Chapter Text
When Ron had started working in the Count's home, he tried to expand his expertise as much as he could. He took all and any work without complaint since these were all skills that he could continue to use in his next job and the ones after that. He's removed from his temporary work in the kitchen and he soon is assigned a new role by the side of the Countess.
Ron is called into an office to have a talk with her and he's coming up with numerous possibilities of what he might've been removed from the culinary work for. He's still unsure until he sees a small face pop out from behind the Countess' billowing dress skirt. He's been assigned to take care of the young master.
Ron crouches down and gives as proper of a bow as he can from the low position. He feel's the child's eyes watching him as he introduces himself.
"Hello, Young Master Cale, I am Ron and I will be your new servant," Ron keeps his eyes on the ground.
There's a pregnant pause before he hears extremely quiet whispering and a few words of encouragement from the Countess.
"...Hi," the toddler is still clutching onto his mother's dress as a safety net, but Ron will take this as a win because his new master has spoken to him.
(Ron decides that he'll leave once the boy grows up. The kid reminds him of his late nephews with how timid he is towards the butler).
-
Ron lets out a soft chuckle as he continues to fold the sun-dried linen, he can feel his young master's gaze on him. Lately, the child has taken to trailing after him like a lost puppy, but scurrying off if Ron "notices" him. Of course, Ron knows when the child is there, but he can entertain the child for now.
Eventually, the boy seems to work up enough courage to approach him. Ron only watches from the corners of his eyes because he doesn't want to scare away this jumpy puppy.
A small, innocent hand grasps at his pants, the touch is light and reserved.
"...Will you," Ron crouches down to meet his master's eyes, "Will you play with me?"
He watches as the toddler's eyes shift from the floor, up to meet his gaze, and then back down. The child's eyes are hopeful, yet bashful as he requests attention.
The butler tries to give the child as friendly of a smile as he can... He's been told that his smile could make babies cry out in terror, but the one in front of him only seems to brighten up in response.
"If the young master wants it, of course this Ron will play with you," he responds, his voice is smooth and husky.
Ron finds himself with tiny, sticky hands constantly tugging at his clothing, but he can't bring himself to feel annoyed. His little puppy master is just so endearing and he indulges the boy to whatever he wishes.
Ron becomes accustomed to having the boy run up to him, throwing the whole weight of his tiny body into hugging the butler's legs.
(Ron finds himself wishing his own son had the chance to grow up as carefree as the young master).
(He'll soon realize how wrong he is about this).
-
Cale is a lonely boy trapped in an empty manor. Sure, there's maids and servants bustling about, but the only response they give to him are curt bows and the avoidance of his eyes. He wonders if they don't like him and confesses his want of a play partner to his mom. She laughs at his scrunched up and pouty face (which!! Rude!!), and Cale just watches her.
He loves when his mom laughs and he loves the way she smiles at him. He feels so safe whenever she's there with him-- if she's there, he could do anything!
Cale buries himself in her arms, breathing in her scent of safe, warm, love and he's content with just sitting there. He's told her how she smells like safety once and she laughed, eyes warm and full of mirth as she asked him to explain himself.
"I smell safe?" She asks, her eyes are dripping with adoration.
"Mm!" Cale nods so hard she swears his head might fall off, "you smell warm."
She knows she probably won't get any more of an answer from her baby, but she understands. When she was just a child she also found comfort in her mother's scent.
"Hmmm, I guess I'm just such a good bath taker..." She shoots a playful glare towards her son, "A little birdy has told me that recently a certain boy hasn't been wanting to take a bath?"
She has to hold back a snort when Cale averts his eyes and pouts. Her baby is just so cute!!!
"Do you know what happens to stinky little boys?" Her cheeks hurt from smiling so much, but the look Cale gives her is filled with curiosity. She loves how her child takes in the world with such bright, eager eyes.
"The tickle monster eats them up!!" She whisper shouts into his ear.
Cale squeals as her fingers gently dig into the boy's sides, giggling as he tries to escape her grasps.
"They start with your stinky lil belly! And then they'll eat..." She withdraws her hands, holding them out like claws for a moment before diving back in, "stinky napes!"
Cale's chubby cheeks are nice and rosy by the time she decides to spare him, his laughter slowing to a stop as he tries to catch his breath.
There's a knock at the door and she holds back a snicker at how fast the boy jumps to his feet and hides behind her dress.
She calls for the visitor to come in, and she's met with the talented butler who has recently been added to her team of vassals.
When Cale had told her about wanting a friend, her heart ached for her child because she knew it might be too dangerous to meet anyone without a proper screening. She knows first hand that making friends with whoever your parents pick out for you just isn't the same. Hopefully, Cale can be satisfied with a caretaker for now, but she was actually hoping for the butler to introduce the boy to his son.
(She isn't sure the man's son would be as willing to play with a child since the pre-teen is approaching the age where parents might become lame. She isn't looking forward to the day Cale tells her he doesn't want to hang out with her because she's "not cool").
She watches the way Ron Molan interacts with her son and decides that she's made a good decision. The man is patient and lets her child take lead of the situation, allowing Cale to choose if he wanted to meet him.
"It's okay, that just Ron," she rests her hand on her son's shoulder, "Why don't you go say hi?"
It's so cute how children will look to their parents for encouragement!! The way Cale had immediately looked to her had her heart cartwheeling and flipping in her chest.
(She's bitter that the man she married has chosen work over family again).
-
Ron takes the young master to meet his son soon after gaining the boy's trust. The way the child looks at him when he's hung the stars or painted the sunset by hand... he doesn't know how to feel about that.
(He's scared of dirtying this innocent soul with his blood stained hands).
Cale throws his arms up, giving him an expectant look with wide eyes, and Ron can't refuse the boy's request. He lifts the boy into his arms and his heart swells up when the boy rests his head on his shoulder.
When they do make it to the kitchen, Ron's eyes seek out his son's dark head of hair. Cale buries his face into the side of his neck as his grubby hands clench his suit a little tighter. Cale is such a shy boy....
"Father," Beacrox greets him, "Is something the matter?"
"hmm... I just wanted to borrow you for a moment," Ron starts, "Do you have a moment?"
Beacrox gives his father a curt nod before following the older Molan out of the kitchen. His father is holding a child... who obviously has to be important. Beacrox is almost 100% sure that the boy is the young master of this estate.
Ron leads them into the courtyard before crouching down to put Cale down. The boy makes eye contact with Beacrox for a split second before he's trying to scramble back into Ron's arms, wanting the man to pick him up again.
(Ron is a professional in concealing his movement and emotions, but the smile that manages to slip past his defenses leaves Beacrox reeling).
"No, young master," Ron sternly refuses to accept the child back into his arms, "I want to introduce you to my son."
The toddler makes a whine of complaint, but yields like the obedient child he is. Cale's hands fist at the hem of his own shirt, his eyebrows are furrowed and lips drawn into a pout. Beacrox meets his father's eyes before he also drops into a crouch. Cale still has Ron as an anchor since the butler hadn't stood up from the low position. The boy can feel Ron's body heat from how close he's standing near the man.
"Hello..." He forces his eyes to meet the young chef's, "I'm Cale."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, young master Cale," Beacrox dutifully responds, "I'm Beacrox."
Ahh, his son is so cute trying to act all grown up.
He gives his young master a gentle nudge on his back, flashing the boy a warm smile when he had turned towards him with uncertainty.
"A-ah.. hyung..." There's still a pout on the child's face and Ron thinks it might become a permanent addition, "Do you wanna see my rocks?"
Cale has a pile of rocks hidden in a corner of the courtyard. The boy had forbade the gardener from moving them, threatening to "be super duper mad" if he ever returns and they're gone.
(Cale collects a rock for every person he likes, spending hours on end searching for the perfect one. He's might have to find one for his new hyung soon).
"Alright," Beacrox's words are short and straight to the point, but not unwelcoming. He lets the toddler drag him off into a dusty corner and let's him drag him around the courtyard as they searched for "the perfect rock." Beacrox isn't sure what makes them perfect, but whatever.
-
They easily fall into routine, caring and playing with their young master. Every morning Ron waits by the door as the Countess wakes the boy up. He had offered to take over doing such tasks, but she had been resolute with her decision.
("Countess, this Ron can wake and dress the young master up in the morning if you'd like."
"Mmm, thank you Ron, but I will wake my baby myself... He's only this small for so long."
"I understand.")
The butler watches as the woman sits at the edge of the bed before leaning in and absolutely smothering the child in kisses. Cale wakes up in a fit of giggles as he tries to push her away with baby hands. His chubby cheeks squishing every time she gives him a smooch.
"Good morning, baby," the Countess's voice is soft, "Did you sleep well?"
Cale finally sits up on the bed and his bedhead is... Atrocious. Endearing, but atrocious.
Ron hovers near the door, ready to provide any help if needed, but he ends up remaining by the door. The Madame is a mother after all, and she's grown used to all of the young master's quirks.
Cale's eyes disappear with the huge, cheeky grin he gives his mother. He throws himself into her arms, enjoying the feeling of her hands rubbing circles on his back. Eventually, the child discovers that Ron is also in the room, and brightens up even more. He pulls away from his mother and jumps off the bed, his tiny feet slapping against the hardwood floor. Ron has to brace himself when Cale slams into the side of his leg.
The boy looks up at his caretaker with such love and adoration as he wraps his arms around the man's legs. Ron must be losing his touch... Because he can't stop the coo that escapes his lips. His little puppy master is so loveable.
"Good morning, young master Cale," he crouches down, letting the boy bully his way into his arms and pull them shut with his own two hands, "Did you dream of anything last night?"
The child immediately begins to tell him all about the different adventures he went on, tiny arms wildly gesturing as he described his dreamscapes.
(Ron finds himself growing fonder and fonder of his puppy with every day that passes).
-
The Molan's are there as Cale passes his milestones, celebrating along side of him and the Madame.
(There's a photo of Cale in the bathroom with Beacrox from when he had demanded that his "hyungie" held his hand.
"Hyung..."
"No."
"Please?"
"No."
"Pretty please, hyungie??"
"..."
Beacrox lost. He's soft for his young master, sue him).
Recently, Cale has lost a few of his milk teeth! They all chuckle at the way Cale runs around, flashing a gap-toothed smile for anyone and everyone to see. Last month, he turned 7 years old and their chests swell with joy with how happily and healthily their boy is growing up.
(The Molan's lovingly refer to Cale's baby teeth as puppy teeth when talking to each other in private).
Beacrox finds it extremely hard not to give in to the boy's begging when he's attacked with puppy dog eyes and a baby lisp.
"Please hyungie? Just one more cookie and then I'll be good!" Cale looks up at him with sparkling eyes and a lopsided grin, his arms trapping Beacrox's legs in a tight hug.
If anyone asked? No. He did not give his little brother another cookie. No... That's not chocolate smeared on the boy's hands and around his mouth.... Beacrox doesn't know what they're talking about.
(Ron is with the Madame in her office as she swears at her husband. He has finally returned home from a business trip across the country, but he's getting ready to leave again. She curses him out with tears in her eyes, unsure how she would explain to her son that daddy is too busy to spend time with him again).
Ron and the Madame hold Cale a little closer that night, giving in to his demands to be carried, and just showering him with love.
(Cale has stopped asking about his father).
-
(Jour is sure that her husband was hiding something. He's still affectionate and loving towards her, but... something is wrong. She has a feeling she knows that it is, but she prays to god that she's wrong).
-
Cale is 8 when he meets his father again. He's 8 when he's told that his mother passed away in some freak accident. He stands by his father's side in uncomfortable black clothing with dry eyes. His father is on his hands and knees next to his mother's coffin as he bawls uncontrollably. Many people praise Cale for being such a strong and reliable son for his father.
(Cale thinks those tears are lies).
When they return to the mansion, the Count locks himself in his office and buries himself in work. Cale is gently guided back to his room by Ron and Beacrox, where he finally lets himself fall apart. He knows Ron will be there to catch his pieces as he breaks apart.
(He saw the way the man had looked at him with such anguish. His father can't stand seeing him).
Cale wishes that he could have stopped his mother from getting into the carriage that morning. She said she was going to visit an old friend in Harris village and promised him sweets if he behaves himself for Ron. He was good. So why didn't she come back?
The boy cries until he has no more tears left. He's left with a gaping, numb hole in his chest, barely feeling the gentle hands that press a glass of water to his chapped lips and carry him to his bed. Cale feels like he has cotton growing in his ears, he barely registers that he's been changed out of the uncomfortable suit, and tucked below the covers. Beacrox falls asleep by the side of his bed that night, never letting go of his hand.
His mom isn't there anymore... he doesn't feel as invincible as he did when he was in her arms.
Cale is grateful that Ron and his hyung is there for him, since he knows that father wouldn't be.
-
Less than half a year later, Cale learns the true reason behind his father's travels. Deruth moves his second family into the mansion and introduces Violan as his new mother.
Cale takes note of how old her son is compared to him. Basen is only a few years younger than him.
Cale gives them a nod before escaping back to his room.
He hears a pattern knocked into his door before Beacrox comes in, quickly making his way over to Cale's side and fretting over him.
"Hyung," Cale feels so far away again, "Was I not good enough?"
Beacrox's heart breaks for his puppy brother.
"You've always been good enough, Cale. You're more than enough," Beacrox replies, reaching out to pull the boy into his arms.
Cale sits there motionlessly with his head resting against Beacrox's chest as tears continue to stream down his face. His breathing comes out as whimpers because he's trying so hard not to cry.
"Hyung, I wish it didn't hurt anymore," Cale's voice cracks as he tries to speak around the lump in his throat.
"I know, puppy, I know..." Beacrox holds Cale tighter, unsure how to help his little brother.
-
Ron rushes into his young master's room after hearing gasping cries. His heart is beating wildly in his chest as if it's ready to burst out from his ribcage. He isn't met with assassins like he initially fears, but he isn't sure if this is any better. Cale sits with his back against the headboard of his bed, his mother's favorite shawl tightly wrapped around him in a weak attempt to comfort himself. Cale hasn't been sleeping. He's scared of what he'll see in his dreams.
"Oh, puppy..." Ron murmurs, taking quick strides towards the boy.
He takes a seat on the bed next to Cale before pulling the boy onto his lap and just holding him. The man slides down a bit, getting a bit more comfortable and resigning himself to the fate of a crick in his neck and knots in his back. He brings Cale's head towards his heart, hoping the rhythmic beating would be enough to sooth the boy into a dreamless sleep.
"Go to sleep, puppy," his voice is barely above a whisper, "I'll be here."
The boy lets out one last whine as he relaxes in his hold, finally letting himself be swept away by sleep.
(Ron wishes he could help his young master, but only time can help heal him).
(Ron wishes a brutal death on Deruth Henituse).
-
Cale grows up too fast. The Madame was right when she had said that Cale would only be small for so long. Ron watches as his young master grows into a fine young man, but with each passing year, the light in his eyes dims.
This year, Cale turns 13 and he only has Ron and Beacrox by his side. The Count has never been a father to him, but he can't help the way jealousy gnaws at his ribs, threatening to eat him whole. He can't help the way his heart howls for something that never was his.
All Cale can do is watch from the sidelines as Deruth showers his now pregnant wife with love and swings his son around in delight. He wonders if he was as excited when mom revealed his existence. Cale can't help the doubt that floods his heart.
Deruth Henituse forgot his first born's birthday.
The couple is too busy rejoicing the new growing life to notice that he was ever there, so once again, Cale returns to his room alone.
Once again, Ron joins him. They sit in silence for hours on end in his dimly lit room until Cale can find words again.
"Why doesn't he love me?" his unruly hair covers his eyes, "What do they have... that I don't?"
Ron can't find any words to comfort the boy because if he opened his mouth, only curses and death threats would find their way out. He simply reaches out and pulls Cale's head in to rest against his shoulder. Ron isn't sure there is anything he can do to help his young master. All he can do is be the shoulder that Cale can lean on. He hopes that would be enough to keep his puppy from drowning.
(He knows it won't be and it hurts).
-
Cale tests something one day. He stops leaving his room and stops eating with the hope that his father would care enough to beg him to take care of himself or at least come check up on him. He was wrong. His father didn't come because he doesn't have time for him. Nothing has changed. He should've known better.
(Beacrox begs him to eat, offering to make him anything he wanted as long as he ate at least a little bit).
(Ron checks in on him all day, peeking his head into the room and trying to convince the boy to visit the court yard with him).
(If Deruth doesn't want him... then he will reject him as well...)
-
Their puppy master is 15 when he learns of the mercy that alcohol brings. Cale drinks himself into a stupor so he doesn't have to feel anymore. That night, Ron and Beacrox see their puppy bare his teeth at the world. Cale had been hurting in silence for so long... they're surprised he hasn't blown up earlier.
(They know. Their young master was too kind, too caring).
As their young master grew older, he also grew more distant... seeking out their comfort less and less. They wish that they could do more for Cale, but there's only so much they can do before they overstep the boundaries between master and servant.
Cale's anger courses through him like raging winds on a violent sea. Anything and everything in his room becomes target to his grief.
(Not people though, never people. Cale Henituse is too loving to hurt someone else).
The teen screams and curses until his voice is gone, leaving a mess in his path of destruction.
"WHY CAN'T IT BE ME??," Cale doesn't know who he's trying to convince anymore, "AM I NOT HIS SON, TOO?"
Deruth and his family sleep peacefully on the other side of the mansion, Cale's grief-stricken cries falling upon their deaf ears. Only Ron and Beacrox are there to witness him tear himself apart, and only they can piece him back together.
(Cale doesn't even want the man's affection anymore... He doesn't know what he wants. All he knows is resentment and sorrow).
-
When Lily Henituse is born into this world, the vassals of the manor rejoice in her arrival. Cale does not leave his room all day in fear that he would give in to his rage and leave casualties in his path of destruction.
He visits her late at night, watching as her tiny chest rises and falls. He can't bring himself to hate her.
(Children do not choose to be born. They can't be blamed for their parent's mistakes).
He returns to his room and loses himself in his thoughts until the sun peaks through his windows.
(Beacrox keeps him company, hoping that his presence can keep his young master from being swept away by the unforgiving rapids in his mind).
(It isn't).
-
Cale falls into a cycle of alcoholism and bar fights for the next five years and all they can do is watch. The boy with the sparkling, loving eyes is no more.
-
There's a few times they see glimpses of the same puppy from the past. Sometimes Cale's mind is just so cruel to him, so he can't bare closing his eyes for a few moments at a time. He seeks out his caretaker, sticking to his side as he makes his rounds around the mansion. If Cale is clutching onto the hem of Ron's suit... then thats for only them to know. Ron is happy to give his puppy comfort when he can, but lately those times are so few that they can be counted on one hand.
Sometimes, Cale finds it hard to contain himself. He feels like he's unravelling at the seams and about to disappear at any given moment. He makes his way to the kitchen where he knows his hyung will be. Beacrox will wordlessly push a warm mug into his trembling hands and they'll just... exist in that moment. Beacrox silently polishes all the silverware in the kitchen, waiting to see if his little brother would speak. Cale says nothing.
-
(They're nearing the time when Ron had decided they would leave... but they agree for another year, hoping their puppy would be able to pull himself out. If they left now, it would destroy Cale).
(Their Cale has already agreed to leave... He'll be long gone by the time they do go).
-
Cale's mind races as he remembers the deal he's struck with the God. He knows it's wrong to just... leave, but it hurts too much to stay. He knows that he probably should tell Ron and Beacrox, but he's scared that they'll convince him that he wants to stay. It's too late to change his mind. The deal is already set in stone. He's so grateful for how long the father and son duo has stuck by his side. They deserve better. Cale hopes that whoever takes his life here will cherish them as much as he has.
-
Ron wakes up and something feels... different. Something changed, and he can't figure out what it is. He goes to wake up his young master as usual... and he's already awake and bathing.
(His heart aches, but he doesn't know why).
How curious.
-
(The father and son think that things are looking up for Cale, they're so, so proud of him).
(This isn't their Cale anymore).
-
Ron and Beacrox mourn the baby boy they had helped raise when they learn that their current Cale isn't the same one they held and comforted. They've grown to love and appreciate their current young master... but they grieve for the boy whose heart couldn't handle being a part of this world any longer. The sweet, sweet boy who was scared to tell them he wanted to leave out of fear of hurting them. The loving child who looked at them with gleaming eyes full of curiosity... who deserved so much more, but was forced to bare his puppy teeth at the world.
(They pray that he's happy wherever he is... if that's the case, then that's enough for them).
(Beacrox aches for the boy who called him hyung, hoping that he is kind to himself in his new life).
-
-
(Kim Roksoo has grown accustomed to his new life as Cale. He's met so many people along the way in this life, so to honor the one who gave him such a sturdy and loving support system, he returns to Deruth's home. Cale makes his way through the mansion towards the court yard and finds the pile of rocks. He carefully picked them each up and makes his way back to the villa.
He collects a rock for each one of his loved ones as well in honor of the person who had graciously gifted him a second chance of life in a different place. He carefully selects one for the original Cale, carefully wiping it clean of dirt, and then placing it in the center of the pile. This is also his family as well).