Chapter Text
“Mama what do the empress do other than farming?”
The 4 years old innocent question freezes Cale in his spot, his hand stops arranging the recently harvested carrot in the basket.
“Pfft” across him Alberu holds back his laughter.
“Ehem” Choi Han pretends to clear his throat while turning his head to hide his grin.
Cale gives a stink-eye at the useless alphas, then purses his lips, unsure how to answers his daughter.
The girl’s sky-blue eyes then sparkle, “oh I know, you have to eat with other grown-ups at the palace and going to parties, too right?” she sounds quite proud at her observation.
… well, she’s not technically wrong.
Before Cale could answer the excited young girl his husband chimes in first, “Ae-Ri your mother is special, he is not like the other empress” the alpha says with a serious tone, but Cale could hear the mischief in his voice.
“What are you talking a-”
“How is mama different papa?” this time it is his daughter who cuts him.
Knowing that it’s too late to take back his daughter's attention, Cale warns his partner instead, ‘don’t you dare tell her weird things’.
Alberu ignores his glare and answers the young princess, “my darling Ae-Ri aren’t your mother beautiful”
Cale stares incredulously at his mate, despite knowing him very well he still cannot understand what’s going on Alberu’s mind sometimes.
Ae-Ri nods her head in agreement, “mama is very beautiful”
“But your mother is weak”
Cale almost feels offended at how nonchalant the alpha said it if that isn’t true.
“Mother is not… very strong” the little princess reluctantly agrees, glancing nervously at Cale’s direction as if she is afraid of offending her mother
“And what will you do if you have a beautiful but fragile treasure?” the alpha quizzes his child.
“I’ll keep it save- oh!” a realization enters her eyes before she excitedly turns and walks towards Cale.
“Mama when I am big and done with Uncle Choi Han’s lesson, I will protect you too!” she declares while holding Cale’s hand.
The swordmaster cheers while plucking a radish behind her, “that’s a good dream Ae-Ri!”
Cale huffs at his best friend and husband's antics, he then lowers his body, so he is at eye level with his daughter.
“Ae-Ri don’t worry, I can protect myself just fine, I’m strong enough to protect you too,” Cale thinks he will actually get a heart attack if his young daughter ever jumps in front of danger for him.
-That’s not possible the Vitality of the Heart would not let that happen, Super Rock chimes in.
-It’s a metaphor, Cale hisses back in his mind.
Cale thinks that that would be the end of the topic, as his daughter seems unbothered by the lack of answer and continues to merrily pluck strawberries from the bushes.
Cale should have known better considering whose child she is.
“I want to go to see mama work!” Ae-Ri demands one morning over her breakfast.
“I’ll be the empress, right? I want to see what empress do” she explains.
No one corrects the imperial princess that she will be an Empress regent, as they are too busy cooing over the little girl’s adorable affection to her mother instead… including Cale and Alberu.
‘So cute’ Cale who even before he has his own child is already weak to children cannot refuse the request.
Alberu is even worse, as he just smiles at his wife and daughter like a lovesick fool.
“Ehem” Ron clears his throat and instinctively the imperial pair straightens their back, “you should finish your meal first your highness, I will prepare your attire for you” the old butler then gives a benign smile.
“I will!” Ae-Ri cheers and quickly finishes her food, excited at the prospect of accompanying her mother.
“Little sister I will follow you too!” Raon who can now appear in human form chimes in, Cale is thankful that the cat siblings are currently on a training excursion, he can already imagine the looks the nobles are going to give his children.
“Uggh” he groans quietly, but of course, his superhuman companions could hear him.
“I’ll scold anyone that dare to badmouth them” Choi Han reassures him with a genial tone; Cale lips quirk up at the vicious eyes of the swordmaster.
“And I’ll cover him up” Alberu adds his expression just as ruthless.
“If they say anything bad about my kids, they're mine” Cale tells the two alphas, no one will go home unscathed if they so much as try.
“Of course, Cale-nim” Choi Han answer loyally.
“I’ll cover you up too dear” Alberu replies light-heartedly.
…
“The princess really looks like the empress!”
“They’re both so pretty!”
“But who’s that boy with black hair?”
“Did the empress-” “Hey how dare you!”
“What! I was about to say did the empress adopt that kid. The empress is a very noble person!”
“Human, sister, they say you’re very pretty!” the dragon excitedly relays the whispers he hears.
“Brother is very cool too!” the little princess comments.
“Thank you, sister!”
Cale looks at the children's conversation with amusement, well at least no nobles in attendance said anything bad so far.
“Your Grace it’s been a while” Marquis Taylor Stan bows politely towards the empress.
Cale feels a little bit relax at the sight of the familiar face, “Marquis Taylor, how are you? Are your legs still good?”
“I’m good your grace, my legs never trouble me since his majesty healed me all those years ago” the blond-haired man replies, a grateful smile crossing his lips as he is reminded about how they meet for the first time before, he then places his hand on his chest and bows
“I’m honoured to serve such amazing and kind leaders”
Cale thinks he did not deserve the praise from the other man.
“Please don’t be like tha-”
“That’s right marquis the human is really amazing!”
“Mmm mama is so kind and pretty! Papa is really nice too!”
“Oh, right the emperor is kind of good too!”
The children excitedly brag about their parental figures at the marquis to which the blond genuinely agrees to their every praise. Cale is watching them with fondness while sipping on his wine glass when he hears someone clears their throat behind him.
“Your grace” Cale turns then stares blankly at the person who is calling for his attention, he vaguely remembers that the man was someone from Duke Orsena faction, but he has no idea who’s his name is. Thankfully he doesn’t have to ask to find out.
“I’m Count Richard from the House of Beaumont”
“I see” Cale nods his head in faux interest, “what business do you have with me?” he then asks.
Given permission to speak the count then quickly says his purpose, “my daughter has just become recently of age and she is rather good looking like her mother…”
Cale does not bother listening to the rest of the noble’s ramble about his daughter’s appearance, already knowing where it would lead.
‘These bastards never know when to stop’ Cale grumbles in his mind.
It has been five years since he got married to Alberu, four years since Ae-Ri was born and the emperor declares her his heir. Alberu has also clearly announced that he would not have a royal harem and still those opportunists never stop sending their daughter or omega sons picture and file to the palace. It was so bad they have to over-dramatise their affection in public for three years before the number reduced.
…
“My dear moon you look mesmerizing today, I almost don’t want to let you out lest you make others fall for your ethereal beauty”
“How could the humble me receives such praise from your majesty, the shining sun of our Roan Empire himself”
“Hahaha”
“Hohoho”
…
Cale grimaces internally at the memory and so for the sake of his sanity, he was about to warn the greedy count when another voice chimes in.
“Your grace my omega son has just returned from the eastern continent, he is really good at embroidery”
“Your grace mine too”
“Your grace-”
Cale feels an incoming headache, ‘these shameless parents!’
He does not understand why these nobles are advertising their children to be the royal concubines to him, the EMPRESS. Even before he married the emperor as Kim Roksoo, he had watched enough palace drama to know that the empress and the consorts never get along, as they want their children to be the heir too. So, shouldn’t they do this to the emperor instead?
‘I’ll complain to Alberu tonight’ Cale nods his head in satisfaction at his plan, there is no need for him to deal with such an annoying matter alone when he has a very reliable husband.
Unfortunately, the people who cannot read Cale’s mind mistake his gesture as a sign that the empress is listening and speak with even more earnestness and loud enough to alert the marquis and the two children.
“I’m sure his majesty announces that he would not have a royal harem” the calm but cold voice immediately silences the crowd, they were lucky it was Marquis Taylor and not Duke Deruth that overheard the conversation or there would be chairs flying already.
“Hey, the emperor is only for the human!” Raon says fiercely while glaring at the nobles and it would have look intimidating if they know that he is a dragon or if he is not waving an apple pie in his hand.
“That’s right papa would never cheat on mama!” Ae-Ri large eyes make her glare looks more adorable than scary.
Cale is touched by the children's defensiveness for him, so he doesn’t correct them that their words are not politically correct, he agrees with them anyway.
“Ahh, I’m sorry your highness, I forgot to consider your feeling” the panicked nobles quickly trying to appease the imperial princess.
Ae-Ri does not buy their words and continues to look angry, then one stupidly brave noble opened his mouth to change the topic.
“What about a playmate for you your highness? My grandson would turn seven this year and he’s really polite to ladies”
“Huh?” the little girl’s upset face turns confused at the offer, her dragon brother looks just as lost next to her.
What?
Did Cale hear that right?
‘Did this fool just-’
“I can bring him to meet you your highness” the man continues his offer unaware of the storm brewing inside the empress’ mind.
‘You bastard she’s FOUR!’ Cale thinks that that’s it, he has heard enough nonsense today.
Taylor who unlike the children understands the intention of the nobleman frowns and about to reprimand the daring fool on his proposition, but Cale has beaten him to it.
“I don’t care what your desperate schemes are about, but don’t you dare involves my children” Cale’s cold and devoid of any emotion voice suddenly reminded the people about how their serene empress was once a dangerous and ruthless war commander.
Without hearing their answers, he takes Raon and Ae-Ri’s hand and leads them to the dessert table, he would have gone home but unfortunately, he cannot for at least several more hours. He should have let Choi Han stands in fir him or at least not bring his kids if he had known how many bullshits they would have to hear today.
Tailing behind them, Marquis Taylor looked at Cale with admiration in his eyes.
‘Your grace is still so cool’
…
“This is my favourite job” Cale whispers as he puts the blanket around Ae-Ri who is using Raon in his dragon form as a body pillow, both children had quickly fallen asleep after they arrived from their little excursion.
“Have a nice dream” he softly places a kiss on each of their head, feeling amused when he feels the cool skin of the chubby dragon. Before silently leaving the room and walks back to his bedroom.
“Tired?” his husband asks from the bed as Cale enters the room.
“Mmm” Cale ungracefully plops towards a pair of dark arms who easily catch him, having no energy to explain the mess in the banquet room to his husband. Alberu’s ears are everywhere anyway he’ll hear about it somehow.
The alpha chuckles at his partner's lethargic movements, “aigoo my poor darling” he then places Cale on the bed properly before tucking the omega into his chest.
“I’m not going to do anything tomorrow” Cale declares prompting another chuckle from Alberu.
“Isn’t tomorrow the harvest day for the tomatoes?” the emperor reminds him.
“… why am I so busy” Cale just laments at his fate.
“Good luck on your job my empress” Alberu encourages his mate teasingly.
Cale just buries his face into his alpha’s clothes as a response, but a soft smile is tugging on his lips.
“Sweet dream” he hears a low voice whisper and feels a brush of warmth on his forehead, his smile stretches just a little more.
‘It’s nice to only worry about rotten vegetables’ is his last thought before sleepiness overtakes him.
.
.
.
Extra:
"My dear it seems that our citizen thinks that we don’t love each other very much anymore”
Cale feels the hair behind his neck rises up at Alberu’s words, “No! There must be another way”
“Of course, I understand that it must be embarrassing for you to praise your husband, don’t worry dear I can spend the extra hours to sort out the documents”
Cale knows that Alberu is guilt-tripping him, but he still feels bad at the thought of giving more work to the busy emperor, the bags under his mate’s eyes are real after all. Before he could change his statement, a knock is heard from outside of the door.
“Your majesty I have brought some… files from the noble for you”
Alberu smile falls and Cale winces at the announcement, ‘that is fast’.
And then he makes up in his mind and thinks ‘screw it’.
“Bring it in” the emperor tells the subordinate.
Right when the door opens Cale stands up and walks towards his husband, “dear you should rest, I’m sure this document can wait” he then gracefully sits on top of the emperor’s table before plucking the papers out of Alberu’s hand and toss it down carelessly.
“Cale those are important!” Alberu scolds his partner, but there is a hidden mirth in his voice.
“More important than your wife?” Cale pouts, acting his part of a spoiled wife very well.
“Of course not darling”
Alberu then holds the omega’s face in his hand, “you are my most precious treasure”
“Then prove it” Cale demands as he stares into Alberu’s fake blue eyes.
Alberu gently cradles his empress face with his hand before dipping in for a kiss, making sure to give a show to the poor delivery man who is definitely not ready for the PDA between his superiors.
Alberu laughs as he listens to the sound of the door closing followed by hurried footsteps.
“You owe me one” he then hears a quiet voice whisper.
“I’ll empty my schedule next weekend”
He feels Cale lips quirk, “the children want to have a flower field” he announces.
“Anything for you love” Alberu stole another kiss from the empress and Cale merely hums in contentment.