Cale stared through the open window; Clear sky and the never-ending sea came into view, and his gaze lingered at the stagnant ocean.

No breeze could be felt, no other life form could be seen, even within the depths of the ocean.

As though they are trapped inside of a void, caught in a time warp.

"You already know what will happen when they find out about your very existence." A voice knocked him out of his daze.

Cale shifted his eyes towards the person who spoke.

A pair of warm amber eyes, collided with his line of sight. He was a lean and tall man, his face showed he was only somewhere between thirty to forty years of age. His fingernails are coated with a hue of silver.

One would never think that the man in front of him had lived for centuries.

"You might not only endanger yourself but the halflings as well." he added.

Cale was very much well aware of it too, but he wasn't exactly in the place where he can throw everything aside whenever he wants to.

If it all goes well to his plan, they will all finally be able to live out their life the way they wanted to, the same reason why Ambros can't entirely stop him from what he's doing.

"Don't worry... I wouldn’t take unnecessary risks. I'll be more careful in the future." he muttered softly.

Ambros carefully looked at the corner of Cale's eyes, a faint trance of helplessness painted his face.

He soon redirected his gaze away from Cale and stared at the flickering fire in the hearth.

After a while, Cale heard him sigh in defeat and ask. "Are you staying for the night?"

He shook his head and said. "We'll be returning home as of now, maybe next time."

With a vague sound of acknowledgment from the other, Cale rose from his seat and called out to other individuals. "Raon. Hong and On."

The three that were quietly observing from afar immediately went to him. The dragon sat on his head while the two kittens went into his arms and settled into a comfortable position, before bidding the older man farewell.

And with a flick of the other's hand, a cold smoke enveloped Cale's body and the three children. It didn't take a few seconds for the smoke to disappear together with them.

Upon opening his eyes, a tanned man that seemed to be in his early thirties with a missing arm stared back at him. His tantalizing jade eyes shone brightly in the dim night.

"You're back earlier than expected, young master. Shall I prepare you some dinner?" the man named Geno, asked him as he made his way towards him.

He helped him remove his coat and carefully draped it over his arm.

Cale only hummed in agreement, he then sat on the cushion and was about to pour himself a glass of red wine, when it was suddenly snatched from his hand.

"Pardon me, but drinking before a meal isn't ideal." He straightened his posture before adding. "I'm certainly sure the children have the same thoughts as mine."

On immediately reacted, now in her human form, she gently grabbed the corner of his clothes and said. "He's right Cale."

Hearing their noona siding with Gino, the other two nodded their heads in agreement.

"Fine..." Cale sighed resignedly, he narrowed his eyes at him and didn't forget to add. "I must have lost my mind for a moment."

But Geno only pretended he was oblivious to what he meant and casually spoke. "You truly must have been."

He didn't give some time for Cale to refute and spoke swiftly. "Well then, I shall be taking this with me." He bowed his head before finally leaving.

"Cheeky bastard." Cale grumbled as he watched his departing figure.

A man in his sixties clad in a black suit with his hair slicked back, was walking down the corridor.

The manor was brightly lit by countless small lights in the hall.

"Sir Molan!" a man excitedly called out from behind, stopping him in his track.

Ron raised an eyebrow as he turned his head towards him.

"What brings you here?" the man asked as he made his way towards him.

"It's been an awful while since you left. I'm sure everyone would be delighted to see you again..." Hans stopped right in front of him.

"Especially young master Cale." he added, earning him a chuckle from the other.

Ron believed that Cale would react strongly if he learned that he came back here, announced.

Or at the very least he would react indifferently to it. Ron did leave, without notice. It wouldn't be that surprising if he came back the same way he left before.

Although you couldn't exactly say without notice, considering he did inform the Count about his leaving.

Unaware of his thoughts, Hans became slightly confused. He didn't recall himself saying something amusing, but Ron waved his hand dismissively and said. "I'm here to see someone."

He nodded his head in return. "Oh... Do you want me to lead you to the young master?" he asked.

"There is no need for that for I'll be meeting the Count." he answered instead.

"Of course... Then I'll accompany you–"

"I appreciate the offer but I can go by myself. Although it's been quite some time since I left, I still remember the way to his study." he said, cutting him off.

He benignly smiled and spoke first, not allowing him any second thoughts. "It's good to see you again Hans." He bowed his head before departing.

"Likewise..." Hans replied as he looked in the direction Ron left.

Ron stood before the arch door, he raised a hand and knock his knuckles against the door. He remembered the last time he went here.

"It's not that I don't want you to leave, but have you informed Cale about this?" Deruth asked him.

"I'm sure he would appreciate it if you at least apprise him about your plans on leaving."

"You have been taking care of him since he was born. I'm certain he would be more unhappy if you left just like that."

A faint laugh escaped Ron's lips.

"You may enter." A voice brought him back to reality, and he then respectfully entered the study.

"Count-nim" and bowed his head.

Deruth lifted his eyes from some of his paper works, recognizing the man in front of him, a look of surprise painted his face.

"Ron." A small smile made its way to his face as he gestured his hand to the chair in front of him. Ron accepted his offer and unhurriedly sat on it.

"You didn't inform me about your visit, I would have some time to prepare beforehand, a small feast at most"

"This old man gives many thanks to the Count for his generosity, but this one thinks that there is no need for such thing."

"Nonsense, you should know you are no less than a family to us, so it is only natural."

Deruth carefully observed him and opened his mouth to speak.

"I took it, you're not only here to visit us, are you? Is there something that you need?" he asked, without missing a beat.

The previous warm atmosphere quickly became frigid, like a reunion between old friends turn into an interrogation with an enemy.

"I would like to ask for a favor."

"A favor?" He can't help but repeated it, as he knew Ron is not the type of person to ask for a favor.

"Yes, Count-nim"

Deruth leaned his back on the chair, dropping the pen in his hand, and looked at him with curiosity and asked. "What is it?"

"A place." he answered.

Deruth only raised his brow, persuading him to continue.

"I would like to ask for a place to stay but as of now, I don't know for how long."

"Here I thought you are going to ask for something difficult." he chuckled. Ron watched as he relaxed his tensed body.

"I'll ask the servants to clean the guest rooms for you and your son. You both are very welcome to stay here for as long as you like."

"I'm grateful to hear that count-nim, but it's not only me and my son but my companions too." Ron started, without specifying who his companions are.

Even when Deruth never actually admitted it, everyone knew he already have a deep personal grudge against Choi han for beating his son.

Even right now, when he knew for a fact he's one of the reasons his other son, Basen was able to return home alive, when the terror accident of the unknown organization took place in the plaza.

"And I'm afraid that if we stay here we might put you in great jeopardy. Considering the number of people pursuing us."

"I see... Then, is there a particular kind of place you prefer?" he asked.

"Anything is enough for us, even a small house would suffice."

"But it would be better if it were a place that is far from people." he added.

"A place that is away from people..." he said while placing a hand on his chin.

"Hmm... I think I have one in mind. Unfortunately, I'm not the one you should be asking to."

"My son renovated the village near the forest of darkness, building a villa. I think it is enough to accommodate all of you." he supplied.

"Near the forest of Darkness... Do you mean Harris village?"

"What else, but that." he answered as a particular memory played through his head.

"Father."

"C-Cale?" He widened his eyes while looking at the person who called him.

"Cale, why are you up? Is there something the matter? Do you feel unwell?" he asked, his paper works completely forgotten.

"I'm fine, just a little sour that's all." He answered, looking downwards.

"Then... Do you need something?"

"About the man earlier..." he said instead.

Deruth's lips trembled as he tried his best to hold his anger down and spoke gently. "You don't have to worry about that man anymore, I'll make sure that he–"

"It's not that." Cale cut him off. "I mean... I heard about Harris village."

"I want to ask you for the authority for me to handle it." he continued.

"You want me to hand you the authority of the investigation?"

"Yes, and if it's possible, I would also like to do something there."

"Very well then... I can't exactly make you lead the investigation, but you can accompany me instead. And after that, you can do whatever you want in there."

"How's that sound?"

Cale lifted his head, revealing profound russet eyes.

Such eyes meet his father's brown eyes for the first time since his mother's death.

"Thank you." though his voice lacked emotion and was somewhat cold, Deruth didn't miss the sincerity in his eyes.

"Then I will ask young master Basen." Ron spoke, breaking his trance.

A faint chuckle escaped Deruth's mouth. "Cale, what I meant is Cale."

"Is that so..." Ron spoke faintly but only enough for himself to hear.

"Then I'll go and see you master Cale. I can't thank you enough Count-nim." he continued before standing up from his seat.

Bidding his farewell to the Count, he left the study with an uneasy feeling.

When he was making his way towards the chamber of his previous young master he noticed a man wearing the butler's uniform coming out of it.

The man deliberately stopped in front of him.

"Are you lost?" the man asked, but it sounded more like a statement than a question.

Ron decided to ignore him and as he was about to walk past him, the hand that was holding an expensive bottle of wine stopped him from going further.

Ron raised his brow at his action.

"Ah, pardon me." He tilted his head sidewards, then he continued. "But I was ordered not to let anyone come near young master Cale."

"Especially suspicious individuals like you." His sharp gaze held so much viciousness, the corner of his mouth hooked up, revealing a shallow smile.

Ron's brown sunken eyes gradually dimmed, he can't help but smirk at the sudden development.