Chapter Text
The rain on that day was COLD. It was very different compared to the rain he once knew as WARM. He can still vividly remember how warm the rain in his memories was. But now…the once, warm rain is GONE. Forever.
Cale turned his sight to his left to see his father kneeling beside him while crying endlessly. He looks so different from his father that he used to know and see. His father used to smile warmly and stand tall in front of everyone as a lord territory. Cale has always thought about how strong his father is but turned out he was wrong, after all. But Cale understood him. Cale once again faces the front to see a beautiful, pale young woman with silky, long red wavy hair peacefully closing her eyes as if she is merely sleeping. They used to sleep together all the time. The difference this time is that it will be an eternal sleep.
Cale’s heart squeezed as his mind replayed the gentle smile and soft voice singing him lullaby while gently caressing his head. However, that won’t happen anymore. That’s right. Right now, Cale is standing at the funeral of his own mother, Jour Henituse. He can still remember loud and clear how his mother hugged and kissed him while telling him how much she loves them and that will never change. After that, she left for Harris Village and came back as a cold corpse. Cale lift his head to see the dark, gloomy sky while raindrops fell on his face to the ground. He hates rain.
“…Hyung.”
AH.
A gentle squeeze at his hand took away his attention. Cale turned to his right and his eyes soften as he stare at the calm, with a hint of sadness in his eyes are looking at him with his usually stoic face.
“…let’s go back.”
CAIN. His twin little brother. The only difference between them is their complexion and physical body. Unlike Cale, Cain was born with a weak body. He can’t participate with Cale in swordsmanship lessons as it can affect his condition greatly. Though, Cain looked happy as he is forbidden to do so. This lazy…
And so, Cain was always seen reading and sleeping. What frustrates Cale the most is Cain seems like he is perfectly fine with it. Sleeping, especially. This clueless bastard….
“Yeah…let’s go back after mother was buried.”
With that, Cain nodded and lean on him as he held his hand tightly.
After they got back, Cain did not go straight to the room he shared with Cale. Instead, he wants to do the thing that Cale intent to do as well.
“Hyung, let’s go check on father together.”
Cale actually wants to pester his younger twin to rest but seeing his determined eyes, Cale nods. Hand in hand, they walked together toward where their father are, as in their mother’s room. As they stood in front of the door that was widely opened, they can see their father crying in front of his wife’s portrait. Ever slowly, they walked toward their father and hugged him. Cale softly whispered,
“It will be okay, father. We can get through this. Together.”
Hearing this, Deruth hugged his son's back as he continued to cry. Cale continued to whisper comforting words while Cain gently patted his back.
That was the LAST TIME their father was gentle on them.
“Ugh!!”
“Stay still, you bastard!!”
The sound of whipping can be heard in the cold, darkroom. Cale gritted his teeth to endure the pain as long as he can.
‘Endure it, Cale!! So father won’t switch to Cain!’
From that day on, their father changed into a STRANGER. He abandoned his duty even though before, he was a hard worker in managing his territory. He started to drink more and more alcohol to drown in his grief and despair. And the worse is that he started to abuse his own sons.
It all started when Cale is trying to convince their father to get out of his room to work and eat together. Moreover, it is not healthy to drink alcohol and be cooped up in the room all day. His room is full of the stench of alcohol, but Cale did not care as he steps closer to his father followed by Cain by his side.
“…father. You can’t stay like this. You will get sick if this continued. How about we eat dinner together, father? After that, we will help you out with your work. Let’s do it together, father!!”
“Father. You can’t abandon your duty as a count like this. We know that you are grieving, but everyone will be in a state of chaos if you fell sick.” Cain interrupted. Truth to be told, Cain technically became the temporary count. He efficiently handled the paperwork with perfection even though it exhaust him since his body is weak.
Of course, Cale can’t help much since he is not smart like Cain. BUT he helps out with what he can as much as possible. However, since Cale has his own limit while Cain’s condition is worrying him, even though that dense younger brother of his insisted he was fine, this definitely can’t go on. And so, Cale persistently determined to convince their father himself. He failed so many times but that doesn’t mean he will give it up. Who knows…maybe their father will listen to them today?
“Father, what do you say we do it together? The three of us!!”
DAMN, CALE IS SO INNOCENT.
Albeit slow, Deruth FINALLY lifts up his face to face them. With this, Cale beamed even though he felt uneasy by his father’s look in his eyes while Cain frowned sensing something is off.
“Father, I already told the servants to prepare our dinner. Let’s eat a hearty meal together!”
There is no response after minutes passed but Deruth slowly spoke in his husky voice due to drinking. And it is not what the twins expected.
“Jour…? Ohh, my wife!!” Deruth hug Cale and Cain tightly as he cried with a smile on his face.
“Where did you go, my dear?! Leaving me so suddenly…!! Do you know how worried I am??”
“Father! We are Cale and Cain!! Not mother!”
“Umh…”
Cale flinched as he heard Cain’s groan and he can also see his twin frowned in pain. Father’s grip is too strong. Cale may be fine, but Cain will not be as his body is weak! If this will somehow hurt him, his heart will be…!!
“FATHER! Please snap out of it!! We are your sons! You are hurting Cain!!” screamed Cale as he tried to push away his father’s strong grip.
“Cale…? Cain…?”
“…that’s right, father. We are your sons. Please don’t mistake us as mother.” Cain nonchalantly said as their father weakened his grip.
“…”
IT HAPPENED TOO SUDDEN