While Cale received all of the sentimental gags, his brother Hyung-nim received all of the misfortune and trouble the world had to offer.
Cale sighs once more, his face contorted in a frown. He can't believe his brother vanished while he was looking for something sweet to feed that jerk.
"Where should I look for that wuss again?" Cale asked, frowning even more. The mere thought of the headache that Hyung-nim gave him is more painful than the actual pain. Damn it. He loves him so much, but that brother of his loves to drive him crazy.
I guess I should get used to it before I die of high blood pressure.
That's one good plan. He'll definitely get used to it!
Vicross looked at Cale and Alver.
"What should we do?" asked Vicross.
"Vicchi, what should we do after seeing that Hyung-nim?"
"Better put a leash on him, and make sure you grab a hold of it," Vicross said flatly.
"Right..." Cale hums as he walks casually down one of the streets. "I should tie that brother of mine before he turns me into a fresh corpse out of frustration."
Alver shuddered when Cale said that.
"As much as I want to cheer the chaos he wants to create, he's the greatest chaos to watch out for," Cale grumbles as he hands Vicross the sweets he's supposed to feed his brother. "Hah..."
That's one hell of a long-suffering sigh.
[xxx]
One hour before he got lost, Rok was just looking at one of the pie shops when he called for Cale, but his good brother wasn't even there. He turned around and grimaced at the fact that he was lost and that his brother would definitely kill him.
"Ah. I should tie myself to him next time we walk around."
"For a lost kid, you're quite calm, aren't you?"
Rok turned around and saw the man called Din, the enemy that Cale spoke of. He took a step back, but this jerk's smile was so wide and gentle that Rok couldn't even raise an eyebrow.
"Mind sharing a cup of tea with me?"
And that's how he got into this trouble called the tea date. He wanted to refuse at first, but this man carried him without giving him the chance. There were servants who were following the man's orders and making sure he was comfortable in his seat.
Dongsaeng. Forgive me, for this hyung's betrayal but that apple pie looks so good.
Rok gulps and observes the servant as he slices the creamy apple pie. The scent was making him want to drool.
"You like sweets?"
He did not reply. He's feeling something just by looking at this man.
"Um."
"Don't worry, I'll send you back... you should eat."
Rok swallowed a lump of saliva before taking a spoon and eating. His mouth was filled with the rich taste of apple and cream.
Rok: this is good.
Cale: what is good?
Rok frowned and continued to eat. He didn't want this brother to commit murder right now. So he should keep his mouth shut.
Rok was in a hurry, so he didn't have time to prepare himself with these treats.
"Don't be in such a hurry," Din said. Rok noticed the small ring that this man was wearing. It is the ring that his mom gave him.
"Take your time eating," the man said, smiling. It made Rok frown in annoyance.
"What is it?"
"What is it?"
"What do you want from me?" Unfortunately, Rok had no intention of avoiding the question.
"Nothing," Din replied, amusingly smiling at Rok. "You looked like a squirrel when you ate that apple pie."
Rok felt shivers all over his body, but he didn't say anything. He just munched on the apple pie and decided to ignore the man with all his might.
"Rok, do you want to go back to Moguro Empire with me?" Din asked. "You are your father's illegitimate child, and I know how everyone treats you here, but no one will treat you that way in Moguro."
Rok forced himself to eat, "Even if I am illegitimate, I am still father's son... and Father had never mistreated me."
"But nobles won't let you?"
"Do they matter?" Rok inquired. He's feeling nauseous. Din's gaze is fixed on him. It's making him cower. He knew this man was strong based on Cale's recounts, but this kind of suppression is clearly insane.
It was at that point that his instincts told him to flee.
"You look sick."
This sick bastard is worse than he and Cale combined.
Soon, he hears the familiar voice of his father, who seemed to have been on business in the area.
"What are you doing here?"
Rok felt relieved. He stood up and ran to his father, latching himself onto his leg.
"What happened to Cale and the others?"
"I got separated," Rok replied.
Deruth looked at the young man who had risen from his seat and approached them.
"Greetings, Lord... My name is Din, and I am a young noble from the Moguro Empire on vacation when your son saved me."
But that didn't work out for Deruth. Rok became aware of his father's hand trembling over his head.
"I see, my son has a really good heart; he saves anyone who is in need."
"You are right to be proud, My Lord."
"I am... because you are not the only one he has previously saved."
Despite how subtle it was, Deruth noticed the young noble's expression faltering. Even he, as Rok's Father, seemed troubled by the noble's obsession on his face.
Rok made a friend out of an obsessive bastard.
It's a good thing he arrived sooner because there were hidden guards surrounding them right now.
"May I extend Rok an invitation to the Moguro Empire someday?" the young noble asked, slightly bowing his head, "I'll see you again, Rok."
The young noble had all the apple pies wrapped up before giving them all the Rok.
Deruth took Rok's hand in his and led him back to Cale and the others who were watching over him.
Rok vomited everything he had eaten at that point. His face was pale, and his sweat was cold.
"That bastard." Rok curses, "he's dangerous."
Cale was confused, but soon he understood what his twin said.
Cale: you met him again?
Rok: he came to me.
Cale: ...
Rok: It's clear that he has some obsession with me.
Cale's face paled. He looked at his brother and said, "Don't meet that man again."
"I planned to."
Deruth, who was listening, turned to look at Vicross and Alver.
"It was Crown Prince Adin." He spoke.
"Wait... Isn't he..." Alver was surprised.
"That prince gets what he wants, even if he has to force things his way."
Deruth was aware, but he never mentioned it. If he does, he cannot refuse royalty because he is a lowly count. Even in these dire circumstances, he required power and position in order to protect his children from people like them.
"You need to be careful, Rok," he said as he drew him into his arms, signaling the end of their pleasant stroll.
They must return to the northeast before that Royalty can make his move.
[xxx]
Adin was disappointed when he asked for the Henituse Household to be present at the banquet. Northeast Nobles have already returned to their homeland. Adin was well aware that he couldn't approach them as he pleased while on enemy territory. He couldn't jeopardize his position or Moguro's feelings for a child.
But he likes that child.
Rok and Cale Henituse.
The force standing behind the blonde-haired boy in front of him.
Alver Crossman.
Should I break this boy in order to force them out?
But he doesn't want Rok to hate him, especially, Cale, whom he hasn't met yet.
"First Prince, it is an honor to meet the future Sun of Rowoon Kingdom."
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Crown Prince Adin, the future Emperor of the Moguro Empire; you are more than what rumors and tales about you suggest."
Hah? He smirked, He's the same type of person I am."
I decided to play with him for the sake of Rok.
His obsession grew even stronger.
TBC