I Became a Slave to the Man I Abandoned Novel (Completed) - Chapter 5

As time passed and her illness worsened, the calm and resolute Olga became increasingly hysterical. Each time she coughed up blood, she would throw the entire household into chaos.

His father shrank into himself to avoid her outbursts. More than that, he went out of his way to avoid her room altogether. Nox, watching him with disdain, chose to remain by his mother’s side. Though she occasionally threw things in her fits, it wasn’t anything he couldn’t endure. What pained him most was how she seemed to wither away, little by little.

And when the once-strong mother began to show signs of faltering, Nox could sense his father’s eyes like a rat lurking in the shadows, waiting for a chance to pounce.

If Mother were to collapse completely, no one would be able to stop him. As Nox was not yet of age, all authority and power would fall to Father.

*If Mother becomes bedridden for good… Khalid…*

Khalid, the child who would be in the greatest danger should Father gain unchecked control over the family.

For now, Mother still managed to keep up appearances, still attended some social events but if that became impossible, the child would be at risk. Father would pursue his desires shamelessly, without fear or hesitation.

One bitter night, as the wind howled outside, Nox sat in the rocking chair by his desk, reading. Khalid was beside him, reviewing the letters Nox had taught him. Without lifting his eyes from the page, Nox spoke as if it were nothing at all.

“Khalid.”

“Yes, young master?”

The boy had grown quite a bit with the passing seasons tall enough now to reach Nox’s nose. Yet his soft, silver-blond hair and round, blue eyes remained unchanged.

“What do you think about going to another household?”

“…Pardon?”

Khalid stopped mid-review and looked up. Nox turned a page calmly, still not meeting his eyes.

“Somewhere you’d be treated better. You’re good, many would want to hire you…”

“Young master…!”

Suddenly, Khalid stepped forward and dropped to his knees. Nox blinked, startled, the book still open in his hands. Khalid’s eyes were wide, eyebrows furrowed, and his pupils trembled with emotion.

“Did… did I do something wrong?”

“Khalid, get up.”

“If I made a mistake, I’ll fix it. Please don’t send me away…”

“You didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Then why? Why, young master…?”

Khalid gently held onto Nox’s ankle and rested his forehead on his knee. Nox looked down at the small, round crown of the boy’s head, too stunned to even let go of the book.

He inhaled and exhaled softly. It might have sounded like a sigh, for Khalid flinched slightly. Nox reached out, gently pushed Khalid’s shoulder back, and met his eyes.

Those big blue eyes shimmered, on the verge of tears.

“You’ve done nothing wrong.”

“T-then why…”

“…I just want you to consider it. That’s all.”

“No.”

Khalid’s voice was firm, unusually low for him. A voice full of unwavering resolve.

“I will stay by your side, young master.”

“…Khalid.”

“Yes, my young master.”

Khalid bowed once more and kissed Nox’s knee. Nox jerked slightly, taken aback by the unexpected gesture. Khalid looked up, his tear-filled eyes bright with a smile.

Nox felt a heaviness settle in his chest. *What am I supposed to do with you? What should I…*

All he could hope for was that his mother would hold out a little longer. Until he was older. Or, at least, until Khalid was.

But she didn’t. The year Nox turned sixteen, she finally collapsed in bed.

And his father began to expand his influence, inch by inch. Nox tried to stop him, but it was too much for one person to handle.

“Where’s the boy?”

“…I sent him on an errand.”

“I see.”

After Mother fell ill, Father couldn’t hide his delight. He constantly asked after Khalid, as if to pressure Nox as if daring him to offer the boy up.

Nox gritted his teeth. He could no longer keep the child in this mansion.

But even if he were to force Khalid out, the boy would surely return.

*And Father wouldn’t just let him go so easily.*

If Khalid hovered outside the estate after being cast out, Father might simply call him in.

Nox had to find a way to remove Khalid from the mansion safely.

And soon, he arrived at a conclusion. One he would regret more than anything else in his life.

“…It’s time to end a childhood crush.”

Nox wished for Khalid to let go of the affection he held. He wasn’t the noble, righteous person Khalid thought he was. He was nothing more than a noble with his father’s filthy blood running through his veins. Different from Khalid, who could still love, still look at someone with pure eyes.

*If Khalid is to live safely, he must stay far away from this mansion, and from me.*

Mother might be bedridden, but she wasn’t completely confined. She still hosted tea parties now and then. To Nox, it seemed like stubborn pride trying to cling to her place in society but he couldn’t deny that it helped his cause.

“…If Mother is the one to expel Khalid, Father won’t be able to bring him back.”

So Nox made up his mind. A decision he could only make because he was still young and foolish. A stupid, one-sided decision that didn’t even try to understand the boy’s feelings.

Father always said he took after Mother, but Nox no longer believed that. He could feel it now his father’s blood coursing through him. Stupid, cowardly, and vile. That foul, blue noble blood.

—

It was an ordinary day. After finishing his morning duties, Nox retreated to his room with Khalid, sorting through papers. Khalid, now grown tall enough to meet Nox’s eyes, stood straight and prepared tea.

The soft clinking of the teacups rang in Nox’s ears. The same sound as always. The same boy as always.

But Nox knew it was time for change.

He took a quiet breath, steady and natural. As if it were nothing at all. And in his usual tone, he spoke:

“Could you fetch the blue brooch from Mother’s room?”

“…The Madam’s brooch?”

“Yes.”

Khalid tilted his head slightly, sensing something odd. But he would never dare question the words of his precious young master. He quickly nodded and smiled, and Nox felt a sharp tug in his chest as he realized it would be the last time he’d see that smile.

Clenching his jaw, Nox gestured.

“Mother’s been sensitive lately. Be careful not to touch anything else.”

“Understood! I’ll be right back!”

Khalid strode out of the room. Nox couldn’t take his eyes off the boy’s silvery-blond hair, visible through the crack in the closing door.

He knew this would be the last day he’d see the boy.

Slowly, Nox closed his eyes. He didn’t want to think. He wanted to believe this was the right choice. But there was no one to reassure him, no one but his foolish, younger self.

Nox sat in his room, staring into nothing. One, two, three. He began counting silently. His insides felt like they were rotting. The maids assigned to his mother were meticulous; there was no way they wouldn’t notice Khalid taking the brooch.

Nox felt like he couldn’t breathe. Even when he inhaled, it didn’t feel like enough.

He kept breathing in and out, over and over, until

**Knock knock knock **

Urgent knocking at the door. Nox turned his head. How long has it been since Khalid left? His eyes darted to the clock. About twenty minutes. Enough time for the maids to catch him.

“…What is it?”

He hoped his voice sounded calm. Maeta, the maid, seemed not to notice his turmoil.

“Young master, you should come out. It’s… it’s about Khalid…”

“I’ll go.”

Nox didn’t ask further. He already knew how this would unfold.

As he rose and opened the door, Maeta bowed deeply, ready to explain. Nox raised a hand to silence her and walked forward, unbothered.

When a servant touches a master’s possession, they’re usually brought to the front hall where everyone can see.

*There was that time a servant who touched Father’s things was kicked out without even a letter of recommendation.*

That was all Nox had intended. And a letter of recommendation he could still provide that himself.

Nox stepped onto the stairs to the first floor. Maeta whispered behind him,

“Khalid… was caught touching Madam’s belongings.”