"Normal Speech"

'Thought'

Past Narrative

"Past Speech"

'Past thought'

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

The three stayed inside the tea shop until Cale had finished his book. They came down from the third floor together.

"I'll be coming here everyday until the time I need to leave for the capital." Cale said to Billos.

"Is that so? To read books?"

"Whatever the mood I have."

"Yes. Please feel free to visit anytime."

Ron was quietly observing their interactions from behind Cale. He saw how friendly Cale was toward the greedy Billos Flynn and clicked his tongue silently. 'Why does all the punks around the young master all troublesome? Couldn't he have a more normal friends? Like that Eric Wheelsman.'

"He suddenly attracted all kinds of flies..." Ron grumbled to himself.

"I don't know you care that much."

"None of your business, punk."

Ron let out a sigh after getting caught by Choi Han. 'I guess I'm getting old now.'

Cale had heard them argue, so he finished his business quickly and walked home with them instead of waiting for the carriage.

Ron was thinking all the way home. Allowing Cale to do just he please.

Ron was planning to be heading to the capital since he had a bad feeling ever since he saw Choi Han who came out of the Forest of Darkness with that dense murderous aura on him.

Ron hadn't forgotten the reason he escaped the Eastern continent and hid out in this territory all these years. However, he had to research about the people responsible for this one more time.

'At least I must make sure that young master arrive at the capital safely first. Let's count it as the last duty as his servant.'

He was sure that everyone would have seen how he treated the young master, even if he always claimed that he had only stayed by the young master's side because he found his behavior intriguing, but an assassin doesn't necessarily tell the truth.

'I should tell Beacrox to make food that young master like to eat.'

(A/N: hmm I think you'll break that promise soon. Hehe 😈)

Ron had been taking care of Cale even more than his own son, Beacrox. He got some ideas of why Cale has done the terrible things he did as Trash. However, he also saw something no one else seemed to notice.

Ron saw how Cale hold back his tears to the point where people pointed to him and whispered how heartless he was for not crying at his mother's funeral.

He saw how the young Cale ignored all those comments to console his grieving father.

He saw how he forced his smile when he saw how happy his father was when he announced his remarriage with Violan.

He saw how the child kept his distance from his father and his new family.

13 years. Ron has watched over Cale for too long. 'Even though at one point, I might have been too selfish to even tried to help. I thought that my priorities are my son and my own safety. I regretted it now.'

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

Cale left the two and returned to his room immediately after arriving at the estate, only to see On and Hong staring at him.

"Ah, where were you guys? If I don't see you two today, I would have thought you despise me for getting sick and avoiding me." Cale said teasingly, pretending to look worried. 'I think I learnt to be dramatic because of Hans.'

"Meow~"

"Meow~"

On was shaking her head at Cale's exaggerating act, while Hong approached him to rub her head on Cale's leg.

"I know you wouldn't do that." Cale scooped both of them up. It made him think of Choi Han, who loves small animals.

Choi Han was returning to his room after saying that his heart needed to become stronger to be someone who protects.

The statement had made Cale think about the Indestructible Shield and made a comment. "You're right. Your heart need to stay strong to protect."

When Cale asked who was Choi Han going to protect to that extent, Choi Han responded that he would let Cale knows once he was strong enough.

Hans who had followed Cale to his room, was watching the scene with an admirable eyes toward Cale before complaining casually. "Ah. My lovely and adorable kitten-nims, why can't I hug you as well? You're so mean. I couldn't even pat you."

"Hmm, they might let you pat them one day. Just today isn't that day. Keep it up." Cale replied for the kittens. The kittens avoid Hans's pitiful eyes.

Ron who had also followed Cale after he controlled all his emotion, showed a benign smile.

"Yes, sir. I'll make sure the kitten-nims will have a comfortable journey with us to the capital. I will take my leave now. Please call me if you or the kitten-nims need anything."

"Just go already." Cale went to the bathroom as soon as Ron verify that Hans was gone. He wanted to leave a chance for Ron and the siblings to talk. He knew Ron wouldn't harm the siblings.

Cale knew that Ron had noticed that he (Cale) had somehow known about his (Ron) identity, but he (Ron) couldn't do anything to confirm for sure.

Cale himself also couldn't tell anyone about his circumstances. He knows that his actions had already changed the future he knew of, but he wanted to make sure that the future knowledge about his enemies would still be useful for his revenge plans.

At the moment, the kittens' ears flopped down, as Ron approached the two with interest. "We didn't have the chance to talk yesterday, so I'm curious about why are you, children of the Cat tribe, who are supposed to be in Eastern continent, doing next to my dear young master?"

The kittens's golden eyes turned sharp. They had already noticed how dangerous this old man could be. But because he mellowed down his dangerous aura whenever he was next to Cale, they had let their guard down.

As he verified that the bathroom door was closed, Ron stared at the kitten with an odd smile on his face.

Cat tribes are usually involved with assassination, so there's no way Ron doesn't know about them. Cat tribe were known for their sensitivity to the surrounding. Unlike most Beast people, who became violent when they go berserk, the Cat tribe become stealthier and sharper.

Ron took one look at the two children and a thought come to mind. 'They have potential. I could teach them. Just in case I have to leave young master.'

The Cat tribe Ron knew of, put a lot of importance on relationships. If they trust someone once, they will never betray them.

For the children of such tribe to show their full trust on Cale, Ron thought that his young master really worked wonders. Ron decided that this might be the farewell gift for his young master.

Ron moved closer to the Cat tribe children and reached out his hand to pat the silver kitten. He got a slap on his hand immediately. The kittens then swiftly moved to the corner of the room.

Ron smiled in amusement. "It seems you figured me out as well. Hmm, one child is fog, the other is poison."

The kittens scoffed at Ron and sticked close to Cale once he came out of the bathroom.

'I guess the talk wasn't very good.' Cale thought after seeing On and Hong's expression. Cale was helpless. 'I guess I shouldn't rush a relationship.'

Cale turned to Ron. "Ron, could you please go get my dinner?"

"I will go get your and the kittens's dinner right now."

Cale focused on the two children after Ron left. The two was keeping their distance to have a comfortable conversation.

"I did said that you will be going to the capital with me, but tell me your opinions, I won't force you if you don't want to go."

The two looked at each other before responding at the same time.

""We will go!""

"Then you have to be stronger. I will need your help during the journey. You could trust Ron, he won't harm you."

"As long as he give more meat for dinner tonight. I'm still hungry. We will be useful when we're full. Nya~" On said slyly.

"I want cakes." Hong added as he tapped Cale's leg.

"Okay, eat all you want. Just tell him to bring more if it's not enough. Now, tell me what you need to do?"

"Be strong!"

"Be useful!"

"So smart!" Cale praised them.

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

Tsuki: I recommend you read the manhwa along while you read the story. It might give you an interesting experience. Enjoy!