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It was another beautiful day as Choi Han and the little wooden Cale on his shoulder went for breakfast.
Choi Han arrived at the dining room and sat down.
"Good morning, Lock."
"Morning, hyung. You too, Cale hyung."
Choi Han spoke while Lock replied with an energetic smile on his face.
One year has passed since they defeated the White Star. Everything was peaceful while the kingdoms on the western continent focused on rebuilding and improving their own land.
He felt happy as he watched Lock interact with the little Cale.
Choi Han was extremely glad because Lock wasn't as cold and gloomy like how he was back when he lost his siblings.
Although he had opened up a bit when he met Choi Han, Rosalyn and Cale later on. Lock was still vicious and sharp. There was also the fact that he could not live like someone his age because of the cruel war and his title as the new Wolf King.
That's why Choi Han was relieved as he watched little Cale boringly fiddle with Lock's finger.
He could see a genuine smile on Lock's face.
Clack.
Choi Han turned his attention to the dish that was placed in front of him.
He could smell the beautiful aroma of freshly made pancakes with thick maple syrup on top. Besides the pancakes, there were also berries on the plate.
Beacrox sat at the opposite side of the table, next to Lock.
Although Beacrox was a torture expert, the things he made was really amazing.
"I'm going out today."
Choi Han picked up his fork and started eating his breakfast.
"Is it the usual place?"
"Yes."
The usual place.
That was how they referred to Cale's grave as it didn't felt quite right to them while saying, 'Cale's grave' directly out loud. They usually just say Harris Village or 'the resting place' etc.
"I see."
The sounds of utensils hitting the plate could be heard.
Beacrox stoically spoke as Choi Han put a strawberry into his mouth.
"Take the pastries in the kitchen before you leave. It is for Miss Rosalyn and his Majesty."
"It seems like they've been carving for the sweets that you make."
"You can eat the extras on the table."
Rosalyn was with his majesty, Alberu Crossman, right now to discuss some details regarding the new Magic Tower that is currently under construction.
Choi Han remembered how those two sent multiple messages saying how much they wanted sweets made by Beacrox.
He internally laughed.
Beacrox was most likely fed up with their messages and finally had time to make some pastries.
"Where's Ron?"
Choi Han could see little Cale pilling food on Lock's plate in his peripheral vision as he waits for Beacrox to answer.
"Father has some business to attend to at the Eastern Continent."
"Business?"
He looked confused at first but Choi Han's mouth formed an 'Oh', when he remembered how Ron had decided to rebuild the fallen Molan household.
If he recalled correctly, the Molan household now focuses on stealth and information instead of assassination. Bud Illis, the Mercenary King, would always go to them for info when needed.
Choi Han thanked Beacrox for the breakfast and extended his arm to let little Cale climb onto his shoulders.
"I'll be going now. Oh and, I won't be back until dinner."
"Bye, hyung. See you later!"
"Goodbye."
Lock and Beacrox both gave their individual response as Choi Han walked towards the kitchen with light steps.
He grabbed the spatial bag containing who knows how much pastries and was prepared to teleport to the palace. Of course, he did not leave without taking a few bites out of the sweets on the table.
Choi Han gently brush some small crumbs off of little Cale's face as he proceeds to tear the teleportation scroll, courtesy of the future Tower Master.
He made sure Cale was on his shoulders before he ripped the scroll.
"Hold tight, now."
Rippppppp.
They both slowly started to turn transparent as magic engulfed them.
*
"Why, hello there. If it isn't our Swordmaster-nim along with the little cutie on his shoulder."
Choi Han could hear Rosalyn's voice as he opened his eyes.
He ignored Rosalyn's greeting and threw the spatial bag towards her.
"Beacrox made some sweets so that you'll both stop flooding his room with letters."
"Oh, nice."
Rosalyn excitedly opened the bag and shared the food with Alberu and Tasha, who was currently helping with the paperworks.
Choi Han looked at their tired faces with a frown.
"You all look like shit."
He spoke as if he wasn't talking to the Tower Master, the current King of the Roan Kingdom nor a dark elf that was feared by many and was said to have hidden themselves from other races.
"Wow, you barged into my room unannounced and proceeds to say that to our faces. How rude."
Alberu knew Choi Han was actually worried about their health. However, he made a face and act as if he was offended by Choi Han's rude behaviour while elegantly sipping some tea in the process.
The two women just ate some cookies as they watched him act.
"Tsk, tsk. You're starting to act more like Cale the ruder you get."
Little Cale, whose wooden body was now halfway inside the cookie jar as he tried to get some cookies, stopped moving when he heard that statement.
He whipped his head so fast, Alberu swore he thought he had heard a 'whoosh' sound.
Now, their little Cale was the one who was actually offended.
They all laughed as Cale tried to throw chocolate cookies at Alberu. Unfortunately for little Cale, Alberu, who was getting near the Swordmaster title had easily dodged the incoming cookie bombs.
Choi Han stopped laughing and picked up the little Cale with a smile on his face.
"That's enough, Cale. It's time to go."
"Are you going to that place again?"
Tasha asked while she ate another sweet pastry from a plate on her nephew's desk.
"Yes, I'll be leaving now. I'm worried that the roses Cale loved will run out if I arrived late."
"Mm, that flower shop that you visit is quite popular indeed."
The flower shop that Choi Han frequents had plenty of flowers to choose from. In all honesty, part of its fame probably came from Choi Han visiting from time to time. But nonetheless, it doesn't change the fact that it was their own ability to prevent their customers from decreasing.
Rosalyn agreed with Tasha when an idea suddenly popped into her mind. She placed her cup on the table and started to speak.
"Why don't we set a date and have a picnic at that place together with everyone else?"
"That's a great idea. I'll try my best to clear out my schedule when that happens."
Alberu was the King now, making him have more work compared to back when he was still the Crown prince. Even so, he thought that he could try and clear out some time to spend with his friends and get some rest.
Choi Han smiled at the thought of it happening. Little Cale seems to agree judging by how he's been slightly pinching Choi Han's cheek and trying get Choi Han to look at him.
"Yes, that'll be nice."
His smile soften the more he thinks about it. It really would be nice to spend time with everyone and enjoy the peace they fought so hard to get.
Choi Han stopped his thoughts and said what he needed to say.
He grabbed the struggling Cale and pulled Cale away from his face.
"Your majesty, I'll be leaving now."
"Yes, I hope you'll manage to buy some flowers before they run out."
Choi Han left the palace after that.
*
It was currently noon.
Choi Han ate lunch in a restaurant that was recommended by Cage, the woman who was called the Crazy priestess after getting excommunicated for killing the assassins that assassinated her best friend.
Speaking of the devil, the subject of his thoughts greeted him right before he could reach the flower shop.
"Choi Han, Cale!"
"Aye, if it isn't our Hero-nim!"
'Sigh...'
Choi Han could not help but sigh as two drunkards came and blocked his way towards his destination.
Little Cale gave him a look of pity as he pat Choi Han's shoulder with his small hand.
That didn't make Choi Han feel any better.
"What is it?"
He looked at Cage and Bud Illis. They both had a bottle in hand as they walked side by side.
Choi Han really wants to finish what he wanted to do today. However, these two doesn't seem like they'll let him leave unless he had a chat with them.
Bud chugged another bottle of alcohol before he spoke.
"Wanna drink with us, buddy?"
"Yeah, what do you think?"
Cage followed after.
Choi Han raised his eyebrow at the drunk Mercenary King.
"Where's Glenn? Weren't you trying to make a branch on the western continent?"
Bud Illis.
He had made a deal with Alberu. Although Choi Han wasn't aware of what was the contents of the deal, he was sure that Bud was trying to extend his influence to the Western continent.
"Nevermind, I don't want to know. Im busy, bye."
Choi Han was blunt and straightforward because he felt a bit worried that there would be no more red flowers left.
Plus, He really wasn't interested in knowing.
He walked past the alcoholics and walked straight to the flower shop.
Choi Han could feel little Cale hugging his neck to prevent himself from falling.
"Bye!"
"Bye, you two! Guess we'll just drink these all on our own."
Cage waved at little Cale and he waved back. Bud also did the same. However, Cale stuck his tongue out with a smirk as he cutely hugs his Choi Han. He was obviously mocking the Mercenary King with that cute face of his.
Choi Han kept on walking while ignoring the angry, 'Hey, that punk!' he heard from behind.
A cat could be seen laying on top of a dog ten times bigger than itself as Choi Han walked with Cale on his shoulders.
Choi Han finally bought a bonquet of red roses and teleported to Harris Village using a teleportation scroll.
He visited the villagers grave before arriving at the place where Cale's grave was present. Choi Han placed the bonquet on Cale's resting place.
"Happy Valentine's Day."
Honestly, Choi Han never really thought he would be buying a bonquet of roses and worrying that the flowers would be sold out on Valentine's Day.
He smiled.
Everything was quite surprising and unexpected when he met Cale. Of course, he didn't hate it.
Tap, tap.
Little Cale was tapping on his face with an expression asking what Valentine's Day was.
Choi Han sat on the grass. He took a small flower out of the bonquet and gifted it to Cale.
"Valentine's Day is a holiday when lovers express their affection with greetings and gifts."
He gently explained while looking at the cute reddish flower that bloomed on little Cale's head after receiving the small flower from Choi Han.
Choi Han chuckled.
Just like before, Cale could be easily satisfied depending on who gave the gift. Cale did not want much unlike any of those noble women who cared about useless things.
Boop.
Little Cale fist his palm as if he thought of something.
He tugged at Choi Han's sleeve, asking Choi Han to give him his hand. Choi Han, who was quite curious with what Cale wanted to do, obeyed unquestionably.
He could see little Cale grabbing his ring finger.
Branches grew and circled Choi Han's finger. It turned into a pretty wooden ring that could not be found anywhere else.
"It's beautiful..."
The detailed design made the ring look very nice. No one would be able to carve such a design unless they were using tools from the modern world. However, those tools did not exist here. Making this ring special compared to many others.
As Choi Han admired the wooden ring on his finger, two hands was touching his face.
"Huh?"
He was a bit startled when someone suddenly touched him.
Choi Han could see the no longer little Cale, who was now the same size as back when he was alive.
Cale pulled him closer and kissed him on the cheeks.
Choi Han could feel the cold touch of wood. However, he could also feel warmth from the kiss.
Cale immediately turned little after that.
Choi Han was stunned but he still managed to catch Cale before he fell on the ground.
Little Cale proudly shows off a miniature copy of the ring he gave CH on his wooden finger.
"Pfft."
Choi Han couldn't help but laughed at the adorable gesture.
"You're so cute."
Cale seemed pleased when he got praised.
He started writing something on the back of Choi Han's hand.
Although the spelling seemed to be a bit wrong, Choi Han could still understand what Cale wanted to convey.
'Happy Valentine's Day, you stupid puppy.'
Choi Han couldn't stop a smile from blooming on his face as he chuckled.
He picked little Cale up and placed Cale on his shoulder.
Choi Han got up form the ground as it was time to go home.
But before that, he did something else.
Choi Han kissed little Cale's forehead just like how Cale would do when Cale tried to comfort him during the war.
"I love you, Cale."
Happy Valentine's Day.