CHAPTER 169: ACCIDENTAL ACCIDENTS COULD HAPPEN!

Rin was half-asleep by the time they reached the upper floors of the palace. His head rested weakly against Lucien’s shoulder, eyes half-open, too tired to argue anymore. Lucien didn’t say a word. He walked with long, quick strides, his jaw tight, his arm secure around Rin as if afraid to let him go.

When they reached a wide door, two palace servants quickly opened it for them. The room was grand, with soft white curtains, golden edges, and furniture that looked like it belonged in a royal sitting hall.

Lucien gently lowered Rin onto a couch and crouched in front of him. His hands immediately went to Rin’s wrists, checking them carefully. The red marks were fading but still visible.

"Does it hurt?" Lucien asked quietly.

Rin looked at him blankly for a moment before snorting. "No, baby, I’m fine."

Lucien blinked. "...Baby?"

"Yeah," Rin said with a teasing grin. "You’re fussing like one. Relax, it’s just a few bruises."

Lucien didn’t respond. He just kept examining Rin’s arm, frowning deeper when he saw a faint purple mark near his elbow.

"You call this ’just a few’? They tied you up and dragged you into a dungeon."

Rin sighed, leaning back on the couch. "It’s not the worst thing that’s happened to me this week."

"Rin," Lucien said sharply, eyes narrowing. "Who was she?"

Rin tilted his head. "Who?"

"The noblewoman," Lucien said. "The one who dared to touch you. How did you cross paths with someone like that?"

Before Rin could answer, the door creaked open. Caspian stepped in looking composed, though his expression betrayed the irritation flickering beneath the surface. His gaze immediately fell on Lucien kneeling by Rin’s feet and they were far too close.

The sight made his chest tighten.

Rin turned to him first. "Caspian," he greeted, his tone polite but distant.

Lucien glanced back but didn’t move away from Rin. Caspian’s eyes briefly darkened.

He hated the way Lucien looked at Rin. His gaze was soft, protective, almost possessive. It reminded him of something his father had said the other night.

~Flashback~The King’s Chamber

That night, the room had smelled faintly of medicine and smoke. The old king lay in bed with his skin pale and his breath, shallow. Caspian had arrived just in time to help his father sit upright.

"You shouldn’t move too much," Caspian said quietly.

The king chuckled weakly. "You sound just like your mother."

Caspian said nothing as he didn’t have much memory of his mother. His mind was still heavy with the aftermath of the demon attack. The palace was barely recovering, and they had lost too many people... the queen, several nobles, and knights.

If not for Rin’s quick thinking, if not for his contract with a demon that had turned the tide, they’d all be dead.

The king’s trembling hand rested on Caspian’s arm.

"That boy saved us, didn’t he?"

"Yes," Caspian admitted. "He did."

"I wanted to reward him," the king said slowly. "Give him a noble title or maybe a place in this palace."

Caspian shook his head. "He won’t accept it, Father. He doesn’t care for titles or gold."

The king smiled faintly. "Then I guess you understand him better than I do."

Silence stretched for a few moments until the king spoke again, his voice lower.

"If he won’t take wealth, then give him something better."

Caspian looked at him, confused. "What do you mean?"

The king’s eyes gleamed, even through the fatigue. "Make sure he stays in our family, Caspian. One way or another. That boy shouldn’t belong to anyone outside the crown. I approve of your relationship with him. Rin Von Veyne has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?"

Caspian’s jaw had clenched. He didn’t answer because he knew Rin wouldn’t accept it no matter what.

~End of Flashback~

Now, as he stood in the waiting room, that memory stung.

Lucien finally looked up, noticing Caspian’s silence. "You’re quiet. What happened?" he said casually.

Caspian blinked, pushing the memory away. "Just tired. I came to see if Rin was alright."

Rin smiled faintly. "I’m fine, really. You two are making a big deal out of nothing."

Lucien frowned again. "You were tied and dragged into a dungeon. That’s not nothing."

Caspian crossed his arms and stepped closer, ignoring the way Lucien subtly shifted to block Rin with his shoulder. "Lucien asked you something. How did you cross paths with her?"

Rin blinked slowly, realising he’d managed to avoid answering that question twice now.

"Oh, right. That noble lady... Seraphina, right? It started at an ice cream shop."

Lucien’s expression twitched. "You were having ice cream?"

"With my brother," Rin said proudly.

"Brother?" Caspian asked, confused.

"The same one I mentioned in the letter," Rin said to Lucien, a bit flustered. His cheeks turned slightly pink, and Caspian noticed.

Lucien’s eyes softened immediately. "Winter?"

Rin nodded. "Yeah. Oh God! He’s the cutest thing you’ll ever see."

Caspian’s stomach tightened.

’So they write letters to each other now...’

He forced himself to stay quiet as Rin continued explaining, his tone light and unbothered.

"We were eating ice cream, and some of it fell on her dress by accident. I tried to apologise, but her maid lost it. Then suddenly, I was being called a commoner in front of everyone, and next thing I knew, her guards were dragging me here."

Lucien’s jaw clenched hard. "She dared to humiliate you in public?"

"Pretty much," Rin said. "But don’t worry, I didn’t care. It was funny watching her maid scream like a dying goat."

Caspian chuckled under his breath before catching himself. Lucien didn’t look amused.

"You should’ve called for help," Lucien said. "Or used your power."

Rin shrugged. "If I healed myself, they’d just get suspicious and hit harder. So I just sat there and let them have their fun."

Lucien exhaled sharply, rubbing his temples. "You’re impossible."

"I know," Rin said simply, grinning.

For a moment, silence filled the room again. Then Caspian spoke, his tone softer. "You really didn’t get hurt anywhere else?"

Rin shook his head. "No. I’m fine."

Lucien glanced over him again just to be sure, then sighed in relief. "Good."

Then, unexpectedly, he leaned forward and hugged Rin again.

Rin blinked in surprise, then laughed lightly. "You’re really a baby, you know that?"

Lucien ignored the comment, resting his chin briefly on Rin’s shoulder. "You scared me."

Caspian turned away for a moment, trying not to show the jealousy flickering in his eyes. He clenched his jaw and cleared his throat.

"You should get some rest," Caspian said, forcing calm into his voice.

"I’d rather go home," Rin said. "Winter must be worried sick by now."

Lucien reluctantly pulled away. "At least stay until you’ve eaten."

Rin stood up and stretched his arms. "You have a war meeting to attend. Don’t act like you’re free."

Lucien frowned. "You remembered everything I told you yesterday."

Rin smirked. "Maybe."

Lucien couldn’t help but laugh. "You’re impossible."

"Thank you," Rin said, bowing slightly, mocking politeness.

He was about to leave when he paused. Something crossed his mind. He leaned closer to Lucien, lowering his voice so Caspian wouldn’t hear.

"There’s something I forgot to add in my letter," Rin whispered near his ear.

Lucien tilted his head slightly. "What is it?"

"I need to visit the brothel," Rin said quietly. "And my mother."

Lucien froze. "Your... mother?"

Rin nodded. "Yeah. You can come if you want, when you’re free."

Lucien’s brows drew together. "I didn’t know your mother was..."

"I know," Rin interrupted softly. "Don’t overthink it. Just come,"

Before Lucien could question further, Rin smiled faintly, winked, and stepped back. "See you later, Lucy."

Caspian watched quietly as Rin bowed slightly in his direction before heading out the door. He never smiled at him the way he did at Lucien. Not even once.

The door closed behind him. The air between the two princes grew heavy.

Lucien leaned back against the couch, still smiling faintly to himself.

"He’s something else," he murmured.

Caspian didn’t share the amusement. His frown deepened. "You seem rather... fond of him."

Lucien chuckled. "You say that like it’s a bad thing."

Caspian’s voice hardened. "I’m asking if you’re serious about him."

Lucien’s smile faded slightly. "Why does everyone keep asking me that today? First Sasha, now you?"

Caspian crossed his arms. "Because people care about him. I care about him."

Lucien’s gaze sharpened instantly. "Be careful with your words, Caspian."

"I said what I meant," Caspian replied calmly. "You say you love him, but the way you act doesn’t look like love to me."

Lucien tilted his head. "Then what does it look like to you?"

Caspian hesitated before saying, "Obsession."

For a second, silence. Then Lucien laughed softly. "Who in their right mind wouldn’t be obsessed with someone like Rin?"

Caspian glared at him, but Lucien continued. "He’s brilliant, unpredictable, infuriating... and perfect. If that’s an obsession, then I don’t mind being obsessed."

"You’re talking like he’s a prize," Caspian snapped.

Lucien’s tone turned deadly calm. "He’s not a prize. He’s mine."

Caspian’s fists clenched at his sides.

Lucien stepped closer, eyes cold and unwavering. "Whether you call it love or madness, I don’t care. As long as he belongs to me, the rest of the world can burn."

Caspian’s chest tightened. "You’re out of your mind."

Lucien smirked faintly. "Maybe. But remember this... if anyone tries to take Rin from me, even someone with royal blood..." He paused, leaning closer until his voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "I’ll cut them down."

He patted Caspian’s shoulder lightly and stepped past him toward the door. "Cool off, brother. Then meet me in the council room."

When he was gone, Caspian stood there alone, breathing hard. His hands trembled slightly as he stared at the door Lucien had exited through.

"Rin," he whispered under his breath. "You don’t even look at me the way you look at him."

He swallowed, his mind spinning between jealousy and longing.

’As long as Lucien and Rin aren’t together yet,’ he thought, ’I still have a chance.’

His gaze turned dark.

But if Lucien... accidentally dies during the war...

He exhaled slowly, his fingers tightening into a fist.

Then maybe that chance will finally be mine.

The mana light flickered across his face, shadowing his expression as he whispered to himself, "I won’t lose to him... not this time."