They can't be together. That's for sure. Jour Thames once dreamed of marrying the man of her life. Deruth Henituse, the heir to Count Henituse's Family. She trembled at the sight of her love taking someone else's hands. Her hands shook as her tears continued to flow to her cheeks.

It was a mistake.

Falling in love that is.

She breathes deeply and decided to walk away. She did not have the strength to confront Deruth.

She knew. She knew from the start that they were never meant for each other. Deruth has to marry someone his family decided to continue their line. He was bound to marry someone of equal standing to protect the Henituse from anything.

Not her.

It can't be her.

It can't be from the cursed Thames Family.

"That was enough." Falling in love and spend what little time they had. She is happy that she was able to live her life to the fullest with the man she loved. She did not care for anything. She didn't think it was cursed moreover, she felt blessed.

She knew her time won't allow her to spend it until the end with him.

So this is enough.

She can raise her child even without their father. She can protect them with everything the Thames Family left her. She is not alone. The Thames Family in seclusion will accept her.

"Jour." She raised her head and smiled at her father. "let's go back, where we are supposed to be, Jour."

**

A year after...

**

Where am I? Kim Rok Soo asked the first time he opened his eyes. He was enjoying reading the cheesy Birth of a Hero until the sixth volume but somehow, he ended up in a western house set up, and... fuck! Why are my limbs and fingers small?!

"uwahhhhh!" why am I crying like a child?! He panicked hearing his voice. He was so confused but he felt the light tap on his cheeks. A redhead baby is looking at him to calm down.

Calm down, big brother. That's what he heard. It's a bit childish but he heard the voice inside his head.

Who are you? He asked.

The redhead coo and replies inside his head, I am Cale... I was supposed to be Cale Henituse... but it seems that we are reborn in a different world.

Different world? He blankly asked. Being in a sci-fi thing I sure blew his mind out!

You are supposed to be in my place as Cale Henituse but it seems we got in the wrong setup.

Kim Rok Soo stared at the baby redhead.

This time, I am my father's illegitimate son and so you are.

He can't believe this. Kim Rok Soo wanted to cry but the redhead boy looked at him pleading. Please don't cause the mother any problem, you are also her child now.

Not long after, a beautiful red hair lady appeared. The tender palms cupped his cheeks and lovingly look at him. He heard a light chuckle from him supposed to be a brother. He was suddenly lifted up and carefully placed in a woman's arms. "Why is my little Rok crying?"

The beautiful woman, his mother, cooed and kissed his cheeks. His eyes widen at the sudden gesture but the woman smiled tenderly at him. He was slowly rocked back and forth, with a lullaby. The song was familiar and at the same endearing.

Jour sings, "a baby more beautiful than the moon."

It was the first time that someone sang a song for him.

"a baby more beautiful than the stars."

It shook his heart more than anything. The only thing he can do is watched the beautiful woman sing her heart while smiling at him.

"hush, hush, our baby"

He could hear inside his head Cale's child-like voice singing along. His cracking voice was full of pain but watching him from above was more painful than watching him try to keep his tears from falling.

"our baby sleeps so well."

You love her so much. He couldn't help but said those words to his brother.

"A baby more beautiful than flowers."

Even though this is a different world... I am thankful... Cale replied. Hey, Rok. It is alright to be happy in this world...

"A baby more precious than gold."

Don't state the obvious. He retorted but somehow Cale's voice was deeper and full of pain.

"Hush hush, our baby."

I am bound to die, Rok. That was Cale's honest answer.

"Our baby sleeps so well."

You won't die... Rok Soo said, if you decided to die, you'll die. That's the difference.

Aside from the inconvenience of being an infant, Rok found this very much refreshing. His twin brother, Cale Henituse was a minor villain from the book he was reading on his day off. Both of them are easy to take care of, of course, they're much older by soul than their body. The only time their infant instincts kick in was when they poop, are hungry, or feel miserable with the heat or cold. The Thames Household was located deep inside the dark forest. It's dangerous to normal people but Rok guessed that they have something to protect them from the darkness.

The household was right within the boundary of the Gorge of Death and the Forest of Darkness.

"it seems a single-lifer is living inside the Forest of Darkness."

That would be the novel's main character.

That bastard?

His head turns to his twin brother.

Yes, the one you got mopped and beaten out of your guts.

Not funny. Cale snorted inside his head.

They are both about forty years old deep inside. They exchange information which was kind of ridiculous since they had known each other through books.

Kim Rok Soo – no – he is now Rok Thames, knew about Cale Henituse as the count's trash firstborn from the novel, birth of a hero. While Cale Henituse, now, Cale Thames learned about Kim Rok Soo from his mother's book back in Henituse County after the white bastard appeared.

At least, they know who will target their mother.

The Hunters, the people whom the hateful Henituse's contacted and sold their mother. They are people that hunt people whose time is twisted and the Thames Family, who studied time and the universe altogether.

The world will fall into the chaos that's for sure. The great enemy was the White Bastard. The Main villain were the Hunters. And a fact that both of them had, their time is twisted which would make them the best target. A returner, a reanimator, and the single-lifer out in the forest of darkness.

Rok, what should we do? Cale honestly asked.

Rok understand why Cale was being restless. He returned to a time when he was a baby but in a different universe. Both of them concluded that they were reborn at such a time because the world where Cale Henituse existed was destroyed.

We can't do anything but grow up for now. There's nothing to worry about but to grow up safe. That's the only thing they can do.

You are right. I want to achieve my dreams too. Cale said with a gentle low voice.

They still need to stay by their mother's side. She was sickly to take care of them but she would always stay with them.

That's the only way they do it right now.

I still want to become trash. It's quite enjoyable. Cale said.

I want to become a slacker. Rok doubled the trouble. Oh... little brother, how perfectly suited we are with each other.

Stop that farce, you're like that bastard crown prince.

The years went by quickly and now they are five years old. Both Rok and Cale adjusted to being on the Thames and enjoyed quite the silent life in the dangerous boundary. There were years were Black mana and feral dark creatures attacked the small castle but it remained standing even after every siege. The members of the Thames family are quite affectionate when it comes to their blood.

Their mother already knew about them. She was quite happy and at the same time thankful that both of them did not keep being a returner and reanimators from her. Their mother kept it a secret even from the Thames Family but both of them doubt that the family didn't know about them. When she asked them about their lives, she shed tears and hoped for them to live accordingly to the best of their lives.

They spoke when they were almost a year old. They learned and practice walking when they were two. Read and write when three, and when they turned four, they received proper education under their grandfather, Luke Thames. At five, they emersed themselves with the family's research. The records were dated way back even before the existence of Rowoon Kingdom. There are secrets they can't uncover but most of them are records of time travelers from other existing worlds. They decided to live while unraveling the things that were kept from them despite being the Thames.

Hey, Rok... do you think Nelan Barrow is also a traveler? That was Cale's question when Rok was out with his grandfather. Their telepathic communication was quite outstanding even when both of them are not in each other's presence.

Maybe? You didn't get anything about Nelan Barrow? He asked. The bag on his bag was filled with goods. Rok had always been the one accompanying his grandfather outside to buy some necessities in a nearby village. Jour and Cale both had a weak constitution. Rok, even in his previous life was quite healthy.

There are no records aside from him being the first dragon slayer and the white drago –

*screeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeech*

Hyung! Cale's alarmed voice rang inside Rok's head. The villa is under attack!

Rok raised his head and saw his grandfather taking out a pocket watch. The watch has a red flame burning.

"We have to go back, Rok."

His grandfather carried him and tore the transportation scroll. They arrived at the burning Thames Villa. They saw Jour saving the records along with the other Thames. Luke, the guardian of the villa, stood strong before the enemy.

"Who are you?!" Luke Thames shouted. He pulled his sword and launched an attack. His grandfather was formerly a knight before he married into the Thames Family. After that, he willingly went into seclusion with his wife who died when their mother was still in the academy.

Cale! Where are you?! Rok screamed inside his head. He heard Cale groaning in pain and later sees him under the debris. Rok pulled him out and made him drink a magic potion.

"run!" Luke Thames shouted while running to them. He already had a transportation scroll ready and a few spatial bags. "these are the treasures of the Thames Family... this scroll will lead you to the Henituse's. Go there. Find your father. Tell him your mother is Jour Thames. He will take you in."

"We can go together, grandpa," Cale said pulling Luke.

Their grandfather embraced them tightly, placing a soft kiss on their forehead. "my Little red Head... you're grandfather can't leave this place... I still need to protect it... you two should live."

Both of them saw their mother smiling at them. "live." That's all she said after Luke tore the transportation and they disappear into the dark.

The moment they woke up. They were on the outskirts of Rain City. Cale was still unconscious, while Rok fought the urge to destroy what was close to him.

"Who are you?" A vicious voice asked. Rok turned around. A man in his thirties stood before them with a knife in his hand. It was so dark to the point that he couldn't make any vision of the two. A similarly young-looking boy stood behind the old man. "I will ask again... who are you?"

Rok who found this man dangerous took a stance shielding his younger brother. He had a small knife ready while looking straight at the old man's eyes. His heart was pounding so loud. However, if worse comes to worst, he needed to protect his younger brother.

"a redhead... two at that." The old man lowered the knife and laughs, "cocky... I quite like your eyes, young boy... your twin brother is already awake now. You can put that knife away."

Rok who knows how to test how vicious someone is didn't move. How the fuck did this old was able to discern their hair color? It's dark.

"I am Ron. This is my son, Beacrox." The old man introduced, "seeing the great Thames family in this state means that they also attacked you."

This old man knows about the Thames Family. Cale groans and sits up. He grabbed Rok's arm and said, fuck! It's the vicious old man!

Do you know him?

Of course! You read him in the novel but you don't know? That's Ron! Ron Molan! The son-of-a-bitch who feds me the damn lemonade!

Rok frowned at Cale's voice. He's scared to his wits. He wondered what kind of hellish lemonade did this 'son-of-a-bitch' old man fed him.

Thank god. Rok, who did not believe the heavens was thankful, if I was born as you, I'd go taste that hell...

That's your point?! Anyways! We're in danger! That old man does not know the word mercy!

Alarmed, Rok did not lower the knife and slowly steps back with his brother shaking.

"what are you trying to do in my territory?" another voice thundered.

Fuck this shit! Rok was even more confused about the situation.

"father." He heard his very own brother call the newly arrived man, dressed in a noble's clothes, with guards surrounding him.

"Cale!" He called, but it seems his brother is slowly breaking down after the man appeared.

The moon lights the dark alley.

It was a man with dark brown hair and reddish-brown eyes. Considering how he looked and Cale's reaction, this person must be their father.

"red hair." The noble look at them. Rok was confused about who to look at now. However, he saw the vicious father-son bowing slightly. If they bow, that means, this person is the most powerful man in the place.

"lower your head, peasants." The soldier warns, but Rok was vigilant to the point he pointed the dagger toward them.

The nobleman raised his hands to stop the guards and slowly approach the twins. "your face and hair reminded me of someone." He still look at them but this time, his gaze was a bit soft, "what are your names? I am Deruth."

Deruth went down to level himself on the five-year-olds. He did not mind the blade on his neck, he just looked at them and gazed at the same reddish-brown eyes they possessed.

"Cale..." Rok looked at his brother. He is alright... he is father...

Rok lowered the blade and said, "Rok."

"would you like to come with me?" Deruth asked with a soft tone. Both of them flinched and looked at the man's hand. Cale was the first one to reach out. Rok was hesitant but since this person is now his biological father, he needed to trust him right?

Deruth smiled at them tenderly and patted their hands in his. "Take the father and son too."

Rok and Cale still held the count's hand.

Until Cale called out to him, Rok... let's keep it...

Keep what? Rok had an inkling of what Cale wanted to keep.

Let us keep the fact about us being his blood.

It was clear as day what Cale wanted to protect.

He was the most misunderstood minor character to the point that he was at fault.

I don't want to destroy the family he has now.

TBC