The Weight of Ownership

Fren stroked Vanessa’s hair and murmured in admiration.

“Wow… this really works well.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.

Polia came up with a surprisingly good method.”

Fren whispered low as he slid his hand down and gently tugged Vanessa’s soft cheek.

“I should do this from now on too.”

“People might think it’s strange…”

“What’s strange about an artist touching his own masterpiece?”

Fren pressed a kiss onto Vanessa’s cheek.

“If anyone looks at us weirdly, I’ll just say I’m fixing a flaw.”

Vanessa unconsciously stared at Fren’s artificial eye.

Noticing his gaze, Fren narrowed his eyes—then perked up suddenly.

He sensed Polia approaching.

Fren waited until the presence drew even closer, then leaned in toward Vanessa.

“Mm—!”

He kissed Vanessa so deeply it was as if he intended to swallow him whole, tracing Vanessa’s gums with his tongue.

Their breath and saliva tangled messily, impossible to tell whose was whose.

Fren pulled Vanessa closer by pressing firmly against his back, brushing against the roof of Vanessa’s mouth.

Understanding what he wanted, Vanessa hesitated briefly—then moved his tongue as well.

Compared to Fren, his movements were unrefined, inexperienced—yet Fren liked it even more for that very reason.

He continued exploring Vanessa’s mouth leisurely.

After a moment that felt like a full minute though only a few seconds had passed, Fren finally released him.

A thin string of saliva stretched between them before snapping.

Vanessa lowered his gaze and panted softly while Fren calmly wiped his mouth with a handkerchief and turned his head.

Polia stood frozen like stone, clutching his stuffed toy, then stumbled backward.

“I-it felt strange that you weren’t coming out, so I—I’m sorry…

S-should I come back later…?”

“No, it’s fine.”

Fren replied with overwhelming warmth.

“We were just about to head out anyway.

Please go back to the carriage.”

“Y-yes…!”

Polia spun around and bolted away.

Fren turned back to Vanessa, who still avoided his eyes.

“Vanessa, I’m not the same person I used to be.”

“…I know.”

“I can openly love what I love now.”

Fren took Vanessa’s shoulders firmly, forcing him to meet his gaze.

“So you also need to love me.”

“…….”

“Deeply.

So deeply I can’t even measure it.”

Fren’s expression, which was usually soft and warm, turned cold and commanding—so cold it reminded Vanessa of the very first day they met.

“This is the order you must prioritize above all else.”

Vanessa could never defy Fren.

That rule was set the moment their eyes first met.

Vanessa lowered his head and answered obediently.

“I’ll remember, Lord Fren.”

Satisfied, Fren released him.

Vanessa followed Fren toward the carriage.

Fren would own him for life.

And Vanessa would belong to him for life.

‘Heavy.’

But that reality no longer brought Vanessa joy.

It felt like a massive stone pressing against his chest.

And Fren’s dominating gaze from earlier would not leave his mind.

‘And… and…’

Vanessa looked down at his feet.

‘I hate it.’

He couldn’t define what exactly he hated.

But it was unmistakably rejection.

A feeling that vanished quickly—but once inside the carriage, Vanessa kept replaying that fleeting emotion again and again.

* * *

“Welcome back, young master.”

Polia barely acknowledged the greeting as he led Fren and Vanessa upstairs.

He seemed puzzled at how naturally Fren entered with a s*ave in tow.

“Why is that s*ave here…?”

“I need someone to attend us while we talk.”

“But still… what we’re discussing isn’t exactly light…”

“Vanessa?”

Vanessa glided toward Polia.

Even in the eyes of an elf—famous for beauty—Vanessa was stunning.

When Vanessa leaned close enough for Polia to feel his breath, Polia flushed bright red.

He was clearly recalling the scene of Vanessa kissing Fren earlier.

‘So this is part of the plan.’

Like his father, Polia was probably weak to pleasure.

Vanessa lifted him effortlessly.

Polia protested weakly.

“This isn’t right… I have a husband…”

Yet he leaned into Vanessa all the same.

Vanessa laid him gently on the bed without changing expression.

“My husband isn’t home right now but… even so…”

Polia opened his bedside drawer—voluntarily.

Inside were neatly arranged candles and whips.

But Vanessa didn’t react at all.

Across the room, Fren—legs crossed on the sofa—burst into laughter.

“What were you thinking, Polia?”

“Huh…?

I thought Elder Fren was lending me the s*ave…”

“How adorable.

Vanessa just thought you were too tense and wanted to relax you a little.”

“……”

Polia closed the drawer with a disappointed click.

Vanessa’s expressionless beauty stirred a dangerous hunger in anyone who saw him.

Polia asked arrogantly:

“You’re going to relax me?”

Kneeling gracefully beside him, Vanessa nodded.

Polia lay on his stomach atop the bed.

“Go on then…”

“Yes.”

Vanessa began massaging Polia’s shoulders with precise, slow pressure.

Polia let out a deep sigh.

“That feels amazing…”

Vanessa pressed exactly where Polia’s muscles were knotted.

Polia felt his mind melt.

“Is this pressure okay?”

“Mm… yeah…

Feels like heaven…”

‘I never said heaven.’

Vanessa continued the massage.

Polia’s tension melted completely.

“I should’ve just stayed here from the beginning…

I got upset for nothing…”

Fren laughed again.

Polia had no idea how foolish he sounded.

“Alright, shall we get to the main topic now?”

“O-oh right!”

Polia shot upright and sat across from Fren.

“You heard directly from my father that he hid slaves across different farms…?”

“Yes.”

More precisely, it was Vanessa disguised as Fren who heard it.

“That’s something only I know in our family…

I didn’t think Father trusted anyone that much…”

At the moment Polia’s tone sharpened, Vanessa silently placed a hand on his shoulder and massaged again.

‘Damn this seductive… ugh…

Feels so good though…’

Polia’s half-closed eyes appeared through his messy bangs.

“It feels wrong to speak ill of the dead, but Father was too greedy.

Even at death, he wanted to take all his slaves with him…”

“Well, what choice is there?

He said many times he wanted to be buried with every s*ave he ever purchased.”

“And yet he ordered only half buried with him…”

At Fren’s remark, Polia shyly lowered his head.

“I’m not blaming you.

The family must be suffering from the scandal of Polyphemos dying in an affair gone wrong.”

“Yes… we were humiliated terribly…

And since I only became head recently, I need to save money wherever I can…”

Polia glanced at Fren nervously.

“So… I know it’s shameless, but…

Could you keep this whole situation secret…?”

Fren answered immediately.

“Of course I will.”

“Really…?!”

“Of course.”

Relieved, Polia’s expression softened—then tightened again with suspicion.

“Is there something you want from me in return…?”

“I’m not so heartless as to demand payment from someone who just became head of a house.”

Despite Fren’s gentle tone, Polia still looked unsettled.

“Still worried?”

“…A little.”

“Well, Polyphemos always hated accepting favors for free.

How about this then?”

Fren’s eyes gleamed.

“Wouldn’t you like to sell your wool to more elves?”

“…Are you suggesting selling to commoners?”

“Yes.”

“I’m not sure…

Would commoners appreciate the value of our wool…?”

Right then, Vanessa pressed the back of Polia’s neck firmly.

A shiver ran through him.

Fren smirked.

“Why don’t you hear my full proposal first?”

A little later, Vanessa handed Nefer a tray with a rolled contract on it.

Nefer unrolled it, read it—then gasped.

“Whoa, what is this?”

“You can see for yourself.”

Nefer reread the contract over and over.

“He wants to distribute his wool through our merchant guild?”

“You two handle the details.

Let’s go, Vanessa.”

“You’re leaving already?

Stay for a drink.”

“No, I have other things to think about.”

After bowing to Nefer, Vanessa followed Fren out.

Nefer stared at the closed door.

“Wow… beauty really is a powerful weapon.”

Beside him, his secretary Marín adjusted his glasses.

“I agree.

I thought you had no interest in that sort of tactic since you returned every s*ave we sent.”

“…….”

Nefer studied Marín with a strange smile.

Feeling a chill, Marín frowned.

“If you have something to say, just say it.”

“Alright.”

Nefer grabbed both his shoulders and spoke with deep seriousness.

“If seduction doesn’t work, consider the possibility that it’s because you’re not attractive enough.”

“…Nefer!

Those slaves were sent with my own money!”

“Then why waste your personal funds on that?

Did I ever tell you to do that?”

“I assumed it would work!

You fall for beauties easily!”

“That’s not true.”

Marín stared at him, speechless at the lack of conscience.