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Deruth Henituse was concerned and perhaps slightly perplexed. He knows that he might not have paid as much attention to his eldest son. (He does pay attention, so much attention, but he just doesn’t know how to talk to his son.)
He was surprised when he was informed that Cale had invited a companion, one with an unusual hair and eye color, who seemed very very familiar with him.
So, Deruth was confused. He was happy that Cale had made a new friend (?) and appeared cheerful around him. (How many years had it been since he had last seen his son smile? Not after his mother-)
He finally got to meet his son’s friend during dinner.
“Ah, father this is my dongseong, he’ll be living with me from now on,” Cale stated as he began eating.
Basen jolted to stare at his brother.
“I… see. I’ll inform the servants to clear out the guest room,” Deruth said, uncertain in a way only he knew.
“No need,” Cale handed a glass of wine to his friend, “he’ll stay in my room.”
An uncomfortable silence filled the room, only the sound of cutlery moving audible in the dining room.
Deruth didn’t know if he deserved to know but he needed to know, “what exactly is your relationship?”
Cale paused mid sip and exchanged glances with his friend, who looked completely unperplexed by everything.
His friend let out a sigh, “you can call me Roksoo. I’m… Cale’s husband.”
Violan gasped, Lily let out a silent squeal, and Basen choked.
Deruth could only stare as he looked at his son, startled to watch him laugh uproariously.
A maid in the background dropped a plate.
“Fiance would be more accurate, no?” he turned to ask his frie- husba- fiance. Only deep practice and etiquette stopped Deruth from gapping like a fish.
“We haven’t technically married in this world,” Cale continued.
“Doesn’t matter, you promised that all I’d have to do is eat and sleep-” “and look pretty,” Cale cut in.
Was this young man threatened…?
“hyung”
“All right I’ll stop,” Cale finally turned to his father and said, “were done eating so we’ll go to our room. Good night.”
Cale being polite didn’t even seem all that strange after everything that happened that evening.
Deruth was never the religious type, but he needed a drink. He was sure that his lovely wife wouldn’t deny accompanying him.
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If he had cried that night after drinking, only his wife was to know.