"Young Master, the Count says you can rest now."
"Young Master, Lady Violan asks for the wedding budget approval."
"Young master, the Count wants you to hand over the household administration work to Lady Violan."
"Young Master…"
"Young Master…."
Words became a mere blur to his ears as he went about his days with absent steps and a blank mind. He found himself lost as his work decreased in just three weeks after the arrival of the new family member.
For once, he wished he still had work to do. Anything. As long as he doesn't have the time to think about the pain in his chest. As long as he doesn't have the time to join the dining room for meals. As long as he doesn't see his father, face full of happiness and void of the previous extreme sadness.
However, Cale knew he should have expected that. It was not odd for a noble to remarry after their wives had unfortunately passed away. The boy knew that, knew to expect that, but the utter bitter rage in his soul couldn't be ignored for so long.
So he used it. He used it like fuel to busy himself with books, polishing his swordsmanship, and doing whatever he could with his newfound free time just to avoid the brown-haired family. Luckily, the Elynesis Siblings only stared at him disapprovingly, but other than that, they helped him with what he wanted to learn. They gave him magic books, showed demonstrative practice, gave him several styles of swordsmanship, and even took him out to see a knight training in another country. However, that was just once because the two later got grounded for doing that without permission. Later on, it was his godmother who continued the routine after the two children explained to their mother.
Cale learned new things from her. She taught him the world around him and how to use information with efficiency, not a single bit wasted. She showed him what it meant to be in control, be it in finance or politics. He could see why she taught him that when he sat through his lesson one day, realizing it was useless.
So he had stopped attending classes, telling his tutors that he didn't need them anymore. Some were offended and secretly cursed him out, while some seemed to understand why and just bowed. If he saw some of them when he visited his godmother's place, well, he didn't say anything.
Of course, this new routine made a lot of people wonder what he does in his free time. Whispers flew in the wind, flying from one mouth to another. Intention varied from curiosity and maliciousness.
Cale ignored it all. However, it seemed his coldness to his reputation made it concerning for his father.
His brownish-red eyes fluttered before they settled on his father's concerned brown ones. Ignoring the obvious but quiet presence of the new countess and a child. He didn't stop chewing the cut steak as he savored the food.
Once he was done, he put down his utensils and spoke up.
"I don't see how it is so concerning, Father." He said, keeping an equal eye level to his father.
"Cale," Deruth sighed as if tired, "I'm concerned for you. Can you tell me what you do in your free time?"
Concern? Cale's lips held back a twitch as he silently stared forward. He frowned in displeasure, eyes sharpened like a pair of blades.
"I merely use those times to study by myself. You can check that with Ellan and the librarian. I also go and practice swordsmanship. Captain Heli can testify to that."
Every word was enunciated, daring anyone in the dining room to think otherwise. The guilty ones all looked down, panicked on their faces. Even the Count was not exempt from the words as he flinched, but Cale didn't care.
The question earlier posed by the Count was full of suspicion, making his already bleeding heart pulse with negativity. It made him angry. He was the man's son, but there wasn't a single bit of trust.
Cale breathed out harshly and stood up; the chair screeched against the floor loudly. He grabbed his coat and gave a bow to the family.
"I must get going."
***
He held his position, easing himself into the familiar position he learned from his older sworn sister. Once he was sure, he swung his sword with precision before continuing with two vertical strikes.
The wooden dummy didn't survive as it immediately burst from his swings. The destroyed dummy made Cale smile, happy that his practice didn't go to waste. Even with his slightly weaker body than a knight, he still achieved this much. This much was enough for him to smile.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
"Well done, Young Master." Complimented by a familiar voice.
Cale turned around and caught the towel just in time, smiling brightly at the sight of the Captain Knight of Henituse, Captain Heli. The man never seemed to lose his physique even as he was about to enter his retirement age. It made Cale envious of the man because no matter how much he practiced, he never seemed to get the muscle mass he wanted. It was disheartening.
He dabbed the sweat away from his face as he walked up to the man. "Heli, was it good?"
He never saw improvement in his practice. If it weren't for his eagerness to learn, he would have given up on the way of the sword long ago.
Captain Heli smiled, raising a hand, but stopped midway. Instead, he gave a nod with an apologetic cough.
"It is good, Young Master. In a few years, you might become a sword expert."
Well, that was a relief. Cale let out a sigh of relief, and Captain Heli laughed heartfeltly at the sight. Every other knight who was training shook their heads, knowing not to interfere with the conversation.
It may seem disrespectful for a commoner to confidently talk with a noble. However, it was not a secret that those two used to have an instructor-student relationship. It was enough for them to ignore everything and focus on their training.
"Ah, Young Master."
Cale looked at the Knight Captain and cocked his head to the side. The captain coughed into his hand and discreetly pointed behind him with one finger.
Cale turned his gaze there and froze. Frustration and anxiety came far too quickly for him to process the presence of his step-younger brother. The boy looked visibly anxious while holding his books tightly to his chest. He looked so out of place with everybody else, so small that a passing knight could just crush the boy with his feet.
Cale frowned before smoothing out his facial expression, but the confusion and curiosity in his eyes were clear. He looked at Heli, but the Knight Captain shook his head, not knowing how to help.
He let out a frustrated sigh and walked to the boy. The blade went back to its sheath and was carried in his hand. His face was smoothed out into a carefully blank type, one that was honed from attending lessons with his tutors for years.
"Basen,"
The boy stopped kicking the pebble and looked up at the voice calling him. For a brief second, there was fear before he gradually relaxed.
"H-hyung," Basen stiffened up.
Cale was concerned for those nails that ducked into the thick books, almost tearing off a tidbit of leather skin. He let a small frown show. "The book will be ruined, Basen."
"Ah? Oh, I-I'm sorry," Basen stuttered, loosening his hold enough that he didn't almost rip the book at the same time, not for them to fall from his hands.
Cale stared at the boy, two years younger than him. He was dumbfounded at what to do. He was always the dongsaeng to his two sworn siblings, not the hyung.
Thinking back to them, what did they do with him when they came?
Gifts, play, sleeping…
Sleeping…
Cale turned his head to the presence behind him, looking at Captain Heli's eyes.
"Tell Ellan that I'll be back in the evening." He looked back at his little brother, clearing his throat. "Come with me."
Basen looked confused, but he followed. Cale just huffed and led the boy back to the mansion. Many of those present were reminded of little ducklings following their elders.
It was a cute thought. Not even the captain was immune to it, as evidenced by his amused chuckle.
The redhead led his little brother into the back door of his side of the mansion. He opened the door and waited for Basen to get in before closing the door.
The two didn't start a conversation as Cale led the boy to his library. It was small compared to the mansion's main library, but the books here were much more valuable than those in the library.
And the quietness that permitted the place was much better, almost too silent. It was the result of Aeternus using a silent magic circle that ran throughout the place, and even the books were marked.
"If you read, return the book to its original place," Cale warned, remembering what his older sworn brother said.
"Oh," Basen nodded absentmindedly, taking in the quietness the moment the door closed.
It was quiet. So quiet that he could hear his breathing as he walked along the shelf, his eyes went to the book's spine. They all looked well-read, judging from the wear and tear they all had in some places.
Basen thought it was nice. It must be nice having a library where there would be no whispers or glances from other people at you.
His brown eyes went to his brother and blinked in surprise when the older boy plopped on the array of fluffy pillows. His eyes met those brownish-red ones, staring at him blankly.
"Whatcha looking at? Come read here."
His older step-brother pointed to the space next to him, and all Basen did was nod numbly. He walked there and placed his books on the floor, and chose one before sitting where his brother said to sit.
Peeking behind him, he found the redhead had his eyes closed as he basked in the sun. It made Basen relaxed to see his older brother relaxed in his presence.
This time, he leaned back comfortably with a book in his hand.