter drifted to him. Nox was immediately shoved onto the terrace. He had to endure Khalid’s wrath as Khalid pinned him against the railing and tore at his shirt.

“M-master, Master, not here…”

“Shut up.”

Khalid’s hand gripped Nox’s buttocks hard. Nox naturally stiffened, the force making him arch his back. Through the torn shirt, Khalid buried his lips against Nox’s skin. He opened his mouth and bit into the thin skin with sharp teeth.

“Ah…!”

At Nox’s faint moan, Khalid seemed even more aroused, licking the oozing blood and sucking at his skin. Hnngh, ah. Nox swallowed his moans, gripping the railing tightly. Khalid pulled his lips away, examining the nape of Nox’s neck where his bite marks were deeply imprinted, then raised his hand. He pressed his fingernail into the wound he’d made, enunciating each word as if grinding them out.

“You are my possession.”

“I… know.”

“You are mine.”

Nox felt he understood what had angered Khalid. Had he seemed to be currying favor with the Emperor? It was something Nox couldn’t comprehend, but if it appeared that way in Khalid’s eyes, then that’s how it was. Nox lifted the hand that had been clutching the railing and wrapped his arm around Khalid’s neck. For now, to avoid further torment in this place, he had to appease him.

“…I am my Master’s.”

As Nox’s arm encircled Khalid’s neck, he felt Khalid’s body stiffen slightly. Nox embraced his neck and whispered,

“I am my Master’s possession.”

“…Yes,” the growling voice softened. Khalid pulled Nox closer and opened his mouth again. He set his teeth above Nox’s Adam’s apple. When he bit down hard, a faint moan of pain, echoing from deep within Nox’s throat, escaped. But he didn’t stop. He bit until blood was drawn, feeling the body in his arms flinch.

He had taken him twice, but it still didn’t feel like Nox was completely his. The man he had longed for and resented for over a decade, now beneath him, still felt like he could vanish at any moment, always pushing Khalid to the brink. But now, with Nox’s own words spoken directly from his lips, Khalid finally felt as if he had him in his grasp.

Khalid found it immensely satisfying. Nox, looking like a beast that had willingly bowed its head and entered his hand. It satiated Khalid’s hunger. Khalid licked the blood from the wound he had inflicted. The skin, tasting of blood, was smooth, and the beast-like submission in his arms was simply so lovely that…

“Huh.”

Khalid snapped back to reality. His eyes widened. Nox looked at him, puzzled by his sudden reaction. Khalid momentarily pushed him away and took a step back.

‘Lovely. Nox Rainerio feels lovely.’

The one who abandoned him, the one who betrayed him. Khalid frowned and moved a few more steps away from him. Nox, leaning against the railing, watched him and cautiously called out, “…Master?”

Even that voice, calling him Master, tasted sweet to Khalid. Nox, finally in his grasp, was literally lovely. But he couldn’t allow that. Khalid reminded himself of what Nox had done to him. And how he had betrayed him. He reminded himself again and again, as if forcing himself not to forget.

Khalid covered his face with one hand, peeking at Nox through his fingers. Nox Rainerio had to be miserable. He couldn’t feel affection for him. Nox needed to be in pain and unhappy within himself. That was what Khalid had dreamed of. He truly believed his desire was for Nox to suffer as much as he had. So, Khalid quickly turned his back on Nox and left the terrace, almost fleeing. As if to deny the affection he felt for the very existence of Nox Rainerio.

“…Ah.”

Nox stood there for a moment, watching Khalid vanish so quickly. Had he done something wrong? Nox fiddled with his shirt and vest, their buttons torn off. As Khalid exited the terrace, a golden light briefly shone through the parted curtains, illuminating the terrace before disappearing. Nox was left alone on the terrace, bathed only in faint blue light. He buttoned his shirt and stood still, like an object once more.