Prince of Gluttony: Born from Betrayal

Mira turned back toward Cain, eyes glinting like sunlight on steel. "Reserve a Training Ground for tonight," she said, voice certain, leaving no room for discussion. "I will talk to the other two. Meet us there tonight."

Before Cain could respond, she spun on her heel and took off toward the gates at a full sprint.

"Wait," Cain started, but the word barely left his mouth before she was gone.

Like the wind, he thought, watching the faint cloud of dust settling on the path she had taken. He could almost convince himself he imagined her being here at all if not for the faint thud of her boots echoing in the distance.

Cain sighed, his hand coming up to run through his hair as he leaned back against the courtyard wall. Things were moving faster than he liked. Mira had only just volunteered herself, and now she was bringing in two more people he had never even met. He was not sure whether to be impressed or concerned. Probably both.

Jayden stretched beside him, her tail flicking lazily. "She moves quick," she said, her tone almost approving.

Cain grunted in agreement, his eyes drifting back toward the gate. The Tournament was shaping up to be more complicated than he had expected, and he did not like going into anything blind. He was still thinking through the logistics when something surfaced in his mind like a stone tossed into still water.

A memory. A recent one at that.

It was the reason why Jayden had tracked him down to the courtyard. She had heard a rumor. One that he had been confessed to an upperclassman and that he had accepted their confession.

Cain remembered the sharp look in Jayden's eyes when she had first found him. It was the look of someone ready to commit murder! If Jayden hadn't been with him at the forge and recognized Mira, it was entirely possible that she would have not believed him. He dreaded to think what the consequences would have been if he had failed to convince her.

Then he remembered the other woman who's opinion he cared about.

Anna.

A chill ran down his spine and a sense of urgency bubbled up from the depths of his heart. He had barely managed to make up with her this morning and if Jayden heard the rumors, Anna most definitely heard it too! He needed to find her and tell her the truth. He couldn't help but feel a sense of frustration and hatred for whoever had started these baseless rumors.

He was about to rush off in search of her when he suddenly heard it. It was a soft but unmistakable a voice that cut through the stillness like a shard of ice.

"Jayden, why have you not broken his legs yet?"

Cain froze.

The words were precise, cold, deliberate. He did not need to look to know who had spoken. It was Anna.

Jayden's ears twitched sharply, tail flicking behind her with a sudden intensity. She shifted slightly, her body positioning herself between Cain and the direction the voice had come from.

Cain turned slowly. Anna stood at the edge of the courtyard path, arms crossed, eyes sharp and unyielding. Her presence demanded attention. The quiet authority she carried made the wind seem softer in comparison, the sunlight less bright. Her gaze locked on him, evaluating, and Cain felt the weight of her judgment settle over him like a stone.

"Do you think I am blind?" she said, her voice calm but cutting. "Do you think rumors do not reach me?"

Cain's hands went up slightly, a gesture of defense. "Anna, it is not what you think."

Her eyes narrowed. "It is exactly what it looks like. You have been smiling and nodding while another girl confesses her feelings to you. You have been playing the part of the noble man who accepts without consequence. Explain yourself."

Cain swallowed, aware of the cold sweat forming at his temples. "I did not accept anything. There was no confession. It is a rumor, nothing more."

Anna's gaze shifted briefly to Jayden, who did not move but watched closely, then back to Cain. "You expect me to believe that?"

"Yes," Cain said firmly, trying to match her calm. "I have no reason to accept any confession. It is a lie. I would never act in such a way, and Jayden can attest to it."

Jayden's ears twitched, and she gave a small, approving nod. "He is telling the truth."

Anna's eyes flicked to Jayden again, cold but measuring, before returning to Cain. "You have exactly one chance to convince me," she said. "One chance to prove this is false before I assume the worst. If I find out you are lying…"

Cain swallowed hard, heart pounding. "I am not lying."

"Then hurry up and explain yourself." She growled with her arms crossed. Her foot tapped impatiently against the ground as she continued to look at him like he was some sort of disgusting bug.

Cain felt tension draining from his shoulders slightly, though the icy weight of Anna's disapproval remained. He knew she did not forgive mistakes easily, and she never forgot them. Every word she spoke carried authority, every movement calculated, and Cain had to remind himself that she had come looking for him precisely because she cared, even if it was buried beneath layers of strictness and judgment.

Cain took a deep breath, trying to steady his racing thoughts. "Anna, listen carefully. Someone started a rumor that I accepted a confession from another student. It's completely false. I did not. I would never lead someone on like that. You know me, you know how I operate."

Anna's eyes did not waver. "And you expect me to take your word for it? After catching you naked in bed with Jayden this morning?"

Cain winced at that remark while Jayden blushed, averting her own gaze. However, Cain was not deterred enough to quit.

"The girl in the rumor is a blacksmith I chose to sponsor. I just found out she is a student here today!"

Anna's eyes narrowed, the piercing gaze unflinching. "A blacksmith? You expect me to believe that a girl confessing her feelings to you and you accepting them is somehow just about sponsorship?"

Cain forced himself to keep his voice calm. "Yes. I chose to sponsor her because of her skill, not because of anything else. I needed someone I could trust to maintain and craft weapons. That is the truth. Nothing more."

Anna's gaze shifted between the two of them, calculating and sharp. "You have a convenient explanation. One that is easy to believe if I choose to. But why not tell me earlier?"

"I had no reason to. There was no misunderstanding until the rumor started circulating. I only learned of it recently," Cain explained, trying to emphasize his sincerity. "I swear, I did not encourage it. I did not accept anything. I have no interest in leading anyone on, and especially not you."

Anna's jaw tightened. "Do you take me for a fool?"

Cain shook his head quickly. "No, Anna. Never. I would never risk your trust. Not for a moment. Not for anyone."

Her lips pressed together, and for a heartbeat, Cain thought she might continue scolding him. Instead, she took a step closer, eyes still cold but scrutinizing him differently now, as if weighing the depth of his sincerity.

"Then I want to see this supposed 'blacksmith' for myself!"