Prince of Gluttony: Born from Betrayal

Abel strode in like he owned the place, his uniform just slightly rumpled in that deliberate way that screamed effortless charm. A few students whispered. However, nobody giggled or fawned over him.

After all, Cain was proof that his heroic tale was fake.

Cain's jaw tightened as his eyes locked on the smug bastard walking in.

Abel stopped mid-step when he spotted Cain, his smile widening like he'd just found a long-lost friend.

"Oh? Cain? You're here too?" he said with a grin that made Cain want to punch something. "Man, talk about a surprise."

Cain didn't answer. He didn't trust himself to.

'Oh dear,' Gaius mused with a slow hum. 'So that's the infamous Abel. He looks like a sleazy bastard.. Just looking at him makes me wish I still had my hands so I could slap him .'

Cain's hand drifted toward his side. Not for his swords.

For control.

Because if he didn't get a grip on himself soon, he'd do something that would get him expelled.

'It's just a week. I just have to endure a week and then I can kill him without any consequences...'

Abel took a few more steps forward, hands in his pockets like he owned the room. He tilted his head slightly, as if sizing Cain up with mock curiosity.

"I didn't expect to see you here, Your Highness," he said with a smirk, the title laced with sarcasm. "I figured you'd be holed up somewhere licking your wounds. You actually had the nerve to show up at all?"

Cain's eyes narrowed. The urge to speak boiled in his throat, but he forced it down.

'He's provoking you on purpose,' Gaius warned gently. 'Trying to get a reaction. If you lash out first, you lose.'

Abel clicked his tongue and shrugged, his smirk growing wider. "What? Not going to talk? You used to love yapping on and on like a small puppy. It was almost cute in a sad pitiful way."

Cain remained silent.

Abel studied him for a moment, eyes gleaming with something darker. Then he stepped even closer, voice dropping low.

"Actually, since we're here... I do have a question for you."

Cain didn't react. But his curiosity twitched, against his will.

Abel caught that, and his grin spread like oil.

"If you answer honestly, I'll spare you during our little duel. Scout's honor."

Cain said nothing.

But Abel could tell he had his attention now.

He leaned in, the corners of his mouth curled in a sleazy smirk, and whispered, "What trick did you pull to convince Jayden to spread her legs for you?"

Cain's stomach turned.

Abel chuckled, eyes full of sick amusement.

Cain didn't move.

Didn't speak.

But his body grew still in that dangerous way. He was far too still.

His eyes lost all warmth, and for a brief second, the air between them felt like it had dropped several degrees.

Before Cain could say or do anything, a voice cut through the tension.

"What did you just say?"

The voice was cool, sharp, and unmistakable.

Both boys turned.

Jayden stood at the entrance of the training ground, arms crossed, her ruby red hair catching the light like a burning blade. Her jade like eyes narrowed as they flicked between the two of them. She hadn't raised her voice, but her presence alone was like a slap to the back of the head.

Abel blinked, then in an instant, his expression changed.

Gone was the sleazy smirk. In its place was a polite smile, practiced and charming.

"Ah, Jayden. Perfect timing," he said, stepping back from Cain as if he'd just been warning her about something dangerous. "I was just telling Cain here that his behavior toward you was completely inappropriate."

Jayden arched an eyebrow.

Abel pressed on, gesturing with both hands like he was trying to smooth things over. "He was saying some truly vile things. I don't know what lies he's told you, but if I were you, I'd stay far away from him. Guys like that? They only want one thing. You deserve someone who would actually respect you. A gentleman. Like me. "

Jayden looked at him for a long moment.

Then she sniffed the air once, slowly.

Her face twisted in faint disgust as her eyes settled on Abel like he was something she just scraped off her shoe.

"Who are you?" she asked flatly.

Abel froze.

It was only for a moment, but it was enough.

The look in her eyes wasn't anger or confusion.

It was disdain.

Like she wasn't just unimpressed by him. Like he didn't even register.

Cain didn't need to say anything.

The silence said it all.

Cain didn't even try to hide the grin that was spreading across his face.

His shoulders trembled once, twice, then shook as he bit down on his bottom lip to stop the sound threatening to escape.

But it was too late.

A quiet snort slipped out.

Jayden didn't say anything, but her lip twitched like she was holding back her own amusement.

Abel's jaw clenched. His face twitched once, then again, as if he couldn't decide whether to sneer or scream. His fake charm cracked at the edges, and for a moment, Cain saw the real man underneath.

Ugly. Bitter. Furious.

Abel's eyes flicked between them.

Then he smiled.

It was a twitchy thing, forced and too wide to be real.

"I see. I get it now," he muttered, adjusting his collar like it was suddenly suffocating him. "Some things never change."

Cain tilted his head, eyes gleaming with mock sympathy. "You alright there, Abel? You look a little… red."

That did it.

Abel's eye twitched, his nostrils flared, and for a second it looked like he might explode on the spot. But then he exhaled sharply and forced a cough into his hand like he was a nobleman excusing himself from a meeting.

"Ah, right. That's my cue. Just remembered I have an appointment. Very important. Can't be late. You understand."

He turned on his heel, his posture stiff as a board.

Not a single student moved to stop him.

Cain watched him leave, his grin still lingering.

"Appointment, huh?" he muttered just loud enough for Jayden to hear. "Must be with his ego."

Jayden rolled her eyes but didn't fight the small smirk tugging at her lips.

"Who was that guy again?" she asked.

Cain glanced at her, still smiling.

"Just someone I used to know."

She looked at him for a moment longer, her expression unreadable.

Then she turned and walked past him onto the field, like Abel had never been there at all.

Cain gaze followed her. She hadn't said much but it had undoubtedly made his heart feel lighter, even if only for a little bit.