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Chapter Text

That person was real.

The weird attendant who told him the truth and trust himself was real in another place.

He thought it was impossible to control another body by taking their consciousness, but it happened to that new attendant.

Alberu woke up only to find out that the new attendant became really clueless and didn't know anything about him managing the basic necessities of his palace.

His Majesty did a bit of explanation about why he imprisoned that attendant and planned to kill him because Alberu got involved. Knowing Alberu's wariness and his smart brain, his father decided to tell him about his attendant actually occupied by another person and that person's goal was him.

"He told you things that you must not know before the time. He's a dangerous person."

King Zed left after telling him that and Alberu decided to keep that unfortunate, clueless attendant in case that person's consciousness came again.

Alberu didn't care if it's dangerous. He just wanted to see that person again. Although his palace stayed the same, he gained confidence due to that stranger and he was able to deal with his own insecurity much better.

Furthermore, after that incident, Alberu Crossman as a crown prince was given more authority to choose his own people to serve him more freely. The King also handed over several mid-range important internal affairs within the Roan Kingdom after that event.

The people in the palace saw this as a prove that King started to favor him again. However, Alberu knew much better. It was his Royal Father's way to make him close his mouth. The secrecy of the second-level basement of the library held answers for him and he's not allowed to know it for now.

It's similar to the down payment King Zed gave to Alberu as a promise that he'll tell Alberu in the future.

It's okay.

At least he knew he was not a threat nor a hindrance. 

That's more than enough to give him more energy to work harder to pursue his goal as a King.

Still, Alberu recalled the way that stranger talk to him. 

Its tone was high when he acted as an attendant in front of other workers, but low and softer when they talked alone. 

The way he said 'Your Royal Highness' was genuine and he's very good at whatever he's doing. Unfortunately, that person never came again. Three months passed and Alberu decided to fire that attendant because he's really useless. 

Since then, Alberu started having dreams where he heard someone talking with the same tone as that stranger. 

It started with only voices. Then it got more vivid as he dreamt more every day. It was blurred, then had a white surrounding.

From white to a proper place. Then, from only the calm voices, he saw two figures. One was his own face which was much mature and the other was wearing a commander uniform and had red hair.

Alberu Crossman sorted his mind every morning after having several dreams with the same person. He, a crown prince was interacting with this peculiar red-haired person. One day he dreamt about them talking about war. Another day was an eventful day when this red-haired person rudely came to his bedroom through the terrace and he did the same thing to this person.

He saw himself already an adult when they were spending time together like a real brother. This red-haired person saw him in his Dark Elf form without any judgment just like the attendant he met in a very short time. That stranger recognized the dead mana and was not terrified. 

One night after three months of dreaming about him and the red-haired figure named Cale, he dreamt when that person said that he met the fifteen years old Alberu as his attendant.

The dream was cut there, but when Alberu woke up, he's sure that he had been dreaming about that stranger for the whole three months.

He's fifteen years old and he met that attendant.

Alberu was not sure if what he dreamt was his future, but he could hear them talking and all he remembered was the impression of those scenes and this red-haired person's first name. 

The urge to find this "Cale" in his world became stronger because he's well aware this "Cale" is younger than him and if what he dreamt was his future from another place, Alberu wanted to make him his acquaintance first.

Alberu didn't want to miss out on the chance of having a real close friend in his life.

Whether all of his speculations were true or not, it would not hurt to have one person on his side like Alberu Crossman in another place.

That's why he's in good mood today. When his aunt came, Alberu asked her to bring Roan Kingdom's nobles who were of the same generation as him. 

In that dream, their age seemed close. His other self told Cale to call him 'Hyung-nim', so it's safe to start from there.

"I can bring the document, but what do you want to do with that? Making a party? Noble's meeting?"

Alberu smiled, hiding his intention for now. "I need to check something."

Right after the documents were in his hand, Alberu swiftly searched the male noble with red hair named Cale.

At last, he found the person he thought was right. 

There's one noble with his criteria. 

Cale Henituse, the first son of Count Henituse. 

The sketch of Cale's face was based on the description, but it was stated that he had deep red hair and it's very close to the person in his dream. If only he heard his family name in the dream, Alberu could confirm this. But he's almost there.

His smile widened at the thought of trying to befriend this Cale. Alberu felt he was on the right track. He also read more information about Henituse Household. 

He called Aunt Tasha again.

"Please send my letter to Henituse Household."

Tasha was confused. Her nephew never sent a personal letter to any nobles. She read the receiver. 

It's Young master Cale Henituse, not the Count.

"Your Highness, what are you planning?"

"He looks interesting, so I want to invite him to my palace."

Alberu responded with an excited face that rarely appeared. Tasha knew his nephew would not say 'excited' about noble, whoever they were. So, it's obvious Alberu hid something from her.

Nevertheless, she sent the letter to Henituse Estate.

To Alberu's dismay, his invitation was replied that Young master Cale could not fulfill his wish due to his condition two days later.

"Aunt Tasha, do you think Count Henituse tries to prevent me from meeting with his son?" Alberu asked while reading the reply. His gut feeling was saying that this was bad.

"It can be. Count Henituse is a neutral faction. Seeing his first son would be meeting with the crown prince can make people think that Henituse Household supports you."

"But why do I think his condition is really bad?"

Alberu looked up at his aunt and lifted the letter in one hand. 

"You don't think it is an empty reason to reject your invitation?" Tasha inquired.

He nodded with a deep frown on his forehead. 

"It's too vague. What condition do they mean?"

Tasha asked Alberu back. "Why do you think the reason is too vague?"

Thinking for a moment, Alberu answered while looking at the letter from Henituse Household again.

"I often received rejection letters in the past and their reasons were indirectly implying that they could not fulfill my order. I don't have that power in the past, so I know very well that feeling if someone rejects me. However, Count Henituse's reason to reject me doesn't have the gut feeling that my invitation is totally ignored."

Tasha reached her hand. "May I try to read once again, Your Highness?"

Alberu handed it to her. 

The disguised Dark Elf read it more thoroughly, but she didn't feel what her nephew felt. When she looked at him, Alberu had that stubborn look of not going to give up.

Tasha returned the letter to Alberu. "We never meet with Count Henituse personally. Perhaps this is his way of rejecting offers? Who knows he makes this decision without telling young master Cale at all. He's still ten years old, right?" 

Alberu still insisted that's not quite right. "Although he's only ten years old, Ca--Young master Cale is not a dim-wit child. There must be something that makes him cannot meet me."

Tasha heard what Alberu said. The teenager crown prince almost called Cale Henituse only with his name and stated that the boy was not dimmed wit.

"You said that as if you know him personally. Your Highness, you may reply to ask to clarify the 'condition' young master Cale has. But I personally think that Count Henituse doesn't want anyone to ask him if he supports one of the princes. Remember, he's a neutral faction."

Alberu's lips frowned when his aunt didn't really believe him. But he didn't want to say that he got the impression from his dream. He knew it was unreliable, but Alberu just wanted to see the person who might be close to him in the future.

Just like him and Cale in his dream.

Alberu was much older over there, but he's just fifteen years now. He thought the faster they met, the better it would be for them. He envied the moment he could joke around and behave freely with the red-haired guy. 

The longer he thought, the more he's convinced he found the right person.

When Tasha left his office, Alberu slumped to the backrest and sighed deeply.

"This drives me crazy... Even the attendant last time also made me go crazy."

His hand held the fountain pen and was ready to write the reply like his aunt's advice, but his hand halted.

'In the future, can I go in through the window like him? I also barged into his room through the window. I wonder their reason for using a window instead door normally...'

Alberu pursed his lips. 'What am I thinking? They're already adults. I'm still a teenager. I cannot do such things now.'

He chose to not ask young master Cale to clarify the condition. Instead, he replied that it's really unfortunate and hoped that everything was all right. He added, 'feel free to meet me anytime' because Alberu truly had hope in this boy.

Alberu was busy, but it would not hurt to spare his time for this boy.

He, after all, only wanted to try to be his friend quicker than his other-self.

Two days later, a letter from Henituse Household arrived again. Tasha had worried look when she handed Alberu the letter. She was worried that Alberu might receive a similar answer again.

A few seconds later, she heard Alberu taking a sharp breath. He then showed the letter to his aunt.

"See? I was right! Count Henituse was not rejecting my offer, but young master Cale indeed cannot come!"

His hand reached to her surprised aunt. "Look at this."

Smiling nervously, Tasha read the letter. Her lips quirked up.

It was written:

Your Royal Highness, this is Cale Henituse.

First of all, I apologize for not being able to meet you in the palace a few days ago. I was sick and cannot leave my bed at all. So I asked my butler to tell my father that I cannot go. I'm much better now, thank you for Your Highness' consideration to let me meet you anytime. It's such an honor to have a free pass to meet a Royal Family. 

I wrote this to say grateful for recognizing me by so many nobles within our generation, as well as giving another unfortunate news that I am still not allowed to go out of the estate. However, please consider my rude invitation to come to my place instead when Your Highness is free. 

All Your Highness needs to do is send message 'one' to the line I provided below and I'll reply 'one' as confirmation. I also wrote the coordinates to come through the underground training ground. I know that Your Highness preferred to avoid crowds.

I'll be waiting. 

Cale.

Tasha laughed when she read it. "Young master Cale wrote this, not Count Henituse. I admit I'm wrong, Your Highness."

Alberu chuckled, feeling proud of his gut feeling. "His handwriting is neat for ten years old. He even dares to invite me because he cannot come."

He had some suspicion whether this was written by Cale or someone else wrote what the young master intended. There's a chance when he came, it was Count Henituse who told Cale to do so and he'll have to talk with the Count in the same room.

Regardless of any suspicion he had, Alberu stood up and took his coat and spatial pouch. "Aunt, let's inform him we'll visit him now."

"Right now? What about your work?" Tasha frowned in confusion.

"I can do it tonight. Let's send this young master the message."

"For real, Alberu? Why did you become in rush to meet this boy?"

Despite asking like disagree with Alberu, she sent the message 'one' to the provided line. 

On the other hand, the teenager Alberu smiled widely at his aunt. He said his reason without saying about the dream.

"He'll be my first best friend, aunt."

Tasha gaped. "Will you be okay? I know you don't have friends and wish to have one, but must you make friends this way?"

"I'll be fine. Young master Cale may be younger than most nobles of my age, but he's better than having friends from my brother's faction's vassals."

She shook her head, could not fight her nephew. She had read about Henituse Household and actually, they're relatively good and safe for Alberu. They're quiet, wealthy, and one of the martial arts families who guarded Forest of the Darkness.

Five minutes later, the reply from young master Cale arrived. It said 'one' as confirmation and a short message: thank you.

"We must go back before dinner, Your Highness. Don't forget." Tasha reminded Alberu whose face got brighter when the response was fast.

"I understand, Aunt."

Tasha used a teleportation scroll with coordinates given by Cale. She didn't want to comment about this sudden visit when her nephew's face was bright after a long time.

AN: Short story between young Alberu and Cale? 

Chapter Text

Alberu and Tasha arrived in the underground training area as promised. They were greeted by an old man in butler's uniform with a benign smile standing near the spot they arrived at.

"Welcome, Your Highness. Miss. This butler Ron was ordered to escort Your Highness to young master Cale." He bowed, then made eye contact with two of them.

Alberu gently smiled at Ron. 

"Mr. Ron, nice to meet you. Thank you for having us although I come suddenly." He looked at his aunt and introduced her. "She's Tasha, my attendant."

"Miss Tasha, nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you, too. I hope our sudden visit is not disturbing young master Cale."

Tasha smiled, nudging Alberu to take a step forward.

The crown prince took a step toward Ron as his aunt instruction. "Are you young master Cale's butler?"

"That's correct, Your Highness." Ron smiled back.

"Great, then should I greet the Count first? He knows that I sent the letter for young master Cale, doesn't he?"

Alberu was expecting the Count would be greeting him here, but maybe he's not influential enough to make the Count appeared.

However, the butler's benign smile widened and reached his eyes.

"The Count doesn't know. Your Highness' letter was taken by me and I handed it over to young master-nim directly."

Alberu and Tasha gasped. Count Henituse didn't see the letter. So that Lord didn't know about his plan to visit his estate to meet his first son.

"Is this appropriate, Mr. Ron?" asked Tasha. "I mean, isn't Count supposed to receive all letters first, especially from Royalty?"

They wouldn't ask about the etiquette where the head of the household was supposed to greet their guest.  They came without official notice after all. Who knows if the Count actually had work outside.

And Alberu's main purpose wasn't with the Count, but he knew at least he should meet with the head or the regent, the Count's wife before meet with their son.

"The Count will be notified about this sooner or later. His Highness' letter addressed to young master Cale personally, so there's no need to tell the Count unless young master-nim told the Count."

Alberu tried hard to not frowned, but failed. "Who else that knows I'm coming?"

"Young master-nim and me."

"So, basically no one?" Alberu thought they're not included because this butler was Cale's servant and obviously Cale the recipient knew.

"Yes."

Tasha and Alberu exchanged glances. The disguised Dark Elf smiled. "This is good. You were worried about the Count, don't you Your Highness?"

The crown prince nodded slightly. His suspicion about the letter content was decided by the Count vanished.

"If what you said is true, that means I'll be meeting young master Cale directly?"

Ron answered yes, then looked at Tasha.

He observed her for a while, then turned his heel. "Allow me to lead Your Highness and Miss Tasha to young master-nim."

"Yes, of course."

Alberu maintained his calm face after took a deep breath. Internally, he's very nervous. He's sweating. What if his first impression was bad? What if the boy was too different from what he expected? What if the dream was wrong and he's over confident?

Many questions quickly filled his mind and before he knew it, they had stopped in front of a room.

"We are here." Ron told them, then knocked on the door. "Young master-nim, His Highness is here."

"Come in."

The soft voice of a boy responded. 

Ron opened the door and let the crown prince come in. 

Alberu gulped. He knew his reason for coming here was to approach this boy and becomes his friend, yet he's so nervous because he didn't have friends before. His only reference was his dreamt of himself and this person interacting when already adults.

He stepped into the room and saw a boy looking up at him with his round eyes. His breath hitched after seeing the same red hair color in his dream became reality. 

Cale was sitting on the bed with a blanket covering half of his body. An opened book was placed on the boy's lap. They made eye contact, and Cale smiled at him.

"I greeted the star of Roan Kingdom." He bowed a bit. With the same smile, the boy continued. "Welcome to my place, Your Royal Highness."

'Your Royal Highness.'

Alberu was not wrong. That tone was very similar to that person. It's gentle and held meaning in each word. 

This ten-year-old Cale Henituse was the same person he had met through the new attendant, but at the same time was not. He met the adult Cale Henituse's consciousness from another place and this boy was the real person in his world.

He smiled back at the boy.

"Thank you, and nice to meet you, young master Cale."

"Young master-nim, it's not polite to greet from the bed. Please bow properly next time you meet Your Highness." Ron reminded Cale sternly.

Alberu flinched as he heard the butler's voice behind him. Cale was the one he spoke to, but the way Ron spoke made him scared unconsciously.

'This butler must be teaching young master Cale's as well. That's not how a normal butler behaved.'

His heart almost jumped from shock.

Cale scowled. "I understand."

Alberu watched Ron passed him and helped the boy leaving the bed slowly. Cale made eye contact with him again, pointing at the sitting area.

"Your Highness, let's talk over there."

The crown prince saw the circular table. He took a sit first, then observed the red haired boy was having difficulty  to find his balance to walk steadily. Tasha was standing near Alberu, so she also saw this with concern.

"Young master-nim, shall I carry you?"

Cale scowled again. "No need. The distance between my bed and the table is not far."

The edge of Ron's eyes twitched. He pushed up the boy's back and supported him. Ron swiftly pulled the chair and Cale sat face to face with the crown prince.

"I'm really sorry that Your Highness has to see me like this. I'm really not in good shape for going out, but I still can talk. That's why I invite you back. Surprisingly, Your Highness doesn't mind to come. Thank you for your consideration, Your Highness."

Alberu's blue eyes locked on the boy. He's stunned for a few reasons.

"I'm the one who wants to meet you, so I don't mind where we'll be meeting. If I'm not mistaken, you're ten years old, right?"

Cale's face brightened a bit. "Yes." He then looked at Ron and that butler understood without being told anything.

"I will prepare tea and snacks for two of you. Miss Tasha, may I ask you to leave them alone?"

Tasha hesitantly looked at Alberu, Cale, and Ron alternately. This was Henituse Estate, a new environment. Although Alberu seemed safe with ten-year-old boy he wanted to meet, Tasha felt relunctant.

Alberu realized that Tasha was worried to leave him alone. So he assured her.

"I'll be fine. You can wait outside with Mr. Ron."

Tasha smiled awkwardly. She hoped that his nephew was success on getting close with this Cale as Alberu very excited to meet him.

"I understand. Have a nice chat with young master Cale, Your Highness."

Two of them left the room. And Alberu was sure that Tasha would interrogate him later. Well, he could take care that. For now, he should try to befriend with this boy.

His blue eyes met with round reddish-brown eyes that looked at him calmly. As expected, this boy was different than any nobles children who ever met him.

There's no judgement, just like when he met that attendant and the redhead in his dream.

Those eyes calmed his nervous heart and he started to speak.

"Young master Cale, I must have to say that I'm quite taken aback. Your butler said that you received my letter directly  and haven't told the Count. Is this a normal occurrence in Henituse Household?"

Cale smiled, but it's not reaching his eyes. "Father is too busy and Ron takes care of me in his stead. He never interfere with whatever I did, so when your letter arrived I told Ron to not tell Father."

Alberu hummed, not quite understand what Cale said.

"Seems like Ron listens to you very well."

"He is. He spends more time with me than anyone in this house after all."

Alberu felt the oddness in his heart. This boy in front him... He started to see their resemblance.

At that moment, Ron came back with cakes and tea. He served them with Tasha watching them from the side.

"Ron, you don't serve me bitter tea, do you?" Cale smelled the tea.

The butler responded softly. "I don't. I added sugar and I bring more sugar cubes for you and His Highness."

Cale looked at Alberu straight. "Your Highness, do you prefer sweet over bitter tea as well?"

The crown prince leaned forward. He smelled the fragrance of the tea and it relaxed his tense body.

"I prefer sweet. Thanks, Ron."

Alberu took a sip of the tea and he liked it. He put in one more cube sugar to his tea and stirring the tea with the teaspoon.

"Ron, serves her the tea and snacks as well. She can wait in the next room."

Tasha widened her eyes. "Young master Cale, I'm fine. I'll just standing outside with Mr.Ron."

"You're also a guest of me. You come with His Highness. I should treat a trusted Royal attendant properly as well."

Tasha then glanced at Alberu. Her nephew looked a bit confused, but he nodded. "Go ahead. When I'm done, I'll call you."

Cale turned his head to Ron and the butler bowed. "I'll do as you wish, young master-nim."

He then looked at the still awkward and confused Tasha. "Let's go, Miss Tasha. Two of them have something to discuss."

"...yeah."

Tasha glanced back when she walked out, wondered why the boy sensed Alberu needs of talking privately and politely made her waiting in the next room.

The crown prince watched the bedroom closed. This time, the room was really quiet.

"So, what is Your Highness wants from me?"

Alberu Crossman almost choked by his own saliva. His lips twitched. His expectation about ten year old Cale was an innocent boy who didn't know how the world worked. From that one question, Alberu was wondering whether this boy was innocent or already leaning to someone similar like the adult Cale.

"Young master Cale, you may need to rearrange your sentence. If another person listened, they would think I'm here to take advantage from you."

Cale blinked. "You're not?"

"I haven't say the reason I come. How can you conclude that I'm about to do something?"

He unconsciously raised he tone a bit, then he held back. The feeling when he talked with the clueless attendant for the first time was similar to this.

Cale tilted his head. "That's strange. I was told it was impossible for someone important coming without taking something or making a deal."

Alberu raised his eyebrow. "Are you really ten years old this year? Who teaches you about that?"

He had not think far, but Cale was not wrong. Him trying to befriend quicker in this world might be considered as taking advantage of the innocent boy to accompany him.

Just like in his dreams.

"I'm indeed ten years old, Your Highness. Regarding who taught me, it was Ron."

Alberu stared at the boy in front of him. The look on Cale's face was similar when that new attendant acted innocent.

Maybe... this boy knew something as well?

"I want to ask you several things."

"Please ask away, Your Highness."

"Have to come to my palace before?"

Cale frowned right away. That boy's innocent face made Alberu tensed up because what he remembered was the adult version of this child.

The resemblance despite in different body and different face made him anxious.

"Your Highness, I never come to the palace."

"...right. You never."

'He's not that guy. The Cale that's with me never interacted with me.'

"Next question, have you ever dreaming that you think it's your future?"

Cale narrowed his eyes. "Your Highness,  what kind of question is that?"

Alberu's tensed up body made him scoffed as he responded. "Just answer me, young master Cale."

The red haired boy pouted, and the crown prince flinched. He always acted like this in the palace, so he was not aware that his tone actually scolding the boy in reflex.

"I don't understand, but I never think my dreams are my future."

Cale replied with a bit of grumble. The boy was trying to not being impolite to the crown prince.

Alberu touched his forehead. "Yeah, sure. You never. I was asking weird questions."

He looked at the boy after composed himself again. "Just forget it. Anyway, I think you're right that I need something from you."

The boy hummed lightly without much emotion. He ate the cake prepared by Ron before he asked.

"So, what is it?"

For some reason, Alberu was upset to see this Cale was not behaving like other noble children he ever saw.

There's no excitement in Cale's eyes. This boy wasn't stuttering. He's very eloquent and he could stare at him directly like the adult Cale he met through that attendant months ago.

"Before that, are you really ten years old? You behaved much mature than your age."

'Just like me...'

At that comment, the boy laughed. Emptily. "I am, but I'm the first son. Just like Your Highness."

Alberu's grip on the teacup got stronger. It gave him the iffy feeling that this boy was not really laughing.

'Age doesn't matter. What matters is that I have to be friends with him.'

He drank the tea and put down the cup of tea a bit loud.

"Young master Cale, I guess our similarity as the first son we can understand each other well. I also have to be mature faster than intended."

Alberu knew his lips quirked up one side and his gaze was not that tender.

When he looked at Cale, the red-haired boy put on the innocent face again.

"I like that you speak bluntly and openly receiving me, unlike other nobles children who were easily influenced by their parents talking about me."

The boy hummed, listening to him.

The crown prince continued, leaning forward to the boy.

"How about we become friends?"

Chapter Text

Cale Henituse was a bit surprised when the crown prince leaned forward to him. Alberu lowered his voice when he asked to be his friend. 

For the ten-year-old boy, the crown prince looked like a neighborhood teenager rather than a prince. Alberu had this peculiar expression that every puberty teenager tried to do. Showing off their power. 

The red-haired boy subconsciously leaned back, widened his round eyes. "...huh?"

Alberu Crossman always kicked out every worker in the palace during this time, so approaching a person was not his thing. Let alone having a close friend, he's not even close with his siblings. They're rivals, not siblings he could rely on.

Cale narrowed his eyes, thinking that this crown prince was weird. He never joined a noble's meeting outside the northeastern neutral faction. He wondered if this was the noble's way of approaching other nobles. 

 He's only ten years old and Ron always warned him to be careful of everyone. He could not even trust his relatives, so why did this crown prince ask him to be his friend?

"Your Highness, what do you mean by that?" 

"Let's be friends. I think we'll be good friends for each other."

Cale was speechless. He's a kid who could not go out from the estate. Although they'll be friends, they would not meet often. 

The boy stared weirdly at Alberu. The crown prince had not yielded. The more Cale watched this prince, the less he saw him as the first prince of this Roan Kingdom. 

"Is this what Your Highness wants from me?"

Alberu's smile widened. "Yes." He thought the frown on the boy's face was normal because he asked for it. Alberu didn't comment on it. He realized he's a bit forcing this boy. 

However, the dream he had and the short time he experienced with the adult Cale as his attendant really attached to him strongly. His ego as a teenager and his raised confidence pushed him to this moment. 

Then, Cale responded to him with the answer Alberu never imagined from a ten-year-old boy. "What's in for me?"

For the third time, Alberu really questioned whether the Cale in front of him was really a kid or that adult Cale he ever met. How could a Count's first son ask what would he gain by befriending him? Wasn't it usually the reverse where the nobles pursued the Royal to gain the advantage? Or is this boy asking this because he knew he didn't have any support? Or this was the adult Cale he saw in the dreamt?

"...you really never meet me, right?"

Cale refrained from groaning. He didn't want Ron to catch him being impolite in front of a Royal Family member. With difficulty, he made his tone as flat as ever. "This is our first meeting, Your Highness."

Alberu who heard the flat tone from the boy became shocked. He noticed the boy was trying to hold himself from doing something, then he made that flat tone. It reminded him of when he learned to be neutral and composed himself in the past.

There's another resemblance between the two of them. Recalling the past, he also did similarly with his aunt's guidance around this age. However, he ended up being a fierce first prince to avoid his identity being revealed. 

Cale ate another spoonful of cake, grumbling internally. His tone was indeed flat, but his expression didn't. Alberu who saw this let out a small laughed and finally leaned back. 

'He's really ten years old... I think I'm absorbed into my dream too much...'

"Young master Cale, do you really think that I'm planning to be your friend for politic benefit purposes?" 

This was his last try to understand this Cale. Talking with this boy made his thinking keep switching from a normal ten-year-old kid to the adult Cale alternately. 

Alberu waited for the answer. Cale seemed to contemplate a lot. The red-haired boy fidgeted with his spoon, pondering while looking at him. 

"I'm not thinking about politics, Your Highness."

"Then?"

"Uhm, I still think Your Highness' wish to befriend is not random. Furthermore, I don't live in the capital. How can we be called friends if we cannot contact each other often?"

Cale pointed out the important thing he missed. He was too rushed from the excitement that he forgot about keeping in contact. Alberu was a bit embarrassed and Cale still thought that his wish was not pure intent.

That made Alberu think this Cale was really a child with high wariness. In a noble's society, nothing was pure. Everything was under the agreement between parties and the relationship could go awry quickly due to simple mistakes.

"Young master Cale." He called the red-haired boy with a serious tone. It grabbed the boy's attention. "Do you know that I don't have any support?"

Cale was bewildered. "I thought every Royal Family has support from other nobles?"

Alberu scoffed at himself. Must he talk about this to a kid? Well, he's a teenager but he learned to be a King. This boy was only a Count's first son. By his reaction, this Cale didn't know the politics in the Roan Kingdom. 

"But I don't. I'm the only one who doesn't have support."

"Why is that?" The innocent look appeared again.

"Because the King doesn't favor me. No one wants to support me except it's an order from His Majesty or related to administration."

Cale seemed shocked. That boy was not moving and only stared at him as if he didn't believe him. "...does this mean you don't have other friends?"

The crown prince sadly nodded. "I live in the palace. Unless someone visits me or invited me, I don't leave the palace."

Cale started to think. He also could not leave this estate. But he had plans. He had Ron and money. If he'll be the crown prince's friend... maybe they could reach a mutual agreement? 

His late mother taught him to always make a deal with whoever approached him. Ron taught him to not be taken advantage of by other people. He did this with Eric Wheelsman before and today his guest was the crown prince. He curled his fist, resolute his mind. 

"Your Highness, you really want to be my friend, right?"

Alberu frowned a bit, but he quickly smiled. "Yes. If not, why would I bother to send you a letter and come here?"

Nervous suddenly felt by the crown prince. Still, he waited for that boy's reaction. Then, the response from Cale made him freeze.

"If we become friends, I want to go out and go back anytime from this estate. Can you make that happen, Your Highness?"

The crown prince gaped, not believing what he just heard. "...you want what?"

"I also cannot go out from this estate. But, if it's Your Highness who calls me, my father cannot make me stay in the estate, right?"

He could do that. Furthermore, they needed to meet more than once to be real friends, don't they? Alberu's imagination about the adult Cale started getting further. He narrowed his eyes when the boy had this pleading expression.

"You can't do that, Your Highness?"

Alberu was sure that Cale became cuter and identical to his age. His lips twitched, having this urge to pinch that soft cheek out of nowhere.

"...the only place I can bring you is my palace. And around the capital. Is that okay with you?"

Cale's eyes brightened. He looked younger. Now really like an innocent kid. "That's totally okay! As long as I'm not stuck in this estate!"

Before Alberu could respond, Cale reached out his pinky finger. "Promise me that you'll call me often, then we'll be friends!"

Alberu's eyes focused on the sudden pinky finger that appeared in front of his face. He never did this. So he's a bit surprised and confused. "All you want from me is going out from this estate?"

"Mmn! Not hard, right?" Cale seemed to forget that he was the crown prince. The red-haired boy pouted when Alberu didn't respond. So he did it by himself.

Cale pulled Alberu's hand and intertwined their pinky fingers together. "Pinky promise! We'll be friends and you bring me out from this estate! I'll be your first support as well, so this is our secret deal, Your Highness."

The crown prince gulped, feeling awkward by the sudden bright change in Cale's expression. Still, he got what he wanted and it's fair to exchange something he could do for this boy. Besides, bringing this boy to his palace as his friend was not problematic, right?

Maybe this boy was bored, so he wanted a change of environment and Alberu could provide that. Being his friend also became a part of his support.

"Secret deal? You don't want anyone knows?" 

Alberu asked with his eyebrow raised. This boy really didn't take him as seriously as earlier. He suddenly made a quick decision about the deal to be friends. 

He said he didn't interested in politics? This boy unconsciously did agreements efficiently and based on their position as a crown prince and a Count's son, it's a small political act that could be done by kids. 

Maybe it's just Alberu's thought because he had to be an expert at politics so his mind concluded like that. However, it's not bad. He felt better because this boy was not naive and once again, he felt the similarity with the adult Cale in his dream. 

"Secret is not supposed to be known by other people, Your Highness. I'll be angry and stop being your friend if you tell others."

Cale threatened Alberu innocently with his cheerful voice, making Alberu laugh. He looked at the boy with his crescent moon-shaped eyes, intertwined their pinky fingers properly.

"I promise. They'll only know that we're friends. Am I right?"

Cale nodded firmly. "No one should know that I play at your palace or another place with you, except Ron."

Alberu accepted it. He then asked another thing to proceed further. "How are you going to meet me? Do you have a mage? How about a communication device?"

"Your Highness provides the teleportation scroll to me. It's annoying to use my territory mage. However, I have a personal communication device that only uses magic stone, so I don't need a mage."

Alberu let out a light chuckle. His shoulder shook, realization from another thing he must provide to be his friend. "You're expensive. I have to give you a lot of teleportation scroll and magic stones, then."

The red-haired boy grinned. "Your Highness starts this. I only tell Your Highness what's needed to make our friendship smooth although we're living in a different city."

"Well, you're right. You're really smart, young master Cale." 

"Same goes for Your Highness. You're the star of this Kingdom after all."

Alberu chuckled, released their pinky fingers. 

"I'm very glad my effort is paid well. I don't waste my time as well."

Cale still had this innocent, bright face as he talked with his new friend.

"Me too. Now I have excuses to go out."

The secret deal was closed, and they started to talk more freely. Despite their five years gap, Cale could follow Alberu's topic and it surprised him how smart Cale in reality to understand his intention.

Experiencing like what he saw in his dream became reality was really a big accomplishment.

He understood why both them were very close, even trespassing each other's boundaries.

This young Cale didn't know about this and Alberu wasn't planning to tell this to this boy either.

He'll let it flow.

They were exchanging information about the capital and Henituse Territory until Alberu nudged about his condition.

"May I know the reason you cannot come to the palace a few days ago? It looks serious because I saw you hardly walking steadily earlier."

The air around them was very light, that's why Alberu mentioned it. He was expecting usual sickness or specific illness, but he was caught off guard because the boy told him easily.

"I was poisoned a few days ago and unconscious for two whole day. Thankfully, Ron gave me antidote in time so I can recover like this."

The crown prince halted, widened his eyes.

"...are you scared?"

He ever got poisoned as well. Food poisoning, which led him to kick out the chef's palace and hard for him to have proper meal. This happened several times, including assassination attempts.

Those things made him very wary of strangers and all things in the palace. He became very sensitive and nit-picking every single thing he caught and he didn't like.

Cale's expression though... remained calm. "It's not the first time. It's scarier when I woke up because certain servant strangled me or woke up in another place I don't know about."

Alberu narrowed his eyes. He had this weird feeling that this ten-year-old boy maybe got assassination attempt much more than him and it didn't settle well.

His palace was a dangerous place, now he felt it's not quite right to bring this boy to his palace. Alberu was afraid that someone saw this innocent boy and then tried to threaten him using Cale as the victim.

Playing at capital seemed safer to him.

Making sure his goal was aligned with his behavior as a friend, Alberu decided to protect that boy whenever he got chance.

Chapter Text

Ever since his mother died, the 8-year-old Cale Henituse was in heart-breaking emotions.

He didn't have the time or chance to grieve like other kids. He comforted his father, but the Count could not comfort his son back.

Less than one year, Count Deruth Henituse came back with a woman and her 5-6-year-old son and was pregnant. He said that woman and the nervous boy would be his new family.

Stepping aside his fragile heart, Cale decided to congratulate his father and the soon-to-be new Countess.

'She's Violan, and this is Basen. He's 3 years younger than you. Cale, you'll be an older brother from now on, so be good and help him, alright?'

Shocked, Cale could not refuse his father because the Count had his happy smile after months of never talking to each other.

Cale put on his best smile for his father and agreed.

'Yes, Father. I'll be good to them.'

Count Henituse didn't realize that Cale's voice was shaky. Instead, he thanked Cale and asked the maids to help Violan and Basen.

When they left first, Cale stared at the three of them with an empty gaze. Basen timidly looked back and their eyes met. That boy was surprised and turned his head forward again.

His new brother was scary, Basen thought.

On the other hand, Cale earnestly started to think about how to make his father and his new family could stay comfortably.

That was the start of rebelling Cale Henituse, making the butler and maid who served him became flustered.

The sweet boy who always laughed at every tiny thing stopped laughing and had this unsatisfied expression on his small face.

Cale became uncontrolled by the butler and maid who were employed to serve him.

One by one, their favor decreased. Most of them took pity on the little boy because his father was giving more attention to his new family at first. Months after months, they could not take it anymore and spurt out their annoyance by talking to their comrades.

The innocent boy who was favored and adored by everyone faded, substituted with a spoiled, egoist boy who wanted everything to go according to his wish.

His name quickly spread in the territory, but it gave him a disadvantage.

Despite knowing this, no one tried to or was able to discover why the first son of Count Henituse behaved badly.

Two years passed, and that boy was already 10 years old. He was grumbling over his feeble body due to the poison he drank in the tea a few days ago.

Cale knew there was poison in it and it was prepared by his aunt, the older sister of his father. He eavesdropped on his aunt speaking with the maid earlier.

It was supposed to be drunk by Basen. The aunt's family disliked the new Countess but had not done anything until now to not stain Count Henituse's name.

Being quick-witted and smart, Cale sneaked out and appeared as if he didn't know his aunt came to meet the new Countess and Basen.

Cheerfully, Cale ran to his aunt and acted like he's very happy to see her.

'Aunt! When did you come?'

He stood by the table set by maids, eyes focused on the teacup. It's not silverware, but a normal teacup.

'Cale, be good and help your brother.' His father told him, and the boy did what he could do.

No one instructed nor guided him, so this was his own way through the knowledge he gained.

The aunt looked at him nervously, saying she just arrived. Then, Cale said he was thirsty and wanted to drink the tea.

'No, not this one. This one is too strong for a boy like you. I'll order the maid to prepare a sweet tea for you.'

Cale acted, pouting and saying he's all grown now and drinking strong tea was not a problem.

Before his aunt managed to stop him, Cale took the poisoned tea and drank it in one big gulp.

'!!'

The boy's aunt and her maid inhaled sharply.

'See? I can drink it. It's not that bitter nor strong.'

As Cale said that, he watched his aunt and the maid panic. 'You silly boy, I told you to not drink this one!'

So it's really poisoned strongly. Will I get sick and die like in the story I read?

Cale was thinking when he started to feel dizzy and saw them shouting at him, calling for help.

He woke up two days later, body numb and barely able to speak.

The only old butler who stayed with him from the start was looking at him in relief.

'Young master-nim, I'm really glad you wake up faster this time.'

Yes, it's not his first time. When he was still the only son, he ever got poisoned and this old butler noticed it right away and gave him the antidote.

Cale didn't know how Ron always noticed it quickly, but he was doing his job very well.

The same thing happened again like in the past and Cale mumbled to thank him.

If he'll be a bad guy, he'll do it properly. Whoever it was, he would not act kindly all the time.

If they deserve worse, then he'll do it.

The 10 years old Cale Henituse just doing what he's told by his father. Be kind and help his brother.

In the process, he realized he could not be kind entirely to help his brother. He also didn't have someone like a mentor he could ask for.

Hence, he did what a kid would do. Making a mess.

A child making trouble would be tolerated to some extent. He'll think more in the future.

Ron was the only person who had his composure while dealing with all kinds of mess and helped him stealthily. This caused the smart boy to realize he had a company and a backer.

If his father covered all of his bad deeds in the territory, Ron covered all of his doing in the estate.

One day when he's still recuperating from consuming poison wittingly, a letter from the palace arrived.

The first thing in Cale's mind was whether his bad deeds had been known by people in the capital and the palace sent a letter to the Count to warn him.

It stressed Cale a bit because he didn't intend to make it known by the Royal.

He just wanted to help his new family.

Was he really wrong?

Was he really got the bad side of the Royal?

Would he be punished?

The letter was in his father's hand when Cale was surprised to see his father come to see him.

That's why his mind started clouded, especially his father's flat tone.

"You're invited to meet the first prince of the Roan Kingdom. What did you do to make the Royal seek you personally?"

Cale, still bedridden, could not utter any words. He could not even stand right now, how could he goes to the capital and meet the first prince?

Seeing him confused, the Count let out a heavy sigh.

"Forget it. You're too young to understand. I'll reply that you can't meet him due to your condition."

Cale briefly nodded, and observed his father talking to Ron.

"Please look after him. Report to me if the poison has late side effects."

"Yes, Lord."

After the door closed, Cale made eye contact with the butler.

"...what if this makes father labeled as a traitor?"

Ron's benign smile comforted the boy. "He won't. The Count wasn't panicking. He just as shocked as young master."

Cale hummed, then talked to Ron. "Next time there's a letter from the palace again, keep it a secret from father, okay?"

Ron's side eyes quirked up. "Yes, young master-nim."

The next time the letter came, Cale was very confused. Ron kept his promise and the letter's recipient was really him.

Although he's acting like a total brat, Cale was aware dealing with Royal needed attention and had to be careful.

He wrote what he could with a numb hand, hoping it would be over.

After all, why would a busy first prince comes to the estate just to meet him?

And it's not over.

Cale just learned new things in his whole ten years old.

It's called persistence and chance, Ron said.

"Like young master who keeps making trouble in the estate and territory, the first prince is making effort to meet young master-nim. He sent the message because young master-nim gives him a way to meet in the letter."

"But I don't know why he needs to see me. Also, I don't want to reply to him."

Cale grumbled, feeling annoyed and unsettled as he saw the message from the first prince.

Ron hid his laugh, telling his puppy young master.

"You won't keep your promise, young master-nim?"

Cale scowled more.

"What promise. I just wrote mindlessly about 'one' thing. Who knows the crown prince really sent it."

"Aren't young master wishes to go out from the territory to see the world your mother mentioned?"

Cale halted, feeling unsettled when he heard Ron's comment.

It reminded him of the time his mother was still alive.

He's curious about the world, but his father told him to help his new family.

Fidgeting with the blanket, the boy murmured. "How can I go out? I'm just a kid."

Ron then continued. "Young master, this is what we called 'chance.' Try to meet the crown prince and see if you can find the way to make you go out from territory."

It evoked Cale's wish more and recalled more memories with his late mother.

He looked up, and touched the communication device in doubt. "...find the chance..."

"Yes. Moreover, the letter didn't say anything besides meeting young master, did it? I doubt young master-nim's fuss is big enough to make the Royal warns the Count."

Ron said it nonchalantly, making Cale glare at the butler. It succeeded in provoking the young master though to reply quickly.

"I sent the reply."

"Good job on keeping your promise, young master-nim."

Cale scoffed, not expecting the crown prince immediately decided to visit him.

On Ron's way to escort the first prince, his benign smile widened.

"Looks like the first prince is very enthusiast, different from what people said."

"Shut up and just escort him here before he's seen by other people!"

"As you wish, young master-nim."

Cale groaned and refrained from hissing continuously.

At least he knew he must not act like a total brat in front of the crown prince.

He's from a Royal Family and it's dangerous if he made his family was on bad terms despite they're neutral.

Ron silently signaled him before leaving the room to try to find the chance to go out from territory using the crown prince's name.

Cale succeeded.

That's why he's very bright and happy right now.

He made a pinky promise with the crown prince who looked flustered but ignored it.

"Promise me to call me often."

"You're expensive. I have to prepare a lot of teleportation scroll and magic stones then."

And the deal closed.

Cale became less alert and said about the poisoning which made him cannot leave the bed for days.

He didn't notice the worried look on the crown prince's face.

-o-

Days passed, Cale was chatting with Alberu through the communication device. Mostly message or left voice note because Alberu was very busy.

The weekend came, and Alberu suddenly called him.

Cale looked at the closed door and Ron checked.

No one's in the hallway.

Cale took it as the signal to answer the crown prince's call.

The handsome face of teenager Alberu Crossman appeared, smiling softly with stacks of documents surrounding him.

"Greeting, Your Highness. Do you have a good start to the day?"

Cale spoke first and responded with a huff of laughter.

- Good day, Young Master Cale. How's your body?"

Cale maintained his smile as he replied.

"My body is not numb anymore. I can walk almost as well as usual."

- Good. Then, do you free tonight, Young Master Cale?

Blinking, Cale thought about the chance that the crown prince would bring him outside. He glanced stealthily toward Ron who watched him.

The old butler gave a wide benign smile. Ron's face saying that it's alright.

"I am, Your Highness." He replied after looked like thinking for seconds by the crown prince.

Alberu's expression brightened. The teen's side of his was unavoidable as he started being himself.

- Great. Then, I'll come to pick you up later. Let's go to the festival together.

Cale tilted his head. Alberu had mentioned about three days festival that was being held in the capital. They had not settled which day they'll go and today was the last day of the festival.

"Will that be alright, Your Highness? I can sneak out with Ron and buy a teleportation scroll to the capital.

The Crown Prince chuckled, feeling lighter as he watched the redhead boy offer to go out sneakily with Ron.

- You sounded very experienced with these things, Young Master. But, no. I want to give you the teleportation scrolls and magic stones I promised.

Alberu pulled out several scrolls and magic stones that he had prepared for his friend and Cale's reddish-brown eyes lit up.

"I'm waiting for your visit, Your Highness."

Alberu let out another huff of laughter at the excited boy the moment he showed the scrolls and magic stones.

- I guess I don't have to worry about telling the Count that you won't join the dinner tonight.

"Yes. Absolutely, Your Highness."

Cale's eyes glistened and his high tone clearly expressed how that boy could not wait for the crown prince to come again.

- See you tonight, Young Master Cale.

Alberu hung up, and Cale turned his head toward Ron.

"I'm going out!! Finally!!"

"Congratulation, young master-nim. This Ron gladly prepares you for tonight."

The benign smile on the old butler's lips faintly changed to a vicious one.

Cale saw it and noticed that Ron actually happier than usual as well.

Cale assumed that Ron was bored staying on the estate all the time like him, so he happily jumped down from the chair and told the butler.

"You can enjoy the festival, too, Ron! You don't have to wear the uniform tonight."

Despite Cale offering Ron to not wear his butler uniform, when night came, Ron still wore it.

Cale pouted because Ron insisted to wear his uniform, except that he took off the Henituse golden turtle badge.

"It's comfortable and I can move at ease in case something happened to you, young master-nim."

"Whatever. I don't think the danger that you anticipated will become reality."

Already in Cale's bedroom, the crown prince could not deny Ron's statement.

Wherever they were, the danger would always be there. It's just invisible and barely noticed by normal people.

"Ron is right, Young Master Cale. At night, everywhere is more vulnerable to danger."

Cale sighed, not really satisfied. If he's talking with other people, he'll keep going until they changed their clothes and be a real brat again. In front of Alberu and Ron, he didn't need to behave like a spoiled brat.

"Sure. Let me keep the scrolls and magic stones first." 

Cale's arms filled with a lot of scrolls and magic stones Alberu gave. Ron helped him and opened the empty drawers. The previously empty drawer became full and Cale started to think about how to make the maids didn't touch the drawer.

He didn't want anyone to know.

Alberu on the other hand raised his eyebrow upon looking at the drawer which was now full of teleportation scrolls and magic stones. 

He wondered why it was empty. He took a quick glance at the room that he had not been able to do last time. Everything was very luxurious for a County and it's comparable to Royal Palace. But it's decoration purpose only.

The real functional furniture was the big bed, circular table, and wardrobe. There's a desk but barely used. Alberu didn't think much. For this ten-year-old boy, he might not need to use a lot of things, different from him who had to learn a bunch of complicated things as a prince. 

Ron put on Cale the black cloak to cover all his body, the same one as Alberu one. 

"Your Highness, I'm ready."

Cale broke his attention from the room to him. Alberu turned his head and saw an excited, innocent-looking boy waiting for him to activate the teleportation scroll to the capital.

He pulled down the hoodie, letting one of his guards call Ben to change Cale and Ron's appearance.

"Wow! He's a mage? So cool!"

Cale ran to the mirror in his room, awed by his hair that turned brown as dark as Ron. When he ran back to the group, he gasped because the crown prince also had his hair and eyes turned brown as well.

Alberu stiffened up because Cale stared at him in fascination. He asked Ben to layer his magic as well to match their appearance. He's not ready to show his real Dark Elf form to this boy. 

Dream and reality were different. Alberu was well aware of this and he had to be able to differentiate between dream and reality when interacting with this much younger Cale.

He's being careful.

'Am I weird? Is it really bad? My skin isn't turning dark brown, right?'

He automatically looked at himself. Left, right. He confirmed his skin was not changing, as well as his disguised Dark Elves guard.

"What? I just changed my hair color like you."

To his surprise, the redhead boy complimented him.

"Your Highness, you're as handsome as your normal appearance. I don't think changing your hair and eye color is enough to disguise you."

Alberu flinched, not used to hearing such sincere compliments from other people. He knew it's just Cale's automatic response, but it still made him happy.

"...is that so?"

"Mmn! Don't worry, Your Highness. Ron can help you with that. He's an expert."

Alberu was wondering what this boy meant, and Ron's benign smile widened. 

"Your Highness, if you don't mind, allow this Ron to add a bit of makeup on your face. Also, you need to decide how young master-nim will call you outside. People will be suspicious if they hear him calling you 'Your Highness' out of nowhere."

The Crown Prince's face became brighter. 'So that's why Cale is confident of sneaking out. This butler had done a lot of disguising.'

"Alright. You may do so." He then looked at Cale. "Young Master Cale, you can act as my little brother, so call me Hyung-nim. Do you agree?"

When he said it, Alberu shuddered a bit. It reminded him of his dreams. The adult Cale who always called him Hyung-nim and disrespect him. Alberu unconsciously felt nervous about this because he felt it's too soon yet at the same time he's been longing for this since he dreamed about the adult Cale.

The happiness surged out from his whole body when he heard the boy answer him with the same excitement as going out to the festival. 

"Of course, Hyung-nim!"

The sensation of being acknowledged as a brother was very intense for the teen Alberu who never stop thinking of his half-siblings as rivals. 

Brother.

That one word was etched strongly in Alberu's head. 

The Crown Prince smiled, and could not wait for what kind of sibling they would be in this life.

Chapter Text

Let's say that two brothers had turned into countryside boys who got a chance to travel to Huiss City with their relatives and people would believe in that lie.

Under Alberu's permission to let Ron do a bit of makeover, the old butler added freckles on his cheek and nose. Somehow Cale liked it and asked Ron to make some freckles on his face as well.

Alberu knew his face was not that well-known compared to his half-brothers, but people still recognized him as the First Prince of the Roan Kingdom.

It's the capital after all. They're more exposed to Royal than any other places in the Roan Kingdom.

Most people may not care about his presence because he's the neglected prince who lost favors from the King.

That's a fact yet commoners were the most vulnerable people who would be punished if a dog barked and the Royal heard about a group of commoners talking bad about the useless First Prince wandering around in the capital freely instead of working.

Law still worked though.

Alberu was well aware that he had the privilege, but he knew it's the same meaning as asking more people to pity him, support him, and comfort him.

It made him look more miserable and pathetic.

It made him show his weakness and vulnerability which was not allowed by the proper etiquette.

And Alberu knew it very well that the citizens were people who he had to protect. It's impossible for him to be pathetic just because of his frustration over not having the backing and having to grow up learning everything alone.

Alberu would never leash his temper toward these citizens who relied on the Kingdom and a competent leader.

When he saw Cale's bright face the moment they arrived in the capital, Alberu set aside his sudden reminiscence about his life in the cold palace during teleportation.

The sun was almost set and magic orbs started lightening up the city. Tents lined up on most streets, very bustled with people not only from the capital but also from other cities and kingdoms.

Alberu remembered there were a lot of citizens from the Breck Kingdom and the Caro Kingdom who came to the Roan Kingdom just to utilize the three-day Boulder Festival to promote their business by becoming tenants along with the citizens.

For the Roan Kingdom which had a very long history with peace of war, this Boulder Kingdom always welcomed every kind of people, especially from the neighborhood Kingdoms.

"Hyung-nim, there are so many people here. And I already smell delicious food just by standing here!"

They were walking toward those tents. And Cale's first mind was to buy the food.

"Hyung-nim, let's look at what they cook!"

Cale ran first, forgetting that Alberu was a prince. His priority was his hunger and he stumbled back when Alberu pulled him by his arm.

"Cale, don't run. It's dangerous." He felt he needed to never let go of his eyes from the boy.

In his dreams, the adult Cale always made explosions or bizarre things happen which made his paperwork double and doubled again.

This Cale might be different, but there's no harm in being careful.

Cale's round eyes looked at him in surprise as he stopped abruptly. There were people he's almost bumped into if Alberu had not stopped him from running.

"Ah, sorry. I was too happy to finally go out from the estate."

Ron, Ben, and Kora watched the two of them closely. They needed to protect the firstborn of Henituse Family and the First Prince of the Roan Kingdom from getting injured and exposed to people.

"Young master-nim, please don't run when it's crowded. What if Young Master is out of our sight and gets lost."

Ron warned his puppy young master and Cale was sure he had let Ron call him by his name.

If the butler still called him young master, then what's the use of disguising, he thought.

Cale pouted for a moment and then looked at those tents which let out the tantalizing smell and smoke from fresh cooking.

"I want to eat."

Alberu looked at his guard, Ron, then met with the pleading eyes of the boy. The ten-year-old young master he saw seemed ready to walk past the crowded street using his small body.

He's the one who brought Cale here, and he acted as his older brother. It felt weird to compare his dreamt and the reality upon him now.

He had to stop recalling the cunning adult Cale and his never-ending ignoring of all kinds of impudence Cale thrust at him.

The Cale who's with him was only 10 years old and didn't have the memory of being his attendant.

Alberu then grabbed Cale's hand, making the boy confused.

"Hold my hand. Don't walk by yourself."

Cale blinked several times. He just remembered that the figure who spoke to him was the disguised first prince.

He smiled and bobbed his head up and down adorably. "Mmn!"

The thought of Cale listening to him eased his worries.

Really, Alberu needed to stop relying on his dreams so much. His impression was all about their adult version and it didn't go well with this bright boy.

It's really fortunate that Cale didn't go far from them.

From one tent to the next tent, then pointing at another tent.

Calling 'hyung-nim' many times loudly that people turned their heads toward them and then giggled at them, telling him that his dongsaeng was very cute.

Alberu heard his guards and Ron held their snicker as he kept following where Cale wanted to go.

He could not scold Ron or his guards, but he could glare at them as he felt Cale drag him again until they were finished going around the whole tent and arrived at the center of the capital.

"Hyung-nim, hyung-nim. What's that?"

Cale's reddish-brown eyes shined when he pointed at the plaza. Alberu saw the place was almost set with lots of props and people started to stand near the plaza or sit on the street.

"It's the peak of the last day of the festival. They're the entertaining group who will perform tonight."

"Entertaining group? So they will show us something interesting?"

Cale's eyes locked on the group who dressed differently. They wore colorful costumes that Cale never saw before, including props that he never knew existed.

Alberu noticed Cale was interested because the boy finally stopped dragging him all over the place and stared at the center.

"You want to watch?" He asked.

Cale subconsciously nodded. He rarely went out and in Henituse Territory, Cale didn't recall if the festival in his place had a performer group to liven up the mood.

He wanted to watch.

Alberu thought it would be great to watch it together. He knew every year there would be a different performance being held at the peak of the Boulder Festival. He also never watched it anymore since he's 7 or 8.

That's why Alberu decided to pull Cale to the front to get a better sight. Cale happily followed and two of them sat on the floor.

It's not bad, actually, it's much better because Alberu realized his feet started feeling sore and Cale might just didn't realize it because he kept running while dragging him.

Ron, Ben, and Kora stood near them, decided its distance was safe enough to keep an eye on them.

The performers were ready to start and introduced themselves.

Cale's eyes started glimmering again once the performance opened with a loud explosion of beautiful color from magic, followed by the dances that were far from formality but full of excitement and freedom.

Their expression showed how the performers enjoyed everything they did.

The music, the dance, the magic, the skit of folklore, props attraction with cane and sweets, the colorful outfits, and lastly, the fireworks as the finale.

Both Alberu and Cale were dumbstruck by the performance. They were momentarily lost in the beauty of art that was expressed through the teamwork of these performers.

A genuine feeling of excitement and being enjoyed of watching them made Alberu and Cale joined the crowd to clap loudly and praise this group of performers for showing them what's the freedom to express their passion.

Once Alberu looked up to the sky, he patted Cale and pointed up.

The boy curiously followed Alberu's gaze and gaped.

"... there are so many stars?"

"...yeah. Beautiful, isn't it?"

"Hyung-nim, do you always look up to the sky to see the stars?"

Cale wasn't answering him, but questioning him. Alberu turned his head to see the straight innocent expression of Cale.

After a few seconds of silence, Alberu smiled softly.

"I do. Because I want to be the brightest star that exists in this world."

The fireworks show started filling the black sky and covered the stars, but it didn't matter.

Cale didn't understand why Alberu said so, however, he supported anything that he thought good.

Seeing Alberu smile as he wanted to reach his goal of being the brightest star made Cale respond with a bright expression that rivaled the exact star.

"Hyung-nim, I'm sure you can do it! I'll help you to be the brightest star ever in this world!"

A bit took aback, Alberu scoffed softly and ruffled the boy's head. "Thanks." Alberu knew the boy didn't get what's 'brightest star' he meant. Maybe that's why he felt much better after listening to the pure intent of encouraging him.

The closing meant the tents started to close. Merchants and citizens slowly went back to their place and so were Alberu and Cale.

"I still don't want to leave, though."

Cale pouted when Ron told him to go back to Henituse Estate.

He's still in the festive mood and Alberu understood. He's also in a similar feeling, except that he realized he really had fun tonight and tomorrow would be his usual routine to work again.

"Young master-nim, we have to leave now. You need enough sleep to keep growing and regain back the energy."

Ron's nagging was always full of facts and Cale was more annoyed than usual to hear it now.

Alberu had that unfortunate expression though, feeling a bit pity that he had to see Cale off.

Being Cale's older brother was tiring but fun. Cale's voice calling him 'hyung-nim this, hyung-nim that, was entirely a new experience.

"Young Master Cale, I'm very happy to spend the festival together with you today. It's time for us to rest, unfortunately. But let's keep in contact again."

Cale nodded as he understood and started feeling sleepy. The tiredness slowly surrounded him.

"Yes, Your Highness. I am also very happy that Your Highness brings me here. If by chance Your Highness in Henituse Territory, please feel free to ask me any favor."

He's really innocent, Alberu thought. He patted the boy's head before Ben made another teleportation circle for Cale and Ron.

"Sleep well. See you, Young Master Cale."

And two of them disappeared from the capital.

-o-

Months passed, Cale and Alberu kept in contact frequently through the video communication device. Cale was being himself when he's with Ron and the supposedly Crown Prince.

Alberu still dreaming about their adult version of spending time together. In the dream, he's always aware that both he and the adult Cale never put on masks when they're alone.

The freedom of being themselves was a privilege that the adult Alberu and the 15 years old Alberu cherished a lot.

Until now, Alberu had not seen the 10 years old Cale behaved very rudely to the point of offending anyone. Cale was Cale, the redhead boy who he hoped to grow up as his closest confidant and his younger brother. The pure, smart, and charming person.

It became the reason Alberu never imagined that Cale actually had a side he never showed to him until he visited the Henituse Estate publicly as Cale's friend.

He wondered why the servants flinched and rather avoided him when they knew the First Prince of the Roan Kingdom visited the firstborn son of Count Henituse instead of the Count himself.

When he greeted Count Henituse first, that man sent an apologetic gaze to him although he was surprised about Cale being his friend.

"I never knew my son actually in contact with Your Highness. Does Cale know about your presence today, Your Highness?"

"I purposely came faster a day than intended, Count. I want to surprise him."

His answer seemed to trouble the Count. Alberu was nervous if he offended the neutral Count Henituse by arriving unnoticed.

"Is my presence make Count Henituse uncomfortable? If so, I apologize because I know it's a bit rude although I'm a Royal."

However, Count Henituse denied it. "No, it's not the problem Your Highness. I understand the secret and have to move stealthily without alerting the people. In fact, it's about Cale."

Alberu frowned. What's wrong with Cale? That adorable boy was perfectly fine yesterday when they chatted.

"Is he sick? Is he not in the mansion?"

"No, emm.. he's..."

Before Alberu managed to inquire, the sound of breaking things and a loud dull thud were heard by them who's in the Count's office.

'Young Master Cale!!'

Alberu heard the servants scream the boy's name outside and he automatically went out to check. His eyes found the boy fell to the floor and the vase on the marble table fell and broke.

The shards of the vase splattered and scratched the boy's skin.

Cale stood up and glared at the maids who screamed in shock. To Cale, this was another act he had to do to prove to his relatives that he's just as terrible as Basen in terms of a child. He didn't know the other way except to attract the whole attention to him.

When he ran, his target was to bump to the table. The broken vase was a bonus.

"Shut up! Just clean up this!"

His raising tone and enraged expression were unfamiliar to Alberu. For this prince, Cale was a smart boy who was still innocent. Maybe not precisely innocent because he could catch up with Alberu's topic, but mostly it was.

He's shocked, but his feet immediately brought him closer to the boy.

"Cale?"

Alberu observed the boy flinched when he heard his voice and hastily turned his head.

"Your Highness? I thought you'll come tomorrow?"

The supposedly Crown Prince helped the boy to stand up and grimaced from the injured knees and small scratches due to the shards. "The travel was faster than intended."

Cale frowned at him. It's a vague expression that Alberu was unfamiliar with.

One of the maids spoke to him shakily. "Young Master, we must tend your injury. It's bleeding."

What Alberu imagined in such a short time was that Cale naturally followed the maid and let the bleeding knees be treated. He never expected to flinch as well because Cale was screaming again.

"Just scram! I told you to clean this up!"

Without being able to digest the situation further, Cale dragged him quickly and left the scene. Alberu didn't have the time to notice that none of his guards followed him due to the surprising scene in their eyes.

The moment they stopped, Alberu had led into Cale's bedroom again. He's dumbfounded to see this boy's scream actually very scary and made the servants frightened at once.

It's like... It's just like him. In the palace. Chasing away servants and attendants.

Now that both of them were alone in the bedroom, Cale was silent. The boy was glancing at him anxiously.

Alberu had speculation this was not the first time Cale was in enraged emotion like this after seeing the servants avoid him after hearing he's here for Cale Henituse.

The boy was nervous, unlike his casual demeanor to talk to him. Looking Cale was not able to explain immediately, Alberu saw a glimpse of guilty feelings lingering and Cale didn't know how to behave.

So, Alberu gave a hand to start the conversation first. "Isn't your knees hurt?"

It hurts, Cale wanted to say. But his eyes did it for him.

Somehow, Alberu understood the gaze Cale gave to him like a kinship. He gently brought Cale to sit on the edge of the bed. "Where's the potion or cloth? I'll treat your knees."

"...Ron will be here. Just wait."

As he said that, the door was knocked and Ron came in with the potion and tea for them. "My apology for not greeting Your Highness earlier. This Ron was doing some errands."

Alberu smiled, one side of his mouth curved up, shrugging with hands tapping both of his side. "It's fine. I came one day earlier than promised to surprised Young Master Cale, but I'm the one who got surprised instead."

Ron saw his puppy young master cowered and lowering his head.

"...I'm sorry for showing such terrible behavior in front of you, Your Highness. I didn't mean to shock Your Highness with my screaming."

"Not a problem, Young Master Cale. If you want, you can share something that's troubling you today."

The boy looked up to him, lips pursed as Alberu took a sit in front of him. Ron quickly treated his knees with the high grade potion. It's enough to heal the scratch from fell down and small shards.

"You don't want to tell this brother of yours?"

The relunctance of the boy truly not hidden. Cale turned his head away, eyes were unsure and guilty.

He's nervous and the prince waited. By the end of the silence, Cale murmured.

"...sorry..."

Alberu didn't know the reason Cale screamed earlier. This was his first time to see this boy had his shoulder lumped and not confidence to speak to him.

But he knew one thing.

It was between Cale was not sincere with him sometimes or Cale was not open with him at all.

The fifteen years old Alberu Crossman wished to meet the adult him or the adult Cale to explain about this.

Chapter Text

Alberu indeed wished to meet and have talk with the adult Cale. However, he didn't expect it would be granted this easy.

Earlier, he spent his time in Cale's bedroom by playing chess and not nudging any topic that might trigger the boy's tantrum again.

The 10 years-old boy seemed relieved and thanked him by the end of the day.

"Your Highness, I hope you can sleep well while residing here."

Alberu ruffled Cale's hair, smiling softly. "Thanks. Tomorrow we'll have a long day, so you should sleep well too."

Cale felt the uneasiness inside him was erased. He smiled innocently like usual.

"Mmh! Good night!"

The First Prince of the Roan Kingdom stayed at Henituse Estate as young master Cale's guest.

The maids, servants, and knights were gossiping and speculating since when their feisty, never-leaving-estate in contact with the Royal.

In the Count's office, Count Deruth was in confusion how could his eldest son looked very close with the First Prince.

All he knew was several months ago the First Prince invited Cale which he replied.

His son Cale never leaving for Palace nor in contact with the First Prince.

So, how?

What did he miss from his sight?

-o-

Alberu was surrounded by white fog. It's a familiar place since he's been dreaming. But, this time he's the one who sat on the couch.

Snap!

Immediately on the table was served two cups of tea and sweets. One of them was Cale's favorite cookies.

"Greeting, Your Royal Highness."

That voice. That innocent face which fooled everyone in the palace.

Alberu was greeted by the adult Cale Henituse. The scenes no longer blurry. He could see as vivid as real world.

Cale Henituse wore the military uniform. His red hair was longer and reached the middle of his back.

Alberu inhaled a sharp breath.

The commander Cale Henituse. The one who occupied his new attendant almost one year ago.

He finally met him.

"Hello, Commander Cale."

The redhead scrunched his face. "It's my first time you call me like that. Your Highness, please be ease and call me as usual."

Alberu pondered. The usual.

"Young Master Cale?"

Cale Henituse's face got brighter. "Yes, Your Highness?"

Alberu let out a deep breath. His wish granted. But being here with the adult Cale in reality, although this was a dream, weirdly wrong.

He just knew that there was barrier between them.

Alberu didn't say a word. He watched Cale munching the cookies nonchalantly with legs crossed.

Was this how his adult version feeling?

Not fitting as a noble, but no urge to fix the disrespect Commander Cale did to him?

Cale glanced at the thin frowned lips young Alberu did. He stopped eating, brushing his palms to clean the crumbs.

"What do you want to know, Your Highness?"

Cale's expression was stoic. Alberu saw this whenever they had serious talk. He unconsciously straightened his back although his position was higher. But Cale was older than him. He exuded confidence that Alberu didn't have.

"Young Master Cale, when you're a kid, do you throw tantrums?"

Cale blinked at him. He looked as if he's asking weird question.

Did he ask wrongly?

"Like screaming at maids, throwing things, and acting like a brat purposely?"

He added example.

However Cale's expression was still the same.

It was when Alberu wanted to take back his question, the adult Cale answered.

"You've been meeting with my younger self."

It's a statement.

"You see him acted like a brat while he behaves in your presence."

Cale added.

Alberu couldn't help but nodding. "Today. It's my first time visiting Henituse Estate and he looked guilty as I caught him red handed."

Cale hummed. He took a sip of his tea before commenting.

"Your Royal Highness. What do you think about your own act in the Palace?"

Alberu flinched.

Cale saw this and his side lips quirked up.

"You're smart. You're fierce. So you must be aware what actually my younger self do, mustn't you?"

Alberu's fist clenching hard. He felt exposed although Cale didn't say it explicitly.

"I have my own opinion, but I'm not sure. Certainly, the reason why he did it is different from me."

Cale leaned forward, his palm supported his chin. Alberu felt nervous due to the same eyes Cale had but the gaze was much deeper and melancholy.

It was the gaze of someone who had gone through hardship and survived.

"Your Royal Highness, when I became your attendant, I was in a test. I did something to help you and automatically change your fate."

The way Commander Cale talk was light, but the words said the otherwise.

"However, I didn't do anything to my younger self. It was your choice to befriend with him and I appreciate it."

He knew. This Cale knew everything. And it scared Alberu.

He's here because his wish was granted, but the talk wasn't lead by him.

Cale continued, faint smile plastered on his pale skin.

"To your question, unfortunately I don't have the answer. You should find out by yourself why did I act like a brat."

Alberu's blue eyes widened.

"But it's your younger self. Who knows better than yourself?"

The quick answer from Cale shut him up.

"He's not."

Cale sighed, repeating his words.

"The boy you're spending time with, he's not me."

Alberu opened and closed his mouth several times until he found the right words.

"You're not from our future? Then where did you come from? How can you explain that you know about me? I keep dreaming about you and my adult self as sworn brother. How can I understand this surreal meeting?"

Question after question were thrown out to Cale.

The young prince was flabbergasted that his demeanor cracked and behaved like his age. 15 years old teenager.

Cale chuckled, he smirked in the way that caused young Alberu to feel iffy.

He tilted his head a bit so this time he's supporting his cheek.

"It's nice to see you as through as usual, Your Highness."

It irked him. This must be why his adult self had headache.

This Cale was teasing him.

"Can you just answer me?"

"No, not now."

"Why?"

"If I did, I'm afraid you'll make distance from your Cale."

Alberu frowned. "Why should I? The reason I befriend with him is because I dreamed you and my older self very compatible."

"And that's where you're wrong."

Alberu started to get confused.

He was wrong?

"If you keep thinking you'll be okay just because your counterpart is my sworn brother, you'll get disappointed soon or later."

Cale's face turned serious. Alberu unconsciously listening to him as a younger person who needed advice from older person.

Alberu sighed, punching his thigh. "So?"

"As I said, we're different person. I don't know why my younger self acted like that. But I do acted like a trash and alcoholic."

Alberu felt like listening to something he couldn't imagine.

A noble acted like a trash? Alcoholic?

The sweet and innocent Cale?

Alberu wouldn't let that happened.

"You said you're different person. Then, is myself also a different person?"

Cale tapped his fingers on his knees.

"Hmm, because I interfere with your fate, you'll have quicker improvement than my Alberu."

Cale didn't say his counterpart is a different person.

He said he'll have quicker improvement.

Alberu assumed he would understand it as time goes.

Their surroundings got blurred.

"Looks like our time is over."

Cale said, then smiled mischievously. The smile he always put on whenever he and Alberu chatted and teasing each other.

"Your Royal Highness, be confident. We'll meet again someday."

Alberu's dream ended. He woke up in one of Henituse's guest room, dazed.

"...different, huh..."

-o-

Alberu had breakfast with the whole Henituse's family in the dining hall. He sat next to Cale who's completely ignoring his family.

The redhead boy wasn't sulking. Alberu could tell that Cale was uncomfortable. With his own family.

And Alberu could say the same. He felt cold stares from both Count and Countess, as well as nervous Basen and curious Lily.

"Ahem, so, Your Highness. I heard you're here to have vacation and accompanying Cale."

Alberu had trained to smile princely, and Count Deruth would be one of the several early victims.

"Yes, Count. I often heard that Rain City is a city that appreciate arts, sculptures, and freedom. I want to see the beauty that's different from capital. I plan to visit several cities, but because I'm close with Young Master Cale, I choose this place as my first stop."

Countess Violan stared him sharply. Not as sharp as Ron, however enough to make him nervous.

"I'm honored that Your Highness has interest in arts and decided to visit Henituse Territory. However, Cale never go out from this estate. He cannot be the guide."

"I never said that Young Master Cale will be my guide. He'll be accompanying me together, and I know he never go to the town."

Countess Violan's forehead creased. "Pardon my impudence Your Highness. But Cale never go outside, let alone with someone from the crown. How can I trust Cale to accompany Your Highness? We haven't heard how did you two become acquaintance."

Alberu glanced at Cale and the boy flinched. He's... nervous? Pressured? Afraid?

Which one was it? Or mixed?

"Ahem, Dear. We can send them guards and let our butler become their guide. Cale, do you want to go with His Highness?"

Cale looked at his father, fingers fidgeting with the knife.

"Hmm."

Alberu was thinking. Count Deruth was asking Cale if he wanted to go instead of Cale asking permission. Once his glanced at the Countess, she didn't say a word but waiting as well.

"I want to go with Your Highness."

Cale said, continued his eating.

Long sigh heard from the Count.

"Very well. I'll prepare the carriage and people. I'll inform once it's ready."

Alberu was about to thank the Count, but Cale was faster.

"No need. Just give me allowance. His Highness already prepared everything."

The stern, scowling Cale caught every attention in the dining hall.

Alberu was surprised, he could hear murmurs from the maids.

"Young Master Cale sure very feisty."

"He dares to speak like that around His Highness?"

"He's crazy. He doesn't have manner."

"He's too spoiled."

"Shh, it's because he lacked affection after his mother  died ."

"His Highness looked shocked. He must be unaware that Young Master Cale has bad temper."

"Ahem!" Countess Violan shut them up.

The murmured stopped. Actually, by normal hearing it shouldn't be heard, but Alberu who had enhanced hearing due to his Dark Elf blood heard clearly.

Sure, he's shocked.

But he remembered he shouldn't judge Cale because he did the same in the Palace.

The adult Cale told him, they're not the same person. He didn't know what made this Cale behaved like this.

He decided to observe more.

"Young Master Cale is correct. I've prepared everything, Count and Countess don't need to worry much."

Again, Countess Violan commented.

"Your Highness, although you've prepared, I still insist to bring our butler as your guide. Both of you are completely foreign to the town, so to be more safe I hope Your Highness agree."

Alberu glanced at Cale. He now ate at ease after asking allowance. Cale didn't seem disagree.

"I appreciate that, Countess Violan."

Half satisfied, Countess Violan replied and Count Deruth gave allowance before they went.

Until the front gate, Cale still put on his grumpy expression. Only after they're in the carriage, Cale relaxed and slumped his back.

"Finally going back as yourself?" Alberu asked.

Cale stared blankly. "Yes. Thank you for not asking although you're suspicious Your Highness."

"No worries. I understand that we sometimes need to put on mask."

He crossed his arms, amused by the boy's round eyes.

The Cale in front of him was cute. Even when he acted feisty, Alberu felt the urge to calm him down.

"I bet Your Highness has to do it all the time. Putting on mask."

"Why do you think so?"

"My mother said living in the Palace is like war. People have to be very careful and hide their real intention by acting."

Alberu's lips turned thin, showing only faint smile.

"Is that Countess Violan teaching?"

Cale shook his head.

"My real mother."

Alberu made 'ah' in realization.

"Are you curious about the life in Palace?"

Cale was pondering. His legs swaying around and frowned.

"It depends on what I'm curious about. If I listen to my mom, the Palace sounds like an exciting war place. If I listen from Countess Violan or Father, the Palace sounds like a place I should never stepped in."

Alberu's lips parted a bit.

"I see... it also depends on who told you about Palace."

Cale nodded briefly.

"In fact, I'm in bad mood right now. We didn't get to disguise like when we're in the capital."

"Hmm, you want us to disguise ourselves?"

"I was about to ask Ben to change our hair color again. But the Countess was so strict that she didn't let us out of her sight. I can't even say that I want to go incognito."

The mellow voice of the boy was so sincere that Alberu felt bad.

Their carriage didn't have Crossman Royal Family crest, but the moment people saw them, they'll recognize his blonde hair and blue eyes then immediately knew who's the boy with him.

They couldn't run. They had guards. They had butler from Henituse as their guide. Ron wasn't here to help them.

Alberu was here to spend time with Cale. His dream bugging him to not see this Cale as the same Commander Cale.

"If you keep thinking you'll be okay just because your counterpart is my sworn brother, you'll get disappointed soon or later."

That meant he had to do something because this Cale still unpredictable, right?

Alberu knocked, telling the wagon driver to stop.

They stopped in the middle of the road where the land was empty but wide field.

"Your Highness, you need something?"

It was Ben.

"Dye our hair and eyes into brown. We'll go in disguise."

Cale widened his eyes. Ben obligated and dyed their hair and eyes into brown in seconds.

"Is this enough Cale?"

The boy smiled widely.

"Mmhn!"

Alberu let out a short laugh.

"Next time just tell me if you prefer going out like this."

"Heehee. Thank you Your Highness."

"Call me Hyung-nim."

"Okay, Hyung-nim."

Alberu's lips quirked up in satisfaction. They took off metres away from the town and wore a brown cloak.

At first, it's going well. Because the guards who went with them was the same as before, they knew that the First Prince and Young Master Cale would start from looking around.

Unfortunately, the butler from Henituse who's ordered to be their guide became a problem.

Hans, the ginger haired deputy butler was very noisy.

He didn't stop talking. He kept explaining every details that's unnecessary.

His voice was quite loud as well, attracting eyes from merchants because he decided to call two of them as young master.

Alberu was used to endless chattering. But Cale wasn't. The boy was scowling at Hans.

To be honest, Alberu started to feel tired too. Even Ben and Kora seemed exhausted from listening Hans explaining the food, arts center, sculptures shop, and many more.

In the end, Cale exploded.

"Hans!"

"Yes, Young Master?"

"Go back!"

"Excuse me?"

Alberu, the guards, and Hans stared at the fuming Cale.

They were in one of the sculptures shop. It was empty, only the owner was here and she heard the shouting.

"I said go back to the mansion!"

Hans, unmoved, replied.

"I cannot do that young master. I'm your guide for today and I still have places to introduce."

Cale held his head, groaning.

"But you're too much! I cannot enjoy my time! I and Hyung-nim had heard enough for hours! Stop talking or I'll ask Kora to bring you back to the mansion!"

Hans stared cautiously at his young master. Cale was angry. He's been scowling and snarled at him.

"But, this is your time in the town. I have responsibility to guide until young master's satisfied."

"If so, then just do enough! I feel exhausted just by hearing your voice! Shut up or go back by yourself!"

Seeing Hans contemplated, Alberu sighed deeply.

"Hans."

"Y-yes, Your Highness?" He said in smaller voice.

"You don't need to talk as if you're promoting the whole merchant. We're here to relax, not on survey."

Hans was silent. He heard his young master tsked.

"I appreciate your effort, but we really don't need it. If you keep going on, I'll really ask Kora to send you back to the mansion. Understand?"

"...yes, Your Highness."

After calmed down, Alberu draped his arm on Cale's shoulder.

"Let's go. We find a place to sit and rest."

Cale soothed, letting the First Prince brought him to other place.

They ended up in the Fragrance of Tea and Poetry.

Alberu paid to rent the whole floor 3 for them and Cale ordered books, teas, and cakes.

Cale stared at outside while waiting for their order. Alberu who kept observing the boy the whole day noticed several things.

Cale hated to be disturbed. He dislike loud people like Hans. He preferred to not attract attention in the crowd. He liked novels than poetry.

Two of them sat facing each other with guards and Hans standing few metres away.

Their orders were out minutes later. Cale rushed to take the tea and drank it.

"You like it?"

"It's sweet. So I don't complain."

Alberu chuckled, also drank the tea before took a cake.

"Do you want to share?"

Cale looked at Alberu. "If Hyung-nim wants."

"Okay."

They spent half an hour in silent while reading the book chosen by the owner Billos.

Cale started to speak.

"Hyung-nim, I'm sorry."

Alberu lifted his head. "What are you sorry for?"

"Earlier, I shouted at Hans. I thought I shouldn't do it when I'm with you." Cale looked down at his tea.

"Why?"

"Mm, because you're a prince? I mean, I know I shouldn't act too carefree but I feel too comfortable with Your Highness."

"Then you don't need to apologize."

Cale lifted his head and made eye contact with Alberu.

"Huh?"

Alberu then explained.

"If you're with another Royal, you may want to fix your etiquette. You shouldn't raise your voice at the presence of them, however it's only between us. Me, Alberu Crossman and you, Cale Henituse."

Cale stared blankly, emphasized his innocent look that Alberu loved.

"Pfft, I mean, if you don't stop Hans from talking I won't have the gap to speak." He glanced at the curious Hans briefly before leaned forward.

"You did well scolding him. I barely remember what he said other than us wandering around mindlessly to avoid him but he caught us too fast."

Immediately Cale's face brightened. He laughed. "So, I'm exempted from behaving formal?"

"Just enough. Don't be too much like Hans. I don't like it either. Plus, right now we're siblings in disguise. Remember?"

Cale nodded. "I understand, Hyung-nim."

"Yes, now look at Kora and Ben, then Hans."

Cale did, and received nodded and thumbs up from them but the expression of Hans was tense and full of curiosity.

"They can hear us?"

"My guards? They can. I'm not sure about Hans though."

"...I don't think he heard us..."

"That's fine. Either way, I just want to make sure that it's totally okay for you being comfortable around me."

"Although you're the First Prince?"

Alberu shrugged. "I'm the one who said it. Or it's you who feel uncomfortable because I call you by your name and decided to be your older brother?"

Cale shook his head. "Not at all."

"Great."

It was evening by the time they got back to the Estate. Cale and Alberu had dinner separately from the Henituse.

Alberu found out that Cale didn't have endurance of sleepiness. The boy fell asleep after several minutes laying down on the bed.

"Is he always like this?" Alberu asked.

"Not this fast. He must be very tired from the town." Ron answered.

Alberu sighed. "Of course, Hans was talking nonstop. I don't even think we actually really enjoyed the trip if Cale didn't stop Hans from talking."

"Hoo, he talked lot?"

Alberu yawned.

"Very. He's like a chatter box. His intention was good, introducing us the merchants and things we're not aware of. However it made us tired. Cale was very irritated and scolded him. In the end, we rest at a Cafe before going back."

"I see. Thank you for informing me, Your Highness. I'll be dealing with him."

"Hmm."

Alberu sat at the edge of the bed, looked closely at the sleeping Cale.

"...he looks like a baby..."

"Well, young master-nim is harmless when sleeping. Will Your Highness sleep right away or still have something to do?"

"I'll sleep. Hans sucked so many energy from me as well."

"Then please follow me, Your Highness."

Alberu glanced back at the boy before following Ron to his guest room.

That night, Alberu slept much better than his days in the Palace.

Chapter Text

Cale was aware it's a dream. He's good at differentiating situations. He's sensitive and despite the place he's sitting in very vivid to be a dream, he's amazed instead of panicking.

His mouth gaped and his eyes sparkled from the shining room and big office he's at. The couch was very comfortable like a bed, oak wooden table full of paperwork occupied more than half of the desk. The office smelled sweet and suddenly cookies and tea appeared before him.

Hands quicker than thinking because it's a dream, Cale took the cookie and munched one immediately.

It's delicious, it's really crunchy.

"Pfft, you like the cookies that much, Cale?"

The boy's eyes met with a blonde-haired man who had blue eyes and wore very majestic clothes that screamed Royal.

That face was similar to the First Prince but much more mature. He blinked and blurted out of reflex.

"Your Highness Alberu Crossman?"

The adult Aberu Crossman's eyes turned into a crescent moon. "You recognize me right away?"

When Cale nodded his head innocently, Alberu chuckled.

"Haish... my dongsaeng is very smart. This is not fun."

He took a sip of the tea, smiling wider than before. Cale, the 10-year-old boy kept eating while swaying his leg constantly.

"Haa... if my Cale is as cute as you now, I probably had my treasury empty since long ago."

Cale tilted his head. "Your Cale? Are you not the adult Your Highness I know?"

Alberu held his urge to not pinch the chubby cheek. His Cale, the ex Commander didn't gain any fat on his cheek anymore.

"I am, but from a different dimension. We're already adults while you and my counterpart are still young."

The boy didn't seem to understand. His blank expression was very endearing that King Alberu Crossman sighed and ended up pinching the cheek lightly.

"No need to think hard. You cutie."

The younger Cale stayed still. His mother often said he's a cutie before she died. This Alberu was the second person to call him a cutie. He bit the cookie again, not responding to the adult Alberu.

Alberu was very used to ignorant Cale. But the younger Cale sure gave away a very pure atmosphere that's not present anymore when he's an adult. The boy across from him wasn't stained by blood yet and hadn't learned how to cope with the cruelty of the world.

"Cale, do you enjoy your life now?"

"Enjoy? In what meaning?"

Alberu ransacked his brain. Perhaps all Cale Henituse in different dimensions were born sharp and smart and they needed specific attention and reason from people like him.

"Living happily, no burden, no need to act--"

Alberu halted, keenly catching the flinching redhead boy when he mentioned 'act'. He hadn't even completed the sentence, but Alberu already knew the answer.

Deep down in his heart, it was painful to know the boy had started building his wall and gradually became the trash of the Count in years later.

When Cale told him that he met the real Cale Henituse through God of Death's interference, the real Cale who had become Kim Rok Soo share his story in that meeting.

The former commander listened attentively that the original Cale Henituse did everything to protect his family, making Basen and Violan acknowledged by others, and that led him to become trash because that's what he could at that time. It's pitiful and wrong to ruin his reputation, but that's his best after no one guided him. Alberu was surprised that Cale retold the story of original Cale Henituse to him.

Alberu then found out that Cale met him in the Sealed God test and interfered with his life. His dense, stupid, yet smart dongsaeng of his saved his life again in a different dimension.

So, when the Sun God reached out to him to help the young Cale in that same dimension, Alberu didn't think twice. He agreed with a certain deal and hid this fact from his Cale.

He's now in that bridge of two dimensions, chatting with the 10 years old Cale Henituse.

At this age, the boy hadn't perfected his facade. It's very easy to see through his mind and Alberu knew that boy was nervous but also in awe.

His smile had a hint of worry and sadness. He hoped this Cale noticed it. Alberu spoke directly to the sore spot young Cale had.

"You're not happy, Cale?"

The boy stopped eating. He lowered his head to look at his swaying legs. This is a dream, right? No one would know, right? The young Cale convinced himself.

"...I'm not..."

Alberu felt a pang when he heard the vulnerable words from the young Cale. He's sure the boy was sniffling and seconds later the boy burst out crying.

Alberu moved to sit next to the boy and brought him into his arms. He hugged the boy, stroking the trembling back, and soothing him more.

"Ssh, ssh, it's okay. It's going to be alright. You'll be fine, Cale."

Alberu was certain that whoever Cale Henituse was really needed a hug and comfort from other people. From the original Cale, Kim Rok Soo who's now Cale Henituse, to this young Cale who had a horrible past.

He kept soothing the boy who's wailing, clenching on his uniform, and screaming out his burden.

"--mom's gone, Father is not playing with me anymore--they want to kill us--"

Cale who was aware this is a dream naturally spit out his heart. The adult Alberu embraced him, sharing his warmth, and comforted him to ease the pain in his chest.

"-hics... I don't want to disappoint Father...hics..."

He buried his face on Alberu's chest and tightened his grip.

"Your Highness... Hyung-nim. Help me."

The desperate, broken voice of young Cale Henituse made Alberu want to kill everyone who hurt his little brother. He now understood Raon's feelings whenever that black dragon threatened to kill everyone and then kill himself.

"I'll help you. I'm going to help you no matter what."

"Hyung-nim. You will be my friend, right? You'll be my brother, right?"

"Of course. You're my dearest little brother after all."

Cale lifted his head, eyes swollen and red nose. Could a dream feel this real?

"You're from a different dimension. Will Your Highness from my dimension will do the same thing?" He asked.

"He's me. Although at first he's reluctant, I'm sure he'll help you. If not, I'll find any way to make him help you." Alberu's expression softened with a bitter smile.

Pause between them filled with Alberu brushed the tears away and the young Cale's pleading eyes. Cale's lips trembling, hoping this wasn't a mere dream that would be gone forever. He hugged the adult Alberu again, sniffling.

"If you're him and he's you, tell me how to persuade him. Please?"

Alberu thought for a moment. "Hmm." His hand patted the small back.

The rumours of Cale Henituse as trash was terrible. It must be very hard for Cale to act drunk while he's not before he got used to calculate his action. He didn't want this dimension Cale going through the same path.

"First, don't pretend to hurt people. Don't be mean. Don't hurt yourself. Don't make them hate you."

Cale's reddish-brown eyes widened, glimmering although it's reddened.

"I do those things, but I mustn't do that?"

Alberu chuckled, ruffling young Cale's head. "Yes, don't do that. You won't gain anything but hurting everyone else, especially yourself. And I don't want to see you in that state."

Not after witnessing Cale's bloodied body and his bad coping mechanism.

"Is me in Your Highness' dimension doing that and hurting himself?"

Sighed.

Alberu stared fondly at the young Cale. His hands were placed on Cale's shoulders, explaining.

"Yeah. Very, very terribly. No one likes it and fixing it is impossible. So, please don't and be yourself. Okay?"

Cale looked at the adult Alberu's eyes and saw his own reflection. Genuine affection from him made Cale ponder and he asked again.

"Is it okay? How to protect them if my extended family still attempted to poison us?"

"Ha....! You have Ron and Beacrox on your side. If the Henituses can't, the Molan can."

Alberu smirked, then leaned down to whisper right beside the boy.

-o-

Alberu Crossman jolted up on the bed. The sun had risen high but the canopy hide him from sunlight.

"Why no one woke me up?! Aunt?!"

He rushed to the outside, then froze. The corridor was unfamiliar. The servants who were cleaning halted and immediately bowed.

"Greeting to the star of the Roan Kingdom!"

"Go-good morning, Your Highness!"

Red crept to his face, embarrassed that he forgot he's still in Henituse Estate.

"...yes. Is any of you see young master Cale?"

"Young master Cale is in his bedroom. Do you need anything, Your Highness?"

The maid answered.

Alberu sighed. "No need, thanks."

He went back to his room and took a quick bath. He was buttoning up his shirt when he realized something. His fingers halted for a moment.

He didn't dream at all last night.

Alberu froze at that fact. It's been a while, but he felt nervous because one of the constant things in his life was suddenly cut.

'No... maybe I'll dream again tonight. There's tomorrow. Don't panic...'

Alberu shook his head to clear his mind. After dressing up, he was faced with Ron's presence in front of him when he open the door.

He jolted in shock to see the benign smile of the old butler.

"Good morning, Your Highness. This Ron will escort Your Highness to the dining hall."

"Hyung-nim, let's eat!"

Cale's voice came from behind Ron. His head popped out from the side and Alberu stifled his laugh. The boy's usual cheerful facade was there.

Alberu walked next to Cale with Ron leading them.

When they arrived at the dining hall, Alberu realized that they were a bit late already.

The rest of Henituse's family had started eating breakfast.

"I apologize to be late, Count, Countess. Good morning to you all."

He smiled, taking the same seat as yesterday.

"No need to worry, Your Highness. You come with Cale, so actually, you're not late at all."

Alberu glanced at the boy next to him as he heard that.

"Not late?"

Cale whose eyes were already on the food replied.

"I don't always eat together and have different meal times."

Alberu made a subtle "oh" response and nodded. "I see."

Cale's hand started putting food on Alberu's plate.

"Hyung-nim, you should try this. Beacrox's side dishes to his steak are awesome."

The basic mashed potato and salad were plated nicely by Cale. The boy continued to place grilled corn, various sauces and more on his plate.

Alberu chuckled, noticing that Cale's hands were switching to his plate his own alternately.

"Thanks, Cale. You should eat, too."

Cale grinned, feeling the stare from his family and maids, but feigned ignorance toward them.

"Ahem."

Countess Violan was strict with etiquette and manner. She's not that close with Cale, but she had the responsibility to teach or remind Cale subtly.

"Cale, you don't need to do so."

The redhead boy took a glance at her, slightly pouted. "...I just want Your Highness to eat a lot..."

Alberu noticed the contemplated Count and Countess. On the other hand, Basen and Lily were just full of curiosity.

As the guest and someone with Royal status, Cale treating him casually wasn't allowed. But knowing Cale's circumstances and their relationship as friends, Alberu gently smiled at them, especially the Countess.

"No need to worry, Countess. I don't mind Cale being casual around me. Plus, this is your estate. I won't be a bother as Young Master Cale's guest. I'm grateful for the hospitality."

Count Deruth coughed. "If Your Highness says so, then I'm relieved. I apologize on my son's behalf if he's not treating you well so far."

Alberu raised his eyebrows at that remark. 'Is it that bad? But I know now that Cale has reason to act like a spoiled brat here.'

Nevertheless, Alberu had long exempted Cale from behaving too formally as appreciation and his wish to get closer to Cale Henituse.

"Then Count Henituse can be in relief because Young Master Cale is treating me very well until now."

Alberu smiled, which earned confused Count and glancing eyes from Countess. They didn't seem to believe him.

Never mind, Alberu thought. He patted Cale's back and started to eat all kinds of food Cale put on his plate.

Cale didn't lie about Beacrox's skill and he's been envying Cale to have such a remarkable chef whenever Cale bragged about his foods when they chatted through communication devices.

He ate with delight and praised the food. Cale looked satisfied and occasionally glanced at his family.

He's wary of his family, so he shifted his seat closer to Alberu.

"Hyung-nim, today, let's go out with Ron." Cale whispered.

Alberu stared weirdly at Cale who whispered to him. He flatly nodded, thinking of the night at the capital last time.