CHAPTER 154: MYUNG?

The chandeliers glittered above, their crystal beads swaying slightly as the music began. Strings and flutes blended into a soft, elegant melody. Nobles filled the floor, hands clasped, gowns twirling, voices carrying over in low hums. Of course, the ball was still going on. Everyone was having fun.

Rin, however, sat unmoved in his chair beside the Crown Prince. His chin rested on one palm, crimson eyes half-lidded as he watched the dancers. The murmurs, the silk brushing against polished marble, the constant fluttering of fans... it all blurred together into noise.

’I’ve seen royal balls in manhua and anime. They all looked fun and interesting but I never thought it would be this boring. What am I supposed to dance? TikTok dance? It’s not like it’s jazz or hip-hop songs. Fuck! I want to head home,’

Caspian noticed.

"You don’t seem to enjoy balls," the prince said lightly, swirling the wine in his glass before sipping.

Rin tilted his head lazily toward him.

"I don’t. This is my first one and unfortunately, it’s boring. Balls don’t turn out to be what I expected them to be,"

Caspian blinked, surprised. Then he chuckled. "Your first? No wonder you look bored. You’ll get used to them once you attend more. I’ll make sure to invite you again."

"No thanks." Rin didn’t even look at him, gaze drifting back to the crowd. "I’d rather sit in the brothel with the nasty little Omegas than spend another night here."

Caspian turned toward him fully, lips twitching into a grin. He leaned closer, his voice lower. Rin felt him getting close and flashed him a glare.

"Ah... finally. You looked at me."

Rin’s brows furrowed. He glanced at Caspian. "What are you talking about?"

"You’ve been giving me nothing but cold shoulders since we met earlier," Caspian said with a faint smile. "Short answers. No warmth in your voice. I’ve wondered... was I wrong to ask you to become my partner tonight?"

Rin fell quiet. He rubbed his chin, staring at the dancers again.

’Huh? Was that true? I never felt my response to him was rude. I wasn’t even trying to be cold. But now that Caspian said it,’ He realised... maybe he had been a bit rude.

His fingers brushed his neck... where Lucien’s mark rested. His mind spun.

’Was it because of this? Since I let him bite me, since I bound myself to one man... did I suddenly lose interest in talking to others? Does that mean this story is no longer a reverse harem,’

He snapped out of it quickly, lowering his hand. "...Sorry. I didn’t notice I was acting like that."

Caspian frowned when he caught Rin touching his neck. He was sure that behind that shirt, the mark Lucien had made in him was still there. He thought maybe... Rin has been thinking about Lucien all this time.

"Then make it up to me."

Rin raised a brow. "How?"

"Dance with me," Caspian said simply.

Rin’s eyes widened. He scoffed. "I told you already... I can’t dance."

"That doesn’t matter." Caspian stood, reaching for Rin’s hand. "I’ll lead you,"

Rin shook his head, waving his hand dismissively.

"It’s your ball. You can dance with others. Don’t drag me into this..."

But the prince ignored him. He clasped Rin’s waving hand firmly and pulled him to his feet. Rin stumbled forward, nearly bumping into him.

"Caspian—!"

Too late. Caspian tugged him onto the floor. The music didn’t stop, but the dancers did. All around, nobles froze mid-step, turning to stare. Fans hid mouths, whispers hissed like snakes.

"That’s him."

"The concubine."

"They’re really dancing? Finally!"

Rin scowled. "Great. Now they’re staring at us."

Caspian’s smile was sharp. "Let them stare. I don’t care anyway,"

"But I do..."

He slid his arm around Rin’s waist, pulling him close. Rin flinched at the boldness, his free hand automatically pressed to Caspian’s shoulder. Caspian clasped Rin’s other hand tightly.

"Follow my lead," the prince murmured.

"I said I don’t..." Rin tried again, but Caspian had already stepped forward, guiding him into the rhythm. Rin stumbled, stepping on his foot.

Caspian didn’t even flinch. He just pulled Rin along.

The whispers grew louder.

"His partner can’t dance?"

"He’s stepping all over the prince!"

"Still... they look good together. Right?"

"Caspian... You’re hurting me. Stop gripping me so tight,"

"Try to follow my steps," Caspian replied.

"No, that’s not the problem... Ugh!"

Rin’s frown deepened. His body was stiff; his movements were awkward. Every second, he considered unleashing a burst of strength to shove the prince away. No one would blame an "ordinary omega" for resisting force.

But before he could act, another hand seized Caspian’s arm and yanked him back.

The music cut off.

Lucien.

He stood between them as his grip on Caspian’s wrist tightened.

Caspian’s expression twisted.

"What do you think you’re doing? Interrupting my dance with my partner? Are you jealous?"

Lucien smirked, his gaze cool.

"Jealous? Why should I be jealous... when he already belongs to me?"

Gasps rippled through the crowd. Caspian’s face darkened, but before he could retort, Lucien’s voice cut in smoothly.

"And besides... you’ll want to stop now. The king and queen have arrived to greet you."

Caspian spun toward the doors. His breath caught. His father and stepmother stood there, walking toward where he and Rin had been. He hadn’t even noticed their entrance because he was dancing with Rin.

His jaw tightened. With one last glare at Lucien, he straightened and strode to greet them.

Left behind, Rin exhaled sharply. He rubbed his wrist.

"Thanks for stopping him. I thought I’d die of boredom."

Lucien smirked down at him.

"If you’re that thankful... kiss me."

Rin’s face warmed. He turned quickly as if he were looking around.

"Are you insane? My Aunt has eyes everywhere. If she finds out, she’ll cancel the marriage in a heartbeat."

Lucien groaned in frustration.

"Oh my! She’s worse than the palace guards."

"She’s protecting me. Unlike you," Rin muttered, though his lips curved faintly. Then he added, more seriously, "Be careful. The prince knows you marked me. He’s already annoyed and he’s probably going to think of hurting you."

Lucien’s hand landed gently on Rin’s shoulder.

"Let him be annoyed. No matter how much he tries, he won’t be able to take you from me."

"Still. Be careful," Rin said again.

Lucien’s smirk softened.

"I’ll keep that in mind. Now... go stand with him. It’s customary to greet the king at his side."

Rin rolled his eyes but obeyed.

.

The king’s imposing figure loomed over them. When Caspian bowed, the king barely acknowledged him. His sharp gaze fell instead on Rin.

"And who is this?" the king asked, voice echoing.

Caspian smiled proudly. "Father, this is my favourite concubine. You’ve met him before,"

Rin didn’t like the sound of that. Capsian should have just introduced him as his partner, not a concubine.

The king’s brows furrowed.

"Is that so? I recall you saying he had a scar that ruined his face."

Caspian chuckled. "He must have healed it."

Rin’s eyes narrowed at him, irritation flashing. But the king’s voice pulled him back.

"Well. If his scar is gone and he is this dazzling... then he may as well become queen."

The crowd erupted in whispers.

"Queen?"

"A commoner?"

"Impossible!"

Rin’s stomach sank. He clenched his jaw. Not this again.

Caspian grinned at him, triumphant.

"You hear that, Rin? Accept it. Become my queen and rule by my side once I become king."

Rin forced a calm breath. In front of royalty, he couldn’t lash out. But he wasn’t going to play along either. He stepped forward, bowing slightly.

"Your Majesty, today is the Crown Prince’s birthday. This day should be about him, not me. And also, I am not suited to be Queen."

The king raised a brow.

"Nonsense—"

"I already have a partner," Rin interrupted firmly.

Silence crashed over the ballroom.

Caspian’s head whipped toward him, eyes wide. "What...? How could you..."

But before anything else could be said, a strange smell drifted through the air. Sweet, cloying, unnatural.

One by one, nobles began swaying.

"What is that scent...?"

"My head feels—"

And then, they collapsed.

The queen. The king. Caspian.

Lucien tried to run to Rin, but his body faltered. He gasped, eyes locking onto Rin one last time before he too dropped.

Only Rin remained standing.

He coughed, waving a hand in front of his face. "What the hell...? This fog..."

The thick air curled like smoke, swirling into a shape behind him. A shadow stretched and twisted until a human outline stood, whispering against his ear.

"I’ve missed you so much... Myung."

Rin froze as his eyes widened.

His breath caught when he heard that name.

Myung.

A name from his original life. From another world.

"...Who?" he whispered.

The smoke figure leaned closer, its voice low and trembling with emotion.

"You don’t remember me? That’s too sad. Let me remind you who I am... Myung,"