"W-What? Who are those kids?" Basen and Lily asked.

The three children were also surprised. They knew those two even though they hadn't seen them. They were their mother's siblings. One of the people their mommy sacrificed his youth for.

"Young Master Basen, Young Miss Lily," Hans were definitely surprised.

Basen and Lily could notice the appearance of the three children. Two of them shared the same hair color with their eldest brother and one of them shared the same hair color as the hero adventurer.

"Hans, whose children are they?" Basen asked sternly.

The three children flinched. They didn't know and understand but they felt hurt from how their mommy's siblings looked at them.

"They are Young Master Cale's," Hans responded.

Ciel gripped on Hans' clothes tighter. He didn't like how the mood was going.

"What?! Hyung had children and nobody even told Father and Mother?!" Basen raised his voice which made the three children surprised.

Soleil, Etoile and Ciel simultaneously looked at their mommy's siblings. They couldn't make out what kind of expression the two have on their faces. Confusion? Anger? Disappointment? Awe? They don't know.

"We were just following the Young Master's orders," Marley answered.

"Even then, Hans Father trusted you to tell whatever was going on in my brother's life. Yet you never tell us anything!" Basen said.

"Young Master, please refrain from raising your voice. The children are getting startled," Melissa intervened after noticing the three children were shaking.

"What? How will I know that their mother won't use these children to take advantage of my brother?!" Basen continued.

"What if they are just using these children to get money from my brother?!" He added. "If their mother suddenly came and separated them with my brother, Hyung would only get hurt!"

Separate? Who would separate us from mommy? The three thought.

They knew their mommy's siblings were only worried for their mommy. But hearing them say that someone will separate them from their mommy was something they couldn't slide. It was painful. And the way they were raising their voices was too scary for a year old children.

Ciel, among the children, have always been sensitive with the mood inside the room. Slight discomfort makes him uncomfortable and he usually cries.

"Nhhnng, mommy," Ciel said as sobs escaped from his small mouth.

The other two children followed through. They were shaking and sobbing. Ciel turned around and looked at their mommy's brother but Basen still had this angry look. Because of this, Ciel cried loudly.

"WAAAH! MOMMY!" Ciel screeched.. Soleil and Etoile cried as well.

☆ ☆ ☆

On Cale's side, Solaris brought him to an open field where varieties of flowers bloom. The view was also overlooking the whole land where they were staying. It was a wide land yet it was lordless due to how difficult it was to raise a crop and monsters infested the majority of the area. The only safe place was where the town and the villa were located. The King himself manages this land.

Cale was in awe of the scenery, he could see the mountain where the villa was built and the town on its foot. The flower fields were also beautiful.

Solaris turned to Cale and he saw how his expression softened and smiled.

"You know, when I was young, my mom, my dad and I would always come here for a picnic," Cale said.

"Don't you still do it?" Solaris asked. Cale smiled at him sadly.

"Unfortunately, after my mom died, we stopped doing that," Cale said as he returned his gaze to the flower field.

His mother died? Then the Countess isn't his biological mother? Solaris thought.

"I see, I'm sorry," Solaris responded. Cale chuckled.

"Don't be," Cale said. "It's been a long time since that happened. I didn't know I missed it until I came here."

There was a silence between them. Solaris respected the time as Cale reminisced about his past. He didn't know much about him except what he had seen and heard already. He wished Cale would open up more.

Cale turned to Solaris and the latter was surprised to see an expression he hadn't seen before. It was the softest smile and gentlest gaze. The wind blew as if to caress Cale.

"Thank you for taking me here," Cale smiled as he tucked his hair behind his ears.

Solaris' heart beat faster, his whole body started to feel hot. He didn't know but he was sure his face was flushed. He unknowingly reached his hand out to caress the redhead's face which made the latter surprised as he stared at Solaris' eyes.

The two stared at each other's eyes and it felt like time had stopped for them. No one was saying anything. Only the wind and their heartbeats seemed to resonate around them. Cale subconsciously looked at Solaris' lips. The latter took this cue to reduce the gap between them.

Solaris slowly brought his face closer as he locked his gaze to Cale's. The redhead's eyes shook as he tightly closed his eyes. He didn't know why but it felt right to close his eyes. He didn't feel anything touch his lips, instead he felt that Solaris placed something on his neck.

Cale opened his eyes and what he saw was the most beautiful jewel he had seen. It was a diamond, not just a simple diamond but a hope diamond. Its unusual blue color made it stand out among the rest of its kind. It was beautifully cut into a smaller chunk to match Cale and was placed in a well-adorned base then a highest quality of gold and small pieces of diamond made up the whole necklace.

Solaris gently combed Cale's hair as he brought the red locks to his lips—Solaris planted a gentle kiss on his strands of hair. This made Cale's heart race. His face was flushed. It was the first time he felt this way.

"Happy birthday, Cale," Solaris said in a husky tone.

Cale was speechless. A whole new Solaris appeared before him. This wasn't the Solaris he was used to. The Solaris he knew was cute but the Solaris in front of him was different from usual.

"T-Thank you," Cale muttered as he tried to hide his blush. "How did you know it is my birthday today?"

"Your children told me," Solaris responded. I always knew when, after all, it is one of the biggest festivals back in the Henituse Territory.

"I-I see, thank you for this gift," Cale said. "But where did you get this?"

"This is a reward from a certain quest and I wanted to give it to you the moment I saw it," Solaris replied. "I knew it would suit you best."

Cale couldn't refuse anymore if he was shown that kind smile Solaris would always give him. He clasped the necklace as he looked down. Solaris became worried that Cale would throw it away.

"Thank you, Solaris. I'll treasure this," Cale smiled.

Cale stretched his arms and placed his left hand on the ground to support his body. Solaris slowly placed his right hand on top of Cale's. The latter looked at him in surprise but Solaris didn't look back. The two enjoyed their moment for the meantime.

Solaris was a patient person, there's no use in rushing Cale. While the latter was new to the feeling. He didn't know whether what he was feeling was real or was he just caught up in the moment. Hmm, well, there was plenty of time for him to discover his feelings later on.

☆ ☆ ☆

After a while, Cale suddenly felt uneasy. He didn't know what caused it. All he knew was he needed to go back to their home.

"Solaris, I think we should go back now," Cale said. There was a sense of urgency in his expression.

"Yeah, I think we should," Solaris replied and they immediately went off.

They finally reached the villa after thirty minutes. As soon as they entered the villa, the two could hear the children crying. Cale ran as fast as he could and the moment he reached the hall, he saw Hans and the others trying to calm the children.

Ciel, Soleil and Etoile saw their mommy and they struggled from the adults' hold.

"MOMMY!" they cried as they ran towards Cale.

The redhead immediately welcomed them in his arms as the three cried uncontrollably. Cale was definitely worried, he observed the people around them and he saw his two siblings. He was surprised but making his children calm was his priority.

"Shh, it's okay. It's okay, mommy's here," Cale comforted his children, gently tapping their backs.

Slowly, the three calmed down. The three children still had their faces buried on their mommy's chest. Cale then hugged them softly. Hans went beside Cale to help him with his children.

"Shall we go to our room, hmm?" Cale asked his children.

The three looked sullen as they nodded their heads. Cale softly ruffled their hair as he carried them.

"Hans, provide rooms for our guests. Basen and Lily, I'll talk to you later. Miss Rosie and everyone, I apologize for this commotion. Please excuse us, Melissa bring us food upstairs," Cale ordered as he exited the hall.

When they reached their room, Cale placed them on top of their bed. He then proceeded to take a clean, wet towel and a dry one to wipe their messy faces.

"Mommy, wiw we be sheparated?" Soleil asked as Cale wiped his face. (Trans: Mommy, will we be separated?)

"Hmm? Who said that?" Cale asked, then wiped Etoile's face.

"Ze choo stwanga shaid shumone wiw sehparate woo and ush," Ciel said as Cale turned to clean his face. (Trans: The two strangers said someone will separate you and us.)

"No one can separate me from the three of you, Ciel, Soleil, Etoile. Wherever you are, I am always there," Cale said as he ruffled his sons' hair gently.

"That's why you don't have to worry. Mommy will always be here by your side, no matter what," Cale continued. The three children raised their pinky fingers.

"Pwomish ush, mommy!" The three said in unison. (Trans: Promise us, mommy!)

"Woo'we no' awowed choo ve away fwom us!" Ciel added. (Trans: You're not allowed to be away from us!)

Cale chuckled as he entwined his pinky finger to his sons, "I promise."

When the food arrived, Cale brought his children to their table and began eating. The food served was the meal his children asked the chefs to prepare for Cale.

"It's been a while since I had these," Cale commented.

"Mommy, hab woo eachen zis kin' ov fwood?" Ciel asked. (Trans: Mommy, have you eaten this kind of food?)

"That's right. When you three were still in my belly, Solaris would often visit me and bring me these foods," Cale answered as he happily recalled one of his memorable encounters with the adventurer.

"Sho mommy kne' Sowawish befo' we wew bown?" Soleil asked. (Trans: So mommy knew Solaris before we were born?)

"Yes, he's been visiting me since I got sent here to recover," Cale responded as he wiped the mess of his children.

The three children then turned to one another and through their eyes, they were communicating. The three have a great understanding of one another so they more or less knew what the other was thinking.

"Mommy, do woo wike Sowawis?" Etoile asked. (Mommy, do you like Solaris?)

This question made him remember what happened to them earlier in the field. He couldn't help but feel his face become hot. This didn't go unnoticed to his sensible children. The three children somewhat felt dejected from that.

"Hmm? Yes, I like him since he's my only friend here," Cale replied after composing himself.

"Hmn, mommy, woo becha keep zat pwomish. Evwen woo gewt a wovew, we awe woor pwiowichi," Ciel said as he played with his fingers. (Trans: Hmn, mommy, you better keep that promise. Even when you get a lover, we are your priority.)

"We pwefow nu wovew," Soleil added. (Trans: We prefer it if you don't have a lover.)

"Where are you getting these ideas?" Cale sighed, then he gently cupped his sons' cheeks alternately. "Mommy only loves the three of you. I don't think anyone would even take me as their lover. That's why I will always be here."

After they're done eating, Cale puts the children to sleep. The three were out cold, because they got up early and were exhausted. Cale gently stroked their faces, one by one, then he kissed them gently on their foreheads.

"Melissa, please look after my babies. I'll go meet the guests," Cale said. Melissa nodded and bowed.

Hans guided Cale where his two siblings were. His siblings and the servants from the main house saw his children. It wouldn't be good if his parents learned about his children.

Hans knocked on the door and announced the arrival of Cale. Basen opened the door and he was greeted by his older brother wearing a cold look on his face.

"Hyung," Basen called. Cale entered the room.

"Get all your servants out of this room," Cale said. The servants flinched as they scurried away.

"Orabeoni," Lily called as she fidgeted.

"What are you two doing here?" Cale asked as he sat on one of the couches.

"We came to visit you because you are not coming home," Basen answered as he sat across Cale.

"And also today is your birthday! We already missed not celebrating your birthday again," Lily added. Cale sighed which made his two siblings flinch.

"I understand your reason but why didn't you inform us ahead of time? My children got surprised," Cale said as he folded his arms.

"Children? Those kids really are your children?" Basen asked. The tone of his voice somehow irked Cale.

"Wait, am I an aunt now?" Lily excitedly asked.

"Wait a minute, Lily. There are more pressing matters about this," Basen interrupted. "Why didn't you tell mother or father you have children? How long do you plan on keeping this a secret?"

"I plan on telling them, I just don't know when."

"Is this the reason why you're not coming back?"

"Yes, my children are still young for long travels. I don't want to stress them out."

"I see. Who is the mother?"

"I am."

"What?!" Basen and Lily asked in a surprised tone.

"What? I am their mother whether you believe it or not. I am the one who carried and gave birth to them," Cale responded.

"Huh? How did that happen? Are you just trying to trick us? We are no longer children, Hyung!" Basen slightly raised his voice as he stood and slammed the table.

"Whether you believe it or not, it is the truth. I carried them and I gave birth to my beautiful children," Cale sighed.

Basen could feel his legs getting weak as plopped down the couch. He massaged his temples as he couldn't figure out the hows and whys.

Sensing the atmosphere inside the room, Lily brought out the gifts they prepared for their eldest brother.

"Orabeoni, Oppa and I prepared this for you," Lily said as she timidly gave the gift. Her demeanor right now was a complete opposite of what she usually was. Basen looked at Lily and she nodded.

"Happy birthday, Hyung/Orabeoni," the two said with a blush on their faces.

Cale sighed and looked at them. He opened the gift. He could see the most expensive ruby brooch. It was his style. Cale's eyes softened as he closed the box.

"Thank you. I'll keep this," Cale said.

Lily smiled happily, Basen too.

"Orabeoni, can I play with my nephews when they wake up?" Lily asked as she sat beside Cale.

"Sure but let me introduce you two first," Cale answered.

"Yay! Your children are so cute, Orabeoni! They looked a lot like you!" Cale could see hearts in Lily's eyes which made him chuckle.

Cale ruffled Lily's hair which made the latter happy and the other one felt envy. Lily glanced at Basen and showed a smug look.

"Hyung!" Basen called. Cale looked at him.

"Umm, is your budget enough for the four of you? I guess Hans asked to increase your allowance because of the children, is it enough?" Basen asked.

"Yes, as long as we don't spend so much," Cale replied.

"I'll ask Father to increase it again," Basen had a determined look in his eyes which made Cale laugh.

"The children should always get the best, right?" Basen added.

"Right," Cale smiled.

"A Henituse should never settle for less," the three said in unison. The three looked at each other and laughed.

Basen was worried and Cale could somehow sense it from his brother. It was good that his two siblings were doing great.

Maybe it is really for the best that I'd live far from them, Cale thought.

//TBC ...