CHAPTER 178: THEY KNOW EACH OTHER?

The carriage wheels slowed as they turned into the narrow lane leading to the brothel district. The smell of flowers and fresh rain lingered faintly in the air, mixing with the faint hum of music coming from the open windows of nearby inns.

Seraphina had been quiet for most of the ride. Her fan rested on her lap, unopened. She’d imagined a dark, filthy street with drunk men and cheap women leaning by the doors, but what stretched before her was the opposite. The brothel buildings were well-built and painted, the path swept clean, the lights bright even in daylight.

Her father leaned back slightly, watching her reaction through the reflection in the window. Rin sat across from her, his eyes half-lidded, tapping his finger against his lap as if the whole trip was nothing special.

When the carriage finally stopped, the guard outside called.

"We’ve arrived, my lord."

The door opened, and Rin was the first to step out.

The Marquess followed, adjusting his coat. Seraphina hesitated a moment before stepping down, the heel of her shoe touching the cobblestone with a soft click.

What she saw next made her eyes widen.

The brothel was... breathtaking.

The three-story building gleamed under the sunlight, its walls decorated with silver vines and flower patterns carved into marble. Gentle music floated from inside, and the faint scent of jasmine filled the air. Courtesans in elegant dresses walked by, not provocatively dressed but graceful, refined.

"This... is the brothel?" Seraphina whispered before she could stop herself.

Rin turned his head slightly. "Surprised?"

"I expected filth," she said coldly, hiding her shock. "This looks cleaner than..." She stopped herself before saying our house.

The Marquess smiled faintly.

"Now I see why nobles talk about this place. I always thought they came here for debauchery, but clearly... there’s more to it."

Rin didn’t respond. He only walked forward, and the doors opened before him.

Inside, warmth and soft light welcomed them. The floors were polished to a mirror shine. Crystal lamps hung from the ceiling, and the sweet sound of a lute drifted in from the inner halls. Courtesans in fine silks stopped to greet Rin with polite smiles.

"Welcome back, Rin."

"It’s been a while, Rin."

"Make sure to practice with us later,"

Rin returned their greetings with small smiles and nods, his calm composure unshaken. His presence was natural here, like someone who belonged.

The Marquess glanced around, impressed despite himself.

Seraphina, on the other hand, looked uncomfortable. Each smile thrown at Rin only deepened her frown.

"Do they... all greet you like that?" she muttered.

"Of course," Rin said casually. "They’re family."

Her brows furrowed. "Family? You mean..."

Before she could continue, the Marquess interjected softly,

"Rin, could you perhaps give us a tour?"

Rin paused, glancing over his shoulder.

"I could, but I have to meet my mother first."

"Your mother works here?" Seraphina asked sharply.

Rin only smiled. "Not yet. But she owns the place. That’s why we’re here."

They moved deeper into the brothel, passing through a wide corridor that opened into an inner garden.

It was stunning.

The open courtyard was filled with blooming flowers, a small pond reflecting the clear sky above. Around it, courtesans sat under white parasols, practising different instruments... flutes, violins, and harps. Their laughter mixed with the sound of strings.

Seraphina slowed down. Her father was already admiring the beauty of the place, but she couldn’t bring herself to speak.

Rin stopped for a moment and turned slightly. "We’re close to the waiting room," he said. "You can rest there while I go find my mother. The place is quite big, so it might take a few minutes."

He was just reaching for the door handle when...

"Brother!"

A small figure came running down the hallway.

Rin’s cold expression changed instantly as it got replaced by a warm, bright smile. He turned and knelt just in time to catch the boy jumping into his arms.

"Winter!" Rin laughed, spinning him around once before setting him back on the ground. "You’re getting heavier."

Winter grinned, his silver hair shining in the light. "You didn’t come back for lunch!"

"I know," Rin said, brushing a hand through his hair. "Did you already eat?"

Winter nodded, but then his gaze shifted past Rin. When he saw Seraphina standing there, his smile faded.

"Brother," he whispered loudly, "what’s this wicked lady doing here?"

Seraphina froze, her face turning red.

Rin bit his lip, trying not to laugh. He turned to glance at her... her eyes burned with humiliation and anger.

"She’s a guest, Winter," Rin said calmly.

Winter tilted his head, unconvinced. "Really? But she looks mean."

"Winter," Rin said warningly, though amusement still glimmered in his eyes. "Be polite."

Winter pouted and crossed his arms, muttering something under his breath before Rin changed the subject.

"Where’s Mother?"

"She’s trying on clothes," Winter said, pointing upstairs.

Rin nodded slowly.

"Right... the golden goose game is tomorrow night." He smiled. "All right. Go play for now, okay? I’ll come find you later."

Winter nodded eagerly and ran off.

Rin turned back to his guests, his calm expression returning.

"Sorry for the delay," he said politely.

The Marquess waved a hand. "It’s fine. He’s a sweet boy."

"I know right. My brother is the best," Rin was already blushing, ready to talk about his brother but he stopped himself. He opened the waiting room door and led them in.

The room was grand... far grander than the Marquess’s own waiting room back home. It had Velvet sofas, a chandelier, and paintings of mythical creatures on the walls. A faint aroma of sandalwood filled the air.

Seraphina didn’t say a word. She was still reeling from being called wicked by a child.

Rin turned with a small smile.

"What kind of tea would you like?"

"Anything that’s not sweet," the Marquess said.

"I don’t want any," Seraphina muttered, folding her arms.

Rin tilted his head slightly. "Even caramel tea?"

She froze. "How did you know that was my favourite?"

He smirked. "It was obvious. You ordered the same flavour of ice cream. Even if it has another name,"

Her cheeks turned red again.

Rin turned away and began brewing the tea himself, using a silver teapot that was made with mana. The steam carried a sweet scent through the room.

When he returned, he placed a cup in front of each of them.

"Ginger tea for you, my lord," he said politely, "and caramel for you, Lady Seraphina."

She huffed. "I never said I was going to drink it. How can I drink something in a brothel?"

Rin smiled faintly. "Then leave it there. The cup looks empty without it."

The Marquess chuckled under his breath and sipped his tea. "This is excellent. You brewed this yourself?"

"I did," Rin said. "It’s my mother’s blend."

"I see. You’ve inherited her taste."

Rin smiled softly. "I’ll go call her now."

He left the room quietly and, once out of sight, teleported directly to his own room upstairs.

.

.

His mother, Elyria, stood in front of a mirror wearing a white flowing gown, while Lirien fussed behind her with another outfit in hand.

"Mother," Rin said, appearing behind them.

They both nearly jumped out of their skin.

Elyria turned sharply.

"Rin! How did you...? Did you come through the window?"

He smiled. "Teleported."

Lirien scowled. "You scared us half to death."

"You didn’t die yet, right?" Rin pouted and Lirien bared her fangs at him.

He ignored her and stepped closer, eyeing his mother’s twenty-seventh outfit of the day.

"You look dazzling, but have you picked the one you like?"

Elyria sighed, exhausted.

"Yes, I like the second one best."

"Good," Rin said, taking her gently by the arm. He looked at Lirien, his smile polite but sharp. "Since Mother has chosen, I hope Aunt will make sure it’s arranged. We’ll be leaving now."

"Leaving?" Lirien blinked. "Where?"

Rin didn’t answer. He only smiled, and in an instant, both he and Elyria vanished.

Lirien clenched her fists, glaring at the empty spot. "That mother and son combo..."

.

.

Meanwhile, Rin and Elyria appeared just outside the waiting room.

Elyria blinked rapidly. "Rin, what is this all about?"

He smiled softly. "You have a guest who wishes to see you."

"A guest?" she frowned. "I don’t know anyone in the human world except Lirien and your late father."

Rin squeezed her hand gently.

"Then just make the choice you want, Mother. Don’t let anyone force you."

"I don’t know what this is about but..." She sighed, confused but trusting. "Fine."

He opened the door, guiding her inside.

"This is my mother. Mother, meet..."

He stopped.

At the same time, Elyria’s voice trembled.

"Auren?"

The Marquess stood abruptly, his face pale. "Elyria?"

Rin froze, his mind going blank.

’What the hell?’

Elyria said she knew no one else. The Marquess had spoken of her as if she were a stranger.

So how...

His gaze flicked between them, both staring at each other like ghosts from a forgotten past.

The room went silent, the tension thick enough to feel. And for the first time that day, Rin didn’t know what to say.