Chapter 46 – The Traitor of the Family

The door of the Sinclair mansion burst open with a thunderous crash. Ren stormed into the foyer, his voice echoing with fury.

“Rin! Where are you?!”

He rushed through the corridors, searching every corner of the house—until a voice stopped him.

“Brother!” Rem appeared in the doorway, a child cradled in her arms.

Ren froze for an instant. The sight struck him like a dagger in the chest: his fragile sister, holding a child clinging to her, embodied everything he had lost. He stepped forward quickly and wrapped an arm around her, careful not to harm the little one.

“Rem…” he murmured, his voice trembling despite his effort to hold it steady. “I’m so glad you’re safe.” His eyes shifted to the boy in her arms. “And the others?”

“They’re fine.” Rem tried to smile, though her face was lined with exhaustion. “They went fishing with their father.”

Ren clenched his teeth. The warmth of home before him only deepened the fury boiling in his chest.

“I came as soon as I could. I received a letter from Rin… about our parents.”

Rem’s expression darkened instantly.

“We couldn’t even hold a funeral for Father…” she whispered, her voice breaking. “And Mother… they took her to Solmara. I don’t understand why.”

She lifted her gaze, tears brimming in her eyes.

“And that fool Rei, along with his Solmaran fiancée… they’re ruling the city now. Ren, you have to do something. Before Rin…”

“Don’t worry.” Ren cut her off, his eyes glowing like smoldering coals. “Take care of your children. I’ll deal with that traitor myself.”

He turned at once, his black cloak billowing behind him. Rem watched in silence as he strode out of the Sinclair mansion—haunted by the sense that her brother was no longer entirely human, but a specter bent on delivering judgment.

The villagers greeted him as he passed, their eyes full of respect and relief. But Ren didn’t return a single glance. His mind was consumed by a single thought: punish Rei. And if it came to it… execute him.

At the entrance to the town hall, guards crossed their spears.

“Stop! Authorized personnel only.”

“I am Ren Sinclair. Step aside. I’ve come to see Rei—my brother.” His voice was clipped, heavy with authority.

“Sorry… the viscount ordered that no one be allowed in.”

Ren exhaled, almost weary. With a single motion, he struck them down, knocking them out cold with the sheathed katana.

“He isn’t a viscount yet.” His footsteps echoed on the marble floor as he pushed the doors open.

“Reiiiiiiiiiiiii!”

His roar reverberated through the hall, shaking the clerks and soldiers who stared at him in fear.

Then, another voice broke the tension.

“Ren-nii!”

Rin rushed down the stairs, her long hair tied back only with a ribbon, and threw herself into his arms without caring who watched.

Ren caught her firmly, struck by how much she had grown. She was no longer the little girl he once carried on his shoulders, but a young woman who, despite the fragile smile on her face, radiated determination.

For a moment, he closed his eyes, allowing himself to feel the warmth of that embrace—an anchor to the past.

“Rin…” his voice dropped low, heavy, controlled. “I’m sorry it took me so long.”

She looked up at him, silver eyes glistening with tears—but also shining with the spark of someone forced to grow up far too quickly.

The moment shattered as the metallic clatter of spears surrounded him once more. Soldiers leveled their weapons at him, trembling under the weight of his presence.

Then, from the top of the staircase, came the sound of slow, mocking applause.

Rei appeared, descending with a theatrical air, his smile dripping with irony.

“Oh… look at this.” Each clap rang out like an insult. “The forgotten third son of House Sinclair returns… thinking himself a hero. What a pitiful show.”

Ren lifted his gaze, the shadow of his fury straining against its leash.

“Rei…”

Rei snapped his fingers with a smirk.

“Oh, I forgot to mention—you’re not welcome in Lumius. Guards.”

Ren’s hand slid to the hilt of his katana.

“One step closer… and not even Lumina’s light will save you.”

The guards exchanged uneasy glances, then swallowed hard and backed away.

Ren’s voice rose, firm as a verdict.

“I’ll give you one chance… only because I promised Mother I’d be a good brother.”

The silence grew heavier. Rei arched a brow, unsettled by that implacable tone.

“Where is Mother?” Ren asked, each word falling like a crushing weight.

The quiet shattered with a soft laugh. A young woman with golden hair and a gown threaded with silver embroidery glided forward, clinging to Rei’s arm. Her smile was as sweet as a dagger.

“Your mother? That vulgar peasant was arrested in the capital.” She raised her voice in feigned compassion. “Legal troubles… you know how it is, when someone doesn’t understand their place.”

“Mother would never break the law!” Rin cried, tears burning in her eyes.

Ren lowered his gaze to her for a moment.

“I know, Rin.” His fists clenched. “All they wanted was her title… her blood.”

Rei stepped forward, chest puffed with pride.

“Lumius thrives because of me… and Clementine.” He lifted his chin, flaunting her like a foreign jewel. “If securing that future means handing these lands to Solmara, I’ll do it without hesitation. Better that than wallowing forever in the Sinclair mud.”

The air grew heavy. Ren’s next word came low, deadly.

“Silence…”

Rei’s eyes widened, his face twisting with rage.

“What did you say, you peasant? No one tells me to shut my mouth!”

Ren’s stare was colder than steel.

“Did you really think I hadn’t foreseen your betrayal?” His voice cut the air like a blade. “That you’d sell your own blood for a worthless title?”

Rei faltered, taking a step back. Clementine tightened her grip on his arm, uneasy.

“Years ago, I sealed a clause in Mother’s title.” Ren closed his eyes briefly, Emilia’s memory flashing in his mind. “If she fell… her inheritance would pass directly to Rin. Neither you nor your little mistress can lay a finger on Lumius.”

“T-that’s a lie!” Rei stammered, sweat trickling down his temple.

Clementine cut in with a venomous smile.

“Even if that were true… Rei inherited his father’s title. All Rin has to do is ‘graciously’ hand it over.”

Ren regarded her in silence for a few seconds—then allowed a glacial smile to form.

“Now I see.” His eyes gleamed with disdain. “That’s why you two attend so many ‘galas.’ A fine place to hunt for better prospects, isn’t it, Lady Clementine?”

Her face stiffened instantly. Rei looked at her in shock.

“You may have dazzled my brother with illusions of power…” Ren stepped forward, and the temperature dropped sharply. “But I won’t let you turn Lumius into your plaything. These lands belong to Emilia Sinclair… and if anyone is to inherit them, it will be Rin. Never you. Never scum.”

“Guards! Arrest this traitor!” Rei shrieked, but even his voice wavered.

The soldiers looked at each other, hesitant. Still, a few began to move.

Ren smiled for the first time—a smile that froze the blood of everyone present.

“If a single hair on me or my sister is touched, it will trigger an international incident.”

Clementine burst into mocking laughter.

“An incident? You’re just a nobody! You don't even speak with Rei’s refinement.”

“That’s true…” Ren’s voice dropped as his blade slid free.

In the blink of an eye, frost spread across the floor. Wisteria appeared in his hand, humming with icy power that made the walls groan.

“My name is Ren Sinclair.” His voice pressed down on the hall like divine judgment. “Emperor of Yukihana… and this blade is Wisteria, my divine weapon.”

A ripple of horror swept through the chamber. Clementine stumbled back, pale with fear.

“Rei…! Why didn’t you tell me your brother was an… emperor?”

“I… I didn’t know… It must be because of that Yuki we met years ago…” Rei stammered.

Ren raised his other hand. A second blade, wrapped in sacred flame, materialized—Versalles.

“And not only that.” His gaze burned with blinding brilliance. “I am also Lumina’s chosen hero. This weapon… was entrusted to me by the goddess herself.”

The guards collapsed to their knees, crushed by the overwhelming pressure. Clementine bowed her head, trembling.

Only Rin remained standing at his side. She pressed her lips together, her silver eyes locked on her brother. She didn’t fully understand the words or the titles—but she didn’t waver. She stepped closer and gripped his arm firmly, as though that single act was enough to defy the whole world.

Rei, on the other hand, was as pale as snow—unable to accept that the brother he despised was now both an emperor and a hero.