After the truth has been revealed, the closest people to Cale went back to their house (rooms) with heavy hearts. The faces of the knights and servants in the Henituse Castle were dim. Nobody had said a single word about the deceased Young Master Cale Henituse. Even Violan, Bassen, and Lilly didn't speak a single word. All of them were silent. Bassen went to his older brother's room and the all familiar smell permeated in Cale's room. The red-haired always smelled like flowers, his scent was always comforting.

Hyung protected me from the collateral family's harassment. I should have protected him too like how he shouldered every single insult to the family towards him. I should have believed in him. Did I even say thank you? Was I able to apologize? I don't remember. Father's relatives were right, I am stupid, Bassen cried as he slumped on his older brother's bed.

Cale was the kindest person to Bassen. The moment he saw him, he already admired his older brother. He was always strong, firm, and beautiful. He was the most beautiful person he had ever met, both inside and out. His brother seldom smiled, but when he did it was the most precious sight.

What did Hyung think when he knew he would die? Was he hopeful we would save him? Yet, we failed him. Hyung, Bassen continued to cry, he didn't even notice Lilly entered their brother's room too.

"Orabeoni," Lilly cried. Bassen looked at her.

"Orabeoni, we ... We are not Cale-orabeoni's family ... we abandoned him when he needed us the most," Lilly cried with hiccups in between.

"We don't deserve to be called his family! I trained ... and studied hard to become the best ... swordsman, and yet I didn't protect a single ... family member!" Lilly shouted. Her heart was breaking.

She was young however she remembered all the times Cale spent his time with her. It was a secret bonding since Cale didn't want to stand out. The times her older brother had shared snack time with her. The times where he personally tutored Lilly. The kind smiles he often gave out. His praises and all were her everything. It was what kept her progress as a swordsman. But she failed to protect her one and only Cale-orabeoni.

I'm sorry, Orabeoni! Lilly slumped on the floor as she cried. Bassen tried to comfort his sister but he, too, was crying. The servants who heard their Young Master and Lady's cries kept quiet. They were mourning too.

Deruth went to Cale's empty room and heard his son and daughter inside.

"We don't deserve to be his family!" Lilly shouted which made Deruth flinch.

It was true, he doesn't deserve to be Cale's father. His precious son died with no justice. Cale tried to explain to him but he didn't listen. Deruth walked towards the room where their old portrait was. The portrait shows a family of three, Deruth, Jour and young Cale. His beloved red-haired child was smiling brightly. It was devoid of any misery and no one would imagine that this child met the most miserable death a person could have.

"Cale, I'm sorry," Deruth cried. He already failed his son so many times, and he failed him once again. He knew his firstborn son was forgiving and he was disgusted with himself for taking advantage of his child's hope. He didn't want to say it out loud: he abandoned Cale once again.

Violan was standing where their current family portrait was hanging. Cale was truly a beautiful child, too beautiful for a man. She remembered the talks with the other ladies that if Cale was a woman, a lot of men would be flocking around her. But Cale was already famous to men and women, but her son was dense and didn't notice the admiration given to him.

Her beautiful son looked filthy during his execution as blood from before had dried up. He was also covered with dirt. He looked famished and nobody cared. Violan hated herself for not trying to protect her son. They may be not blood-related, but she treated Cale as her own.

"Cale, will you ever forgive me? I told you I will try my best to become a mother to you but I failed you," Violan softly cried. Her dignified appearance was no more as she let out all her regrets and sadness. I'm sorry, Cale.

Ron Molran visited the Henituse Family Grave and he laid a flower on top of Jour Thames-Henituse's tomb. She was the one who saved and helped them hide from the ARM. Her innocent and precious son was the reason why things weren't that difficult. Cale Henituse's lovable personality helped them adjust properly. Vicross was able to act like a normal brother to Cale. He considered the red-haired as his son yet he was cold to him when he was accused of. Their family excelled with assassination and information gathering, and yet he didn't gather information to help Cale. He just watched his second son die helplessly.

Alver Crossman was sitting and staring blankly in his room. Everything went by in a flash. He recalled his beloved Cale's appearance. He was still beautiful despite being covered with blood, wounds and dirt. Those things didn't hide his beauty and elegance. Alver wondered what Cale was thinking when he declared his judgment. He took out one of his recording devices and played it. There he saw Cale smiling brightly and elegantly. His beauty and intelligence beat all the women in his Empire. He wanted to touch Cale once again. He wanted to feel his soft skin, he wanted to smell his flowery scent, he wanted to see his smile once again.

"Cale, I love you," Alver in the recording said to Cale one time they were having tea. The red-haired wore a flower crown created by his children. Cale laughed.

"I already know that, and I love you too, Alver," Cale smiled warmly.

Alver's tears fell from his eyes. Oh, how he wanted to see and kiss his Cale again. How he wanted to embrace his lover once again. He wanted to hear his sweet voice again.

"Cale," Alver cried as he hugged himself. He regrets not listening to him. Alver had promised he will protect Cale and will love him unconditionally, yet he failed incredibly.

What's the use of being an Emperor when I can't even protect the only person I love, Alver thought. He laughed by himself, making fun of his thoughts.

If the next life existed, let me love you again, Cale, Alver thought as he cried helplessly.

The whole Empire mourned for the death of the young master, yet nobody held a funeral as the Emperor didn't let them. They also felt disgusted with themselves. Ohn, Hong, and Raon felt guilty. They loved Cale as he was also their guardian.

"Noona, do we truly love Cale-human?" Raon asked as they stared at the recording device with Cale's happy face. Ohn and Hong looked at him.

"Human once told me that when a person loves someone, they will protect them. They would listen to them. They will not falsely accuse them, instead they will find the truth. He said if you truly loved someone, you will be with them through ups and downs. Never abandoning each other," Raon continued as tears fell from his eyes. Ohn and Hong started crying too.

"Does this mean we don't love Cale?" Raon asked as he cried loudly. Ohn and Hong couldn't answer. If love was like that, that means they—all of them—didn't love Cale Henituse. Because if they do, Cale would be alive today. He would be smiling with them. He would be giving them warm hugs and kisses. But he was dead. The people he trusted and loved killed him. Ohn was a smart child and she knew that. She knew they had betrayed Cale's love for them, that's why her heart was breaking. The three children realized, they will no longer feel the gentle pats and praises Cale gave them.

They knew but nobody wanted to admit it: All of them killed Cale Henituse. 

- to be continued ...

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A/N: The image I used here was drawn by yours truly. It's been a while since I drew something, I just wanted to show the scene. Hehe, I'm not an expert when it comes to drawing but I hope you liked it! 

Thank you for reading, see you next time!