Chapter Text
Ever since Raon has mastered all kinds of magic that Eruhaben is able to teach him, the black dragon has taken it to himself to start experimenting with his magic.
Mainly, he will dive excitedly into his ever growing collection of magic tomes that Cale indulgently collects for him. The young dragon likes to learn new things, often even consulting other people and putting their perspectives into his consideration when it comes to creating or using magic circles. Which is why he enjoys reading tomes written by human mages.
One can argue that surely there is nothing new he can possibly learn from human mages out of all people, but Cale has to admit that it is rather interesting to listen to his youngest kid talk about the many ways a human mage is “pretty okay” with their magic theory, or how some theories are just “so silly, human!”.
It’s endearing, in a way, to see a child talk like that about humans older than him.
It also makes sense, because Raon is a great and mighty dragon whose skill and knowledge in magic is far beyond those mages. But it’s still cute, regardless.
As long as he does not get hurt or end up hurting anybody, Cale is willing to give his full support in Raon’s endeavors.
After all, a child should be allowed to learn whatever he wants to. Who is Cale to stop Raon from doing so? He definitely won’t be the unique type of asshole parent who stops Raon from doing things that can bring him huge benefit in the future, and both of them had met enough amount of assholes in the past that they don’t really need any more.
And thus, Raon is more or less given free reign to learn as much magic as he wants to. He even gets the chance to create new magic formulas. Of course, if his experiments are bound to be dangerous, he is instructed to practice it with the supervision of adult dragons and to do it within a safe distance away from the Black Castle or any human territory.
Accidents still happen, though, from time to time. Like that time the Black Castle’s front yard had bubbles floating around for three days straight, or that time Eruhaben got hit by Raon’s magic and ended up with cat ears for the whole day. Or that time Raon almost blew up half of Forest of Darkness, and would have succeeded if not for Eruhaben’s intervention.
Yes. Accidents happen. Which is why supervision and a proper practice area, away from anyone who cannot defend themselves from stray magic, are required.
Today, too, an accident happened. Which leads to the current situation.
“It was harmless magic, human!” Raon tries to placate him, clinging to Cale’s front shirt with his black paws. His blue eyes are wide and teary, the classic pleading look his children like to use these days, especially towards adults whenever they have something they want.
In this case, Cale supposes Raon wants to get out of trouble.
The problem is: the trouble has followed Raon and Eruhaben back to the Black Castle. Therefore, there really is no way for Raon to get out of it smoothly.
Cale looks toward the small crowd of people gathering by the Black Castle’s front doors, feeling as if his soul is about to leave his body. Latching onto him like a persistent koala, Raon does not stop speaking.
“Human, it was an accident! I didn’t know it would be like this! I’m sorry, human, it’s harmless, I promise!”
At Raon’s increasingly frantic cries for forgiveness, Cale instinctively wraps his arms around the pudgy dragon. One of his hands finds itself on Raon’s back, patting and rubbing the hard scales in a semblance of comfort.
It doesn’t change the soulless expression on Cale’s face, though. Especially since the people who followed Raon and Eruhaben home are also looking at him.
“Why…”
Why is the original Cale Henituse, Choi Han and the others here?!
Fuck, it’s a case of Earth 1 and Earth 2 all over again, isn’t it?!
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The magic that summoned these people is a new variation of old summoning magic that mages of the past like to practice in their attempts to summon a dragon.
Yes, some mages were foolish like that. Though the tome that Raon found mentions that mages have stopped their futile attempts in summoning a dragon after these ambitious mages accidentally turn themselves into ropes of cut meat.
The record was written by a surviving mage who did not participate in the summoning, but witnessed it all. The record ended with a note to stop similar experiments and to respect the dragons by not attempting any foolish summonings ever again.
Raon had commented on it, quite loudly that it terrified Cale for quite a bit, that the mages maybe deserved that kind of gruesome end for trying to summon a great and mighty dragon to do their bidding.
It makes sense, considering how dragons are, surely they would be pissed off beyond belief to be summoned by annoying mages who don’t have any respect for privacy. If the summoning ever even worked at all.
Raon’s commentary was still scary, though.
Nevertheless, Raon found the magic circle in the tome, criticized it in a way that would have made any mage cry like a baby, and decided to create his own summoning circle for shit and giggles.
He told Cale, very sensibly at that, that his goal is to create a summoning circle so that he will be able to rescue Cale and the others from enemies without having to teleport himself to the area.
Cale has to agree that it will be useful. Although he is unsure if there will be any need for it, considering how the war has ended and Rowoon Kingdom is basically shaping itself to be a strong powerhouse in the Western Continent. It is unlikely they’ll fall into another war unless some people decide to be foolish.
However, Cale thought that it would be too bothersome to stop Raon at the time. He genuinely believes, even after many accidents including this one, that Raon deserves the freedom to learn.
He did not expect the result of him allowing Raon to experiment with this specific magic circle would be something like this.
Rubbing the middle of his forehead with his fingers, Cale sighs heavily. He studiously ignores the people sitting on the chairs in front of him, a determined man in ignoring the troublesome.
Raon is floating beside him, his kicked puppy look still present on his face. Ohn and Hong have also joined him, the children in their Cats form using Cale’s lap as their pillow as they look towards the newcomers curiously.
“Nya, they really look like our family, nya,” Ohn points out, her tail swishing from side to side as she takes in the wary look sporting on the newcomers’ faces. “But they’re also different?” She amends, tilting her head cutely.
“It is likely they are from a parallel world,” Eruhaben supplies from where he’s sat on another couch beside Cale’s own. The Ancient Dragon looks calm. His eyes are closed as he sips his cup of tea without any crease on his robes or any furrow on his eyebrows. Cale wishes he can be as unbothered as him. A glance towards the parallel Eruhaben shows that the other Ancient Dragon is less calm, though that is probably because he is busy staring at Raon as if the black dragon is an odd specimen. It is a very nostalgic look that Cale remembers appearing during his first meeting with Eruhaben.
“Though the timeline seems to differ quite a bit.” His Eruhaben continues, his eyes opening to reveal reptile eyes with the color of dazzling gold. Cale focuses his attention on Eruhaben at that point, reddish brown eyes furrowing in thought.
“How do you know, Eruhaben-nim?”
“Unlucky bastard, who do you think I am?” The Ancient Dragon scoffs. “Figuring this out is as easy as breathing. First of all, every single one of them look younger, except for Choi Han, he is not that different.” His gaze drifts from one newcomer to another, before moving his gaze towards his own world’s Choi Han, who dutifully stands by Cale’s seat.
“However, our Choi Han is much stronger.”
Their Choi Han smiles a bit bashfully at that, lowering his body into a shallow bow. “Thank you, Eruhaben-nim.”
Eruhaben waves it off. “I’m just stating the facts. And also,” he points an elegant finger towards the other Cale Henituse. The redhead flinches a bit when he’s suddenly singled out by a dragon, though to his credit he does not do anything else but stare back warily.
The original Cale Henituse sure has guts, Cale has to agree to that. After all, any normal human would probably cry in happiness, grovel or piss their pants when an Ancient Dragon singles them out like that.
Taking his gaze away from the original Cale, he listens intently as Eruhaben continues, “That bastard does not have any ancient power in his body just yet.”
“That’s right, human!” Raon joins in at that moment, his wings fluttering before he lands his front paws on Cale’s shoulder. “He does not have any scent of nature around him. He does smell like alcohol though!”
Indeed, the original Cale’s face is flushed red, something Cale himself is very familiar with ever since he transmigrated into this world. ‘He must have been drinking,’ Cale guesses correctly, calmly assessing the other young master. ‘Though he is not drunk.’
Cale Henituse’s alcohol tolerance is off the charts. This is something that only Cale Henituse knew, once upon a time, until Kim Roksoo transmigrated into his body and started drinking to fool the enemies from time to time. Now, he’s pretty sure that Ron, Choi Han, Bud, and even some others, know about his alcohol tolerance.
His face may get red easily, but his eyes are still clear.
This original Cale is not drunk at all.
“Well, okay,” Cale shrugs as if it matters nothing for him, though he does pay attention to the figures in front of him, reddish brown eyes taking notes of the people who were summoned by Raon.
First of all, they don’t look like they’ve experienced the dreadful 20 years long war the original Cale Henituse, now Kim Roksoo, was talking about.
The original Cale Henituse in front of him reeks of alcohol and he still wears fancy clothes. He sits in a way that is still surprisingly elegant on his own couch, away from the other Choi Han’s group of heroes. Parallel Alver Crossman sits on his very own couch as well, something that is very in character and expected of a crown prince like him. Awkwardly standing pointedly away from Alver are the parallel Mary and Tasha. They are the ones who have been silent from the beginning until now. Obviously, they want to keep their relationship with Alver a secret. It is too bad that Cale already knows about it.
Meanwhile, Choi Han and his party gather together on the same long couch, with Pendrick absent. A glance towards the parallel world’s Lark shows a boy too young to have such a harsh expression on his face.
It gives Cale a hint on the possible timeline they are from. But it does not help the slight lurch in his stomach as he thinks of the implications.
He tries his best to ignore it.
He does not miss the way parallel Vicross and Ron are the ones who willingly seat themselves beside the original Cale’s couch, but Cale does not pay much attention to that as well.
They’ve left that Cale behind. It does not matter. He tries to ignore the weird feeling in his stomach at that thought as well.
What matters now is how they deal with it.
Grabbing Raon from where he’s floating—and ignoring the way the mage and elf in the room gasp scandalously, truly grabbing Raon casually like this must’ve been considered somewhat heretical for them—he directs Raon’s gaze towards him. The child dragon automatically lands himself on Cale’s lap, his two siblings moving away to give Raon the space he needs. With Raon perched comfortably on his lap, Cale moves his hand to cup and squish the dragon’s chubby cheeks.
“How long does the magic last? Can you send them back to their world?”
The way Raon’s mouth purses into a small pout as he thinks over his answer is so cute, that Cale has to stop his lips from twitching into a smile.
“Hmmmm~ I think we’d need another magic circle for that, human! In theory, we should use the previous magic circle as the anchor for them to go back, but also change the trajectory from going in to going out, you know? But that means some elements will have to be changed!”
“So it will take time.”
“Maybe a few days? I will definitely figure it out!”
“Okay.” Cale agrees easily, rubbing Raon’s head with his palm. “Eruhaben-nim, can you help Raon to figure it out?”
“Of course, unlucky bastard,” Eruhaben says, putting down his cup of tea with a small clink. “I will do whatever I want.”
“Okay, you can do whatever you want.”
“Obviously,” he scoffs, looking away to hide his twitching smile. At this point Cale already knows better, though. Eruhaben is really a softie. He will definitely help Raon to the best of his abilities.
“I will join in as well,” the other Eruhaben cuts in, his arms crossed over his chest, one finger tapping against his arm. “As it concerns my own travel back to my lair. And frankly, I don’t trust that kid.”
Raon puffs up like a cat on his lap right at that moment, shouting back towards the parallel Eruhaben with easy familiarity. “Hey! I’m not a kid! And I’m strong and smart, Goldie Gramps, so I will definitely figure it out and send you back home!”
“Goldie…? What the hell, you rude kid?” The other Eruhaben mutters, astonished.
“Ahem, hem.” Everyone turns their attention towards Eruhaben, who coughs to his fist, still hiding his twitching smile. “The kid is right, he is smart and strong.”
“I am! But gramps, I’m not a kid!” Raon complains again, though it largely goes ignored.
“I’ve taught him everything I know, after all,” Eruhaben admits, willfully not paying attention to the way the parallel Rosalyn stifles her gasp, her sparkling eyes flitting constantly between the two Eruhaben and Raon.
The parallel Eruhaben pauses a bit at that admission, his golden eyes staring towards his counterpart and the kid dragon. In the end, he still decides to oversee the process, which is all understandable considering a dragon’s common pride and arrogance, Cale thinks to himself.
Eventually, it is agreed between them that the dragons from Cale’s world and the parallel Eruhaben will do the delicate tinkering of the magic circle that will be responsible in bringing the rest of them home. Though knowing Rosalyn, Cale is pretty sure that both his Rosalyn and the parallel one will find a way to involve themselves in the project and learn more magic.
As for the rest of them, since it will be disastrous if there are doppelgangers running around however they want, in the end it is decided that they will spend their time in the Black Castle until they can return home.
It is the safest option, but Cale cannot help but to grieve a little.
This place is supposed to be his vacation home… And yet here they are, taking space in his house, each one of them bewildered and looking as if they are about to burst from the many questions they obviously have in mind.
And of course, they have enough sense not to question or challenge an Ancient Dragon like Eruhaben, especially when Eruhaben was speaking. Of course not.
They will simply interrogate the next best person, who is more or less the owner of this house who is not a dragon.
Seeing their eyes directed towards him, Cale laments in his mind.
Where oh where has his slacker life gone off to?
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“Hey.”
After the Dragons depart towards the lab, presumably to start building a foundation for their research, the other newcomers are taken to follow Cale, the Cat children, his Choi Han and Ron towards their rooms.
The obedient silence that Cale wants is unfortunately crushed like an ant under the original Cale’s heels, as the original redhead calls out to him.
It is not surprising for Cale, that the one who will open his mouth first among all of these people would be the original Cale Henituse.
First of all, although the crown prince is notably there, the original Cale must have figured it would be easier to talk with someone who is supposed to be him, rather than let someone else handle it.
There’s also the concern about the Original Cale’s reputation.
A troublemaker lout, or perhaps in the mind of the other Choi Han, a total bastard.
It’s good enough that the other Choi Han hasn’t picked a fight with the original Cale, but Cale supposes that Choi Han, no matter the world, has enough sense not to cause fights everywhere he goes. Besides, he’s hit the original Cale once already. Unless provoked, he doesn’t really have a reason to beat Cale up again, does he?
A similar consensus seems to run within the otherworlders group. The only “Cale Henituse” they know is the lout who drinks himself silly and causes problems wherever he goes: that’s why no one has tried to start a conversation with Cale. They are probably afraid that he will suddenly go on a tangent and curse up a storm, instead of being a responsible homeowner accepting guests within his house, like what he is doing right now.
It’s unfortunate that he is not the Original Cale Henituse. He does not have the interest nor the energy to kick up a fuss. But what they don’t know, he does not care to fill it in.
Therefore, instead of doing anything troublesome like sneering and pretending to be a thug, Cale simply turns his head around to face his original counterpart.
“What?” He answers casually, the tone a bit rude. It can’t be helped, it is technically his way of speaking unless he tries to be polite.
Luckily enough, the original Cale does not take any offense. Instead, he goes straight into the main point.
“Isn’t this place the Forest of Darkness? Why does it have a castle? What is this castle?”
One at a time, please, Cale sighs a little bit in his mind. However, his expression is still flat as he answers. “Yes, we are in the middle of the Forest of Darkness. This castle was moved here months ago, it’s a dragon’s lair.”
Some of them trip a little bit on their steps.
“Dra–Dragon lair?” It is the other Rosalyn who speaks this time. Cale can spot the parallel Tasha gaping and mouthing the word ‘dragon lair’ over and over. Sorry, Miss Tasha, it seems that reveal has made you a bit broken. Well, he’s sure that Tasha can handle it eventually, though. Instead, he focuses back on Rosalyn as she continues to speak. “I’m sorry, but may I ask how you came to know the dragon-nims?”
…It’s a valid question. But that sounds like a long story to tell, so Cale is not exactly willing to answer it thoroughly. “Things happened,” like Raon being kept by Venion, his trip to the elf village, the war, and many more, “and we’re now living together.” Since they are family now.
“Excuse me?” Parallel Rosalyn sounds confused though, even more so when the Cats walking by Cale’s sides start to sigh and giggle.
“That means we’re family, nya!” The red Cat, Hong, giggles. On the other side of Cale, the silver Cat, Ohn, nods.
“Family lives together.” She says, as if it explains everything.
Cale looks away from where he’d been glancing towards the Cats near his feet, directing his gaze towards the otherworlders instead. There’s an odd look on the original Cale’s face, a genuine emotion that Cale can finally spot on his face.
Seeing it, Cale cannot help but to smirk, causing the otherworlders to flinch slightly.
“Surprised?” He can’t help but to tease, looking away from them in order to look forward properly. “This isn’t our only house.”
“That’s right, nya!” Hong joins in again, “we have the Super Rock villa, and the Jungle villa—”
“Henituse estate,” Ohn joins in as well, “Hope and Adventure Loving Inn.”
“Henituse castle!” Hong chirps. It seems this has become a game of listing each of their houses for the children. In the meanwhile, the guests are all looking towards them in a very odd way.
“The Capital’s Henituse estate.”
“And Grandpa Ron’s castle!” He very pointedly does not look back to see what kind of reaction the other Vicross and Ron will have thanks to that phrase.
“Is that all?” Cale prods a bit, indulging his children as they trot beside him.
“Goldie Gramps’ house is our house too!” Hong answers after a moment’s pause, lifting his chin proudly as he manages to answer the question properly.
After a moment, Ohn also answers, “does uncle cookie’s room count as well?”
Cale huffs out a laugh at that, his posture relaxed thanks to the children’s efforts. “Sure, we should tell him that.”
“Will uncle cookie come?” Hong asks, his yellow eyes sparkling.
“Probably,” Cale answers casually. “This is technically his problem as well, anyway.”
The Cats ‘ooh’-ed, their tails wagging as they start to snicker to themselves.
This ‘uncle cookie’ will probably get all of his snacks robbed by the Cats, Cale thinks with mild amusement. He better bring a lot of snacks if he doesn’t want to get his money scammed out of him, then.
Should Cale tell him?
…Nah. It’s funnier that way.
“If you have any questions, just ask Ron,” Cale flaps his hand casually towards his servant, who smiles benignly in response. “Actually, Ron, I’ll leave everything to you,” Cale decides in the end, heading towards his room without much preamble. “Don’t forget to ask any of the dragons or Miss Rosalyn to contact the palace.”
“Of course, young master,” Ron bows dutifully without question, his smile never wavering.
“Can we go with Grandpa Ron?” Hong asks, looking up towards Cale.
“Me too, me too, I want to chat!” Ohn joins in.
“Are you curious?” Cale asks them, slipping his hands into his pocket as he leisurely looks down towards the children.
“Curious!” Hong answers, circling Cale’s feet and rubbing his body on Cale’s ankles. His sister has also joined in.
“So curious.”
“Then do whatever you want,” Cale lets them, carefully stepping away so that they won’t be accidentally kicked by his feet. Waving his hand carelessly, he doesn’t look back towards the otherworlders as he walks away. “Bye.”
He’ll take his nap before any chaos happens. Considering the group of heroes, original Cale Henituse, his band of dragons and mischievous yet good kids— something is bound to happen.
He prefers to get his rest first before he inevitably has to deal with that.
Who knows, maybe when his highness arrives here, he can sort out the mess for Cale, so he won’t be able to do anything.
It is a mere wishful thinking, but Cale Henituse has always been pretty much knee deep in denial when it comes to his slacker life, or the lack thereof.
So with a smile on his face, Cale falls asleep on his bed, thoroughly and willingly oblivious of the chaos that will greet him when he wakes.
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“You look like Cale when he’s drinking, nya,” the red Cat fearlessly jumps into the original Cale’s arms, the action done so easily as if he is accustomed to it. And perhaps he is. However, none of the otherworlders have any knowledge of it, and thus the action is definitely surprising for them.
Even the original Cale seems surprised, though he is quick to move his arms, and thus Hong manages to land safely on Cale’s arms. The red Cat curls his body so that he is able to sit comfortably on Cale’s folded arms, a small purr leaving his throat. “So similar, nya.”
“He is Cale, nya,” Ohn says to her little brother, patting the bewildered noble son’s boots with her paw. “Were you drinking, nya?”
“Uh—” Original Cale flounders a bit at the sudden innocent and excited inquiries from the Cats near him. Judging from their voices alone, it is clear that they are pretty young. Now, if he’s to think about their speech and their mannerisms… They are definitely still minors.
Original Cale does not like to hurt children. He has no interest in causing them any harm, especially when they’re not even mischievous by any means. If it were just the three of them, he wouldn’t bat an eye and simply treat them as amicably as he can without seeming too kind, lest he breaks his character as a lout.
However, he is all too aware of the eyes digging to his back, the band of heroes and his— his previous servants staring towards him with all the prejudice a single gaze can possibly afford to give.
The other Ron is staring at him, too.
The other Ron who— Who is still wearing his servant uniform, when he should’ve left since that day months ago, before things went to shit and other places started blowing up as well because of a crazy maniac and his band of similar minded crazy bastards.
He is all too aware of how the other Ron does look older. There is less dark brown hair left on that head of his, and if he were to look closely maybe he can find a few added wrinkles for sure.
The Ancient Dragon has also confirmed that this is a version of a future or something.
Therefore, it doesn’t make sense to see him wearing a servant uniform.
The Henituse servant uniform.
Not when he followed Choi Han and happily stepped away from Cale’s life as soon as he got the chance to.
…Right?
Unless… he came back?
Peeking towards the other Ron, the Original Cale does not flinch when the old man sends him an all too familiar benign smile. He does not scowl nor does he grit his teeth, not when he is too floundered over what he is able to spot within those brown eyes of Ron’s.
The Original Cale Henituse has always been someone who is observant when it comes to figuring out other people’s emotions. He can more or less guess about their mood, simply by looking at their expression and eyes alone. This sort of skill has allowed him to properly piss people off and scare them within the right amount with pinpoint accuracy. The moment he figures out what makes someone tick, what makes them angry, sad, afraid— He pounces on that chance to establish his place as the troublemaking lout of his family.
This skill in pissing people off in all of the right ways is also the one he used on Choi Han that day—Though his own feelings were also included, and he could admit that his anger had bled through as well. But he digresses. Choi fucking Han is not important to him.
The point is… the other Ron’s gaze is way more affectionate than the gaze Cale remembers.
Oh, well, he is sure that his Ron liked him to some extent, at least before he left. The way someone could like something pathetically amusing you had no other choice but to take care of it to make sure it stayed alive and continued to amuse you, but… It’s something. He likes Ron. Ron was by his side since the very beginning.
Even when Ron left, he…
He…
…………
Well. The point is! He does not remember Ron ever having that gaze when he looks towards him, and the Original Cale cannot fathom why. Why is he staring at him like that?
This is the thing with Original Cale: he’s lived with bravado and knowledge of his family’s power, his privilege and status. He also played the part of a bastard who fears no consequences of his actions for years, who pisses off anyone and everyone unlike the normal nobles who would do their best in order to “look good”.
That is why, when he is cornered or unsure, it has become a knee jerk response in him to snarl in the face of danger.
Because he is Cale Henituse.
That is why, when the other Ron, who wears Henituse servant uniform and smiles towards him as if he is amusing and cute, the original Cale Henituse’s expression quickly morphs into a scowl, hiding the bewilderment and odd sense of hope in his chest.
“What are you looking at?!” He yells, ignoring how the red Cat in his hold flinches a bit thanks to his loud voice. “If you can’t say anything important, shut up and just lead us to our rooms!”
And as always, just like many years ago since he started acting like a troublemaking brat, Ron simply laughs in that infuriatingly controlled way of his.
“Hoho, right this way then, young master.”
He offers no information, no opening, nothing.
Cale cannot stop himself.
He needs to know.
“Why did you come back?”
His question does not halt the old man on his walk, damn him, and they can only follow him as he leads them through the hallways of this Black Castle, the Dragon Lair built smack dab in the middle of the Forest of Darkness.
He walks as if he is entirely familiar with this place, and perhaps he does.
‘Family stays together,’ the silver Cat said. This is their home because they are family.
Family? His future self, who looks so damn pale and thin, family with these people, these children and dragons?
The Original Cale knows his place. He knows his position within the family well. He is Deruth Henituse’s son. He is Jour Henituse’s son. He is Violan Henituse’s step son. He is the stepbrother of Bassen and Lily Henituse. He is the troublemaker lout who should be kicked out of the family, who would’ve been disowned years ago if not for his father’s love for him, and his step family’s weird trust in him.
It’s infuriating, sometimes, but that is how it is. Cale is aware. His current family will still stick to him, believing in him and protecting him like a weird glue that doesn’t really stick but won’t go off either. That’s how they operate, somehow.
That’s just how the Henituse works. And Cale is aware, because he is a Henituse. They are family.
What he does not understand is how he can possibly be family with these people.
“You already left,” he continues, looking as if he’s swallowed something sour. “Why did you come back? Don’t tell me, Vicross came back as well?”
Did they really?
The question gnaws in his mind, and he is sure that the bastards behind him are also curious, since he’s been well aware of the stares from his world’s Ron, Vicross and even Choi Han from time to time.
The Cats meow worriedly from below, the red Cat pawing his arm in consolation, while the silver Cat expertly climbs his back, landing on his shoulder. Fuck, these kids must be used to this. Does his other self allow them to do this? Why?
He does not understand. But he needs to know.
Luckily, the other Ron seems to take pity on him. Or perhaps he finds his questions amusing, who the fuck knows. As they reach another long hallway with transparent large windows, allowing them to oversee the forest outside through it, the old man finally answers his question.
“I’m afraid I don’t know what you mean, young master,” he says, perfect calm and pronunciation and all. “Although I’ve taken some time off, my son and I never really left.”
“What a load of bullshit,” the original Cale answers immediately. His hand trembles from where it has automatically positioned itself on the red Cat’s body, to stabilize the child in case he’s about to fall. He’s trembling in anger, he tells himself. It has to be. It can’t possibly be anything else. “You went and vanished one day. Is that a fucking time off for you?”
This time, the servant does stop in his tracks. An odd pause seems to pass for a slight moment before the other Ron turns around, his gaze unreadable.
It makes something in the Original Cale’s heart itch.
“I see,” the old man says, which doesn’t make any fucking sense to Cale. However, before he’s able to demand an explanation, the servant continues to speak. “Young master, forgive me for my impudence, however… Did you not find any information about the plaza terror attack in your world?”
Plaza terror attack.
The phrase makes everything in Cale’s body tense, his body stiffening as his widened eyes stare towards Ron. The people behind him have also stiffened in surprise, though no one other than Ron who is facing them and Ohn who is perched on Cale’s shoulder have noticed it.
Meanwhile, Cale’s mind is reeling.
The plaza terror attack.
The first bombing in Rowoon Kingdom caused by that crazy bastard of a mage. The terror attack that killed countless people, where it ended with Choi Han being hailed as a hero for the first time. Cale does not care about Choi Han and his adventures as a hero, but the plaza terror attack will forever be something that is remembered bitterly in Cale’s memories.
It is because during that incident, Bassen had gotten hurt.
Luckily, he was not in the middle of the blast or anything. His leg had gotten hurt, though, and although most of the injuries could be healed, he still ended up with a lasting injury. Because of this incident, his little brother now needs to use a cane as he walks, and even then he will still limp a bit whenever he walks.
It is good that he survives. Cale is happy that his little brother survives. His injury is not as bad as Amiru who got hit by flying debris and ended up with a permanent scar on her face. Or Eric, who lost his entire left arm, Gilbert who ended up with a bad burn on his back as both of them tried to shield Bassen and Amiru from the worst of the explosions.
It’s good that they survived. But it is also scathing that they got hurt at all.
Because it could’ve been Cale. It should’ve been Cale.
He knew that his father was thinking of sending him to the capital. He thought, back then, that he had to do worse things so his father could see reason and just send Bassen off instead of placing more hope in someone who was not even interested in being the heir.
He was happy when he got hurt so badly by Choi Han that he couldn’t leave his bed.
He was less happy with the pain but it was bearable. Though his mood did plummet when he found out Ron and Vicross had left to follow Choi Han. But it was still okay.
He was angry when he heard that Bassen got hurt.
Because it could’ve been him, in Bassen’s place.
If he left for the Capital, then Bassen wouldn’t get hurt. If he left instead of Bassen, he could perhaps help protect Lady Amiru so her face would not have to be disfigured, he could perhaps prevent Eric-hyung from losing his entire arm.
But all of those thoughts were just hopeful delusions in the face of chaos and tragedy. A what if. Useless thoughts that will never bear into fruition.
It was one of Cale’s most painful failures in his life.
That is why, the question that this Ron had asked him made his thoughts reel in a way that it never really has, before.
Ron’s question is not hypothetical. It is a question that looks for confirmation. It is not a mockery of Cale’s inability to know the future and stop Bassen from going to the capital that fateful day.
It is a simple confirmation.
Did you not know?
That means the other Cale of this world knew beforehand.
He looks towards Ron, then, astonishment and realization dawning on his expression.
“How did he know?” He asks, his eyes wide. He knew, he knew, he knew, his mind keeps on repeating it. Almost to the point of near obsession. He knew. Does this mean things have changed then? Did Bassen not get hurt?
The Ron in front of him frowns a bit, the action perhaps not exactly noticeable by normal people, but as someone who has grown up under the old man’s care, Cale knows it when Ron is truly displeased with something.
“I do not know how my young master found out about it, but he did,” Ron answers then, keeping a careful eye on the Original Cale’s figure. “And after that,” he pauses meaningfully, “he changed.”
Cale understands immediately.
“He went to the capital, didn’t he?” Cale feels breathless as he says it, the word almost whispered out of his mouth instead of his usual loud voice. Unbidden, the truth of the matter comes out of his lips as well. “For Bassen.”
The Ron of this world smiles towards him, bowing shallowly instead of answering. However, it is all the confirmation Cale needs.
Bassen in this world never had to go to the capital.
Bassen in this world never got hurt.
Because the Cale Henituse of this world knew.
Immediately, he halfway turns around, intent on going to the other hallway where the other him had gone off to. “I need to speak to him,” he says with all of the determination his body can possibly hold. The Cats on him gasp, their tails flicking in surprise.
However, Cale only manages to land a few steps away before this world’s Ron grasps his upper arm ever so gently, stopping him in his tracks.
“That would not be possible, young master.”
“I need to speak to him!” Cale yells, eliciting another round of gasp from the Cats. It reminds him so much of his younger step sister whenever she finds him yelling at a servant, that the gasp actually hurts to hear. However, he easily ignores it in favor of glaring towards the other Ron, his eyes blazing with determination. “I need to know how he knew,” he hisses out.
“I’m afraid we also need to know,” it is at this moment that the crown prince interjects, his blue eyes serious as he gazes towards this world’s Ron and the original Cale. A slow polite smile spreads on his face then, but Cale knows that it does not reach his eyes. Fake and political. Almost all nobles are like him. “If young master Cale of this world knew of the incoming attack, then he must have also done something to prevent it somehow.”
The prince’s gaze is searching, though it is nothing against Ron’s perfected benign smile that reveals exactly nothing.
“Cale did do some things, nya,” it is the youngest child in the room who ends up revealing anything to the crowd. The Original Cale looks down to look towards Hong, the red Cat looking back up towards him with wide innocent yellow eyes, his fluffy tail swishing idly from side to side. “A lot of amazing things, nya.”
“He picked us up,” Ohn supplies from where she is perched on Cale’s shoulder, her tone soft as if she remembers something incredibly pleasant. “He also picked up our youngest brother, Choi Han, Lark oppa and the others.”
“Choi Han?” The Original Cale cannot help but to blurt out in disbelief. He picked up Choi Han? But wh— “Oh.” … Of course. The other Cale knew about the attack, so he would’ve… picked up strong people to help with doing something about the incoming attack. “...Okay.”
That… makes sense. Somehow. Though he, at the moment, can’t really picture himself picking up the dangerous guy with scarily intense and angry stare hanging by the territory’s walls. It was why he picked a fight with Choi Han in the first place. He might look like a beggar but he was a suspicious beggar.
Regardless of that, it seems to be true that his other self had actively done some things to deal with the terror attack. Perhaps he even managed to deal with the perpetrator himself? The bastard who is still having fun blowing up villages and towns in Western Continent in his world.
It makes sense that the crown prince is interested in interrogating this world’s Cale Henituse as well. It’s grating that someone wants to follow along, but Cale does not care at this point. He just wants to know .
How did he know? What did he do about it? Was Bassen safe? What about Lady Amiru, Young Master Gilbert and Eric hyung-nim?
And most importantly…
Did he manage to get the bastard responsible for it? Did that crazy bastard suffer?
He needs to know.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like this world’s Ron will budge. In fact, he’s holding Cale’s bicep even tighter than before, though not enough to cause him pain. Damn him and his hand strength.
And to add icing to the cake, this world’s Choi Han who has been keeping his silence up until now, also steps in. He blocks the others’ view by standing between the Original Cale and the rest of the otherworlders.
His hand is hovering over his sword’s handle. It is enough of a threat to make the otherworlders tense.
Then, in the midst of that tension, this world’s Choi Han opens his mouth.
“Cale-nim is resting.”
The word Cale-nim is so foreign and odd that it causes goosebumps to form on the Original Cale’s skin. Never in his life did he imagine Choi Han of all people would call him with respectful honorifics.
However, Choi Han is not done speaking.
Meeting each of the otherworlders’ eyes with the intensity of a loyal guard dog, Choi Han continues. “If it's an explanation that you want, it can be done later, after Cale-nim wakes from his nap.”
The parallel Choi Han is the one brave enough to talk back. “But…!”
However, this world’s Choi Han has no patience to deal with arguments. “This is not your house,” he cuts him off, his glare getting more terrifying by the minute. “Cale-nim is kind enough to let you stay here until we can take you back home. Know your place and sit still until we deal with you again.”
The Cats on him meow weakly in response, the action causing Choi Han’s scary expression to immediately shatter. The swordmaster turns his body around to look towards the Original Cale, his eyes wide and much, much more innocent and decent looking than the haggard looking hero over there.
It also probably helps that this Choi Han is wearing an obviously expensive leather uniform, one with the Henituse’s golden turtle badge stitched to it.
Fuck. This world’s Cale really did manage to snatch Choi Han, a swordmaster, for himself. What a devious lucky bastard.
“It’s okay, nya, we’ll talk soon,” Ohn says, an obvious attempt to defuse the situation. “Besides, we haven’t called uncle cookie yet! Uncle cookie has to be here before we can start talking.” She moves her gaze from the group to the Original Cale, her paw tapping his cheek gently. “Wait, nya. You have to wait.”
Choi Han nods to the silver Cat in agreement. “Ohn is right,” he says, looking back towards the parallel selves of his family. “Be patient.”
The group hesitates for a second, before the crown prince, seemingly the leader of all of them, agrees with a soft sigh. It makes sense. After all, this is not their world. They have no say in what the people of this world do.
It is good enough that they are given accommodations—in a dragon’s lair no less—with promises of assistance in order for them to go home, and now the answers to their questions.
Oh, Cale still wants to stomp his way to his other self’s room and demand answers, but he knows that this world’s Choi Han and Ron will never allow him to do so, no matter how much he kicks and screams.
And contrary to popular thought, he is capable of knowing when he should back down when the situation is not within his favor.
Therefore, the original Cale can only grit his teeth and stay silent, shaking off Ron’s hold on his arm. “Fine,” he grumbles. “Get me to my fucking room already.”
This world’s Ron smiles in response, bowing shallowly once again. “Then, please follow me.”
They walk again in silence, this time a bit subdued and thoughtful than before. Questions obviously still linger within their minds right now, especially at the reveal that Cale Henituse of this world had been the one who found out about the plaza terror attack. This Cale had done something about it, and now, looking towards this world’s Choi Han, with his expensive high quality uniform, the sword notably different than the one their Choi Han wields, as well as the curious admittance that Ron and Vicross of this world never left—
They have become very curious, indeed.
Things are already so different from that point on. Now these people live together with dragons. Wouldn’t that mean whatever mess they still have to solve in their world— Has perhaps already been solved by the people of this world?
Does this mean they can get the information they need?
Will this be able to help them accomplish their goals?
Although some of their goals may be different, their thoughts are nearly the same. Each of them have their own reasons for questioning the people of this world, their own goals and needs that they need to meet.
However, the steps they need to take to reach that part are the same regardless.
That is why, they follow after the servant who never left, the swordmaster who became a part of the Golden Turtle, and the Cats who cling to red haired lout with familiar ease.
They will get their answers for sure.
They’ll make sure of it.
.
.
.
.
.
“By the way…” The parallel Rosalyn opens her mouth hesitantly, peering towards the back of this world’s Ron’s head as she does so. “May I ask who this uncle cookie you were talking about is?”
‘Uncle Cookie’ is obviously a term of endearment for someone. Perhaps an older man who is generally liked by the children, and quite possibly likes to give them snacks, for him to receive such a nickname.
Considering how the Cats are familiar with this world’s Cale Henituse and consider him as family, only one figure seems to pop up in Rosalyn’s mind.
“Is it the young master’s younger brother?”
Surprisingly, the Cats start to laugh.
“No!”
“No, goodness.”
The children giggle and laugh, shaking their heads as they do so.
“Uncle cookie is Cale-nyan’s older brother!”
Their minds come to a screeching halt thanks to Hong’s words.
“Excuse me?” The Original Cale sounds bewildered, “I don’t have an older brother!?”
“Sworn brother nya, Cale, nya,” Ohn explains patiently, draped over Cale’s shoulder like a scarf.
“I became a sworn brother with someone who provided cookies?”
The children snicker to themselves, choruses of “yeah!” and “yep!” can be heard in the inner hallway.
“We take cookies a lot,” Ohn says, her eyes glinting mischievously. “We also get cakes sometimes.”
“And juice!” Hong cheers, “and milk!”
“And juice, and milk,” Ohn nods. Then, the smile on her lips stretched into something more mischievous and smug, a smile that anyone who knows this world’s Cale Henituse will say as a smile that looks exactly like his. “The cookies in the palace are delicious.”
“Huh?”
“Excuse me?”
“Pardon?”
“What?”
“Hehe,” Hong snickers again, peeking out from the side of Cale’s arm to look towards the people behind Cale. “Uncle cookie is the crown prince, nya!” He reveals it easily, as if that information is so easy to tell, as if the Original Cale and Alver Crossman do not immediately short circuit at the revelation.
Judging from the same smile on Hong’s lips, though, it seems that he knows exactly what he is doing.
Ohn looks immensely proud of their schemes as well, her tail swishing contentedly once before she delivers the last blow.
“His highness Alver Crossman is Cale’s sworn brother, nya.”
…What the fuck.
.
.
.
.
.
A few hours later, once again situated in the hall where they discussed things before, the otherworlders are there to watch as this world’s Alver Crossman steps into the room, looks at the people inside, steps back outside, only to step back in with a bewildered look and cover his face with his hand. A very exasperated sigh escapes the man at that moment.
“What the fuck, Cale? Seriously?”
The supposedly sunny prince of Rowoon Kingdom is cursing in front of them.
It is truly a sight to behold, indeed.