Two weeks had passed since Deruth went back from his vacation and during those times he spent his time to his son whenever he was free. Cale, on the other hand, just went on on his life without a hitch. When Cale does not sleep with his father, he continued his nightly visit at the Royal Library. He visits the king too if he came early. And continued his conquest on nurturing his mind and finding information.

One midnight, Cale was still immersed from reading and didn't notice the time.

"The ghost is here again," Cale then heard a voice and turned his head towards the source. It was the same person as the one who called him a ghost first. Cale faced him which made the other child took a step back.

"I didn't mean to scare you, I will not harm you," Cale said, but the other child was still wary of him. Yes, that's right. Don't immediately trust strangers, Cale thought. Now that he could see the child clearly, the one standing in front of him has a blonde hair and blue eyes signifying the lineage of the Royal Family. Oh, he's a prince, he concluded.

"What are you doing here?" the prince asked. Cale didn't know which prince he was talking to. He stood, since it was rude to greet someone sitting.

"I am just reading here," Cale answered in a relaxed tone.

"Who gave you access here? In the middle of night no less!" Alver continued to question Cale.

"Everyone. Everyone just let me use this library at will." Cale replied.

"How am I sure you're telling the truth?" Alver squinted his eyes and asked. Cale showed him the Royal Permission he got from the king which made the blonde stare at him with wide eyes.

"The king gave this to me and he let me come here whenever and any time I want," Cale continued.

"Then, who are you?" Alver asked, still processing what the redhead said.

"Since you already found me, I guess I'll have to say my name but you have to promise me not to tell anyone you saw me here, not even to my father," he replied.

"I am Cale, how about you?" he continued and offer his dominant hand for a handshake.

"I am Alver," he replied and shook Cale's hand. He was surprised to meet the younger Alver, since he barely remembered the face of his past life's king, he didn't recognize this person.

"Oh, the first prince! Pardon my rudeness, your highness," Cale said.

"It's alright, since you already have the permission to use this place anyway," Alver replied and Cale smiled.

"Thank you. Ah, it's getting late. I need to go."

"Will you come back here again?"

"Yes, but I won't be coming back for a while. I'll see you next time, your Highness." Cale smiled and before Alver could respond he was gone.

The next morning, Cale was woken up by a hand tapping his body. He groaned, not wanting to get up. He stirred and curled himself inside his warm blanket.

"I still want to sleep more, wake me up again after three hours," he groggily said.

"But, Young Master, Lord Deruth is calling for you," Ron responded, Cale groaned again and reluctantly sat up and stretched.

"Good morning, Young Master," the butler greeted with his signature benign smile. Cale, whose eyes were half-closed, tried to get out of the bed but he tripped making him fall— or so he thought. He was caught by the old butler before his face meets the floor.

"Are you alright, Young Master?" Ron asked in worry and Cale just nodded his head.

He was so sleepy, his mind and body weren't fully awake. Ron handed him a cup of lemon tea and without second thoughts he drank it which immediately made his body and soul wake up. The old butler softly laughed at his Young Master's expression. Ron helped Cale wash and dress up.

Today was the day he will meet his step mother and step brother. Cale was wearing a white long sleeves accompanied by a cravat with big ruby that matched his hair and vest with gold accents and buttons. His top was paired with black pants decorated with gold embroidery on the seams. He was also wearing a black and gold boots that goes well with his coordinated outfit for today. His hair was tied in a half ponytail. Once he was ready, Ron escorted him to the Lord's office. When they reached his office, Ron knocked.

"It is me, dad," Cale called out as he entered his father's office. Deruth was currently drowned with piles of paper works.

"Oh, good morning Cale. Did you eat your breakfast?" Deruth smiled and asked.

"I haven't, I am actually here to ask you to have breakfast with me," Cale said, fidgeting his fingers.

"Of course! Let's have breakfast then?" Deruth stood up and take Cale by the hand. They walked together towards the dining area and ate their breakfast.

"When will they arrive?" Cale asked his father.

"They'll be here any moment now," Deruth answered.

Just after finishing their meal, the head butler announced the arrival of Violan's carriage. The two went to meet them in front of their house.
As soon as the carriage stop, a woman whose impeccably groomed, wearing her hair in bun without a single strand out of place with a serious face along with a small child, who looks exactly like his mother, came out.

"Greeting, Lord Deruth and Young Master, I am Violan and this is my son, Basen," she sternly greeted. Basen, who immediately hid behind his mother, but was nudged to introduce himself properly.

"Hello, I am B-Basen. It's a pleasure to meet you," he shyly said.

"Hello Lady Violan, I am Cale. Welcome to Henituse Estate," he said beaming with a smile. Violan was slightly surprised seeing the son of Deruth, she even mistook him for a girl. Basen felt shy seeing a beautiful person in front of him. Feeling weird from the atmosphere, Cale's smile became a nervous one and held on to his father's sleeve.

"T-Thank you, Young Master Cale. Pardon my behavior as this is the first time I've seen someone as beautiful as you," Violan immediately said, though she stuttered a bit, after noticing the uncomfortable atmosphere. Cale, whose ears were tinted red, slightly laugh at a sudden compliment. Deruth let out a fake cough.

"Of course, my son is beautiful! He takes after me, after all! Welcome to Henituse, Violan, Basen," Deruth laugh and welcomed the two. Deruth asked the head butler to bring their luggage to their rooms. Deruth and his son personally guided them to the parlor so Cale could get to know them more. Unbeknownst to him, Cale already knew them as he had been with them in his past life.

"Make yourselves comfortable," Deruth said as he offered tea and sweets. Violan nodded.
Deruth, Cale, Violan and Basen talked with one another. Though, Basen just listened as he was too shy to converse with them. Cale, who was observing his father and his future mother, silently accepts them in the family. Noticing the good atmosphere around them, Cale stood and approached Basen.

"Now that I have seen what kind of a person Lady Violan is, I will play with Basen," Cale said. 

"Is that so? Okay, you should get to know Basen," his father replied. Cale nodded. 

"Lady Violan, I hope you make my father happy," he said.

"Also, dad should make Lady Violan happy too. She seems a nice person. Come with me, Basen. Let's explore the house," Cale continued and took Basen by the hands. Before going out, Cale gave a polite bow. He wanted to give the two some time to talk about important matters. He have decided to accept them and not ignore them, like what he had done in the past.

Just as Cale said, he and Basen walked around the house. They stopped at the library since Basen had taken interests in the books they had. Now, Basen was reading and Cale was having some snacks and tea.

"Do you like reading?" Cale asked. Basen took a peek of Cale who was casually nibbling some cookies.

"Yes, I love it," he replied and smiled, Cale had a gentle look on Basen as he recalled his past with his brother. Basen had been injured from the Terror Plaza Incident, and died a miserable death during the attack of the wyverns. His territory was destroyed and no one left alive, except for him. I don't think I could take bearing the death of my family for a second time. Basen and Lily were far too young that time, I don't want that to happen again. My mom's death is enough, I don't want to witness the death of any member of my family.

"Would you like to have some of these cookies?" Cale asked in a gentle tone as he put the cookie near Basen's mouth. Basen, on the other hand, looked at Cale's face before eating the cookie.

"It looks like we'll be brothers if your mom marries my dad, you should practice calling me 'hyung', " Cale said. Basen looked at him with wide-eyes and blushed a little.

"H-How could I?" he asked.

"Why not?"

"H-Hyung," Basen called out which made Cale smile as he remembered that boy who kept on calling him hyung despite being ignored. This time, I'll treat you right. You're my one and only brother after all.

"Yes, I am your hyung, and you are my younger brother," Cale said as he went to Basen's side and ruffled his hair which earned a laugh. Unbeknownst to them, Deruth and Violan were watching their interaction. Violan felt warm towards the redhead child who accepted her son, and Deruth was happy to see his Cale accept someone in his family.

Later that night, Deruth and Violan announced they'll be getting married and—this time— Cale genuinely and happily congratulated them from the bottom of his heart. After a joyous dinner, Cale went back to his room and laid his back on his bed. A sudden knock surprised him, he personally opened his door and was met by Violan.

"Good evening, Lady Violan. You may enter, I'll call Ron to bring us snacks," he said, quite nervous as the lady was stern.

"No need, I just want to talk to you," she replied, leveling her eyes towards the redhead which surprised Cale. 

"Is it really alright for me to marry your father?" she asked, Cale's eyes were shaking. He thought they will not ask for his opinions, just like what had happened in the past. Sure, his father talked to him this time but he didn't expect Violan to ask him too. After a long pause, he finally answered.

"Yes, it is alright as long as my father is happy."

"But how about you? Your happiness?"

"I am not sure yet, I don't know. We just met today, there are things I don't know about you yet. Also, I am uncertain whether you'll accept me, a stranger, as your son or not." Cale anxiously said. In his past life, Violan ignored him and didn't pay much attention which was understandable since he did the same. Though, she was there to clean up the mess he always made but he believed it was her duty as the Countess to do that.

"Yes, that is true. We barely knew each other, but will you let me learn more about you as you get to know me too?" she asked trying to pat his head which Cale let her do it.

"Am I allowed to do that? Won't father want to marry you immediately?" he asked and remembered the day his father brought Violan and Basen home and told him they were getting married without even consulting or talking to him.

"Of course. You are your father's beloved son. The both of us can be truly happy if we have your full approval," she answered, Cale looked at her even though his eyes were shaking and slightly teary, she only let a small smile.

"O-Okay, let's do that. You can ask me that question again after a month," he said like he was making a deal. Violan softly laugh at his reaction.

"Okay, good night, Young Master Cale." he shook his head.

"You can call me Cale," he smiled widely to Violan and bid her good night.

Cale, whose emotions were swirling inside of him, immediately threw himself on his bed and muffled his face on his pillows. Soft sobs could be heard in his room as he couldn't hold his emotions anymore. Now that he was in a child's body, he couldn't control them like how he held it in before. Today's experience was new to him. Never did he expect to be asked for his consent nor someone minded his happiness. He was just happy that he was given a chance to save them, but to be happy with them? That was beyond his imagination, yet he was allowed to. 

He suddenly remembered his past child self who had to endure everything but he didn't blame himself for that. What could a child, whose barely reached two digits of his age, do? All he was allowed to do was to congratulate his father even if he was still hurting. He had to adjust and accept them as he set aside his own pain from the loss of his birth mother. The loss of his beloved mother hurt him, even now, as he was reminded of what his late mother kept telling him: "Cale, life continues to flow like water. Even if things don't go according to your desire, it keeps on flowing whether you like it or not and if you stay unmoving you'll drown. Remember my dear child, nothing is permanent in this world except for change. People come and go, people will stay or leave you. It might sadden you, but keep this in mind, your happiness shouldn't depend on the happiness of others. Keep moving forward, my child and find what you truly wished and desired, only then you can say you are happy." 

He had forgotten about it and he was reminded today. Keep moving forward. Nothing is permanent in this world, except change. Find what you truly wished and desired. These words went around his mind and heart until he fell asleep. 

The next day, Violan informed Deruth that she wished to move their wedding to a later date as she want to keep her promise to Cale and Deruth understood and agreed. Violan spent a lot of time together with him and Basen, they had tea time together, they talked about some trivial things, they talked about what each other's likes, they strolled around the town, Cale learned a thing or two about sculpting, and a lot more. Basen also started calling him "hyung" comfortably compared to before. As he spent his time with the mother and son, he finally grasps the two's personality. Violan also reassured Cale that she was not there to replace his mother in his heart, which he accepted as no one can replace her beloved birth mother. But Cale was giving Violan a chance to become a mother to him and she allowed him to be her son. Things went on smoothly and a month passed in a blink, Violan, Cale, Basen and Deruth were having a tea time in the garden.

"Cale," Violan called, he looked at her as he reached out to the eclairs.

"Yes, Lady Violan?" Cale hummed and took a bite of his eclairs.

"Will you be happy letting me and my son Basen in you life?" as promised, Violan asked this question about his own happiness. Cale put the eclairs down and looked at them eye to eye with a serious expression which made the three flinched as they have never seen Cale with this expression. They were nervous for the redhead's answer as the expression he made was unpredictable. Cale, on the other hand, had already thought of an answer. He smiled brightly, showing that he was truly happy and replied:

"Yes, I will. Dad is sure lucky to have met wonderful women in his life. Lady Violan is a good woman, I could tell she's kind and caring despite her stern look and strict personality. Thank you for accepting me as your son, Lady Violan." 

Deruth let out a sigh of relief and looked at Violan, she was teary. He held her hand, she looked at him, and nodded.

"Thank you for letting me, us, Cale," she finally responded after regaining her composure.

"Please take care of me," he said and nodded. Deruth went to his side and lifted him and hugged him, Cale hugged him back and whispered, "Treat her well, Dad." His father just chuckled and nodded. 

After two months, Deruth and Violan finally got married. There were many oppositions from his father's side, but since their talk was also attended by Cale, they didn't say anything anymore. On the contrary, Cale knew that they will not leave his family alone. He observed his father's relatives and formulated plans to use just in case. Basen held Cale's hand and they went to their parents' side.

"Congratulations, Mother, F-Father," Basen said, he still wasn't used to calling his father "Father". The couple just ruffled Basen's head. Father lifted Basen and carried him. He'll get used to it soon.

"Congratulations, Dad, Mother," Cale said. Violan who was beyond shocked looked at Cale, as the redhead never once called him 'Mother'.

"Did you just call me 'mother'?"

"Yes, since you and dad are married, it is only right for me to call you 'mother' as you are my mother now." Violan was happy to be called mother by the redhead as she felt like he finally accepted her. She didn't feel the redhead forcing himself to say it. Due to this, she lifted Cale and Deruth hugged the three of them which earned a laugh from the redhead. Everyone who were watching this scene concluded that they were a picture perfect family.

The party lasted until night but Cale excused himself as he was getting tired, and Basen was already asleep in his room. Cale went back to his room and changed his clothes to his night gown. Ron, his butler, brought him his warm milk for him to get sleepy.

"Thank you, Ron," he said as he sipped his milk.

"Young Master," Ron called out, Cale didn't respond rather he glanced towards the old man.

"There is something I would like to ask, Young Master. I respect everything you do as long as you are safe but where were you going every night?" the old butler asked which made Cale almost spit out the milk he's drinking. I was found out?! his mind was in a mess as he looked at the old butler with shaking eyes.

//TBC ...