Rin stepped out of the Vortellion estate after Lucien left for the palace. The morning air was cool as always, but the lane where the brothel was still carried the faint smell of wine from last night's Golden Goose game. People were already sweeping the streets, and the nobles who lived nearby walked around with sleepy eyes, as if they regretted staying up too late but were already preparing to do it again tonight.
The brothel looked busy from afar. Men and women hurried around, cleaning up broken glass and sweeping confetti into piles. Some workers dragged bags of trash outside while others carried in new decorations. The whole place smelled of perfume, alcohol, and something sweet that Rin couldn't name.
He didn't waste time. He rushed straight inside, ignoring the guards who already knew him well enough to let him pass without a word.
As soon as he entered, he saw Lia coming out of a hallway with an empty tray. Her eyes lit up immediately.
