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It was a beautiful sunny day outside.
Birds are singing, flowers are blooming, and Spring was at its peak...
That being said, none of that really matters to Alberu, who was in the middle of a meeting when his personalized Communication Device beeped red, startling him and forcing the quarter dark elf to stop the intense meeting knowing who was the caller.
That monarch was expecting the view of blood and grim view to be greeting them as soon. Heck, he was so ready to resound the alarm for an emergency, as he realized that it was his trouble magnet sworn brother who had called.
That being said, that newly crowned Emperor was not prepared for this sight before him.
"Dongsaeng, Are you... drunk...?"
Baffled.
Instead of blood and gore, the red that he sees on the redhead was the flush on the younger male's cheeks that spreads to his entire face and even neck.
'Is this for real?'
That monarch couldn't help but wonder.
Cale Henituse, that noble who's known as the Continental Hero has his two buttons loosened up with a sheepish smile decorating his face.
"No? ...well, maybe?"
Alberu raises a brow in surprise since Cale has never really gotten drunk before. His face just easily got flushed per the noble's own claim.
"Hey, where are you right now? Is there someone around?"
"Yeah. Choi Han is leaving with the kids for a bit, so I only have these three crazy alcoholic bastards-"
"Hmm? Well, I can see Miss Cage. So, who are the other two?"
"Glenn and Bud- actually Bud, that punk was the one who told this bet that you ain't gonna pick up. Saying something like he'd be too busy to listen to the rant of his drunk dongsaeng"
"Uhh..."
Cale sounded giddy as he giggled while raising his bottle.
"Well, I just won 3 bags of silver coins. So that's great~"
Leaning closer, Those Reddish-brown pair dazedly stared at the monarch from behind the screen.
"You wouldn't let me down and hang up now, right, Hyung-nim...?"
"Well. I mean, it is not the appropriate time, dongsa—"
Suddenly a burst of laughter could be heard from Cale's right.
"BAHAHAHA!!! TOLD CHA! His majesty would be too busy, Cale! Oh, poor lad~"
"why don't you just be our dongsaeng instead, hmm? We'll listen to you at least"
Bud and Cage teased the younger whose eyebrows twitched in absolute annoyance.
"Ha! Why would I need YOU to be my Hyung and Noona? Without disrespect, Miss Cage, but I'm not looking for anyone else for that position- though WITH ALL DISRESPECT TO YOU BUD. Stop bugging me for it, wouldn't you!!!"
The Mercenary King just laughed out loud some more.
"What~? Why not? Your dearest Hyung-nim doesn't want to deal with you, right? I have money and good looks too~ and I am a King as well if you looked at it. Aren't I a better choice?"
Hearing this, the edges of Alberu's smile began to twitch, though he's trying his best not to show it.
He glanced to his guests.
The Kings and Queens of the Western Continent.
Everyone here knows about The Continental Hero, Cale Henituse, being the sworn brother of the first Emperor of The Roan Empire.
To which, relying on this fact, Alberu turned to the other leaders who simply nodded and smiled at him in understanding.
"We'll be taking a coffee break. I am so sorry for this inconvenience."
The Emperor elegantly apologized, to which The Queen of Jungle then replied to him.
"It's alright. Besides, I agree that we do need to take a breather after our talk just now"
Knowing when to be strict and when to be jovial, Litana smiled at the young Emperor.
"Oh! I want to stay if that's okay? It's been so long since I have last seen my friend!"
Toonka who's starting to grow as a level-headed leader chimed in with the same sparkle in his eyes as the years prior when he firstly know of the redhead.
Apparently, the other leaders were sharing the sentiment.
They were especially intrigued by witnessing the ever so calm ex-Commander to be this casual which is different from the collected image that young nobles always show the world.
Whereas, with the silent agreement between them, the leaders decided to have their break in the meeting room. Having some snacks and drinks while watching Cale and Alberu's conversation...
"Right. So, what's about this deal you're having. Mind to elaborate, dear dongsaeng?"
There's irritation in his tone that King Valentino couldn't help but smile at the younger monarch. Litana too was trying not to get too obvious in her reaction.
"Well, It started with Glenn complaining how I seem to have all of my life together despite having a history of a trash- he said that after the war is over, nothing seems to bother me anymore and he envies me for that"
Cale started off.
"I told him that he's being silly. Like. Of course, I have my own problems. But it's not like I should be loud about it since that wouldn't be beneficial to it right??"
Alberu should know him enough to know this side of him as well.
"Miss Cage said that it's not healthy and I should talk it out. Then I said that I do talk it out. I told them that Choi Han and Hyung-nim knows about it, but then this motherfucker just burst out laughing like a maniac"
Cale said as he jabbed his thumb at the loud Bud.
"He said that it makes sense for Choi Han because he's literally tailing me like a puppy. But quoting to his own word, 'his majesty doesn't even answer to my important calls sometimes. Are you pushing me to believe that he'd pick up for a random call to have a chat about life?'"
"Heyyy don't make me sound like a villain here! I was just implying that the Emperor of The Roan Kingdom is a busy guy, he barely even had enough sleep the last time I meet him"
Cale could be seen rolling his eyes before smirking.
"Ha! Guess that means I'm more important than you?"
He sounded so smug before chuckling while evading a playful fist that comes flying at him.
Deep inside, Alberu felt guilty for Bud. But in a sense they're right. Cale is more important. Especially since the said redhead wouldn't call for unnecessary shit... this time is the only exception it seemed.
In a matter of fact, that young Emperor couldn't remember when Cale ever called him for tame news. Which is why, even if Cale was not his sworn brother, his call is prioritized to be picked up, whenever and wherever.
Alberu was actually so ready to call his men to get ready for another war when he sees Cale calling even though he should have known that today he's having an important meeting with the leaders of the West Continent.
"Yeah. Well. You heard him. And that's how the bet was set. If I can tell the problems I had this week to you and you're not hanging up, he'll give me the direct access to his bank account- pffft... big mistake~!"
Cale sounded like a little boy bragging to his friend about the Birthday gift that he's not yet even received.
And quite frankly, Alberu pitied the Mercenary King for being so foolish.
"Hyung-nim, you'll listen, right? Right? You're not going to leave?"
That redhead looked absolutely drunk- he's not acting like himself.
'Then again, I guess there wouldn't be any other way to make this stubborn punk talk unless he's this drunk'
Alberu can only hope that his Dongsaeng wouldn't regret it much in the morning, because frankly, he's just as curious.
'I mean, if it's only one week, it shouldn't be taking so long, right?'
Cale's not a chatty person as well. So, this should be quick.
"Alright. I'm listening."
Unexpectedly, Cale's handsome face lit up like a Christmas tree.
"Ah, hyung-nim, you are certainly the best!"
Cale cheered happily- which, again. Unexpected.
'That's so cute???'
Many of them blushed at how adorable the redhead is being.
Other than Alberu, they all see him as the youngest after all. Though, even so, the quarter dark elf also thought that his dongsaeng is being amusedly cute for someone who wouldn't think twice to slice the enemy's throat if that's the most efficient thing to do to get him closer to his slacker life.
"Right. Right. Sooo... where should I start?"
Cale's lips formed a pout as he think about where he should even begin.
"Oh! Right. So, Hyung-nim, do you know? Father is trying to offer me the head position again! Huuuu... honestly, why can't he just make Basen do it, hmm? Like. What's good in me being the Duke?? Basen can definitely do that better! I swear I was so tempted to manifest my trashy behavior right there and then- I mean, I was almost able to convince him to do that before... If only those motherfucking Arm didn't come!!! Aaaahhh... they ruined all of my plans. And now people call me 'Hero-nim'. Like. Why a Hero?? I don't get it. Choi Han and Mary are Heroes. The dark elves, the dragons, and many others also deserved that title more! So, how the fuck this trash become a hero, Aigoo... my poor life"
The drunken redhead shakes his head pitifully while Alberu can only sigh in disbelief though he handled his rant better than the others present, obviously because he has some experience himself.
"Is that so? But it's not like you can revert to being your trash-self now, right?"
"Obviously not!"
Cale huffed to the side.
"Choi Han, Lock, Mary- there are so many that those petty bastards would love to blame if I show my shameless side. Fuckers even trying to sell their daughters to be married off into the Henituse Family. The nerve, really. Those old farts have no respect for those ladies and their choices. Who would be in the right mind to marry their daughters to a trash if it's not for our family's fortune, right? I want to blast their heads off, Hyung-nim. I can even count with my hands the households that deserve to survive the purge"
The redhead said deadpannedly as he raised his hand in front of him, some sparks of the fire of destruction could be seen.
"...now now. Let's not do something that you'd regret once you're sober, yes?"
"Pshhh"
Cale snorted.
"Hyung-nim, you sounded like every time I consoled Choi Han and Raon from running loose- actually, Speaking of Raon..."
The people in the room, including Alberu himself, and the three listeners that were quietly observing next to the babbling redhead were genuinely surprised at how chatty Cale has become from being intoxicated.
This is so different from the Cale they knew of, and they're admittedly caught off guard- though not all in a bad sense.
"Hyung-nim. You would not believe what the kids just did the other day"
Cale said with a groan while Alberu stared at him bemusedly.
"What did they do this time?"
These heroes are a bunch of feral crazy bastards after all. And in all honesty, the redhead might be one of the sanest despite how he's still instilling the worse headache to the Emperor.
With a tone That's almost a whine, Cale turned to the screen once more, looking at his Hyung-nim dead in the eyes, those Reddish-brown pair was clouded with seriousness for a moment there.
"They woke me up. 2 am in the morning. And the first thing I smell was blood"
Well, we're off with a good start...
"Alerted, of course, I thought they got injured or something. So I wake up immediately just to see them smiling."
Everyone was listening carefully at this point while wondering to themselves.
'Why are they smiling?'
"And just then. As I was about to ask what's going on, On tugged on my shirt sleeve. She then just randomly asked if I know how old our youngest would become next month"
Alberu blinked, Not understanding where is this story going, he just stared as Cale continues his story.
"I'm counting in my head, but they seemed like they wanted me to ask them back- you know, they have that stupid face Jung Soo always had whenever he's saying one of his knock knock joke- well, anyway..."
The redhead took a shot before continuing with his bizarre story.
"As they wished for it, I asked back. 'Hmm? I don't know. How old will Raon be next month'. Well, their smile just got brighter- not a good sign"
'Not a good sign, indeed'
The quarter dark elf is almost scared to ask, thankfully, before he gets to asks, the redhead continued.
"They then answered me by raising 8 fingers."
". . ."
After saying that, Cale is silent. All the while his listeners were confused why should that be surprising since they know that the young dragon was in fact around that age.
"...and?"
Alberu frowned lightly, like any others, not truly understanding why the red-haired hero is this spooked.
"Hyung-nim."
Cale called out in deadpan.
"It's in the middle of the night, the children were on their true form... and I just said 'fingers', not paws"
Whereas, only then that everyone hearing this slowly turning pale.
"Whose fingers were they!?"
Glenn sounded horrified on the other side, while Cale, in return, made a face towards him.
"Well, I don't know! I tried to ask them about it for 8 hours!! They still haven't told me till this very second though for some odd reasons Choi Han and Ron looked proud. Like, why are they looking so proud, aigoo..."
Cale rubbed his face in disdain.
"The only thing that those vicious punks told me was that those bastards deserved it for calling me a trash. My goodness, Hyung-nim. I should have to get them used to it already. That name is stuck with me because I am one. I should have just told them that what is called a trash wasn't an insult of sorts when it comes to actual trash. That's merely stating a fact!!"
That redhead shakes his head with a conflicted expression.
"And now there are eight random punks going around, traumatized and fingerless..."
In all honesty, half of the people here are fully supportive of the children's doing, while the other half is can only stare in horror despite not fully disagreeing with the deed.
"Welp. Anyway. I guess that's all the problems I had this week. Ain't much, but now that I'm finished-"
Cale snapped his head at the blue-haired male next to him with a bright grin.
His mood swing does be changing fast like flipping a switch.
"Oi, Mercenary King, pay up! I win the bet!! He he~ Hyung-nim is staring like a deer caught in headlights but he ain't hanging up~"
The slurty giggle was quite adorable yet a bit suggestive at the same time.
Some of the people couldn't help their blush though then looking away, trying to be respectful still.
"Yeah, yeah, I'll send the blank cheque to your place later-"
"And these drinks, I'll be paying them as promised"
Cage added with a playful smile after Bud's grumble.
Soon enough, Cale's refreshed laughter could be heard.
"Perfect~! Guess me and the children will be shopping with that money then. And thanks, Miss Cage!"
Cale does resemble a child who's high on sugar when he acted like that.
"Ahem."
Alberu cleared his throat and only then Cale turn his focus back at the Emperor.
"Ah, thanks for your contribution, Hyung-nim! The brightest Moon of The Roan Empire was indeed the shiniest be it on day or night!"
Cale's words might not make sense, but everyone there could tell that he's being sincere. Enough that not even Alberu himself cut him off.
Well, the said dark elf did let out a sigh, though.
"I see. I guess that's all the reason why you're calling me then, dear dongsaeng?"
"Heh, don't talk as if all I ever give you is piling headache, Hyung-nim. In three days! Because obviously tomorrow, my head would be killing me from the hangover- in three days, imma kidnap you and we're going to spend ALL the money that I've won from this funny punk. You deserved a break too after all! Working too much is no good, hyung. You look dead. Soooooo Deaaaad I tell you. Actually, I might buy you a magic pillow or something—"
"Alright. Alright. I guess I'll see you in three days then?"
Knowing that despite being drunk, once Cale said something he's definitely going to make it happen, That Emperor can only shake his head internally as he couldn't help the fond smile on his face.
How can he not?
The punk who's been working nonstop behind the screen and making all of these possibilities were ironically scolding him about taking a break.
Might as well take a break together with the people they know, right?
"He he, yes. In three days. We're going to make this fake King cry, ahahahahahaha-!"
And just like that, the line was cut off. Quite possibly, Glenn decided that it's enough viewings for today.
Silence settled in the room for a bit of a while before Toonka's laughter then break the awkwardness, which soon was followed by the other's colorful reaction.
"It's quite refreshing to see the young master-nim like that"
Litana couldn't help her chuckle as well.
"I have never thought that the Hero-nim could be this adorable. My, now I wished to have him as my dongsaeng as well. Seemed like it'll be a lot of fun"
John joked as well, to which, Alberu simply smiled about, not saying anything to deny or agree with his words.
After all, he knows how much of a scatter-brain he can be at times after dealing with the said 'adorable hero'. Though, he did not dispute the fact that the redhead can be cute at times indeed.
Well, in the end, they finally get to finish their meeting in a lighter mood.
No one would say anything about that day, but the said meeting was certainly one of the most memorable times those leaders ever had in their entire life...