CHAPTER 172: THE DUKE’S NEXT GAME! 3

The Duke’s Game had begun.

But the real game wasn’t on the field. It was happening in Rin’s VIP space... a silent, heated war between two powerful men sitting on either side of him.

Caspian lounged back in his chair, one arm stretched lazily across the seat, his crown insignia glinting faintly under the golden lights. Lucien sat beside him, relaxed but sharp-eyed, his gloved fingers tapping the armrest. Between them sat Rin... the calm in the centre of a brewing storm... biting into a red apple as though none of it mattered.

The sound of his teeth crunching through the fruit was almost too casual for the heavy silence that hung in the air.

Down below, the field roared with life as nobles and knights filled the stands. At the centre, the masked host in his ridiculous jester outfit stood in the field. His voice echoed through the field, cheerful and cruel at the same time.

"Welcome, noble guests! As tradition demands, the hunt begins once again! Let the brave Alphas prove their strength... and the Omegas, their worth!"

The crowd erupted in laughter and cheers. It was a sick kind of joy.

Rin didn’t even bother to look down. He’d seen it all before... the crying, the begging, the hopeless running. It made him sick.

Caspian noticed his lack of interest. "You don’t like the games?"

Rin bit into the apple again and gave him a dry look. "You think anyone with a brain likes this?"

Lucien chuckled under his breath, low and rough. "He’s right."

Caspian’s lips curved.

"Then why are you here?"

"Because," Rin said, chewing slowly, "if I don’t come, no one saves the ones who get caught."

Lucien’s gaze softened slightly. "So you’re still trying to save everyone."

Rin gave a small shrug. "Someone has to. You two are too busy fighting over who gets to sit beside me."

Lucien smiled faintly. Caspian frowned.

Below, the gates opened, and the Omegas were released. Some stumbled forward, their wrists still sore from the chains. Others clung to each other for a moment before bolting across the field. Their bare feet slapped against the ground, their hair and thin clothes flapping as they ran for cover.

The host laughed from his high platform. "Run, little birds, run! The Alphas are coming!"

Rin’s expression didn’t change, but his jaw tightened.

From where Rin sat, he could see Kiro. His expression looked horrible as he made a small sound he stared at the scene. His pale face turned slightly green.

Rin sighed and mumbled to himself.

"That’s why I told him not to eat,"

Rin turned to Sasha, who stood quietly behind Kiro. Their gaze locked immediately and he gave him a silent order.

"Take him outside. He doesn’t need to see this."

Sasha nodded immediately, understanding the message. He gently helped Kiro up and led him out.

When they were gone, Rin leaned back in his chair again, crossing his legs. His gaze drifted lazily toward the host, whose voice was still echoing.

"Five minutes, my lords! Five minutes for the prey to hide before the hunt begins!"

Rin’s eyes narrowed. He remembered Madame Boutique’s son... the boy who had been taken by the duke’s men. He never found out what happened to him. But since the Duke was clearing out his Omega warehouse... maybe the boy was down there, among the terrified faces.

He spoke without thinking. "I must get all those Omegas."

Both Lucien and Caspian heard him. They looked at each other, then back at Rin... and suddenly, a new spark of competition lit in their eyes.

Lucien leaned forward first. "If that’s what you want, I’ll buy them all for you."

Caspian gave a short, humourless laugh. "Don’t make promises you can’t afford."

Lucien’s lips twitched. "You think I can’t outbid you?"

"I know you can’t," Caspian replied smoothly.

Rin exhaled slowly, dragging a hand down his face. "You two never learn, do you?"

Neither of them replied.

Below, the countdown started. "Three... two... one... RUN!"

When the Alphas were released, the crowd roared. They chased like wild beasts, their laughter echoing cruelly. The sight was chaos... bodies colliding, screams rising, hands grabbing.

Rin turned away. His eyes stayed on the wine glass in front of him. The faint sound of glass tapping wood filled the silence.

Lucien noticed. "You’re not watching."

Rin’s voice was low. "I’ve seen enough to last me a lifetime."

Caspian looked toward the field, his jaw set. "It’s disgusting," he muttered.

Rin gave a faint, cold smile. "Then stop it."

Caspian looked at him. "I will. If I become king, I’ll order the Duke to end this tradition."

Rin turned his head slightly, meeting his gaze. "Good luck."

Lucien chuckled beside him. "Don’t give him false hope."

Caspian shot him a glare. "And what about you? Do you enjoy watching this?"

Lucien’s smirk faded. "No. That’s why after the war, I’ll end it myself. This will be the last game."

Rin smiled faintly and repeated the same thing. "Good luck."

But Caspian noticed the way Rin’s tone changed when he said it to Lucien... softer, lighter, almost fond.

Lucien, of course, noticed too. And his grin only widened.

The Duke’s voice suddenly echoed through the field as he stood, raising his cup. "Let the hunt begin!"

The nobles cheered again. Rin didn’t join them.

He shifted slightly in his seat... and that’s when he felt it. A cold and lingering gaze.

He followed the direction and found the Duke sitting far across the balcony, a woman clinging to his arm. Her gown shimmered like spilt wine, and her laughter sounded fake. But the Duke wasn’t looking at her.

He was staring straight at Rin.

Rin frowned slightly, unsure what that stare meant. The Duke’s expression was unreadable. For a moment, their eyes met, and Rin’s heart gave one slow, tired beat.

Then he looked away.

’There’s no way he’s staring at me,’ he thought. ’He’s got himself a new toy now.’

But across the arena, Evan Vortellion, the Duke, was indeed staring at Rin. His fingers clenched around his wine glass, the veins in his hand showing faintly.

His companion... Lady Mirielle... leaned closer, brushing her perfume against his sleeve. "The game is delightful, isn’t it, my lord?" she purred.

He forced a smile. "Delightful," he repeated, his voice dry.

She giggled and leaned on him, but his eyes flicked back to Rin. The sight of the white-haired boy sitting between his son and the crown prince made something twist inside him... jealousy, frustration, longing.

Lioran leaned closer and whispered,

"Master, you’re staring too much."

Evan blinked, realising, then tore his gaze away. "I’m aware."

He looked at the woman beside him, her bright smile and thick makeup almost blinding. The scent of her perfume was suffocating. He imagined for a second how it would feel if it were Rin sitting there quietly instead.

His jaw tightened.

’I’ll get you back,’ he thought. ’Even if I have to tear everything apart.’

When the announcement came that the auction would begin, the crowd grew loud again. The Omegas who survived the game were lined up at the centre... trembling, wounded, half-naked, their eyes hollow.

The masked host raised his hands dramatically. "Let the bidding begin! Starting price, four hundred gold coins!"

Almost immediately, Caspian’s voice cut through the air. "One thousand."

Lucien smirked. "Fifteen hundred."

The host’s laughter boomed. "Oh my! We already have a fight for the first set!"

Caspian leaned back, smirking. "Two thousand."

Lucien’s lips curled. "Three thousand."

The numbers climbed quickly. People below whispered, startled at how high it went. Rin sat quietly, sipping his drink, pretending not to care... but every number that left their mouths made his stomach twist a little tighter.

Caspian glanced sideways at him. "You should say something. We’re doing this for you."

Rin smiled faintly. "Then do it right. Buy them all."

Lucien’s brow arched. "All?"

"All of them," Rin said simply. "If you can’t save one, save them all."

Lucien stared at him, then nodded slightly. "Fine."

Caspian frowned but didn’t back down. "I’ll double whatever he offers."

The host nearly fell off the platform in excitement. "Two lords fighting for a noble cause! How thrilling!"

Rin didn’t even glance at him. His fingers tapped the armrest, his thoughts far away.

On the other side, the Duke was still watching... his smirk dark and cold.

Evan whispered to Lioran, "They’re fighting over him. My son and the prince... pathetic."

"Would you like to intervene, my lord?" Lioran asked quietly.

"Intervene? Hmmm," Evan’s lips curved into a slow smile. "Maybe I should join their little game. Would that make Rin look at me?"

"My lord, you have to avoid him at all costs to make him fall for your presence,"

"Ah! I see," He rolled his eyes as he lifted his cup and took a slow sip, his eyes once again finding Rin’s form across the balcony.

’Enjoy it while you can, Rin,’ he thought.

’Because the next time I reach for you, no one will stop me.’