CHAPTER 153: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CASPIAN!

The morning of the Crown Prince’s birthday ball arrived like a storm.

The brothel was in chaos. Omegas darted around with ribbons, hairpins, and perfumes, shouting over one another as if Rin himself were royalty. Lirien stood in the centre, sharp-eyed as she ordered everyone around.

"Not too much powder... he doesn’t need to look like a ghost!" she snapped at one of the younger ones dusting Rin’s face.

Rin sat there in silence, propped on the chair like a doll. His lips twitched into a faint smirk.

"You know, if you keep treating me like I’m fragile porcelain, I might just crack for real."

"Shut it, Rin," Lirien muttered, fussing with his collar. "This isn’t the time for your nonsense. You’re walking into a ballroom filled with nobles who bite harder than demons. If you make even one mistake, they’ll rip you apart with gossip."

Rin rolled his crimson eyes. "Tch. I’ll survive. I’ve been through worse."

The outfit Madame Boutique had sewn fit him perfectly. Midnight blue, trimmed with silver along the cuffs and neckline, the fabric hugged his slim waist before cascading down with elegant folds. It wasn’t the white Caspian had requested, but Rin wore it with the calm confidence of someone who couldn’t care less.

A cheer broke from the Omegas in the room.

"He looks so dazzling!"

"Like he belongs in a palace!"

"Like a bride," one whispered.

Rin flicked his gaze at the speaker. "Say that again and I’ll trip you down the stairs."

Giggles scattered, though no one doubted he meant it.

Just then, Kiro burst into the room, panting. He waved a rolled parchment in the air.

"Rin! The Prince sent a carriage!"

Rin groaned. "Already?"

Lirien stepped aside as Rin stood, reaching for the walking stick Madame had given him. It looked simple... smooth black wood, a curved handle polished to a gleam. Rin had treated it as an accessory until he felt the slight looseness in the handle. Curious, he twisted it.

The top slid free with a soft shhhk, revealing a narrow silver dagger hidden inside.

Rin stared, lips parting. "The hell..."

Kiro’s eyes sparkled.

"Woahhh, Madame gave you a weapon? That’s so cool!"

Rin slid it back in quickly, expression unreadable. Inside, though, his chest warmed. She had thought of his safety.

"...She worries too much," he muttered under his breath.

Lirien adjusted the hem of his coat once more, stepping back to inspect him like a hawk. Her voice softened for just a moment.

"Be careful, Rin."

Rin’s smirk returned. "Relax, Aunt. You’ve said that like a million times already. I’ll be fine. It’s just a party with humans."

"I’m not concerned about that. But whatever you do, don’t reveal your demonic powers unless you wish to become the second duke,"

Rin sighed. He wanted to slip his fingers through his hair but Lirien beat his hand.

"Don’t scatter your hair. Just nod your head and promise you’ll be good,"

"Yeah yeah... I cross my heart and hope to die. I won’t do anything reckless,"

But when he stepped into the waiting carriage, his fingers gripped the cane a little tighter. He looked outside the glass and saw everyone waving at him like he had been sent off like a bride. He just smiled and waved back.

He groaned and stared at his reflection in the small mirror in the corner of the carriage. He had looked at his reflection before he left. He touched his painted lips that seemed red, not pink anymore.

"Isn’t this too much? If I wipe it off, will Aunt figure it out? Ugh!"

.

The palace gates glittered under the evening lantern light. Guests in gowns and suits spilt from jewelled carriages, their laughter floating into the night air. Each guest was stopped and searched by guards. Swords, daggers, and even hairpins sharpened to a point were confiscated.

But not Rin.

The guards bowed and waved his carriage straight through.

Of course. The Crown Prince’s chosen concubine needed no inspection.

Inside the palace, marble gleamed under chandeliers. Servants led him to a side chamber where tea and pastries were waiting.

"The prince would be with you soon," they said to him. He just smiled at them and they blushed red as they turned.

"Did you see him smile at me?"

"What? He smiled at me!"

"Be quiet! It’s me,"

They argued as they closed the door.

He remembered when his smile could cause a problem at the academy.

He had hoped that those students who wanted to slit their throats just to get treated by him wouldn’t later slit their throats.

"It’s not the time to think about that, Myung!" He said to himself as he sat cross-legged on the couch, sipping casually, though his crimson eyes scanned every corner.

A voice broke the silence.

"Oh my... Rin."

He looked up.

Caspian stood in the doorway, dressed in white silk embroidered with gold threads. His blonde hair was tied neatly, his brown eyes like honey. He looked every inch the perfect prince.

For a second, Rin almost forgot to blink. Almost.

"You’re here," Caspian said warmly, stepping closer. His gaze lingered on Rin’s outfit, and a small shadow crossed his face. "...You didn’t wear white."

Rin tilted his head. "I already had this made. Your letter came late. Don’t tell me you expect me to change just for you."

Caspian’s lips tightened, but he forced a smile.

"It’s fine. You still look..." his voice faltered, "...beautiful."

Rin smirked into his teacup. "Thanks."

But as Caspian drew closer, his expression suddenly changed. His body froze, his breath hitched. One hand shot to his chest as if pierced by an invisible blade.

"...You..." Caspian whispered, eyes widening. The faintest tremble entered his voice as he sat opposite Rin. "Lucien... did he mark you?"

Rin blinked. Then, casually, he nodded.

"Yeah, he did,"

The porcelain cup in Caspian’s hand cracked in his grip. His smile didn’t reach his eyes.

"...I see."

Rin raised a brow. "Are you okay?"

Caspian inhaled sharply, forcing himself to relax. "I’m fine. I’m just surprised." He waved it off. "Shall we? The guests are still arriving. We’ll join when the time is right. You want to take a walk with me?"

Rin leaned back on the couch, opening a book he got from the shelf.

"You go. I’ll wait. I don’t care about these balls anyway."

Caspian’s knuckles turned white on his lap. His mind screamed with fury, but his voice remained calm.

"...Then I’ll wait with you. We’ll head to the party together,"

.

.

Meanwhile, the ballroom was alive with light and sound. Crystal chandeliers hung from the vaulted ceiling, scattering rainbows over velvet gowns and jewelled fans. Nobles sipped wine, laughter weaving with whispers.

"I heard the Crown Prince is bringing his new concubine tonight."

"They say he’s a rare Omega, more beautiful than the rest."

"I heard he even tamed the Crown Prince."

The harem of Caspian’s other concubines clustered together, gossiping with sharp smiles, their eyes glinting with jealousy.

"That thing that sent the head concubine is still alive, huh?"

"Shh! We can’t do anything about him or his highness would send us to the dungeon,"

Suddenly, the announcer’s voice rang loud.

"Presenting, Lord Evan Vortellion and his son, Lucien Vortellion."

The ballroom rippled with excitement as everyone turned their heads to the door.

Evan strode in with his usual commanding air, nodding politely before slipping into the crowd. Lucien followed, and gasps spread like wildfire.

His tall frame, his sculpted build, the sharpness of his jaw... it wasn’t just his looks. It was the aura he carried, cold and dangerous, like a wolf among sheep. Omegas flocked instantly, fluttering fans, giggling. Alphas straightened their coats, eager to be acknowledged.

Lucien’s grey eyes flickered with boredom. He remembered what Lirien said about him attracting too many Omegas. He didn’t want that rumour to continue. He excused himself smoothly, plucking a glass of wine from a tray. His smirk curled faintly.

He could already imagine Caspian’s face the moment he noticed that Rin had been marked by him.

’Rin is mine,’ he thought darkly, taking a slow sip. ’And I’ll enjoy watching him struggle with that fact in front of everyone.’

As if on cue, the announcer’s voice rose again.

"Presenting, His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Caspian Von Veyne, and his chosen partner."

The giant doors creaked open.

Caspian stepped in first, radiant in gold and white. And beside him...

Rin.

The crowd hushed as if struck silent. Gasps broke out. Whispers rippled like wildfire. All eyes were fixed not on the prince, but on Rin. His silver hair shimmered under the chandelier light, his crimson eyes calm, his midnight-blue attire bold among a sea of white.

Caspian placed Rin’s hand on his arm, leading him forward. But halfway across the carpet, Caspian’s hand slid lower... curling firmly around Rin’s waist.

Rin glanced at him, unimpressed.

"What are you...?"

Caspian’s smile was calm, but his grip was iron.

Across the room, Lucien’s eyes narrowed. His smirk returned, sharper.

’So that’s how you want to play it, Caspian?’

The air grew taut, like a string pulled too tight.

Everyone whispered, dazzled, confused, and excited.

Lucien saw the smirk on Caspian’s face.

"Ah! This party will surely end in a disaster," he whispered to himself.

But none of them knew the kind of disaster that it would end up in.

Because in a few hours, the whole ballroom would be filled with demons.

And by the time the chandeliers burned half their candles, the ballroom would drown in blood.