CHAPTER 151: LUCIEN’S PLAN!

The room went dead silent.

Rin’s eyes widened, and his lips parted in disbelief. "What...? Aunt, what are you talking about? Why aren’t you in support?"

He leaned forward on the couch, shoulders tense, waiting for her answer.

Lirien didn’t look at him. She continued slicing the apple with slow, clean strokes, the blade scraping against the fruit with every cut. When the plate was filled with neat slices, she pushed it gently toward Lucien.

Lucien glanced down at it, then back at her. His usual confident smirk faltered. He didn’t know if he should touch the fruit after hearing what she just said.

He leaned back, crossing his arms.

"Why?" His voice was calm, but his tone carried weight.

Still, no reply came from her.

Lucien’s jaw flexed. He repeated himself, more firmly this time.

"Why are you against it?"

Finally, Lirien’s eyes lifted from the apple, sharp and steady.

"Because I know you very well, Lucien. I know exactly how many ladies... and even men... crowd around you. They all want to marry you. You don’t need to deny it."

Lucien cut her off immediately.

"I don’t have anything to do with them. I never have. I never even dance with them during balls,"

"I know." Her voice snapped like a whip, silencing him. "But that isn’t the problem."

Rin blinked, shifting his weight on the couch. His chest tightened as he looked between the two of them.

"...Then what is it?"

Lirien’s gaze sharpened. She turned her knife in her hand, the blade glinting faintly under the mana lamp.

"You are a noble. And Rin..." her tone softened for just a second, "...is a commoner. That’s the face he shows to the world, because he refuses to expose his identity as the Second Duke. If you marry him now, they will never accept him. They will try to harm him just to get rid of him and claim you for themselves."

Rin froze. He hated the way her words rang true.

Lucien, however, smirked. "So that’s it?"

But before he could say more, Lirien’s voice sliced through again.

"And another thing. I won’t allow Rin to marry you until you become the Duke and abolish that disgusting Omega hunting game your family plays."

The smirk stayed on Lucien’s lips, but his eyes darkened. He leaned back casually, almost too casually.

"So that’s your condition. I understand. I already decided long ago... I’ll marry Rin only when I become the Duke. As for your demand... I’ll try to do what you want."

Lirien’s mouth twitched. She smiled faintly, though it didn’t reach her eyes. Then she turned her knife and pointed it... not at Lucien... but at Rin.

"And you..."

Rin blinked, pointing to himself.

"...Me?"

"Yes, you too. You have a part to play." Her tone was low, commanding.

Rin raised a brow, unimpressed.

"And what exactly am I supposed to do?"

"Register yourself fully as an Omega," Lirien replied flatly. "And prepare yourself as Lucien’s partner."

Lucien’s hand brushed Rin’s knee as he leaned forward. "That means preparing for a noble life, Rin. So they can’t look down on you."

"Exactly!" Lirien said without missing a beat.

Rin groaned, rolling his eyes.

"Seriously? You two sound like I’m about to take an exam."

"While everyone else is preparing for war, you will prepare for this life. I’ll find a teacher for you."

Rin crossed his arms.

"I have to prepare for war too."

Lucien’s head snapped toward him immediately. "No." His voice was sharp, final. "This isn’t your war. Stay out of it."

Rin flinched, his lips parting, but no words came out. He wanted to say that the war was also because of him, because he was a demon. But his chest tightened, his throat locked up. His eyes shifted to Lirien.

She shook her head once, firmly, telling him that it wasn’t the time to tell him. Not yet.

Rin’s fists clenched on his lap. He let out a sharp sigh and muttered.

"...Fine. I’ll focus on training. To be the perfect little noble."

Lirien clapped her hands lightly, a rare smile curving her lips as she stood.

"Good. Then it’s settled."

Her smile, however, dropped when she turned back to Lucien. Her eyes gleamed cold as ice.

"One more rule. Until you’re married... There will be no intercourse between you."

Rin nearly choked on his own spit. "Aunt!"

Lucien’s brows arched, and he opened his mouth, but Lirien’s knife lifted in warning.

"You may meet. You may talk. But at least three steps apart. If I catch you closer than that, I’ll cancel the marriage myself."

The threat hung heavy in the room.

Both Rin and Lucien froze. For once, Lucien looked caught off guard. Rin rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.

"...Alright."

"Three steps. Starting now," Lirien added, her voice firm.

Lucien immediately shifted away from Rin on the couch. Rin followed, shuffling back, cheeks heating.

"Perfect," Lirien said coolly, sheathing the small knife in the fruit.

Rin swallowed hard, raising his hand.

"...But wait. What about my heat?"

"You can use his clothes and his Pheromones" Lirien replied without hesitation. She turned, sweeping her cloak behind her as she walked toward the door.

The latch clicked as she opened it. She stepped out... then suddenly popped her head back in, her sharp eyes narrowing.

"Remember. I have eyes on you at all times."

She shut the door firmly.

Silence fell. Then Lucien leaned back against the couch, chuckling under his breath.

"I didn’t expect your aunt to be this protective of you."

Rin’s cheeks flushed deep red. He shot him a glare.

"It’s not my fault! Don’t laugh!"

Lucien smirked, tilting his head.

"It suits you. She’s the perfect person to take care of you,"

Rin stretched his hand toward him, ready to smack his arm, then paused as something came to mind. His face shifted into a sly smile.

"Oh. By the way... I’ll be attending the Crown Prince’s birthday ball as his partner."

Lucien didn’t even blink. "Okay."

"Okay?" Rin frowned. "That’s it? You’re not concerned? Not even a little?"

Lucien leaned back, his smirk deepening.

"Why would I be concerned? You belong to me. I marked you. That’s all that matters."

The words hit Rin’s chest harder than he wanted to admit. His lips twitched, and before he could stop himself, he zipped across the short distance with his speed and pressed a quick kiss to Lucien’s cheek.

Lucien blinked, surprised.

Rin stepped back with a grin, waving as he walked toward the door.

"Goodbye!"

Lucien’s smirk returned slowly, his fingers brushing the spot Rin had kissed. He shook his head, chuckling, before slipping out through the other door.

.

.

Meanwhile, at the Vortellion’s Estate

The air in Evan’s office was cold enough to frost the edges of the glass windows. He sat at his desk, long fingers tapping against the wood, a letter crumpled tightly in his fist.

Lioran, his butler, stood across from him, hands folded neatly behind his back. His expression was careful, as always.

"You say you don’t know where the Head Enforcer is?" Evan’s voice was low, dangerous.

Lioran shook his head. "It’s been two days since he disappeared. Should I continue searching?"

Evan leaned back in his chair, lips curling into a sneer.

"No. Call the guards back. If he didn’t run away with my Omegas or steal from me, then I don’t care."

Lioran hesitated. "...What if he’s dead, my lord?"

Evan smirked cruelly. "I still don’t care."

His gaze dropped back to the letter in his hand. His eyes narrowed as he reread it, every line burning into his mind.

"Lucien’s been visiting the brothel too often. More than regularly. Visiting Rin."

The paper tore under his fingers as his hand clenched tight. His teeth grit.

"If this continues, I won’t have time to claim Rin for myself."

"Should I arrange for some men to kidnap him?" Lioran asked carefully.

Evan laughed bitterly, shaking his head.

"I wish it were that easy. That boy isn’t the same as before. He has a contract with a demon now. Touching him won’t be simple."

"Then perhaps you should give up," Lioran said smoothly.

The air in the room dropped several degrees. Evan’s eyes flashed, and ice spread across the desk in jagged cracks. His fingers twitched, and for a moment, it seemed like he might skewer his butler on the spot.

But Lioran quickly added, bowing his head low. "Forgive me, my lord. I meant... pretend to give up."

"Pretend to give up?" Evan narrowed his eyes. "...Explain."

Lioran straightened slowly, lips curving.

"Take in a new Omega. Make it public. Let everyone believe you’ve moved on. Then, hand your title to your son for appearances. Then, once Lucien marries Rin... they’ll live under the same roof. That’s when you strike. That’s when you take him."

For a moment, silence. Then...

Evan’s head tipped back, and cold laughter filled the office, echoing off the walls. He leaned forward, ice retracting from the desk as his smirk widened.

"Not bad. Not bad at all. You might finally be useful."

He stood, tossing the torn letter into the fireplace. "When’s the next Game?"

"Three days after the Prince’s birthday ball," Lioran replied.

"Perfect. Find me a temporary replacement until Rin is mine," Evan ordered.

"Yes, my lord."

Lioran bowed low and slipped out of the room.

The door closed behind him. He leaned against it outside, exhaling sharply. His whisper was low, almost trembling.

"Young master Lucien... I’ve done what you wanted. I hope this plan doesn’t fail."