CHAPTER 152: WHITE ANGEL!

The palace was restless. Servants rushed back and forth through the polished marble halls, carrying fabrics, polishing silver, and arranging flowers. They were all busy with the preparations for the Crown Prince’s birthday ball that was getting near. They all knew mistakes weren’t allowed. They had a lot of things to do. What colour of curtains to choose? What candle design?

Caspian, however, looked less like a birthday boy and more like an overworked minister. His desk was buried under scrolls, sealed documents, and invitations. His blonde hair was tied loosely, a few strands falling over his eyes as he scribbled his signature for the hundredth time. His hand ached. His patience too.

Across the desk, Darien was groaning so loudly that Caspian wanted to throw the ink pot at him. It was as if he were purposely calling out to Caspian to catch his attention.

Darien dropped his quill and collapsed forward onto the parchment.

"Oh kill me now. I wasn’t born to be a clerk. I can feel my soul dying with every word I write."

Caspian, who was still busy with his own work didn’t even glance up.

"If your soul is dying, then let it die quietly. Your whining is slowing me down."

Darien peeked up, glaring.

"So unfair! You dragged me into this mess. I only came here to tell you about the next Duke’s Game, and suddenly I’m chained to this desk. I’m a noble! Not your assistant,"

"No one forced you, Darien," Caspian said calmly, flipping a page. "If you want to leave early, finish your share. Then go. I have a million problems and you’re not even one of them,"

Darien groaned louder, rolling off the chair dramatically before sitting up again.

"You’re cruel, cousin. Cruel, I tell you! And don’t think I’ve forgiven you for stealing my VIP card during the Golden Goose choosing. Do you know how long I saved favours just to get that card? You remember how much I invested in that card just to get picked! You bloody thief!"

Caspian finally sighed, setting down his quill. His cousin’s voice was like an insect buzzing in his ear.

*Darien—"

But Darien wasn’t done. His eyes lit up with mock fury. He jumped up, slamming his hands on Caspian’s desk.

"Talking about the card, I heard you were chosen by the Golden Goose that day. Did you two hit it off? I also heard you made the golden goose your favourite concubine. Tell me, Caspian... have you seen his face? Is he as beautiful as they say? How did you manage to get him to agree? What did the other concubine say? Hah? Have you..." his voice dropped, gleeful, ".. done it with him yet?"

Caspian pushed back his chair and stood. The stack of documents teetered. He grabbed his coat. His head was already aching more than it was aching two minutes ago. It was like someone was trying to split his head open with a hammer and that someone is Darien.

"Hey! Where are you going? You haven’t answered me yet," Darien asked as he watched Caspian turn his back to him.

"If you’re leaving, then let me come with you," Darien reached for his own coat, but Caspian stopped him with a firm hand on the arm.

"No! You’re not coming with me. You will stay here and finish your work."

"What? Not fair!" Darien whined, pointing a finger at him. "Why am I slaving away like the crown prince when I’m not the crown prince?"

"How about this, dear cousin..." Caspian smirked faintly. "Why don’t you finish your portion of the work, and I’ll introduce you to him,"

Darien froze. His mouth fell open.

"You...You’re serious? Can I get to meet him in person? The Golden fucking Goose?"

Caspian’s only answer was slipping his arms into the coat.

Darien spun back to the desk, sat down, and grabbed his quill like a soldier going to war.

"Don’t you dare take that back, Caspian! I’ll finish everything! All of it!"

Caspian left before his cousin could say more, closing the door with a sigh. Alone in the corridor, his expression hardened. His thoughts didn’t linger on paperwork or even his cousin. They went straight to Rin.

He had thought about sending a matching outfit for the ball, but he knew that there was no way Rin would accept. Rin wasn’t the type to wear something forced on him. He wouldn’t want to wear something that matches royalty. He hated to be the centre of attraction. And besides... Caspian had seen the way Rin looked at Lucien.

It burned him every time. It hurt to see that Rin never looked at him that way. Rin never smiled at him except when it was necessary or spoke softly to him. Their relationship is nothing more than a prince and his subject. But it was different with him and Lucien.

"I guess I shouldn’t think too much about it. I can’t wait to see what expression Lucien makes when he sees me walking into the ballroom with Rin on my arm," he muttered under his breath, his steps quickening as the corner of his lips kept twitching.

He almost forgot the weight on his shoulders until a soft voice called from behind.

"Brother..."

Caspian turned. A boy stood there, clutching the edge of his robe nervously. Caspian lowered his gaze when he saw it was the second prince. His younger stepbrother. His skin was pale, his posture frail, and his eyes darted nervously as if Caspian might strike him.

"Hello, brother," Caspian’s hand lifted in a casual wave. "What is it?"

The boy flinched at the motion. He rubbed his trembling hands together.

"I apologise... for disturbing your silent moment. But I... I was on my way to the library, but I wanted to ask you something first."

Caspian frowned. "What question?"

The boy’s eyes shifted. His voice lowered, almost embarrassed.

"Do you... know the white angel?"

Caspian blinked.

"The... what?"

"The white angel. I... I haven’t seen him in the library for over a week so I thought you might know him since I’ve seen you two together before," he then froze and covered his face. "I swear, I didn’t mean to watch you two,"

Caspian furrowed his brows. He doesn’t care about what his brother watched. He was still wondering what or who the white angel was.

The second prince noticed his confused expression and began to describe him softly.

"He has white hair, crimson eyes and he has a calm presence in the library. He’s very beautiful also,"

Recognition struck Caspian, and his lips curled into laughter.

"Ah. So you mean Rin."

His brother’s cheeks flushed red. He looked down at the floor, ashamed.

"Rin. So, that’s his name,"

Caspian walked closer, resting a hand lightly on his brother’s shoulder. The boy stiffened, expecting a blow, but Caspian only smiled.

"If you want to see him again, come to my birthday ball."

The boy’s eyes widened.

"But... Mother said I can’t—"

"Shhh!!! Why don’t you sneak in then," Caspian whispered with a wink. "Your mother won’t find out,"

His brother hesitated, then gave a small nod before scurrying off toward the library.

Caspian watched him go, shaking his head with a soft chuckle.

’Even my brother calls him an angel.’ He muttered to himself, "Not wrong."

He stood for some minutes, trying to remember where he was headed, then he finally realised he had left the office to escape Darien. Caspian let out another sigh.

"A walk, then, just to clear my head."

.

.

Meanwhile, Rin was standing in front of a mirror inside Madame Boutique.

The outfit she made for him fit perfectly, hugging his shoulders and waist, flowing elegantly down his frame. For the first time, he almost looked like a noble. The Omegas working at the boutique clapped and cheered, their eyes sparkling.

"You look dazzling as always, Rin!"

"Rin is like a princess,"

Rin shut his eyes, trying not to register that word in his head.

"Beautiful!" one of them gushed. "He looks so elegant!"

Rin smirked. He was starting to get used to the word ’Beautiful’. Maybe even enjoying it.

Madame handed him a polished walking stick. "This is a gift."

Rin twirled it lightly, smirking again.

"Thanks."

"No. Thank you," Madame replied, her smile warm. "Because of the Omegas you sent me, business has grown. Guests come every day now."

"You’re just lucky," Rin shrugged. "I have nothing to do with it,"

They chatted for a while before Rin left with his new outfit. Back at the brothel, a letter was waiting.

One of the Omegas told him a messenger from the palace had brought it.

Rin tore it open quickly.

Greetings, Rin. I hope you’re getting ready for my ball. Make sure to wear white.

Your lovely Caspian.

’Huh? That’s it. Just two lines. No seal. No information about demons,’

Rin flipped the letter over, frowning.

" Hah." He tossed it into the fireplace, watching the flames swallow it. "I already have my outfit. I’m not changing for him."

He collapsed onto his bed, staring at the ceiling.

The glowing numbers of the system hovered before his eyes.

DING!

[350 days, 8 hours, 37 minutes left until host returns to original world.]

Rin groaned. His chest tightened.

"Hmmm, I still have a lot of time but I’m sure it’ll pass by quickly," he whispered. He thought of his parents’ faces, blurred with time. The taste of ramen, nearly forgotten if not for the weekly draws.

His eyes drifted shut.

"I can’t wait for the story to end."