The Place Where I Belong

Chapter 14

Previously...

Then Cale tried to guess the other sculptures but always got wrong. These sculptures are just unique to him.

"You have interesting sculptures."

"Thank you! Then, have fun resting!" Cale sighed in defeat the moment Freesia exited with the tray, leaving the bunch of sculptures in front of him.

'I thought of sleeping for a rest but… No offense but I think I'll have a nightmare.'

-

"Are we not going to talk, or something?" Cale bluntly asked before taking a mouthful spoon bite.

The 'Bob' guy just looked at him. "Don't talk while your mouth is full."

'Later then.' He thought and now more focused on the food.

Well of course, he really doesn't want to have a conversation at the moment as he is really hungry, aside from that, the dishes are so delicious. Not as delicious as his former chief's cook.

"Who cooks these? These are delicious!"

"Thanks."

Cale only smiled but then realized the other's responded. He could feel his cheeks heating up in embarrassment.

"Haha! Are you shy, kiddo? Rock also cooks your soup earlier. Here, here, we have too much food today." Freesia placed another piece of meat on his plate. "Rusca! Call others, it's time for dinner."

The big table soon flooded with employees he is not familiar with. It is pretty crowded. He tried to focus more on his food rather than the noisy people beside him. He doesn't know why he is acting like this but as far as he can remember, he has no fear towards humans, maybe it is just because of the crowded place. He can't help but to be distracted that he didn't notice the pair of eyes looking at him.

The man suddenly speaks up and grabs his attention. "Are you done?"

Cale finally noticed the empty plates in front of him. He really thought the man would take forever to finish his food.

"Let's go."

The moment they arrived at the room. Rock watched the kid who awkwardly sat in the bed since there was only one chair available. Silence once filled the room until the kid took a deep breath.

"The payment. How much should I pay you?"

"For what?"

"For my stay here."

"No need." He is not that cruel to get the kid's money. "Spend it on something you need more."

"Then, what should I do to pay you?"

That question is too normal but the child's eyes are just piercing through his skin. Are those lasers or something?

But that made him remember something. This kid in front of him is the same kid he bumped into, a year ago.

(Let's have a quick flashback of Chapter 9;
Maybe because he kept thinking what would happen if he ever met the protagonist that he didn't notice the kid and bumped into him.

He looked down and met brown eyes glaring at him. The kid was sitting on the ground so he tried to at least help him and to apologize.

“I apolo— gies?”

The kid just scowled and said. “Look where you’re going.” Before he left.

That made Rock frowned a little. He knew it was his fault but that’s not it. Before the kid left, he noticed visible bruises under the extravagant clothes that accidentally lifted earlier.

But it’s not for Rock to meddle someone’s life.

He decided to ignore it. Especially the crimson red hair color that the kid hides under his hat.)

That familiar glare, the bruises he saw when they changed the kid's clothes, and the same shades of hair and eyes. This is the kid from before. That is Cale Henituse.

And that abuse that is now the number one topic in this Kingdom, is something that happened not just around that year but more than that.

That must be why the kid is so wary to the point of hating the crowded place.

"How about introducing ourselves first?"

"I am Cale… just Cale."

"I'm Rock. Nice to meet you, Cale Henituse."

Cale got taken back on his introduction but then grabbed the nearest sharp things that can be used to protect him from any threats. “Wh- how?!”

“The eldest child in the Henituse Household was found missing the same day I gave you a shelter. Your pendant also got removed after you fainted yesterday.”

“And what are you going to do? Tell them?”

“Why would I?” He said in a calm manner. His expression remains stoic. He didn’t care much about what was happening. “I’ll leave tomorrow but before that, don’t forget to tell Freesia or Rusca if you’re going to stay here.”

“Leave…? Wait! I need to leave too!”

“Leave? From this territory?”

“Away from this kingdom!”

He puts down the book on the table then stares at the blazing eyes of the other. "And what is it for me?"

"Help me. I'll pay you if you help me."

"I can help you even if you don't pay me. But how are you going to live outside, in a place you haven't gone before?"

"I--" Cale decided too early that he forgot what to do after succeeding.

Where will he go? Where will he stay? What will he do aside from running away? There's no way he can live somewhere with no knowledge of something. He can't also live by just depending on the treasure that his mother had. Then he must have to do work for money. 'What else? Ah! So confusing!"

"Alright. Now put that sharp thing away and go to sleep. Tomorrow, pack your stuff first thing in the morning, we will leave after lunch."

Just like what was asked by him, he prepared his stuff first thing in the morning. The only thing that he has left to do is to have lunch, but before that, he needs to visit someone.

And that's how he ended up in the hill that was located right behind the Henituse Estate. He is currently on a small mountain with a vibrant forest, unlike the other mountains that were used to mine marble. Actually, it was probably more accurate to call this a hill.

This is the graveyard for the numerous Henituse ancestors. It would not take quite a while to look for it himself, he knows well where it is located even though he didn't visit for so long.

"Mother, how are you?"

-
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