CHAPTER 159: SASHA AS A GUARD!

The soft morning light slipped through the red curtains of Rin’s room. It was quiet... too quiet for the brothel. Usually, laughter or footsteps filled the corridors, but today, the building seemed half-asleep.

Rin blinked, stretched, and rolled over lazily on the bed. His hair, messy and silver, covered half of his face as he yawned.

"Ugh... It’s already morning," he mumbled.

It was Sunday and his weekly "spin and win" fell on the same day. He reached for the system and rubbed his chin, wondering what he was going to get today. The screen flickered to life when his fingers brushed the surface.

DING!

[Weekly Spin Available. Would you like to proceed?]

"Yeah, yeah. Let’s just get this over with," Rin murmured, pressing the button.

The wheel spun as he watched lazily until it slowed and landed on the first reward.

DING!

[Reward: +50 Kiss Points]

"Of course," he muttered. "Like I need more of that."

He already had more than fifty thousand kiss points, accumulated from more than two years of doing nothing but existing and also helping Lirien’s clients calm down. He had also gotten a bunch of bullets that he had no opportunity to use.

He pressed again for the second spin. The spinner made a slower sound this time, clicking each notch until it stopped on...

PON-PON

[Try Again.]

Rin rolled his eyes. "Figures."

He tossed the system aside and sat up, stretching his arms before staring blankly at the ceiling. He had bullets, a gun, and everything he wanted. He doesn’t mind if he gets a phone as a gift to relieve his boredom but he hasn’t been lucky since the first day.

He also got a dagger, though... that was different. He picked it up from his inventory and ran a finger along the hilt. Sasha had taught him how to use it long ago, back when things weren’t so complicated.

"Sasha..." Rin whispered, his voice barely audible. The name still carried a faint sting, though he wouldn’t admit it out loud.

He remembered last night... the moment he entered Lirien’s office and saw Sasha there. Their eyes had met, but neither spoke. Rin’s face had been cold, unreadable. He only went in to tell Lirien about what happened at the ball, not to rekindle old pain.

Now, the whispers of that night were spreading everywhere.

From the corridor outside, Rin could hear voices... Everyone’s back to being scared, thanks to the attack.

"Did you hear what they said? They said half the nobles were found dead!"

"Half? I heard more than that! The Duke himself cancelled his ’Game’. It’s in the papers!"

"The Duke’s game cancelled? That’s never happened before!"

Rin sighed, running a hand through his hair. He knew about the deaths after all, he saw the bodies. The awful scene... the memory flashed before his eyes briefly before he shut it away. It wasn’t his problem anymore.

After washing up and eating his breakfast, he collapsed back on his bed, limbs spread out lazily. He could read one of the books on his shelf, maybe polish his gun again, but he didn’t feel like doing anything.

"I’m bored," he groaned into his pillow. "I want to go home and play some video games,"

A thought crossed his mind... Lucien.

His eyes flicked open. "Wait... I could just go see him."

The corners of his lips curved slightly. Lirien was busy or probably still asleep since it’s Sunday, the others were distracted, and he had nothing better to do.

’What was the harm in sneaking out for a few hours?’

He grabbed his cloak from the chair, slung it over his shoulders, and reached for the door. "Just a quick visit," he told himself, smiling faintly. "What could go wrong?"

But the moment he opened the door... he froze.

Sasha was standing there.

Rin’s body tensed, and the faint smile vanished. Sasha looked like he hadn’t slept. His brown hair was dishevelled, and his eyes were tired yet steady.

"...What are you doing here?" Rin asked, voice low.

"Guarding you," Sasha replied quietly. "It’s Lirien’s orders."

Rin frowned. "Guarding me? Since when?"

"Since this morning," Sasha said, straightening his back. "It’s my punishment."

Rin let out a small breath through his nose.

"That woman really knows how to make people suffer."

He tried to step past him, but Sasha followed. The sound of his boots echoed softly behind Rin as they went down the corridor.

After a few minutes, Rin turned sharply.

"Why are you following me?"

"I told you," Sasha said. "I’m supposed to guard you."

Rin narrowed his eyes. "I don’t need guarding. Just go back and find something to do."

"I can’t. It’s an order from Lirien and..."

"It’s not bad to be disobedient. You don’t need to follow me," Rin said coldly and turned again.

Sasha didn’t answer. He just followed in silence.

They walked together... thirty minutes through narrow alleys and busy streets. Rin didn’t speak again. He hated the heavy feeling between them... the one that came with memories better left buried.

When they reached the Vortellion estate walls, Sasha stopped walking. Rin didn’t. He crouched low, checking for guards before sneaking forward.

"Why are we sneaking?" Sasha whispered. "You could just walk through the gate. You know the guards wouldn’t stop you."

Rin shot him a sharp look. "I’m not supposed to be here. Don’t ask,"

He crouched again, climbing the low stone fence. Sasha reluctantly followed, confused but obedient. They crept through the side gardens until the mansion loomed above them, tall and silent.

When they reached the side balcony, Rin raised his hand. "Stay here."

Sasha blinked. "What?"

"I said, stay. Don’t follow me."

"But–"

"It’s an order, Sasha." Rin’s tone was firm, his eyes colder than before. "You said you’re guarding me? Then guard from here."

Sasha hesitated, jaw tightening. "...Fine."

Rin didn’t wait for more words. He leapt lightly, catching the railing of the opposite balcony with one hand and landing quietly. Sasha watched from below, heart clenching as Rin disappeared through a half-open door.

He sighed and leaned against the wall. "You’re still as reckless as ever, Rin," he murmured to himself. Then he chuckled bitterly. "I can’t believe you did all that just to see him."

Through the small gap in the curtains above, he saw Rin hugging someone... Lucien. The sight made something ache inside him. He lowered his head.

"...Guess I should really give up now."

He laughed quietly, though it didn’t sound happy. "You risked your neck just to see him. You’re already his, Rin. Maybe I should just... stop."

He rubbed his forehead, guilt filling his chest. He had betrayed Rin once... and though Lirien spared his life, he knew he didn’t even deserve this second chance. Still, deep down, he wished he could say sorry.

He wished Rin would forgive him.