CHAPTER 141: RIN... RIN... RIN...

The morning after the mirror broke, the city felt like it was holding its breath.

Rin moved through the brothel with a stiffness he didn’t like... It was as if every laugh, every step, every clink of a cup might be the signal for something worse to begin. Maybe something could appear in front of him again... Like that mirror.

Lirien watched him with the fierce, tired glare of someone who’d been a battlefield for longer than most people’s lives. Maybe because she was worried about him. She has no idea what Asmodeus could do. He could have gotten new powers, and maybe he’s able to kidnap Rin with the snap of his finger. That’s why she allowed Sasha to hover like a human shield.

That morning, news about demons advancing soon towards the capital had circulated around. Everyone was worried, including the ones in the brothel.

Rin should have stayed put. But he couldn’t sit still. He got a message from Lucien.

According to Lucien, who has been busy with the capital security, pacing to the back room and spitting out orders at a speed that matched the pressure in his jaw.

He was no longer part of the palace guards, but his awkward collaboration with the crown prince was all for the protection of the people and the city. He demanded updates on the brothel’s defences especially. He demanded to know which streets had guards doubled.

He demanded to be told when the demons had gotten closer and also when Rin would be moving to safer ground. After all, there could be a possibility that the demons were coming for Rin because of his contract with a demon. That’s Lucien’s theory.

.

Julian, meanwhile, was a different animal. Maybe, pretending to be. Behind bars, he wore the act so well that it made everyone confused. While he was at that palace, there was no way he couldn’t visit his brother.

"You don’t need to stand there with a drawn sword, Lucien," Julian had said the first time Lucien visited the dungeons. He’d been cuffed, exhausted, but he wore sleep in the corners of his smile like a badge. "You’ve always been overdramatic concerning security."

Lucien didn’t reply to his brother’s words.

Julian played his role to perfection. A limp in his step. A soft, rasping voice. Eyes glazed like melted glass. Even his stumbles seemed rehearsed... carefully measured accidents meant to tug at pity.

"I regret everything, Lucien." His hands clutched the bars of his cell, knuckles pale. "I was blind, obsessed. I thought only of myself. I should have begged Rin for forgiveness instead of letting arrogance and childish spite consume me."

Lucien stood before the cell with his arms folded, expression carved out of stone.

"Why are you saying this now?" His voice was cool and sharp. "You wish to walk free after only a handful of nights locked away?"

Julian dropped his gaze, shoulders sagging. "I would accept anything. Exile, chains... anything. If you order me never to look at Rin again, I’ll obey." His voice trembled just enough to sound convincing.

It was an old tactic... And that’s for him to worm his way back with tears, then strike when the guards relaxed their grip. Julian had played that game before. It worked well, especially with Dorian and his brother... Maybe.

But Lucien wasn’t swayed. He pressed his palm to the cold bars, eyes narrow, studying Julian like one would do to a venomous snake. There was no way he would trust his brother after what he said to him that day. He was the reason Rin hated him for two years without knowing. He also killed a priest, tarnishing the relationship between the Vortellion and the temple.

"Do you not see it?" Lucien hissed, low so the guards wouldn’t hear. "He’s painting himself innocent."

Julian tilted his head, letting a slow and careful smile plaster on his face.

"I lost my way," he murmured, voice syrup-sweet. "But I can change. I am willing to... "

"You’ll be broken before you leave these walls." Lucien’s jaw clenched. "You want freedom, Julian? Fine. But not until Rin is safe. Not until I know you cannot harm him."

Julian only smiled wider, his fingers trailing down the iron as though caressing a lover’s cheek.

"Yes... Yes... I’ll never harm him," he said and his grin widened as he lowered his head.

’Finally! I’ll kill Rin with my bare hands,’

.

.

Above the dungeon, the palace hummed with politics like a nest of restless bees. The nobles gathered in quiet chambers, discussing important things like taxes, the coming war between them and the demons and other important stuff.

At the centre of it all, Evan Vortellion sat calm, silent... Like a predator at rest. His silence weighed more than arguments, his presence louder than shouts.

He didn’t know what was on his mind. Maybe Lucien’s stubbornness irritated him. Since his son had refused to bend, his constant interference with Julian’s imprisonment and also the relationship between him and Rin was a thorn in the Duke’s side. Evan wanted Rin, of course, it’s not out of kindness, not even out of lust alone, but out of possession. Rin was like a golden prize to hold high.

"Ugh! This argument is going on and on, maybe I should go see my prisoner son," he grumbled and excused himself from the meeting.

.

.

That morning when Rin got the message from Lucien, he found himself riding in a palace carriage under the pretext of a "status confirmation." He wanted to see Julian with his own eyes... to judge whether the news of repentance had teeth.

Rin’s heart thudded as the gates rose before him. The guards were there, waiting to take him to the dungeon. Of course, Rin didn’t forget his veil. He didn’t want anyone looking at him with those flirty eyes of theirs.

The dungeon smelled of damp iron and old prayers. Julian’s cell was a square of shadow, yet somehow he made it feel like a stage. He greeted Rin with a smile too smooth.

"Rin," Julian breathed, voice honey-thick.

Rin ignored him at first and turned to the guard who led him there.

"Where is Lucien?"

"He’ll be down here soon,"

"Rin... I’m so glad you’ve come to see me," Julian spoke again.

Rin didn’t move closer and finally turned his head to meet Julian’s eyes.

"What do you want, Julian?"

"Is it strange to meet with you?" Julian leaned against the bars, eyes dark. "Being here clears the mind. I see now. I see my sins. You... you were different. That’s why I..." He placed a hand against his chest. "I want to atone."

Rin’s mouth curved into a small, humourless smile.

"No. You want another chance to strike."

The smile faltered for a second, then returned.

"So suspicious. I only wish to change. Strike what?"

Before Rin could answer, the corridor shook with heavy steps. Lucien strode in, He walked straight to the bars.

"Rin, you’re here," Lucien said, with a smile. "I apologise for letting you come into this filthy place,"

Julian pressed his face to the bars.

"Rin came for me! He wants me to prove it. I’ll be calm. I’ll be good."

Lucien’s jaw tightened at his brother. He turned to Rin, his voice rough.

"He’s pretending, don’t listen to him. He’ll act like a lamb until someone frees him. And then..." His hand struck the bars hard. "...then he’ll bare his fangs at you."

Rin tilted his head, watching Lucien closely.

"Then why bring me here when you know he’s pretending?"

"Because the guards are watching. I wanted them to see him beg you," Lucien’s voice dropped to a growl. "So... they won’t slit his throat when tempers rise. They’ll keep him alive long enough for me to control him. My father will not have him free at any cost, but I’ll keep him caged. I swear it. He won’t hurt you ever again,"

Something in his tone made Rin’s chest twist... fierce and protective and frighteningly sincere. He liked it. So much.

But before either could speak further, shadows thickened at the end of the hall.

Evan stepped into the corridor.

"Such a pleasant morning," Evan spoke with his polished and smooth voice.

Lucien’s eyes widened as his muscles went stiff. Guards straightened unconsciously as if gravity bent differently around the Duke.

Evan’s gaze slid over the dungeon like a surveyor measuring land. Then it found Rin. And it lingered.

"Rin... Rin... Rin..." His smile widened, cold and amused. "The famous golden goose. The courtesan the prince seems to fancy."

The words slithered, meant to sting. Rin only lifted his chin. His crimson eyes didn’t waver.

"Hello, Duke Vortellion," Rin said flatly. He refused to bow. He refused to soften the title with respect.

Evan’s eyes sharpened as he could sense the mockery in his tone.

"You’re also of the Draven bloodline," he said softly, almost to himself. He stepped closer, cedar and honey in his scent. "Tell me... are the rumours true? Are you truly the Second Duke’s son? Or are you merely a trinket passed around to amuse my son?"

Silence pressed heavily in the corridor. Rin’s lips curved slowly, dangerously.

"You’ll have to find out the hard way, Duke" he said.

And for the first time in a while, Evan’s eyes flickered with interest. Interest that seemed so sharp, hungry, and very, very dangerous.

"I missed you so much, Rin. I’m so glad to have you back in my arms,"