CHAPTER 175: HER SON OR NAH!

The next morning came quietly.

Soft light filtered through the curtains of Rin’s room, casting a golden glow on the floor. Outside, the brothel courtyard was calm which was unusually so. There were no customers, no laughter, no sound of music that day. The place that usually glowed with life, thanks to the customers, felt almost sacred today.

The brothel still hadn’t reopened.

Most of the Omegas rescued from the auction were still recovering... their bodies weak, their minds restless. They had been cleaned, fed, and given rooms to rest in. The air carried the faint smell of herbal ointments and fresh linens.

Thanks to Rin, the worst of their injuries had healed overnight.

He had stayed up late, reading through several thick books about demons, contracts, and forbidden marks like that dangerous orb. Even with his growing strength, Rin knew there was something unnatural about the recent events... the sudden increase in demon attacks, and the advancing war.

But for now, all of that could wait.

At least, that’s what he told himself as he buried deeper under the blanket. His hair spilt loosely over the pillow, a few strands catching the sunlight. He was half-asleep when a small knock came at the door.

"Brother Rin!"

The soft voice was followed by another set of gentle knocks.

He sighed and turned, voice muffled against the pillow.

"Winter... come in."

The door creaked open, and the small boy peeked in, his messy hair sticking out at odd angles. He was clutching a piece of bread in one hand.

"Good morning," Rin greeted, his voice warm.

Winter grinned shyly and stepped inside.

"Mother said to wake you up. They need you in the main hall. Everyone’s waiting."

"Everyone?" Rin asked, rubbing his eyes.

Winter nodded.

"The new Omegas. They said they want to thank you. They keep talking about their saviour."

Rin chuckled softly. "Saviour, huh? That’s a bit much."

Winter tilted his head. "But you did save them, right?"

"Hmmm... did I?" Rin smiled faintly. "Go tell them I’ll be there soon, alright? Let me wash up first."

Winter nodded happily and ran out, closing the door behind him.

Rin sat up slowly, stretching his arms until his joints cracked softly. His white hair fell over his shoulders, and he reached for a brush at the bedside. The reflection that stared back at him in the small mirror looked calm, maybe a little tired... but there was a quiet determination in his eyes.

He washed his face, dressed simply, and stepped out of his room. The hallway smelled faintly of lavender, and soft chatter could be heard downstairs.

When he reached the main hall, the noise quieted.

Dozens of eyes turned toward him... soft, emotional, grateful eyes.

Some of the new Omegas stood; others were still seated with bandaged arms or legs. The moment they saw him, several started crying again.

"There he is!" someone whispered. "That’s him..."

Rin froze slightly at the sudden attention.

Before he could say anything, one of the Omegas....a pale young woman with short hair... rushed forward and bowed deeply.

"Thank you! Thank you for saving us! We thought we were going to die there!"

Her words broke something in the air. More followed.

They began bowing, some even kneeling, their voices trembling as they repeated the same words over and over: ’Thank you, thank you, you saved us.’

Rin raised a hand awkwardly.

"Please, stand up. Don’t thank me."

They all looked at him, confused.

He continued softly,

"If you want to thank someone, thank the Crown Prince and Lord Lucien. They were the ones who paid for your freedom."

But his words didn’t stop them.

To them, he wasn’t just a saviour. He was the one who spoke for them, who stepped into that bloody place and changed their fate.

Tears filled their eyes again as they called out,

"No! It was you who helped us! You’re the reason we’re alive!"

Rin sighed quietly, lips curling into a helpless smile. "You’re making this difficult for me."

From the corner, Lirien stood with her arms folded, watching proudly. Beside her, Elyria smiled, eyes soft with maternal warmth.

After everyone calmed down, the maids began serving breakfast... warm porridge, bread, and tea. Rin didn’t eat much; he just sat quietly, watching the rescued Omegas eat as if they hadn’t in days.

He felt something twist in his chest. Not pity... something heavier.

He had seen too many people broken by this world. Yet, these faces... they still had hope in their eyes.

And then, like a whisper, a memory came back to him... the woman at the academy who had helped him when he was trying to survive.

Madame Boutique.

He frowned slightly, realising something. He had been calling her by that nickname all this time... he didn’t even know her real name. He clicked his tongue softly, annoyed at himself.

Then his gaze swept across the room, landing on the rescued Omegas. He had heard that one of them might be her son. Maybe. The one who had been sold when her husband betrayed her.

He needed to find him.

Rin stood, clearing his throat slightly.

"Everyone, can I have your attention for a moment?"

The room fell silent again. Even Elyria and Lirien turned toward him curiously.

He smiled faintly.

"I need to ask you all a few questions."

"Questions?" one of the Omegas echoed, confused.

"Yes. It’s important," Rin replied. "Just raise your hand if the answer fits you."

He paused, looking around the room.

"First question. How many of you are from the academy’s town?"

A few seconds passed before hands began to rise... about thirty in total. Rin nodded slowly. "Good. That narrows it down a bit."

Lirien leaned toward Elyria and whispered,

"What is your son up to now?"

Elyria smiled faintly. "I have no idea myself."

Rin raised his voice slightly.

"Next question. How many of you are from merchant families?"

Fifteen hands went down, leaving the rest still in the air. Rin hummed, thinking.

"Alright... if your father was the one who sold you, keep your hand up."

There was a long pause. Slowly, one by one, hands dropped... until only three remained.

The room was quiet now. Even the air felt tense.

Rin began walking toward the three. His steps were calm, deliberate. The Omegas watched him with curious eyes. Elyria and Lirien exchanged a look... neither of them said a word.

When Rin stopped, he asked one final question. His voice was quiet but clear.

"If your mother owned a boutique... keep your hand raised."

Two hands dropped immediately.

Only one remained.

Rin stopped in front of the boy... he was older, maybe twenty or more, with dark brown hair and soft blue eyes. It was difficult to know the ages of Omegas. His clothes were worn, but his posture was straight. The resemblance was unmistakable... his eyes were the same colour as Madame Boutique’s.

Rin knelt down in front of him, his expression soft. "Do you wish to see your mother again?"

The boy’s lips parted. His voice trembled.

"My... my mother? Is she... is she alive?"

Rin smirked faintly and stood. "I don’t know yet. But we’ll find out soon enough. A mother will always recognise her child."

The boy began to cry silently, covering his face. "I... I thought she died..."

"I’m not saying this to make you cry," Rin said gently. "I just want to return what was lost."

He turned back to the rest of the room. "For the rest of you... If you have families outside, you can go back to them. If not, you’re welcome to stay here. If you wish to leave, you’re free to. But don’t leave the capital. The demons are still attacking... and this city is the safest place for now."

The Omegas exchanged uncertain glances, whispering among themselves.

Elyria smiled quietly, whispering to Lirien,

"My son has grown up so much."

Lirien chuckled softly. "Don’t be too surprised when he shows you even more."

As the Omegas began raising their hands to indicate their choices, Rin gave Lirien a small thumbs-up and said lightly,

"Good luck handling the paperwork."

Lirien rolled her eyes. "Oh, don’t you dare run away from this, Rin."

But Rin was already walking away with the boy beside him, pretending not to hear.

.

.

The carriage ride was calm. The boy sat nervously beside Rin, glancing at him every now and then.

"Sir Rin..." he began softly. "How... how did you know my mother?"

Rin leaned his head against the window.

"She was my saviour back when I was still working at the academy. She helped me when I was trying to hide my identity."

The boy smiled faintly through his tears.

"That sounds like her. She was always helping others. Even when Father stopped her... she still gave."

Rin’s eyes softened.

"She almost gave her life when your father sold you, didn’t she?"

The boy froze. "You... you know about that? How... How is my father?"

Rin didn’t answer. He turned to look outside the window instead, the city passing by in a blur.

"Don’t think about him anymore. Some people aren’t worth remembering."

The boy nodded quietly, though his eyes still glistened.

After a long silence, he asked again,

"Sir Rin... are you... a noble?"

Rin blinked and looked at him, slightly amused. "Why do you think that?"

The boy smiled shyly.

"You don’t act like one... but you carry yourself like one. You’re not scared of anyone. You speak with confidence. People listen when you talk."

Rin chuckled lightly.

"I’m not a noble. But I could be one if I wanted."

The boy laughed softly, though the sound still trembled with emotion.

Before he could ask another question, Rin looked out the window and said, "Oh! We’re here."

The carriage slowed to a stop in front of the familiar boutique. The street was quiet, and the smell of fabric dye and perfume drifted faintly from the open window.

Rin stepped out first, then turned to the boy with a faint smile.

"Let’s see if she recognises you."

The boy swallowed nervously, clutching his hands together as he stepped down from the carriage. The wind blew gently, brushing through their hair.

Somewhere inside the shop, a woman’s voice was humming softly as she arranged some of the dresses for display. She also gave orders to the Omegas who were still working for her.

He smiled faintly.

"Well," Rin murmured under his breath. "Let’s find out."

And the door creaked open.