Nox Renerio.
My entire body felt numb, and below my waist, I couldn’t feel anything as if it was paralyzed. Nox grabbed the sheet with his hands and somehow managed to stand up. He bit his lips, trying to endure the throbbing pain that rose from his lower body. It was a pain that felt unfamiliar.
Knock, knock-
And at that moment, someone knocked on the door. Nox hesitated for a moment. Was it okay for him to allow someone to come in? But since Nox didn’t respond, the person on the other side of the door spoke first.
“I’ll come in.”
Nox pulled the blanket to cover his body. He didn’t want others to see the marks all over his body. The maid who entered the room placed both hands on her belly and greeted him.
“I am Hanyang Marlene.”
Nox remained silent.
“You may address me as Hanyang.”
“Why me….”
Did she mean to be respectful? Nox wanted to ask that, but Marlene already caught on to his intention and shook her head.
“I’m only being respectful for now. Because from now on, as the Duke’s slave, I will be with the Duke. If you prefer it that way, you can refer to me as Hanyang.”
“A Duke…”
“Yes, Duke Khalid Via. He is the owner of this mansion.”
Nox nodded. If he had stood by the second prince at the forefront, becoming a Duke wouldn’t have been impossible. Especially now, when there were no remaining brothers of the second prince. As Nox remained silent, Marlene continued her explanation.
“I have prepared water in the bathroom. If you wish to take a bath tonight, you may use the Duke’s bathroom. On other days, you can use the bathroom attached to the room you will be guided to.”
A bath tonight…Nox unconsciously thought about last night. Yes, a bath tonight. Nox chuckled lightly. He wondered how he had ended up like this, but he was grateful to be alive. But was he really grateful? That question lingered in his mind. And before he could find the answer, Marlene continued speaking.
“After you finish your bath, I will guide you to the room where you will stay in the future.”
“Understood.”
Marlene raised one eyebrow unexpectedly. Even though he had fallen from nobility to a slave, Nox didn’t know how to use respectful terms towards a Hanyang.
Nox didn’t pay any attention to her reaction and grabbed the gown hanging at the end of the bed. And wearing it, he headed towards the bathroom.
Taking off the clothes inside was a difficult task to do alone. But doing this alone, without borrowing someone else’s hand, sent shivers down his spine. Nox pushed away unnecessary thoughts and dried himself, then left the bathroom. Suddenly, he thought of how Khalid used to meticulously dry his hair after he bathed. But now, that was something that could no longer happen.
“Please change into these clothes.”
What she was holding out seemed like clothes for a servant, or rather, clothes for a houseboy. The black vest and trousers were smooth, and the shirt looked board-like. When Nox looked at the clothes questioningly, Marlene explained.
“You will also participate in the Duke’s external activities. So here.”
What Marlene was holding out was a bow tie to be worn with the shirt. It was decorated with silver and looked elegant, but Nox knew very well what it meant. A slave of the high nobility, a pitiful creature who couldn’t even think for himself. And an errand boy. Slaves considered this bow tie an honor, but for Nox, who used to stand in the position of the high nobility, it was nothing more than a bitter smile-inducing situation.
However, he accepted it quietly. The moment he put it on, it felt like his throat was being constricted lightly. Now, he would make sure that he only appeared as someone’s possession, as an object. No, he himself had become an object.
“Now, please change and come out.”
“Yes.”
Marlene arched one eyebrow as if she was surprised. Even though he used to be a nobleman, even though he had fallen to the position of a slave, she didn’t expect him to use such respectful terms towards a Hanyang.
Nox took off the gown and looked at his reflection in the full-length mirror that was placed a little far away. The countless marks on his shoulders, nape of his neck, chest, arms, waist, and thighs were so numerous that it was impossible to mention every one of them. Touching them caused pain.
Nox sighed and put on the clothes. Perhaps there wouldn’t be many days left for his body to be in good health.
Shoo, clack. He slowly put on the clothes and tied the bow tie. He looked just like a perfect servant. At least in Nox’s eyes. The fact that he had noble blood flowing in his veins seemed like a story from a long time ago.
Nox opened the door and went outside. Marlene, who was waiting outside the room, gestured towards him. Nox began to walk, naturally adjusting his pace to Lady Marlene’s. Marlene glanced at him once, then closed her mouth quietly.
The two of them headed towards the guest rooms on the first floor of the main mansion. Nox asked.
“Will I be staying in the main mansion?”
“I made this decision because you need to come out promptly when the Duke calls you. Please don’t worry, as this was approved by the Duke.”
“It’s not really worry…”
It was because the treatment was better than he had thought. He had expected to receive treatment that was not even as good as the other servants. Marlene whispered quietly as if she read his thoughts.
“I have no intention of treating the Duke’s concubine that way.”
“Is that so.”
You can Read Advance Chapters!!
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