I Don't Want To Be An Omega In My Sister's Trashy Reverse Harem [BL]

Chapter 201: Death Order!

The palace was unusually quiet that afternoon, as if the walls themselves sensed something was coming. Servants whispered in corners about the demons advancing. Guards sharpened their weapons even when not asked. The air carried that strange heaviness that made the back of a person’s neck prickle.

And in the middle of that growing tension, Lucien rushed through the palace halls with his heart pounding so violently he could hear the pulse in his ears.

He had left the Vortellion estate about twenty minutes ago. He should have stayed with Rin and pretended he didn’t care about what Rin told him... But the moment he heard the new accurate information, he knew it was urgent. So he turned around and sprinted straight back to the palace.

The demons were closer than anyone expected.

Lucien did not even knock. He shoved the heavy doors open and barged into the crown prince’s office.

Caspian paused mid-sip as the door slammed against the wall. He turned slowly, brows arched, still holding the glass of wine loosely between his fingers. His dark blue robe glittered under the sunlight like it had its own quiet authority.

"Lucien?" he asked, calm as ever. "You just left. Why are you..."

Lucien bent forward and grasped the edge of the prince’s desk. He was panting so hard it took a moment for him to speak.

Caspian lifted the wine glass. "You look like you ran through the entire capital. You should have some of this. You’re choking on air."

Lucien shook his head. "No... no wine. Your Highness, this is urgent."

Caspian set the glass down with a soft clink. "What happened?"

Lucien swallowed hard.

"The demons. They’re advancing faster than our scouts predicted." He took another breath. "Three days. No... in less than three. They’ll reach the northern border before the sun rises on the third day."

The crown prince froze. He didn’t blink. He didn’t move. His fingers hovered above the stem of the glass.

"...Three days?" he repeated softly.

Lucien nodded once. "Yes."

Caspian leaned back and rubbed his chin. His expression stayed relaxed, but his eyes sharpened. "I thought we had at least a week. Maybe two."

"We don’t," Lucien said firmly. "We have to act now."

That finally made Caspian straighten. He set the wine aside and tightened his jaw.

"Very well. There’s no use standing here talking when there’s preparation to be done. Gather the knights immediately. I will inform the king."

Lucien bowed quickly. "Yes, Your Highness."

He turned and left with hurried steps, his boots echoing through the marble halls.

The moment the door shut behind him, Caspian lowered his hand... and an unnaturally wide grin spread across his face.

His shoulders trembled with delight he could barely contain.

"So soon?" he whispered to himself. "I didn’t think the demons would reach us this fast."

He pressed two fingers to his lips as he laughed behind his palm. A dark, twisted excitement glimmered in his eyes.

"This is perfect," he murmured. "Absolutely perfect."

He reached under his desk and pulled out a sword wrapped in velvet cloth. Slowly, almost lovingly, he peeled the fabric away.

A sword identical to Lucien’s gleamed in his hands.

Same weight. Same length. Same engravings. Same colour of steel.

But the core and the steel... were weak.

Caspian had spent months studying Lucien’s real sword... borrowing it under pretence, watching it during training, even measuring the balance by eye. And then he had a blacksmith recreate it.

Except this one was fragile. Hollow. Designed to break at the worst possible time.

A weak demon’s blow would shatter it instantly.

Then Lucien would be defenceless.

Then Lucien would die.

"And everyone will think it was just bad luck on the battlefield..." Caspian whispered, admiring the gleam of the false blade. "Such a tragic accident."

His grin widened.

"And Rin... Rin will finally be mine."

He wrapped the sword again and returned it to its hiding place.

"Ha! I can’t wait for such a tragedy to happen."

Then he left the office and strode toward the king’s chamber.

.

.

The king’s room was dim and smelled faintly of medicine. Curtains were drawn, the air heavy with worry. Two servants stood by the door, heads bowed, letting the crown prince in without a word.

The King was lying on the wide bed, his skin pale, his breathing shallow. The once-strong ruler looked smaller now, fragile, almost breakable. His eyes fluttered open when he sensed his son nearby.

"Caspian..." his weak voice rasped.

"Father." Caspian knelt beside the bed. "Lucien brought news. The demons... they will arrive in three days."

The king let out a thin and painful cough as he tried to clear his throat. "Three..."

"Yes, father."

The old man exhaled shakily. "You must lead, Caspian. You must take charge. But you cannot do it alone..." He paused to breathe. "...Rely on the Vortellions. They have protected our family for generations."

Caspian’s eyes briefly darkened.

Generations of royal blood bowing to that family.

And he was sick of it.

But he placed a hand on his chest and bowed his head solemnly. "I understand."

The king coughed again, struggling to speak. "Keep our people safe. You and Lucien... together..."

Caspian smiled gently. "Rest, Father. Save your strength."

"Hmm..."

The king closed his eyes.

Caspian stood, expression soft until he reached the door and stepped outside.

The moment he was out of sight, his gentle look vanished.

"I will lead," he muttered. "But I will not share that stage with Lucien Vortellion. Forgive me, father."

.

.

When Caspian reached the training grounds, he heard Lucien’s voice echoing clearly:

"...and we must secure the eastern side of the palace. That path is the easiest for demons to slip through..."

A group of knights surrounded him, listening with deep focus. Some were already preparing lists, others were checking their armour.

Caspian’s brows pulled together instantly.

He marched forward. "Lucien."

The knights snapped to attention.

Lucien paused mid-sentence and turned.

"Your Highness?"

"I did not tell you to give orders." Caspian’s voice was cold. "Why are you speaking to my men?"

Lucien looked confused. "I wasn’t giving orders. I was informing them of the situation so we can act faster..."

"That is not your role."

The knights exchanged awkward glances. Some even winced. They had been grateful for Lucien’s clarity... he always told them the truth, without grand speeches or royal pride.

Caspian stepped into Lucien’s space and addressed the knights loudly, as if reclaiming authority.

"Listen carefully! The demons will arrive soon. This is the war we have waited for. And I, your crown prince, will lead you."

A few knights tried not to roll their eyes. Lucien had already said these things.

Lucien watched in silence, arms crossed behind his back. He could feel the knights’ silent boredom. Caspian was repeating everything he had already explained.

So he murmured under his breath, just loud enough:

"Skip to the important part."

Caspian’s neck almost snapped as he whipped around. "What did you say?"

Lucien met his eyes calmly. "I said I’ve told them that already. So, move to the other important part."

Whispers spread quickly.

"Is the prince... annoyed because Lucien explained first?"

"Why is he repeating everything?"

"Is there tension between them?"

Caspian ignored the whispers with a forced smile. "Very well. Let’s move on."

He lifted his chin and addressed the commanders:

"The squad commander and his men will stay in the palace to protect the royal family."

The squad commander bowed receiving the orders.

"The centurion and his men will secure the capital and protect the citizens."

The hundred-man commander nodded firmly.

"And the battalion commander..." Caspian paused and looked directly at Lucien. "Lucien Vortellion."

Lucien’s expression didn’t change, but his eyes sharpened.

"You," Caspian continued, "will lead the frontline. You will fight the demons head-on with your men behind you. You should show an example so your men will not falter."

Gasps rose immediately.

"What?"

"But Lord Lucien is... well, he’s an heir!"

"He shouldn’t be in the very front!"

"Is the crown prince trying to get him killed?"

Whispers fell like rain.

Lucien heard every word. So did Caspian.

Caspian raised his hand, fake anger rising. "Silence!"

The knights fell quiet.

"Lucien is the strongest among you," he declared loudly. "He is capable. He will lead the charge. That is my final decision."

Every man there looked uneasy.

Lucien stepped forward with a small grin. "If that’s what you want, Your Highness... then I’ll lead the knights to victory."

Caspian smirked. "Good. I like that you don’t argue. You’re making this so much easier for me."

Lucien’s brows furrowed slightly at the strange tone... but Caspian had already turned away.

He began giving more orders about weapons, supplies, emergency routes... things Lucien had already thoroughly covered.

Finally, the meeting ended.

Knights scattered to prepare.

Caspian walked past Lucien, stopping just long enough to pat his shoulder.

"Don’t disappoint me, Lucien Vortellion."

Then he left with a smile that did not reach his eyes.

Lucien stood there, watching the prince’s back disappear into the distance.

A slow, uneasy chill moved through him.

"What..." Lucien whispered under his breath, "...is the crown prince planning?"