The banquet continued after what happened and Cale had to rest in one of the parlors in the palace. A handmade cookie by the King and a calming tea was waiting for him there. He slumped on the couch and consumed the snacks given to him. Then, he fell asleep.

Cale had a nice dream when he suddenly heard some buzzing sounds near him. He slowly opened his eyes only to see the prince from Caro Kingdom and the first princess of the Breck Kingdom. Cale slowly sat up and stretched his body, his actions were unbefitting for a noble to act in front of the royals.

"Who are you?" Cale asked sleepily. He was still half-asleep.

"Sorry, it seems we have woken you up. I am Valentino, the crown prince from Caro Kingdom," Valentino introduced.

"I am Rosalyn from the Breck Kingdom," Rosalyn followed. Cale groggily looked at them.

"Hmn? The kind prince and the princess mage?" The redhead asked. The two were surprised, especially Rosalyn. Nobody knew about her practice of magic except for her teacher.

"I am honored to be considered as a kind prince, Young Master Cale," Valentino smiled.

"Hmn. What are you doing here? I am currently resting," Cale said, he really disregarded the fact that he was in front of a royal however the two didn't mind.

"We are actually here to get to know the Young Master better. Your views in life are different from a lot of people. You are still young and yet, you manage to make the adults think and question their perspective. It amazed me," Valentino praised.

"It's the bare minimum and I don't blindly follow old rules. I questioned and critically analyzed it before I came up with my final judgment. I especially don't like the discriminatory factors in each rules," Cale responded.

"Is that so, the Young Master is really kind," Rosalyn said.

"Kind? Me? I don't think so," Cale refuted.

Both royals chuckled.

"Are you going to stay here?" Cale asked.

"Not really, since the Young Master is an interesting person I would like to make friends with you," Valentino said.

I don't want to, though, Cale thought. However, he wanted to rest so he decided to agree. The redhead took something in his spatial pocket, a highest grade gemstone and manastone.

Cale handed Rosalyn the highest grade manastone and the highest grade gemstone to Valentino. The two royals gave him a confused look, Rosalyn was actually more surprised than confused. The highest grade manastone was rare and expensive but the young noble just gave it to her for free.

"This is my friendship token, you said you wanted to be my friend so here," Cale said.

Both royals smiled.

"You really are an interesting person, Young Master Cale," Rosalyn smiled.

"I am not, if you don't have anything to say I will appreciate it if you leave me here alone," Cale responded.

Both royals chuckled and they left him to rest. Rosalyn has a good judge of character and the moment she saw him, she knew he was different from everyone else. The red-haired princess looked at the highest grade manastone in her hand and smiled.

He must have known I use magic, Rosalyn said.

Valentino and Rosalyn came back to where their family was. Then, Adin who was quietly observing everything as he smiled to the people talking with him, elegantly exited and went to where Cale Henituse was.

Adin went to the room where Cale was resting, no knights dared to stop him. He was an Imperial Prince after all. He entered the room where Cale was sleeping and the redhead looked incredibly peaceful.

"Hm, you look incredibly harmless when you're like this. You were full of gusto protecting that cursed being," Adin spoke as if Cale was awake. He reached out to touch the redhead's cheek, only to be blocked by something invisible.

Youna appeared and glared at Adin. The Imperial Prince was surprised at the same time trembling at the sight of a seemingly majestic being.

"Don't overstep your bounds. You are not allowed to touch my human," Youna declared. Adin retreated his hand and nervously laughed. He ran away.

After an hour, Cale finally woke up and left the room as soon as he was fully awake. Youna didn't tell Cale what happened while he was asleep since he already did something about it. Cale and the invisible Youna went back to where his parents were but he stopped when he saw the Imperial Prince.

"You are Young Master Cale, right?" Adin asked.

"Yes, that is indeed me, Imperial Prince Adin," Cale answered and smiled.

"So you know me, that's great. I seem to have taken a liking to you, Young Master Cale," Adin smiled his princely smile.

"Wow, such an honor," Cale's tone sounded sarcastic. It really was. Adin, who noticed, laughed.

"Truly interesting," Adin smiled at him once again which creeped him out.

Cale anxiously chuckled and excused himself. Finally, he came back to the banquet's hall. He noticed none of the children were present in the hall and he was told by one of the knights that the children moved to the gardens. Cale walked to the garden and immediately approached his siblings as soon as he saw them.

The moment Cale appeared in the garden, he looked like the person who owned the garden. Unknown to the guests, the garden was inspired by Cale's greenhouse. The noble children's family told them they should befriend Cale Henituse however they didn't even dare to show themselves in his presence. These children believed that Cale was someone who was beyond them, they even forgot the rumor of him as a lout.

A brave noble teen, three years older than Cale, approached him and handed him a glass of orange juice mixed with alcohol.

"Young Master Cale, care to drink? Do not worry, it is only juice," the noble teen said. Cale turned to him and took the glass of mixed orange juice and alcohol.

"Thank you," Cale smiled, which melted the other teen. He drank the juice and somehow it tasted different from the usual juice.

Cale finished the drink and put down the glass. He then felt dizzy and somehow his body felt hot.

Damn, does the juice have liquor mixed in it? Why didn't I notice? And why am I so affected by it? Aren't I supposed to be alcoholic in my first life? Cale thought as his eyes began to spin and thoughts began to swirl.

Unbeknownst to Cale, it was over a thousand year when he last tasted alcohol. His high tolerance was reseted when he regressed. In addition, his body was of a child, so his alcohol tolerance as of the moment was non-existent.

That moment, Cale suddenly felt the urge to shower the people he liked some love. He then saw his brother, Basen, and sister, Lily, who were looking at him with worry. He hugged them immediately and showered them with kisses which made Lily giggled.

"I really have the best siblingsss," Cale cooed and proceeded to give them more tight hugs and kisses. Then, he saw Eric and the others and he jumped on them.

"My hyungs are really the beeest," Cale squealed as he hugged Eric and Gilbert, which made them embarrassed. Cale was certainly drunk.

"How about me, Young Master Cale?" Amiru said as she opened her arms then Cale smiled at her and hugged her too.

"Of course, Noona is the bestest," Cale nuzzled his head on her. Amiru chuckled and embraced their youngest.

Cale spent his time hugging all his friends. His friends indulged him too as they liked Cale's affection.

On the other hand, the White Star, who took on a disguise by changing his hair color into black, wanted to see the redhead child he saw before. He was surprised to know that they also share the same first name, "Cale". He walked towards the garden where the children and teenagers were. The White Star and Cale met each other's eyes.

Cale smiled at him and he thought that maybe the child remembered him. Cale walked over to him and held his hand, which made him flinch.

"Papa!" Cale called which made him even more surprised. The redhead was smiling brightly and innocently compared to their first meeting when Cale looked like an abandoned puppy in the slums.

"Oh no, I am not your papa," the White Star said. Cale laughed and proceeded to hug his waist.

"No, you are. You're always like that! You get shy when I call you 'papa'!" Cale laughed as he looked at the White Star's face while his arms were still around his waist.

The White Star would be lying if he said he was not happy when he was incredibly happy. He wanted the redhead child as his son and be called "father" by the redhead. He didn't even think he would be called papa so fondly. Meanwhile, Cale was thinking about someone else. The White Star looked exactly like his papa back on Earth. Cale didn't even think that the one he was hugging was the White Star and not that person.

The White Star, who was being tightly hugged by Cale, picked the redhead child and his smiling face greeted him. Cale hugged his neck and nuzzled closer. His legs were also wrapped around the White Star.

"Papa," Cale joyfully mumbled and giggled. The White Star internally screamed at Cale's cuteness. His desire to take him away grew bigger and bigger.

Youna, who remained invisible, was perplexed by what was happening so he recorded everything so Cale would watch what happened later. Cale's friends were also watching this scene unfold with a lot of questions. Since Cale seemed like he had mistaken that stranger man as his father. Cale didn't have any intention of letting go, so Eric went to call the redhead's biological father.

Deruth was conversing with the other Lords when Eric came to him and told him that Cale was clinging on to a stranger. Deruth immediately excused himself and asked Eric what he meant along the way. Violan, who was with the ladies, spotted them, so she also excused herself.

"It seems Cale drunk something that has alcohol mixed in it," Eric said.

Deruth nodded and when they reached the garden, they saw Cale being carried by the guest from the Mogoru Empire. He immediately walked up to them.

"Oh no, I apologize for my son's behavior," Deruth said and the White Star smiled.

"It's alright," the White Star responded.

"Cale, you have to let this mister go," Deruth said as he tried to pull Cale away from the guest but the redhead only tightened his grip.

"No! Don't separate me from my papa!" Cale strongly refuted.

"No, Cale. That is not your papa, I am here," Deruth said. Cale strongly shook his head which made his father's fragile heart hurt.

"Cale," Deruth called once again.

"No, he is my papa," Cale refused again and he started to shed tears, which startled the White Star.

Damn, he made my little child cry, the White Star thought.

"Ah, I am really sorry about this. He's usually not like this," Deruth apologized again. Then, somehow, he realized that even though Cale has a lot of freedom, he still needed his father's affection.

Alver was curious about Cale's drunk state. As soon as he stepped into the garden, he saw Cale crying and tightly clutching on to the guest from the Mogoru Empire.

"Cale," Alver called, then the redhead looked at him with his teary eyes.

Dang, so adorable! But you're hugging the wrong person! Alver screams internally.

Cale smiled at him and jumped down from the arms of White Star.

"Hyung!" Cale called happily then held his hand. Their audience gasped as it seemed that the crown prince and the firstborn of Henituse were closer than they thought.

Cale leaned on Alver's ears and since the crown prince was tall he slightly bent his knee and the redhead whispered, "hyung, I'll give you my gift later at night."

Alver patted his head and smiled, "alright. I am looking forward to it."

"We really apologize for what happened, Crown Prince Alver and esteemed guest," Deruth apologized once again as he pulled Cale to him.

"It's alright," the White Star said.

"Please excuse us, I need to bring my son home," Deruth said.

"Yes, go ahead," Alver smiled.

Deruth carried Cale in his arms and his son just wrapped his arms around his neck. Suddenly feeling a sense of familiarity, Cale nuzzled closer and fell asleep. Violan mentioned to the crown prince about a noble who allegedly gave Cale an alcoholic mixed drink. Alver said he'll look into it.

Deruth and his family drove home with Cale on his lap and arms around his neck. He gently patted his son's back and he heard him mumble.

"papa," Cale softly called out. Deruth kissed his son's head and continued to pat his back.

— —

Night came and Cale woke up with a throbbing headache. He groaned as he held his head and as soon as he realized it was night, he shot up and called Youna.

"Youna, teleport me to hyung's room!" Cale said and they immediately teleported. Youna never questioned Cale about everything he made him do.

"Hyung!" Cale called as soon as Alver was within his sight.

"Cale, what are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be resting?" Alver asked as he assisted Cale since he looked like he would fall.

"My gift! I forgot to give it earlier!" Cale looked up to him.

"Right, you really made a mess earlier," Alver laughed as he remembered. Cale frowned.

"It's not important!"

Cale dragged the Prince to his balcony. Youna took this cue to light the fireworks in the distance. Cale had asked permission from the King so he was allowed to do this. Then, a series of fireworks went off. It was loud and yet it showed beauty.

"What is that, Cale?" Alver asked as his eyes twinkled.

"Those are fireworks, hyung. It is used when people celebrate something," Cale answered. He smiled upon remembering his first time seeing a firework too.

"You know, hyung. Fireworks can only be lit when something important is being celebrated. So in honor of your achievement, hyung, we are lighting these fireworks," Cale added. Alver smiled and his hand reached out to Cale's hand.

"They're pretty," Alver commented.

The people around the Rowoon Kingdom saw the beautiful fireworks display. It was also revealed that Cale Henituse gifted these fireworks displays for the Crown Prince. It was the first time everyone had seen something loud and at the same time beautiful. Crown Prince Alver Crossman was lucky to have Cale Henituse as his friend.

Then, after thirty minutes of fireworks displays, Cale turned to Alver and gave him two bottles of dead mana and two dozens of highest grade manastone.

"This is a dragon's dead mana, hyung. Use this to make yourself even stronger and confident," Cale smiled.

"Thank you so much, Cale. Words enough cannot express how grateful I am to you," Alver responded.

Then, another batch of fireworks displays went off. Alver took Cale's hand and proceeded to watch. They watched the fireworks displays quietly.

"Hyung, what if I disappeared someday, what would you do?" Cale asked, Alver was taken aback from his question and he looked at him. Cale was already looking at him, his eyes were filled with seriousness and anxiety.

Alver didn't answer. Because of this, Cale tightened his hold on Alver's hand which didn't go unnoticed by the prince.

"What if one day I suddenly became a different person and I am no longer the Cale you knew? What would you do, hyung?" Cale asked another.

Alver wasn't used to seeing Cale unsure of his own future. He always showed optimism to everything he did, whether it was impossible or not. Cale even managed to change him. Alver leaned and kissed the back of Cale's hand.

"Cale, no matter where you go, I'll always look for a way to find you. No matter how far you are, I will definitely look for you," Alver began to answer.

"Even if you forget about me, I will always remember you. The times we shared together won't be forgotten and I will make sure to make you remember too," Alver added, then he pulled Cale closer to him.

"Cale, I will always be you hyung. Remember Cale, you are not alone and I am always by your side," Alver continued as he caressed his cheek and hugged him.

Cale hesitantly returned his hug tight and the crown prince chuckled. Alver ruffled Cale's hair and kissed his head. They stayed like that until the fireworks displays stopped.

Cale went back to his room in the Henituse Estate and cried himself to bed. There were only two months before he died. He was afraid that after he did something to save himself and the people he loved, he would still die. Worst, he could be replaced. He was afraid to be a plaything of the gods once again. He was scared that after he opened up to a lot of people and built relationships with others, it would become futile. Cale was a divine being himself and yet he couldn't help but sincerely wished to prolong his life and he wouldn't be replaced by another soul.

However, unbeknownst to Cale, since his soul ascended to divinity, the gods could no longer interfere with his destiny as he was the one painting it on his own. The gods who were watching Cale's tears felt guilty and decided to treasure him more and began to work on his body so he could survive. They decided to help him achieve his happiness.

The following days, Cale spent most of his time with his family. He showed them how much he treasured them. Ever since that night, Cale never visited nor contacted Alver and the others anymore.

— —

On the White Star's side, Cale Barrow couldn't forget the warmth Cale Henituse provided. Ever since the coronation day, his urge to possess him and make him his own son grew day by day. That was why he collaborated with the Imperial Prince. Adin wanted to eliminate Cale Henituse as he was a threat to his future plans. Of course, Cale Barrow doesn't have any intention of letting anyone kill his beloved Cale Henituse.

Cale Barrow ordered his people to take Cale Henituse with them by using his siblings as bait. The White Star couldn't help but look forward to the day he could touch Cale Henituse once again.

//TBC ...

A/N:

We're near the end of Cale's childhood! Thank you for reading again! 

Keep safe always, my lovelies! See you next time!

Next chapter: The night of the tragedy