CHAPTER 68: IS LYING THE BEST CHOICE?

"Rin..." Lucien parted his lips to answer, but then paused, swallowing hard.

His grey eyes softened for just a moment. He could lie. No, he wanted to lie... to protect Rin from the truth... but a part of him knew Rin would find out eventually. The world wasn’t kind to people like him. Omegas.

Lucien gave a faint smile, brushing Rin’s cheek with his thumb.

"Nothing happened," he said quietly. "You were unconscious for a while... but you’re safe now. That’s all that matters."

Rin blinked.

"That’s it?" He tilted his head, squinting at Lucien. "You’re not lying, are you?"

Lucien shook his head.

"No. You’re fine. Your heat’s passed. The worst is over. Look! You’re healthier than before"

Rin released a long breath of relief and dropped back onto the bed.

"Thank god... I thought I was going to wake up pregnant or something."

DING!

[Body Status: Stable]

[Heat Cycle Concluded - No Fertilisation Detected]

[Condition: Slight fatigue]

[Reminder: Consume food to replenish strength]

As if on cue, Rin’s stomach let out a loud grumble.

Lucien laughed gently.

"Hungry?"

"Starving." Rin rubbed his belly. "I feel like I haven’t eaten in days."

"That’s because you haven’t," Lucien replied. "You’ve been out for four."

"Four?!" Rin shot up like a firecracker. He remembered he saw the system reminding him that 72 hours had passed. That means, five days of heat were over.

He grabbed his hair, surprised.

"I was unconscious for four days?! Are you kidding me?!"

Lucien nodded, standing.

"Don’t panic. You’re okay now. I’ll send breakfast over right away."

"Wait." Rin grabbed his sleeve before he could walk away. "Lucien... did you see Niblet?"

Lucien frowned. "Niblet?"

"Yeah. He’s small, black, fluffy, and kind of loud? He’s mine. He followed me to the Duke’s estate before my... blackout. I haven’t seen him since."

Lucien’s eyes lit up with recognition.

"Niblet. Right. I remember now. I’ve seen that tiny creature before."

"So? Did you see him?" Rin leaned forward.

"I’m not sure," Lucien said truthfully. "But I’ll ask my father. Don’t worry... I’ll find him."

Rin exhaled. "Thanks... That little furball means a lot to me. I can’t let him out of my sight,"

’Because he’s a demon,’

Rin didn’t say the last part out loud.

Lucien smiled again, this time more softly.

"I know he is."

A few minutes later, he returned with a tray balanced in one hand... steaming porridge, fresh fruit, toast, and tea. Rin never thought there would be a day when he would see the male lead of a book bringing him breakfast. It felt... so unreal and yet, it was happening in front of him.

He watched as Lucien placed the tray on the bed, cake to Rin, and began to stroke Rin’s hair. Rin just grabbed a spoon and scooped some porridge into his mouth. His eyes widened at how delicious it was. With the spoon hanging in his mouth, he heard Lucien’s voice close to his ear and flinched.

"Aren’t you noticing something different?"

"What? Am I supposed to notice anything except for the fact that you’ve grown taller?" He asked. Lucien laughed and leaned in closer, biting Rin’s earlobe. Rin flinched again and backed away from Lucien.

"Are you a dog?"

"I mean... Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed how you don’t push me away when I touch you or get close to you,"

Rin froze. He didn’t realise that. Lucien had hugged him earlier and he didn’t realise that. If it were him from three months ago, he would have shoved Lucien away or kicked him right in his groin area. But, he just allowed it like he was used to it.

His cheek flushed red as he immediately covered his face.

"I... I’m still not interested in men,"

"Are you sure?" Lucien questioned and Rin nodded his head like his life depended on his answer.

Lucien wanted to speak more but he held himself back. He didn’t want Rin to be traumatised by men, especially if he somehow remembered what his father did to him. He just brushed Rin’s shoulder carefully.

"You should eat and rest. I’ll come back later... with Niblet."

Rin nodded, still a little pale and wondering why Lucien didn’t pry more.

"Yeah... Thanks again... for everything."

Lucien paused by the door. His voice was softer than usual.

"Just rest, Rin. You’ve been through enough."

And with that, he left, the door clicking shut behind him.

Rin tilted his head, wondering what Lucien meant by that. He had been asleep for how long, yet he said he had been through enough.

"Does that brat really care about me?" Rin’s face flushed red again. "Does he think he has become a man since he’ll be graduating soon? Tsk!"

.

As soon as Lucien was outside, the warmth disappeared from his face like melting frost. The softness in his eyes turned sharp. Cold. He looked at Rin’s door and pressed his hand against the door.

"Don’t you worry, Rin. I’ll make sure those people pay for what they did to you,"

He walked in silence, hands in his coat pockets, lips pressed tight.

He was going to deal with the Duke. He was going to deal with Ezra.

’No one touches Rin and walks away unpunished... not even my own father.’

.

.

Back at the mansion, the great stone hallways of the house were quiet. Way too quiet. Lucien stepped inside without saying a word, his boots clicking against the polished floors as he made his way toward the hearth room.

He found his father seated beside the grand fireplace, swirling a glass of red wine in one hand and flipping through papers with the other. He hated the fact that this man was acting unconcerned about what he did to Rin.

"You’re back earlier than I expected," the Duke said without looking up.

Lucien said nothing. He stood at the door, eyes locked on his father.

After a moment, Duke Evan Vortellion looked up with a faint smile.

"How is he?"

Lucien clenched his fists.

"Why do you care?"

The Duke arched an eyebrow, unfazed.

"Am I supposed not to?"

"You’re just as selfish as ever. You only care about yourself,"

"Don’t speak so bluntly of your father now, my son!" Evan grinned.

"I’m staying at the academy," Lucien said flatly. "Indefinitely. I’m not returning to the estate and you won’t force me to."

The Duke chuckled and placed the wine glass down with a soft clink.

"I knew you’d say that. You’re so predictable as ever, my son."

"Then you also know that if you ever touch him again, I’ll destroy the Vortellion estate... brick by brick. And then come for your neck,"

The Duke stood slowly, walking toward the fire.

"You say that... but you’re trapped now, aren’t you? You think I don’t know everything you’re hiding from me,"

"What... what are you talking about?" Lucien answered, silently praying it wasn’t what he was thinking.

"You must be silly to think I wouldn’t find out that Julian’s an omega?"

Lucien’s eyes widened.

"What...?"

"Oh yes. Your sweet little brother. Did you think I wouldn’t notice the scent he’s been hiding?" The Duke’s grin widened. "That makes you the next heir, Lucien."

"I refuse." Lucien’s voice was firm, but a flicker of uncertainty danced behind his eyes. "Don’t you dare force me, father!"

"Then the little omega

gets thrown into the ’Game’."

Lucien slammed his hand on the marble table, teeth clenched.

"Leave Rin out of this. This is between you and me!"

"I’m not talking about Rin," the Duke said with a shrug. "I’m talking about your brother... my son, Julian. If you refuse to return to the estate as the heir, I’ll do just exactly as I have said,"

"You..." Lucien clenched his fist, his fingers digging into his palm.

"And as for Rin... He’s mine and I hope you’ll focus on your duty as the heir and won’t dare interfere..."

"Father!" Lucien stepped forward, gritting his teeth angrily, but the Duke stopped him by waving his finger.

"I’m the one who slept with him, so that also means he’s my responsibility. Isn’t he?"

Lucien’s blood ran cold as he heard that word

Responsibility.

It sounded more like a threat

He hated the way his father twisted everything.

"You want me back as your little heir," Lucien growled. "You want to manipulate me, keep me close... just so you can keep your claws in Julian, and now Rin too."

The Duke didn’t deny it.

Instead, he walked to the window and said calmly,

"You seem to be forgetting something, my son. I don’t need to lift a finger to drive Rin out of the academy. I could do it by just a whisper,"

Lucien’s fists shook.

"I won’t let you."

"You can’t stop me. Unless... you play the game. Go on. Rise. Take what I give you and learn how to wield it."

Lucien felt it like a noose around his throat. But the worst part?

He knew his father was right.

The only way to protect Rin was to become powerful enough to never need protection again.

Lucien let out a low, bitter laugh.

"Fine. I’ll play your dirty game. But when I win... you’ll regret making me your heir."

The Duke’s grin widened.

"Good boy."

Lucien turned to leave... but paused.

"One more thing. Niblet. Where is he?"

The Duke blinked, raising a brow.

"Niblet? What the hell is a Niblet?"

Lucien scowled.

"He’s a dog. Small. Black. He belongs to Rin,"

The Duke tilted his head, then his eyes narrowed with recognition.

"Oh... That nasty thing? The one that barked at me in the hall after I left Rin’s room?"

Lucien’s heart dropped.

"What did you do?"

The Duke sipped his wine again and casually said, "I believe he’s... in the dungeon."

Lucien’s voice cracked. "What?!"