It was morning when Tasha noticed that her nephew hadn't woken up. Usually, Alver would be awake by now and would probably be training. She thought maybe Alver overslept which was rare.

Tasha decided to wake up her nephew since Alver wouldn't like it if he wasn't woken up early. She knocked on his door but there was no answer so she entered.

What welcomed her was a sweet scene of a couple who got reunited after such a long time. Tasha was elated seeing the kind redhead but she didn't expect seeing him, them, like this.

Observing her nephew's sleeping expression, this was the first she'd seen him this relaxed. He was like those whipped husbands who couldn't relax when they couldn't see their wife. It was that kind of expression. She didn't know what overtook her, she just decided to capture the moment in her magic recording device.

Tasha exited the prince's room, letting him rest for a little longer.

Alver must've missed him so much he didn't let him go home, Tasha thought as she unknowingly smiled.

Alver woke up after feeling something squirmed on top of him. He forced his eyes open then he found a bundle of red hair. He finally recalled that the drunk Cale barged into his room thinking it was his own room.

Cale was sleeping soundly, his head was on Alver's chest while his arm was wrapped on the prince's torso. Simply put, half of Cale's body was on top of the crown prince.

"Cale, wake up. It's morning," Alver said as he gently tapped his body.

Instead of waking up, Cale curled and mumbled, "want to sleep more."

Defeated, Alver just slipped away and tucked Cale in. He washed himself and went out to do his duties. Upon entering his office, Tasha was already there.

"Someone's in a good mood today," Tasha said.

"Is it too obvious?" Alver said, his smile was not leaving his face. Tasha chuckled as she placed the brewed tea on Alver's table.

"I am happy for you, Alver. But you should marry him first before spending the night together," Tasha responded and Alver almost choked on his morning tea.

"Aunt, it's not like that. Don't misunderstand," Alver replied, blushing slightly which didn't go unnoticed.

"Hmm, if you say so," Tasha said, her expression saying she didn't believe him.

That morning Alver was too motivated on his work, he ended up finishing all his paperwork for the day.

Meanwhile, Cale woke up just during lunch. He stretched his body as he looked around and noticed that the room he was in wasn't his own room. He then remembered what transpired last night as his hangover began to take over his head. Suddenly, an insect bit him on his neck which made it itchy so he scratched it until it reddened.

"Ugh, I hope they won't get mad at me for not coming home last night," Cale muttered as he stood and went back to his home, forgetting the fact that he wasn't wearing the clothes he had yesterday.

Cale was suffering from a hangover so his gift was a little off. He teleported back to his home's dining area where his family was currently eating. Deruth and Violan raised their brows upon seeing Cale's state. Even the servants present were surprised.

"Hmm? Dad, Mother? Basen, Lily? Oh, I'm back," Cale said, a little surprise from where he landed. Deruth squinted his eyes as he examined his son.

"Cale, where have you been? And whose clothes are that?" Deruth asked.

"Ah, this is Alver-hyung's shirt. I slept with him last night," Cale answered with no filter whatsoever. Not knowing what his response would entail.

His answer made Basen choked on his drink, Violan uncharacteristically dropped her silverware, Deruth had his nerves ready to pop out, the servants near them let out a silent gasp and Lily wondered why their reaction was like that when her Orabeoni just slept with his friend.

Isn't it normal for friends to have a sleepover? Lily thought.

"You slept with him?" Deruth asked hoping he didn't hear it wrong.

"Ye ... s," Cale answered, confusion was painted on his face.

"That degenerate—?!" Basen accidentally exclaimed (at the same time as his father), which earned a side eye from his mother.

"He dared?!" Deruth yelled as he slammed his fist on the table. He stood and the servants took that cue to go out.

"Dad?" Cale watched his father as he examined him. Deruth's face became even more scary when he spotted something red on his son's neck.

"Oh, I got bitten by an insect earlier," Cale said, noticing his father was fixated on the red mark.

Deruth's forehead vein looked ready to pop off as he spoke, "Yeah, a big and annoying insect must have bitten you."

"I don't know, I didn't notice it," Cale responded. He looked incredibly clueless for the other reason why his father was angry.

Violan finally calmed down, noticing that maybe Cale and Deruth weren't on the same page. Basen was cursing the crown prince inside his head and Lily continued her meal since today was training day.

"Wash up first and Hans will deliver your meal," Deruth said as he patted his son's head.

He dared to sully my son's innocence! That bastard ... he's dead, Deruth thought.

Confused, Cale just obeyed his father seeing how angry he was and he didn't have any energy dealing with it since his head was throbbing. The redhead walked back to his room, he also noticed the servants looking at him.

Do I look strange to them right now? Cale thought.

As soon as he entered, he was welcomed by the dragons and the children.

"Where have you been?" Olienne asked.

"Ah, I seem to have fallen asleep in the prince's room last night," Cale answered as he went straight to the bathroom.

Cale needed to ease up his hangover by taking a cold bath. The older dragons, on the other hand, who might have an idea or two as to what happened felt sorry for Cale's parents who probably misunderstood his words. After all, Cale says a lot of misleading statement.

"Haha, I wonder what he told his parents about where he was," Youna laughed as he laid his stomach on the carpeted floor.

The red dragon was sensible towards human beings. He understood human emotions and thinking, plus he isn't dense unlike that person. The three children just minded their business and went out to play with Lily.

Hans arrived with Cale's meal just in time he finished bathing. The deputy butler helped him dry his body and dressed him up. He also applied an ointment to the red mark on his neck.

"Enjoy your meal, Young Master," Hans said after he's done tending to Cale and went back to his other duties.

"Cale, Youna and I will be away for a while. The World Tree is calling for us," Olienne said.

"Hmm? Okay, be careful," Cale responded.

"I will always go back if you call for me, so be sure to call me when you need me okay?" Youna said. Cale smiled and nodded.

After the two dragons disappeared, Violan knocked on his door. Cale told her to enter and Basen was with her.

"Cale, I want to speak with you about what happened last night," Violan started as Cale beckoned them to sit across from him.

"What about it, Mother?" Cale asked. Basen just quietly listened to their conversation.

"You said you slept with the prince, right?"

"Yes, what about it?"

"I won't say anything about your preferences, I will support you whoever you choose. But let me ask you, dear. Do you have feelings for the prince?"

Cale looked up to her.

"Feelings?"

"Yes, I mean, do you love Crown Prince Alver?"

Do I love him? Cale asked himself. He then showed a gentle smile as his cheeks showed a tint of pink. Violan and Basen noticed this, and the younger Henituse was raging inside.

"Yes, I do love him," Cale answered in his softest voice and gentlest smile with a slight blush. After all, he's my first friend after coming back.

Contrary to what Cale was thinking, Violan and Basen's mind was in a mess. Basen couldn't comprehend how his beloved brother would have that emotion towards someone whom he hasn't spent so much time with lately. They just met again after three years.

This is the Crown Prince's fault, Basen thought as he gritted his teeth.

"Hyung, are you sure you aren't mistaking your feelings for him?" Basen asked.

"Hmm? I am not," Cale responded, shaking his head.

"Cale dear, the Crown Prince is the first in line to the throne. He has a lot of enemies, you might find yourself in dangerous situations. You might also be a subject for rumors and gossip because of this," Violan said.

"Hm, well, I am strong and hyung's also strong. We could protect one another, anyway. Rumors won't kill me anyway so it doesn't bother me that much," Cale responded while casually eating the food in front of him.

Being the Crown Prince's friend would lead to a lot of rumors around me. Those nobles might even take advantage of my closeness with him to approach him. As if they could interact with me, Cale thought as he happily ate the desserts.

Basen paled as he excused himself. He couldn't let his hyung go with the Crown Prince.

That bastard must've tainted my hyung, Basen cursed.

"Cale dear, I hope you'd think this through first. I am afraid you are not yet well equipped for this kind of relationship since you just woke up from your coma recently," Violan sincerely advised. She was afraid that her son might get hurt if Cale would rush his relationship with the Crown Prince.

"Why wouldn't I be ready to be friends with the prince?" Cale asked confusedly. Violan stared at her son.

"Huh, what?"

"I asked why wouldn't I be ready to be friends with the prince? Aren't we friends already even before I fell into a coma?"

"Huh?"

"Huh?"

The two just stared at one another in confusion. Then, Violan let out a fake cough.

"It seems we might have misunderstood your words," she said, trying to get her composure back. She knew something was wrong with their exchange earlier.

"What is there to misunderstand?" Cale asked. Violan stood and sat beside Cale. She took his hand and gently patted the back of his hand.

"Cale, my son, you shouldn't be saying you slept with the prince as it will cause a big misunderstanding," Violan answered. "You might give your father a heart attack."

"But I really did sleep with him."

"You fell asleep in his room last night and you two just shared the bed, right?"

"Yes, is there any other thing we should be doing on the bed?"

Violan just smiled at him which caused even more confusion to Cale.

"Nothing more than sleeping, dear," Violan responded as she gently patted his son's head.

"Right? That's why I don't understand why am I receiving a barrage of questions about it when all we did is sleep," Cale ranted. Violan kept her smile as she nodded. Internally, she sighed a breath of relief.

"Now all is clear, I am going back to my office. Cale, you need to learn a lot more in one particular area since you are already an adult it is important for you to know about it. Don't worry, your father and I are here to help you," Violan said as she stood.

"Alright, whatever that is I'll try my best," Cale responded.

Violan went out and her heart was about to leap off her chest, good thing it was just a misunderstanding. She needed to inform her husband immediately before he would be branded committing treason. But she was too late. Deruth already went to the palace unannounced.

Before Alver's interrogation, Youna dropped by to laugh at the Prince.

"You're dead, Crown Prince. Be prepared! Hahaha," The red dragon said as he laughed and disappeared leaving the confused Alver.

Then, Tasha came knocking saying that Count Deruth was demanding his audience. Confused, Alver made his way to another room where the Count was waiting.

Upon entering, Alver could see his father chatting with the Count.

Both Cale and his family really have the habit of visiting without informing us beforehand. Seeing how casual my father is about it, it must be in their blood, Alver held back a sigh.

Count Deruth was currently glaring at him.

"Greetings to the shining star of the Rowoon Kingdom, Crown Prince Alver," both Deruth said, forcing himself to smile.

"Greetings Lord Deruth. What might be the purpose of this visit?" Alver asked.

Deruth was doing his utmost best not to strangle the bastard prince in front of him. Alver sat across from him and he picked up the tea in front of him.

"I heard you slept with my son," Deruth revealed, hiding the fact that he was livid, which caused both royals to choke on their teas.

"Alver! You laid your hands on Cale? That boy is still practically a child as he is still adapting to his age!" Zed exclaimed. Panicked, Alver put down the teacup.

"W-Wait! There must be a misunderstanding here, Royal Father, Count Deruth. I didn't lay my hands on him, yes we did sleep together but all we did was sleep! Nothing more," Alver explained himself. So that's why the Count looked like he was about to kill me! Cale, what the hell did you say?

"Liar! How am I going to believe you when he went home looking like that!" Deruth couldn't contain anymore.

When Cale got back, he looked like he was someone who didn't get enough sleep and was tired from who knows what. His face was flushed and was still in a daze, how would a father believe what a vermin had said? Zed, on the side, just watched this interesting thing happening in front of his eyes.

"This is a misunderstanding, Count. I never laid a hand on him, my conscience is clear. Cale was the one who barged into my room telling me it was his room then proceeded to get naked in front of me! I took care of him when he was so wasted last night!" Alver retorted. He shouldn't be falsely accused here when he did nothing wrong.

"Even then you can't have my son. I will never give my son to you," Deruth firmly said.

"My, my. We shouldn't be hindering our children's happiness," Zed butted in.

"Shut up, I knew you were enjoying this," Deruth gritted his teeth.

"Relax, Deruth. Our sons are adults now. Well, Cale might need more time learning more about being an adult but you shouldn't restrict your son so much. He might run away from you," Zed said. "You're treating your son like he's your daughter. He can protect himself if he finds something he is uncomfortable with."

Deruth couldn't say anything. Of course, his son was an adult now. He would probably be fine on his own, but he still needs to protect his son. Especially to those who have been targeting him.

Yes, yes. Tell him, father! Alver internally cheered.

"If this misunderstanding was caused by your son, you really need to educate him with how adulthood works," Zed patted his back to calm him down. Deruth clicked his tongue.

"I am warning you, Your Highness. Don't take advantage of his ignorance," Deruth said. Then Violan entered and dragged her husband away after apologizing for their rudeness.

After getting back to the Henituse Estate, Violan scolded Deruth for not asking their son first before storming into the castle first. She also told him to stop being immature and they should be teaching Cale things he didn't know yet.

This isn't the kind of reunion I had in my mind, Cale, Alver sighed. Zed just shook his head in pity.

Deruth went looking for his son and the servants told him Cale was sorting the books in the library.

"Dad, where have you been?" Cale asked.

"I just had some business to do in the castle, it's settled now," Deruth answered. "What are you going to do with these books?"

"I'm going to throw it away," Cale responded as he added another book to throw away.

Deruth looked at the titles and all of them have one thing in common: its themes were all romance and erotica.

"Why are you throwing these away? Isn't it normal at your age to read these books?" Deruth asked. He was definitely confused.

"What? I am sorting this out since these books are blank," Cale turned to him.

"Blank?"

"Yes, no title, author and content. That's why I am wondering why you bought these."

Deruth could clearly see the title and content yet his son was telling him the books were blank. Was this the gods telling him not to expose him to these emotions? If yes, why would they? That was a complete mystery for Deruth.

"Dad, you're wasting your money buying blank books," Cale commented. Deruth ruffled his son's head.

"Well, I guess there's no need to rush," he smiled.

"Huh?"

× × ×

Unbeknownst to everyone, Cale included, Phanes cursed him without the knowledge of everyone. It is a curse for a primordial person like him. Cale could certainly feel all kinds of love BUT since Phanes didn't want his grandchild being with another human, he cursed him. He removed Cale's ability to open his heart and mind for romantic and sexual emotions. So any material exposing him to romantic and sexual relationships would always remain blank to him. He wouldn't be able to see or hear anything related to it. The only exception for this curse is Cale could still see what true love is—but as long as it isn't with him.

Phanes wanted him to remain untainted, he didn't want Cale to end up like the previous earth primordial. Beings like him would always give their whole selves to the person they fell in love with once they broke their hearts they would eventually succumb to their deaths. All Phanes wanted was to protect Cale's heart.

Cale had no way of knowing he was cursed and the only person who could lift it was himself as well. For now, Cale would be enjoying his ignorance towards that emotions, though it might pose problems to people around him.

//TBC ...

A/N: The last two chapters are so extra, I'm not sure if you (readers) like them. My hand and mind just kept writing what popped up in my head ｡ﾟ( ﾟஇ▽இﾟ)ﾟ｡

Thank you for reading. We'll get to the main part now. ( ˘▽˘)っ♨