A new life for a new problem

Chapter 7

«Hello father, I'm better now but I'm dying and you how are you?» He wanted to try saying that just to see their reaction, but it certainly didn't seem like a good idea.

"Are you better? Ron told me you were in pain, I called the doctor with your condition, you have to be careful." The count seemed very worried again, he seemed to have been waiting impatiently for him to wake up, he could see a chair by his bed.

"I'm better now, thank you. I don't need to see a doctor, I'm fine." Cale said it to reassure them, he had sat against the back of the bed at the same time.

"If you're in pain, there must be something wrong. Let him examine you just to be sure." Deruth looked at him with eyes almost full of tears as if begging him to do so.

Cale was still hesitant, he didn't know if the doctor would see the real state of his condition or not. Maybe he didn't see it the first time because he didn't feel anything either, so now what will happen? He couldn't imagine everyone's reaction if they ever learned of his condition.

"You should-"

Deruth stopped talking when Cale suddenly got up from his bed. He could now see two kittens, curled up in the corner of the room. He was too preoccupied with his son's condition to notice them at first.

"Where did you find them?"

"On the street, they were alone so I adopted them. If you'll excuse me, I have to give them a bath." He found the perfect distraction to escape, he headed to the bathroom and closed the door.

Seeing that Cale was gone, Deruth took the opportunity to talk to the doctor. "Do you think it could be due to his illness?"

"Maybe, but without examining him, I can't be sure."

"*Sigh* I'll talk to him later..."

Once the doctor had left, the Earl ordered Ron to monitor Cale more closely and warn him of any problems and he left as well.

Only Ron remained in his place, his gaze fixed on the bathroom door. He knew unlike the others that Cale was fleeing the conversation and especially the doctor's control. Did he know something that they didn't about his condition? He hoped, that it was nothing serious.

Cale was busy giving the kittens a bath, he quickly showered and soaped them, even if he did it quickly, he did it carefully. They purred under his touch.

"Thank you for helping me."

The kittens were surprised by these words. Why was he talking to them like humans? And why was he thanking them?

"You helped me out of the room earlier and you looked worried by the tree. You must be alone, right? Do you want to stay with me?"

Although they are hesitant, they can't trust just anyone, especially not a noble, even if he is kind. But they are in a comfortable and warm environment, something they haven't experienced in a long time, so they will take the risk. It's still better than dying on the street.

They meowed in response.

"You can answer me in human language, I certainly recognized you, you were the two children by the tree, weren't you?" Cale had found the timing between the appearance of the two cats and the disappearance of the children strange then he remembered the presence of beast people in the novel.

"Yes... are you going to chase us away now that you know who we are?" The gray kitten asked hesitantly. She knew how humans treated people of her kind.

"No, I won't, it doesn't change anything for me. If you could help me when I need you, then that's all I would ask in return. You don't have to accept though."

Cale told her, he had noticed a hidden fear in their golden eyes as soon as he told them he knew their secret. He didn't know much about the beast people treatment in this world, but judging by their reaction, it wasn't good. He wanted to help them, he recognized himself a little through these children, he too was considered an outcast on earth when he was a child. He was often called a cursed child when they learned about his life. His thoughts stopped when the children responded to him more cheerfully.

They resumed their baths until he dried them and left the room. Unfortunately, Ron was still waiting for him in front of the door.

Ron followed these movements very closely until he placed the kittens on the bed and sat down with them.

Cale was very uncomfortable under his gaze, he wanted to send him away. "Ron, can you go get some food for me and the kittens?"

"Of course, young master, I'll be right back."

He nodded and Ron left.

"He's scary..." The kitten gray spoke as he hid under the blanket trembling, the ginger kitten quickly followed.

"Of course, he's an assassin..." He felt a little sorry for them, but he could totally understand their fear of the butler.

"Nobles have assassins as butlers... it's very strange." He could hear a faint and confused voice coming from one of the hidden children.

"Yes, that's certainly the case." Cale couldn't help but agree.

The little ginger kitten was playing with the blanket while the other kitten was simply on the bed watching Cale. While him little brother could quickly trust the noble, she couldn't, she was still very wary.

He noticed his gaze but ignored it, there's nothing wrong with not trusting him. After all, all they had were his words.

"Do you two have names?" Cale remembered that he had never asked.

"My name is On, and his name is Hong." It was On who had introduced them.

"Even if you already know my name, my name is Cale Henituse, nice to meet you."

They didn't speak after that, he was just lying in bed waiting for his food with the children looking at their new home.

The butler returned an hour later with a lot of food that he put on the large table in the room, they all quickly came over and sat down. Ron handed him these medicines just before he started eating.

"Feeling better, young master?"

"Yes, were you able to get what I asked for?"

"Of course." Ron went to open a drawer of the dresser in his room to show him a bag.

"Is everything I asked for here?"

"Yes, young master, everything is here."

"Great, thank you very much. You can do whatever you want now." Cale wanted to send him away, he could still feel his gaze on him, it was uncomfortable.

"Very well young master, the earl would like to meet you after your meal."

"Well, I will."

Ron then left but was never too far away in case, he needed his help.

They were able to eat in peace and then when everyone was full, Cale called Ron back so he could clear the room and he went out alone to join his father in his office. He had left the cats in his room.

Once he arrived in front of the office door, he announced his presence and waited for permission to enter. As soon as he got it, he entered and could see that his brother was also there.

"Cale, I would like to speak to you about something." Deruth looked a little hesitant.

He said nothing, waiting for him to continue.

"There's a party coming up in the capital, a banquet with all the nobles of the kingdom. I'd like you to go with Basen. It'll do you good to get out a bit and he'll be there to help you if you have any problems. He already knows about your condition." Deruth was hesitant to let Cale go but the doctor had recommended not to suffocate him any further and that letting him get some air could be beneficial for him, without obviously overdoing it.

Basen didn't answer his father's words, he was very happy to be able to help him. He had been trying to talk to his brother for a while, but he still seemed cold and distant now that he knew the reason for his attitude, he wanted to be a better brother to him.