CHAPTER 129: BEFORE THE PRINCE’S RUT!

The throne room fell silent. All eyes were on Rin. They were all waiting for him to take off the veil. Even Evan’s eyes remained fixed on him as he waited in suspense. His gaze, which was fixed on Rin, didn’t even flinch.

The king leaned forward, his heavy crown glinting in the chandelier. He voiced out again, as his thunderous voice echoed in the throne room:

"Take it off. Let me see your face."

Rin froze. His fingers twitched by his side. He could feel his system stirring as if it, too, was nervous.

His crimson eyes narrowed under the veil.

’Of course, I knew this would happen. Why not peel me open like a fruit in front of everyone? Perfect.’

"Are you going to disrespect the king?" One of the couriers asked.

Rin bowed his head slightly.

"Your Majesty... forgive me, but I cannot remove it."

The courtiers gasped softly. No one had ever said "no" to the king so directly.

"How dare he?"

"Even if he’s the Prince’s new concubine, this cannot be overlooked!"

The king’s sharp gaze bored into Rin and his voice silenced the others.

"And why is that?"

Rin paused. His mind spun, searching for something believable. Finally, he straightened and replied calmly, "Because beneath this veil is a scar. A scar so deep, it would only bring you displeasure if you saw it."

A ripple of whispers filled the hall.

"A scar?"

"No wonder he walks around with a veil!"

"How disgusting!"

The king raised a brow, leaning back on his throne. "A scar, you say?"

"Yes, Your Majesty." Rin kept his tone respectful and smooth, but his lips curled faintly under the veil.

’You better believe me and let me go, you old man!’

The king tapped his fingers against the armrest.

"If your face is marred, why would my son choose you as his concubine?"

Rin tilted his head slightly, voice dry. "Because, Your Majesty... he fell in love with me before he ever saw my face. Perhaps scars do not matter when one’s heart is already caught."

The room stirred again, soft laughter echoing from some of the courtiers. Bold words. Too bold.

However, Rin wished the ground would swallow him up because of what he had just said.

The king studied him in silence. Then, to Rin’s hidden relief, he sighed and rubbed his chin.

"If that is true, then you will not become queen. I cannot have a scarred face beside my son on the throne."

Rin lowered his head respectfully. Inside, he smirked.

’Perfect. That’s less responsibility for me. I wouldn’t want to be queen anyway. I’m a man,’

He bowed. "As you wish, Your Majesty. I thank you for your kindness."

He turned to leave...

"Too bad."

The words came from his left. Rin froze and turned his head slowly. Evan Vortellion was standing there, eyes fixed on him with an amused glint.

"I wanted to see your face," Evan said smoothly. "Scar or no scar. I don’t care how ugly you are."

Rin’s crimson eyes sharpened under the veil. His reply was flat and cutting.

"Then I pity you. You’ll have to live with that unfortunate desire for the rest of your life."

The king burst out laughing, his booming voice echoing across the hall. He slapped his knee, clearly entertained.

"Did you hear that, Evan? My son’s latest concubine is quite the sharp tongue."

Evan’s lips curved into a slow smile.

"Indeed, Your Majesty. He’s too interesting. In fact, I think I want him for myself."

The throne room tensed. Murmurs filled the space. The king’s smile faltered slightly as he leaned forward. "You want him?"

Evan met his gaze without fear.

"Yes. If it pleases you, Your Majesty, perhaps I could speak to your son and take this concubine off his hands."

The air grew heavy. Rin’s system flickered.

DING!

[System Notification: Hostility Detected - Evan Vortellion Interest Level: 72%]

Rin’s jaw clenched. His instincts screamed danger.

’Hostility or Interest? Make up your mind, System!’

But the king only chuckled, though his eyes darkened. "Always greedy, aren’t you, Evan? You think you can take whatever you want."

Evan’s smirk widened slightly, but he said nothing more.

Rin didn’t wait. He bowed again, keeping his voice calm. "If that settles it, Your Majesty, may I be excused?"

The king waved his hand lazily.

"Go."

Rin turned and walked out of the throne room, his steps slow but steady. He didn’t look back. He refused to give Evan the satisfaction of even a glance.

.

.

When he reached his chamber, Rin finally let out a long breath. He tossed his veil aside and collapsed onto the bed, his crimson eyes glaring at the ceiling.

"Troublesome," he muttered. "First accusations, then Evan sniffing around me like a starving wolf. What’s next? Caspian throwing a tantrum because I refused to kiss his feet?"

He stretched, reaching lazily for the fruit bowl beside the bed. His fingers brushed an apple... then froze.

A soft gasp.

Rin’s head lifted sharply. His eyes locked on Maris, who was standing awkwardly near the door. He hadn’t even noticed her enter.

She was staring. Her lips parted, eyes wide. She had seen his face.

Rin’s crimson gaze narrowed dangerously. He sat up slowly. "...How long have you been standing there?"

Maris flinched but gathered her courage. She stepped closer, her voice trembling. "Why... why did you lie, my lord? You don’t have a scar. You’re... you’re beautiful."

Rin blinked. Then, unexpectedly, he burst out laughing. The sound filled the room, sharp and amused.

"Beautiful?" he echoed. "Not handsome? Not striking? Not dashing? You call me beautiful?"

Maris flushed red. "I-I didn’t mean..."

Rin waved a hand lazily, still smirking.

"No, no. It’s fine. I like it. Beauty is wasted on men, but I suppose I’ll accept it. Thank you."

Maris lowered her head, embarrassed. Rin’s smirk softened slightly. He waved toward the door. "Now, go. Bring me dinner in three hours. And something better than yesterday’s slop. I’m tired."

She nodded quickly and hurried out.

The moment the door closed, Rin turned toward the window. His eyes narrowed. He could already sense it...

A shadow slipped through the window silently.

Rin didn’t even flinch.

"Took you long enough, Sasha."

The man landed lightly, and before Rin could say more, Sasha crossed the room and hugged him tightly.

Rin stiffened, then sighed.

"You’re suffocating me. Relax."

Sasha pulled back slightly, eyes scanning Rin’s face with a mix of worry and longing. "I had to see you. Lirien sent me when she heard you became the prince’s concubine."

Rin raised a brow. "You risked sneaking into the palace just to check on me? I’m touched."

Sasha frowned. "Don’t joke. Has the prince touched you? Has he forced anything?"

Rin shrugged casually. "Not yet."

Sasha’s eyes widened in shock. Rin chuckled. "You don’t have to be that worried. I’ll survive. I only need the prince because of the royal library that’s filled with forbidden texts. I can’t access it without... him. One night with him buys me what I want."

Sasha’s jaw tightened. "Then why? Why put yourself in danger like this?"

"Because I have to." Rin’s voice turned serious for once. His eyes darkened. "The demon attacks aren’t random. I know why they’re moving. I know what they’re after. And I’m the only one who can stop it."

Sasha stared at him. His voice softened. "You’ve changed, Rin."

Rin snorted. "Two years of training could change a person." He was sure that’s why Evan didn’t suspect him of being Rin.

Before Sasha could respond, Rin suddenly stiffened. His senses flared. He heard footsteps approaching. He shoved Sasha toward the window. "You should leave. Now."

Sasha hesitated, eyes lingering on him, then jumped out silently. Rin rushed to the bed and grabbed his veil.

The door opened a second later.

"Rin!" Caspian rushed in, face pale, voice anxious. He grabbed Rin’s hand. "Are you alright? I heard about what happened in the throne room."

Rin resisted the urge to roll his eyes. His tone was dry. "I’m fine. Nothing happened."

Caspian pulled him into a tight hug. "I’m sorry I wasn’t there."

Rin sighed and pushed him away. "Yes, your timing is terrible. But, I should get used to it now."

Caspian frowned, then sat on the bed beside him.

"I’ve been dealing with the demon attacks. They’re spreading really quickly. They’ve been killing everyone in their path. It’s getting worse."

Rin kept quiet. He knew exactly why. He couldn’t tell Caspian the truth... that the attacks were tied to him. So he only listened.

Finally, Caspian took his hand again, his voice low. "My rut is tomorrow."

Rin hummed. "So?"

Caspian’s lips curved faintly. "So where are we spending it? My chambers? Or yours?"

Rin smirked under his veil. "Whichever has the better bed."

Caspian smiled and lifted Rin’s hand to his lips, kissing it gently. "Then it’s settled." He stood, looking reluctant to leave. "Rest well, Rin. Tomorrow... I’ll take care of you."

Rin watched him go with his uninterested eyes. When the door closed, Rin pulled off his veil and lay back on the bed.

Tomorrow, he would finish the demon text. Tomorrow, he would be with Caspian through his rut. And tomorrow... he would finally show his face.

He chuckled softly to himself. "I wonder how he’ll react."

Rin smirked faintly at the system.

"I’d better buy some condoms so I don’t give birth to an heir and be forced to become a queen. Hell no!"