CHAPTER 130: BEFORE THE PRINCE’S RUT! 2

That night, the Vortellion estate glowed under the pale silver of the twin moons. The sprawling fortress-like mansion stood tall against the dark horizon, its high walls casting long shadows over the empty courtyards. Behind those walls, in one of the upper chambers, Evan Vortellion sat alone in his study.

The office was vast—lined with bookshelves and maps of territories, a great oak desk buried under neat piles of parchment. A fire crackled low in the hearth, throwing an orange glow across Evan’s sharp features. He leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled, his grey eyes fixed on nothing in particular.

His thoughts lingered only on one thing.

The golden goose.

The mysterious concubine who had suddenly risen in the palace, catching the interest of the crown prince himself.

And more disturbingly... catching Evan’s own.

He didn’t understand why. He wasn’t the type to chase pretty ornaments or silly courtesans, yet the golden goose was different. His manner, his aura... it stirred something in Evan he hadn’t felt in years.

"Why him?" Evan muttered. His tone was low, tinged with both irritation and hunger.

A knock echoed on the door.

"Enter."

The heavy doors creaked open, revealing Lucien, still dressed in his casual black tunic and trousers. His hair was damp from a recent bath, clinging slightly to his temples. His crimson eyes glittered with mild annoyance as he stepped inside.

"You summoned me, Father," Lucien said, his tone clipped but respectful.

"Yes." Evan gestured for him to sit. "Close the door. This won’t take long."

Lucien obeyed, though his expression remained guarded. He had been expecting orders... maybe about the warfront against the demons, maybe about another mission. But as he sat opposite Evan, he noticed the strange gleam in his father’s eyes.

Evan’s lips curved faintly. "Tell me, Lucien... do you know of the golden goose?"

Lucien’s eyes flickered. He kept his face calm. "Of course. Everyone does. The concubine His Highness brought home."

"Mm." Evan studied him, searching his face. "What do you think of him?"

Lucien tilted his head slightly. "He’s... unusual."

Evan leaned forward. "Unusual indeed. In fact..." His voice dropped. "I suspect he’s Rin."

Lucien’s composure cracked. His eyes widened before he quickly lowered his gaze. A storm brewed silently in his chest. He had suspected the same thing, but hearing his father say it aloud made his gut twist.

"Why do you think that?" Lucien asked carefully, hiding the tightness in his voice.

Evan smirked. "Because he reminds me too much of Rin. The hair, the way he hides his face... And don’t forget, the second duke’s family was the only other one with white hair. They’re all dead anyway. Only Rin remains and there’s no way Rin is related to them because of that hair."

Lucien clenched his fist behind his back, his nails digging into his palm.

’Damn it. He’s too close. How the hell did he suspect that much?’

"And?" Lucien asked evenly. "What would you do if it were Rin?"

Evan’s grin sharpened. He leaned back in his chair like a predator toying with prey.

"Then I’d take him. Forcefully, if I must. Rin belonged to me first. The prince only picked up what I let slip through my fingers."

Lucien’s crimson eyes darkened. His voice came out hard. "That won’t happen. I won’t let it."

Silence fell. Father and son locked gazes.

Evan chuckled softly, though the room thickened with the pressure of his pheromones... rich, suffocating, like molten gold pressing down on Lucien’s chest.

"Are you challenging me, boy?"

Lucien’s body tensed. His father’s pheromones rolled over him, heavy and commanding, meant to bend him to his knees. But Lucien exhaled, his own aura flaring outward like crimson fire. The clash of dominance sent invisible ripples through the room, shaking the shelves.

For a moment, it was a battle of willpower. The old Lucien might have cowered. Not anymore.

Evan’s eyes narrowed in faint surprise as he felt his son’s strength push back, steady and unyielding.

Then, after a long pause, Evan withdrew his pheromones with a laugh. He clapped his hands once and leaned back.

"Very good. You’re no longer the weakling you once were."

Lucien stayed silent, his jaw tight.

Evan smirked. "But remember... this isn’t a competition. Whoever claims Rin first wins. Be it me... or you."

Lucien’s fists clenched. His voice was low, steady. "Rin isn’t an object to be claimed. But I’ll make sure he never ends up in your hands."

Evan only grinned wider. "Good luck, my son. You’ll need it,"

Lucien turned sharply and walked out. As he closed the heavy door behind him, he leaned against the wall briefly, exhaling slowly. His chest burned with frustration.

But then, his senses prickled. He wasn’t alone. Someone’s pheromones lingered faintly in the hall. Someone had been listening to the conversation he had with his father.

Lucien narrowed his eyes toward the shadows but didn’t pursue. If they heard, then let them. He had nothing more to hide. He strode away, his cloak billowing behind him.

.

The listener, however, remained frozen in place.

Dorian.

He pressed himself against the wall until Lucien’s footsteps vanished, then slipped quietly down the corridor and out of sight.

By the time he reached the east wing, he was already knocking briskly at a certain door. It opened quickly, revealing Julian’s worried face. His hair was loose, framing his pale face, and his eyes sharpened when he saw Dorian.

"Well?" Julian asked immediately. "Tell me everything you heard!"

Dorian stepped inside and closed the door. He relayed everything he had overheard, word for word.

Julian’s face twisted in a grimace as he bit down on his thumb repeatedly. He paced the room like a caged animal, muttering under his breath.

"So it’s true... Rin is alive. That omega thief is alive!"

Dorian tried to remain calm. "They don’t know for certain. It’s still uncertain that the famous golden goose is in fact him..."

"They might be uncertain but I know! I fucking know!" Julian snapped, his voice cracking. "I know it’s him! I can feel it!"

Dorian quickly caught his arm, forcing him to sit on the edge of the bed. "Don’t stress yourself. Not in your condition."

Julian flinched. His hand drifted to his stomach instinctively. His lips pressed tight.

It was a secret. Their secret.

He was pregnant. And only Dorian knew.

Julian exhaled shakily. He turned his eyes toward Dorian and slowly took his hand. A smile curved his lips... small, cold, and reckless.

"Dorian... would you do anything for me?"

Dorian didn’t hesitate. He knelt in front of him, eyes steady. "You know that I would do anything for you and our child,"

Julian’s smile widened faintly, his fingers tightening around Dorian’s hand.

"Good. Because I have an idea. A dangerous one. But it’ll make sure Rin is crushed so badly that no one will want him. Not the prince. Not my father. Not even Lucien."

Dorian’s eyes flickered with unease. But he bowed his head. "As you wish."

Julian leaned back, satisfied.

’Rin... I’ll make you regret ever breathing again.’

.

The next afternoon, warm sunlight streamed through the palace library windows, casting golden stripes across the floor. Rows upon rows of books towered around Rin as he sat hunched at a table, a stack of tomes spread before him.

He shut the last book with a thud and stretched his arms with a groan.

"Finally done... My brain’s going to explode."

The library was unusually quiet. Too quiet. He glanced around, frowning. Where was that annoying librarian who usually hovered like a vulture? Gone. Just silence.

He leaned back in his chair, muttering to himself. "Maybe I read them all out of stock. Figures."

A pair of hands suddenly landed on his shoulders. Rin stiffened, then relaxed, assuming it was Maris.

"Mm, lower," he muttered lazily. "Massage my back properly. You’re terrible at this."

The hands slid lower... to his chest.

Rin froze. His senses flared, catching the unmistakable pheromones. He rolled his eyes hard.

"Really?" He grabbed the hands and shoved them away, turning to glare. "Your highness. What the hell are you doing here?"

Caspian stood behind him, his lips curved into a sly smile, emerald eyes gleaming with mischief. "Picking you up."

"For what?!" Rin snapped.

Caspian leaned closer, his breath warm against Rin’s ear. "For my rut."

Rin’s eye twitched. "Are you a pervert in your past life?"

Caspian’s grin widened. "Maybe."

Rin groaned and rubbed his forehead. "Goddess and demons... please help me."

Caspian tilted his head toward the pile of books. "Done studying?"

"Obviously," Rin muttered. "Not like there’s anything left."

With a wave of his hand, Caspian’s wind magic swirled, lifting the books and returning them neatly to their shelves. He bent down in one swift motion and scooped Rin up in his arms.

Rin yelped, slapping his chest. "Put me down, you oversized idiot!"

Caspian chuckled. "No. You’re mine for the night or maybe five nights,"

Rin secretly rolled his eyes, though his lips twitched faintly under his veil.

’Great. Just what I needed. Babysitting a prince during his rut. Fantastic.’

But deep inside, as Caspian carried him out of the library, Rin’s crimson eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

He couldn’t wait to be done with this. After Caspian’s rut, after the texts... then maybe he’d finally make his next move.

And perhaps, finally, he would show his true identity.

---

DING!

[System Notification: Hidden Affection Levels Updated]

[Warning: Multiple Targets Increasing Interest in Host simultaneously.]

Rin groaned inwardly.

’Of course. Just what I needed. A circus of obsessed idiots.’