CHAPTER 138: AFTER TWO YEARS...

The sharp echo of Julian’s words still clung to the air...

"Yes," Julian had said. His smirk, cool and poisonous, hung between them like a guillotine blade. "I indeed tried to kill Rin and separate the two of you. You’re only supposed to look at me, Lucien. That’s why we came to this world together. For that, I’ll continue to eliminate anyone who gets close to you."

Lucien’s sword trembled, the point grazing his brother’s throat. He wanted to drive it through. To end the sickness growing inside Julian’s heart. But his grip faltered when he caught Dorian’s subtle shift, the way the man’s hand twitched toward his own blade. Dorian would obviously do anything to protect Lucien, and that’s not what he was worried about. Maybe if Lucien kills Julian, Dorian wouldn’t aim his sword at Lucien. He would kill himself and go to the afterworld with his lover.

"You’re insane," Lucien spat. "You’ve fallen into an obsession that never should have existed."

"And you’re blind," Julian whispered back. "You think Rin cares for you? He’s probably using you. The only one who has ever been by your side is me. But that brat charmed you,"

Lucien’s reply was a roar of frustration... they argued back and forth, and when Lucien stretched the sword toward his brother again, the chamber doors burst open.

Steel boots thundered against the floor. Palace guards flooded in, their halberds gleaming in the mana light.

"By order of His Highness the Crown Prince!" the lead soldier barked. "Julian Vortellion, you are under arrest for the attempted assassination at the palace!"

Julian froze, the cup in his hand clattering to the ground.

"What? Under arrest?". He let out a cold and short laugh. "What assassination are you talking about?"

"Take him away!" The leader ordered.

"No... wait!" Dorian stepped forward, his body shielding Julian instinctively. "You can’t take him like this! He’s... he’s with child!"

Lucien’s eyes widened when he heard that. He never knew his brother was pregnant. He tightened his grip around the sword he was holding.

The guards did not even flinch. Their orders were firm. Two men seized Julian by the arms. He tried to wrench free, his robe slipping from one shoulder, but they twisted his wrists behind him and clamped iron shackles tight around them.

"Let me go! Take those filthy hands away from me!" Julian hissed, his pride shattering into raw desperation. His dark eyes darted to Lucien. "Brother...!"

Lucien stood frozen.

Dorian shoved the nearest guard, his voice breaking.

"He’s carrying! Do you understand what that means? If you drag him to the palace dungeons..."

The guard drove a fist into Dorian’s gut, knocking him to the ground.

"Stay away! Don’t make us take you with him!"

"Ta... Take me with you," He grunted as he grabbed his stomach.

Julian struggled harder, breath hitching.

"Lucien! Say something! Don’t let them take me!"

Lucien’s sword lowered, his lips pressed into a hard line.

"You brought this on yourself," he said quietly, though his voice cracked at the edges.

"Lucien!" Julian’s scream tore through the halls as the guards hauled him away.

Dorian staggered upright, wiping blood from his mouth, and stumbled after them.

"I’ll go with him! I won’t let him be alone!"

The footsteps faded. Silence fell, but it was a silence dripping with tension.

Lucien clenched his fists until his nails dug deep into his palms.

"Damn it," he whispered, before storming from the chamber.

.

.

At Evan’s Study

The firelight in Evan’s study flickered lazily, casting long shadows across shelves of ancient tomes and maps. The Duke sat reclined in his chair, a goblet of wine swirling idly in his hand as Lucien entered.

Lucien did not wait for permission. He strode forward, voice tight.

"Father. Julian has been arrested. The Crown Prince’s men dragged him to the palace dungeons."

Evan lifted his eyes slowly, as if the news barely warranted attention. "And?"

"And?" Lucien blinked. "He is your son! Aren’t you going to do anything?!"

"A son who has made a fool of himself," Evan replied coolly. He took a sip of wine. "If he aimed at the Crown Prince and failed, then he deserves the punishment. Perhaps rotting in a cell will remind him of discipline."

Lucien’s jaw tightened. "He’s pregnant."

The Duke’s brows lifted slightly, then lowered. "So? That only means he was more reckless than I thought. It’s better to lose a child than to lose the Duke’s reputation."

"You... You knew." Lucien’s voice faltered with disbelief. "How can you speak as if..."

Evan slammed the goblet down, wine spilling across the desk. His voice thundered.

"Because I am not a sentimental fool! Do you think I became Duke of Vortellion by coddling mistakes? I protect what matters. And what matters, Lucien..." his eyes sharpened, like blades glinting under moonlight... "is Rin."

Lucien stiffened.

The Duke leaned forward, steepling his fingers.

"I hear whispers already. That golden goose is not just some brothel ornament. He is ’Rin’. My Rin. I should have known... his value surpasses anything Julian could ever offer. More than that..." Evan’s voice dropped into a hush, a reverent hunger. "He is the Second Duke. Blood of Draven. That is no ordinary boy."

Lucien’s pulse raced. He had wanted to shield Rin, to keep him away from his father’s schemes. But hearing Evan’s tone, hearing the greed simmering beneath his words, sent fury crashing through him.

"You will not touch him."

Evan’s eyes narrowed.

"Excuse me?"

"I said," Lucien repeated, stepping closer, "you will not use Rin. He is not a tool for the Vortellions. He is mine."

The Duke’s laugh was cold and sharp.

"Yours? You think you can claim him when half the kingdom already circles him like wolves? Wake up, boy. You cannot protect him alone. With me, with this family, he could be untouchable. Without us, he will be devoured."

Lucien slammed his fist against the desk, rattling the goblet.

"He’s better devoured than caged by you!"

Evan’s eyes flared with fury, but he did not rise. He only leaned back, his expression turning deadly calm.

"Then you are a fool. And if you continue to stand in my way, you may find yourself beside Julian... in chains."

Lucien’s teeth clenched. He bowed stiffly, not out of respect but to stop himself from drawing his sword then and there.

"You underestimate me, Father. You always have. And I’ll wait for you to regret it one day,"

He turned and stormed from the study, his chest burning with rage.

.

.

The Next Morning

The brothel smelled faintly of incense and roses when Lucien arrived. The morning sun filtered weakly through stained glass windows, painting the halls in fractured colours. He was waiting patiently in the waiting room. His eyes couldn’t stop circulating everywhere as he waited.

Rin suddenly pushed the door open, hair mussed from sleep, crimson eyes narrowing with suspicion the moment Lucien stood up.

"What do you want?" Rin asked, his tone guarded.

Lucien stared at the door behind him.

"I only came here to tell you something important."

Rin frowned.

"About what?"

"About Julian," Lucien said. His voice was steady, but his hands flexed at his sides. "He was the one who did all of that. You didn’t believe me when I told you, that’s why I came here... You have to believe me, Rin. You know there’s no way I’d do anything to hurt you,"

Rin’s lips pressed into a thin line. "You’re lying."

"I wish I were." Lucien stepped closer. "But he admitted it himself. He tried to kill you. Not once, Rin. More than once. He confessed it to my face."

Rin shook his head, backing toward the window.

"Shut up! Lucien Vortellion or I’ll throw you out of here!"

Lucien caught his wrist. His grip was warm, trembling with a mix of anger and desperation. "Look at me, Rin. Do I look like I’d lie about this? He was obsessed. Obsessed with me, with us. He’ll never stop until you’re gone."

Rin’s chest heaved. His mind wanted to deny it, but the fire in Lucien’s grey eyes stripped his resistance bare. Slowly, painfully, the truth sank in.

"Damn it," Rin whispered, turning his face away. "Why... why would he... kill Ezra? Why would he do all of that?"

Lucien drew closer, his breath brushing Rin’s cheek.

"Because he wanted me to himself. But I... I wanted you."

Rin’s eyes widened.

Lucien’s hand lifted, brushing a lock of white hair from Rin’s face. His thumb traced the curve of Rin’s jaw.

"Do you know how long I’ve missed you? How long have I wanted to drag you back, even when you hated me for it? I desperately searched everywhere for you, Rin"

Rin’s throat tightened. His lips parted, but no words came.

Lucien closed the distance, pressing his forehead against Rin’s, his voice a husky whisper.

"You drive me insane every time I think about you. Every damn day."

The room thickened with heat. Lucien’s lips grazed Rin’s, barely a breath away. Rin’s heart hammered, torn between resistance and surrender.

Lucien tilted his head, pressing a soft, desperate kiss against his mouth. Rin stiffened, then melted against him, the taste of longing flooding the space between them.

Lucien deepened it, his hands sliding to Rin’s waist, pulling him flush against his chest.

"Say you missed me," he whispered between kisses. "Say it, Rin."

Rin’s fingers curled in Lucien’s shirt, trembling. "I..." His voice cracked. "I did. But it’s just a bit and..."

Lucien groaned, capturing his lips again, hungrier this time, his breath ragged with years of restrained desire. His lips trailed down Rin’s neck, biting softly, his words feverish.

"I’ll never let you go again. Never..."

The door swung open with a sharp bang.

Both men jerked apart, breathless.

Caspian stood in the doorway, his expression unreadable, though his eyes glinted with dangerous amusement.

"Well," the prince said smoothly, his lips curving. "I seem to have arrived at a very... delicate moment."

The air snapped taut. Rin’s pulse thundered. Lucien’s hand still gripped his waist and he had no urge to pull his hand away.

"I came to see the famous golden goose and was asked to wait in the guest waiting room," Caspian stepped forward, his gaze sliding from Lucien to Rin. "Care to explain what I’ve just walked in on?"