Rin composed himself quickly, masking the storm inside with a smile. He changed the topic smoothly, laughing as he spoke about his time in the North, the gate, and the battles he endured. The Third Prince, Ryvaris Solas, leaned forward with interest, eyes gleaming.
"Ooh, as expected of Arkan," Vaelen said with admiration. "One of the few Soul-Stage monsters we've got. Damn, I wish I was there. Must've been glorious."
Rin chuckled. "It was… memorable."
Then, casually, as if he hadn't been waiting to drop the question, Rin steered the conversation. "By the way… what do you think of Isen Varros?"
Ryvaris face twisted into a smirk. He laughed aloud, as if it were a joke between old friends. "That guy? Come on you know He's afraid."
Rin leaned in slightly. "Afraid? Of what?"
"You really don't know, huh?" Ryvaris raised a brow. "Guess your brother left you out of all the fun."
Rin frowned, letting the silence press him to explain. Ryvaris obliged.
"That family—Varros—they used to rule the northern country you're familiar with. Tyrants. Ruthless, proud, dangerous. But your father? He crushed them. United the East with their blood and bones. Still… he spared some of them, because a few turned against their own to help him."
Ryvaris poured himself a drink, swirling it lazily.
"But when your dear brother Kaelion was appointed to oversee that region, he wasn't so forgiving. He wanted total loyalty,nothing less,he wanted everythingand everyoneunder his control."
Rin's brow furrowed. "So what happened?"
"Kaelion kidnapped four of Isen's sons. Left him with only a daughter." Ryvaris smirked darkly. "You know how the Varros view women. Superstitious bastards. To them, women bring bad luck,kaelion left her to mock him and humiliate him,as a curse."
Rin's jaw clenched. Ryvaris went on.
"Kaelion threatened him. Said if Isen even thought about moving against him, he'd lose the rest. And now? Isen's a shadow. A lapdog dressed in gold, he was kicked out of the country so Kaelion can have complete domination kicked out now he is here."
Rin whispered, "So that's why he was afraid of me…"
"Of course," Ryvaris said with a shrug. "If anyone sees him getting close to a Solas, Kaelion might think he's plotting. One dead son, maybe two. Who knows?"
The rest of the dinner passed with hollow laughter and exchanged stories, but Rin's mind was racing. Every polite nod, every shared toast,it was all a mask over boiling thoughts.
When he finally returned to the estate, the moon had risen high over the imperial capital of Sovarein, bathing the old Solas villa in pale silver light. He dismissed the servants and walked through the quiet halls alone. Everything was still,too still.
He sat by the window, watching the flickering lamps lining the distant streets, lost in thought. His fingers drummed slowly on the armrest. His eyes burned not with fury, but clarity.
He had his answer now.
Kaelion had become too powerful, too bold. Holding kids hostage? But they are adults now. Manipulating noble bloodlines like chess pieces? If Rin stayed passive, he would be nothing more than another broken tool discarded by his brother's rise.
And Rin wasn't made to be discarded.
He stared into the night, and his voice, low and cold, cut through the silence:
> "Kaelion… when I kill you, I'll feed your corpse to every stray dog I see that day."
A moment passed. Then a slow, ruthless smile crept across his face.
He had an idea. One born from desperation, fear… and ambition.
And it was time to put it into motion.