Chapter Text
Cale had everything planned out. Well not everything, but he had a trajectory. Defeat the White Star, and then silently disappear from the public and become a slacker. And he accomplished that. But of course, someone always has to knock his plans astray. He had sent Ron and Beacrox back to the Eastern Territory, he convinced his brother to be the lord of their land, he persuaded Choi Han, Rosalyn, Lock, and Mary to travel the world together and “see the world”. He also tried to send the children away, but if they didn’t want to go, it’s fine. Everything was going very well, there weren’t any issues with his current life, and he can successfully be a slacker in peace. Then, the call came. From him. And true to his troublesome nature, it came at the most inconvenient time, 4 in the morning. What was he even doing, being up at 4? Cale sighed as he sat in the cushioned chairs in his room and thought back to what had happened.
Cale usually wakes up around noon every day. While he did promise his team leader that he’ll be a farmer, the children usually wake up earlier enough to water the plants in the morning, and he just waters the plants when he wakes up. However, this particular morning, he had promised the children that he’ll take them to see the early morning market. He wakes up with a groan, stretching out his limbs as he blearily looked at the rising sun. He got up and walked to the garden, where he saw Raon, On and Hong already watering the plants and pulling out weeds that had grown overnight.
‘It’ll take about 3hours to reach the morning market by carriage’
Cale thought,
‘I better prepare now, maybe I can sleep a bit more when we are in the carriage’
As Cale decided to get dressed to go out, Raon comes charging through the room shouting
“Human!! The Crown Prince messaged you last night! He says he wants you to meet him at the castle as soon as possible!!”
Cale had paused for a moment when he heard it.
‘Alberu? The current King of Roan Kingdom? What could he possibly want? Did the White Star somehow revive again?’
As Cale was worrying over such possibilities. Raon continue to chatter
“It seems like an emergency human! So, you don’t need to take us to the market today! Since smart Choi Han came back, we can go to the morning market with him! And, I won’t come with you either! Cause it doesn’t look dangerous! But human, you can’t get hurt okay? If it hurts, make sure to get Goldie Gramps! He’ll come to help you! And then Goldie Gramps can get me! So don’t get hurt okay?!”
After Raon seemed satisfied with saying his piece, he nodded to himself and flew out. Cale blinked a few times at the spew of Raon’s words and finished dressing. After he got dressed, he walked downstairs, thinking of grabbing breakfast and asking Raon to set up a magical circle. But, by the time he came downstairs, he was informed that Raon, On, Hong, and Choi Han already boarded the carriage heading to the morning market, and not sure when they will return. Cale sighed as he informed someone to grab him a magician so he can go to the castle. As he waited, he started to slowly eat breakfast.
When Cale arrived, he saw the messenger for the King waiting for him right outside the door. The messenger slightly bowed and said
“Welcome Cale Henituse, Sir. His Majesty has been waiting for you. Please wait right here while I inform His Majesty about your arrival.”
Cale nodded slightly as he sat down in the waiting room. After a couple minutes of waiting, the messenger came back.
“The King will see you now.”
Cale nodded and got up. Following the messenger down the hall to the Alberu’s office. When the messenger opened the door to Alberu’s office, Cale thought he saw Alberu had a slightly panicky expression that put Cale on guard. But the next second, Alberu is showing that sunny sugar-won’t-melt-in-my-mouth expression; and Cale figure everything was alright, so he smiled to match Alberu’s smile. After he and Alberu went through their typical, short banter, Alberu sent his servants out. Cale then sat down on the comfy couches of Alberu’s office. Alberu didn’t sit down.
“Your Majesty?”
Cale had asked, Alberu looked at Cale with a dazed expression. It was making Cale have an itchy feeling in his chest. Maybe there was a serious problem after all? Alberu seems to have shaken off whatever got him in a daze and sat down. Alberu seems to have muttered something under his breath and then looked up at Cale with a serious expression.
“ Cale.”
Alberu said. Cale swallowed silently and sat up a little stiffer.
“I would… like it, if we were partners”
Alberu struggled out, and Cale felt like he got tossed around by the White Star’s ancient wind power. His head went blank and Cale felt like all he can hear is the blood rushing in his ears. Alberu seems to be waiting for his reply. Cale needs to say something, he needs to- Cale’s going to act dumb. He doesn’t usually do that, but he needs more time to think. Alberu seems to be shocked at how Cale interpreted his question, and Cale felt bad, he really did. But he needs to get out. Cale doesn’t remember what he said…. something about the kids? Cale doesn’t know. What Cale DOES know, is that when he was rushing out, Alberu looked crestfallen at Cale speedy retreat.
Which bought Cale to the present. Sitting in his bedroom, sipping on some wine and waiting for everyone to come back. Cale slouched back onto his pillow.
‘The real question is’
Cale pondered
‘Do I like Alberu?’
Cale felt bewildered when he thought of Alberu in that sense. It’s not like Cale doesn’t like Alberu, and the thought of Alberu courting Cale doesn’t exactly disgust him. It does, however, embarrass him… why him? Cale does admit that he’s a decent looking guy but compared with the others that Cale surrounds himself with, Cale is on the lower end of the spectrum. Plus, Alberu’s a King, he can choose anybody he wants within the Roan Kingdom, and they will gladly agree.
‘Is…it because we have the same kind of personality?’
Cale wondered, or…Cale’s mood begins to sour
‘Is it because I have no title, thus no affiliation with anybody in the higher ranks?’
The more Cale thought, the more displeased he felt. The more displease Cale felt, the more he started to drink. And the more Cale drink, the more he thought about why Alberu would ask HIM of all people. It was a never-ending cycle, and, by the time Choi Han and the kids came back, Cale was feeling slightly, veryyy slightly drunk. However, when Cale saw the faces of the children scrunch up due to the smell, he stood up and opened the windows, letting the air inside his room.
“Cale-nim”
Choi Han said, his voice colored with concern. Did Cale look like he was in that bad of a shape?
“Choi Han! Welcome home, where’s Rosalyn, Lock, and Mary?”
Cale had asked, his voice not slurred at all. Choi Han looked at Cale in concern once again.
“They’re coming tomorrow, Mary wanted to visit Tasha and Lock wanted to look around a bit more, so Rosalyn went with them. Cale-nim, are you okay?”
Cale nodded his head
“Yeah, I was just thinking about something. I’m..ah, I’m going to bed early today, no need for dinner okay?”
Choi Han looked like he wanted to say something else to Cale, but On pulled on Choi Han’s sleeves and whispered something in his ears. Choi Han, then, picked up On and Hong walked out the door, with quiet parting words
“Good night, Cale-nim. Sleep well.”
Cale shrugged at his shoulders at their behavior and decided instead of drinking, maybe he should just head to bed. He’ll think about it in the mornings
Cale woke up in the morning with a headache. Which honestly, he should’ve known with how much he was drinking. Cale slowly got up, thinking he’ll get himself a cup of water before going back to bed. Screw thinking. However, when he opened the door, he sees the smiling face of Rosalyn waiting for him.
"…Miss. Rosalyn?”
Cale asked, making sure he wasn’t hallucinating from drinking too much. Rosalyn continued to smile widely
“Cale. It’s been a while? How have you been? Let’s talk.”
With that, Rosalyn pushed herself into the room and closed the door behind her. Shocked, Cale didn’t even react until she was already sitting down and preparing the tea. This seems to be happening a lot recently. Cale sighed and walked over to where Rosalyn is sitting and sat down the opposite side of her.
“Let’s talk then. What do you want to talk about?”
Rosalyn sipped her tea. Cale sighed and waited for Rosalyn to speak first; it seems like she’s planning to take her time with this conversation. He reached for his wine cup.
“Cale.”
Rosalyn said, with a click from her teacup.
“I talked with Choi Han and On just now”
Cale flinched. Rosalyn ignored Cale and continue to speak.
“They said you were acting a bit…strange? Yesterday."
She paused for a second, and Cale inwardly sighed with relief.
‘Good, she doesn’t know why yet.’
Then, Rosalyn continued.
“At first, I was wondering why they wanted me to talk with you, after all, I would figure it would be Raon who is closet to you, and maybe Mr. Ron if you wanted to talk with someone older. But then, On told me something interesting.”
Rosalyn looked at Cale with a slight grin and Cale took a deep breath. Maybe On made the wrong assumption and told her something else?
“Cale, do you know how much consideration the Royal family takes before they decide to court someone?"
Cale sighed, no such luck.
“Miss. Rosalyn, I’m not sure what you mean?”
Cale said, in hopes that maybe it’ll work a second time and he can push this issue aside. After all: out of sight, out of mind. Right? Rosalyn gave Cale a disappointed look. As if to say she’s not going to believe in the crap that’s coming out of Cale’s mouth. Without saying a word, she continues to stare wordlessly at Cale. Cale isn’t cowed by silence. He really isn’t, and if Rosalyn wants to pressure Cale into talking, she can try.
“Well… you see”
It isn’t because of her silently staring at Cale that making Cale talk, okay? He’s just feeling guilty. And lost. And confused. But mainly guilty.
“Alberu… asked me out yesterday.”
Cale wasn’t blushing, not at all, it was probably the alcohol from last night affecting him.
“… and I may have purposely mistaken his choice of words for something else before I left his office.”
Rosalyn looked at Cale and neutrally asked,
“Why did you do it? If you didn’t like His Majesty, you could’ve told him so. It’s not like you to push something off to later.”
Cale shrugged; Rosalyn sighed again
“Cale, the most important is, are you able to see yourself in a relationship with His Majesty? I know you want to be a slacker and being the consort to the King is a lot of responsibility. The responsibility you have to take.”
Hearing what Rosalyn said, Cale's expression became gloomier.
“So, aren’t I the perfect choice?”
He asked, a bit annoyed. Rosalyn looked a bit startled at Cale’s unexpected response and seemed to ponder for a bit.
“True, objectively speaking, you would be the best candidate to be his Majesty’s consort. After all, there’s going to be a low chance of people asking to be his queen because of his race, you have no affiliation or rank, so you can’t have any political sway. But Cale, you forgot something.”
Cale looked at Rosalyn in question.
“All of that is official. You officially don’t have any affiliation with anyone, but you’re also Raon Kingdom’s hero. You’re friendly with both the elves and dark elves, the people of Cairo, Whopper, Kingdom, Mogoru Empire, connection with the Eastern Continent. Not to mention you are familiar with 2 Dragons, the Whale, Tiger, and Wolf Tribe. Additionally, you’re also friendly with Miss. Cage, Bud Illis and Mary. Unofficially, Cale. You are the most dangerous person on both the Western and Eastern Continent and positively the most dangerous person for his Majesty to court.”
Cale was speechless after hearing what Rosalyn said. And also, quite confused. Surely, he doesn’t hold that much power, he didn’t even contact any of them anymore (they sometimes drop by unannounced, but Cale figure they were just bored.). He was a slacker! He’s also trash, and trash shouldn’t be holding any sway in politics. Rosalyn saw Cale’s expression and shook her head.
‘He still doesn’t know how important he is for everybody else.’
Rosalyn thought in exasperation. Seeing that Cale still seems lost in what she just said, Rosalyn decided she should say her final piece and walk out. Let Cale think through what she said before coming up with a decision.
“Well, that shouldn’t matter at this point. Cale. What you should know/think about right now, is a couple of things.
1. It’s not easy for a Royal to ask someone to be their consort.
2. There is a lot of responsibility involved with being the consort of a Royalty.
3. How do you feel about being his consort?
And this is my personal opinion but,”
Rosalyn got up from her spot on the chair.
“I believe you shouldn’t leave his Majesty hanging for too long, and if you have any doubts with his Majesty’s decision, you should personally take it up with him.”
With that, Rosalyn opened the door and walked out. Leaving Cale by himself to think about what Rosalyn said in his room.
‘Well… she has a point.’
Cale thought.
‘I might as well…. Yeah, this seems to be the right decision.’
Filled with determination by what Rosalyn said, Cale stood up and went to find Raon. He needs to speak with Alberu.
It wasn’t easy finding a time in Alberu’s busy schedule to fit Cale in so they can have a long talk, but Cale did it. It’s been a couple weeks since then, but Cale is determined to have a chat with Alberu. Today, Cale is in the same waiting room is was before a couple weeks ago. By himself again because he was able to convince the Raon to help Mary bake something at home instead of coming with him to the palace. Cale wasn’t sure if this conversation is appropriate for children.
“Cale Henituse. Your Majesty will see you now, please come this way.”
Cale took a deep breath and followed the messenger that came to call him in. Once again, they arrived at Alberu’s office, and Cale slightly wondered if Alberu sleeps in there too. However, that was only a passing thought that flew away when the messenger knocked on the official door to announce his Cale’s arrival.
‘I’m strangely nervous’
Cale thought as he walked into Alberu’s office.
‘It’s going fine’
Cale gave a bright smile towards Alberu and spewed the regular nonsense he usually said when he and Alberu meets. Alberu seemed fine too. Saying the usual things that make Cale feel annoyed. Suddenly, Cale had a thought.
‘What if, Alberu literally meant partners in crime? What if I was ahead of myself, and mistakenly thought he was asking us to be in a relationship? And he isn’t?’
Cale could feel a bit of panic coming up to his chest, and he wasn’t sure if he wants to do this anymore.
‘Alberu seems fine. He doesn’t look concern. What if I just embarrassed myself by asking this narcissistic question? What if-‘
“Cale? Are you okay?”
Cale thought process got cut through by Alberu’s concern question. And when Cale looked up (when did he turn his eyes downward?) he saw Alberu’s face. Alberu’s face that is so close, Cale can practically count his eyelashes one by one.
“Woah! Too close!”
Cale tried to back up, almost frantically, but since he didn’t move ever since he walked into the office, he was only able to take 2 steps back before his back hit the door. Alberu’s scrunched up like he was hurt before he smiled again and backed up from Cale.
“Is this better?”
Alberu asked, and Cale instantly felt bad. He didn’t mean to hurt Alberu today, he wanted to have a chat with him today.
“I didn’t mean to. Your Majesty. Can we talk?”
Cale asked, intensely looking at Alberu’s expression. He can feel his heart starting to beat a little bit faster in anticipation and nervousness while waiting for Alberu’s reply.
‘This isn’t even the hard part yet!’
Cale thought.
‘Is this what Alberu felt when he asked me out?’
“Yeah, sure what do you need to talk about?”
Alberu seems to easily say. He then started to walk towards the sofa he and Cale had sat in the last time they met in this room. Cale mindlessly followed him; his mind still stuck on how he should tell Alberu about his sudden awareness. Alberu frowned at Cale’s lack of attention and started to speak.
“Is everything alright Cale? You look like you’re thinking about something important. You didn’t bring the children with you today? How’s everything? Are you enjo-“
“I know what you mean when you said you wanted to be partners last time!”
Cale blurted out. He couldn’t stand Alberu rapidly ask questions again and again. But he didn’t mean to blurt that out. Alberu stopped mid-question and just looked at Cale in shock. He also looks like he has stopped breathing, but Cale figured if he’s lucky enough, he won’t be having this conversation. Cale cleared his throat.
“So…um…like I just said, I knew what you meant last time. When you said you wanted to be partners.”
Cale slowly said he could feel himself turning red as he continues to find the words he wants to say.
“It’s not like I wanted to play with your feelings or anything, it’s just you suddenly sprain it on me, I mean, no. I couldn’t react in time, and I needed more time, no. That’s not what I’m trying to say either."
Cale took a deep breath.
“Why me? Alberu? Why did you choose me, and what do you plan to do afterward if I were to agree?”
Cale looked at the motionless Alberu and waited for his answer. Time seems to have slowed down between the 2 of them, and Cale wasn’t even sure if either of them was even breathing at this point. But he still kept quiet. Cale has said his piece, and he’s not going to say anything else. Alberu slowly blinked, as if his soul was slowly slithering back into his body. Alberu opened his mouth.
“I…what? Did you say?”
However, Alberu still seems confused even if he’s conscious right now.
“Why...do I like you? Is…that what you asked?”
Cale nodded. Alberu swallowed.
“Okay…okay. Cale.”
Alberu stared straight at Cale, seemingly determined and shaken of the shock that Cale gave him.
“I can’t say I knew when I fell in love with you. But I do know it has been a long time since I did. And last time, last time we met here, I had a momentarily lapse of judgment and wanted to get this issue off my chest. I can say that I fell in love with you because of your character. Because of who you are around the people that you deem important. However, you don’t have to return my feelings. I won’t pressure you into being in a relationship with me. I understand that you don’t feel the same but-“
“Wait.”
Cale interjected.
“I never said I didn’t like you”
Alberu looked at Cale in disbelief.
“Are you saying that you LIKE me?”
Cale looked away
“I’m saying I have never looked at you in that type of way before. BUT!“
Cale quickly said, when he saw Alberu open his mouth.
“But, I’m willing to try.”
Cale could feel himself blushing turning red again, as Alberu looked at him in incredulity.
“So, what you’re telling me is… you’re willing to allow me to court you?”
Alberu asked. Slowly starting to smile. Cale felt embarrassed in the face of Alberu’s happiness at something so simple. He turned his head away.
“Yeah, I figure we can try this thing out, and if it doesn’t work well”
Cale shrugged
“We’ll figure things out from there.”
He glanced at Alberu. He could see that Alberu is just stupidly sitting there, with a stupid grin on his face. And just when Cale was about to snap at Alberu, Alberu opened his mouth.
“Okay. Let’s be partners, Cale.”