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Chapter Text

The war against White Star has ended, but peace is still far away from reach.

White Star turned out to be just a pawn played by the Hunters. The problems they face are more serious than they thought.

Cale was aware that they lacked information regarding these Hunters. He only had a small amount of information from the God of Death, and even then the God of Death had received a penalty for telling him that little information.

'Shit. I need to get this done quickly so I can start farming and be a rich slacker.'

The redhead let out a deep sigh. This really annoyed him. How can he get into this mess in the first place?

Seriously, he should've just get beaten by Choi Han.

"Young Master-nim."

Ron called out for him, made Cale snapped out from his thought.

"Hm?"

Cale turn his head toward the old servant. A frown created on his face when he saw a cup of lemon tea placed in front of him.

Ron just smiled benignly seeing his puppy young master drank the tea, then continue his word.

"Young Master Taylor is looking for you. Ah, he said he also need to talk to other as well."

'Taylor? What's his business here?'

Cale give back the tea cup to the servant, then stood up from his seat.

"The others, did you meant the peoples who fought in the final battle?"

"Yes, Young Master-nim. He said he might found something that could help us to find information about the Hunters."

'What?'

Cale's eyes turn cold.

"Then gather everyone. Please also inform His Highness about this."

"I understand, Young Master-nim. Then, please excuse me."

Ron give a small bow, before exited Cale's room.

***

Everyone had gathered in Cale's room. Cale didn't know since when his room became a meeting room like this, made he pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Raon."

Cale called for the now seven years old black dragon, makes the latter puffed his chest.

"I know, Human!"

Raon casted soundproof barrier around them.

"Ho, you're getting good at it, kid."

"Goldie Gramps, I'm not a kid anymore!"

Eruhaben just ignores Raon's babble about he's not a kid, turn his head toward Taylor Stan.

"So I heard that you found something?"

"Ah, yes!"

Taylor let out documents from his inner pocket, then put it on the tabble.

"When I was tidying my office yesterday, I found a document about ancient artifact."

"Ancient atrifact?"

"Yes."

Taylor nodded his head.

"Yes. It's called 'The Mirror of Truth'."

Cale picked the documents, read it all quickly while Taylor continuing his explanation.

"They said the mirror will answer every question in this world. However, it was limited. It only could answer three questions. After that, it'd break. Two questions already used in the ancient times."

"But there's still one question left."

"Correct. We can use that one question to asked regarding the Hunters."

Alberu hummed, staring at the others.

"Well, we don't know if that mirror is still existed or not, but it's worth to try."

"Wait."

Cale unbuttoned his top button, put down the documents.

"You haven't done explaining, have you?"

Taylor let out a faint smile.

"In order to be able ask a question to the mirror, there's a test that should be complete. But ...."

"But what?"

Eruhaben asked impatiently.

"The test cannot be taken by someone who currently possessed an ancient power."

"Ah."

Everyone's gaze unconsciously layed on Cale and Choi Han.

Cale known as multiple ancient powers user, while Choi Han also owned an ancient powers from the fake dragon slayer, Syrem.

Cale clicked his tongue.

"I don't like this."

He mumbled to himself, but the room is quiet, made everyone could heard it clearly.

"Human, why? Didn't you once take a test alone?"

Raon asked, titled his head.

"Yeah, you already did it alone at the wind island, didn't you? This time let us do this instead of you."

"Your Highness, it's difference."

"How is it difference?"

Cale frowned. He didn't really go there alone, though? The voices of his ancient powers were with him.

Eruhaben shook his head.

"You unlucky bastard. Do you think that we can't do this properly without you? Don't understimate us."

"I'm not understimate anyone—"

"Then just let us do it. You trust us, don't you?"

The redhead closed his eyes, took a deep breath.

"A week."

He said after a long silence.

Cale recalled the test he gone throught the wind island.

"Only a week. If you guys haven't back within a week, I'll just go there myself and destroy the artifact."

"A week is more than enough for us."

Rosalyn smiled softly.

"Should we decided who will go?"

"Well, since this unlucky bastard and Choi Han own an ancient power, we can count them out."

"I also think there's no need for the childrens—"

Cale let out a deep sigh seeing the others started discussing about who should go, right in from of him. He felt irritated for some reason. He took a cookie from the jar, shoved it into his mouth.

"Cale-nim."

Choi Han who stood behind him called.

"What?"

"I trust them."

The raven haired boy show his usual innocent smile.

"Do you trust them?"

"Why did you asked such an obvious question?"

Cale munching his cookie while patting Raon's round head. His face is stoic as usual.

"Of course I trust them."

If not, he won't let them go.

***

It ended up Cale and Choi Han stayed behind with the childrens. Alberu leave the kingdom's matter to Tasha, so he can help take the test. The group consisting of Eruhaben, Alberu, Rosalyn, Mary, Ron, and Beacrox. All of them agreed to go.

The ancient atrifact are located in Northeastern part of the Eastern Continent, deep down inside a forest called 'The Rain Forest'. The forest is always raining and out of reach from the sunlight.

Cale, Choi Han, and Raon went accompany the group until they found a cave where the artifact resides. When the two wanted to step in, there's a kind of invisible barrier prevent Cale and Choi Han from entering, just for the two of them.

"... Seems like we can't go further than this."

Cale sighed in defeat, stare toward his companions who already in the other side of the invisible barrier.

"Remember, only one week."

"Aigoo, we know, you unlucky bastard."

"Young Master-nim, you don't need to worry. We will be back safe and sound with the ancient atrifact."

Eruhaben just shook his head, while Ron keep his usual benign smile on his lips. Beacrox just simply stood behind his father, bowed slightly.

"Young Master Cale, please take care while we was away."

"Young Master-nim, don't forget to eat. The only time you don't eat is when you're dead."

Rosalyn and Mary speak in turn.

"Don't worry! I will make sure weak human won't skip his meal!!"

Raon flapped his wings, poked his chest.

Cale let out a deep sigh. His gaze layed on a certain man with dark skin and brown hair.

"Why are you looking at me with those disrespectful gaze?"

Alberu who was in his dark elf form bluntly asked.

"Is there a need for you to go too? Aren't you busy, your highness?"

"What? Am I not allowed to go?"

"It's not like that."

"I already leave the works to Tasha, so you don't have to worry about anything, dongsaeng."

"I'm not worry."

"Oh, really?"

Cale clicked his tongue, while everyone laughed at Alberu who clearly having fun teasing him.

"Raon, let's go back."

The redhead just turn his body, facing the black dragon.

"Okay, Human! You guys please be save!! If anything dangerous happen, just destroy the cave!!!"

"Please be careful."

Choi Han bowed slightly, and Raon waved his paw before the baby dragon casted magic teleportation circle and teleported the three of them back to the Super Rock Villa.

After they left, the group continue their walk. Eruhaben and Rosalyn casted a fire spell on their palm to lightened up their way. They keep walking in silence until they found the end of the cave. There's a large stone with ancient writing engraved on it. Right on the rock, there is a mirror covered by a white barrier around it.

As an ancient dragon that already lived more than 1000 years, he easily read the ancient text on the rock.

"The gods creates this mirror in order to answer the wonder of humanity, if they have questions that the answer could never be found. If there is something you want to know, then this mirror will answer it. However, you have to prove that you deserve the answer."

Eruhaben cleared his throat after reading the text out loud. He staring at the mirror inside the white barrier. The mirror looked so old and there's a lot of crack on it, like it was ready to break anytime.

"So, how the test work?"

Alberu who stood beside him asked.

"Hm, it said we just need to touch the stone and close our eyes."

"Okay, let's do it."

All of them stood to right another, touch the stone and closed their eyes. They could feel the rough and cold texture of the stone. Slowly, an odd feeling flowing around them. There's a small sparks of electrict on the tip of their finger.

[Six people has entered the test]

[Calculating the subject]

[The test subject has been confirmed]

[The subject of the test is "Cale Henituse"]

"Wait, wha—"

Before they could say anything else, they felt a terrible dizzy spell in their heads. Their bodies slumped limply as if all their energy had been drained away.

When Ron opened his eyes, he could see a really familiar surrounding.

He saw a boy with brown hair busy writing something on his study desk. Ron was standing right beside him holding a teacup. As if realizing that the old man had been staring at him, the boy couldn't help but looked back at him in confusion.

"Ron? Is there something wrong?"

The young Basen asked. His sleeve tainted with ink because he keep writing for a long time.

Ron keep staring at him for a while, quickly calculating something inside his head, before showed his usual benign smile and answered.

"It's nothing, Young Master-nim."

"Um, okay then."

Basen continuing writing his essay, unaware of Ron's cold gaze.

If he not wrong, this Basen in front of him was around seven or eight years old. At this time, Ron was assigned to be his temporary personal butler until they managed to find replacement for Basen's personal butler that fired not too long ago. Basen's former personal butler, apparently, caught for harrassing Basen. That time Cale coldly said that Ron should've serve Basen instead of him because Basen is still uncapable to do something by himself—the young Cale, however, said it with disrespectful tone as if he was kicking Ron away.

"Ron, what is my next scedule?"

Although he was still very young, Basen already received a training to be the next count since the vassals now has switched side to Basen because of Cale's trashy act.

Ron take out a small note from his inner pocket. It's a good thing he always write a note of Basen's scedule when he start assigned as his personal butler, just in case he forgot because of his old age—although he never ever once forget it though.

Even though Basen found it odd to see the old servant see the note because usually there's no need for him to do so, he just let it slide.

"You still have class with Madam Kerenaine, and in the afternoon you also have class with Madam Thodere, Young Master-nim."

"I see. Then, let's get going."

Ron smiled and slightly bow when Basen stood up from his seat, start walking. Ron has a very cold expression. He need to check Cale, however he doesn't had any time because of Basen's full schedules.

'Ah, right. If i'm not wrong, at this time the young master going to had a fever.'

No one was assigned to Cale. Hans weren't here yet, so in the past Cale was suffered alone for a few days before one of the maid accidentaly found out about his condition when she was about to do a cleaning duty.

Ron want to prevent that from happening if he could, but if he suddenly rush to Cale's room, it will just gather unnecessary suspicious. He can't let his guard down. He still doesn't know what kind of test is this.

'I wonder if the other is here with me.'

Ron walked soundlessly behind Basen, drowned with his own thought. He let out a deep helpless sigh. There's nothing he can do except waiting for Basen's finished his schedules if he doesn't want to gather any suspicios.

***

Eruhaben open his eyes and found himself inside his lair. Just from a quick glance, he know he was back in the past—even though he doesn't know exactly when.

He doesn't know if the other were taking the same test with him, so he decided to head to the henituse mansion. Before he opened his eyes, he saw it clearly, a text popped out of nowhere and saying that 'Cale Henituse' is the subject of the test.

He was nine years younger, and his physical condition is much better. That's why he could teleported quickly to the Henituse territory. He couldn't teleport dirrectly to Cale's room since he's aware that Cale wouldn't recognize him.

Using invicible magic, Eruhaben stepped his feet on Cale's room balcony. The balcony door were covered with curtain. The atmosphere around is oddly cold and quiet. Eruhaben isn't used to this. He used to the noise from the childrens or the others. Now this kind of silence really made him feel uneasy.

Eruhaben secretly opened the balcony door and slide the curtain a little to peeked inside. The room that usually bright and filled with joy now were so dark and cold. On the bed, there's a red haired boy who around eleven years old holding a small bottle while clapsing his hands.

"Dear Mother in the heaven."

He just mumbling to himself, but Eruhaben could heard it clearly.

"I'm sorry."

The little boy's voice sounded soar and cracked, made Eruhaben's heart instantly ached.

"You said if I was stay strong, someday I will become an amazing person."

The boy's gaze were dead. Eruhaben couldn't find the usual warm inside those reddish brown eyes. They were lifeless.

"Mother, I believe you, but for the first time, seems like you're wrong."

Tears started flowing from the boy's eyes. He silently cried while continue his mumbling.

"I'm going to have a little sister soon, Mother. After Lily was born, then I can leave. Mother, I will be able to meet you again soon. I miss you so much."

Eruhaben's eyes widened when he saw the boy slowly lift the small bottle closer to his lips.

"They gonna be a happy family, even without me."

The ancient dragon quickly slammed the balcony door and stretch out one of his hand. A white-gold mana forming a wind and strike right to the bottle. He loose his grip on the bottle. However, the little boy still managed to drank half of it, choked.

"Cough!"

"Cale!"

The little boy—Cale—continuing to cough. The poison that he managed to drank started to working inside his body. It started with light fever. Cale could feel his whole body burning both inside and outside. He barely opening his eyes, but he could see it clearly. There's a beautiful golden haired elf hugging him, calling for his name.

Cale just blankly stare at the mysterious elf, wondering if he was dreaming.

'So beautiful. I wonder if angel also had a beautiful face like him.'

The boy's breath turn short and heavy. Eruhaben panicked for the first time, quickly let out highest grade healing potion from his spatial pocket. Never in his life he ever thought something like this would happen.

Cale, that unlucky bastard who looked at him with disrespectful gaze, is the same person as this pitiful child. How ... seeing his family treated him like a treasure, he thought that Cale also had a happy normal childhood like others.

That unlucky bastard always spoiling the childrens, making sure they have a proper and happy childhood, when he was the one who never gone through such happiness.

Cale's breathing become more relaxed after Eruhaben give him the potion. Now the kid fell asleep in his embrace. Eruhaben gently help Cale change his position so he can sleep more comfortable, pulling the blanket until his neck.

He gently carressed the boy's forehead that covered with warm sweat. Eruhaben bit his lower lip. He starting to connect the dots.

The subject of this test is Cale Henituse.

Cale Henituse is a person who save everyone. He helped Rosalyn seek her freedom and became the master of the magic tower. He let Mary to see the stary night sky and enjoy breeze of the outside world. He accepted Alberu just the way he is despite having dark elf blood going through his body. He helped Ron and Beacrox take over their household and revenge to that bastard arm. He give him, Eruhaben, a chance to see the world much longer and watch the childrens grow.

He gathered all of them, makes them as a whole big happy family.

Cale Henituse was their savior.

That's why, maybe ....

This time, they were the ones who had to save Cale Henituse.

Chapter Text

Living his life as an assasin, Ron only trust fact that already proven. An assasin life is cruel and full of dangerous. He need to gather information and trust something that he already seen with his own eyes, but besides that, his instict also need to be sharp, to know what is right and what is wrong.

He rarely use his feelings. No, he doesn't trust his feelings. When it comes to assasinate people, there's some people who wear a mask to hide their true identity. Sometimes, his feeling and instict clashing opposite each other. Ron only trust what he see with his own eyes, including people's true hidden nature. He need to see not only the outside, but also the inside.

However, this time, Ron felt uneasy for some reasons. His feeling keep telling him that something bad will happen. This is the first time his feeling and his instict saying the same thing. Ron couldn't help but touch the dagger that hidden behind his sleeve, trying to calm himself.

One minute. Five minutes. Twenty minutes. One hour.

Finally Basen done with his morning class. Ron can use this chance to check if the other went to the same test with him or not.

'Maybe I'll quickly check Young Master Cale as well.'

After escorting Basen back to his room, Ron excuse himself, saying he will bring his lunch.

With soundless but quick step, Ron walked through the coridor. He should've head to the main kitchen to get Basen's meal, however, he head to Beacrox's personal kitchen instead. He need to meet with his son first to make sure if his son is here too or not.

Ron get there in no time. He saw his son currently chopping vegetables, perhaps preparing for Cale's afternoon meal.

"Son."

Beacrox flinched, turn his head toward the voice just to see the figure of his father walking slowly toward him. He put down his knife, staring at his father with his usual stoic face.

"Yes, Father?"

Ron thinking for a moment. What should he do to make sure this is his son that he know or not? Should he ask him several questions about future events? Or should he test his current skill to know?

'Why bother?'

At the end, he just decided to bluntly asked.

"Are you here too?"

If his son is also here, he will understand what he meant. But if he's not here, oh well. He will just say it was nothing.

Beacrox staring at his father, before nod his head with a relief sigh.

"Yes, Father. Seems like we're in the same test."

Ron smiled in satisfaction. Then it means all of them were here. Now he know what should he do next. He need to contact the other and discuss about this test.

"Father, did you see the subject of the test is the young master?"

Beacrox's question snapped him out from his thought. Ron nod his head. Of course he also saw it.

"Son, just do what you usually do. I will check the Young Master after this. At this time, he was still on his rebelious phase. We need to be careful."

"I understand, Father."

After that, Ron head straight to Cale's room. His heart felt heavy every time he take a step, and both of his feeling and instict screaming something bad were currently happening. The old man walked faster until he reach a familiar door that shut tightly in front of him.

He hesistantly knocked the door.

"Young Master-nim?"

No answer.

He knocked several times, but still no answer.

His feeling worsened. Ron decided to enter the room, didn't care if later the young Cale will throw tantrum about this.

When he opened the door, he greeted by a scene Cale laying on the bed. At first he think the boy were sleeping, but his face is burning and covered in sweat. Ron quickly approach the boy, putting his palm on his puppy young master's forehead.

"Young Master-nim?"

Cale just let out a soft groan, clinging his head closer to Ron's palm.

Ron held his breath. His temperature is quite high, but compared to the past, this is slightly better. Maybe it was because he found out more earlier?

Ron suddenly could feel a strong presence on the balcony. He take out his dagger from his sleeve, glaring viciously.

"Who's there?"

An elf with golden-white hair covered with majestic aura could be seen behind the balcony door. Seeing the familiar figure, Ron put down his dagger, acting more relaxed.

"Eruhaben-nim."

"Ho. I see we're in the same test."

"I think so. I meet my son earlier and it's indeed was him."

The ancient gold dragon walked toward the redhead, sat on the edge of the bed.

"No one told me that this unlucky bastard had a pitiful childhood."

"Excuse me?"

"Here."

Eruhaben throw a bottle, and Ron easily catch them. A frown created on the old man's face when he realized what kind of liquid inside it.

"This—"

"Cale drank it."

"... What?"

"You didn't know?"

Ron fell silent. How long had he been serving the Henituse household? How long he watched his puppy young master grow? He has been here since Cale was born, however ....

"No."

He cleched his fist.

"I didn't know."

Eruhaben staring at the old man. His pupils trembled, showing that he genuily didn't aware of this event. The ancient dragon just let out a deep sigh. He turn his gaze toward the boy, carressing his fiery red hair.

"Who incharge to watch over him?"

"No one."

Eruhaben tried his best to hold his anger. How could ... how could there's no one looking after a mere eleven years old boy?!

"I thought you were his personal butler?"

"I am, but at this time I was incharge to be Young Master Basen's temporary personal butler. Usually another servant will bring him his meal and do a cleaning duty."

Ron flinched when he saw Eruhaben suddenly laugh. However, this laugh not containing happiness. It's feels so sinister.

"Bring his meal?"

Eruhaben smiled mockingly. He then point his index finger to the table, making Ron also turn his head toward it. On the table, there's a plain bread with one glass of water. Ron stare back at Eruhaben, his head was a mess. He didn't understand.

The ancient dragon then answered the confused butler.

"That's his meal."

"What?"

How could that's his meal?!

"I'm sure my son always cooked a proper meal for him."

Yes. He was sure Beacrox always cooked a hearty meal for Cale. He saw it with his own eyes. There's no way Beacrox only give a bread and water for the young master.

"Then, are you or your son is the one who bring his meal to him?"

Eruhaben's question made him realized something.

"... No."

The other servant were incharge for bringing Cale's meal to his room.

"They always said that the young master didn't want to eat."

They said that Cale always throw a tantrum, saying the food was awful and kicked them out.

"Turns out it was a lie."

Ron's grip on his dagger became more tight. His eyes were bloodshot. How could this happen without him knowing? He was really blind to just believe those crap.

"Calm down."

Eruhaben tried to calm him, even though he himself also feel angry. But that feeling is useless right now since it already happened.

"I was too late, he managed to drink half of that poison. However, in the past ...."

In the past, Eruhaben weren't here to prevent him.

"In the past, he drank the whole poison."

But Cale didn't die.

"Fortunately, this unlucky bastard had a high poison resistance. He won't die by drinking poison, but his weak body definitely still get the after effect. That's why he got a high fever. I already give him healing potion, so he'll recover soon."

Maybe that's why he rarely get drunk. He had a high resistance for alcohol. Alcohol containing toxic things inside it, similar to poison. So basically Cale wasn't had a high resistance for alcohol, but poison instead.

"At first, I don't know why he was the test subject. But now I started to understand."

Eruhaben clenching his fist. His gaze locked at the figure of the redhead who sleeping in peace.

"Maybe we need to save him. Even if this isn't reality and just a world inside a test, but it's still him."

"You're right, Eruhaben-nim."

Ron take a deep breath. He slipped his dagger back to under of his sleeve. His gaze turn soft seeing his young master figure.

"Even if this just a test, and we couldn't turn back time, let's save him."

***

"This is Young Master Cale's lunch."

Beacrox put a plate of meat and sausage on the trolley, looking at the maid who incharge for bringing Cale's meal.

"I know."

The maid silently scoffed. She push the food trolley, exited Beacrox's personal kitchen. She staring at the food on the trolley, licking her lips.

"What a waste giving this food for that trash."

"Rachel."

Another maid with twin braids walking toward the maid named Rachel.

"Grey, what take you so long?"

"Sorry, it's kinda hard to steal some bread when the headcheff there."

Grey holding a plate of bread and glass of water in her hands. The twin braids eyes turn sparklings when she saw the hearty meal on the trolley.

"Looks like we're gonna have an amazing meal again today."

"Yeah, the only good thing assigned to bring meal for that trash is we can eat delicious food everyday."

"Pff. I wonder why that trash never told anyone about this. Oh well, that's doesn't matter. Quick, let's give him this bread so we can eat these meal."

The two maids laughed cheerfully while walking toward the redhead's room. Grey entered the room without knocking the door, seeing the firstborn were currently laying on his bed, covered with blanket.

"Hah, look at him. Just slacking around like this. What an useless trash."

Grey harshly put the bread on the nearest table. Her finger were playing with her braid hair, staring lowly at the redhead.

"How pathetic."

"Hey Grey, what take you so long? Come on, hurry up."

Rachel walking inside, whispering.

"Let's go before someone see us—"

"Ho, who do you call pathetic earlier, hm?"

Both Rachel and Grey jolted. They could feel their heart sank when their eyes saw a figure of an old man with benign smile on his face.

Ron.

Rachel gulped. She tried to stand firmly, hiding her fear behind her gaze. Ron indeed a decent butler and well respected in this mansion. But that's all. He's only a mere butler that now currently assigned to serve Basen.

"What are you doing here, old man?"

"I'm just having a walk and accidentally saw two rat entering the young master's room."

"W-What are you saying? We're just bringing him his lunch."

"Ho, you called dry bread and a glass of water as a lunch for noble son?"

Sweat dripping on the maids' back. They trying to search for another excuse, or they could just find a way to make this old man shut up.

Meanwhile Ron trying his best to not pull off his dagger and throw it at them. The old man take a deep breath, then sighed slowly, before giving them a really, really warm smile.

"Shall we have a talk, ladies?"

Rachel and Grey swear they never seen a smirk that even scarier than a devil in their entire life.

***

"Nggh."

The young Cale opened his eyes. He found himself laying on his own bed. He feel his whole body burning, even though not as bad as earlier. Cale stare blankly at the ceiling, then covered his eyes using his arm.

"Why ...."

He starting to remember there's a beautiful fairy with white-golden hair prevent him from drinking poison. Although he still managed to drank half of it, but still ....

"Why am I still alive?"

Who is that beautiful fairy? Is he someone that sent from heaven to prevent him from dying? But why does heaven care about his life?

'Even heaven doesn't want me.'

Cale quickly wiped tears that dripping from the corner of his eyes when he heard a knocking sound from the door. An old man entered his room, smiling benignly while pushing trolley of food.

"Good evening, Young Master-nim. I was just want to wake you up. How's your feeling?"

"... Ron?"

"Yes, this is your humble servant, Ron, Young Master-nim."

Cale frowned.

"What are you doing here? You should've be with Basen right now."

"Oh, no need to worry, Young Master-nim. I was assigned back to serve you starting from now on."

"... What?"

The redhead staring in disbelieve.

"But what about Basen—"

"My son is a capable young man, Young Master-nim. He will assigned as Young Master Basen's personal butler until we found a good butler for him."

'Why is he suddenly being so talkative?'

Cale wanted to ask more, but he doesn't had enough energy. So he decided to close his mouth and throw his sight to other direction.

"You haven't had lunch, right, Young Master-nim? My son cooked you some soup to help you recover."

Cale didn't ask how this old man know he was having a fever, because if he ask, Ron might be suspicious. With Ron's help, he change his position to sit confortably so he could eat.

"I can eat myself."

"No, Young Master-nim. Let me help you."

"I said I can eat myself."

"And this old man said let me help you."

Ron once again give a benign smile, weidly leaving chills on Cale's spine. Is he always this scary before? Didn't have any energy left, so he just give up and let Ron help him eat.

Cale just eat silently, but his eyes scanning every inch of his room. Ron realized the uneasy feeling of his young master, decided to ask.

"Is there something wrong, Young Master-nim?"

"N-No."

The boy quickly shake his head, looking to other direction. There's a long pause, before Cale opening his mouth again.

"Ron."

"Yes, Young Master-nim?"

"Is there .... is there someone entered my room earlier?"

"Hm? You mean a maid?"

"No. Not residence of this mansion."

Cale fidgeting his fingers.

"I-I saw a pretty fairy before I fell asleep."

"... A pretty fairy?"

The young Cale internally curse for his stupidity.

'He will think I'm gone crazy for spewing bullshit like this.'

Yes, there's no way Ron will believe him. There's none of them who ever believe him in the first place. Why would his mouth saying those thing to Ron?

Cale could feel his face burning in embarrasement.

"Forget what I sai—"

"Ho, is that true?"

"Huh?"

Ron caressing his own cheek, acting like he was thinking deeply about something.

"I wonder why is the balcony door open when usually you always leave it closed. Maybe there is a fairy entered this room earlier."

Cale blinking his eyes. This time he staring right into Ron's brown eyes.

"Really?"

'You believe me?'

"Yes, Young Master-nim. How is that fairy looked like?"

'I believe you.'

Cale clenching his hands on the blanket, prevent his lips from smiling.

"He's so pretty."

Cale said softly, almost like a whisper, but Ron still managed to heard it.

"He has a long golden hair. His skin is fairy white, just like a fairytale."

Ron hums in understanding, playing along.

"Is that so. Then he must be very pretty."

Cale looking down on his own hands, hiding his faint smile.

"Yes he is."

[Discovered the first key of the test]

[The first key of the test is "Trust"]

Chapter Text

Earlier, before little Cale wake up from his feverish slumber.

Ron currently standing in front of the lord of Henituse region, smiling benignly at Deruth Henituse.

Deruth, who confused at the sudden visit, could feel cold craddling on his back. This old man, without any notice, just leasurely enter his office even without waiting for his answer. If it was other servant, maybe he would be mad, but this is Ron Molan he was talking about. The man who serves Henituse family longer than anyone. So, he decided to just let it be.

'Why does I'm feeling uneasy right now?'

There's one more reason that Deruth let Ron's rude behavior a slide. Around that old man, for some reason it felt really vicious and cold, making him shivers.

"... Is there any problem, Ron? For you to come here without any prior notice like this. Is it about Basen?"

Ron's lips twitched, forming his usual--vicious--benign smile.

"My lord."

Deruth suddenly sat straightly.

"Yes?"

"With all due respect, my lord, I'm here to inform you about your eldest son."

The brown haired man frowned.

"Cale? Did he do something again?"

Ron tried to hold his emotion as Deruth continue to mumbling.

"Did he throw tantrum and broke facilities again? Haaah, godness me, that boy. Ron, just send me the bill and--"

"My lord, he's trying to suicide."

Tak.

His grip loosened, make the pen fell from his palm. His pupils shaking in disbelief. Ron who doesn't care about the shock that Deruth received, continuing his words.

"He's trying to suicide by drinking poison. Fortunately ... I'm able to stop him in time. However, currently he's having fever because he still managed to drink some of the poison. Also, did you know, my lord, that Young Master Cale got harrased by the maids?"

Ron couldn't tell this Deruth about Eruhaben, so he decided to fake some part of the story. Seeing Deruth's facial expression began to pale, Ron just sighed. He, too, feel the same as Deruth. For years he served this family, but he still know nothing about his puppy young master. If only this is not a test ....

Ron internally shook his head. Test or not, to him, this is a reality. The people in this world is breathing. They're alive and real. If he wanted to change past and give the little Cale happy childhood he deserves, then this is his chance.

"My Lord."

Deruth never saw Ron's face being that sad. No, actually, this is the first time he saw Ron making another expression than his usual smiley face. Even though Ron's expression already turn back, as if he never made that sad face in the first place.

"My son is a capable man."

Ron smiled benignly. However, his eyes didn't show any emotion.

"Please let me serves back Young Master Cale, meanwhile my son will be Young Master Basen temporary personal servant until we found perfect candidate for him."

Silence fill the room for some time. After a while, Deruth finally open his mouth.

"Is ... is Cale alright?"

"After some treatment, I'm sure the young master going to be fine."

"I see ...."

Deruth looked down on his shaking palm. Ron staring at the figure of his master, sighed heavily.

"My Lord, you know that you could visit the young master anytime, don't you?"

Of course he know.

"But ...."

But will Cale going to like it?

For him ignoring his son for years, then suddenly come to visit him just like that. He scared that Cale going to hate him. He doesn't want to see the hate stare on his son's eyes himself. He's full of regret, yet he doesn't know how to fix it.

He might be a great ruler, but he isn't a good father.

In fact, he failed as a father.

"With all due respect, please forgive me if my word going to be rude, but we cannot change the past, My Lord."

Ron didn't just say this to Deruth. He also saying this to remind himself.

"Whatever happened in the past. Happiness, regret, grief, anything, it couldn't be repeated. Past will be remained as past. However, there's one thing, My Lord. If there's past, then there's future. We might be cannot change the past, but we have the ability to change our future."

It's been a long time since Ron saying a lot of words from his heart like this. Last time he said something like this, is when his wife was still alive.

"It's not too late, My Lord."

"You ... you're right."

Deruth raised his head, looked at Ron's deep brown eyes.

"You're right, Ron."

Come think of it, Deruth owed something to Cale.

He owed apologize.

Whether Cale going to forgive him or not, he still need to apologize correctly. Not with money nor freedom, but heartful words that Cale deserved.

"Is Cale awake right now?"

"Not yet, but I will inform you when he does."

Ron bow down.

"Then, I think that's all what I need to say. Then, let this old man excuse himself.”

Deruth stare at Ron’s back until that man exit the room. Even after Ron left, he still looking at the door, blankly, full of thought.

The brown haired man let out a deep sigh.

‘Jour ….’

He then suddenly remembers his deceased wife.

The face that resemble his son so much.

In fact, Cale is just like a boy version of Jour.

Maybe that’s the reason why he unconsciously avoid him back then.

*** 

It’s weird.

“Young Master-nim, would you like another plate of pie?”

Ron is being really nice ever since he opened his eyes from the feverish slumber.

“… No, I’m good.”

“Ah, too bad. My son baked a lot of sweets for you. If this old man’s eyes not wrong, you look really thin. You should eat more, Young Master-nim.”

Actually, it’s kind of creepy.

Cale unconsciously shook his head.

‘Why is he like this?!’

“Ron.”

“Hm?” Ron who was about to pour another honey lemon tea gently look at his small young master. “Yes, Young Master? Is there anything you need?”

“No, it’s just …,” Cale fidgeting his finger for a while, turn his head to another direction, “about the fairy ….”

Ron blinks with a small “ah”.

“C-Can you, um, keep it a secret?”

Cale scratch his blushing cheek. If he remembers the past event, it’s quite embarrasing. But, still ….

“Fairy doesn’t exist anyway.”

Still ….

“But ….”

If what he saw is real.

“If it does really exist ….”

It would be nice to meet that pretty fairy again.

“I want to see that fairy one more time. T-That if it’s really exist.”

Ron trying his best to hold his smile. Although, small chuckle escape from his lips. “I’m sure you will able to meet that fairy again.”

Cale blinks his eyes twice. “How do you so sure? Have you ever seen one too?”

“Hoho, I wonder.”

“Eeehh, really? You also DID met a fairy before this??”

“This old man’s memory is quite bad, but I do remember them vividly.”

“Whoa, so cool! Then, you know how to meet them again? Are fairies has a pretty golden hair??”

Spark of joy shine brightly inside those reddish brown eyes for the first time in a while. When did this boy looks so excited? Is it before the previous countess’ death? Ron couldn’t even remember.

It’s really nice to see this boy smile, but at the same time, it’s also sad.

Knock. Knock.

“Cale, are you inside?”

The smile on little Cale’s face vanished in a second when he heard Deruth’s voice. For some reason, as a father, looking at this sight make Ron feels eerie.

Somehow, he feel sorry to Deruth.

To not able saw his own son’s smile.

The door opens, show a figure of man on his late thirty. He has a smiling face, but for some reason, his eyes didn’t smile. He has a gaze full of regret.

Ron gave a small bow to his master. “Well then, let this Ron excuse himself for a while. I will bring some tea.”

Right after Ron left, Cale’s cold gaze landed at his father.

“Is there anything you need from me?”

It’s kind of rude, of course. Cale also know this.

Deruth just stay silent for a while, pull some chair and sat beside Cale’s bed. “Yes, I want to talk about something.”

‘He did it again.’

Deruth never mad at his rude behavior.

Why?

“Father, I’m still recovering. I want to rest as much as possible.”

Cale’s kicking Deruth out.

He doesn’t want to meet him.

“It won’t be long.”

“Then you should start now.”

Deruth bit his lower lip. He clenched his fist, before opening his mouth.

“How’s your feeling, Cale?”

No.

“As you can see, I’m fine.”

That isn’t something that he wanted to say.

“I see.”

He wanted to apologize.

He need to apologize.

Why is he like this?

Silence.

Deruth let out a fake cough, before turn his head toward the balcony. “I heard the balcony door was broke.”

Cale flinched.

That’s true.

The lock hole is broken, and Ron need to put a small wooden board between the door handle so it could close last night.

But, if he thinks about it, since when …?

‘Ah, don’t tell me—’

Cale came to a realization.

‘Is it when the fairy tried to save me two days ago?’

Then ….

‘Then I’m not dreaming! The fairy is real!’

A small fire of hope light up inside his chest. There’s a chance he can meet that fairy again!

“I’m planning to move your room for a while to the first floor, Cale.”

Yet, those words put out his hope instantly.

“What—Why?!”

“Just for a while, until I found someone to fix the balcony door.”

“But it doesn’t means I need to move room!”

“Cale, it’s for your own safety. Someone could enter your room. What if you get hurt?”

‘And that someone who you talking about is the one who prevent me from dying!’

Cale wanted to scream that, but those words stuck in his throat.

Actually, there’s another reason why Deruth want to move Cale’s room to the first floor.

‘What if after this, he decided to jump from there?’

Cale survival after drinking a poison is a miracle, but, what if he doesn’t stop there?

Deruth doesn’t want to lose Cale.

No.

He can’t lose Cale.

He need to keep him save.

“NO! Why did you keep deciding something by yourself?!”

“Cale, it’s for your own good—”

“I don’t need your concern! Why don’t you just pretending don’t know anything, like you always do?!”

Like you always do.

Before he know it, Deruth starts to raise his voice. “Cale, why are you like this?!”

“No, why are YOU like this?!” Cale stand up from his bed, glaring at this man who he called father. He couldn’t hold his tears any longer. He’s mad. He really mad. He wanted to scream out loud. He wanted to cry until his tears dry. “I’m just a worthless trash, so why aren’t you kicking me out? Why don’t you just set me free? You have your own family, so you don’t need me anymore, right? You always like this since Mother died. You never care about me! You didn’t come when I’m sick, you didn’t come when I made some mess in the city, and you never ever scold me for every wrong things I did! At this point, what am I to you—”

“CALE HENITUSE!”

No.

“I’m your father!”

No. No. No.

“Just do what I said. It’s for your own good!”

This isn’t what he planning to say, but he couldn’t control his own mouth.

Deruth doesn’t even realize that he’s glaring angryly at Cale. He stand up with both of his palm clenched.

It’s scary.

To see his father finally mad at him, but for something that contary to his happiness.

“You would never understand. I should’ve known.” Cale wipe his tears using his arm. For the first time, those reddish brown eyes throw a gaze full of hatred, that even make Deruth flinched. “I hate you.”

After saying that, he ran.

“Cale, wait!”

Anywhere. Anywhere but this cursed place.

“CALE!”

He doesn’t want to see him.

He’s sick of all this.

No one could stop him.

In fact, in the first place, everyone who saw him already avoid him.

No one wants him.

***

It’s raining.

The road is empty because everyone is inside the building, saving themselves from the heavy rain.

Cale sat in front of an empty building. His feet that only covered with socks is full of dirt because he ran without wearing shoes. Not to mention his messy appearance. His eyes swollen red because of crying for too long. If it’s not because the expensive gems all over his clothes, no one would recognize him as noble’s son.

He hug his knees, burying his head between.

‘Cold.’

Tap.

Suddenly, a sound of footstep could be heard. He unconsciously raised his head, feel alarmed. He thought it was Ron or some knights that were ordered to find him. But insteaf, right now he saw a mysterious lady with black robe covered all her body from head to toes. Cale couldn’t see her face clearly, but he could saw some pretty purple eyeball that managed to made him stunned for a while.

“Are you cold?” A mecanical voice ask in a flat tone. Her pale hands stretched out with a black robe similar to hers. “You can wear this so you don’t get cold.”

Without waiting for the boy’s answer, the black robe lady already kneel in front off him, and put the robe on his shoulder.

Now, Cale could see her face clearly.

A face full of black spiderwebs, almost like a scar that’s not befitting for any lady. But those pair of purple eyes looking at him with really warm gaze. A warmth that he haven’t received for the past few years.

‘This Eonnie is so pretty.’

Even with all those spiderwebs on her face, she’s still pretty.

“Are you okay?” That lady hold Cale’s cold hands. Although she’s not smiling nor showing any facial expression ….

‘She’s warm.’

She feels really warm.

Before he knew it, he already crying again.

He melts.

[Discovered the second key of the test]

[The second key of the test is "Warmth"]