CHAPTER 170: THE DUKE’S NEXT GAME!

The brothel was quiet that evening.

The laughter and clinking glasses that usually filled the hall were gone, replaced by the faint sound of footsteps and murmured talk from the upper rooms. Winter and Sasha stood by the door, their clothes dusty from the road.

Winter still looked shaken. His small hands clutched the edge of Sasha’s sleeve tightly, refusing to let go. Sasha gave a soft sigh and patted his head.

"Remember what Rin said," he whispered. "Don’t tell anyone what happened. Not even Lirien."

Winter looked up at him, eyes red and puffy. "But... Rin will be alright, right?"

Sasha nodded quickly. "Of course. Rin’s very strong. He’ll be fine."

Winter’s lips trembled. "Then why didn’t he beat up those bad men?"

Sasha paused. His throat tightened. There was no easy answer for that. Rin had told them to leave quietly... not to fight, not to say a word. Sasha knew he had his reasons. Maybe because those people were nobles.

He forced a small smile. "Because he didn’t want to scare them too much," he said gently. "Rin knows what he’s doing. Don’t worry. Rin would be fine,"

Winter’s eyes softened a little at that. He wanted to believe him... he really did.

But before Sasha could say another word, a sharp voice cut through the air behind them.

"Rin would be fine?"

Both of them froze.

Lirien was standing a few steps away, her sharp eyes catching every flicker of guilt on their faces. She had her arms crossed, her posture straight and commanding even in her elegant silk robe. The scent of perfume mixed with wine clung faintly to her.

"What happened to Rin?" she asked again, her tone calm but firm.

Sasha’s eyes widened slightly. Winter lowered his head, his small hands fidgeting nervously.

Lirien instantly knew something was wrong. She glanced around and saw a few girls nearby listening curiously. With one flick of her hand, she dismissed them.

"Out," she ordered.

They bowed quickly and scattered, leaving the hall quiet again.

Lirien knelt down in front of Winter, her expression softening just a little.

"Winter," she said gently, "look at me."

He didn’t. He kept staring at the floor, his fingers twisting the edge of his sleeve.

"What happened to Rin?" she asked again, voice calm but colder now.

Winter shook his head. "N-Nothing."

Her eyes flicked to Sasha. "Is that true?"

Sasha opened his mouth, but no words came out. He looked away, guilt heavy in his chest.

Lirien exhaled slowly. Rin had clearly warned them to keep quiet... she could see it written all over their faces.

’That boy never changed. Always taking everything on himself, never wanting anyone else to worry. Fine,’ she thought. ’If he wants to play silent, I’ll play smart.’

She turned back to Winter and smiled faintly, her tone gentle but her gaze sharp. "Winter," she said softly, "do you love Rin?"

Winter blinked, confused. "Of course I do! I love my brother!"

"Tell me why," she said.

He brightened a little, talking through small hiccups.

"He buys me clothes... and sweets... and shoes... and... and he always makes sure I eat. He said I’m not allowed to cry too much because my eyes will swell."

Lirien’s smile didn’t fade. She leaned closer.

"Then, Winter... if you don’t tell me what happened to Rin, you may never see him again."

Winter froze. His eyes widened, and then he began to tremble.

"I... I don’t want that!" he cried, his small voice cracking. "I want my brother! I want Rin!"

"Then tell me where he is," she said, her tone soft but pressing. "Please, Winter."

He covered his face, tears spilling down his cheeks. The sound of his sobbing filled the hall, and even Sasha felt his heart twist painfully.

"Rin is... brother was..." Winter stammered through his tears.

Before he could finish, the door creaked open.

"Brother was what?"

The familiar voice made everyone freeze.

Rin stood in the doorway, his figure framed by the dim light behind him. His white hair was tied loosely, and his bruises were completely gone. The clean shirt and dark trousers he wore made him look almost untouched... as if nothing bad had happened at all.

He smiled faintly. "Aunt, aren’t you a bit too old to be bullying a child?"

Lirien’s eyes widened for a second, then she stood up slowly, brushing off her skirt.

Winter’s eyes lit up instantly. "Rin!"

He ran across the room and threw himself into Rin’s arms. Rin bent down, catching him easily.

"Good job," Rin said softly, patting his back. "You kept quiet, didn’t you?"

Winter nodded against his neck, smiling through leftover tears.

"I did! I didn’t say anything!"

"I know," Rin said with a grin. "I’m proud of you."

Lirien crossed her arms, trying to hide her relief under a layer of irritation. "Where have you been?" she asked. "And don’t you dare say ’nowhere’."

Rin chuckled. "Alright, fine. I was at the palace."

Her brow rose sharply. "With Lucien again?"

"No," Rin said simply, his tone easy. "I just had something important to do there."

The lie rolled smoothly off his tongue.

Lirien studied his face for a long moment. There was something too calm about his eyes. She almost didn’t believe him, but she knew pressing him now would get her nowhere.

She sighed. "We’ll talk later. Meet me in my office after I’m done here."

Rin nodded. "Sure."

She gave Winter one last look, then walked off toward the upper floor, already calling orders to the workers nearby.

Once she was gone, the air in the hall loosened. Sasha finally exhaled.

Rin turned to him, smiling. "Thanks for holding on."

Sasha’s lips twitched into a small smile. "You’re back. That’s what matters. Are you really fine?"

"I am," Rin said, glancing down at Winter, who was half-asleep in his arms. "He looks tired."

"He cried a lot," Sasha said softly. "He was so scared something happened to you."

Rin’s smile gentled. "He looks stronger than he looks."

He adjusted Winter in his arms.

"I’ll take him upstairs. You should rest too."

Sasha nodded, watching him leave.

As Rin disappeared up the stairs, Sasha leaned against the wall, finally letting the tension leave his body. It felt like everything was back to normal again. Rin looked more like himself... calm, teasing, untouchable. For the first time in days, Sasha could breathe.

.

.

Rin laid Winter gently on the bed and pulled the blanket up to his chest. The boy mumbled something in his sleep and turned to the side.

Rin sat at the edge of the bed for a while, brushing the strands of hair from Winter’s forehead. He noticed how different they were... his own red eyes were a curse from his bloodline, but Winter’s were pure grey, soft and human.

"He has no demon blood," Rin murmured quietly.

He wondered what Winter would become when he grew older. A Beta? An Omega? Maybe even an Alpha. The thought made him smile.

"You’ll be fine," he whispered. "You’ll have a normal life. That’s all I want for you."

He stood up quietly and left the room, closing the door behind him.

.

.

Downstairs, Lirien was giving orders again. Workers rushed around, carrying fabrics, wine crates, and boxes of jewels. It seemed that the entire place was preparing for a celebration.

"What’s going on?" Rin asked as he approached her.

She turned, looking exhausted but still elegant. "You’re late."

"Yeah," he said casually. "I had to tuck someone in. So, what’s all this? A party?"

She shook her head. "No. Your mother, Elyria, is going to take the position of the Golden Goose."

Rin raised a brow. "The Golden Goose? That’s fast. I never thought I was getting a replacement this soon,"

"Don’t be jealous," Lirien said. "She’s ready. And she’ll need energy... a lot of it."

Rin rubbed his chin, thinking. "It doesn’t sound bad. Want me to help?"

"Actually, yes." Lirien gave him a look that made him suspicious immediately.

"What is it?" Rin asked.

"I know it’s strange because you hate people touching your clothes," she began, "but I need Elyria to look exactly like you when she makes her choice."

Rin blinked, then laughed. "So you want me to be her designer?"

"Something like that," Lirien said dryly.

He grinned. "Sure. I’ll make her look better than me. When’s the ceremony?"

"In three days," she said, then paused, picking up a sealed letter from her desk. "It was supposed to be tomorrow, but this came earlier."

She handed it to him.

Rin turned it over, his expression shifting when he saw the familiar crest. "This is..."

"The Duke’s invitation," Lirien confirmed.

Rin tore it open and read. His face darkened.

"The Duke’s game? Is he insane?" he muttered. "He’s holding another one when war is right at our door?"

Lirien shrugged, her tone half-tired, half-amused. "I thought the same thing. After that bloodbath at the palace, I assumed he cancelled it."

Rin scoffed. "He must have a death wish."

She leaned back in her chair. "Or maybe he just has too many Omegas to deal with and wants to get rid of them before the war starts."

Rin’s expression turned thoughtful. That actually sounded like something the Duke would do. Treating lives as pieces in his game.

"So, he’s going to auction them again," Rin said quietly.

"Most likely."

He exhaled sharply through his nose, tossing the letter onto the table. "Then get ready to spend money, Aunt."

Her brow arched. "What for?"

"For buying those Omegas, of course."

She gave him a half-smile. "You always enjoy being the saviour, don’t you?"

"Yes," Rin said flatly.

Lirien chuckled. "Aren’t you shameless?"

Rin tilted his head. "Shameless? What is that?"

She laughed fully this time, shaking her head. "Forget it. Just be ready tomorrow."

Rin nodded and turned to leave.