I new life for a new problem

Chapter 30

Deruth hadn't left the room since the two healers left. A sudden noise startled him. Basen burst into the room seemed panicked.

--

In the square, everything happened so quickly for Basen. The hidden dragon had signaled his brother's presence, and then there was the explosion. He tried to find Cale, but in the chaos he was unable to do so. He didn't even bother to hide his concern, anyone in such a situation would think he was scared. He was, but not for the reasons they suspected. His only desire was to escape and return to the estate. Had he been wounded, he would surely have returned.

The wait was driving him mad, but he had no choice but to wait and listen to the soldiers' instructions. It seemed like an eternity, but as soon as he was free, he ran to the first wagon he could find, ignoring the worried nobles who were trying to talk to him.

Along the way, he was finally able to reflect on what had happened. The explosion, the bombs, and the shield... he didn't know why, but he was sure it belonged to his brother. It reminded him of the possible repercussions of such power. He ordered the wagon to accelerate. Once he arrived home, he ran through the halls as fast as his legs would carry him.

--

As soon as he entered, the young master's gaze fell on his unconscious brother. He simply seemed paler than when he had left him earlier, but it was his father's lost and devastated expression that surprised him. 

"Is Cale all right?" Basen asks with hesitation.

Deruth looked at him tiredly without answering. What could he be saying? No, he wasn't well. Of course, for a start, it wasn't even him! Should he tell him the truth? But it wasn't his secret... As much as he'd like to talk to someone. Maybe he could even tell him what to do now. He'd think of him as his son, obviously, just another kid, but still. Maybe Kim Rok Soo didn't want that... He was completely lost... That's why he wanted to be alone.

He finally concentrated on him, and he could see that he was frowning now. He hadn't noticed it, but he'd said the last part out loud.

"He's physically fine." It was the only appropriate answer he could give him.

"What do you mean by 'physically'?" This relaxed Basen but made him perplexed.

The Count winced visibly, he certainly didn't feel like pursuing the subject. "It's best you leave me alone for a few hours. I'll tell you all about it later." He might even beg at this point

He continued to stare at his father, having no intention of doing what he had asked.

"Very well, but listen carefully and don't do anything rash". He warned him with a dark look, in case he had the stupid idea of hurting Kim Rok Soo. Just like him, he had become very protective of Cale, who knew what he'd do once the truth came out.

The Count didn't move from his chair to explain everything the god of death had told him. He watched his expression change. But instead of the expected anger, there was disbelief and sadness.

"So Cale's gone." Basen seemed sad at this conclusion.

"Like I said, Cale seems to have done it to save us. I don't know everything, our exchange was very brief. C-Kim Rok Soo was hurt, I had to find him before it was too late." He concluded his story and looked at of them, waiting for their reaction. They were all lost in thought. He understood, he would have done the same if he'd been given the time.

"It seems there's nothing we can do about it, and if Cale is happy now, he has the right to be, wherever he is. What should we do with Kim Rok Soo?" Deruth flinched slightly at his son's words. If he hadn't seen his gentle gaze, he might have been a little scared.

"Do you want a second brother?" He asked with a smile, even though it wasn't really a question. He had already made his decision, and he seems certainly in agreement with it.

"Do you think it's possible to speak to him one last time?" Basen asked hesitantly. Their Cale had left while there were still things to say to him, and perhaps an apology to offer as well.

"I don't know, but I'll ask as soon as I can." Deruth smiled sadly, fully understanding the request.

---

Rok Soo had woken up in the meantime, he could hear part of the conversation. His mind was still too exhausted to grasp all the words, but what little he understood made his blood run cold.

"Cale... is gone."

"...Exchange..."

"...Where he is..."

It seemed they had discovered his identity. He didn't know how, but it didn't matter. He had seen how much the young master was loved by his family, he had to leave before they tried anything. While formulating his plan, he hadn't even noticed that the voices had fallen silent.

To his horror, instead of moving away, they moved closer. His body stiffened in anticipation. This was the usual behavior of angry adults, and he couldn't blame them.

So he did the only thing he knew how: he curled up under his covers and apologized.

---

They quickly realized that he must have woken up while they were talking. Even though they remained horrified by his behavior, why was he reacting so violently? They refused to think about the possible reasons, all of which were clearly bad. Perhaps they could ask him later. The most important thing now was to calm him down.

Deruth took a gentle voice so as not to frighten him further.

"Rok Soo?" They saw no reaction. He continued. "The god of death told me about your exchange...in part. Just know that we understand that you didn't say anything, and we don't blame you either."

They waited for a reaction from him, something, anything, but nothing came.

The Count stepped forward, placed a hand on the sheets, and gently pulled them back to find he was asleep. He would probably have to return to this conversation later.