Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It was the night of a bright blood moon but dark black clouds prevented it from being seen even for a moment.
It was raining without stopping, as if the heaven itself was flooding the mortal realm with its tears of sorrow.

They had lost everything... Even though they got their victory against the overwhelming force of the hunters, it was no better than losing.
Most of them had lost their lives but the crimson haired noble was still standing. The said noble was slowly losing himself, slowly losing the grip of his sanity.

Why did he still have to be alive when there was no one else to be with him? His family...had left him behind. Even Choi Han had gone missing.

Maybe the curse he shared with the white star never really went away.
He just wanted to sleep and never wake up again. He was too tired to keep living the hell that was his life.
He was exhausted...he wanted to rest.
So he... closed his eyes.

_____________

Cale woke up to the shrill sound of a machine beeping periodically. He soon realised that he was probably in a hospital when he turned to move and felt the slight pain of needles under his skin and the oxygen mask covering his face. Considering the uncomfortable feeling he had in his chest he most likely needed the mask.

'A hospital?...Why am I here?'

"Cale you are awake?"

Only then Cale realised that he was not alone and there was someone standing beside his bed. It was someone who was unfortunately familiar to him but at the same he felt as if he was a completely different person.

'White Star?!'

Hearing how the other redhead was laughing softly he probably made a weird expression.

"Haha stop it. I can literally hear you thinking from here, I'm not that white shit"

'Wait he is...'

Only then Cale tried to look at his face carefully even though his eyes were still a bit blurry.  The person beside him looked far more healthier and prettier than the white star.

'Kim Roksoo?!'

"Oh I guess you have already realised that I'm Kim Roksoo dongsaeng "

The man who he now knew was Kim Roksoo gave him a gentle smile before patting his head.

Cale was really confused by how Kim Roksoo was behaving but what confused him even more was how the other man was calling him dongsaeng.

'Why is he calling me dongsaeng?'

"Hahaha"

He probably made the weird expression again considering how much the man was laughing.

"You're so easy to read my dongsaeng"

(No it's only you Krs...)

Before Cale could make a funny expression again he continued.

"I got adopted into the Henituse family in this life "

'Huh?...'

"Haha I was born with the appearance of your original body that the God of death told me that the white star had stolen. It's because my deal with him that I had made in my first life couldn't be undone."

"What... happened?..."

It was really hard for Cale to speak but he couldn't help himself from  asking him. He was dying to know what that annoying God had pulled with him again.

The bright smile on Kim Roksoo's  face was wiped out when he heard Cale forcing himself to talk. Instead he was looking at him with a slightly angry expression.

"Hey why are you trying to talk? Did I ask you to? I can understand you just fine like this so don't dare to force yourself. I'm telling you this as your doctor"

'Huh?...'

Kim Roksoo could most probably easily understand his confusion but he purposefully ignored it and continued to speak.

"After you...died the god of death wanted to reward you for doing so much to help the gods. So he made you reincarnate in this world when all your loved ones were already born. Probably only you're supposed to regain your memories but I also regained them because of our soul connection somehow. I don't know why you don't have the memories of this new life though, I haven't lost any memory. That annoying God probably messed something up again "

'Did he also die?!'

Cale was starting to feel panicked all the memories he had buried in his mind were resurfacing.

"Hey... it's alright. Nothing bad happened to me okay? I was born here after I finished living my happy life with my niece. Calm down Cale"

His words indeed made Cale calmer.
Now that he wasn't panicking all that information was making Cale's head hurt,he was starting to feel a bit dizzy.

"You're tired right? Go to sleep dongsaeng. I'll be here when you wake up "

When Cale woke up a few hours after he was feeling a little bit better. He turned to look at the other smiling redhead who was beside his bed once again. He didn't want to admit it but seeing Kim Roksoo beside him again had made him calmer.

"Are you feeling better now?"

Cale felt like he could talk after getting the good rest.

"Yes...why are you still here...?"

"That's because I'm your doctor"
The older redhead said that while flashing him a bright smile. Only then Cale noticed the long white coat he was wearing.

Cale wanted to ask about it more but there were more important things to ask about so he didn't feel like wasting energy on learning other things. He could always ask later.

"Can you tell me about this new life?..."

Kim Roksoo once again smiled gently at him before speaking.

"Of course, I was going to tell you. As I had told you before...we were put here by that God of death. All the people you knew were born here too. Well...you still know them in this life too. Even the people from...Korea are here"

'Team leader and Choi JungSoo are here?...'

"This world is somehow a mixture of both Roan and Korea but don't ask me how, I don't know either.
Oh and you were still born into the Henituse family and my mother in this life was part of the Thames family. After my parents died I got adopted into the Henituse family"

"Oh..."

It was all better than Cale had expected. Although the thought of meeting his family again was...he couldn't bring himself to face them yet,he needed more time to prepare himself.

"Cale try not to worry too much okay? It's not good for your health"

Kim Roksoo was staring at him worriedly. Cale didn't know that his eyes were looking lifeless as if he had already given up on his life.

"You are my doctor? Do I have an illness?"

"You were...born with a weak heart. But don't worry I'll make sure that it doesn't get worse myself"

What Kim Roksoo didn't tell him was that the reason why he was driven to become a doctor was mostly because of Cale's illness. He really loved his dongsaeng a lot in his new life.

"... Okay"

- Don't worry we are here with you now Cale! We won't let your heart get anymore worse!

It was the glutton priestess speaking in his mind.

Kim Roksoo was bit anxious seeing him stating blankly at the ceiling.

"Cale? What's wrong?"

Cale quickly snapped out of his daze, he realised he should probably tell Kim Roksoo about the ancient powers.

"I still have my ancient powers. My heart won't be getting any worse"

Even though it was bit unexpected,it was not a bad thing. Kim Roksoo was relieved to hear those words. He flashed a happy smile at Cale.

"Okay that's great. Still don't push yourself okay? Your heart is still weak."

"I won't"

"Okay. You should get some sleep. I'll tell our family that...you still need some time "

Kim Roksoo patted his head before walking out of his room, leaving Cale behind who was still trying to propess everything that happened.

'I can...meet them again?...'

Chapter Text

The world where we only believe what we see with our own eyes,what we hear with our own two ears,is actually a part of one big lie. The lie,the illusion of being the only one to exist. Just like how there are countless more stars in the universe other than the ones we can behold, the world we are living in is not the only one, it's only a grain of sand in an endless desert.

________

The world that the God of death had chosen was a exceptional one where the world bore the quantities of two different far away worlds without any similarities. One was a magic less but developed world that was later tormented by monsters and the other was a world filled with magic and divine powers of different gods.

The world chosen by the god had a Roan kingdom in it just like Cale's world, but it also had the traits of Korea that existed in a magic less world.
It had dungeons with monsters in it and it was developed but was also filled with magic where humans were not the only highly intelligent beings. Elves, dark elves and beast people and dragons also dwelled in the same world as them.

People awakened their own unique abilities or were able to manifest the mana in their bodies into magic. Those were called awakeners and mages respectively,who may choose to become hunters. And two different hierarchies based on power existed for awakeners and mages. For awakeners S classes were on the top of the hierarchy and had strong bodies and F classes were on the lowest position with bodies barely different from regular people. While for mages, 10th magic circle was the highest power one could possibly reach.

In The kingdom of Roan The Henituse ducal family was one of the most influential noble families. All the four children of the family were incredibly talented. Other than the youngest child who was too young to manifest her own ability,her three brothers were S classes but none of them tried to become hunters. The eldest son Kim Roksoo was one of the strongest S classes but he still chose to be in the medical field as a doctor. Their second eldest son Cale was an unusual S class even among the eccentric S classes, he was an awakener with more than one abilities. But unfortunately he was unable to become a hunter or even use his powers properly because of his lack of physical stamina due to his illness. Even though he was an awakener he was weaker than a regular person without any abilities. And then the third son Basen who was to be the heir chose to focus only on his duties.

The Henituse family truly treasured their children. They did not force them to do anything they were not willing to do. And they especially took extra care of Cale who had a heart disease and...
But it was entirely different when they had first found out about his illness because it had become something insignificant compared to what was happening then in their lives. They corrected their mistakes later but unfortunately only after... Cale suffered a lot.

_________

Jour had come along with Cale to have dinner with her cousin and her family on the occasion of Kim Roksoo's 18th birthday. Deruth was unable to attend with her due to his duties so only two of them had come.

"Happy birthday Roksoo"
"Happy birthday hyung-nim..."

"Thank you Aunt "
Kim Roksoo thanked his aunt who loved him like a second mother with a bright smile on his face before turning to face the cute eight year old child beside her. The child in front of him was too adorable with his little indifferent face,he was unable to resist himself from lightly pinching his cheeks and teasing him.

"Baby Cale you're here too?"

"I'm not a...baby"

"Oh you're not? You're so tiny though? Are you sure?"

He couldn't stop his laugh when he saw his slightly displeased face. Cale looked like he wanted to say something more but decided it was not worth the energy he would have to waste.

"You look a little pale, are you feeling sick?"

This time Cale didn't reply to him instead it was his mother.

"Yeah Cale might be getting sick we have to see a doctor later"

"I'm fine"

He couldn't help himself from slightly frowning at the child claiming he was fine even though it was obvious that he was not. But he decided to let it go, knowing his mother would take care of him.

After a while they were all having dinner at the dining hall while talking to each other.
The dull pain Cale was feeling in his chest before, suddenly became an agonising sharp pain,it was spreading to his shoulders and back. He felt as if his heart was becoming heavier and heavier inside his chest. It was like he was inside a tightly sealed plastic bag,suffocating as the seconds were passing by.

Others were all busy happily talking with each other and enjoying the pleasant meal that they did not realise Cale wasn't eating.

Cale had never felt more terrible than how he was feeling at that moment. He was feeling so nauseous but it felt weird, like he was going to vomit out even his heart. His sight was becoming blurry from not getting any air into his lungs,he felt like he was a fish out of water. And he was losing feeling in his body and falling before he even realised it himself.

Thankfully his mother quickly caught his limp body in her arms before he could fall face down on the hard cold floor

"Cale!"

He was breathing too fast and his lips were starting to look a little blue. But they all were filled with even more anxiety when they saw his hand still clutching his shirt over his heart as if in a lot of pain.

Kim Roksoo quickly realised that something must be wrong with his cousin's heart.

"We have to take him to the hospital as soon as possible,it doesn't look like a simple passing out aunt!"

They all hurried to take Cale to the hospital as he was looking very ill. Kim Roksoo's parents decided to go with Jour to the hospital too. Kim Roksoo wanted to come along too but had to stay back on his mother's refusal.

"We will let you know about his condition so take care of the house while we are gone okay?"

"Alright..."

Later he would realise that not going with them... probably saved his life.

Their car never reached the hospital...a truck had hit their car and his parents lost their lives on the spot, everything happened in just a few moments. And Cale and his mother were taken to the hospital in critical conditions.
They were told about Cale's illness and that him surviving the accident was nothing less than a miracle. But it was quickly put aside because Cale's mother passed away even before the night ended.
Kim Roksoo and Deruth both could not make their hearts understand how their lives were turned upside down in just a single night.
They were filled with sorrow and anger. Anger at not being able to save them,at the truck driver whose mistake took their lives and anger at... Cale for getting sick.

All of them knew it was not his fault in any way for getting sick,it was not something he had control over. But they couldn't help it because in the end they were human and it was human nature to make themselves feel better by blaming something, even subconsciously. But they soon came to regret it.

After Kim Roksoo's parents died, their funerals were held together with Cale's mother by the Henituse duchy and Kim Roksoo was soon adopted into the family. But he decided to not forsake his father's surname and keep it to honour his late parents. Cale could not be present because he was still recovering but that did not stop others from bad mouthing him.

Duke Henituse buried himself in his work and duties,he was drowning in his own sorrows, completely forgetting about his sons. Kim Roksoo was at least at a age where he could understand but that didn't mean he didn't need his new adopted father to be there for him but it was too much to ask. Duke Deruth even forgot to take care of his other child who was yet to hit double digits of age,who had just found out he was sick after suddenly losing his loving mother (Henituse family is already a ducal family in this world).

Only Ron was taking care of Cale, even Kim Roksoo couldn't be there because he needed time to mourn.

Cale had to be home schooled after passing out a lot of times in the school. But his father never accompanied him to the hospital, only Ron took him to his check ups and took care of his daily meals and medicines.

And just like that almost a year had gone by. Other than Cale the other two members of his family started to appear visibly happier. Their pain was still there but it was at least a bit more bearable. But unlike them Cale was not feeling any better. Both his physical health and mental health were deteriorating.

Cale couldn't help the feelings of subconscious guilt weighting his mind down. He felt as if he was the cause of a lot of deaths not only just three people. It didn't help that he kept getting those ominous and realistic nightmares.

One afternoon he was called into his father's study along with his brother Kim Roksoo. He had just returned from the hospital after a check up so he was still feeling a bit tired. But he couldn't help but feel slightly excited and happy,he was going to talk properly with his father after a long time after all.
But the moment he entered the study he already knew what to expect after seeing the stern but elegant looking woman sitting beside his father with a child by her side. And by looking at his brother Kim Roksoo's stiff body language,he probably realised too.

"Come here Cale, Roksoo"

"Good afternoon father"

Both of them greeted their father in unison. They had already lost the excitement they had been feeling before. But the duke didn't realise that. He happily gestured to his future wife and son.

"Meet Violan and her son Basen. I hope you two get along well with them, they are going to be a part of our family soon. Violan and I are getting married in just a month.

Cale couldn't stop the cold emptiness spreading in his mind. He wanted to be happy for his father but it was a little hard to accept because it was really all too sudden.

All of a sudden Cale felt a sharp pain in his chest,he already knew what was wrong He didn't want to ruin his father's happy mood and bother his elder brother so he quickly excused himself before he knew he would pass out. He needed to see Ron as soon as possible so they could go to the hospital again.

'I can't collapse in front of them right now, I have to find Ron'

Kim Roksoo could tell that his little brother was not feeling okay when he saw his pale expression earlier and knowing his physical condition...he quickly ran after him in concern, only to see him collapsing in front of him in the hallway just outside the door. He quickly ran over to him and took his limp body into his arms.

"Cale!"

Hearing his scream the duke and Violan had also come outside frantically.

"Father! We need to take him to the hospital!"

______________

Cale was admitted into the ICU. They were lucky they managed to get there on time or else he would have...

Kim Roksoo and his adopted father had been sitting in the waiting room for an hour without getting any news on Cale's state.
Deruth was sitting on chair with his head down,he looked like he was about to burst out in tears. Kim Roksoo was not any better, guilt was eating him from the inside.

'Why didn't I notice a bit earlier that he wasn't feeling okay...'

Soon a beautiful long golden haired elf (they don't know he's a dragon yet) appeared before them,he was Cale's doctor Eruhaben.

"Doctor is my son okay?!"

"He's getting better"

Eruhaben's face wasn't showing any expression when he said that but Kim Roksoo couldn't help but feel like the doctor in front of them was furious.

"Duke Henituse,is there a reason why you have never once come along with your child to his check ups or at least discussed with me about it?"

Kim Roksoo was right...the doctor was furious,his eyes were extremely cold...

"The child had just gone out of here two hours ago and I had made sure myself that something like this shouldn't have happened so soon."

"What are trying to say Doctor?..."

"Duke Henituse, if I deem that you're abusing your child I'll have to call child protection services here. It's my duty as a doctor to step in when my patient's health is on the line"

"..."

His father was silent with an unsure look on his face as if he couldn't understand anything properly.
Kim Roksoo also didn't know the answer to what the doctor said...

Chapter Text

Sometimes one bad memory is enough to poison thousands more good memories. The sweeter the memory the more painful and unbearable it becomes. No matter how desperately your heart and soul desire the same warm feelings,it can never be restored.
After a moment has passed it has passed for forever, never to return. If your soul starts to crack...it only becomes harder to stop as time goes on. And then... only emptiness becomes comfort.

_____________________________

A child that was sick and hurting all alone in his grief when he shouldn't have been doing that. He should have been in the comfort of his parent's arms when he was in pain. But instead there he was enduring everything alone, giving his family the space to mourn like an adult...no... like a person who had already endured too much,too mature than a child should ever be, more mature than even some adults.
He endured his stress until his heart couldn't physically endure it. How can Eruhaben just watch and let such a small child hurt? He was a dragon who had already lived for 500 years and had seen situations like that turn worse.

'Did his family force him to exhaust himself? Did they put him in mental distress ?'

The little 9 year old child on the ICU bed only looked smaller with the oxygen mask on his pale face and all the machines around his bed he was connected to. He looked so sick and exhausted when a child his age should be happy and living without worries.

Looking at him only made the rage slowly burning inside Eruhaben worse. If he was not getting any care from his father ,he would make sure he would not be able to hurt him either.

So he told them what he was going to do. His father,the duke looked as if he couldn't comprehend anything he was saying while Cale's brother had a shocked look on his face as he realised what the doctor meant. He couldn't help but feel as if the Duke didn't treat the 19 year old any better than his other child,both left alone to hurt.

Eruhaben decided that he should at least make them understand why he was saying that. His father deserved to know what he did wrong.

"Your child almost went into a cardiac arrest because of exhaustion and I'm guessing emotional distress. Was he in a situation where he was put under a lot of stress? Be truthful "

"No we-"

"Yes... he was... I'm really sorry... We shouldn't have made him go through all that suddenly"

Kim Roksoo suddenly felt like his patience had vanished into the thin air and there was only guilt,anger and sadness consuming him. He was angry at his own avoidance and he was even more angry with his father.

"Roksoo what are you-"

"Just stop it father! Explain to him when he is better not me! Did you really think suddenly gaining a step mother and brother would have made him happy?! When he's still dealing with the grief of losing his mother you-"

"Roksoo!"

"Please don't make any more noise,this is a hospital "

Both of them had to stop because they suddenly felt an overbearing pressure wash over them.

"Doctor Eruhaben!"

The person who suddenly called out to Eruhaben was the head nurse of the hospital, Mila. Who approached Eruhaben with hurried steps. She had a frantic look in her eyes.

"What's wrong?"

"It's the young patient who was recently admitted in IC-"

Even before she could complete her sentence, Eruhaben was out of their sight.

There was only one person who had just been admitted into the ICU in the last two hours.

Kim Roksoo could feel his own heart wanting to come out of his chest. Worry was twisting so painfully inside his chest that he couldn't take a proper breath and it was starting to make him dizzy.

Mila who could offer a few words of comfort and a soft smile to the people waiting, was about to turn away but a trembling voice made her stop in her tracks.

"Cale will be fine right?..."

She turned to look at the teenager who really looked worried out of his mind with his pale face and wide eyes.
He looked ready to start hyperventilating with the way he was trembling and breathing.

Looking at the pale face of the big brother who was anxiously waiting for news on his little brother's condition made her heart melt in sympathy.

She walked near him again and motioned him to sit down beside his father.

"Your baby brother will be alright in no time, don't worry sweetheart. But you should sit down okay? Can you take some deep breaths for me?"

"But Cale..."

"Just focus on breathing for now"

Kim Roksoo finally listened to her and took slow deep breaths to calm himself down. Him being overly anxious wasn't going to help his ill brother in any way.

It took almost 15 minutes for Kim Roksoo to finally calm himself down. He still felt a bit weak and his hands were still trembling slightly but he was no longer dizzy or breathless.

Mila remained near him during the whole time until he was finally calm but his father who was just beside him didn't even realise what happened. Duke Deruth was still too lost in himself thinking about what Eruhaben said to him earlier.

It was almost an hour more when they finally saw Eruhaben again. Turned out Cale's condition had suddenly worsened while they were still talking.

When Eruhaben saw him again he couldn't control his voice from being loud or stop the anxiety seeping into it.

"Doctor how is he now?!"

"He is stable"

Kim Roksoo finally felt like his heart could beat properly again. His brother was okay that's all that mattered. This time he couldn't stop his eyes from filling up with tears. He brought up his right hand to cover his eyes but that didn't stop the tears from dripping down his pale face.

"Thank god..."

Eruhaben just silently watched him as if letting him digest the news before saying anything else. But his face took on a harsh expression again when he turned to look at the dazed duke just silently sitting on the chair beside Kim Roksoo.

He didn't even say anything after hearing about his own son's condition as if he was disconnected from the world around him and nothing happening around him mattered anymore.

"Duke Henituse we should probably continue our talk in my office"

Eruhaben's voice seemed to have finally pulled Deruth out of his thoughts considering how he flinched and turned to look at him with wide eyes.

__________________

Months had gone by since then and Cale was back at home recovering.

The duke only managed to convince the doctor after talking to him for a long time and probably only after begging too. After that thankfully Deruth stopped being entirely absent from his child's life. Still it was Cale himself who kept his distance this time. Even when the duke finally got married and their family grew, he expressed no resentment or happiness. It was as if he was numb to everything that happened in his life and it only made his family worry even more.

And after that Kim Roksoo tried his hardest to take care of his baby brother. He even went along to his check ups,made sure he took his medicines and ate his meals even though Ron was still there to take care of Cale.

He probably did it to heal his own wounds. And because of that he was a lot more closer with Cale than he was before,he even learnt to read him even though Cale still didn't talk much.

He could tell that his little brother was someone who felt a lot of emotions but was unable to express them properly. He grew even more worried when Cale's eyes didn't light up even when the friends he had made in his short time at school came to visit him, his eyes and mood remained dull , something that shouldn't have been seen in such a young child.

Unable to handle his worry he had told his father about it but even when asked by his family multiple times Cale still refused to say anything. But Kim Roksoo could see him getting worse slowly.

Had they hurt his baby brother so much that he refused to even say he was not feeling okay? Not even to him?

He knew Ron could tell too so he decided to ask him instead when he had time. And he took the chance to talk to the butler when he saw him coming back from the garden when Cale was still with his teacher.

"Good morning young master"

"Morning Ron, I was looking for you"

"Oh? You could have just asked for me young master"

"Forget it now. I actually have something to ask you "

"Please ask away I'll do my best to answer you"

"Ron... Isn't Cale's behaviour a bit off to you? Did you notice anything else?"  

The kind smile the butler was wearing went away after hearing what he said. He really had a thoughtful expression and that made his stomach turn.

"Young master Cale hasn't been sleeping well recently"

"What do you mean?"

"He has been suffering from night terrors"

"Cale is?..."

"Yes and he gets quite shaken up after"

If he hadn't been already feeling painfully guilty he certainly would have now. His little brother had been suffering in front of him and he was just letting it happen. He really should have tried harder take care of Cale more property.

Later that night Kim Roksoo was still awake even after it was past 3am. He was too stressed to be able to sleep properly. And he couldn't help but feel like he should be checking on Cale.

So he started to slowly walk towards his brother's room after putting on a coat on his shoulders, he didn't bother putting it on property.

When he was near the door of his room,he could hear faint noises coming from the inside. It was Ron's voice. Fearing the the worst he had almost stumbled inside.

"Ron! What happened?!"

"Young master is having a nightmare again but it seems to be worse today"

Cale's little face was pale and sweaty. He was also hyperventilating.

Ron and Kim Roksoo tried to wake him up for a few more minutes before giving up on doing that.

Both of them were becoming more and more anxious as minutes passed by without Cale showing signs of waking up.

Afraid that his brother's heart wasn't beating properly again Kim Roksoo quickly lifted him into his arms before turning to leave the room.

"Ron go prepare the car! We need to go to the hospital now!"

And with that the butler didn't waste a second to run ahead of him.

"Hyung..."

If Kim Roksoo was surprised to see Cale finally awake and hear him talk, he tried not to show it on his face,he only tried to smile softly at his brother.

"Don't worry baby Cale, we are going to the hospital now okay? It will be okay soon, I'm here with you "

He tried his best to comfort his ill baby brother but he had never expected Cale's eyes to be filled with tears after that, nothing could have prepared him to see his brother crying and even more to the words he spoke after that.

"They are dead ...they...died because... because of me..."

It would be an understatement to say that Kim Roksoo's heart broke into thousand tiny pieces hearing his baby brother saying that with tears in his eyes.

"No...no dongsaeng... That wasn't because of you okay? "

"It's my fault... it's my fault...lot of blood..."

"Hush now... It's okay, everything's okay"

This time Kim Roksoo was crying along with his brother. His little brother...

Chapter Text

Kim Roksoo could still recall that particular night. His brother had cried in his arms and he had cried along but thankfully when they reached the hospital, it turned out that it was nothing serious but that didn't mean it should be happening.

The doctor had advised to get Cale help he needed to heal from his trauma after learning about everything.

Kim Roksoo had taken notice of the frown on his now senior doctor's face then, he looked particularly furious that night. His father had reached the hospital half an hour after that, the doctor invited the duke to his office in a calm voice. But Kim Roksoo wasn't mistaken, the dragon was radiating anger barely suppressed.

A few days after Cale had started to see a therapist.
His father looked a lot happier when after a week Cale started to come to dine with the whole family and did not seem to mind Violan and her young son who had moved in with them since the wedding was approaching.

As the wedding approached,the atmosphere in the house got better. Violan and Deruth talked lovingly while dining, both looking genuinely content. His father laughed more too and seemed to love spoiling his now third son.

Bassen was adorable so Kim Roksoo could understand,he never felt any irritation towards the child. But he would have understood if Cale did,since he was a child too and suddenly having a brother might have upset him to some degree,even if silently. But Cale did not show anything, he didn't even talk to his new family members, always eating quietly and leaving, only talking a word or two when he was asked something.

Maybe Kim Roksoo should have expected that...it was for the good right? But there was a sense of uneasy he could not brush of.

'Is the therapist really helping him?'

Was he the only one who noticed that his brother was even more closed off now? Like there was even more walls around his little heart now? Ron probably noticed too but did not comment on it.

And finally it was the day of wedding. The duke looked very happy, Violan too in her subtle elegant way. It was a grand wedding, grand enough to make everyone understand that there was new duchess now so no one could question her status.

The common people of the duchy, the nobles of the Roan kingdom were present and even the king was to attend along with the young crown prince. A feast was held for all, after all the duchal family wasn't lacking any money. A night of an eclipse, a blood moon. Some called it ominous but the couple in question considered it a beautiful occasion for a wedding.

It was Kim Roksoo's first event as the eldest son of the Henituse family so he was expected to socialize. After two hours of socializing in the evening banquet Kim Roksoo had returned to the round table where his baby brother was sitting and enjoying a slice of cake,Ron looking after him.

"Cale! Are you enjoying your cake? Is it nice? Can you give hyung a bite? It looks tasty haha"

Usually his baby brother would have grumbled and offered him a spoonful of cake anyway. But that did not happen, Cale didn't even look like he registered what Kim Roksoo was saying even though he hummed in reply. It made the older redhead instantly worried. Cale was quiet by nature but not like this.

"Dongsaeng? Baby Cale what's wrong?"

The usual retorts to getting called a baby didn't come, instead Cale seemed to be absent mindedly eating his cake. Kim Roksoo put his palm against his brother's temple.

"You're a little warm, didn't I tell you to tell me if you're not feeling well?"

"I'm fine..."

Finally he was talking, the older did want to get him to talk but didn't want him saying he was fine when he clearly wasn't.

Just then a maid came near calling Kim Roksoo's name, looking a bit frantic. He would have ignored her for a bit to take his brother to his room if not for what she said next.

"Young Master Roksoo! The King is about to arrive with the crown prince! You're requested to come by the duke to welcome them when they get here! Please don't just wait here!"

Kim Roksoo couldn't help but feel a bit annoyed at that but he understood that she was doing her job and he couldn't disrespect the royals either.

"Alright I'll be there soon"

It was truly a tiring day but he quickly wiped the frown off his face to gently smile at his little brother.

"You should go rest okay? Ron will take you to your room. Ron"

"Yes, I'll stay with young master Cale"

The old butler was quick to understand Kim Roksoo's unspoken command. But before he could watch his baby brother go, he had to leave to greet the royals.

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Ah...Kim Roksoo didn't expect the crown prince to be so small. He knew that the young crown prince was around Cale's age but actually meeting him and realising that a small kid was bearing so much responsibilities was different. After a while the king was talking with the duke so Kim Roksoo was left alone with the prince.

"Your highness, would you like a slice of the red velvet cake? My dongsaeng seemed to like it a lot haha"

"Your brother? Young Master... Cale?"

"Yes, maybe you'll like it too? Since both of you are around the same age? Ah wait you're older, forgive me your highness"

"It's alright Young Master Roksoo"

Watching the younger boy smiling at him,the Henituse suddenly realised exactly why a child that young was already declared the crown prince. While Kim Roksoo was having his inner analysis done,he missed the prince asking him something.

"Pardon your highness, I didn't quite catch what you said?"

"It's alright, I understand it must have been a really tiring day. And I asked where young master Cale was? It would have been a pleasure to talk to him as well "

"I apologise for disappointing you your highness but Cale already retired for the night, he has been running a fever"

The Crown Prince Alberu didn't look affected at all, he just kept smiling while talking like someone older than his age, someone deserving of the crown prince title.

"Oh is that so? Then I hope he feels better soon, I look forward to talking to him another day then"

"Haha I'll make sure to let my dongsaeng know "

Just like that the evening banquet had come to an end and the guests had left,the newly married couple had retired for the night. It was a fulfilling day, everyone in the duchy felt satisfied.

Outside the eclipse was past totality and a beautiful red moon shone in a fascinating way. Cale would have loved looking at it but he was probably asleep by now.

But an uneasy feeling was telling Kim Roksoo to go check on his brother. His intuition was right most of the time about bad things... hopefully this time it's wrong. With that in mind Kim Roksoo made his way towards his brother's room without even going to change out of his fancy garments first.

When he first entered, Ron wasn't there to greet him,the experienced butler probably left to clean up after the banquet, it was Cale's bedtime hours ago anyway. But when he looked at the bed properly there was no one under the covers. An uncomfortable chill creeped into his gut.

"Cale? Are you in the bathro-"

Kim Roksoo stopped mid sentence because the door to the balcony was wide open, curtains fluttering as the night wind was blowing inside. Suddenly the sense of uneasy he was feeling increased tenfold. He could hear someone entering the room as well, must likely it was Ron but he couldn't care less, something bad was going to happen if he didn't go to the balcony.

Without wasting any more time Kim Roksoo hurriedly made his way into the balcony,Ron silently following behind him.

And then what they saw made the redhead's heart jump to his throat. It was something he never wanted to see anyone doing,much less his kid brother.

Cale was... standing on the railing, staring at the Blood Moon. For a moment Kim Roksoo wanted to believe his brother was just trying to get a better look at the Moon,he was too young to think about something like jumping... right? He was also getting help...he wouldn't think about something like that... But his heart knew better, exactly what his baby brother was doing. He recognised the hollow look in Cale's eyes,as if he wasn't even present, as if he was seeing something no one other than him could.

"Cale... Dongsaeng...what are you doing? It's dangerous... please... please come down? Listen to your hyung okay? And..."

Both Kim Roksoo and Ron tried to slowly take steps forward to go nearer but halted when Cale also raised his foot as if he was going to take a step forward as well.

"Cale! Please listen to-!"

"Everyone died... everyone died... because of me...it was my fault... They're all dead..."

Before Kim Roksoo could realise,Cale was falling from the railing, even if both of them ran to catch him,they wouldn't be able to save him,he was already falling. If only he could be there! If only time could stop! If only -!

"No! Cale!"

Suddenly Kim Roksoo could feel himself moving,he could see Ron becoming completely still,the noise that was there before became completely silent. And Cale stopped falling? Whatever was happening,there was no time to question it, be just wanted to reach out to his brother and hold him in the safety of his arms.

He fell to the floor of the balcony holding Cale who was unconscious, uncontrollable loud sobs escaping him,all the noise suddenly came back everything was so overstimulating, his whole body was screaming in pain for some reason. Some warm was dripping from his nose but none of that mattered. His brother almost died! His brother would have left him too!

"Young Master! Come back to your senses! Get a hold of yourself! You're having your awakening!"

Ron wasn't dumb enough to believe that Kim Roksoo was fast enough to simply reach Cale in time. He himself saw Cale already in the fall, saving him should have been impossible, yet in less than a blink later he was in his wailing brother's arms.

Ron had seen every kind of thing happen in his life and looking at the bleeding redhead and the seemingly impossible rescue happen, he realised one thing...Kim Roksoo had awakened as a hunter and time itself had stopped for a moment.

Traumatic experiences sometimes forced people to awaken as a hunter. But such a moment was not the time to ponder over it. The second young master was almost successful in taking his own life and both the siblings were unconscious.Soon the rest of the Henituse family was awake.

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The Henituse family was devastated after the incident. A week later the therapist who was intentionally causing Cale harm was arrested and an announcement was made.

The birth of a new S class hunter was announced...the oldest son of the Henituse family,Kim Roksoo.