Chapter Text
He opened his eyes, Was it ten in the morning or maybe later? Cale didn't know, since summer vacations had started on the academy he had spent more and more time sleeping. Sure, he still needed to train during night, but now he could sleep on the morning, eat, practice a little, eat again and sleep during the afternoon, such a nice life.
—Human you are awake!
Raon, that was on the table with his siblings helping them with the math homework Violan had give them saying they needed to study too, came flying to him with a big smile in his face.
—What time is it?
—Eleven forty two, you slept almost one hour more than yesterday!
The now young man growled as he sat on the bed. —Where is Ron?
—We don't know— Hong answered.
—He went out for something and told us to stay here and gave us even more homework for some reason— On said while writing.
—That's...weird.
Cale never knew how it was possible, but everytime he woke up the old butler was already in his room, or would come in moments later like it had a sixth sense or something to tell when he would woke up.
—Cale, Can I braid your hair?— On got off the chair and went to him.
—Sure.
The girl enthusiastically started with her work, she did a simple braid and nodded as her two brothers approved her work with thumbs up. Then the door opened.
—On unnie!!— Lily barge into the room —Let's play!— she went to the bed and jumped over Cale with a smile —Good morning Orabuni.
Cale caressed her hair. —Good morning Lily.
—What do you want to play Lily?— Hong asked curious.
—I want to play hide and seek again, or maybe tag, we can also go and spy on what the people are doing on the garden.
Cale put on a confused face. —What people are doing in the garden? Why? Are they doing something suspicious?
—I heard them talking about making a fire to get rid of unnecessary things, goldy gramps was also there with miss Rosalyn, they looked serious so now I'm curious.
—That really sounds suspicious— commented On.
—Human let's play spy, our mission will be to discover the secret!!
—I want to play spy too!— Hong agreed.
—That sounds funny— Lily also joined to the plan.
On looked at Cale with pity, as she knew what was coming, and as she thought, not a minute passed before the three kids looked at him with shiny and expecting eyes.
—Human!
—Cale!
—Orabuni!
—Play with us!!— they said in unison.
"Aigooo..." was it too late to go to sleep again? Maybe, he couldn't say no to this three.
—Okay, but just for a bit, also, I haven't eaten anything, so we could go play thief and get something from the kitchen.
—I'll do it human!, they won't see me with my invisibility magic.
—Okay, then let me get dressed first.
Currently in Deruth's office, a group of people was discussing how to deal with the new situation in which they had found themselves in for a couple of days. It all started when the letter of a Baron arrived, accompanied by a precious jewel, asking for Cale's hand. Deruth and Violan were furious, their son had just turned seventeen a couple of months ago, couldn't they even wait for him to be eighteen at least to ask for such a ridiculous thing?
Unfortunately, that same Baron commented what he had done while drunk to his friends, and so more and more people started to send their proposals and gifts as they didn't want to lose their little, almost nonexistant, opportunity of being chosen by the now famous and beautiful musician that had captivated so many people the last years after his first debut on the academy's ceremony.
So now they had gifts and letters coming every day. And what were they doing with it? Of course the obvious, keep it a secret from Cale while practically incinerating the letters and sending back the gifts.
—This is getting out of control— Violan was watching out the window, how the servants discreetly carried some boxes to the now fairly abandoned training grounds.
—If it continues like this, young master Cale will notice it.
Rosalyn was tapping the floor nervously with her shoe. They all understood the complications of that happening, there could be three possible options.
One, Cale would end up in denial and believe this was all just a joke because he still wasn't able to understand people liked him in a different way someone would like an artist.
Two, he wouldn't care at all and just continue his life like nothing had happened ignoring the letters.
But the third option was the one that had everyone kind of terrified, what if he actually considers it and chooses someone? They would surely go kill the bastard, but if Cale had choose that person, how could they even do that? Cale could not get married, not when he had fairly good suitors righ here, although no one would say that out loud since the count and countess as well as an ancient dragon and a scary old butler were here.
—We just have to keep destroying the letters and returning the gifts— Eruhaben, although he seemed calm, was somehow nervous an worried about the situation, that unlucky bastard could not get married, he was still a child, at least in his eyes.
—There is no point in that if people starts proposing in person...
—I don't think there is an idiot capable of doing that— Alberu, that was listening to everything through the video call artifact while working, commented while reading one of the documents in his desk.
—I think you are underestimating his now expanded fan base your highness— Choi Han could only think about those k-pop fanatics everytime Cale's fans would appear, they actually acted composed while he was watching but would then jump to each others throats when the musician wasn't looking their way, it was terrifying.
—If we keep sending the gifts back, they might stop eventually— finally Violan started talking —They all know we are protective over our son, if we send also letters saying he will not consider an engagement or marriage until he turns eighteen, it might also help to stop with their nonsense.
How could they propose to one of her babies? Cale might be seventeen physically and even older mentally, but with his poor appreciation of himself and his poor ability to recieve love or understand feelings, there is no way she would think of him as an adult even if she trusted him as if he was one.
—Then for now we have to stop him from going out or finding out about the proposals.
They all nodded to Alberu's words, it was the better they could do, thankfully Cale as the lazy person he was would sleep till late and barely go out of his room during his vacations, they had to control the situation during the two weeks left before he returned to the academy.
Little did they know how Cale, that had already stole some food from the kitchen was following the kids to 'investigate' the weird behavior of the servants.
Since Lily, On and Hong became good friends and had similar ages they would usually play together, of course Raon would stick around too, but he preferred to stay with his human. The kids of course would drag him into their games once in a while, and also when they wanted to go out. Basen would only appear once in a while to play board games or talk with Cale about books as they already were used to do thanks to Violan's work the past years. Unfortunately although the family was better than ever, Deruth was still left behind since his 'hard work' didn't go as well as he planned.
Violan could only sigh, How could her husband be so dense and stupid when it came to his son? She had give up with comforting him at this point, he wasn't a child after all.
Cale on the other hand, didn't even noticed the changes as they happened gradually and he was busy thinking about other things to notice how natural was for him to talk to his family now.
Lily giggled as she was holding On's hand and pulled to make her Unnie go faster, Hong was frowning as he took his sister's free hand and started to do the same. Cale smiled as he walked behind them with Raon in his arms.
They were supposed to be playing spy, yet they were leisurely walking in the light as if it was a picnic. Yet when they approached the training grounds, they suddenly dissapeared. Cale petted Raon's head for his good work.
He let the kids go and investigate as he rest in the shadow of a tree, they surely were enthusiastic about it.
On was the one in the front of course, she guided her little followers and so went into the now unused building were the knights used to eat and rest during their breaks, the place was covered in dust, clearl signs that it hadn't been used in a long time. Not that the knights would complain since the count made a new and bigger training ground with better installations outside and next to the walls of the manor.
—Look, this person doesn't know when to rest, it's the third time I have seen a letter from them.
—Not as bad as this one, this is the fifth one.
The kids saw how a pair of servants were taking letters from some boxes an reading the names of the sender while the fire started on the chimney next to them.
—This one is becoming more creative though, read the third paragraph— the woman showed the contents of one of the letters to the man.
—Let me see....My love and admiration for you is as strong and fierce as the fire of a dragon's breath, with no rival and no way to stop it— he finished reading —I have to give you a point, that really is a new comparison, the others seem lame now, comparing our young master to a simple gem or flower on the fields, at least this one has taste.
The woman laughed before throwing the papers to the fire. —Even so, our precious young master can't be compared to anyone, he has been blessed by the god of arts after all.
—Yes, now move faster, we have to burn those stupid engagement proposals and love confessions, I stil need to clean the second floor of the library and change the curtains of the entrance.
—Poor you, I have to go stay with the countess as she works.
On was shocked, she had wished only her was able to hear that, specially now as she took a peak to the others faces, a mix of horror and fear was in them.
"I'm sorry Cale, if I had know I would have stopped this" it was too late for that now. The kid's ran outside in panic.
Cale was still in the same position, well, almost, he was now sitting on the grass, but still using the tree as his back support. He saw the kids come out and faintly smiled, yet it almost immediately disappeared when he saw their faces. That just screamed trouble.
—Cale!!
—Human!!
—Orabuni!!
The three jumped over him and looked at him with horror.
—Don't go away!
—Don't think about marriage!!
—Are you going to get married and leave?!!!
The three talked at the same time, while holding tightly to Cale's clothes. The red haired was utterly confused, what were they talking about? Marriage? Who? When? Why would he think about getting married? That was just a red flag for his slacker life.
—What are you three talking about?— he looked towards On, waiting for an answer as she was usually the most reliable one, but the girl gave him an apologetic smile.
—We saw them Human!!
—We saw the letters you recieved, the enga- eng..
—Engagement proposals!— Lily helped Hong.
—Yes that!
Cale's eyebrow twitched. —Engagement proposals? What are you talking about? I'm not engaging with anyone nor marrying, I'm not even eighteen, no, I would not consider it ever.
Finally the three kids relaxed and let him go. Cale stood up and cleaned the dust on his clothes, wait...did they said they saw his engagement proposals?
—Wait a minute...just, what did you saw there?
On sighed as she proceeded to explain. —There were two servants there, burning a bunch of letter, they said those were engagement proposals and love letters directed....to you.
Cale seemed confused. —To me?
—Yes?
—Not to Basen or just another person?
—No, to you.
—Why would anyone want to marry me?
On shrugged. —I don't know, money?
The both of them nodded, yes, that was a plausible option, although On knew pretty well the true reason behind it, but she could only gave the red haired this answer since it would be the only one he might accept.
—Anyways, don't tell anyone we know, let's keep it a secret, ok?
—Yes!— the four of them agreed.
"It's better this way, they get rid of those few letters and I keep living calmly" how could he even imagine it weren't just a few, but boxes of them, and that inky without the gifts. "Yeah, after all there's no way people would like me"
They proceeded to act like nothing had happened as the kids started to play tag and Cale lazily watched from the distance.
—Cale-nim.
He saw how Choi Han came closer with a smile in his face, carrying what seemed to be juice, as he got to him, the swordsman served a glass and handed it to him.
—Thank you— he was kind of thirsty.
—Beacrox told me to say to you that if you wanted food you should have just asked for it.
Cale almost chocked with the drink and started coughing. Choi Han just stayed there smiling.
—He also said that there will be no dessert for you.
How come they were treating him like a kid? Although he wouldn't admit that was a good way to punish him since his sweet tooth was worst than ever. It was actually a miracle he was still skinny consider how much sweets he ate in a daily basis. True, he excercises at night, but still.
—Whatever...by the way, where were you? You usually appear to play with the children soon after I woke up.
—Ah— he averted his ayes —I.was.training.
"He really needs to improve his acting" he let that go, after all, knowing how protective the people around were about him, he assumed they were discussing what to do about those few proposals that he wasn't even interested about.
—Human, you have a message!— Raon flew towards him with an orb in his hands.
—From who? What does it says?
—It's from the white kid!
—Elias?
Raon had gave that nickname to the guy because his gray hair was more close to white and also because of his last name.
—He asks if you will go tomorrow!
Choi Han, that was now being ignored, frowned a little. They had tried to maintain Elias White far away from Cale, but like a rat the guy would always find a way to appear when Cale was 'alone' or in situations were they couldn't act freely, the red haired considered him a friend after all.
—Yes, I'll go.
—Nice! I like his candies.
—You have to be careful about getting cavities Raon.
—I won't! A great and might being like myself could never have any cavities.
—Still.
Raon didn't like Elias, he thought that person was too touchy and had to be kept at a good distance of his human for some reason, yet he still liked the things he baked, and even if he was better than before, Elias was still someone with a weak body, so Raon wouldn't do something to him more than dislike him from the distance, as long as he didn't try anything weird the dragon could tolerate his presence.
—And send, now I'll go play!— and like that he flew away.
—Cale-nim, what was that about?
—Mm? Ah, the message you ask?, Elias invited me to eat, he was going to show me his new painting, he said I needed to see it.
—To..eat?
—Yes, and since he wasn't able to go to classes too much this last semester because of his uncle training him for the family business or something like that, he wanted to go out.
This was something Choi Han had to report immediately.
So blessed by ignorance, Cale went the next day to Elban city, where the Academy was, and walked happily towards the coffe shop Elias told him to go. He was supposed to go alone, but of course Raon was with him, as well as Choi Han who was walking behind him.
It didn't took them more than a couple of minutes to get there from the academy, and when they entered, Elias was already there waiting.
—Cale-nim!— Elias waved his hand, as energetic as always.
He had grown a lot the last two years, being just a little more taller than Cale, his gray hair was still short though, and his soft eyes were still there. Better health or not, just with his face one would think of him as a delicate guy as harmless as a sheep.
—Hello Elias, it has been a while.
—Yes, almost a month, I really missed talking with you Cale-nim, oh but let's go, I reserved a private room on the third floor, I left the painting there.
—Let's go then.
They went to the third floor, and entered the fifth room there, in a corner, as promised, was a huge painting covered with a white cloth.
—Let's order first and talk for a bit, then I'll show you the painting.
Cale's eyes, as Barrow expected, got more lively as food was mention. He had been study hard this last years, watching Cale closely, spending so much time with him that the red haired had started to act more comfortably around him, of course he wouldn't stop his little act of a good person, but would show more real responses.
Barrow had a little mental book about all related to Cale, obviously in the first position you could find his love for sweets, but there were also how he liked dragons, naps, expensive things, etc, etc. Barrow also got to know his personality a little better, even if Cale was a good humanitarian and respectful person, he also made jokes and liked to mess with others from time to time. As he was collecting all this information, Barrow finally realized what the feeling he had was.
He liked Cale Henituse, not as a friend, but as something more. And that just complicated things, because by the point he realized that, it was too late, he didn't want to be away from Cale or see him injured, or suffer, but he also had to start a war, and his feelings were in the way. So he decided, that if things would be that way, he might just try to court Cale and then bring him to his side. He might as well continue living a double life just to be by his side.
Someone knocked on the door, taking him away from his thoughts, soon enough Choi Han opened it and the waitress came in.
—Are you ready to order?
—Yes, I want chocolate cake, some macaroons, vanilla cookies and some tea, as long as it is sweet I'm okay with anything— Cale ordered immediately.
—I would like a vegetable sandwich, a honey tart and jazmin tea— he then looked at Choi Han —What are you going to order?
The swordsman thought for a minute. —Just fruit pie for me.
—Okay then, I'll bring your orders righ away— the waitress gave them a bright smile and went out.
—Choi Han sit with us— Elias made him a sign go sit on one of the sides of the table.
He had learn too, that if he wanted to be close to Cale he had to treat all the people around him well, even if he actually wanted to murder them. He hates Choi Han, but would do anything so Cale won't get mad as that would probably mean he would lose the opportunity to hold his hand or have the most minimal physical touch with him.
The black haired did as told. Raon that was on the free chair was quietly watching everything, as the little communication orb tied to his neck was showing everything to the group of people in Eruhaben's laboratory, that had gave the little dragon the big mission of be their spy.
Soon enough the waitress came back with everything their ordered and then went out.
—So you said you were learning with your uncle— Cale started the conversation before starting to eat his cake.
—Yes, I had to learn to differentiate between good quality products and those that aren't, also how to talk and see when someone is trying to trick.
—It must have been difficult.
—It was, I almost got tricked and lose a lot of money, thankfully my uncle's friend was there.
"Yeah, he looks like someone easy to trick" though Cale, and he was, considering how he had fallen for his act and genuinely thought that's how he actually was.
—That's good, but one learns from their mistakes.
—I know, what about you Cale-nim? Are you getting ready to become count?
Cale slightly frowned. —I don't want to be, I prefer being a slacker.
"Again with that joke" —Aren't you going to continue playing then? If you weren't his highness the crown prince dongsaeng I'm pretty sure the royal family would already try to make you their musician.
The red haired just ate in silence, cause Alberu did try talking about that to him, but Cale just wanted to be a slacker, that dream hadn't change at all, he would get to it at some point.
They continue talking until they finished the food, then asked the waitress to clean the table. Barrow carefully placed the paint on the table and the took off the white cloth.
A beautiful scenery appeared. A beautiful orange sky almost covered in clouds over a mountain and a large winter forest. Ray's of light making their way though the clouds, and a beautiful black dragon flying there.
—It's beautiful...
—It took me almost half a year cause I wanted to make it realistic, and I'm happy with the results.
—Yeah you should be, this is a great painting.
Elias chuckled. —Oh right, since I invited you I will be paying today— he took a small pouch with money and handed it to the swordsman —Choi Han, can you go pay while we talk?
Although reticent, he grabbed the money and went to pay, Raon was there anyways.
—You know Cale-nim, this is actually a gift for you— he said as soon as the black haired closed the door behind him.
—What?
—It was supposed to be your birthday present, although I guess it's too late for that, but since it was made for you I'll still give it to you.
He looked at the painting, well, free stuff was great after all, and this was a beautiful painting, still as he was in character, he refused it.
—I really can't take this for free.
—Of course you can, I'm giving it to you.
—But...
Elias smiled and got closer to him, grabbing his hands with a soft expression on his face.
The people on the other side of the orb, although couldn't be heard, were already screaming, swearing and preparing to go murder someone.
—Don't think unnecessary things— he then looked him directly on the eyes and got a little more closer —Cale, I...
Suddenly the door burst open and Choi Han, that had clearly ran back, glared at Elias with a clear murderous intention.
—I already paid.
Elias, like nothing had happened, let go the red haired hands and smiled as always.
—That's nice, anyways, you can keep it Cale-nim, I did it specially because I heard you liked dragons, so I'll be offended if you don't take it.
Cale, that was as oblivious as always just nodded. —Alright, if you insist.
—Nice— he took out a pocket watch —I have to return soon as I have some economy classes later, since everything has been paid— the guy grabbed the pouch in Choi Han's hand —Then I'll be going.
—I'll se you in two weeks.
—Of course, I have to be there for the last semester, goodbye Cale-nim!
Choi Han glared at him until he was out of his view. He had been paying on the first floor, when Raon started to scream in his head about how the white guy had started to get too close to Cale, he had never run that fast in his life, but it was worth it since apparently he got there at the critical moment, when the bastard was already leaning forward to Cale's face.
—Hey Choi Han, help me with this, I don't think I can carry such a big painting.
—Yes Cale-nim.
Raon turned off the orb and saved it before taking off the invisibility magic—I like the painting human!, it has a great and mighty dragon similar to myself!
—If you like it you can save it for your lair.
—Really?!
—Of course.
—I'll put protection and preservation magic in it then.
In Eruhaben's laboratory everyone was silent. Grateful to Choi Han for making it on time, but also furious. They had underestimated that Elias White guy, he might look innocent but in reality was a predator waiting for the right time to jump over his prey. Appearances really could fool.
—We can't let them be alone ever again— the ancient dragon had a terrifying look in his face.
Ron wasn't that different from him, just that he was smiling while looking terrifying. —Yes, even if it takes off an arm, we have to specify to Raon-nim that that guy cannot do something like that again, a single touch and he will lose his hands.
And everyone agreed with that, it was good in some way that Cale was oblivious to that guy advances, but bad at the same time dangerous since he let him get so close, like a bunny with no sense of danger hanging out with a wolf in sheep's clothing, a truly horrible combination.
They may need to make some more defensive artifacts to keep Cale safe, as if it wasn't enough with the engagement proposals, now there was a guy actively going after the red haired, they would have a lot of work to do.