CHAPTER 88: YOU BETRAYED ME, LUCIEN!

When it was finally morning, warm sunlight slipped through the thin curtains, landing across Rin’s face like a spotlight that had no business waking him up. He squinted his eyes, as he let out a tired groan, rolling over.

"Why? Why is it morning?" He murmured to him as his hand landed on the other side, only to feel the empty space beside him. There was no warmth. No broad, annoyingly perfect body.

Lucien was gone. Like he was nowhere to be found.

Rin blinked at the pillow next to him. He looked around the room to make sure Lucien was gone, and obviously, he was.

However, there was a note on the pillow, neatly folded. He stared at it for a second before reaching for it.

Come to my graduation party. Please.

~Lucien

The word please was the only thing making Rin’s stomach twist. He crumpled the note in his hand, cheeks heating as he bit his bottom lip.

"...I actually slept with...," he muttered, tossing the paper aside like it might catch fire. "... a man. I just fucking slept with a man. Not just any man... Lucien fucking Vortellion."

He flopped back onto the bed, covering his face. He didn’t want to admit it, but the memories from last night were vivid and very... inconvenient. He’d enjoyed it far too much that it annoyed him. He never thought he would moan that loud. He never thought he would call Lucien’s name that much.

The thought made him slam his legs on the bed like he was swimming. It doesn’t matter anymore. He has finally done the deed. It’s not that he could go back to the past and undo something that... good. Good?

’Maybe I’m the one reluctant to admit it... I’d better go take a shower,’

Then, as he swung his legs over the edge of the bed, something warm slid down his thigh.

He froze and then, looked down.

"...Oh."

The white streak made his brain stutter before the realisation hit him like a slap. He’d been so distracted last night, he’d forgotten the most important part... protection. He knew he was forgetting something, but never thought it would be this! A fucking condom. He had enjoyed the way Lucien thrust in and out of him so much that he forgot it.

His head snapped up.

"System."

[...]

"What’s my ovulation rate right now?"

DING!

[System: Current risk of pregnancy: 6%. Low.]

Rin exhaled hard and leaned back, relief washing over him.

"Thank fuck. There’s no way I’m going to get pregnant with Lucien as the father. Imagine the tragedy!"

He dragged himself into the shower. Steam curled against the walls as he scrubbed his skin, trying to wash away not just the marks that were left on him but the lingering scent of Lucien. He slipped his fingers into his hole to get rid of the remaining fluid inside his body. The mirror fogged over as he stepped out, water still sliding down his skin.

That’s when he saw it clearly. Even after scrubbing, the marks weren’t gone. The bites. Red trails. Finger-shaped bruises on his hips, neck and shoulders.

Rin scowled at his reflection.

"That smug bastard..." He clenched his fists.

Seeing the marks made him think that he shouldn’t go to the party. But... it was going to be the last time he saw Lucien. Saying goodbye wouldn’t kill him. Just goodbye.

He pulled the wardrobe door open and began scanning for what to wear. He threw on the cleanest shirt and pants he had. The shirt clung lightly against his chest, the pale fabric letting his pink-tinted nipples peek through. His collarbones were on full display.

"Great," he muttered. "I look like an easy target. Since there would be a lot of nobles present there, I could get snatched easily and shoved into a bag. Maybe I should find a less revealing shirt,

He was halfway to searching when...

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Rin jumped, eyes snapping to the door. His heart pounded in his chest, wondering who would bang his door that loud. He wanted to slowly back away and jump out of the window.

Then another bang, followed by a voice.

"Rin! Open up... now!"

It was Ezra’s voice.

Rin unlocked the door, frowning.

"Do you mind not trying to kill my door? What’s your problem?"

Ezra stepped in quickly, his hand gripping Rin’s shoulder. "We don’t have time. You need to leave the academy. Now."

Rin stared at him. "...What? Why should I do that?"

Ezra’s jaw tightened.

"No need for questions. Just grab what you can carry and come with me."

"I’m not going anywhere until you explain what the hell you’re talking about."

" WE DON’T HAVE ANY TIME!" Ezra yelled, panicking. Rin still stood there, not moving an inch. He was already keen not to move until he got an explanation.

Ezra exhaled sharply, his grip loosening as his fingers slipped into his hair.

"I... I was in the Dean’s office earlier discussing the blessing schedule during the event. We heard a knock... and Lucien walked in."

That alone made Rin’s stomach drop.

’Lucien? Why would he go to the Dean’s office?’

Ezra continued.

"The Dean asked me to prepare for the graduation blessing and told me to leave. You know how the Dean gets when it comes to the Vortellion. So... I left... or pretended to. I stayed by the door and I heard everything."

Rin’s brows furrowed.

"...Heard what? What did Lucien say?"

Ezra’s voice lowered, almost reluctant.

"Lucien told the Dean... you’re an Omega."

Rin froze like his whole world was crashing.

"The Dean was shocked and angry. He said something about your mother fooling him. Then he promised Lucien he’d send the knights to have you removed from the staff dorm. Immediately."

The words slammed into Rin like cold steel. ’Removed’ Like he was furniture. A fucking object.

He barely heard Ezra urging him to hurry and leave the dorm before the knights got there. All he could think about was the night before. The way Lucien had touched him. Kissed him. Fucked him and then...

Betrayed him the next day. He was breathing so hard that he grabbed his chest. He didn’t want to believe it. No way! There was no way Lucien would do such a thing to him.

The thoughts about betrayal clouded his mind until—

DiNG!

[System Alert: Emotional spike detected.]

[Warning: Emotional state nearing threshold for demonic power unsealing.]

Rin’s eyes snapped open seeing the information on the system. His nails bit into his palms as his eyes darkened.

’Lucien! You’ve crossed the line!’