"Normal speech"

'Thought'

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"Ah young master, what's this? What happened?" The person who greeted Cale was none other than Hans.

He was shocked to see the throughly drenched young master hugging the semi-soaked kittens in his arm. Hans quickly ordered the servants to bring towels and prepare hot bath for them.

"Don't be too loud. Here, take them. Give them a bath before give them some foods. The silver one is injured, so be extra careful. Where's Ron?"

Hans quickly received the kittens carefully from Cale. "Mr. Ron seems to be in the kitchen with Mr. Beacrox and the guest-nim."

Cale grumbled to himself. "Without trying to kill each other. That's good news."

"Pardon? Did you say anything, young master?" Hans asked, he seemed to heard the word 'kill'.

"I said I can't believe I'm asking for this but go tell Beacrox to make my lunch and Ron to bring the honeyed lemon tea along with my lunch." Cale walked toward his room once the servant informed him that the bath was ready.

Cale took a warm bath before having lunch and got a nagging from Ron for being in the rain. Ron only left Cale alone after making sure his hair was dried and tucking the yawning Cale to the bed for a nap.

Cale used to suffer alone when he got sick as Kim Roksoo as he didn't want anyone seeing him in his weak state. So he couldn't help acting a little spoiled towards Ron and he blamed it on the light fever he got from the rain.

*************************************

When Cale woke up from his nap, it's already about time for dinner. His fever seemed to go down a bit as well.

Cale could see a cold towel on his forehead. Someone had been taking care of him. He smiled happily at the thought.

Cale got up and put the towel aside. He saw the two kittens laying at the end of bed with shiny glossy fur. "Hans is amazing in varies way. Shall we introduce ourselves? I'm Cale Henituse, as you may already knew."

The kittens walked toward his hands, and rubbed their head on them. They knew that this human got sick because of them.

"I'm On. I could control fog." Said the silver kitten.

"I'm Hong. I am good with poison." Answered the red kitten.

"Can I ask why would Cats who base was in Eastern continent being here on Western continent? You guys are too young to be traveling alone." Cale petted them.

"We were chased by the Elders and the new Chief. They want to kill us. They were imprisoning us before we escaped here." On explained frustratedly.

Cale's face darken. "They just give me another reason to destroy them."

On flinched and took a step back, while Hong froze a little in place.

Cale seemed to realize his mistakes for scaring the kids when they are currently having unstable mind.

"I-I am sorry. You see, I found out that those Cats have done a lot of bad things for a very bad guy, and they hurt my family. I was angry at them, but not towards you guys." Cale bit his lip nervously trying to explain. Cale looked at them sadly. "And I believe that, no children should be starved and mistreated. That's unforgivable."

Cale remembered how Beacrox was seriously hurt by the Cat tribe chief in the final battle. Beacrox was not as fast as his father. He also remembered how he sometimes got starved by his uncle or the orphanage director.

On saw that Cale seemed to tell the truth. The distress in his eyes are real. On approached him again. "Don't be sad."

Ron who brought Cale's dinner had unintentionally heard the conversation between the three. He didn't mean to eavesdrop, but he was curious about how his young master ended up picking strays with troublesome identities after his change.

Ron, who heard about how the Cats had hurt his young master's family before, frowned. 'His family? Does he mean the late countess? I've been next to him practically all the time, how did I never know that a Cat came and hurt the family.

Young master, just what secret are you hiding?'

After hearing that the conversation had end, Ron decided to knock the door and made his presence known. "Young master, I've brought your dinner and medicine. The Count had queried about your condition and asked if you could go and meet him after your dinner as he had matter to discuss. He also said not to push yourself too hard."

Ron ignored the stare he got from the kittens. While the two siblings was warily stared at Ron's back. They could feel the dangerous aura from the old man. But...

They saw how the old man stayed and take care of Cale. How he was focused on that task and choose to ignore asking about them even though they were sure that he knew their identities.

Everyone chose to be silent as they are all in their own thought, except for the young Hong who had fallen asleep on the soft bed.

*************************************

"Father, I'm here." Cale entered his father's office, where he saw that Basen was already there waiting with Deruth.

"Cale, how are you feeling now? Are you sure you should be moving around? Have you taken medicine?" Deruth got up and rapidly asked his questions.

"I'm fine now, father. Don't worry. I'm sorry I made you two wait for me though."

Cale reassured his father with a smile. 'Father never change.'

"Ah, yes I'm relieved. Sit down, don't stand." Deruth smiled, happy that Cale is okay.

Basen sat silently, as if he wasn't there at all. His stoic face cracked and showed a little smile. He was happy for Deruth.

Even though Deruth wasn't his biological father, but he was a father figure for him who had lost his father young. He felt a little guilty for taken Deruth's time after he was appointed as the heir in Cale's stead.

Cale Henituse. His hyung, who doesn't have blood-related with him, was just like him losing a parent when he was young.

The difference was, Basen had a loving mother to comfort him during the lost of his father.

While the young Cale seemed to decide that he wanted to deal with the lost of his mother alone. To make thing worst for Cale, he had a father who also decided to grieve alone.

(Tsuki: This is just from Basen's own point of view.)

Back to the present, Deruth informed Cale of the reason he called for Cale.

"Cale, you are to go to the capital as our family's representative." Deruth observed Cale's reaction to the statement.

After seeing no reaction from his son, he added. "Originally, Basen was supposed to be the one to go, however, Cale, you are the firstborn of this family."

Cale was looking at his father who smiled gently toward him as if he was still a child, he then turned his head a little to sneak a glance at Basen.

"The Crown is hosting a big event, and the noble family of each territory has been invited to gather before the King's birthday. It will be your first time to go visit the crown.

While Basen has been going to similar functions for the last two years, I hope that you could go this time. Of course, only when you're well again and only if you want to go. I won't force you." Deruth explained his intentions patiently.

Cale turned directly to Basen who doesn't even spare him a glance.

"Hyung-nim, there's no reason that you can not go. You don't need to worry about me like that." Basen said without making eye contact with Cale, then he bowed to Deruth.

"Please excuse me." He turned to leave the office for his own room.

Cale opened his mouth and closed it a few times watching Basen leave. It's according to his plan to go to the capital, but he wanted to make sure that Basen wouldn't think that he wanted the heir position back.

Deruth who seemed to misunderstood Cale's reaction consoled him. "Son, before Basen started to do it, you had participated in all these events. Just think back on those times and have a relaxed journey."

"I only went because Basen just started his lesson back then." Cale mumbled softly. "It's a bit too sudden. Please allow me to return for now."

Deruth heard his mumbling but pretended not to hear it. "Take your time. But you need to leave in four days in order to reach the capital on time. During these time, tell me if you need anything."

"Yes. Thank you, father. Have a good night." Cale returned to his room however he met with an anxious Hans halfway.

"Young master, the guest requested to meet you."

"Perfect timing. Bring him to my study."

"Ah, Mr. Ron seems to have hurt himself again while working after dinner. He has another bandage on his wrist."

Cale frowned and sighed. 'Right after leaving my room, he's gone to fight Choi Han again, right?'

(A/N: Ron has been stressful because of you, Cale. He needs somewhere to release the tension.)

"Make sure to bring him some medicines, go get a potion if necessary. Don't forget to go fetch the guest."

Hans was feeling so touched. "I will make sure to deliver the medicine and young master's feelings to Mr.Ron personally."

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Tsuki: Enjoy~