CHAPTER 114: THE DUKE’S OFFER!

Rin stared at the Duke of Vortellion for a long, measured ten seconds before responding, the silence deliberate, a sharp and unspoken way of showing Evan he wasn’t easily shaken. Behind the thin veil, his crimson eyes glowed faintly in the dim carriage light, steady and unyielding. The air was thick, the small space charged with tension, as if the world held its breath waiting for Rin’s next move.

Evan only smiled, his posture composed, his voice smooth like silk dipped in poison.

"It’s an honour to finally meet the Golden Goose in person. To see you here, in my estate, indulging in my little game..." He gestured lazily with one hand, his lips curling. "I am most pleased. Tell me... did you enjoy it?"

Rin tilted his head, his voice deceptively calm, each word carefully chosen. "Would you enjoy watching Alphas being slaughtered like livestock?"

The Duke’s smile faltered, a flicker of confusion crossing his sharp grey eyes. "...What?"

"I don’t like your game," Rin continued coldly, his words clipped, each a dagger aimed at Evan’s pride. "I’ll never come to watch it again."

Evan’s face darkened, the atmosphere turning suffocating, the weight of his nobility pressing against the air like a storm about to break.

Then, suddenly, he burst into laughter... sharp, ugly, echoing inside the small carriage. He laughed until tears prickled the corners of his eyes, wiping them with a gloved hand as he leaned forward, his voice lowering to a purr.

"As expected. Truly... expected. Only someone like you could seduce His Highness into buying every last omega today. For that, I thank you." His smile was wide, but it didn’t reach his eyes. "You’ve given me sales I never dreamed of."

Rin’s frown deepened beneath the veil, his crimson eyes narrowing. So that’s it. The omegas aren’t just toys for entertainment. They’re coins to him. Always coins. His lips curled with disdain, his voice barely above a whisper. "You disgust me."

The Duke tilted his head, unfazed by the insult, his smile unshaken. "Perhaps. But profit has no morals."

"Leave," Rin said flatly, gesturing toward the carriage door, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Evan didn’t move, his smile sharpening, his grey eyes narrowing with a dangerous glint. "Not yet. I came here to make a deal with you, Golden Goose."

"I’m not interested," Rin replied immediately, his voice cold as winter, cutting through Evan’s words like a blade.

The Duke leaned back leisurely against the seat, one arm draped over the polished wood frame, his posture relaxed but predatory. "Think carefully before you dismiss me. You’re still in the Vortellion estate. Here, I could do anything to... you."

Rin’s eyes narrowed dangerously, though his voice stayed calm, steady. "Try it, and you’ll fucking regret it."

He could escape easily—his demonic powers were one thought away, a surge of energy that could rip through the carriage and vanish him into the night. But he held them back, his mind racing. If he used his powers now, if he drew too much attention, Lirien and the brothel would pay the price. The omegas he’d just saved would be dragged back into Evan’s games. He couldn’t risk them. So he stayed, forcing himself to listen to the Duke’s nonsense.

Evan’s smile softened into something deceptively cordial, his eyes glinting with calculation. "If you agree to partner with me... I am ready to petition the king to grant you a noble title."

The words hung in the air, tempting and dangerous, like a poisoned apple. Rin smirked faintly beneath the veil, feigning interest to keep Evan talking. "And what kind of partnership would that be?"

Evan’s eyes gleamed, sensing an opening. He slipped a hand into his robe, pulling out a folded piece of parchment. "Two simple conditions." He held it between two fingers, tapping it against his knee slowly. "First... your brothel. You have a high number of omegas. I want you to lend some of them for the Vortellion monthly games. A steady supply ensures entertainment... and coins. We could split the profits."

Rin’s stomach twisted, a wave of nausea rising. His eyes burned behind the veil, though his face stayed neutral, his voice steady. Lend my people? For your sick games? The thought made his blood boil, but he kept silent, letting Evan continue.

"And second..." Evan handed the folded paper toward him, his smile sharp and knowing.

Rin accepted it silently, his fingers brushing the crisp parchment. He unfolded it slowly, his breath catching as his eyes widened. On the paper was a sharp, lifelike image... a magical photograph, glowing faintly with enchantments. It was the first time he’d seen such a thing in this world, and it wasn’t just any image. It was his face... Rin’s face, unmasked, his short silver hair, his crimson eyes staring back at him.

He forced his heartbeat to steady, his fingers tightening on the paper. He raised his head slowly, his tone calm, controlled. "...Who is this person?"

Evan’s lips curled into a wolfish grin, his grey eyes gleaming with hunger. "My runaway pet. I would do anything to have him back. I spent a fortune at the Magic Tower for this enchanted image. And now..." His voice dropped, heavy with intent. "...I want you to find him."

Rin’s fingers tightened further, the parchment crinkling slightly before he slipped it back into Evan’s hand, his movements deliberate. His voice was low, cold, and unyielding. "I’m not interested."

The Duke blinked, surprise flickering across his face. "...What?"

"You heard me," Rin said sharply, raising a hand to cut him off before he could say more. "I will not lend my people for your games. I will not hunt for your pet. Find someone else."

Evan’s smile slipped into a thin line, though his eyes still burned with calculation, his voice low and dangerous.

"Think carefully, Golden Goose. Opportunities like this... are rare. Do you know how difficult it is to acquire a noble title? One word from me, and it’s yours. But without me..." He let the words trail off, heavy with unspoken threats.

Rin smirked beneath the veil, leaning back in his seat, unbothered. "Keep your title. I don’t need it."

He reached for the carriage door, pulling it open with deliberate calm, the cool evening air sweeping in, carrying the faint scent of the estate’s gardens. He gestured gracefully, his voice steady. "Step out."

For a moment, Evan didn’t move, his towering presence filling the small space. Then, slowly, he stood, leaning down until his face was close enough that Rin could see the cold fire in his grey eyes through the veil. His voice dropped into something guttural, menacing.

"You’ve failed me tonight, Goose. I thought I could bring the capital’s most prized slut to my side. But no matter. I will not give up. I will stop at nothing... until you dance in the palm of my hand."

The air shifted violently as Evan released his pheromones... thick, oppressive, clawing at the lungs like a predator’s grip.

DING!

[System Alert – Pheromone Concealment Active.]

[Warning: Duke Evan Vortellion attempted to exert dominance.]

[Effect: Nullified.]

Rin didn’t flinch, his crimson eyes glowing faintly as he smirked behind the veil, his voice calm and mocking. "Keep dreaming, Duke."

Evan’s face twisted briefly, a flash of frustration breaking through his composure, before smoothing back into a smile. He straightened, stepped gracefully out of the carriage, and shut the door with a quiet click, his silhouette fading into the evening shadows.

The carriage rolled forward again, the oppressive air fading as the horses picked up speed. Rin exhaled heavily, leaning back against the seat, his chest tight—not with fear, but with fury.

’So, the Duke knows enough to be dangerous. And he won’t stop until he owns me. Tsk! I won’t let him succeed!’ His fingers curled into fists, his mind racing with plans, with ways to stay one step ahead.