CHAPTER 113: THE PRINCE’S TRAP!

Back in the VIP space, Lirien was sprawled in her seat, finishing the last pastry on the tray, smoke curling lazily from her pipe. The arena’s noise drifted up, a mix of cheers and screams that made Rin’s stomach churn. He sighed heavily, sinking into the seat beside her, his veil still firmly in place.

"You ate them all?" he asked, his tone half-exasperated, half-amused.

Lirien raised a brow, puffing smoke. "Why? Did you want some?"

Rin shook his head, letting out a frustrated sigh. "You may want to leave this place for a bit..."

"Huh? Why is that?" Lirien asked, her eyes narrowing as she sat up straighter.

Before Rin could answer, Caspian strolled in, grinning like a child who’d found his favourite toy. Lirien’s eyes widened, and she nearly choked on her smoke, her pipe wobbling between her fingers. "...The Prince?"

She shot Rin a look, her face a mix of worry and confusion, as if screaming,

’What the hell are you doing with the prince, Rin?’ Her gaze darted between them, searching for answers.

Rin touched her hand gently, his voice soft but deliberate. "Aunt," he said, the word rare and intentional, meant to calm her.

Her cheeks flushed red at the term, her expression softening despite her worry. Rin rarely called her that, but when he did, it reminded them of their bond, of the family they’d built in the brothel. "I’ll be fine," he continued, his voice steady. "Just... let me speak with him."

Caspian smiled, pleased, and gestured to the guards standing nearby. "Escort the lady to my own VIP space. There are better refreshments there."

Lirien blinked, caught off guard. She’d ignored the prince earlier, but now she smiled politely, bowing with a grace she rarely showed. "Oh! Thank you, Your Highness." She stood, trailing her pipe smoke behind her as she left without protest, though she shot Rin one last worried glance over her shoulder.

Rin sighed, muttering under his breath, "...Traitor."

Caspian slid into Lirien’s empty seat, far too close for Rin’s liking, his shoulder brushing against Rin’s. Rin turned his head sharply, his voice low and warning. "Stay put. The Vortellions are watching."

Caspian glanced back, and indeed, from across the grand balcony, Evan, Lucien, and Julian were all staring at them, their gazes sharp and unyielding. Evan’s face was calm but calculating, Lucien’s unreadable but tense, and Julian’s openly hostile.

Rin smirked behind his veil and leaned slightly closer to Caspian, his voice soft but deliberate. "So... how can you help me, Your Highness?"

Caspian’s grin widened, his golden eyes gleaming with excitement. "I have money. Enough to buy an entire estate, if I wished."

"I don’t want your money," Rin said, his tone flat, cutting through Caspian’s bravado.

Caspian chuckled, unbothered, his gaze locked on Rin. "Of course not. You’re the Golden Goose, after all. You already have more wealth than half these nobles. What you want is..." His smile curved, sly and knowing. "...the downfall of the Vortellions."

Rin’s eyes narrowed behind the veil, his heart skipping a beat, but he said nothing, his silence a shield.

Caspian leaned closer, lowering his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "I can help you. I have something that could destroy them. But it’s incomplete."

"What is this ’something’?" Rin asked, his voice steady but edged with curiosity.

Caspian tilted his head, his grin turning greedy. "You know I won’t give any important information without anything in return."

Rin turned his head slowly, his voice laced with challenges. "And what do you want in return?"

Caspian smirked, his eyes glinting. "Your face. Show it to me."

Rin clicked his tongue in annoyance, his patience wearing thin. "And you expect me to trust a stranger?"

"Then let me prove myself," Caspian said smoothly, just as servants brought in a fresh tray of refreshments... fruits, pastries, and wine, untouched by the sedative Rin had detected earlier. "I’ll do anything you ask of me."

Rin ignored the tray, his crimson eyes drifting back to the arena, where broken omegas lay strewn across the ground, their screams now faint. His voice dropped low, cold as ice. "If you want to prove yourself... buy them all. Every omega in that forest. Save them."

The air shifted, heavy and sharp, as if the world itself held its breath.

DING!

[System Notification: New Condition Registered.]

[Oath Detected: Promise Bound.]

[Warning: A demon’s promise cannot be broken.]

Rin’s eyes widened slightly at the system’s sudden chime, a flicker of unease cutting through his resolve. ...Tch. I went too far. He hadn’t meant to bind Caspian to a demon’s oath, but the words had slipped out, fueled by his anger and desperation.

Caspian blinked, hearing the faint echo of the notification, his lips parting in surprise. Then his grin returned, sharp and almost psychotic, his brown eyes blazing with excitement. "...If I buy them all... you’ll show me your face? And sleep with me?"

Rin glared, his voice dripping with disdain. "...If you want to hear it that way. Yes."

Caspian froze for a moment, then laughed, loud and wild, the sound echoing in the VIP space. "Perfect! I wouldn’t miss this chance for anything!"

.

When the auction began, the arena buzzed with whispers, nobles leaning forward in their seats, eager to bid on the omegas who’d survived the hunt. The host stepped forward, his grotesque mask gleaming, ready to call the first bid.

But before he could speak, a guard bearing the royal crest strode onto the stage, whispering urgently in his ear. The host paled, his confident demeanour cracking, and he raised his voice, trembling slightly.

"Attention, everyone! The auction is hereby... cancelled. His Highness, the Crown Prince, has purchased all of the omegas."

The crowd erupted in outrage, nobles shouting, their voices a chaotic storm. Some stood, waving their fists, others hissed curses under their breath. But no one dared speak directly against the prince... not when the royal crest was involved.

Rin turned to Caspian, rising gracefully from his seat. He pulled a sleek black card from his sleeve, its surface glinting faintly, and placed it in Caspian’s palm, his fingers brushing against the prince’s hand.

"You’ve earned this," he said, his voice low and deliberate. "Seek me anytime for... my part of the promise."

Caspian kissed Rin’s hand, his brown eyes blazing with triumph, his grin wide and predatory. "I can’t wait to partner with you, Rin."

Rin’s crimson eyes gleamed dangerously behind his veil, his voice sharp. "Otherwise."

He turned and left, his robe flowing behind him like a dark river, his heart pounding with a mix of relief and dread. He’d secured the omegas’ freedom, but at what cost? A demon’s promise was no small thing, and Caspian was no ordinary ally. He was someone who could help him with his revenge.

.

At the carriage, Lirien met him, her expression a mix of worry and pride as she stood by the open door, her pipe trailing smoke.

"I’ll stay back and bring the omegas with me to the brothel," she said, her voice firm but warm. "You should go ahead first."

Rin nodded softly, his crimson eyes softening for a moment. "Good. Thank you, Aunt."

Lirien’s cheeks flushed at the word, her usual sharpness melting into something softer. She reached out, squeezing his hand gently. "Be careful, Rin. This place... It’s a snake pit. Don’t let them bite you."

Rin managed a small smile, though it didn’t reach his eyes. "I won’t. I promise."

She nodded, stepping back as Rin climbed into the carriage. The door closed, and the carriage rolled toward the gates, the estate’s towering walls fading into the distance.

Rin leaned back against the seat, his veil still in place, his hands trembling slightly as he processed everything that had happened today. Caspian’s knowledge of his name, Lucien’s presence, Julian’s rage, and the weak omegas.

The carriage slowed, then stopped suddenly, the horses whinnying softly. Rin’s eyes narrowed as he looked out the window. He knew what was coming since he’d been expecting it. That’s why his veil stayed firmly in place since he entered the carriage.

The door opened with a soft creak.

Evan Vortellion stepped inside, his smile sharp, his eyes cold as ice. He bowed his head slightly, the gesture mocking in its formality.

"Greetings, Golden Goose."

Rin’s breath caught, his heart slamming against his ribs. Evan’s presence filled the carriage, heavy and suffocating, his gaze piercing through the veil as if he could see Rin’s very soul.

Rin knew he wouldn’t have given him that VIP card without seeing him. The carriage door clicked shut behind him, and the carriage remained still, the world outside fading into silence.

"Greetings to you also, Duke Vortellion," Rin replied.