As the dawn breaks, Choi Han went back to the Capital once again. As soon as he got back to the mansion given to him by the Crown Prince, he plopped down on his bed. He sighed happily at his dream last night. Suddenly, a knock on his door was heard.

"Choi Han? Are you back?" It was Rosalyn.

"What is it?" Choi Han asked, not bothering to let her enter the room.

"Crown Prince Alver reminds you about the banquet later. I hope you don't forget," Rosalyn responded.

Choi Han didn't answer and Rosalyn sighed. She left and Choi Han stared silently at the ceiling. He definitely needed money and power to take Cale and the children with him. If he could select his territory, he would gladly take the land where Cale was located at the moment.

Ah, I miss them already, Choi Han thought.

Afternoon came, the banquet started. Noble families were gathered at the hall. The King gave his speech, praising the achievement of their youngest swordmaster.

Then, the opera singers named Lulu and Lala came to perform. Choi Han greeted them since he knew them. When their performance ended, the two approached Choi Han.

"Oh! It's been a while, Choi Han!" Lala waved.

"Yes, it's been a while," Choi Han responded.

"You know them, Choi Han?" Rosalyn asked.

"Yes, they are from Harris Village too," Choi Han responded.

"Oh, you should move to a different location so you could talk freely," Rosalyn said.

The four went to the empty balcony on the west side of the hall. Rosalyn was also dragged since Lulu and Lala liked pretty people.

"How have you been? Did you make any progress wooing the person you love?" Lulu asked. Choi Han looked down.

"Ah, if we're talking about the first Young Master of Henituse ... Well, he beat him up," Rosalyn was the one who responded since Choi Han didn't answer.

"What?!" Lulu and Lala exclaimed.

"What's the point of polishing your acting skills if instead of impressing him, you beat him up!?" Lala asked.

"Polishing his acting skills?" Rosalyn wondered.

"You see, the first Young Master loved theater and opera. Choi Han first met the Young Master when we performed in their manor during his 15th birthday," Lulu responded.

"The Young Master loved our group's performance and met us right before we went back. I guess, Choi Han began liking him when he smiled. Because of that, he practiced real hard to be great at acting too," Lala followed

"The Young Master is truly soft and pretty!" The two cooed.

"It was painstaking training Choi Han in improving his acting skills because he was shit at it!"

"Right! He's like a fucking donkey trying to act like a human! Even a donkey was better Hahahaha!"

Rosalyn suppressed her laughter. She wondered how bad Choi Han's acting was before. He's great at it now.

"Oh. Young. Master. May. I. Take. This. Dance," Lala imitates Choi Han's acting before. Lulu laughed and Rosalyn couldn't take it anymore.

"He was so bad at it we wanted to give up training him," Lulu said as she wiped her tears of joy.

"Then, what made you continue teaching him?" Rosalyn asked.

"His passion and dedication to get better at it so he could impress the Young Master," Lala responded.

"Stop reminiscing about it," Choi Han butted in.

"What happened anyway, why did you do it?" Lala asked.

Choi Han couldn't answer since his reason was too immature for him as he looked back on his actions. He was older than him so he should have tried to understand him first.

"You should apologize to him. What if you kept dilly dallying here the Young Master would find someone he wanted to marry?" Lulu said. Choi Han's face darkened.

"I don't want that," Choi Han responded. "There is no one beside him except me!"

"Huh? What do you mean? I thought you beat up the Young Master?"

"Well, our good friend Choi Han here kept approaching the Young Master after he went to the countryside, well in disguise," Rosalyn answered.

"Wow, you made use of what we taught you and probably tricked the Young Master," Lala said.

"No, I am not tricking him!" Choi Han refuted.

"Don't hurt the Young Master's emotion, Choi Han. If you were able to get close to him using your disguise, it is better to let him know who you really are," Lulu said.

"The Young Master knows full well what betrayal means, we don't want you to do the same," Lala added.

"I know about that," Choi Han responded.

The four remained silent. Lulu and Lala hoped Choi Han would become honest with who he is to the Young Master. The redhead had already experienced several betrayals; they didn't want Choi Han to do the same.

☆ ☆ ☆

Meanwhile, on Cale's side. The three children were preparing to sleep as Cale was choosing a book for their bedtime story.

"Mommy, I dun' wike Sowawis," Ciel said. (Trans: Mommy, I don't like Solaris.)

"Hm, why baby? Did he do something?" Cale asked worriedly. Did he hurt my children?

Ciel covered his face with a blanket. His small hands tightly gripped it.

"He wooksh wike he wud steaw mommy fwom me," Ciel answered. (Trans: He looks like he would steal mommy from me.)

"Thwat's wight, mommy!" Etoile seconded. (Trans: That's right, mommy!)

"Mommy ish oursh. We wun gib woo choo anyone," Soleil nodded. (Trans: Mommy is ours. We won't give you to anyone.)

Cale chuckled then gently patted their heads.

"How would you know about that?" Cale asked.

"We cud feew iwt in ouw jewwies," the three said in unison as they rubbed their bellies. (Trans: We could feel it in our jellies.)

Cale laughed, "I see. Hahaha. Don't worry, my babies, I won't be stolen by anyone."

"Pwomish ush!" The three said as they stuck their pinky fingers. (Trans: Promise us!)

Cale locked his pinky finger to his children's pinkies, "I promise."

The next day, Solaris came to play with them again and he brought a bouquet of red tulips.

"You came again," Cale said and smiled shyly as he took the red tulips Solaris handed him.

"Thank you, these are pretty," Cale added.

The three children gripped on Cale's legs and glared at Choi Han. They didn't like him.

How dare he bring mommy flowers!? The three thoughts.

The three children ran towards the garden and picked out the prettiest flowers they could find. After that, they went back to where their mother was and raised their hands covered with dirt while holding some slightly crushed flowers.

"Mommy! I hab fwowewsh choo!!" Etoile said, his sweat drips from his face. He brought a beautiful white calla lilies. (Trans: Mommy! I have flowers too!!)

"Me choo! Mommy! My fwowews awe ze pwettiesh!" Soleil said as he raised his two hands holding white gardenias. (Me too! Mommy! My flowers are the prettiest!)

"Ha! Mine'sh ze pwettiesh! Wook mommy! I bwout woo sweech peash," Ciel said as he brought Cale a bunch of half-crushed sweet peas. (Trans: Ha! Mine's the prettiest! Look mommy! I brought you sweet peas!)

"Aw, thank you my babies," Cale said as he passed the red tulips to Hans and took the flowers brought by his children.

The three children side eyed Solaris as they gave him a mocking grin.

See! Mommy will prioritize our gifts instead of yours, the three thoughts as they proudly smiled at their mother.

Solaris laughed at how cute the children were.

Ah, they think of me as their competition. They're really cute, Solaris thought.

"Shall we head inside? I've made you wait for too long," Cale said.

"It's alright," Solaris responded as he felt his heart flutter everytime Cale looked at him straight in his eyes.

That straightforward and kind gaze always draws me in, Solaris thought as they went inside the villa.

The children were currently sitting on the carpeted floor while doing some drawings. Cale and Solaris were sitting on the couch, casually having tea while talking. Solaris quietly noted everything he saw in this house so he could incorporate everything in their future house as well.

Seems like every room has carpeted floors. I'm sure that's to prevent the children having injuries if they fell, Solaris thought as he sipped the tea.

"You seem to have a lot of time in your hands, Solaris. You have been visiting us everyday," Cale said. Solaris turned to him.

"Ah, yes. We just finished subjugating a monster settlement so my party had time to spend for ourselves," Solaris calmly said. He almost panicked at how Cale phrased it.

"Oh, you're an adventurer?" Cale asked. Because of this, Etoile and Soleil turned to them.

The two children were intrigued about adventures, monsters and fighting. In their past lives, Soleil was always curious about what he had read and played before. The world they were currently living in was a fantasy one, so he wanted to at least experience going on an adventure. Etoile, on the other hand, was a famous kendoka. During their school days, he had won several national awards for it. Etoile wanted to use his skills in defeating monsters too.

"Yes, I am an adventurer. You already met my other party members a long time ago," Solaris answered.

"Oh, yes. I remember them," Cale beamed.

Before the two adults could say something, Etoile and Soleil climbed up the couch. The two turned to Solaris and Ciel walked towards Cale, he was leaning on Cale's thigh.

"An advwenchoowa?!" The two children said at the same time, their eyes were sparkling with interest. (Trans: An adventurer?!)

"Wut dwo woo ushawi dwo?!" Soleil asked, he was shaking in excitement. (Trans: What do you usually do?!)

"Ish it twue thwat monsta awe stwong?!" Etoile asked too, his eyes were sparkling. (Trans: Is it true that monsters are strong?!)

Solaris chuckled, "When the kingdom spotted dangerous monsters, we would usually get called. We go to different places to meet different people of race and nationality. If the people encountered problems caused by monsters, we would be the first one to respond."

"There are monsters that are strong but they are all no match for me," Solaris added.

What's this? Is he trying to impress my children? How cute, Cale chuckled.

"Hmp! Advwentuwing'sh twoo mush wowk," Ciel commented. Soleil and Etoile turned to him. (Trans: Adventuring is too much work.)

"Wut jid woo shay? Advwencha'sh fwun!" Etoile argued. (Trans: What did you say? Adventure is fun!)

Etoile climbed down from Cale's lap and faced Ciel. Soleil followed and placed his hand in between his two brothers. Ciel and Etoile were glaring at one another.

"Babies, don't fight," Cale said as he tried to separate the two. He applauded Soleil's big brotherly act.

"Mommy! Ciew shaid advwencha isnh't fwun. Bu' it ish! I wead it in a bwook!" Etoile said. (Trans: Mommy! Ciel said adventure isn't fun. But it is! I read it in a book!)

"Nuu! It ishn't, it huwtsh when woo gwet huwt!" Ciel raised his voice as he buried his face on Cale's thigh. (Trans: No! It isn't, it hurts when you get hurt!)

Cale and Solaris looked at one another then they silently chuckled. Soleil also smiled, Etoile felt bashful.

"I see, so you're worried they might get hurt?" Cale asked as he picked up Ciel and placed him on his lap. Ciel continued to bury his face on Cale's chest.

"Ciew, I wun gwet huwt. I'w bwe stwong!" Etoile said as he pulled Ciel's clothes. (Trans: Ciel, I won't get hurt. I'll be strong!)

"That's right. With proper training, your brothers will be strong enough to defend themselves and prevent themselves from getting hurt," Solaris added.

Cale let out a quiet laugh and hugged his Ciel then kissed his temple.

"Solaris is right, baby. All of you will get stronger when you grow older. The three of you will choose what you will do and mommy will always be here to support you," Cale said as he caressed his children's head.

"If Soleil and Etoile want to become an adventurer, then mommy will arrange a teacher to teach you how to wield a sword," Cale added as he planted a kiss on top of their heads. Soleil and Etoile giggled and hugged their mother's thigh.

Solaris felt warm watching the interaction between the mother and sons, his selfish self was screaming inside that he wanted to be included in that space too. Cale was too affectionate to his children and if anyone would learn about this side of him, he bet no one would believe him. Even if he was slightly envious, he still felt lucky he could see this side of his beloved Cale.

"Iwf I'm stwong ... I cwan bweat woo!" Etoile declared as he pointed at Solaris. (Trans: If I'm strong ... I can beat you!)

"Yeah! An' I wiw pwotect mommy an' my bwothas," Soleil added and grinned. (Trans: Yeah! And I will protect mommy and my brothers.)

"Aww, why are my children so cute?" Cale cooed as he scooped up his three children and hugged them tightly which earned a heartful giggle from the children.

A knock interrupted their bonding and Hans opened the door. He has a dark expression, not from seeing Solaris, but from another reason.

"Young Master Cale, may I excuse you for a bit?" Hans asked. The three children noticed how glum the butler looked.

"Okay," Cale responded as he placed the children on the couch. "I'll be back, my babies ... and Solaris."

The three children waved their tiny hands as they watched their mother leave the room. The three stared at Solaris.

"How's your preparation for your surprise to your mother?" Solaris asked.

"It'sh goin' wew. Woo dun hab choo wowy," Soleil answered as he carefully climbed down the couch. Solaris stood to assist him. (Trans: It's going well. You don't have to worry.)

"Can I also join you to that surprise?" Solaris asked.

"Ha? WHY?" The three exclaimed as they turned their heads to him.

"Your mom is my friend, remember?"

The three children looked at one another. They don't know what decision they should make. Their mother likes Solaris because he is Solaris and he values him as his friend, their mommy didn't know he is Choi Han as well.

"Did you know, back in the Henituse Territory, a festival would always be held in time for your mother's birthday?" Solaris said. The three children listened to him.

"According to the elders in my village, it started when Young Master Cale was eleven years old. The Count started to celebrate a festival for his first child," Solaris continued. "Every year, without fail, the festival was held. The festivity spanned for a week, there was a lot of music and plays, food and merchants around the city to celebrate his birthday."

"Weawy?" The three asked. Solaris nodded. He just learned about it recently. (Trans: Really?)

"Yes, it's true. Even when they haven't seen the Young Master for almost two years, they continue to celebrate it," Solaris added.

Then why did the book say that mommy is hated by everyone? Ciel thought as he looked at his brothers. Soleil and Etoile held each other's hands.

Mommy is loved by his family, so what is mommy doing here? Soleil wondered. Etoile's grip tightened and his two brothers looked at him.

"Woo cwan jwoin ush in ze surprish!" Etoile said. The two nodded. (Trans: You can join us in the surprise!)

"Thank you, kids," Solaris smiled as he gently patted their heads.

After a while, Melissa entered and reminded the little Young Masters that they needed to take a nap. Solaris stood and went to where Cale was and bid farewell.

"I'm sorry I left you alone there," Cale said.

"It's alright. Hanging out with your children is fun too," Solaris responded.

"You're so understanding," Cale smiled fondly. Solaris blushed.

"I'll be back again," Solaris said as he bashfully walked away.

"Hans, placed the tulips I received from him in our room," Cale said. Hans bowed.

Meanwhile, inside their room, the three children were sitting on top of their bed.

"Ish it ouw fauwt mommy'sh here?" Etoile asked, his head was hanging low. (Trans: Is it our fault mommy's here?)

"Ze sherban' shaid mommy shtayed hewe wen he wash cawwying ush," Ciel added as he played with his fingers. (Trans: The servants said mommy stayed here when he was carrying us.)

"Ish mommy embawassh with ush?" Etoile followed as he buried his face on his knees. (Trans: Is mommy embarrassed with us?)

Soleil couldn't help but feel sad about it. Thinking back, anyone would feel embarrassed having children when you're not married yet. Additionally, they didn't know who their father was. They felt bad holding Cale back.

Their mother always made them feel that he was okay. What if their mommy wanted to go back but he couldn't because of them? What if their grandparents wouldn't accept them and therefore would make their mother isolate more from his family?

Unknowingly, their tears started to fall. It was painful to think after getting attached to their mommy. Their meeting was short yet they were in love with him. They loved how Cale cared for them. They loved how much effort he made for them. They adored how Cale poured his love for them. They couldn't imagine getting separated from him. Their mommy was too kind and caring.

"Why awe woo cwyin'?" Etoile asked his two brothers. (Trans: Why are you crying?)

The two touched their faces and wiped their tears. Their cheeks were wet from the liquid coming out from their eyes.

"Woo awe cwyin' choo," Ciel said. (Trans: You are crying too.)

The three children cried silently. They didn't want to worry the servant outside their room.

In their previous life, their tears weren't shallow. Maybe because they were children right now, they easily cry. Thinking about the possibility that their mother stayed in the countryside for them breaks their heart, after hearing their mommy's family loved him so much. They couldn't help but think that they were selfish from holding their mommy back.

"Hic ... hic," the three hiccuped.

"Mommy," they called as their cries occupied the quiet, spacious room.

☆ ☆ ☆

After seeing off Solaris, Cale remained in the drawing room. He was sitting there silently, staring off blankly. He once again received a call from the main house asking him to go back. However, Cale doesn't have any intention of going back.

How can I go back to the place where I am hurting the most? Cale thought.

Cale loved his home back in the Henituse Territory, but that was when his mother was still alive. After her death, all he felt was loneliness. Now that he's in the countryside, he feels more free compared to before. He wasn't too stressed with the people around him. And he could live peacefully with his children here. He is happy staying here.

"Young Master, are you thinking of going back?" Hans asked.

"No, I don't want to go back to that place," Cale answered.

Hans didn't say anymore. If Cale decides on things, it'll be difficult to change his mind. He hoped his stubbornness won't be passed down to his children too.

Cale stood and walked towards their room. Before going inside the bedroom, Hans helped Cale in washing himself and dressing up. The butler dismissed himself when Cale finished preparing for the night.

Before entering the bedroom, Cale heard his children crying.

"Mommy," they said.

Cale immediately opened the door and found his three little sunshines crying so much. He hurriedly went to their side and hugged them. The three children clutched on their mother's clothes.

"What happened? Why are you crying?" Cale asked worriedly.

"Mommy, awe we ze weashon wai woo awen't goin' howm?" Etoile asked. Their cries were getting louder. (Trans: Mommy, are we the reason why you aren't going home?)

"Awe woo embawast ov ush?" Etoile added. This made his two brothers cry even more. (Trans: Are you embarrassed of us?)

"Dosh mommy'sh mommy an' zaddy hatsh ush?" Soleil followed. (Trans: Does mommy's mommy and daddy hates us?)

Cale hugged his children tightly as he gently patted their backs.

"Of course not. I am proud that I carried and gave birth to the three of you. I am happy that I became your mother," Cale said. "Mother and Father still don't know about you so it's impossible for them to hate you. If they knew about your existence, they'll definitely love you too."

Upon hearing his words, the three children stopped crying. Cale faced his children and the three could see their mommy was holding back his tears.

"You three are definitely not the reason why I chose to stay here. I don't know if you will understand my reason but it is definitely not you, my babies," Cale continued as he wiped their tears.

"Mommy stayed here in the countryside because I had to recuperate here," Cale added. Soleil stood and cupped their mommy's face with his small hands.

"Wai mommy? Awe woo shik?" Soleil asked, his face filled with worries. (Trans: Why mommy? Are you sick?)

Cale brushed Soleil's hair with his finger.

"I was, but I am alright now. I am happy in this place that's why I stayed here," Cale answered as he smiled to ease his children's worry.

"You see, mommy's reputation isn't good in the main house. And mommy didn't want you to get hurt because of it, that's why I stayed here," Cale continued.

The three knew about it, after all they've read the novel. Their mother was called trash and now they realized Cale was protecting them from his reputation.

"Mommy, nu matew wut weputashon woo hab, I am aways on mommy's shide," Ciel said as he placed his tiny hands on the back of Cale's hand. (Trans: Mommy, no matter what reputation you have, I am always on mommy's side.)

Cale was surprised, definitely. He sometimes thinks his children are mature compared to their age. He was worried his way of raising them was forcing them to mature.

"Me choo, mommy! I towd woo, wight? I'w be stwong so I cwan pwtec mommy!" Etoile stood and declared. (Me too, mommy! I told you, right? I'll be strong so I can protect mommy!)

"Me choo, iv I gwet owdew no wan cwan huwt mommy," Soleil added. (Trans: Me too, if I get older no one can hurt mommy.)

Cale smiles fondly, "thank you, my babies. Me too, mommy will protect you now and forever."

The three children giggled. Strangely, they were just crying earlier but just hearing a few things from their mother eased their worried hearts. The three felt sleepy as they yawned and stretched their bodies.

Cale carried them one by one and placed them comfortably on their bed. He gently patted them as he sang a lullaby so they could sleep deeply.

Cale was ashamed of himself. He failed to notice his children's worries. He didn't know they were thinking about it.

Ugh, I failed as their mother, Cale thought.

He stared at his children fondly. They were definitely beautiful children. Now he couldn't imagine what his life would be without them anymore. His eyes then trailed to where the red tulips were placed. He somehow became at ease and smiled.

Cale fell asleep beside them thinking how he would introduce his children to his family. Well, even if they disowned them, Cale would go back to this place. After all, this is their new home now.

//TBC ...

Note:

Red tulips - evokes passion, love, lust.

Calla lilies - symbolizes magnificence and beauty

Gardenia - represents joy and sweetness

Sweet peas - flower of bliss

Bonus:

Cale's children at one year old.

Drawn by yours truly.