At the doorstep stood Archon, stunned.
He couldn't believe what he was seeing. The woman who always teased him and toyed with him was now in another man's arms.
Though there was never a deep relationship between them, he had always appreciated and been fond of Vienna...
Her teasing smile, her laughter, her playful nature; all flashed before his eyes.
For some reason, he felt cheated.
"Ugly slave, what the hell is wrong with you?" Vienna snapped, adjusting her clothes.
"Ugly?"
Archon's mouth hung open in surprise. "Since when did I become ugly? She used to praise me for my looks. What's happening now?"
Seeing Archon's miserable expression, Egon smirked and leaned close to Vienna, whispering something into her ear.
Archon couldn't hear what he said, but the wicked glint in Egon's eyes sent a chill down his spine. A bad premonition settled over him.
Vienna listened attentively and nodded in approval at her beloved's suggestion.
"Guards!" she barked, her voice thunderous in the commanding tone of the true lady of the house.
Archon's eyes widened. "Madam, what are you planning to do? I admit I intruded on your personal time by mistake. Just let it go this once!" he pleaded, panic rising in his voice.
"Hmph…" Vienna snorted coldly. There was no hint of her usual flirtation or teasing expression. Only a harsh, unfeeling resolve remained on her face.
"For daring to interrupt our private time, you'll be thrown out of this house and sold to the Slave Market. And there will be no mercy."
Archon's mouth opened, but no words came. His mind reeled in disbelief.
"Why has she changed so much? She wasn't like this. Who did this to her?"
His gaze instinctively shifted to Egon, his fists clenched with rising fury.
"He definitely did something to her... But what? What exactly did I miss?"
He couldn't pinpoint the reason, but a terrible certainty settled in his chest. His future was bleak once again.
The thudding sound of footsteps echoed outside, and his heart pounded with rare fear.
Very soon, the five terryfying Frogmen presented themselves with obedience.
"What are your orders, Mistress?" asked five Frogmen guards, all bowing their heads in perfect sync.
Vienna glanced at Archon with visible disgust, and ordered:
"Dispose of this slave at once. Send him to the Slave Market. Inform Madam Castros sent him directly. If there are any objections, they can speak to me personally."
The Frogmen exchanged surprised glances. Everyone had heard how well Vienna treated this particular slave before. What's with sudden change of her mood?
But who were they to question her mood now?
Thumping their chests with pride, they declared:
"Understood, Mistress. He will be auctioned without delay. With his appearance, many noble men would surely love to buy him as a personal pet. You can leave the task to us."
Archon's knees gave out as desperation overtook him.
He collapsed, hands clasped tightly, pleading without a shred of pride or dignity.
"Please don't do this, Mistress! I'll do anything you ask. Just… please, don't send me there."
But Vienna didn't flinch.
Instead, she waved them off coldly, dismissing him as if he were nothing more than a parasite.
Egon had whispered that keeping Archon around would only reopen her old wounds and drag her back into suffering. He had told her to cut off the cause of her emotional pain.
And so, that's exactly what she was doing.
Her past infatuation, those lingering feelings for her first crush; all had vanished like mist. Along with them, any fondness she once had for Archon also disappeared.
To her, Egon was now everything.
Even if his face wasn't flawless, in her heart, he was a radiant hero in shining armor. The only man who truly understands her. The only one who ever loved her for who she was.
Egon was so happy that he personally bid Archon farewell at the gate.
Watching him being dragged away gave him a twisted sense of peace.
He felt free, as if a heavy burden had been lifted off his chest.
Now, no one could stand in his way of becoming unbeatable.
With the protagonist's luck stolen, he was confident he could now take over the role of the Main Character in this world.
And every woman that was supposed to be his would belong to Egon instead.
Grinning, he turned back toward the mansion. It was finally time to shed his status as a slave.
Even without him asking, Vienna personally summoned all the staff, maids, and workers. Right in front of their widened eyes, she removed the slave collar from around his neck.
"From this moment on, Egon is no longer a slave of this mansion. Starting today, he will assume a new position as the accountant of my businesses. If anyone has a problem with this arrangement, speak now."
Though she asked for their opinions, her firm tone left no room for disagreement.
The others stood in stunned silence, exchanging bewildered glances. No one could understand how this slave had risen so quickly in rank.
Some, however, were genuinely happy for Egon. Among them were Sierra, Neko, and Tiara.
And not to forget Hilga.
"Hilga, as the head maid of this house, do you have any objections?" Vienna asked, locking eyes with the older woman.
Hilga had no issue with the decision. In fact, she felt a subtle satisfaction at being consulted, just like in the past. It made her feel valued again.
She shook her head and replied, "I have no problem with your arrangements, Mistress. Egon is an honest and hardworking man. He deserves your generosity, his freedom, and the trust you've placed in him as your close confidant."
Vienna nodded, clearly pleased by her response. "Very well. It is final, then," she said with a gentle smile.
From a distance, Noella watched all of this unfold with quiet bafflement.
"My elder cousin seemed to have changed her views and interests overnight."
"Something about it feels off."
Her brows furrowed slightly in suspicion, but there was no proof or clear reason to challenge Vienna, who now appeared overly protective and unusually affectionate toward Egon.