Vows of Silence

VIII

It would have been better if their relationship had remained like this.

It would have been better if they hadn't come to this place at all.

Cale Thames — is wavering.

Rok can feel the emotions of his twin. The warm embrace, the sad voice, and the words uttered in desperation are making him sad.

Cale. He hoped that Cale wouldn't kill his own emotions right at this moment of truth.

Whether Cale chooses to defect or accepts this offer, Kim Rok Soo — an outsider — will accept and respect his decision.

He was thankful that he had a loving mother and the Thames family.

He was thankful that the count wasn't the same person he once read about in a novel.

He was glad that Cale Henituse - Nah - his twin brother wasn't the trash that would drive them both to death.

"The Count... is joking again..."

Rok looked at Cale.

A bitter-sweet smile was plastered on his twin brother's face.

He had tears forming in the corner of his eyes while gritting his teeth and uttering the firmest decision he had ever made.

"The Lord Count is a nobleman; Rok and Cale are commoners."

Then why are you sad right now?

His thoughts echoed, but Cale chose not to answer.

Rok didn't say anything and just said, "If Lord Count were to accept bumpkins like us, wouldn't it harm the young lord? Wouldn't the Lord Count be placed in the judgment of people?"

"I don't care about that."

The count's voice was so gentle and sad.

Rok glanced at Cale, but the latter hardened his heart so as not to break his will.

Cale-yah.

I know.

You'll regret this.

I know.

Then why are you doing it right now?

"Rok... Cale..." The count's voice filled their eyes, "I know... I know, but can't you give me a chance?"

"I don't understand what the count is talking about."

I don't want to get attached.

Cale spoke in his head.

I don't want to hope that he'll forever look after us.

Cale had lived with Deruth in his previous life.

No man can serve two masters at the same time.

Deruth can never treat them and his family the same.

It will never be the same.

Would you laugh if I said that I'm scared?

Rok did not reply.

I'm scared that attaching myself more than this would break me more. Rok-Hyung... I don't want to experience that again.

Cale had never been honest in their lives like this.

I don't want to feel that unending emptiness once again.

Cale had always been alone in his previous life - that's why he wished for time to turn back and meet his mother once again.