Archive of Our Own ^beta

The project for the drought was effective and Roan Empire dodged two seasons of famine thanks to the idea lended by Cale Henituse. Once again, he saved his country and Alberu cannot help but shook his head as the redhead repeatedly refused to recognize it as an act worthy of being called a hero and yet his feats will be added to his long lists of achievement.

As for Cale, he wouldn't even give a shit as he knows it's not gonna be a bad drought and they can use magic anytime, until Alberu told him he would be rewarded handsomely for his effort. A reward from the crown is never a small thing and Cale was energized in a heartbeat.

Many parts of the empire needed aid and Cale focused on things that were more important and could have permanent damage. The mages worked non stop, the builders and smiths created tanks that would be filled with irrigation water, compost methods were renewed and turned into a much more effective way. They would be used to nourish the soils and be spread to the trees that produce abundant fruits. The projects that not only could help for the upcoming drought but could be used for a long time. His ideas blew away everyone and in their eyes Cale worked harder even down to showing the builders how to do his project just to make sure they did it perfectly.

At the worst case scenarios of the ongoing drought, it was On who helped save the day with her fog. The tiny droplets of the water she can control did not only help the crops to stay alive but it made the soil moist and thus needing less irrigation water.

The little girl was happy to do it even as she got tired of teleporting from place to place just to assist territories with their problems. Cale and his other two little companions were with her all throughout the process and the redhead was nothing short of proud of his little girl. The little girl who was forced to grow up fast just to save his little brother from the hands of their greedy clan.

There is also Raon who happily fills up the water tanks and water some crops before they transfer to the next place they have to visit.

Cale blew the candle fire out of Hong and Raon's bedroom. In Super Rock villa, they now have their own spaces, the two boys' beds are positioned in front of each other and sometimes Cale would catch them chatting in the middle of night about vicious things Cale wouldn't even want to think about again. Cale has all the best things he can get for their rooms and placed furniture for both. They have their items in their toy cabinets, but instead of toys, different scary stuffs are stored inside of it. Hong has a particular shelf full of deadly eastern continent poisons that was given by Bud on his birthday. Raon's cabinet was full of spacial bags and on it were books about magics, highest grades mana stones, his new piggy bank and a xylophone from Bud.

On has her own room which is only proper for a girl like her. He had her built a big wardrobe room where she stored all her dress and shoes and even refused to throw away the ones whom she has outgrown, saying that those are precious gifts from him and her family. There also are weapons she has started to learn thanks to her Grandpa Ron and she refused his idea of putting it in another place. She is fond of pastel colors and has been choosing gentle shades of it for her dresses.

His mother, the Duchess Violan started to teach her how to walk in heeled shoes and the proper noble etiquette worthy of being called On Henituse, daughter of the house of Henituse family. Hong started training swords with Vice Captain Hilsman and Beacrox while Raon remained at the care of Eruhaben-nim and Tower Master Rosalyn. The little black dragon is now learning how to write with his human hands using a quill and ink. Needless to say he is learning at such a fast pace that makes Eruhaben-nim look like a proud grandpa.

Cale quietly headed up to his room and slept early as tomorrow is what people call a big day as the imperial palace will hold a big ball in celebration of their achievement to overcome the drought and famine.

The next day was quite a disaster... Well for Cale that is. There are lots of nobles who approached Cale as if they were old buddies, striking conversation with him with the topic of his achievements, something that makes Cale cringe internally. There were also women who kept giving him weird looks and terrifying smiles. 

The palace is indeed a very dangerous place.

Raon, who is with him in his invisible dragon form, was secretly sneaking a bite of all the food he can get on his paw. He told Cale that even though he doesn't want to be left out, he also doesn't want to interact with anyone. Hong was left to Super Rock villa because Eruhaben-nim brought strange types of poison from somewhere and the little redhead was too ecstatic to try it out as soon as possible.

On was the only one who came with him through the front door. Now a little bit taller, the little girl is wearing a lovely black and white silk dress with Queen Anne style bodice, it was the sequence at the bottom that made it look like stars at night. Her silver hair was styled in a half braid and falls down in cascading curls. Deruth gifted her an expensive hair piece made of yellow diamond and white gold and Violan made sure that she would wear that at the ball.

Raon was proud of his eldest sister and swore he will guard her away from young men who will try to approach her.

However, different was the reception of people in high society to On... who was an outsider. She doesn't even have even a single drop of noble blood on her. And her manners, even as she is still learning, people saw it unpolished and ungraceful. And though Cale doesn't really mind what these people think about his decision to adopt, for On, the impact is not that easy.

She usually doesn't mind what others will say at all, but as she grows older, she becomes more aware and sensitive.

On sat alone while eating at their designated table after Cale left when the emperor decided to take him into meeting the former Duchess Sonata Gyerre. Everybody knows that the old woman isn't that fond of Alberu but will tolerate him as long as Cale is in vicinity. The young lady carefully forked the round shaped sausage on her plate but the stubborn thing slid out of her hold and the fork made a loud clunk on the plate. Worst is the sausage rolled off the plate and fell down to the floor.

The damned sausage stopped rolling near the foot of one haughty looking noble woman who was sitting on a couch near the table where On is.

On's eyes turned round in embarrassment.

"My, my, young lady. What happened to your manners?" The woman said in scorn and the ladies with her snickered as their attention was caught.

"Forgive her, Lady Bonvet. She might still be a novice on proper etiquette." One blond woman said as if trying to act kind but the tone of her voice was scornful.

"Seriously, this is what happen when you fish out stray cats out of the streets and clothe them like nobles." On did not know anymore who said those words as she drew her eyes away from them. Her insides felt like exploding in anger, frustration and embarrassment. Under normal circumstances, she would've choked those women in her fog.

But she can't. Because she now carries the name of her adopted father and whatever she does will only embarrass Cale and the Henituse family.

Why is life in noble society always so complicated? On never regrets being taken in by Cale, in fact she was very honored and very blessed. But the place where Cale and his family move on is not for her.

"Don't worry, for sure once the Young Master Cale marries, those children won't be as important as they thought they are now." One woman in the crowd whispers, thinking no one but the friends she is talking to are the ones who could hear them talking. Unfortunately, On has a very sharp hearing thanks to her being a member of the Cat tribe.

What they said is kind of true anyway. If someday Cale finds a woman he will take as a wife and starts a family with her, On wonders if they will be replaced.

For sure, blood is thicker than water.

When On heard footsteps approaching, she swallowed all the emotions that were choking her like invisible hands. She can't cry now. She has to be strong because she is the oldest of Cale's three adopted children.

She has to be tough.

"Oh, still not done with your dinner?" On heard the voice of her human who came back looking like he was finally glad to get away from the Emperor's grasp.

The silver haired young girl shook her head and pushed away her plate that's still full of food. "No, I'm done. The food isn't that appetizing for me."

Cale's forehead knotted in confusion. "From what I heard from Raon, the food was excellent. Are you alright?"

On nods her head quickly, still trying to conceal her emotions. "Oh, I'm okay, don't worry about me. I'm just--"

What she was saying was cut when her sharp hearing again caught what the people were saying.

"By the way, I heard Duke Henituse was having a hard time after the adoption of the two children from Cat Tribe."

"Yeah, I heard that too. That's because the Cat Tribe allied themselves with Arm."

"On?" Cale called on her name after she got up from her seat and went out onto the nearest balcony.

"Argh! Those idiots, I will turn them into powder!!" Raon said angrily in both Cale and On's minds, for if On has sharp hearing, nothing could escape a dragon's ear. Raon also heard the people who were talking about his siblings. Three has Cale adopted yet they scorn only the two, because of what? Because the youngest is a dragon?

"What is it, Raon?" Cale, who was left confused, asked the young dragon through his mind.

"There are people who were talking bad about my siblings! I will extract retribution now, grr.."

"Calm down, Raon." Cale sighed in exhaustion. This is why he doesn't want to bring the kids into this kind of environment. People tend to be stupid. And here the ones who only care about their statuses talk about the two Cat tribe children without any care in the world, forgetting about all the deeds they had done, the hardships they went through just to defend their second home from the enemies. And they did that at a very young age. In addition, they were there at the ball to celebrate the empire's success to overcome another disaster which the very person they scorn now has contributed a lot.

Sometimes, beasts tend to be more human than the majority of people in that room.

Cale followed On on the balcony in silence. He reached for the door knob and slowly turned it open. There he found On sitting at the edge of the balcony with her small pair of shoes abandoned on the ground. Her two legs are swinging and her gaze is on the starlit sky.

"Oi, get down there."

"Is it something a lady is not supposed to do, dad?" On said, still gazing at the bright moon.

Cale gave her a deadpan look. "No, I'm saying that because it is very high and if you fall, Ron would kill me."

On giggled at that and allowed Cale to lift her away from the ledge. They say Cat Tribe children grow slowly before they learn how to use their first berserk form. Maybe that's the reason why even though On acts so mature, she is still tiny both in her cat form and human form.

Cale put his daughter down on the balcony couch, seconds later Raon removed his invisibility. The chubby black dragon then landed on On's side and laid his head upon her lap. On then run her small hands to his head and gave him a rub.

Cale can't help the tiny smile that cracks on his lips. A moment of comfortable silence passed between them before the redhead spoke.

"You know you don't have to mind everything you hear from the people around you. If they taunt you about who you are, be proud of it. If they scorn you, ignore them."

"I know that..." She said almost whispering. "But sometimes what they say holds little truth you know."

"Then what did they say that you think is true? Tell me and I'll tell you why it's just a bunch of crap?"

"Is Grandpa Deruth really having a hard time because of us?"

Cale snorted. "That's it?" He said as if it was nothing. But On still has doubt painted on her face. "You don't have to bother yourselves about that, it's all politics. Besides, no one and not even his majesty would dare to give the Henituse household a hard time just because of the children they decided to take in."

"But what if it becomes a problem? It's true my tribe is part of the Arm! It could tarnish the family's reputation. I don't want that to happen."

Cale then patted On's head gently. "That is something you leave to the adults, little kid. Our family is not weak just to allow people to do what they want. Those you hear from others could be nothing but gossip. Because you know what? People loves to do that especially in high society." The redhead smiled to give On an assurance. "So don't be worried about these kinds of things and just be as happy and free as you can be. That's you and your brothers' next mission in life. To eat everything that you want, play as much as you want and go wherever you want. Leave the rest to me because that's my duty as your father."

For the first time in a while, Cale saw On cry. And he is glad, because he knows that the reason why her tears are falling is because she finally had the confirmation she seeks, that she is not alone.

Raon lifted himself and used his chubby paw to gently rub her tears away. "Unnie, I'm here also for you! Just tell me if someone bothers you and I will slice them to shreds!" He then lifted his other paw and his sharp talons came out menacingly like knives.

The mood was just broken by Raon. This kid, seriously.

But On laughed on that act and for Cale that's all that is important.

"See, you smiled, Unnie!"

"Thank you, you made me happy because you are so cute!"

Raon giggles like the little kid that he is. "Haha, you should tell me if you are feeling down though, I'll make sure to make you laugh! I do that a lot with daddy, I ask him to sing because it makes me happy."

"Really? Does he sing a lot for you?"

Cale doesn't like where this conversation is going.

"Nah, not too much. You see he is kind of stingy about it but he still does sometimes. Oh, also the little prince gave us one strange musical instrument! It sounds amazing and Daddy used that to play music to me one time!"

On turned to Cale with sparkling eyes and immediately he knew what his daughter would ask.

He lifted his two arms up as if trying to stop something. "On..."

"Will you sing for me too??"

There it is. Cale sighed and his hands again fell down on his sides. He wanted to say he is not in the mood to sing anything but her face shows anticipation unlike any other. For On, she has heard Cale sing many times now. Sometimes it was a nonchalant one or sometimes he would spout many things that made no sense. Sometimes he sings songs that can break one's heart. 

This time she hopes he can sing a much happier song. Because above all, On loves hearing his voice. Because it was the voice that offered food for her and her little brother. He was the voice who gave her and Hong a home. The voice who took Raon out of that horrible dark cave, carrying his battered and tired body in his arms.

For On and probably even for Hong and Raon, Cale was the voice of hope. The one who wipes their faces when sauce gets everywhere.

"Oh! That's a good idea! I have the guitar in my space, remember?" Raon also said in excitement that he floated in the air.

"You know I told you before that I can barely remember any of the songs I used to play..." Cale said to Raon and continued the rest in his mind. 'before I acquired Record.'

"But you told me before you remembered some... Can't you play that??" 

Cale sighed again. How many times has he been sighing now? The young dragon then fluttered his wings and took out the lute guitar Alberu gave him from his space before and handed it to Cale.

Defeated and jaded, Cale took the guitar and set them on his lap.

"Sing a happy song!" On pitched in.

"Not now, little one. I told you I can barely remember songs I used to listen to before, much more happy sounding ones." He remembered one song though that would perfectly fit on their situation.

One year after the catastrophe, many tried to rebuild something out of nothing. Some people on Earth tried to gather many of the survivors and with the power of many they made camps and eventually, a small haven for the other survivors. There was someone who managed to set up a whole radio frequency channel with the purpose of broadcasting any news that might help others. Sometimes to entertain people he would play a random song. He remembered this song for he already acquired Record when it was played, down to every tune of the song that's coming out of the ugly sounding speakers.

Using his gift, Cale dug out the memory of the song and tried to apply it on the lute guitar he has on hand. His fingers slide into the tapping board and the others pluck on the strings creating sounds that gently cut on the atmosphere.

And because the door wasn't entirely closed, the sound of music was also heard by the people who were nearby. Their silence created chain reactions of people going silent until the hall was wrapped in silence.

She ain't got my smile, that don't bother me a bit.

Then the voice of Cale rangs into the wind, reaching even the ears of the unkind mouths who broke On's heart.

Cale's fingers continue to pluck each string as he sings a song he never even sang before, nor not even liked.

She's got somebody else's eyes I'm seein' myself in

I'm holdin' onto every moment, God knows I've missed a few

The day we met, I knew I had some catchin' up to do ...

But as he now has three children in his care… children who don't even relate to him in blood, but are bound to him by his will, the song just fits perfectly. Cale smiled to himself as he self berated. At least this is call he could do to make On feel happy after all she has been through, by the hands of her own tribe or even the mouths of these unimportant so called noble bloods.

She ain't my blood, ain't got my name

But if she did, I'd feel the same

I wasn't there for her first steps

But I ain't missed a moment yet.

And that ain't ever gonna change,

I could never walk away…

And that's true. For Cale knew the moment he stretched his hand to give them bread, or lift Raon out of that cave… Cale knew that there was no going back no matter how much he told himself that all want to do was live his life alone in peace and luxury.

Yeah, she's my own and that's my choice

She ain't my blood, but she's my, she's my girl.

On's tears once again dripped down from her eyes. She asked Cale to sing a happy song because she wanted to at least erase the disgusting feeling that the nobles made her feel. She doesn't like it and she doesn't like dwelling on it. She wanted to do her best to pay back for everything he did for them, but Cale told them they don't have to.

The song Cale is singing now must be the most beautiful song she had ever heard.

It hit me like a train, the first time she called me dad

In a four stick figure crayon picture with all of us holdin' hands…

Alberu who was again behind the very door leading to the balcony smiled as the song reached his ears. Seriously, being an emperor does not stop you from being an errand boy of one woman named Sonata Gyerre. She wanted Cale to have a drinking game and finally discover who is a better drinker. He was there to find Cale but he found a much better scene than he expected.

The nobles, who once questioned Cale Henituse's decisions then realized that all their criticism, the things they chatter and even their opinions don't matter at all. Because it was all said in the song.

That the reason Cale Henituse did what he did is because of love. And that is what makes him different from all the nobles who boast the very blood that flows in their veins.

They're bigger than the plans I had

They are makin' me a better man

They ain't my blood, ain't got my name

But if they did, I'd feel the same

I wasn't there for their first steps

But I ain't missed a moment yet

For Cale, he might not be completely honest with everyone or even to himself about what he thought or what he felt, but the family he built around him tells the whole story of his life. From every face that lends their hands for his cause, they are all a part in every arc of his life. He will not directly tell them how important they are but he will make sure that they feel every ounce of it. Something he never did when he was Kim Rok Soo.

He knew that his children knew that they are a family that is not bound by blood. And he was more than glad to have them as a part of his journey. 

Be it now and until he breathes his last.

Yeah, she's my own and that's my choice

She ain't my blood, but she's my, she's my girl.

-fin-

Extra:

Alberu: Cale, I'm tired of searching for your ass every single fic, goddamnit!