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The White Star had sneezed during the last battle between his group and Cale’s group. This was entirely unremarkable, except for the fact that 1) everyone in Cale’s group had heard him sneeze and, more importantly, 2) Cale Henituse got sick the very next day. If the White Star had known about the reason why he and his allies had been so suddenly and ruthlessly annihilated by his archnemesis’ enraged friends (*cough* family *cough*), he would have very loudly let the world know that the only reason he had sneezed was because he had a dust allergy, and, really, what did they expect when their ancient dragon started using his attribute and flinging the stuff around? Unfortunately, as he had no idea why his enemies had sneak attacked him, on the day after their last confrontation, and without their commander, no less, he wasn’t able to impart this knowledge.
Not that it would have changed anything of course. No one would have believed him, other than Eruhaben, who would have immediately filled his cage with dust so that he couldn’t breathe without sneezing. After all, the White Star had messed with his kids too many times.
It had started like this. Cale had woken up in the morning to the kids panicking about how hot he was, with On leaving to find Ron. He could remember snippets of what happened afterwards.
“His temperature is too high. Beacrox, go prepare some ice and other things that we can use to cool him down.” Ron’s steady voice ordered. There was the sound of a door closing, likely Beacrox going to do as his father said.
“Hey. Is it true that humans can die if their temperatures go too high?” He heard Eruhaben ask.
Ron was silent for a moment, then answered. “Yes.”
An immediate cacophony filled the air. How many people were in his room? He wanted to clarify that there was no way his fever was that high, he would be fine, and they were making a lot of fuss over nothing. But talking seemed like it would take some sort of control over his muscles, and the effort of doing it felt far beyond his reach at the moment. It didn’t really matter, anyways. Ron would sort it all out.
He could only remember a few other things, as he drifted in and out of a daze.
“Could this be considered an assassination attempt?” Choi Han’s voice sounded… heavy. Like he was angry. What had happened? Who was almost assassinated? And, most importantly, was it something he had to deal with?
“We can play it off as one. Their last known position was…” Was that Alberu? Good. If his hyung was here, he could deal with the assassination attempt. Reassured, he fell back into a deep, dreamless sleep.
The next time he woke up, it was already the next morning and he was feeling much better. He opened his eyes.
“Have you woken up now young master? Shall I help you sit up?” Ron asked from his place next to the bed. Without waiting for a reply, the older man immediately pulled Cale up and leaned him against the headboard.
Cale felt a little confused by his over the top actions, but decided not to mention it, and instead asked for a glass of water.
He was promptly given a glass of lemonade.
“It contains electrolytes and other nutrients. It will help replenish what you sweated out yesterday.” Ron said calmly when Cale furrowed his eyebrows in displeasure. Cale studied the way Ron was threateningly hovering over him, a very subtle yet significant difference from his usual vaguely threatening hovering, and drank the lemonade with no further complaints.
“Alright then.” Cale flung aside the covers, intending to go shower and then check on the status of his allies and what was happening.
“And where are you going, young master? You’re currently too weak to get out of bed.” Ron said, smilingly benignly. Cale eyed the way Ron’s posture had gone from threatening to very threatening, a direct contrast to his benign smile. He obediently sat back against the headboard and flung the covers back over himself.
“Then, can I at least get the video device, so I can see what’s going on?” Cale asked. Ron’s smile grew gentler, even as his body language shifted into ‘Code Red, do not engage, abort mission abort-
Cale gulped and immediately shut up. Alberu could handle everything, he was sick. Speaking of, hadn’t Alberu been here recently? He could vaguely remember…
“Where is everyone?” He asked.
As if on cue, the door burst open, and people came pouring into his room. There was a cacophony of “Are you okay”s, “Thank god you’re feeling better”s, cheers, and Raon’s proud shout of, “HUMAN! WE BEAT THE WHITE STAR!”
If Cale hadn’t gulped down his lemonade, he would have done a magnificent spit take.
“You did WHAT NOW-- ?!?!?!”