The gates of House Rael were fortified, but not even the iron-clad walls nor the line of armed guards could stop the storm that was Shinomi.
"P-Prince Shinomi, you are not permitted without—"
"I don't need permission," Shinomi growled.
His glare alone made the guards freeze in place, their grips on their spears faltering. He stepped forward, boots crunching on marble, and no one dared stop him.
The estate of Duke Rael was expansive and cold. It bore the weight of old money, old pride—and old wounds. Shinomi didn't look left or right. His stride was relentless, straight to the heart of the manor.
The double doors to the main drawing room opened, and the Duke himself sat waiting, a glass of deep crimson wine in his hand. His posture was elegant, but his eyes were sharp.
"So you came," Duke Rael said with a scoff, "just as I predicted."
Shinomi stood silently before him, not bowing, not blinking.
"I must say," the Duke continued, voice laced with venomous amusement, "this is a bold move—even for a spoiled prince."
"I'm here to see Aiden," Shinomi said plainly.
The Duke's brows twitched at the use of his son's given name.
"And what gives you that right?" the Duke asked coldly, placing his glass down. "I still remember the day you took my son from the gambling hall—where you humiliated him. You dragged him away like a mutt and treated him like your toy."
Shinomi's jaw clenched. He couldn't deny it.
"And now—suddenly—you're head over heels? You think I'll believe this isn't some new tactic to seize my city? Or will you use him as bait? Entangle him in your war and leash me as your loyal dog?"
"That's not it," Shinomi muttered.
"Then what is it, Shinomi?" the Duke barked, standing. "You hated him once. Don't you remember? You couldn't even look at him without disgust. So what changed?!"
Shinomi remained silent for a moment, looking down at his hands—the hands that once wanted to strike Ren just for being near him, the hands that now ached to hold him close.
He remembered clearly—Ren's defiant glare when they first met, the way he pushed back even when treated as nothing. How annoying he was, how fragile, how persistent. And how, somewhere along the line, his presence began to matter.
It had started as hatred… then became obsession. Obsession turned to longing. And longing into something too terrifying to name.
"I don't know when it changed," Shinomi said quietly. "Maybe the moment he made me laugh without realizing. Maybe the night he fell asleep on my shoulder. Or maybe the first time I felt pain when I saw him cry."
The Duke stared at him, lips drawn tight.
Shinomi lifted his eyes. "But I do know this—I can't stay away from him."
"Even if it costs your title?" the Duke asked sharply.
"Yes," Shinomi answered without hesitation. "Even if it costs me everything."
The Duke's face hardened, but inside, his heart trembled.
A long silence stretched between them.
"You're reckless," the Duke said at last. "And foolish."
"Maybe."
"You make my son cry again, I'll kill you myself."
Shinomi smiled faintly. "That's fair."
After a beat, the Duke waved his hand toward the east wing. "He's still locked in. Don't break the door."
"I won't need to," Shinomi said, already turning.
He knew Rael wouldn't open his heart easily. But this was a start.
And on the other side of that door... was the boy who changed everything.