CHAPTER 156: THE ATTACK AT THE PALACE! 2

The screams in the ballroom were endless, echoing in Rin’s skull. He didn’t dare look back as his arms tightened around Lucien’s limp body, and he rushed through the corridors. His eyes flicked at every corner, searching for a safe place.

"Stay with me, idiot," Rin muttered through gritted teeth, sweat trickling down his temple. "Don’t you dare die on me now."

He found a side room... a private chamber, empty and a bit dark. He kicked the door open, slipped inside, and laid Lucien on the bed. His chest rose and fell shallowly, face pale, sweat beading on his forehead.

"Lucien," Rin whispered, shaking his shoulder. There was no response. He shook harder but still nothing.

"Shit." Rin cursed and ripped Lucien’s clothes open. His fingers froze.

Right there, in the centre of Lucien’s chest, was the orb. Black and red veins crawled across his skin from it, pulsing faintly. It was as if the orb was connected to his heart.

Rin reached out, his hands trembling. When his fingertips brushed the edges, Lucien groaned, his whole body jerking violently.

"No... no, I can’t pull it out," Rin muttered, yanking his hand back. "If I try, you’ll die."

Frustration tore through him. He grabbed his own hair, yanking it. "Damn it! Damn it! Damnit! That fucking Asmodeus!" He angrily kicked the bed as he let go of his hair.

Asmodeus’s voice echoed in his head.

’If you betray me, the orb will burst. His heart will shatter.’

Rin’s stomach churned.

"How the hell does he know my name, bastard... How does he know I’m Myung..." He hissed through his teeth. His thoughts tangled... rage, fear, and confusion mixing until he felt sick.

The screams outside grew louder, closer, followed by the demons’ growling. He had warned them to run but they refused. Rin shut his eyes, fists trembling. He couldn’t go out there to help them. If he revealed himself, if he shifted, everything he’d been hiding would be over. He can’t expose his identity like that.

"...I’m sorry," he whispered to the voices beyond the door. "I can’t save you all."

As if they heard, the door creaked open as his eyes snapped up, his muscles tensing. He wanted to reach for his gun or anything in his inventory to kill whoever it was. Maybe, an enemy. Maybe a demon.

But it wasn’t a demon. It was Evan Vortellion.

For a second, Rin froze.

"...You? Duke?"

Evan’s cold grey eyes didn’t even look at him. They locked on Lucien, who was on the bed. He strode forward, ignoring Rin entirely, and crouched beside the bed.

"What happened to him?" Evan’s voice was flat.

"I have no idea..." Rin responded and Evan replied with a hmm.

Rin’s lips parted. "...You’re not... going to question me?"

No response came from Evan. Evan’s fingers brushed the orb on Lucien’s chest, his brows knitting.

"What is this?" he muttered.

Rin snapped out of his shock as he tried to reach for Evan’s hand.

"Don’t touch it!" He grabbed Evan’s wrist, glaring. "If you try to pull it out, he’ll die."

Evan’s head turned slowly, his cold eyes finally landing on Rin. A smirk tugged at his lips.

"Funny. A moment ago, you said you didn’t know what happened to him. Yet now, you claim removing it will kill him. Tell me, Rin... how do you know?"

"I can’t tell you anything," Rin swallowed, his throat dry. "...Just trust me."

"Trust you?" Evan chuckled, a sound more dangerous than laughter. He leaned closer, his voice dropping. "Why should I trust you with my son’s life?"

Rin held his gaze, refusing to flinch.

"Because I’m the only one here who gives a damn about him right now. He might be your heir but he’s the man I love,"

Silence stretched between them.

Finally, Evan exhaled through his nose, pulling his hand back.

"...Fine. Then you’ll take care of him." He stood, towering over Rin. "If anything happens to Lucien... I’ll punish you myself."

Rin almost laughed. Instead, he smirked faintly. "Noted."

Without another word, Evan turned and strode out, closing the door behind him.

Rin blinked, staring after him.

"Wow! So... he ignored me. But... he also left Lucien with me."

His lips curled upward slightly.

"I guess that’s... progress."

He sank onto the edge of the bed, staring at Lucien’s pale face.

"Don’t make me regret saving you, Lucien. Come on, open your eyes,"

.

.

Hours felt like days until Lucien finally stirred. Rin was leaning against the bedpost, half-asleep, when he felt the mattress shift. Lucien opened his eyes and looked around the room.

"Rin..." Lucien’s voice was hoarse.

Rin jerked upright.

"Lucien?" His hand flew to his shoulder. "You’re awake. Oh! Fuck!"

Lucien groaned, trying to sit up. Rin pushed him back.

"Don’t move yet. You nearly scared me to death."

Lucien’s eyes fluttered open, focusing on Rin. "What... happened?"

Rin hesitated.

"Later. Just rest for now."

"Wait... What about the ball? The fog..." He groaned but Rin didn’t answer him. He was relieved that he was fine.

The door creaked again. Rin’s eyes narrowed immediately, bracing himself... until he saw a small boy step inside. His hair was pale blond, his eyes a watery blue, wide with fear. He trembled as he closed the door behind him.

Lucien’s gaze sharpened.

"...Second Prince."

Rin blinked. "...Who?"

Lucien’s lips pressed into a thin line.

"That’s him. The king’s second son."

Rin furrowed his brows as he stared at the boy who couldn’t even speak.

"Who are you looking for?"

The boy stumbled forward, his hands shaking. His voice cracked.

"M-Mother... I... I saw..." He broke down, sobbing. "I saw them rip her apart."

Rin’s chest tightened as his eyes widened. He quickly moved, kneeling in front of the boy.

"Hey. Look at me."

The boy’s teary eyes lifted, meeting Rin’s crimson gaze.

"You’re safe now," Rin said gently, forcing a smile. "No one’s going to hurt you like they hurt your mother."

The boy sniffled, whispering,

"...Angel."

"Ehn?" Rin froze. His brows furrowed. "What did you just call me?"

"...Angel," the boy repeated weakly, clutching his sleeve. "Thank you, Angel,"

Rin blinked. Of all the names he’d been called... princess, queen, beautiful... that was new. He exhaled, a faint chuckle slipping past his lips. "...Angel, huh? That’s a first." He ruffled the boy’s hair lightly. "Alright. I’ll take it."

He hugged him and the boy cried into his shoulder. Rin just patted his back gently, smiling.

"There... There..."

.

.

By dawn, the screams had faded.

When Rin finally stepped outside with Lucien leaning on his shoulder and the second prince clutching his sleeve, the palace was unrecognisable. Corpses littered the marble floors. Blood soaked the carpets. Chandeliers hung broken, glass scattered everywhere.

"Don’t look," Rin whispered, covering the boy’s eyes with his hand as they walked.

Caspian appeared, his sword stained, his face grim. He walked beside the king, both men carrying the weight of what had just happened. His sharp eyes flicked to Rin.

"...How many?" Rin asked quietly.

Caspian shook his head.

"There were too many. But worse than that... the demons are advancing fast. Within two weeks, they’ll reach the capital walls."

Rin’s eyes darkened.

"Then start preparing for war. They are going to kill the people. They are just showing you a preview of what you’re to expect,"

Caspian nodded sharply.

"We will." He turned to help his father, but the second prince tugged on Rin’s clothes, tears spilling again.

Rin crouched down, meeting his eyes. He smiled faintly despite the chaos.

"Hey. You’ll be fine. Cry all you need today. Tomorrow, stand tall. Alright?"

The boy nodded shakily.

Rin stood, pulling Lucien along.

"Let’s go. You’re going home."

"Are you going to..."

"Shh! Just come with me," he said.

Lucien smirked as he followed Rin behind.

.

.

At the Vortellion estate, Rin laid Lucien down gently. Lucien caught his wrist before he could leave.

"Wait. Rin... the orb..."

Rin froze.

"...Don’t touch it. Don’t try to remove it. Just... trust me. Please."

Lucien’s gaze lingered, suspicion flashing in his eyes. "...You’re hiding something."

Rin smirked faintly. "And you’re nosy." He pulled his wrist free. "Just rest. I’ll deal with it."

Lucien wanted to press further, but he held his tongue.

"I’ll trust you, Rin. I’ll also wait till you tell me everything one day,"

Rin smirked. Of course, he’ll have to tell Lucien everything one day. But not today.

.

.

By the time Rin reached the brothel, rage had bubbled to the surface. He stormed into Lirien’s office without knocking, his boots loud against the floor. Sasha was standing across from her.

Rin ignored him completely. He slammed his palm on Lirien’s desk, leaning in. His crimson eyes burned.

"Asmodeus has come." His voice came out loud.

Lirien froze. Her glass slipped from her fingers, shattering on the floor.

The air in the room turned heavy.

"...What did you just say?" she whispered.

Rin’s lips curled into a grim smile. "You heard me. I met with him and... Made a pact,"