CHAPTER 82: A PROMISE IS A PROMISE!

The carriage rocked gently as it stopped in front of the dormitory building. Lantern light spilt from the entrance, casting warm gold across the cobblestone path.

Rin stood before the carriage door momentarily, the box of pastries placed carefully in his arms. Before he could step down, Ezra’s voice cut through the quiet.

"Rin."

He turned his head. Ezra sat with his hands resting lightly on his knees, eyes calm but... heavier somehow.

"Would you like to work at the temple? As my personal doctor."

Rin blinked at him, trying to hide the ’what the fuck’ look on his face. He wasn’t expecting that question... not from Ezra.

"...What?" He mumbled. "Are you really asking me that?"

Ezra’s tone remained level.

"It’s just a suggestion. You don’t have to see it as a threat, okay? You’re free to think about it. You’d have your own quarters, resources, and security."

"Hold on a second, Priest..."

"Call me Ezra, Rin. Go on..." Ezra interrupted him.

Rin scratched the back of his head, shifting his gaze to the roof of the carriage. To call the priest by his name. As long as he doesn’t burn him with his holy magic, sure, he could do that.

"Ezra..." Rin let out a small laugh, shaking his head. "You do realise I’m a demon, right? Demons and temples mix about as well as oil and fire. Also, newsflash... I have zero medical training. The only thing I know about medicine is that it hurts when you get a shot with an arrow."

Ezra leaned forward slightly.

"It’s not about qualifications. I’m offering because I’m trying to protect you from the Vortellions. They are dangerous."

That made Rin’s smile falter. He looked down at his box of pastries.

"...Yeah. I know they are."

"I don’t think you do," Ezra said softly. "They don’t let go of what they’ve claimed."

For a brief second, Rin thought Ezra’s eyes looked almost... concerned. Not pitying, but genuine worry. That was a shock.

He nodded anyway.

"Thanks, but no thanks. I’ll survive on my own. I always do."

Ezra studied him for a long moment before leaning back. "...As you wish. I won’t force you,"

Rin hopped down from the carriage, his boots clicking against the stones.

"See you around, holy man."

"Goodnight, Rin."

The dorm was quiet when Rin pushed the door open. The familiar small bark of Niblet rang through the space immediately. The little dog bounded toward him, tail wagging so hard it looked like it might snap.

"Hey, you menace," Rin murmured, crouching to scoop him up. He buried his face in Niblet’s fur, breathing in the faint smell of grass and sunshine. "Miss me?"

Niblet yipped like it was the stupidest question in the world.

Rin set him down and straightened, turning toward the bed. He already kept his pastries close to the door and he grabbed the box he was gifted yesterday. He laid the clothes out and ran his fingers over the fine fabric. The cut, the stitching... He didn’t need to try it on for him to know that it fit him perfectly. Like it had been made for him alone.

Too perfect.

Too valuable.

It wasn’t the kind of thing he could just shove into his wardrobe where anyone could see it. So, with a thought, he stored it away in his inventory.

Flopping onto the bed, he stared at the ceiling. Tomorrow’s party loomed in his mind like a dark cloud. He didn’t want to go, didn’t want the noise, the uncomfortable stares, the traps hidden in polite words. But...

Lucien would be there.

And after what Lucien had done, Rin wanted nothing more than to avoid him entirely.

Yet some stupid, infuriating part of him still wanted to see him.

"I’m so dumb," he muttered to himself. "Yes, I fucking am!"

At some point, without realising, sleep pulled him under.

.

After a few hours...

The sound of barking tore through the darkness. Rin groaned, rubbing at his eyes.

"Niblet, it’s the middle of the night..."

He froze as he sat up.

Niblet wasn’t on the floor. He was in someone’s hands.

Blinking hard, Rin tried to reach for a lamp, but before he could, the room filled with a warm, steady glow. The scent of faint smoke told him exactly who it was.

Lucien.

Rin’s brows drew together.

"Why in the world are you here? Let go of Rin immediately!"

Lucien didn’t answer right away. He set Niblet gently down beside the bed, then straightened. His tall frame made the small dorm room feel even smaller. He sat close to Rin on the bed, staring at him with soft eyes.

"I came to see you," Lucien said finally, his voice low.

Rin stood up immediately, putting the bed between them. "Great. You’ve seen me. Now leave before I call the security on you,"

Lucien’s gaze flickered, and for a moment it looked like he was going to step forward and grab him. But he didn’t. His hands stayed at his sides. He didn’t want to hurt Rin again like he did the last time they spoke to each other.

"I came here to apologise to you, Rin," Lucien said instead. "And also to get what you promised."

Rin’s arms folded across his chest. He understood the apology but...

"...What did I promise?"

Lucien took a step closer, the firelight catching on the sharp lines of his face.

"You said if I trained you, I’d get the opportunity to have sex with you."

The memory hit Rin like cold water. He had said that. He hadn’t meant it seriously at the time, but... he had said it.

His throat tightened.

"...Why now? Why would you come for it now?"

"Because after tomorrow’s party, I’m leaving the academy. My father already discovered Julian’s gender so I’ll become the heir," Lucien said, his voice softer than usual. "You refused to come to the Vortellion estate. This might be the last time I see you."

Rin turned his head away, heat creeping up his neck. He hated how part of him felt guilty for wanting to refuse. A promise was a promise, wasn’t it?

Lucien’s fingers moved to the buttons of Rin’s shirt. One by one, slow and deliberate.

The last button was nearly undone when Rin suddenly darted away, slipping into the bathroom and shutting the door behind him.

"I’ll be out in a minute!" Rin called through the door. "I just... want to shower first!"

From the other side came Lucien’s faint chuckle.

"I’ll wait for you Rin,"

.

Meanwhile, far from the dorms, Julian was stepping off a dusty road into the sleeping outskirts of the academy town. The streets were dim and nearly empty, the moonlight catching on his sharp grin.

He stretched his hand as he caught a glimpse of the academy from a distance.

"Finally!" He grunted. "I’ve gotten here, thanks to that girl. Lilienne,"

However, it was too late to be let through the academy gates tonight. But tomorrow?

Tomorrow, the gates would be thrown open for the party, for nobles and merchants and strangers. And in that chaos, slipping in would be easy. Easy for him to sneak into the academy and do what he’s going there for.

"I only need an Inn to rest until tomorrow... then I’ll finally ruin that little omega’s life,’