Red Knight

Seeing the "Dead"

The next morning felt... strange.

Cale was used to waking up whenever he pleased, yet today, Hans had roused him early, informing him that his father had requested his presence for breakfast. Normally, he would've refused, preferring to eat alone in his room. But this time, he agreed.

Maybe it was the lingering ache of loss, the longing to see his family-the family he had missed so desperately.

Breakfast was awkward, to say the least.

Cale could feel their eyes on him. Basen kept sneaking glances, hesitant yet curious. Lilly would stare for long periods, clearly wanting to speak to her older brother but unable to find the courage. Lady Violan's worried looks were subtle but present. And then there was Deruth-his father-who was outright staring, his mouth opening and closing as if searching for the right words, too hesitant to even address his own son.

It was exhausting.

After battling his own inner turmoil, Cale finally had enough. He put down his fork and turned to his father.

"Is there something you wish to say, Father?"

Deruth flinched slightly, awkward as ever.

"Well, I know you've just awoken from... well, I wanted to speak to you-"

Lady Violan, ever composed, took over.

"What your father is trying to say is that he wants you to accompany Basen to the capital. If you agree, of course. It would be best for you to rest after everything that happened, but he wanted to ask your opinion."

"I'll go."

Cale didn't hesitate. The capital would be a perfect opportunity-to gather information, make a few stops, and set his plans in motion. This was a win.

Deruth cleared his throat, trying to mask his unease. "Ahem-alright. You and Basen will leave next week. We'll arrange everything."

And just like that, breakfast was over.

⸻

Back in his room, Cale sat in quiet contemplation.

One less thing to worry about.

Hans had proven his loyalty. His uncle remembered the past, just as he did, and had promised to help. His family was alive. And this time, he would change the future.

When everything was over, he would live in his mother's home-alone. Peaceful. Quiet.

It was a good plan, wasn't it? Nothing stood in his way.

...Ah, right. Had he forgotten to mention that he already tested Hans' loyalty? Silly me. But that's a story for another day.

⸻

Cale found himself walking through his mother's garden-his garden now.

The roses, blooming in vibrant shades of red, white, and yellow, swayed gently in the breeze. It was beautiful, untouched. His mother's sanctuary before she died. Now, it belonged to him, a place where no one could enter except for his father and uncle. Not that Deruth had stepped foot here since she passed.

In his last life, Hans had been one of the few granted permission to enter, though by then, the garden had been nothing more than a ruin-a casualty of the attack on the county.

Now, standing in the middle of it, by the fountain where so many memories had been made, Cale felt the weight of the past and the future pressing down on him.

But there was no time to dwell.

He had secured his excuse to leave the county. Now, it was time for the next step-stopping the so-called heroes from killing that dragon.

Thanks to the one who had sent him back in time, he knew exactly where to look. He had a lot ahead of him, but that was fine.

His uncle could handle the hard work.

He just needed to plan everything perfectly.

Surely, nothing could go wrong... right?

.

.

.

"This time, I'll make White Star pay for everything."

And that was a promise.

This was the beginning of it all.

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I also changed the summary did you notice?