Cale and the others didn't get to rest properly as they had to rush leaving Bago City. In the middle of night, where all of them were asleep, Cale sensed the White Star entering his zone once again. After he had met White Star, Cale activated [All Seeing Eyes: My Area] so he could see the people entering and leaving his zone. The perimeter of his zone was big enough to engulf Bago City. He had to do it to ensure the safety of his people, he didn't want to risk their life by letting them meet the final boss.

Cale knew the White Star came to find him since he had shown his intent on taking him. He woke Ron and the others up to notify them. He also did his best to prevent them from confronting the White Star, it naturally goes that Cale didn't tell them that it was the leader of Arm nor mentioned his name. He just told them that the person who wanted to take him had come back.

Cale told them he won't be using the carriage anymore as it would be difficult to travel covertly. He then told them to stuff their things inside the extra spatial bag. Cale told Olienne the coordinates of their next destination. Cale got drowsy after teleporting. Alver sweat dropped when he saw the place where they teleported as he was familiar with the place. Ron and Vicross didn't know where they were. Lastly, the dragons had an uncomfortable feeling due to the stares of the people residing in the City of Life.

"Dark elves?" Vicross mumbled as he roamed his eyes around, he could see dark elves and some humans.

"Young Master, where are we?" Ron asked the dazing redhead. Cale's eyes were half-closed. The butler assisted Cale as he was about to fall. Alver remained quiet as he knew where they were.

"City of Life where dark elves reside," Cale replied as he fell asleep. Alver flinched and looked at the redhead. He had a lot of questions in mind. Cale rubbed his eyes to keep himself awake then he stood tall and put his hands on his hips.

Cale fell asleep and the others were left to do the explaining to the confused Dark Elves and humans. They were led to the Mayor's place to do some questioning. Since some of the Dark Elves knew Alver, they believe that the people he brought were good people. However, as they walked, the dark elves were trembling from the sight of the dragons in front of them. Cale's gem—that hid the dragons' majestic presence—wore off and the dark elves with their elementals were scared and in awe.

As soon as the dark elves realized the identity of the dragons, they immediately knelt down as if they were worshiping the dragons. Alver got confused, since he doesn't have the ability to hear the elementals he didn't know what they were saying. Youna and the other dragons didn't even bother telling the prince the truth. Cale was being carried by Eruhaben, that's why the dark elves deduced that the red-haired human child received the dragons' protection. They reached the Mayor's place and Cale was placed in another room as he was fast asleep.

After five hours of sleep, Cale Henituse finally woke up. The first person he saw was Ron, who was looking after him. He sat up and stretched his arms and legs.

"Young Master, are you alright?" Ron asked. Cale rubbed his eyes as he yawned and nodded.

"Mmn, I'm alright just a little sleepy. I guess I got too stressed out yesterday," Cale answered as he let out a weak laugh. Of course, Cale knew he fell asleep because he used his [Omnipotence]. Its power was too great for his mortal body.

"Are you hungry by any chance?" Ron asked once again and Cale nodded.

"I'll ask Vicross to prepare you some food and it seems the First Prince wants to talk to you," Ron added and exited the room leaving Cale and Alver alone. The prince immediately casted a soundproofing magic so the people outside won't hear what they're going to talk about.

Cale looked at him and he saw Alver's darkened expression. Cale stood and approached him.

"Are you alright, Prince?" Cale asked worriedly. Alver looked at him with cold eyes.

"Why did you bring us here?" Alver questioned. Confused, Cale tilted his head.

"Didn't I tell you before we started our journey? Didn't I say we will go to places from the legends?" Cale nonchalantly replied. Alver gritted his teeth, but he had to calm down as he learned that the two mages and one knight Cale brought were dragons. He didn't want to incur a dragons' rage.

"What do you think about Dark Elves? Aren't they hated by humans? I don't get why you brought us here. Is your reason just to entertain yourself?!" Alver grabbed Cale by the collar. The redhead winced from the sudden action. He gripped Alver's hand in an attempt to let him go.

"What are you talking about? Why are you getting mad? Let me go first and keep your cool!" Cale raised his voice, which would be considered rude to a royal. Alver snapped back and let him go.

Cale rubbed his neck as it started hurting since the fabric roughly brushed against his skin. He felt some stings around his neck but it will be healed by the Energy of the Heart so he let it go.

"I don't know why you are snapping at me like this. And listen here, Prince," Cale said, his brows furrowed. Alver paid attention to what the redhead was about to say.

"What do I think about Dark Elves? They're just like me, Ron and the others, they're people as well! Hated by humans? Ha! Have you seen the city? I may have slept as soon as we got here but I saw that humans and dark elves coexist here!" Cale continued and took a deep breath. He looked at Alver who was focusing on what he was saying. He held his hand and there he felt the prince's cold hands.

"Some humans hated dark elves due to the notion of their energy (power) source, which was the dead mana. Consumption of dead mana doesn't necessarily mean someone was evil. Dark attributes people do not equate to bad people," Cale added, the remarks the redhead said surprised Alver.

The prince had lived a life where dark attributed people were scorned by other creatures. That was also the reason why the dark elves had to live in hiding. Hearing the words of the child younger than him lightened his heart.

"I don't hate Dark Elves, or the Dark Attribute people. In fact, I want to learn more about them. The books published in the Royal Library and the other bookstores are filled with hatred towards them," Cale continued to speak. Alver made the redhead sit beside him, he didn't let go of Cale's hand.

"You know, Prince, humans tend to hate something they don't know of. They fear the unknown. They always get swayed by what is conformed for them to believe. Look at this city, humans and dark elves live together. Maybe the humans were wary of the dark elves at first but seeing the truth right before their eyes made them realize that dark elves are not evil people," Cale explained as he intertwined his fingers to the Prince's. Alver tightened his hold to Cale's hand. The redhead wanted to assure the Prince that there was still hope for the world to change. It was not too late yet. Cale stood in front of Alver, the two hadn't let go of each other's hand.

"That is why you, who's going to be a future king, can still make a difference. That is also why I took you out with us to see a part of the world. And I know the Prince will be a great king in the future," Cale smiled warmly and patted Alver's head. The Prince was surprised since nobody had told him that, except for his aunt whom he thought was just trying to uplift him.

"I can be a great King?" Alver asked as he placed Cale's hand on his cheek. The redhead let out a soft chuckle and cupped the Prince's cheeks. Alver was now looking up at Cale, since he was sitting and Cale was standing.

"Of course! This brother Prince here was born to sit on that throne, regardless of your ancestry, you are meant to be here. Your existence is natural, Prince," Cale smiled as he caressed the prince's face with his both hands.. Alver's eyes shook from what the redhead said.

I ... I am meant to be here? Alver repeated the redhead's words. It was the first time he heard something like that.

Alver was sensitive to people's words and intentions so he knew if they were making fun of him, looking down on him, or if they wanted to gain his favor. However, judging from Cale's tone and intention, it was pure. Cale totally meant what he said which made him smile. Alver chuckled as his heart became light and felt happy and comforted from those words.

Alver then understood, Cale's heart was too understanding and more open. He wasn't wrong from his first judgment of the redhead's character. Cale didn't judge and hate the dark elves, he was eager to learn more about them. Cale also believed in him. Now, Alver felt resolved. He wanted to meet the expectation of the person who saw him and believed in him.

"Should we go out and eat lunch?" Cale asked. Alver chuckled.

I'm glad I met you, Cale Henituse, Alver thought and stood. He ruffled Cale's head.

"Shall we?" Alver smiled and took Cale's hand. The redhead nodded.

The two went out of the room and they met the dragons who were sitting casually on the couch. Just in time, Ron came back along with Vicross and their lunch. Ron frowned a little seeing how strangely close Cale and the Prince. He was fine at first but his fatherly instinct was telling him something else from their interaction. He smiled benignly and broke off Alver and Cale's holding hand session and made Cale sit on his seat across Alver's. They all ate together.

"Young Master, the Mayor of this city wants to talk with you," Ron said as he poured another glass full of lemon juice in Cale and Alver's cups. Cale grimaced as the whiff of sour lemons permeated his nose. Alver's face got ruined when he drank the extra sour lemon juice.

"I see, I'll talk to him later. And Ron, don't we have sugar? Doesn't your lemon tea or juice get sour day by day?" Cale complained while glaring at the cup.

"Hm, I'm sorry to say but we don't have sugar right now," Ron replied.

"How about honey? I believe you packed one jar of that. I saw it when we moved our things."

"It seems we accidentally left it out, so we don't have honey right now," Ron smiled. Cale frowned.

He doesn't like sour and bitter things. When he became alcoholic, he drank sweet beverages and didn't like bitter alcohol. He became biased and his hatred towards lemons and bitter drinks worsened due to his old butler, who continued to serve him his hated drinks until they went on a journey with Choi Han.

Cale didn't speak and continued to eat instead. They talked a lot during their meal and Cale was especially enjoying the story telling of the cheerful red dragon. Since it was his first time going around, Youna was fascinated with the things he saw in the City of Life.

"It's good you're enjoying yourself but don't frighten the dark elves. Same goes for you Grandpa Eruhaben and Olienne," Cale reminded them. He suddenly felt bad towards those dark elves and elementals who could be trembling and shaking whenever they were in the dragons' presence.

"And oh, Prince, I hope you keep everything here a secret. I don't have any intention in revealing that I have dragon friends," Cale turned to Alver.

"Of course, you don't have to worry," Alver smiled.

After eating, Cale went to the Mayor's office along with the others. They all sat on the couch, except for Ron and Vicross who stood beside Cale.

"Greetings, Young Master Cale. I have been informed by your companions about you. I am Obante, this city's mayor," Obante introduced. Cale looked at the dragons and Alver.

"I see, that's good to know. Just so you know, I am Cale Henituse and I wish to go sightseeing in this place," Cale replied. The redhead noticed that despite Obante trying his best to be dignified, his shaking hands and forehead with droplets of sweat gave him away.

"I admire your courage for standing firm in front of my dragon companions, it seems they have said something about it, yes?" Cale added. The Mayor flinched.

"You do not have to mind that, Young Master Cale. You are free to go around the city, I will let another dark elf accompany you," Obante smiled.

Before Cale could respond, the door shot open and a woman with a robed teenager entered the door without knocking. Ron, Vicross and the dragons immediately protected the redhead.

"Tasha! You should have knocked before entering, you are being rude to our esteemed guest," Obante reprimanded. The woman named Tasha just bowed her head. Tasha was surprised to see her nephew in her grandfather's office.

"Pardon my rudeness, grandfather, esteemed guests. I was just worried when I heard a group of individuals had entered the city," Tasha spoke. Cale raised his right palm to make his companions at ease.

"It's alright, it's understandable. Even I will do the same," Cale smiled. The redhead noticed how Tasha's gaze landed towards Alver.

"Hm, it seems you and Alver knew one another?" Cale asked, which made the two avert their eyes.

"You do not have to worry, prince. I am someone who can see the truth," Cale said as he placed his palm on top of Alver's hand. All of them flinched from his words.

Does that mean Cale knows I am a quarter dark elf? Alver questioned his mind.

"I have or may have known everyone's secret as it has already been revealed before my eyes the moment I saw you," Cale continued as he closed his eyes.

"And Prince, my stance from before is still the same. I hope you're not thinking anything stupid. I have said all of that because I know the truth," Cale reassured.

The Mayor and Tasha's doubts began to rise. All they wanted was to keep Alver safe, but the child in front of them knew his identity. They have to make sure he is not an enemy or else they'll have to settle things with their hands. Cale sensed it as well as his companions. Alver was about to say something about it but he suddenly felt a heavy pressure from the dragons.

"I hope the Dark Elves will not do anything stupid, destroying this city is easier than you think," Olienne spoke, letting out his Dragon Fear, as he also sensed what the Dark Elves were thinking. Cale was surprised.

No, no, no. What destruction are you talking about?! Cale thought as his face made a worried expression. Olienne saw this and patted the redhead.

"That's right, if a single scratch happens to appear on his skin while we are staying here or if you try to harm him when we get out of this place, I will not hesitate to destroy this place," Youna chimed in. Cale gaped. He was about to speak but Eruhaben covered his mouth. The Dark Elves felt the aura exuding from the dragons, even the elementals were getting restless as they got scared from the dragons.

These damn dragons! Cale cursed.

"You see, we are quite fond of this peculiar child so we tend to get protective over him. Don't make funny ideas," Eruhaben said as he stroked Cale's hair. The Dark Elves immediately knelt.

"W-We apologize for offending you, dragon-nims. W-We didn't mean anything by it," the Mayor begged. Cale stood and approached them.

"Grandpa! Stop releasing your dragon fear," Cale said and the dragons stopped releasing their dragon fear. The Dark Elves breathed heavily, their bodies were still trembling.

"Are you alright? I'm sorry about that, these people really are hot headed," Cale said as he patted the Mayor's back. The dark elf looked at the redhead and Cale just smiled, then he turned to the prince and Alver just shrugged his shoulders.

"I am alright, Young Master Cale," Obante smiled and patted the redhead.

The mayor didn't stall them any longer and let them stroll around the city. Tasha and the robed person were tasked to tour them in the city. But before they went out, Cale decided to call his father as promised.

"Youna, call my dad. I forgot to do it yesterday. He might be worried for us, I told him I'll call him everyday," Cale asked as he sat on the chair. The red dragon immediately took out his communication device and connected it to their house.

Ha, why are these dragons so obedient towards me? Cale thought as he looked at his dragon friends.

"Hey dad, it's me, Cale," the redhead greeted.

[Oh, Cale! We've been waiting for your call since yesterday. How have you been?]

"We're good, dad. It's a little bit tiring. Oh, Dad, I have an addition to my adventure team," Cale beamed and called Alver.

[Huh? You took another member to your team? Let me see them] Deruth replied and the moment he saw the familiar blonde, blue eyed prince he swore his eyes would pop out.

"I took out the Prince with me! Of course, I didn't kidnap him. Don't get me wrong! I asked permission from his dad," Cale laughed at his father's reaction. Alver just scratched his cheek.

Cale really does whatever he wants, Alver sighed. The butler and chef just shook their heads. Deruth massaged his forehead.

[Cale, how could you take him like that? And when did you get acquainted with the King?]

"Greetings, Count Deruth. I know you're quite surprised to see me here, Cale and I have known one another for a while now. We've been exchanging letters and he visits me every time he has a chance," Alver greeted and Cale pinched him in the arm. The prince winced as he looked at the redhead whose eyes were telling him, don't say anything more than necessary!

[Cale visits you? I see, it seems my son and I needed to have some talking to do] Deruth smiled but his eyes weren't smiling. Cale shuddered from seeing that as it was his first time he saw his father like that.

"That's great. I really wish Cale and I could really spend our time together without keeping it a secret," Alver answered, looking like a dejected maiden. There, Cale realized he had to stop the prince from talking as it seemed their conversation was going off somewhere. Cale pushed Alver away, and the prince just gave him a triumphant look. His father's expression wasn't good.

"D-Dad! Don't mind what the prince said, he must be joking!" Cale nervously laughed.

[It looks like the prince and you are really close. I wish to hear your story, my dear son, once you get home, alright?] Deruth firmly emphasized his point. Cale swore, he could see a glint in his father's eyes.

"Alright, I'll tell you once we get home, dad. We'll get going," Cale replied.

[That's good to hear. Keep safe in your travels, I love you, son] Deruth smiled.

"You too, I love you too, dad. Byee," Cale smiled and the communication device turned off.

Alver laughed after the conversation and the others just shook their heads. Cale just looked at them with a betrayed expression.

Alver recalled the conversation with Cale and his grandfather, it seems the redhead knew about the truth of his lineage.

He knew my identity and yet he said something like that to me. I would be lying if I said it didn't make me happy 'coz it did. But if he didn't mean anything by it, I'd feel betrayed, Alver thought and made a sad expression. The dragons and father-son duo noticed it, they all sighed.

"Haa, what do we expect from a child? You don't think about anything else, you already felt his words earlier. Even us, dragons, are treated like a normal person," Olienne spoke.

"Huh? What are you talking about?" Cale asked as he prepared himself to leave and explore the city.

"It seems this prince is worried that we knew about his other identity," Youna nonchalantly answered. Ron and Vicross were good at reading the atmosphere so they had a hunch what worried the Prince.

"When it comes to Young Master, everyone he likes are his friends and family," Ron chuckled as he remembered the child's words to them.

Ron and Vicross-hyung are like family to me, Ron recalled the exact words Cale had said to them. Cale approached the Prince.

"Prince, I know you're anxious as we already know your secret. Should we make a pledge?" Cale asked.

"The pledge won't be an empty promise. I will put my life on the line, so you'll believe me," Cale added.

"Will we do a vow of death?" Alver asked.

"No, but we'll do something similar. Hold out your pinky finger," Cale answered. Alver held out his pinky finger and Cale intertwined his.

"Pinky, pinky. Whoever breaks his promise will sink down to a bad place and to never rise up again," Cale chanted and made a thumbs touch to seal the deal. After that Cale opened Alver's hand to reveal his palm and kissed it.

Alver flinched and could feel his face heating up. The others were shocked too. Later, they noticed something glowed in Cale's neck.

"Can you see what's on my neck? This is the proof that our promise is sealed. If any of us in this room revealed your secret, I will die," Cale answered. All of them could see a gold light around his neck and soon it disappeared.

"I trust you even if you did not do this," Alver said.

"Ha! It's alright, I just want to reassure you. I trust my people, I know they won't spill your secret," Cale replied sternly.

"But I want you to remember this, my Prince, regardless of who you really are, whether you are human or not, you are still Alver Crossman. You are you. Your lineage is not the issue here but how you will use the gift of life to change your fate. You are given a position where you can make a difference," Cale added.

"But, my position isn't strong yet. I could still be pushed out of the throne! I have no one!"

"What are you talking about? You have me! Even if the world turned their back on you, I'll be here!" Cale placed his right palm on his chest.

Isn't this some kind of a proposal? The dragons thought.

"And Prince, you are stronger than you think, you are smarter than you realize. I know you are already aware of that! That's why, believe in yourself. I already told you, you are meant to be here my Prince," Cale smiled.

Alver was touched by the redhead's words. He couldn't help but believe his words. He was really glad he met Cale, he was really happy he became friends with him. Alver reached his hand out towards the redhead and hugged him. All of his burdens were washed away by Cale in his arms. He suddenly felt boosted from Cale's encouragement. He instantly thought, everything was possible as long as he had him.

"Thank you, Cale," Alver said as he buried his face unto Cale's shoulder. The redhead patted Alver's back.

//TBC ...