Kim Rok Soo rushed everything so he could go back to where his precious little brother was. It was wrong of him to leave his Cale in the care of the people who killed him. He felt stupid since a part of him still believed his so-called found family. He still has that notion they would treat Cale right. Hearing everything from the communication device of Eruhaben, it broke his heart. They slapped Cale with the fact that the cold shoulder he's giving them was unjust and unfair, when actually they were the one who was unfair to him.

I shouldn't have taken him if I would be this too preoccupied with shits! Rok Soo cursed.

Eruhaben and Rosalyn saw how Kim Rok Soo had sacrificed his sleep so he could go back to Cale. They felt guilt as these things wouldn't happen if Cale Henituse didn't die. If somehow they believed him. But Kim Rok Soo was the most precious existence to them. Cale was like a tag-along to their benefactors' existence.

Maybe we shouldn't have taken Cale Henituse back, Rosalyn thought as she continued to help Rok Soo with the matters of the war's aftermath.

Meanwhile, Alver was looking for Cale and he remembered whenever the redhead was stressed he would go on top of the clock tower. He was delighted to see the top floor's door open. As soon as he entered, he saw Choi Han touching what's his. Choi Han was seemingly kissing his lover.

"Choi Han? What the hell are you doing?" Alver angrily asked. Choi Han turned to look at him.

"Your Majesty, I am just checking his temperature since his face is red. Good thing he isn't sick," Choi Han calmly responded. Alver was about to approach and carry Cale when Choi Han did it instead.

"Choi Han, I can carry him," Alver said.

"It's alright, Your Majesty. It is my job as his knight to look after him," Choi Han responded. He didn't have any intention of letting the redhead go. Alver glared at him and grabbed his arm.

"Is something the matter, Your Majesty?" Choi Han innocently asked.

"Know your boundaries, Choi Han. Cale isn't yours," Alver answered.

"He isn't yours too, Your Majesty," Choi Han talked back, which angered Alver and he tightened his grip on Choi Han's arm.

The black-haired swordmaster glared at the Emperor. This would be considered as insolence and a rude act towards a royal but since they owed Choi Han, Alver cannot punish him. Upon noticing Alver was still clutching on his arm, Choi Han spoke.

"Isn't Your Majesty the one who ordered to have him executed in front of the masses?"

"Don't speak as if you're clean, Choi Han. You made his days inside the prison hell, you hurt him too," Alver growled. Choi Han let out a condescending chuckle which irritated the Emperor more.

"At least I kept him alive despite that," Choi Han responded.

Alver was about to reply to that but they heard Cale groan. The Emperor watched his beloved nuzzle his head unto Choi Han's chest, because of this the swordmaster smirked and he walked out of the tower. Alver slammed his clenched fist into the wall.

"That bastard!" He yelled.

It was night when Cale Henituse woke up and the first thing he saw was his former butler. He slowly averted his eyes and looked through the window. He sat up and stretched his arms and legs.

"Young Master, would you like to eat?" Ron asked. Cale shook his head which made the butler frown.

"Young Master hasn't eaten since morning. You'll get sick at this rate," Ron said as he sounded worried for the redhead, which made Cale laugh.

"Me? Sick? I experienced death! What makes you think I care about being sick?" Cale asked with his usual smirk but his clenched fists were shaking, which didn't go unnoticed to the butler.

Ron closed his eyes tightly and sighed.

"I will bring your food to you, Young Master," he said.

"You don't have to force yourself, Ron," Cale told him.

However, Ron didn't respond and went out. As soon as Cale was sure Ron wasn't around the vicinity, he quickly stood and he decided to run away.

The children weren't by his side, Choi Han wasn't outside either. Cale could easily run away, without wasting any second, he stealthily went out of the room. He noticed his room was changed to another. His room was much closer to the Emperor's. Cale had a bad feeling but he brushed it aside and continued to walk towards the exit. He was about to pass the Emperor's room but the door opened and Cale came face to face with Alver.

Alver beamed when he saw Cale in front of him. The redhead, on the other hand, was about to walk away when the blonde emperor grabbed his arm.

"Where are you going, Cale?" Alver asked with his usual princely smile. The redhead turned to face him.

"I greet the Sun of the Rowoon Kingdom, Emperor Alver Crossman," Cale curtsied. Alver smiled sadly as he caressed the redhead's face.

"Come inside my room, Cale. Let's talk," Alver said as he led the redhead inside but Cale resisted.

"I don't think we have something we need to talk about, Your Majesty," Cale responded, but Alver pulled the redhead close to him. He hugged Cale and kissed his forehead.

"Shh, there is, my love. Let's go," Alver whispered as he pulled the stunned Cale with him inside his room. Before Alver could close the door, he looked at his attendants and his eyes told them to clear out the area. Then he locked the door.

Alver led Cale to the couch, the emperor sat first and he pulled the redhead to sit on his lap. When Cale was out of his trance, he struggled to get away from Alver's hold.

"Cale, don't push me away, hm?" Alver said as he looked into the eyes of his beloved. The Emperor wrapped his arms around Cale's waist and leaned his head on the redhead's chest.

"Your Majesty, let me go," Cale told him but Alver only tightened his hold.

"Why are you doing this, Your Majesty? We don't have that kind of relationship," Cale added. Alver looked up to him with his sad expression. Cale hated that expression.

"Cale, I'm sorry. I know you can't forgive me, but all of it was just a mistake. I know my faults and I sincerely apologize for that," the emperor sounded hurt. Cale didn't know what to say. His heart ached.

"Mistake?"

"Yes, it was a mistake. It won't happen again, you see, even the gods gave us a chance!"

Cale didn't respond, he stared at Alver's face. The Emperor was making that kind of expression again. That expression where he would make you feel guilty for getting mad. Like he was telling you that what the Emperor did wasn't his fault.

"Cale, you know I love you, right?" Alver said as he gently caressed Cale's face then he kissed the redhead's jaw which made the latter flinch.

"Your Majesty, you don't. Please, stop doing this," Cale responded as he tried to push Alver away but the Emperor only made his hold tighter.

"Cale, do you hate me?" Alver asked, the redhead's hands trembled.

Do I hate you? Cale repeated the Emperor's question as tears formed in his eyes. Alver gently wiped away his tears and pulled him closer for a hug.

"Shh, don't cry, my love. I know, I know you love me," Alver whispered as he traced circles on Cale's back.

"No, your majesty. I don't love you anymore," Cale responded as he gave a strong push away from Alver.

Because of this, Alver positioned Cale under him—the redhead's back laying on the couch. The Emperor's eyes were dark as he pinned the redhead down. Cale had a terrible feeling and struggled away from his grip but his current feeble body couldn't get away.

"Is it because of Choi Han?" Alver asked, anger was evident in his tone.

"Why's Choi Han's name coming in our conversation? He doesn't have anything to do with my feelings with you, Your Majesty," Cale answered, his eyebrows creased as he continued to struggle. But this only made the Emperor tighten his grip which made the redhead winced in pain.

"Cale, remember you are mine. You belong to me and not anybody else," Alver whispered as he gave the redhead a light peck on his lips.

"No! I don't belong to you nor to anyone! I belong to my—" before Cale could finish his sentence, Alver gave him a passionate kiss.

The redhead struggled to get away, even if he knew it was futile. Tears fell from his eyes again and it made Alver stop and hugged the redhead instead.

"I'm sorry, I ... couldn't help it," Alver whispered as he nuzzled his face on Cale's neck. The redhead remained silent.

"I was just jealous of Choi Han," Alver continued. "I was just afraid he'll steal you from me."

I am not yours, Cale thought knowing Alver wouldn't accept whatever he says now.

"Let me go, I want to go back to my room," Cale said as he pushed the emperor away. He stood and staggered, Alver immediately caught him but Cale still pushed him away. He walked towards the door and the emperor followed him.

"Let me walk you to your room," Alver offered, Cale turned to him and blankly stared at his face.

"No, thank you," Cale politely said and bowed as he walked alone back to his room.

Cale took quick steps for him to get to his room back as fast as he could. As he walked he kept thinking how he could be at peace. As soon as he entered his room, he slumped down and leaned on the door. He hugged his knees and muffled his cries.

Do the gods hate me so much they let me go back? I thought they're upholding their promises not to make me go back. Just because Kim Rok Soo asked for it, they are more than willing to give me back, he cried silently.

I hate this place. I don't want to be here any longer. 

//TBC ...

A/N: Thank you for reading. 

I'll update this once in a while. Thank you for your patience. ♡( •ॢ◡-ॢ)✧˖° ♡

Bonus meme: