CHAPTER 58: HELLO, RIN!

The Vortellion estate stood quiet that evening, its looming towers bathed in the pale glow of moonlight. Somewhere deep in the west wing of the mansion, behind thick walls lined with ancient books and polished glass, Julian Vortellion sat hunched in his private study, his fingers flipping through old parchments and newer scrolls with distracted precision.

The fireplace crackled beside him, casting shadows over the elegant, obsidian wood furniture.

Close to the study door stood Dorian, silent and unmoving like a statue. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and always wearing that grim, watchful expression, he fulfilled his role

Julian sighed, tapping a finger against the paper. Dorian’s gaze slid briefly toward the noise, but he didn’t move. Not that Julian expected him to. After all, Lucien had tasked him with this.

"Watch him. Keep him safe. Keep our father far from him."

Dorian had been with the Vortellion brothers since they were children. Barely fifteen when he was sold into the estate as a servant-slave, he had grown up alongside the boys... though always on the outside, silent and observing. He had no motive to become attached to them since they would just treat him as a slave like his masters before. They get tired and then, toss him away to another family.

But, none of that happened. The Vortellion brothers treated him well... Just like an older brother. They didn’t boss him around or beat him up. He had watched Lucien become a monster and a man, and Julian became a secret.... omega hidden in plain sight.

Julian had cried for days when he found out. He didn’t want to become an omega. He hated the fact that he wasn’t like Lucien... an alpha, someone born to dominate, rule, and control. Even if he was the youngest son, he wanted to compete with his older twin brother to become his father’s heir. However, being an Omega totally ruined all of his plans to be competitive.

He didn’t like the fact that he was the opposite of his brother... soft. Vulnerable. Desirable. If their father finds out what he is, he would get thrown into his ’Game’.

But what he never expected was that his older brother, Lucien would do anything to protect him. He went as far as killing those who found out Julian’s secret, just to protect him. He even handed over his rights to be the heir to Julian. Dorian chose to serve as a loyal blade by Lucien’s side... After admiring his strength. Well, it wasn’t only that. He wanted to remain at Julian’s side also, but he didn’t want his feelings to get in the way of his duties.

Dorian’s attention spiked when Julian flinched suddenly at a small, soft thud against the glass.

A bird.

Julian stood quickly and opened the wide pane of his window. A sleek, black messenger bird flew in, landing on the window ledge. Dorian arched a brow, wondering why a bird would come to Julian... not just any bird but a messenger bird.

Julian poured a pinch of food on the desk without a word. The bird hopped down and pecked contentedly. Then, with a small smile, Julian untied the small rolled parchment from its leg.

He read it.

And his expression changed immediately.

Fury.

He slammed his hand hard against the desk, rattling the inkwell and books. The bird flapped and flew away immediately. Dorian didn’t flinch, but his brow furrowed slightly.

"What is it this time, Young Master?" he asked, voice low.

Julian glared at him.

"You want to know?" He asked and Dorian remained by the door, wondering what could have angered Julian. What was the content of the letter he received?

"You could’ve helped me," Julian’s voice pulled him from his thoughts as he lifted his head to look at Julian. "If you had just taken the job, that thing would be dead. We wouldn’t have to deal with this anymore."

"I still have no idea what you’re talking about, Young Master," Dorian’s voice went low, trying not to imagine that it was what he was thinking about.

"I failed to remove him from the academy and now... That thing,"

"That ’thing’ has a name. Rin. And Lucien would skin me alive if he knew I even touched him."

Julian stood quickly, walking toward Dorian. He shoved the parchment into his chest.

"The assassins I sent to get rid of him were killed. All of them. They were gotten rid of immediately. You know what this means? He’s being guarded, maybe by someone stronger than Lucien. Is it my father?"

Dorian read the contents, his jaw tightening. Not because the assassins were killed but because Julian went as far as sending assassins to get rid of just one omega. The only omega that Lucien wishes to protect.

Julian gritted his teeth angrily.

"Why him? Why is he so important? He’s a weak little omega who doesn’t even know how to use a damn fork properly. Why do they all want him?"

Dorian finally looked at him, hard and quiet. He grabbed Julian’s wrist.

He gasped, trying to yank his hand away from Dorian’s grip but it was too tight.

"What is it do you think you’re doing?" His voice turned sharp with pain. "Let go of me..."

"No. You listen now," Dorian said coldly. "If Lucien finds out about this attempt, I won’t be able to protect you. You think you’re angry? He’ll burn the entire estate for Rin. He’ll drag you through the streets without thinking about you, his blood,"

He released Julian, who stumbled back, rubbing his wrist. Dorian didn’t apologise... well, not immediately. He just stared, the pain in his expression hidden under layers of duty.

"...I’m sorry. I’ll take my leave now, Young Master. You may call for me whenever you wish," he muttered finally and turned to leave.

Julian didn’t reply. He only stared after him, throat tight.

And strangely, he felt... angry. No... more than that. Wounded.

His eyes dropped back to the crumpled message. The assassins he sent to the academy to deal with Rin were elite. Their deaths shouldn’t have been possible. Which meant either his brother had intervened...

...or the Duke.

’Why would my father and brother care about that piece of trash? Did he charm them or something?’ he grumbled, biting his thumb. ’If those two are obsessed with him, that’s more reason why I should get rid of him,’

He had to do something quickly..

Julian spent the rest of the day obsessing over it.

.

.

Meanwhile...

Rin was still trapped in the Duke’s mansion.

Three days had passed since the attack in his room, and the trauma still haunted his dreams. Not that Duke Evan had made anything easier.

After the incident, the Duke had insisted Rin move in with him "for safety."

Just for safety?

Rin had protested. Loudly. He really didn’t want to live in the same room with the Duke.

But Evan Vortellion did not yield once his mind was made. He had simply crossed his arms and said, "You can sleep on the floor if you’re that upset."

He didn’t. He slept on the edge of the massive bed, curled into a bundle with Niblet by his side and the Duke’s terrifying presence only inches away. The man smelled like cedarwood and leather and also... great danger.

It had been hell.

Tonight, however, Rin was finally alone. The mansion was quiet.

He had waited for this. He waited for days for him to be alone in the mansion and it finally came. He has been reading a lot of books... but, they were not ordinary books. They were books about demons.

Carefully, Rin drew the velvet curtains closed. He stood at the centre of the room, pulling the table out of the way.

He peeked at the book, then at the floor.

"This space is enough," he said to himself and began with whatever he was planning on doing.

He lit three candles in a triangle on the floor and set a silver circle between them. On the aged booi in his hands, inked in ancient script, was the summoning ritual.

"I just have to say this the way it’s written... I hope it won’t backfire if I pronounce it wrongly,"

His fingers trembled as he read it.

"Please work," he whispered. "I just need to know who the fuck kissed me... who the hell is messing with me..."

DING!

[System Alert: Forbidden Ritual Detected!]

[Warning: Demonic affinity will unlock if you proceed. The

’seal’ will be half-broken.]

Rin bit his lip.

"I’ve had enough of warnings. Just present that bloody ugly demon before me,"

As soon as he said that, the air shifted.

The candles flickered. Rin’s eyes widened as he could see the proof that it was working.

The shadows in the room coiled, and the air turned cold. Niblet, asleep on the bed, let out a low growl.

Then the floor inside the circle cracked.

"Wait! Is that supposed to happen? I thought they just appeared from nowhere? Why is there a fucking crack?"

Black smoke billowed from the cracks, thick and choking. Rin stumbled back.

Then a voice echoed from within it.

"You finally summoned me?"

"Yes, I did. I wanted to see the disgusting-looking creature that dared to... plant... his..."

The smoke cleared, and a figure stood within the circle, making Rin eat his remaining words.

He stood tall and beautiful. Maybe, something more than beautiful.

His skin was pale like moonlight, contrasted by red hair and his crimson eyes. His clothes were regal, like something out of an ancient empire.

And horns curled gently from the sides of his head.

Rin’s heart dropped and he opened his mouth.

But the demon smiled.

"I’ve been waiting, Rin."

DING!

[System Alert - Male Lead has Appeared.]

[Name: Asmodeus ]

[Status: ???]

[Threat Level: VERY LOW]

[Warning: Target is hungry to be released by the Host.]