Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

After Cale had redrawn the shield and petting the turned white tree for good measure, he immediately turned to walk on his heels the second he felt raindrops falling on his shoulder within the fog. All while ignoring the disbelieving youthful chuckle resounding in his head. 

'Ignore it, ignore it.'

He did not want to know whom it originated from but these sensation had slowly became more frequent as days went by.

So to say it irked him was an understatement.

Besides that, he liked the fog but the same could not be said for the rain. Venturing through his way through the area, he began thinking the needed comfort of a carriage.

It was at that moment.

- Ho... Out of all things, this is what you sought first thing you hijacked my body, hmm? Not bad but I'll offer you advice on your act. You're not living up to my reputation at all! Not to mention, are those the best outfit you can wear using my wardrobe? You should reconsider your choice...

The voice complained as it went on, Cale instinctively tuned out the words mentally spoken directly to him. All he can reflexively reply was:

"What the hell?"

The chatter halted. Cale almost let out a relieved sigh. Almost when the voice resumed as if Cale didn't interrupt it.

- Tch. Seriously. You should do more, hell, much better than that.

The voice scoffed somewhat elegantly, taunted then retreated before Cale could even say a word. He was admittedly a bit amazed at being scoffed at but the thought didn't last long. No, he couldn't respond even if he wanted to.

Meeoooooow.
Meow.

The sound came from the alley outside the Count's Estate. He frowned at the sight of two drenched red and white kittens respectively.

"Sigh."

He sighed as the two gathered around his legs, Reddish-brown meets pitiful two pairs of round golden eyes.

He felt a knowing smirk spread across within him that he was very tempted to rub off if not for the situation at hand. Finally, with stoic expression and relaxed posture, it didn't take long for him to reach a decision.

Which is, ignoring the kittens on tow as he headed towards the carriage. Once inside, he casually sat on the couch and spoke to the rider his destination—The Henituse Estate—then, the carriage had set off under a minute or two.

He didn't forget to throw a gold coin for the service.

Outside the carriage where the rain started to pour, Cale's surroundings was quiet but his mind was not.

'You're Cale Henituse?'

Cale didn't have the talent to beat around the bush. He needed to sort this out quickly. It was going to be a problem if the original was living alongside him.

- That's right. I have always been here since I sensed your consciousness in my body. Imagine my surprise when I saw my own body moving around without my control.

"Hm."

Cale closed his eyes. Just as he thought, those burst of reaction he occasionally felt did not belong to him.

He didn't notice how the rider slightly flinched and how the carriage seemed to move slightly faster than before.

Unlike his tone full of mischief and mockery from earlier, the voice or rather—This world's Cale bluntly responded to him. Cale kept his expression and thoughts blank and other Cale took it as a signal to continue.

- I decided to observe you after that, to see what you would do. Fortunately, it turned out it wasn't a devil recantation but a human. Though, you clearly know more than you let on.

As if an added afterthought, he emphasized each word next.

- More importantly, you didn't bring any harm to my family.

That was how Cale knew it had to be an act.

Thanks to [The Birth Of a Hero], Cale was aware of the circumstance inside the Henituse family. He noted how he gently spoke about them despite their rather distant relationship which reinforced his belief on how his predecessor didn't hate his family.

Other Cale then asked without any hesitation.

- Who are you and what do you want?

'That.'

Cale began to reply mentally but paused to tentatively choose his words. He didn't trust this Cale just yet, not to mention his trashy yet consistent conviction but he supposed an exchange of information would help the both of them, especially since he now occupied the body.

'I don't know about that and I don't know how or why I was placed in this body either.'

Other Cale didn't hide his disappointment at his lack of answer but Cale wasn't done yet.

'However, I have valuable information and plans I could share with you in the meantime.'

Satisfied by how the feeling receded, Cale sunk into his seat to a more comfortable position and gaze travelling over to the still drenched kittens chatting amicably through the side mirror in the back empty space of the carriage.

'My goal is to become a slacker and live a peaceful life.'

He earnestly admitted and felt the other Cale nodding seriously.

- That's a great goal to have.

Maybe, he was also convinced other Cale is a good person.

He still had an alarming amount of unspoken questions.

'How about we make a deal?'

- ...A deal?

Other Cale's confused voice echoed in his mind.

Truthfully, Cale didn't want to carry a burden. He would have to scope og!Cale's capabilities and information first before letting the pieces fall on its position.

There was no place for Cale Henituse here.

He figured as much.

If he was given the choice to reach his full potential, what would this Cale come to be?

He needed to find out.

For now, all Cale could do was to smile in response.

'Unfortunately, we've arrived. Looks like it would come later.'

- Tsk. What a shame. I was hoping to get this over with sooner.

Cale could identify the slightest smile in his voice despite his grumbling.

- I'll hear about the deal once we get back.

"Young master, what is going on?"

The person who greeted Cale at home was deputy butler Hans. Hans had a confused expression as his eyes opened wide. He seemed to be shocked. The voice flashed in his head then quickly dismissing the thought. Cale clicked his tongue and handed Hans the things in his hands.

"Don't ask stupid questions and just take them."

Hans's eyes started to shake.

"W, what cute and lovely kittens!"

This deputy butler really did seem to be butler material. Cale carefully put the two kittens in the hands of the extremely excited Hans.

The two kittens, that were dangling in Hans's hands, continued to look at Cale, even when they were in Hans's arms.

"Young master, may I take care of these two lovely kitten-nims?"

"Whatever you want."

Hans started to smile in joy. Cale started to walk past the excited Hans as he added on.

"Ah, for your information, they become quiet if you give them food. The two of them are also siblings."

- I knew they share a resemblance once I saw those two children standing around, but to think they're actually beast people?

Cale naturally ignored the voice and only observed said beast people.

The two kittens flinched and started to shake. Their golden eyes opened widely as they looked toward Cale.

"Excuse me?"

The moment Hans asked in confusion, Cale moved back toward Hans. He then lowered his head and caressed the two kittens.

The voice in his head aside, he had wondered about it for the last few days, but how could he not know by now?

The silver kitten had a faint smell of the medicinal herbs he had given to the girl. When he picked the two kittens up earlier, he could also smell the beef steak and bacon cream pasta that he had given them this morning as well.

That made Cale certain. The events of the last few days aside from the voice were finally resolved in Cale's head.

"Did you think I wouldn't know?"

The two kitten's golden eyes continued to shake. Cale looked at the siblings he had been feeding the last few days.

- Hahaha. How interesting.

The voice laughed elegantly, clearly entertained.

- You already have plans for them, don't you?

'Of course.'

Cale internally nodded and started to smile.

Chapter Text

Stating a promise for a talk later to the two cat siblings in front of him with a bright smile, Hans soon approached Cale after displaying protectiveness of the two in his arms.

"Are you heading back out?"

"Yes."

Changing his coat, he was preparing to leave once again.

"Where will you be going?"

"I have a promise to keep and someone to meet."

Hans blinked at his reply, processing his words.

"...Young master-nim, you know how to keep promises?"

A startled laugh erupted in his mind, the other Cale threw a comment.

- What a funny guy.

Hans looked shocked as he questioned him. Cale raised a brow directed at the both of them.

"You seem to be getting ruder."

"My apologies."

A apology swiftly left the deputy butler's mouth and turned his attention to the kittens.

'Is he really the best of the butler candidates? He seemed decent by the way he handled Choi Han's issue.'

Cale thought, he didn't expect a reply at his mindless evaluation.

- Hans never acted this way towards me before, not that I acted this way towards him either. Although this side of him is mmm, unexpected but you don't have to worry about his ability. He's plenty capable himself, there's a reason why he's employed in the Henituse state afterall.

The other Cale said with pride, tone dripping in borderline arrogance and Cale could only keep his mouth shut as he stared at Hans, who was caressing the kittens with a wide grin on his face. Despite the other Cale's reassurance, Cale's impression on Hans' reliability began to slightly decrease.

'It doesn't matter. I'm going to take him to the capital as well.'

Other Cale didn't show any visible reaction to that. Taking advantage of his silence, Cale asked about the person he had not seen for a while.

"Where's Ron?"

Hans had a satisfied smile on his face at that question.

"I heard that Choi Han-nim will be going with you as one of your guards for the beginning part of your journey to the capital. Is that true?"

Hans was thinking about Choi Han, who had defeated all of the Count's Knight Brigade members today. He was more skilled than expected, making it easy for him to be Cale's guard as Cale wanted.

Of course, neither Hans nor the knights knew that Choi Han had hidden his true power.

"Mr. Ron found out that Choi Han-nim will be going with you and went out with Choi Han-nim to purchase some clothes and other necessary items for travel. Ah, Chef Beacrox went with them as well."

"I see. I'm relieved."

'They seem to be getting along well.'

There was a rare, extremely bright smile on Cale's face. The smile was very fitting with his beautiful red hair. Hans started to speak while being happy about Cale's bright smile.

"Mr. Ron, Choi Han-nim, and even Beacrox seem to be excited about serving you."

He could see an instantaneous change in Cale's face as he said that. Why would Cale suddenly look like he lost his appetite? Hans could not figure it out.

- Hmm? Why do you emit that feeling everytime Beacrox and Ron are mentioned? Is there something wrong with the two of them or do you have issues with their service?

It seems even the other Cale could not figure out the reason behind his odd behavior either.

Cale wondered what would be other Cale's reaction when he found out the two servants that had served him all his life were assassins.

No, did the original Cale knew their identity at the first place? [The Birth Of a Hero] never mentioned anything about it so Cale assumed he must be just as clueless.

Of course, that was just a passing thought. Cale ignored his question as both individuals headed outside the main gates. Cale took the opportunity to ask Hans who was watching him leave on the carriage.

"Oh, Hans. Don't the deputy butlers learn basic martial arts?"

"Of course."

"And you are the greatest Butler candidate?"

It seemed Hans took a great pride on that title based on the way he repressed his lip threatening to curve up. Count Deruth cherished Hans because he took care of things in precise manner and had the best personality among them.

"Yes sir. I know the basics for three different styles: martial arts, dagger arts, and spear arts."

It was necessary training for a good butler to learn variety of different basic fighting styles, in case they happen to be stuck under life and death circumstances and the butler's priority would always be their master's and by extension, family's wellbeing.

"Amazing."

"I guess I am a bit amazing."

Cale could not hold back his smile watching Hans shrug his shoulders, while his lips continued to flicker. The two kittens could only shake their head as they watched Hans and the sly smile on Cale's face while Cale heard an amused hum in the back of his mind.

"I'm leaving now."

Cale made up his mind to take Hans to the capital to take care of all annoying things he didn't want to deal with, and then closed the carriage door. The carriage slowly emerged in the fog, stronger raindrops landed on the roof during the ride to his destination.

[The Fragrance of Tea with Poetry]

Cale looked up at the sign before opening the door.

Ring.

The clear ringing of the bell and a desolate shop welcomed Cale.

"I guess nobody is here because of the rain."

"Welcome, young master-nim."

Billos. The bastard of the Flynn Merchant Guild. He welcomed Cale as if they had known each other for a long time. Cale sat in front of the counter and made eye contact with Billos.

"I promised to come back. I needed to keep my promise."

"Of course. Promises need to be kept. Should I prepare the book and tea from last time?"

"Yes. 3 cups of tea please."

"Which teas should I make?"

Cale ordered three types of tea and set a time for Billos to bring the teas up before turning around and heading up to the third floor.

- Hearing myself say "please" from my own voice even with a different person isn't exactly pleasing to the ear. Hey, you should really stop with that "please" and "thanks" business, the looks from Ron and Billos sent you should be an indicator.

Drip drip-

The rain and the annoying complains in his head was getting even worse. Tsk. Cale clicked his tongue and hurriedly went back to sit at the same spot near the third floor window and mentally responded and looked through the window and replied.

'I do whatever I want.'

This time, it was other Cale's turn to click his tongue.

- Tsk. You must've gotten way comfortable controlling my body huh? I wonder if intervening early would've change a thing...

"The rain is pretty strong, isn't it?"

Other Cale immediately turned silent once Billos came up and sat across from him and put down a single cup of tea. Cale was observing Billos closely.

'Choi Han, Beacrox, Ron. And finally, Billos.'

These were the names of the individuals who continued to show up in the novel past volume 1. Of course, Billos only has about two sentences written about him in volume 1, as the owner of the tea shop that Choi Han stops by to rest. He returns in volume 3 to swear his loyalty to Choi Hand and reveal his ambitions.

'Reveal.' That word was important.

'He's always been a greedy person.'

Billos was different from Hong Gil-dong.

He was not sad that he could not call his father, 'father,' or his brother, 'brother.' In fact, he is trying to beat them.

He wanted to make it so that they had no choice but to accept him. He wanted to create a situation where they will have no choice but to introduce him as son, to introduce him as the younger brother.

'He must be exhausted.'

Cale thought Billos lived an exhausting life. However, he did not hate that. In fact, having that type of greed made him seem more human.

This person had to meet with Choi Han at least once during the time frame of volume 1. It had to just be a short encounter.

He didn't like the people who had the abilities and strength, but said things like, 'Hoho, I'm just going to give up. I have no choice.' Why would you give up on something that could be yours? You should always take what is yours.

He could say the original Cale Henituse befitted the description at the topic at hand as the said person was another matter entirely.

He was someone who had everything but squandered those valued possessions as if it was nothing.

In fact, Cale wasn't denying the fact that he was judging this world's Cale.

Would he be capable of doing a good job?

Cale could hear Billos's voice breaking his train of thought.

"Young master, I heard that you are going to head to the capital."

"Are you going to keep sitting there? Don't you have work to do?"

Seeing Cale pretending to be annoyed made Billos smile. He did not even try to hide it. This really was a very, very interesting young master. However, Billos could tell that he had a pretty sharp mind.

"I will be heading to the capital as well. I guess I will be following after you."

"And?"

Cale already knew about it.In order for Billos and Choi Han to have an encounter in volume 3, Billos needed to head for the capital soon as well.

Billos had a stoic expression as he asked Cale, who was sipping his tea and looking out the window, a question.

"Young master, it seems like you have changed."

Cale swore he felt other Cale mentally roll his eyes at that comment.

Seeing Cale turn to look at him, Billos started to smile. Cale motioned with his chin for Billos to continue.

"You seem different than your nickname."

Cale decided to feign ignorance.

"Which one? Trash?"

Billos could see the corners of Cale's lips starting to go up. He definitely was different. This Cale was not the trash that he knew about. That trash did not know how to make such an expression. It was a slightly bitter smile.

'...Should I have gotten a bit drunk and broken a chair or something?'

- Obviously and certainly more than that.

Other Cale deadpanned.

Billos did not know the exchange happening in Cale's head and continued.

"Yes. You are right. Trash. Haven't you always been a trashy young master?"

- Ho...! It has been a while since someone came up to me and told me that in their own violation. I quite like his attitude.

Cale left the other Cale's increasing mischievous tone be as he immersed in his thoughts. Did he not have any fear? Cale could not help but wonder, as Billos said such a thing to the Count's son, the first born of the ruler of the territory. Was Billos the one who had something to drink?

But Cale did not want to fight with Billos. Billos was someone who was going to take over a large merchant guild. And Billos was being sincere. He was not smiling, he was actually sincerely asking the question.

'Haven't you always been a trashy young master?'

Cale decided to answer the question. It was not a hard question to answer anyways. It was easier than figuring out how to make money when you have no money.

"Billos."

He had a smile on his face, similarly, og!Cale returned the same mental image once he picked up what Cale was doing but both did not laugh as Cale called out to Billos.

"You can't call your father, 'father.' You can't call your brother, 'brother.'"

Billos's gaze turned chilly. He started to take notice of the young master in front of him who had no problem touching his sore spot. Just like he had touched Cale's sore spot, he was returning the favor by touching his most painful sore spot. Cale just silently made eye contact with Billos for a bit.

The rain started to pour even harder outside. Cale broke the silence and started to smile as he asked.

"Are you going to keep being the bastard? Are you satisfied with that?"

Billos could feel Cale's sharp gaze on him.

"I know you're not."

Cale leaned back on the chair and continued on with an expression that seemed to be thinking about the past.

"I've acted like a trash for about ten years, since I started when I was 8."

He started to smile. That smile looked scary to Billos.

As for the other Cale, he only hummed in acknowledgement but did not speak up.

At that moment, a small noise cut through the rain to reach Cale and Billos.

Squeak. Squeak. It was the sound of someone coming up the stairs.

Cale looked past Billos's shoulder to the entrance of the third floor. He could see someone's head. Black hair. It was Choi Han. Behind him was Ron. Cale had told a servant to tell Choi Han to come to this tea shop later in the day.

Cale moved his gaze away from the two of them, and started to speak to finish his conversation with Billos. Choi Han and Ron finished coming up the stairs and looked toward Cale as he started to speak.

This would be a lesson for the both of them.

"Billos."

Billos's stoic face felt pretty chilly.

"It's okay to throw away something you've been doing for around ten years."

Cale's eyes started to look more alive as he continued. He was going to do what he wanted to do and the first thing he needed was for other Cale to hear this.

"I can't live as a trash forever."

If this world's Cale was going to stay with him, then he might as well make it so that they both can live peacefully while they use their advantage of each other on what they see fit in the meantime.

It was an annoying process but it's nothing more than perhaps a few agreements can fix.

'But isn't it a bit unfair?'

Why does he have to deal with these annoying things while other Cale watch in the sidelines?

He did not know why this world's 18 year old Cale Henituse is still present and did not bother to find the reason why.

What mattered at the moment was the both of them were not going to continue living the way they have been living.

Furthermore, he also needed to think of his and other Cale's future once the evil organization has been taken care of.

Of course, he was going to slack off and spend his time enjoying as a young master of a rich noble family. That much has not changed.

"Aren't you the same?"

The corner of Billos's lips started to slowly move upward. He then bowed and started to snicker.

After silently snickering for a bit, Billos raised his head up and looked toward Cale.

"I am indeed tired of it."

Billos was laughing as he said he was tired of it.

"See? I told you."

Cale shrugged his shoulders and motioned for Choi Han and Ron to come over. At that moment, Billos got up from the seat and started to speak.

"Young master."

"What?"

"I will see you at the capital."

Cale started to frown. It would be complicated if they met at the capital right away.

"Why bother?"

Cale motioned for Billos to go away, and Billos respectfully bowed before leaving. Ron, Choi Han, and the descending Billos made eye contact, but they all just ignored each other.

'Good.'

Cale welcomed that scene. Choi Han and Billos just barely ran into each other. It was just like in the book. Cale started to smile at the other two people with satisfaction.

"Ron, I knew you would come with him. According to Hans, Beacrox went with you too, but I presume he went back to the kitchen. He has a strong sense of responsibility for that kitchen."

"Young master, are you close with that person?"

Cale shrugged his shoulders at the unexpected question from Ron.

"No?"

"...I see."

Cale pushed it aside as nothing important, but Ron definitely heard it. He heard Cale say that he cannot keep living as a trash. Cale stopped looking at Ron whose response trailed of and made eye contact with Choi Han.

"I guess you can't trust the rumors."

'What the hell is he saying?'

- You... Haaa...

Cale ignored Choi Han's words and other Cale's bemused sigh. At that moment, Billos brought up the other two cups of tea that Cale had ordered earlier.

"Should I give these cups to these two gentlemen?"

"Yes."

Cale started to smile again.

"I ordered them in advance."

Cale had chosen the tea whatever this world's Cale suggested for Choi Han and delivered it personally to them. As for Ron.

"I specially ordered this for you since it seems like you like it a lot. Why else would you bring it for me everyday?"

It was warm lemon tea.

Cale heard other Cale's pleased laugh in his head upon seeing Ron's reaction.

- This much was needed, I should've done this sooner after all those incredibly disgusting sour lemonade teas he served me with...

'Right?'

Cale could see Ron looking odd and felt the biggest satisfaction he had felt all day.