CHAPTER 79: LILIENNE FAY!

The boutique was busy again. Not as loud as the market streets, but there was an undeniable air of anticipation buzzing through the walls. The Madame’s shop assistants scurried between racks, pulling dresses in shimmering silks, soft velvets, and fabrics Rin didn’t even know existed. The place smelled faintly of lavender and something expensive... the kind of scent that whispered "You can’t afford me."

Rin, however, wasn’t part of the chaos. He was slouched deep into the plush couch like a king watching peasants work, sipping a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice.

’Oh! This is good!’

He thought to himself, staring at the glass as if he could read the ’How to prepare’ on it.

"Rin! Are you ready?" One of the nurses yelled, snapping him out of his thoughts. He finally knew why he was here. The nurses, again, dragged him to the boutique just so Rin could help them pick a dress. Just like the last time, Elna didn’t go with them.

She’d rather be left alone at the clinic with Theron.

One by one, the nurses emerged from the fitting rooms, each looking expectant as they spun before him.

"So... How’s this?"

"Check mine first, Rin!"

Rin lifted his hand to stop their chatter.

"Don’t worry... I’ll see all of your dresses,"

He rubbed his chin as they stood in front of him. He gently sipped from a glass.

"This neckline is too wide," Rin said immediately, pointing with his glass. "Your shoulders aren’t balanced enough to carry it."

"Fine! I’ll go try another!"

The nurse pouted, retreating. Another stepped forward.

"The wrist is too puffy. Looks like you stuffed clouds in there."

"...Clouds?" she repeated.

"Cheap clouds," Rin clarified, sipping his juice.

They tried again.

"This one..." he paused, tilting his head. "The colour is fine. The skirt is fine. But your hair colour completely kills it. Try something warmer, maybe a darker tone."

The nurse looked genuinely impressed.

"Oh! Rin! You’re good at this."

"Obviously," Rin muttered. "It’s called having eyes."

For the next hour, he worked like a merciless fashion judge, dishing out honest, blunt reviews until Madame herself came over.

"And you?" she asked, eyebrow arched. "Not getting something for the party?"

Rin simply took another slow sip of his juice, shook his head, and said, "I don’t like parties."

"Oh?" The Madame’s lips curved knowingly. She disappeared into the back room, then returned with a long, elegant box. She placed it in his lap before he could protest.

"I’m not..." He tried to speak but she interrupted him.

She raised her hand. "It’s not a choice. Consider it... an investment."

Rin stared at the box, sighed, then gave her a small, resigned smile.

"...I’ll use it well. Thank you."

Her eyes softened.

"Good. Now, back to work. My girls need your opinion."

Rin set the box aside and resumed his critic duties with professional precision.

.

.

By the time he returned to the dorm, the sky was painted in warm orange hues, and the campus was a different kind of lively. Everyone was buzzing about the upcoming party. Students carried boxes, decorations were already being arranged in the hall, and the noble students were practically glowing under the attention of high-end designers fussing over them.

From his window, Rin watched it all like a detached observer, Niblet sitting beside him on the desk, tail wagging.

"Zepharion," Rin called softly.

Dark, smoky energy curled into the air like an ink spill, and Zepharion emerged. As always, the demon was annoyingly elegant, his crimson eyes locking onto Rin’s. Without hesitation, he took Rin’s hand and brushed his lips across the back of his palm.

Rin’s cheeks instantly flushed. He yanked his hand back. "Don’t do that again. It’s not necessary,"

A small, unrepentant smile.

"As you wish, Master,"

"...Anyway, I called you here for something important," Rin muttered, folding his arms. "The seal. Can it break without me actually doing it? Is there anyone way to break it?"

"I’m honoured that you’ve been thinking of me, Master," he tilted his head playfully.

"Don’t get used to it. Just answer my question,"

Zepharion’s expression darkened, the playful tone fading. "No. The seal is woven with high magic and drains my demonic power constantly. If I had my full strength, I could tear it apart... but I don’t. I would need to absorb demonic energy from another powerful demon."

"And the demons Silas brought here?"

"They are all brought here dead," Zepharion said simply. "All used for experiments."

Rin looked at his hand, his mind heavy.

"...What happens when the seal does break?"

Zepharion stepped closer, resting his palm gently against Rin’s chest.

"Your libido will spike beyond your control. You are an Incubus, like your mother. With your strength, you would become... formidable. Dangerous."

Rin’s stomach twisted.

"I don’t want that. I don’t want to turn into some..." his voice dropped, "...dog in heat."

The thought of that made him tremble in fear. So did the thought of getting pregnant.

A soft chuckle came from Zepharion as if he read Rin’s mind.

"It won’t be exactly like that. And as for pregnancy, you can relax. You won’t conceive easily. Once the seal breaks, a mark will appear just below your abdomen. Only you and other demons can see it. If you choose to remove it, only then will pregnancy be possible."

Rin let out a shaky breath, shoulders loosening.

"I guess that’s good. That’s one problem off my list."

He clenched his fist and met Zepharion’s gaze.

"Don’t worry, Zeph! I’ll definitely find a way to break your seal. While I’m still here in the academy."

Zepharion bowed deeply.

"Then I will wait for you, Master,"

He suddenly vanished into thin air and Rin continued looking out the window at the nobles and students.

’I guess this party would be a loud one,’

.

Elsewhere, far from the academy...

Julian’s eyes flickered open to an unfamiliar ceiling. His head throbbed, a damp cloth resting across his forehead.

"Ugh! Where in the goddess’s name am I?"

He grunted as he turned his head... and froze.

A girl with striking blue hair and blue eyes sat beside the bed, smiling down at him as she wrung out another cloth.

"Who the hell are you?" Julian rasped, shoving her hand away.

She didn’t seem offended. In fact, her smile only widened.

"Hello there," she said brightly. "I’m Lilienne Fay."