CHAPTER 139: FOUND YOU!

The air between the three of them was suffocating.

Lucien’s hand was still curled tightly around Rin’s waist, as though even the slightest release might cause him to vanish. Rin, on the other hand, didn’t look the least bit guilty for being caught... his crimson eyes glinted with mischief, lips still slightly flushed from the kiss.

Caspian’s jaw clenched as he closed the door behind him with deliberate calm. His boots clicked against the polished floor, the sound echoing like a warning in the small parlour. He wanted... no, ached... to rip Lucien away from Rin, to peel his smug hand off Rin’s body, and slam his fist into that annoyingly handsome face.

But he didn’t. Not yet.

Instead, the Crown Prince walked forward and lowered himself onto the couch opposite them, posture too relaxed to be sincere. His eyes, sharp as blades, remained locked on the way Lucien’s fingers lingered possessively on Rin’s shoulder.

"Rin," Caspian’s voice was smooth, but laced with irritation. "Come sit with me."

Rin blinked. "...Eh?"

Lucien’s grip tightened instantly.

"He’s sitting here... with me," His voice was low, protective, his glare like steel.

"Oh!" Caspian’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. "Are you defying a member of the royal family, Lucien Vortellion? Or do you simply not understand when a Crown Prince speaks?"

Lucien didn’t so much as flinch.

"I don’t care if you’re the Crown Prince or the Emperor himself. Rin stays here... With. Me!"

Rin groaned, dragging a hand over his face. "Seriously? You two are going to fight about where I sit? What am I, a decorative cushion?"

Neither man answered. Their stares collided like swords in a duel. The air grew heavier by the second. Rin sighed loudly, slipped out from Lucien’s hold, and stood.

"Fine! Since apparently, my ass is a royal property now, I’ll just sit over there."

He dropped himself on a third couch across the room, stretching his legs deliberately as if he owned the place.

"Happy? Now both of you can stop measuring who has the bigger..." Rin caught himself and coughed. "...ego."

Lucien muttered something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like a coward, while Caspian’s lips twitched upward, satisfied that Rin hadn’t stayed glued to Lucien’s side.

But the tension didn’t ease. If anything, it grew sharper, humming under their voices as the meeting began.

.

Caspian leaned forward, producing a rolled parchment from inside his coat. He spread it across the table between them... a detailed map of the kingdom. Black marks inked across the edges showed where the demon attacks had already reached.

"They’re advancing fast," Caspian said grimly. "Faster than our scouts predicted. Within weeks, they’ll be at the capital gates."

Lucien’s jaw tightened.

"Weeks? That’s generous. At this pace, we may have only a few days to prepare,"

"Your pessimism isn’t helping," Caspian shot back.

"It’s not pessimism. It’s reality."

Rin slouched back in his chair, one hand propping his chin. His eyes flicked over the map, narrowing at the blotches that crept steadily toward the capital.

’Weeks? Did he say it would take weeks? I’m sure it’s going to be less than that,’

he thought grimly. ’That bastard Asmodeus isn’t wasting time. He’s coming straight for me.’

The Crown Prince’s gaze slid toward him.

"You are Draven by blood, Rin. That means you hold ties to the demon realm. You could be our key. Can you negotiate with them? Perhaps command them?"

"Command the demons? Rin’s life could be in danger," Lucien bristled. "You can’t just order him to..."

"Why not?" Caspian’s retort was sharp. "If anyone can prevent a massacre, it’s him. Or would you rather watch cities burn while you keep him locked away for yourself?"

The insult landed hard. Lucien surged forward in his seat, his voice like thunder.

"You think I’d sit idle while demons slaughter innocents? Don’t you dare question my loyalty to the kingdom..."

"Then don’t question mine," Caspian snapped back, eyes blazing.

"Both of you, shut it!" Rin finally exploded, slamming his palm on the table. "Do you two ever not argue? I swear, I lose brain cells listening to you."

They both froze, glaring but silent.

Rin exhaled heavily, letting his annoyance cool before speaking. His voice dropped to a steadier tone.

"I don’t know if I can negotiate with the demons. I don’t know if they’ll even listen. But..." He straightened, his crimson eyes glowing faintly in the candlelight. "...I’ll try. If it keeps the capital safe, I’ll fucking try."

For the first time, both men were silent, studying him. Caspian’s jaw tightened with respect he wouldn’t voice, while Lucien’s eyes softened with something more dangerous or maybe... something like pride.

"Now, shall we continue?" Caspian pointed at the blotches again. "Here. And here. They’ve already razed these villages. At their current pace, we estimate..."

"Less," Rin muttered.

The prince frowned. "What?"

Rin leaned closer to the map, his expression dark. "You’re overestimating the time we have. If Asmodeus is the one leading them... and I’m certain he is... they’ll be here in half the time. He’s not marching an army. He’s hunting someone maybe..."

"Asmodeus?" Lucien asked.

Rin flinched when he realised he had called Asmodeus’s name. He parted his lips and immediately made up a lie.

"Uhm... You see... The demon I’m contracted to told me about the demon,"

"Asmodeus? Isn’t that name familiar?" Caspian asked.

"Let’s forget about any demon’s familiar name and continue," Lucien’s fists clenched under the table. "Let the Asmodeus come. Even if the person he wants is you, he’ll have to carve through me first."

Caspian scoffed.

"Do you ever listen to yourself? You talk like a jealous guard dog."

"Better a dog than a useless prince who does nothing but bark orders," Lucien fired back.

Rin dragged his hands down his face.

"Goddess... Demon king, please smite me now."

But neither Alpha relented. Every strategy, every suggestion, turned into a quarrel. If Caspian wanted more troops stationed near the border, Lucien argued they should be closer to the capital. If Lucien wanted Rin protected at the brothel, Caspian argued Rin belonged in the palace where he’d be safest.

By the end, Rin couldn’t take it anymore. He shoved himself to his feet, cheeks flushed with frustration.

"That’s enough! I’ll prepare however I can. If we’re done, then get out. Both of you. I’m leaving!"

Lucien’s voice was low, almost a growl. "Rin, wait..."

He lunged forward, catching Rin’s hand before he could storm away. His thumb brushed Rin’s knuckles gently. His voice softened, husky, carrying dangerous weight.

"Before we were interrupted... can we continue what we were doing?"

Rin froze. His crimson eyes darted to Lucien’s lips, and for a horrifying second, he remembered the taste of that kiss, the warmth, the way his heart had skipped like a fool. His cheeks flushed red.

"Nope!" Rin barked, yanking his hand free and bolting toward the stairs. "That’s not happening! The meeting’s over!"

Lucien chuckled low in his throat, satisfied at the blush he’d drawn. Caspian, however, nearly broke the armrest of his chair from gripping it too hard.

’I really should get rid of these Vortellions. All of them! I’ve captured one, I may as well get the remaining two,’

.

.

Rin got to his room and slammed the door shut behind him, with his back pressing against the wood. His breath came fast, his heart hammering like he’d just run a mile.

"Shit... shit, shit, shit."

He slid down the door, clutching his head. "I kissed him. And fuck I... liked it."

The system’s voice chimed, far too cheerful.

DING!

[Congratulations, Host. You’ve officially unlocked your gay awakening.]

"Shut up!" Rin snapped, glaring at the air. "Shit the fuck up! I’m not supposed to be gay! I’m not supposed to like men. I’m supposed to love huge bouncy asses, pussies and boobs,"

DING!

[Correction: Congratulations, Host. You have fallen in love with one of the male leads. Requirement met to advance the final arc.]

Rin’s jaw dropped. "Wait...What?"

DING!

[New Special Message Available.]

His screen bloomed into existence. For the first time since entering this world, he had seen a special message from the system. It was obviously pink, decorated with ridiculous flowers and glittering borders. Rin gagged.

"What the hell is this Barbie hell?"

DING!

[Special Message: You have 365 days remaining in this world before return.]

The words hit him like a stone. He stared, frozen. "A... year?"

His throat tightened. He thought he’d be thrilled to finally see his way home. To see his family again. But the sudden ache in his chest said otherwise. He’d built a life here. As ridiculous as it was, it was his.

He scrolled to the next slide.

[To return, complete these missions:]

1. Marry one of the male leads.

2. Kill one of the male leads.

3. Create a new life to replace you before leaving.

Rin’s mouth dropped open. "What the actual fu...?!"

He didn’t even bother to read the third one properly since he didn’t understand. His head throbbed.

’Marry? Kill? New life?’ His mind swirled, too tangled to process.

He stumbled to the mirror across the room, gripping the frame. His crimson eyes glared at his reflection.

"I can’t do this... I can’t..."

And then he froze.

Because the reflection didn’t glare back. His reflection smiled.

A wide, unnatural, ear-to-ear grin stretched across the face that looked exactly like his. Rin’s blood ran cold. His heart stopped... then thundered painfully in his chest.

"Hold on..." he whispered, pressing his hand to the glass. His reflection’s hand didn’t move. It only kept grinning, its lips parting to show teeth that were far too sharp.

Rin stumbled back, shaking his head, his legs threatening to give out.

The reflection leaned closer against the glass, lips moving without sound.

But Rin understood.

It mouthed, ’Found you!’

The glass spiderwebbed with cracks.

Darkness bled from the reflection’s eyes, pouring across the mirror like ink. Rin very well knew who or what that message was for.

Rin screamed... And the mirror shattered.