CHAPTER 127: ACCUSATION! 1

Rin never expected he would be brought before the king. Not during his short time in the palace.

"How the hell did it get to this?" he muttered, his crimson eyes steady behind the thin veil covering his face.

It all happened on the third day in the palace. Two days had passed since Caspian first led him to the Royal Library.

He spent those days reading endlessly, spent hours flipping through parchment and leather-bound books, drowning himself in information he never thought he would need.

In that time, he had learned things he couldn’t ignore.

About demons. About himself.

An incubus.

He thought he was just a low-ranked demon that fed on lust, as the stories in his old world had mocked. But a creature born with dangerous potential... powerful charm, manipulation of life energy, and the ability to wield magic freely.

His understanding of incubus abilities had increased and the system notified him of that. He had stared at the glowing text above the book, unimpressed.

"Tch. That’s useful... but not interested."

Even if he had power, Rin never cared for it. He never liked drawing attention to himself. He only wanted knowledge, survival, and freedom. That was all. And maybe, to go back to his world.

Still, the books painted clear pictures of the dangers around him: higher demons, cursed bloodlines, and forbidden contracts between humans and demons. Things humans feared about demons, things the kingdom buried away.

So he kept reading.

But on the second day, everything changed.

.

When Rin returned to the harem that evening, he noticed it instantly. The air around him had shifted. Concubines who used to mock him now whispered nervously when he passed. Some even lowered their heads. No one threw apples at him or splashed water over his body.

It was obviously Caspian’s doing. His attitude towards Rin in front of everyone changed how they acted towards him, including his words earlier...

"You’re allowed to kill anyone who wrongs you" spread like wildfire. No one dared to test Rin too openly anymore.

When he pushed open the door to his room, he stopped in surprise.

A girl was there, sweeping. She looked young, her uniform too big for her small frame. Long brown hair tied clumsily behind her head, eyes a soft hazel.

"Aren’t you the same maid from yesterday...?" Rin muttered.

She looked up quickly, bowing.

"Forgive me, my lord for entering your room without permission. I was just cleaning."

Rin shrugged.

"No need to apologise. Thank you for helping out."

The girl blinked at him, clearly surprised. Most concubines wouldn’t thank a maid.

Her lips curved slightly.

"Um... my lord, you can talk to me informally... I’m only a maid, after all."

Rin studied her, tilting his head. She looked barely fifteen and also too young to be trapped here in the palace.

"Why are you working in the palace?" he asked bluntly.

Her hands tightened around the broom.

"It’s the only job that could accept someone like me. I’m saving for my mother’s treatment. She’s... very sick. Medicine is expensive, and I don’t have another way to earn."

Rin rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "If I paid for her treatment in full, would you leave this place immediately?"

The question shocked her. Her hazel eyes widened, and she fidgeted, fingers twisting into her skirt.

"...I... can’t. I was given a contract. I have a time limit."

Rin’s crimson eyes narrowed. "How long?"

"...Five years." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "I’ve only worked here for two months."

Rin’s expression hardened.

’Five years of forced labour? What a joke.’

He was sure she hadn’t manifested as an omega or beta yet, but it would become even more difficult when she did.

But he didn’t say it out loud. Instead, he exhaled slowly and waved his hand.

"You can go now."

The girl shook her head. "Forgive me, my lord, but... I can’t leave yet. I haven’t introduced myself properly."

She bowed deeply. "My name is Maris. I’ve been assigned as your personal maid."

Rin raised a brow. "...Assigned? By who?"

"...The Head Concubine."

A grin tugged at Rin’s lips. "Of course. Who else would it be?"

He knew exactly what the Head Concubine was trying to do. Giving him a novice maid who wouldn’t be able to serve properly made his life more difficult.

But Rin wasn’t the type to care. He’s not as lazy as the other concubines. He could do everything he wanted for himself.

’That bitch can scheme all she wants. I’ll be out of here soon,’

"Fine. If you’re my maid, get me paper and ink," he said.

Maris obeyed immediately, hurrying out and returning minutes later with the items. Rin sat at the desk and began writing. His handwriting was sharp, and Maris stood close by, looking at the words as if it was foreign.

When he finished, he folded the paper neatly and handed it to her. "Deliver this to the Red brothel. If you can’t go yourself, give it to the messenger."

Maris’s eyes widened. "The brothel...?"

"Yes, the brothel. Maris... If you can’t do it..." Rin said calmly.

Her lips pressed into a firm line, and she nodded with determination. "I’ll do it." She left quickly.

By the time she returned, Rin had changed into more comfortable clothes. She brought in dinner, setting it carefully on the table. The plates looked fancy, but Rin’s sharp gaze caught the small details. The portions were cheap.

Maris bit her lip.

"Forgive me. When I went to the kitchen, they served me this for you. It isn’t what the other concubines get... they eat much better meals."

Rin leaned back in his chair, smirking faintly. "Let me guess. The Head Concubine again."

Maris lowered her eyes. "...Yes."

"Don’t worry about it." Rin gestured to the chair opposite him. "Sit. Eat with me."

She shook her head frantically. "I can’t, my lord. It would be improper..."

"I’m telling you to." His tone was flat, leaving no room for argument.

Maris hesitated, then finally sat. They ate together quietly. Rin didn’t care about her appearance; he just didn’t like eating alone. At the brothel, he ate with Kiro and the others.

When the meal ended, he lay down and closed his eyes. Another day survived.

.

The next morning, Rin followed his same routine. Wake up. Eat. Go to the library to read more books.

However, the librarian went too far this time.

The middle-aged man hovered too close to Rin, his breath stinking of wine. His hand brushed Rin’s shoulder, sliding lower.

"You seem to be enjoying this book a lot. It’s an interesting one, right?" He spoke without taking his hand off his body.

Rin froze. His crimson eyes narrowed.

The librarian smirked nervously. "Ah, forgive me, my lord. I only meant to..."

Rin grabbed his wrist in one swift motion, twisting it behind his back. The man yelped in pain as Rin slammed his head into the desk.

BANG!

"How dare you?" Rin said coldly, his voice low, "Did you lay your filthy hands on me?"

The librarian stammered. "I... I only... I didn’t mean to!"

Rin’s eyes narrowed further. He thought it was the Head Concubine’s order, but he wanted proof. So he whispered softly:

"Memory Echo. Keyword: Head Concubine."

DING!

[Skill Activated: Memory Echo.]

Images rushed into Rin’s mind. The librarian, late at night. A cloaked figure is entering the library. The veil lifted.... Head Concubine.

They spoke in hushed voices, plotting an accusation and trying to set Rin up. The librarian nodded eagerly, rubbing his palms together.

The memory dissolved. Rin released him, letting him collapse against the desk, clutching his head.

Rin smirked faintly.

’So it really is her. Fine. I’ll purposely fall into her trap since there’s no way out anyway.’

He returned to his books, unbothered.

.

.

The day it all happened finally came. While Rin was calmly reading a normal book... deliberately avoiding demon texts this time... knights barged into the library.

Steel clanked. "By order of His Majesty the King! You are under arrest!"

They surrounded Rin instantly.

He didn’t resist. He just closed his book calmly and stood up.

So, it begins.

Still veiled, he was escorted through the palace corridors, the whispers of servants following behind him.

And then... the throne room.

It was massive, banners of red and gold hanging from towering pillars. A heavy silence pressed against his ears.

At the far end, on a throne of black stone, sat the King. Stern, cold, his gaze piercing.

But Rin’s eyes widened slightly when he saw the figure standing beside him.

"...Evan Vortellion." He whispered his name.

Rin noticed the expression on his face as Evan recognised him immediately. Rin could tell what was going on in his head. He’s probably thinking something like... ’Why in the world is the so-called golden goose here in the palace? Why is he dressed finely, standing proudly as if he belonged? Is the prince’s concubine?’ He thought there was no way the golden goose would just reject the Duke’s offer to become a noble, only for him to choose to become a concubine.

Rin forced his face back to blank calm, ignoring Evan’s presence.

He stepped forward and bowed slightly. "Your Majesty."

The king didn’t respond. His voice boomed across the hall.

"New concubine or not, crime will not be pardoned."

Rin’s crimson eyes narrowed behind his veil. His voice was calm.

"...Then tell me. What crime am I being punished for?"

The throne room stirred with whispers.

The king’s brows lifted. He had expected fear and excuses. Instead, he found cold defiance. His interest sharpened as he leaned forward.

"You are accused of selling forbidden texts to outsiders. A crime punishable by death."

Rin’s expression didn’t change.

"I see. And do you have proof?"

The king smirked faintly. "Do you?"

"I have none," Rin said bluntly. "But if I sold texts, then show me your evidence."

"How dare you speak to the..." The guards tried to unsheath their swords at Rin, but the king stretched his hand, stopping them.

The king’s hand lifted, signalling the guards. "Bring them in."

The heavy doors opened. Footsteps echoed.

The witnesses entered: The head concubine, the cunning librarian, a strange man Rin had never seen before and Maris. His new maid.

Rin’s crimson eyes gleamed faintly as he smirked under the veil.

"Oh," he whispered to himself, amused. "This is going to be fun."