CW: Explicit language, mentions of hanging.
Rin hadn’t expected the Governor of Hanjuyang, First Lord Hwan Sun, to be so…haggard.
The man sits slumped in his blue wingback chair, thin fingers steepled as he rests his elbows on the arms. Sleepless nights hang low under his bloodshot eyes in dark circles, the rest of him wan and gaunt. His bloodless lips are pursed in disdain as he trains his cold gaze on the raven haired youth standing before his desk.
Beside him, the ever eternal fixture, stands Sun’s extra limb. Namely, his manservant Zev. Not a lock of his snow white hair is out of place. His suit is, as always, impeccably pressed, without a speck of lint on the fine black fabric. A hand donned in a white glove adjusts those round spectacles on the bridge of his nose, before his hazel eyes latch onto their ‘guest’.
Somehow, this manservant’s presence makes Rin feel more uneasy than the lord. There’s an air of death around the man, as if Izayoma himself has latched onto his back. Cold sweat pricks his nape and he gives it a quick rub. He sends a side glance to the little lord, who stands straight and tall beside him. His profile is pale and severe however, as if it were he himself about to be tested by Sun.
And the final person in the room is Mira. She stands guard by the door, holding herself at attention. Rin gets the distinct feeling that she’s guarding the door, in case he should decide to flee.
All exits blocked. Surrounded by enemies par one. It’s not a good situation for the Rat.
“Your name, child.” Sun’s voice is soft, a near sigh. But the curtness of his words don’t escape Rin’s attention. That sharp tongue knows authority well.
“You can call me the Rat.” His voice cracks midway and he quickly clears his throat, cheeks burning. After a thought, he throws in a careless, “Sir.”
“That is not what I asked for.”
“His name is Rin, father,” Jun says, quietly. His hands are balled up at his sides, twisting the hem of his shirt. Rin’s never seen him so cowed and timid before. It’s quite startling.
The first lord blatantly ignores his son and gives Rin a thin-lipped smile. “The correct address is, ‘my lord’.”
“Sure. My lord.” Rin’s never really acted deferential towards anyone in his life. He’s a mouthy bastard who gets off on rattling big men like Sun. So even as he tries to tone down his clear disrespect of this lord, a sliver of snark seeps through in his voice. Surely, he would die this day.
Luckily, Sun doesn’t seem to notice or care. “Rat. Why do you call yourself by this moniker?”
“Why do you think? I’m a rat. Always have been. Always will be.”
“And what exactly about you can be attributed to this…animal?”
I see where Jun gets it from, Rin thinks amusedly. His lips quirk into a faint smirk. “If you’ve never met a rat before, then consider yourself lucky. My lord.” He adds after a beat, almost forgetting the address. “Look, are you gonna kill me or what? Jun says that you might still hang me so…I’d like to know in advance.”
Sun continues staring at the rude youth, his expression utterly unreadable. It makes Rin uneasy. It’s a rare occurrence when he can’t fathom what someone’s thoughts are.
“My son has taken a great interest in you, Rat. Do you know why this is?”
“Well, I did save his life. Did he mention that?” Rin says, arching a brow.
“He did mention it, yes. In fact, he has requested that you forgo punishment, despite your transgression against my house.”
“Transgression? What transgression?”
“You stole from me.”
“Father, they were replaceable items,” Juns says, tone urgent. Imploring. “Things that we barely notice we have. Even Mira says that all together, they were not of much value–”
“Quiet, Jun.” An order.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
Ktf ilaaif ibgv ojiir rlifca jcv gbmxr yjmx bc tlr tffir, tfjv ybklcu.
Vec rlutr jcv ajqr tlr olcufgr jujlcra tlr xcemxifr. “Pa lr rajcvjgv ab rfcv sbe ab atf ujiibkr obg atlr boofcmf.”
“Lbk ybglcu,” Elc rjsr, abcf vgs.
“Szmerf wf?” Ktf olgra ibgv’r rajgf rtjgqfcr. Ifgbfr lc.
“Standard? Is there a standard for how you dictate those beneath you, my lord? It all seems pretty boring, is all.”
What is he doing? His mouth seems to have a mind of its own, shooting shit at the one of the most powerful people in this empire. Yet, there’s a sick thrill in it. A frustration too. What use is power if you can’t even wield it to your will? Is that even truly power?
A puzzled expression crosses the first lord’s face. “Explain.”
“Protocol, standards, rules. These are set by someone other than yourself, no? You may be a lord but you’re bound as I am, here before you. This is an impasse you can overcome, but you choose not to. It’s boring.”
“How dare you–” Zev begins sharply, stepping forward as if he were about to grab (or strangle) the impudent youth.
Sun raises a hand at his manservant, shaking his head. His cold golden eyes remain fixed on Rin. Zev grimaces and steps back, ever obedient.
“An interesting observation,” Sun breathes. “What do you suggest I do?”
“Whatever you want. It’s relatively easy.” Rin gains confidence at the lord’s response.
“You are asking me to betray the Mother.”
“No, I’m not. Do you think the Mother gives a shit about someone like me? I’m sure her concerns go beyond a Rat from the Slums.”
“You may be correct. But those rules are there to be obeyed. The Mother’s word is god.”
“Even nature rebels. The gods look away from time to time.”
“If that is not betrayal, then what is it?”
Rin smiles. “It’s initiative.”
Sun chuckles softly, goldens arching into glittering crescents.
Jun starts at the sudden reaction, eyes growing twofold at the sight of his austere father…laughing. Has he ever made his father sincerely laugh before? The little lord realises with a sinking heart that he hasn’t. Not once.
“All this to say, you should be spared the gallows?” the first lord asks, raising a brow. The coldness has ebbed into a growing interest. This child is unlike many of the Slummers he’s come across. Despite his wretched appearance and his unfortunate moniker, the Rat seems to be a rather capable youth.
“All this to say, it’d be a real waste if you got rid of me.”
“How so?”
“I’m a Rat. I can get into places you can’t.”
Sun smiles in amusement. “And where can you possibly go, that I, the Governor of this city, cannot?”
“Have you ever walked outside of those high gates, Governor? From what I can tell, you spend your time purely between the High District and the Blue Plains. Do you even know what’s going on in your own city?”
“I am kept well informed by my manservant.”
“Like you were about Father Blossom?” Irritation flares in anger. Anger that he’d kept stifled from the moment he stepped into the room – but now, it leaks through his defences.
The smile fades from Sun’s face. His eyes narrow, displeasure clear in his glare. “That was an oversight, I assure you.”
Rin scoffs and folds his arms, resting his weight on his left leg. “If you had a rat at your disposal, instead of a stuffy manservant who stinks of the High District, then maybe you would have known about Father Blossom earlier. That, and Kahin.”
Sun sighs through his nose and leans back in his chair, suddenly appearing twice as exhausted. “Kahin and Blossom will be dealt with accordingly.”
“What the hell does that even mean?” Rin grits his teeth. He’s tired of this noble-talk. He’s tired of playing Sun’s games. He just wants retribution. “You know what she does to the Roses. And Blossom, he’s experimenting on humans. What more do you need to take action?”
“If you had not pursued Blossom with such a clumsy, ill-thought plan, then he would not have had the chance to escape,” Sun reminds him, dispassionately. “We have issued a warrant for his capture, thus it is only a matter of time. As for Madame Kahin, there is no evidence to support your accusations. We have interviewed the Roses and conducted a thorough search of her establishments. Even if she were guilty of a crime, our search gives no indication of this.”
“So you’re just gonna let her go? Drop the investigation?” He releases a sharp scoff. “It’s true, isn’t it? The Mother is behind all of this. And just like Blossom, you cower before your master.”
“Careful, Rat.” The Governor’s impassive, but his tone is pure ice. “I have yet to judge your fate.”
“Father, surely there is something you can do,” Jun says, moving to Rin’s side. He places a calming hand upon a tense shoulder. “Rin and I…we saw with our own eyes how the Roses were imprisoned. Even the guards who came to our aid that night can testify. And what about the Children? I am certain they could provide the evidence you need. If only you would interview them thoroughly and–”
“You dare question the Governor?” Sun sends the daggers of his ire at his youngest son, whittling him down to nothing. “When you take this seat then you may do as you wish as Governor of Hanjuyang. Until that day comes however, I remain in this position and you will accept my word as law.”
Jun blenches and bows his head, divots digging into his cheeks as he clenches his jaw. “…I understand. My apologies, father.”
“Enough.” Sun leans back, waving at the two youths dismissively. “Leave now. I have much work to do.”
“I’m not leaving.” Rin seethes and simmers, wanting nothing more than to beat this arrogant lord to a pulp. “From what I can see, the only people you really care about are the ones outside that window.” He jabs a finger at the glazed bay that overlooks the expanse of the High District. Hundreds of sprawling estates and pristine grounds. The height of wealth and opulence. “I’m not leaving until you admit that’s why you’re letting this go. You don’t care about Kahin and Blossom. You don’t care about the Roses. You’re just going through the motions until everyone forgets. That’s your plan, isn’t it?”
“Rinnie, stop.” Jun’s voice is quiet, yet something in his tone draws the raven’s attention. When he glances at the little lord, he catches that severe look in those goldens. A clear warning. Don’t push this or he’ll kill you.
Rin snaps his mouth shut, biting on his cheeks. He whips his glare back at the Governor, who sits there impassively with hooded eyes. Waiting for the youth to blow through his tantrum.
That was close. No, it may already be too late. Swallowing his rage, Rin steps away from the desk, clutching at the skirt of his robes. “Fine,” he grits out, eye burning. “It clearly doesn’t matter to you. So I won’t even bother.” He snatches Jun’s hand and spins on his heels, yanking the helpless lord towards the door. Mira pulls it open and steps aside, letting the boys out first.
“Oh,” Rin says, pausing mid-step to throw a mocking grin at Sun. “And just so you know, whether you decide to send me to the gallows is irrelevant. Ever tried hanging a rat before? We can get into places sure, but we can also get out just as easily. So good luck with that, my lord.” The last two words he spits out in a sneer, before stalking out into the hall.
Mira bows to the two men and she slips outside, closing the door behind with a quiet click.
Silence settles, like the shivering peace in the wake of a violent tempest.
Sun slumps in his seat and palms his forehead, eyes fluttering shut. “That boy is exhausting.”
“The Rat, my lord?” Zev immediately steps over to the drinks cart, pouring two fingers of Northern whiskey into a crystal tumbler. “Indeed, he is vulgar and has no concept of basic etiquette.”
“My son,” the Governor murmurs, dropping his hand to gaze at the door. His pupils tremble. “He is too much like his mother.”
Zev brings the drink to his lord and resumes his position by his side, watching him attentively. When the haggard man tosses back his drink, Zev can see the handsome line of his throat and the hard pearl rolling with every swallow. The manservant’s cheeks darken ever so slightly.
“What will you do with the Rat, my lord?” Zev asks, subtly tugging at his collar. “Shall I send for the Silverswords?”
Sun grips the rim of his glass in a languid hold. “No need,” he says, much to Zev’s surprise. “You know of his identity. He could prove useful to us.”
“Yes, I had confirmed it myself only this morning.”
“You are certain the boy is unaware?”
“I am, my lord.”
Sun smiles thinly at the Westerner. “We may be able to avoid the Mother’s wrath if this goes according to plan.”
“Will we still be attending court next month, my lord?”
“We will. I must buy myself, or rather Jun, some time. I fear she may send him to Reshun in the next campaign. It will be Bora, all over again.” The Governor slams his glass upon his desk. Golden liquor spills over his fingers.
Zev whips out a handkerchief and leans over the lord, gently dabbing his fingers clean. Frosted locks slide into his focused gaze, obscuring half of his visage.
The Governor’s ire peters out when he sees this and he pushes out a sharp breath. Absently, he reaches up and tucks Zev’s hair behind his ear. A caring gesture done without a single thought. The manservant starts and glances at Sun, cheeks ripening. Hazel eyes are big and rounded on the sides, making him appear tender and youthful.
“My lord?” Zev’s breath skips and scatters. He’s much too close to Sun. Their noses mere inches from touching.
Ruthless goldens spear those startled hazels. Within their depths, a disturbance.
The manservant straightens up and retreats to the drinks cart with the empty glass, unable to contain the tremour in his hand. A boulder crushes his chest and the feeling works its way into his throat, stifling his breath.
Sun eyes the younger man’s tense back with a grimace. “Need I remind you, once again, of our respective positions, Zev?” he says, callously.
“…No. Of course not, my lord. I am well aware.” Comes the monotonous reply.
“Not to mention the fact that you are still the child I rescued from the streets of Vas Eshar.” Sun’s gaze softens at the memory. “You must find a good woman to marry, Zev. Whether or not women are to your tastes, you must have an heir to carry on your name.”
“What name?” The manservant returns with a fresh drink which he sets before Sun. His expression is stiff, as are his movements. “I have no House nor name to pass onto my child.”
“Think I would let you go without a proper name?” Sun picks up the glass but he doesn’t drink, simply swirling it idly. “Once I retire from my position as Governor, I will seek to purchase you a second name. That had been my intention all along.”
Zev gazes down at his lord, dark lashes lowered. “I do not desire a second name, my lord. Nor do I desire a wife or a child. I am simply content to serve you.”
“And when I die? What then?”
“Then I will follow my lord.” There’s no hesitation in his voice.
Sun chuckles as he raises the glass to his lips. “It can never be, Zev.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“And yet–”
“And yet, I will continue to serve you, my lord. As I always have.”
Sun drains his glass in one go. “You are the most foolish man I’ve had the misfortune of knowing.” There’s a smile in his voice.
“Yes, my lord.”
I’m confused… is he bastard or not?!! 😭😭
LOLL yes and no? 😭 Ehhh you’ll come to know him better~~ Thank you for reading Clozed!! <333
Omg… Is this… A new angsty ship that will bring me only pain?? I’M IN-
Thank you for the chapter!! ❤️❤️
😭 honestly i feel so bad for Zev!!!!! he is such a son…..V_V but alas, I must only give him suffering….thank you for reading dondonn!!! <333
Ah ahhhhhh a lovely painful and turbulent ship that is forbidden yes yes