A Name
[Chapter 67: Wasn’t Supposed to Be Like This (4)
[]
Cale was not sleeping but standing on the deck. It was close to midnight, so nobody else was on the deck, but the deck was lit up and the full moon made it not dark at all.
He was planning to meet some guests here tonight.
Cale leaned on one of the railings as he calmly looked out to the ocean. It was at that moment.]
“You really should take better care of yourself, Cale,” Tcf Violan said with a quiet sigh, her sharp eyes filled with concern. Though her voice was calm, there was no mistaking the subtle reproach of a mother scolding her son for his carelessness.
Tcf Cale let out a small chuckle, shaking his head. “I had things to take care of,” he said simply. “Some late-night discussions, and something else I couldn’t put off.”
“Rest is just as important as your plans. If you knew you were going to be busy, you should have used the time you had wisely.” Tcf Violan noted the faint smile on his lips, something soft and fleeting, and she understood. Whatever had kept him up had been important not just in a strategic sense, but in a personal one. Knowing Cale, it had probably been about his children.
The scenery around them was breathtaking, but while everyone else was admiring the beauty of the land, Tcf Cale’s mind was elsewhere. Large gatherings, grand celebrations, the admiring gazes of the people those were things he never quite felt at ease with. He had learned to endure them, to stand in the spotlight when necessary, but he preferred the quiet. He preferred the moments when he wasn’t forced to play a role for the world to see.
Tcf Cale wasn’t someone who craved solitude, but he did treasure peace. He never pushed away those who wanted to be by his side, even if all they did was sit in silence together. Those moments, without responsibilities weighing on his shoulders, were the ones he valued most.
Tcf Alberu understood that better than most.
One day, would they truly be able to live that kind of life? A life where neither of them had to constantly prepare for the next disaster? A life where they didn’t have to carry the burdens of a kingdom and a world that refused to let them rest?
The thought lingered in the air, unanswered but not forgotten. For now, peace was a distant dream. But maybe just maybe one day, they would reach it.
[“Human.”
The Black Dragon revealed himself and approached Cale. There was no need to be invisible because nobody else was here right now.
“What?”
“I was just wondering...”
The Black Dragon seemed to have a lot on his mind. No, he seemed very suspicious as he blankly looked Cale up and down.
“...Is the name you are thinking of a random word?”]
Tcf Eruhaben watched as Raon shifted excitedly, his tail flicking with anticipation. It was clear that, despite all his confidence, the young dragon had once been nervous about receiving a name from Cale.
Thinking back, Tcf Eruhaben realized how long Raon had waited for that moment. From the day of his rescue to the many battles that followed, the little dragon had remained nameless. And yet, no one had forced the issue not Cale, not the others. They had all assumed Raon would name himself, as dragons were naturally proud and independent creatures.
But when the moment finally came, and Tcf Cale gave him a name, Raon had practically glowed with happiness. He had repeated the name with such pride, his voice ringing with delight.
It was only now that some of them truly grasped how much time had passed before Raon had been given a name. From the moment he had been freed, through the many dangers they had faced, he had remained just ‘the little dragon.’ It was as if he had been waiting waiting for someone to acknowledge him, to claim him as part of their world.
Tcf Cale, in his usual way, had never imposed. He had assumed that, as a dragon, Raon would want to choose his own name, deciding his own identity in the way only a dragon could.
But Raon had wanted something different.
Tcf Cale wasn’t just another person to him. He was the one who had stepped forward to save him, who had fed him, who had made sure he had a warm, safe place to rest. He had never treated Raon as something lesser, never demanded gratitude or loyalty he had simply been there.
And while Raon was strong, while he was a dragon meant to stand alone in the world, he was still a child. A child who wanted to be seen, to be acknowledged by someone he admired.
A name wasn’t just a name. It was proof of belonging.
Even the elves, with all their wisdom, had understood what that moment meant. It wasn’t just about calling the little dragon by a name it was about recognizing him, making him part of something more.
And when Tcf Cale finally gave him that name, Raon had smiled like he had just been given the world.
[“What the hell are you talking about?”
The Black Dragon seemed very concerned.
“I feel like you will pick something like Black or Dragon.”
“Ah, your name?”]
Tcf Cale suddenly felt a wave of embarrassment wash over him as he realized that Raon’s name and its meaning would soon be revealed to everyone. His face warmed slightly. He had, in a way, just named Raon… Dragon.
"So that’s why he reacted like that," the group collectively thought, recalling the moment when Raon had first heard his name.
“To think a dragon would willingly allow a human to name him,” Tboah Rosalyn murmured, disbelief evident in her tone. Dragons were prideful, independent beings. This kind of thing simply did not happen.
“But given everything they’ve been through together, it makes sense,”Tcf Rosalyn replied, her voice carrying a quiet admiration. She had seen firsthand the bond between Tcf Cale and Raon, how deep and unshakable it was.
Raon had trusted Tcf Cale completely, more than any dragon should ever trust a human. And in return, Tcf Cale had given him not just a name, but a place to belong.
[The Black Dragon was talking about his name. Cale made a very serious expression at the 4-year old’s very concerned question.
“...Is a name like that not very good?”
Cale’s expression was very serious. The Black Dragon had not seen Cale look so serious for a while now. The Black Dragon’s eyes started to shake as he urgently responded.]
“So precious,” Tcf Sheritt murmured fondly as she watched Raon suddenly flail in panic. His wings fluttered, and his tail swayed anxiously all because Tcf Cale had taken on an uncharacteristically serious expression.
At first, Raon had looked crestfallen, thinking that Tcf Cale would simply pick a name at random without much thought. But now, seeing Tcf Cale deep in thought, his brows slightly furrowed as he carefully considered his choice, Raon realized something important.
Cale Henituse was truly thinking about the best name for him.
The others watching couldn’t help but be caught off guard. They had witnessed Tcf Cale face deadly situations with a smirk, treating danger as if it were nothing more than an inconvenience. And yet, here he was, genuinely concerned over something as simple as naming a baby dragon.
He wasn’t just giving Raon any name he was giving him a name that mattered.
Tcf Choi Han hadn’t been there that night when Raon was finally given his name, but he could easily picture it. He could almost hear the baby dragon, repeating his name over and over with pride, as if wanting the entire world to know who he was.
It wasn’t just a name.
It was proof that he belonged.
[“Not at all! I am fine with anything! It is fine as long as you give me a name, human! Do not worry!”
His wings were fluttering rapidly, and his tail was shaking as he strongly appealed to Cale. Cale’s expression instantly turned normal like he was never serious at all.
“Then I am glad.”
He then casually continued on.
“Raon, On and Hong would have been sad if they heard what you said.”
Silence suddenly filled the area.]
A heavy silence settled over the room as everyone processed what had just been revealed.
Tcf Cale Henituse had given the baby dragon a name. Raon.
To most, the name seemed unfamiliar, something that didn’t quite fit the known languages of the continents. And yet, it felt right. It suited the dragon, rolling off the tongue as if it had always belonged to him.
But for Kim Rok Soo and the two Choi Hans, the name held a much deeper meaning.
Raon…
A quiet smile formed on Kim Rok Soo’s lips as he heard it spoken. He had studied Korean for practical reasons, picking up bits and pieces from various historical records, but because of that, he knew exactly what the name meant.
Happiness.
A fitting name for the little dragon who had once lived in the darkness, yearning for warmth.
“Human! You called me by my name!” Raon’s voice was full of uncontained joy as he swooped down, landing gently so as not to knock Tcf Cale over.
“Oof” Tcf Cale let out a small grunt as Raon nestled against him before he sighed and patted the dragon’s head. “Yes, Raon,” he said, his voice carrying an odd mix of exasperation and fondness.
The sight was enough to make nearly everyone in the room melt.
"You really do have a habit of dropping things on people’s heads without warning," Tcf Alberu commented with an amused chuckle, crossing his arms.
"You just named him like it was the most natural thing in the world," Kim Rok Soo added, shaking his head in disbelief.
"Trying to avoid making a big deal out of it, hyung?" Tboah Cale teased, tilting his head with a smirk.
"My dongsaeng just is shy sometimes" Tcf Alberu chimed in, his grin widening.
Tcf Cale scowled, crossing his arms as a faint pink dusted his cheeks. "Not like you lot are any better," he muttered.
Laughter filled the room as the group erupted into playful teasing and lighthearted banter. Voices overlapped, quick-witted remarks flying back and forth as the warmth of the moment wrapped around them.
For a group of people who had faced so much hardship, these small, easy moments of companionship felt rare.
And yet, somehow, right now, they had all the time in the world.
[“...Human, what did you just say?”
Cale had actually thought a lot about the Black Dragon’s name, contrary to the Black Dragon’s expectation. A name was a special thing given to someone. For Kim Rok Soo who had to live on his own, the only thing that was given to him by his parents was his name.].
The thought of someone so young being forced to survive alone, without love or protection, made their blood boil. TcfCale had suffered so much, and yet, he had never once asked for pity.
Kim Rok Soo, however, felt the weight of those words in a different way.
For him, discarding the name Cale Henituse had been easy. It meant his family would live. It meant he would have the chance to see his mother again the person who had given him that name in the first place. Leaving it behind didn’t feel like a loss because, in return, he could make new memories with her.
But for Tcf Cale, it had been entirely different.
Tcf Cale hadn’t been given a choice. His name had been taken from him, the last piece of his parents stripped away without his consent. Even though he had found happiness now, it had come at the cost of losing something deeply personal something he had never been able to reclaim.
And Kim Rok Soo had been the one to cause it being taken from him.
His stomach twisted as he thought back to that moment, to how casually he had told Tcf Cale to discard his name like it was nothing.
He swallowed hard before speaking.
“I’m sorry.”
Tcf Cale, caught off guard, blinked in confusion. “Hmm? What are you suddenly apologizing for?”
Kim Rok Soo exhaled slowly, his voice quieter than before. “I know you said you’re happy now, but your name was important to you, and I took it from you.” He hesitated before continuing, guilt lacing his tone. “And worse, I didn’t even think about what it meant to you before telling you to just let it go.”
Tcf Cale was silent for a long moment. The others held their breath, waiting for his response.
Finally, he sighed. “It is important to me,” he admitted. “But not more than the family I have now. And it’s not like I’ll ever forget that my parents gave me the name Kim Rok Soo. I just don’t go by it anymore.” His voice softened slightly. “If it’s really bothering you that much… just take care of it. And yourself.”
Kim Rok Soo felt something loosen in his chest, the guilt that had weighed on him easing just a little. Cale wasn’t angry. He wasn’t resentful.
Instead, he had simply entrusted him with a responsibility.
Kim Rok Soo let out a small chuckle. “Alright, Cale. I’ll take care of the name and myself. I’ll make sure that way Kim Rok Soo doesn’t disappear anytime soon.”
Tcf Cale nodded in satisfaction before turning his attention to his kids.
Tboah Alberu frowned, deep in thought. “If he really felt that way, why did he act like it didn’t matter when he gave it up?”
He could still recall the moment Tboah Cale had so easily accepted throwing away the name Kim Rok Soo. It wasn’t just his body that had been taken it was his entire identity. Yet, he had let it go without hesitation, as if it held no meaning.
Then why was he acting like it mattered now?
Tboah Alberu glanced at Tcf Cale and Kim Rok Soo, observing the thoughtful look on his face.
“Because he was willing to let go of his name for a new life,” Tcf Alberu said plainly. “You two didn’t have anything of your own except your names, right?”
Kim Rok Soo nodded after a moment. “Yeah. The name Cale Henituse is precious. But if giving it up meant getting something better, I wouldn’t hesitate.” His gaze shifted toward Tcf Cale, watching as the redhead casually interacted with the children around him Raon, On, and Hong all of whom looked at him with unshakable trust.
“We didn’t have anything but ourselves,” he continued. “So if leaving behind our names meant we could protect what actually matters, why wouldn’t we? Why cling to something that only brings painful memories?”
For both Kim Rok Soo and Tcf Cale, there had been no one left to hold on to.
The people they had once loved were already gone.
Jour Thames, Choi Jungsoo, Lee Soo Hyuk.
Tboah Cale had turned back time, but not far enough to save his mother. The God of Death had given him knowledge of where she would be reincarnated, and that had become his goal.
But for the Cale of this world, seeking the reincarnation of lost loved ones had never been his priority. Instead, he had found something he had never had before something worth holding onto.
And that was why he fought.
That was why he refused to back down, why he was willing to endure countless hardships.
Because in the end, they were both willing to throw away their names if it meant protecting what truly mattered.
[“Your first name is Raon.”
Raon. It meant joyful in pure Korean.
“And your last name is Miru.”
Miru. Pure Korean for Dragon.
Joyful Dragon. It was a funny name, but Cale had come up with it with full sincerity. He was worried that Choi Han might be suspicious of a pure Korean name, but he had come up with an excuse for that as well.]
A name so full of warmth. A name chosen with purpose.
Raon Miru.
A joyful dragon.
Tcf Cale’s voice had been quiet but sure when he had spoken the words, a rare softness settling over his usual indifferent expression. Those around him didn’t know what to focus on, either the way his voice carried a rare gentleness, the look in his eyes as he gazed at the young dragon, or simply the sheer weight of the name itself.
No one laughed. No one thought it was strange.
Because they knew.
They knew what the little dragon had suffered, how he had endured cruelty no child should ever face. To be given a name like this but not just any name, but one carrying the promise of happiness that was more powerful than any grand declaration.
“I never thought much about it,” Tcf Choi Han admitted after a moment, crossing his arms as he considered the name. “I recognized ‘Miru,’ but I figured different languages sometimes overlap. I didn’t expect something like this.”
Sheritt, standing close by, simply smiled. The meaning behind her son’s name filled her with warmth, a deep and quiet gratitude toward the person who had given it to him. Tcf Cale had done so much for her child more than she could ever put into words.
And now, with his name revealed, it was simply another reminder of how much love this little dragon had found.
Raon’s family the people who had taken him in, fought for him, protected him were exchanged smiles with each other.
Yes.
Joyful dragon.
It suited him perfectly.
[A calm voice reached the Black Dragon’s ears. However, The Black Dragon had never seen such an expression on Cale’s face before. A calm smile was on Cale’s face right now.
“I came up with this name in the hopes that you will be happy and live a joyful life.”]
"I am!" Raon exclaimed, his wings flapping excitedly as he soared across the room and crashed into Tcf Cale’s chest.
Tcf Cale barely had time to steady himself before Raon buried his face against him.
"I'm really happy," Raon mumbled, his voice softer now.
Tcf Cale let out a small sigh, his arms instinctively wrapping around the little dragon. His hand settled atop Raon’s head, ruffling the fur between his horns.
"Good that’s all that matters," Tcf Cale murmured, his voice carrying a rare gentleness. "You deserve it."
The room fell into a comfortable silence, everyone watching with quiet smiles.
Tcf Alberu, standing nearby, scoffed lightly. "Look at him," he muttered under his breath. "Absolutely powerless against Raon."
On and Hong exchanged amused glances before settling closer to Tcf Cale’s side, their tails flicking contentedly.
In that moment, Tcf Cale didn’t mind the attention.
Because, really, he wouldn’t trade this for anything.
[“...What does it mean?”
The Black Dragon asked Cale for the meaning of the name. Cale pointed to the Black Dragon with his index finger.
“You.”]
Raon remembered that moment vividly, the warmth that had spread through him, wrapping around his heart like a gentle embrace when his father had assured him that his name was his and his alone. It wasn’t just a word; it was proof that he existed, proof that someone had given him an identity with care, with love, with the intention that he would never be forgotten.
Back then, he hadn’t thought too much about it. He had simply been happy, overjoyed to have a name of his own, one given by someone who truly saw him
Tcf Cale hadn’t just given him a name. He had given him belonging, a place in his family, a promise that he would always be by his side as long as he is able too.
The realization made his chest swell with emotion, a warmth blooming deep inside him as he reread the moment on the page before him.
Without hesitation, Raon turned to Tcf Cale. “Cale, dad Thank you” he called softly, his voice carrying something quite yet resolute.
Tcf Cale, who had been sitting alongside him, blinked in slight surprise, his head tilting as he met Raon’s gaze. The little dragon didn’t elaborate, didn’t feel the need to. Instead, he simply smiled before turning and flying back to where his siblings waited.
But even as he left, he could feel Cale’s gaze lingering on him, filled with an unspoken understanding.
That expression it was the same one his father had worn that day. The day he had been given a name that he would treasure forever.
[Raon and Miru. Neither of these words existed in this world. There was only one thing these two words stood for in this world.
“It is you. They are words just for you and only you.”
“...Only me?”
“Yes.”]
Tboah Choi Han’s fingers twitched at his sides. He had lived for too long with just a name, one that was the only thing he had to remember his family by.
Tboah Rosalyn’s crimson eyes softened, understanding flickering within them. She was born with the name Rosalyn of the Breck Kingdom, but even she had felt suffocated by what that name meant.
Tboah Eruhaben crossed his arms, expression unreadable. For a dragon, a name wasn’t just something given at birth it was a declaration of existence. A choice. The young one had not yet reached the age where he could claim his own name, yet here he was, given one by a mere human.
But not just any human.
Tboah Lock let out a slow breath, his large hands tightening at his sides. A name meant being part of something. Being someone. For beast people, a name came from their family, from their tribe it was proof of where they belonged.
For someone who had neither family nor a place in the world, for someone whose entire existence had been denied since birth this name was proof that he was wanted.
“Damn it,” Tcf Toonka muttered, scratching his head, looking almost… frustrated. “Why does that feel so heavy?”
Tcf Bud, for once, wasn’t laughing. He took a long swig of his drink, unusually quiet. “Because it is,” he murmured.
Tcf Clopeh sat still, watching Tcf Cale with sharp, calculating eyes. His hands trembled slightly, though whether from awe or something else entirely, no one could say. “A name… given by Cale Henituse…” he whispered.
Unlike the others, Tcf Cale wasn’t moved by his own words. He had said them, meant them, and that was enough. It wasn’t something grand to him.
But to everyone else, it was.
Tcf Alberu sat back in his chair, watching his lover with an unreadable gaze. “You really don’t realize how much weight your words carry, do you?”
Tcf Cale frowned. “What now?”
Tcf Alberu just huffed a laugh, shaking his head. “Never mind.”
It was just Cale.
Giving without asking for anything in return. Offering a name like it was the simplest thing in the world, unaware of just how much it truly meant.
Ron, ever observant, caught the movement but said nothing. Instead, he poured tea into Tcf Cale’s empty cup and smoothly changed the subject.
“A name is important,” he mused. “It stays with you, after all.”
Tcf Cale snorted. “You sound sentimental.”
Ron only smiled.
The conversation slowly drifted to other topics, but the impact remained.
A name wasn’t just a word. It was a promise.
And in that moment, everyone in the room understood just how much weight Cale Henituse’s promises carried.
[Cale started to smile as he patted the Dragon’s head.
“Since you are a great and mighty dragon.”
“...Only me ......”]
Tcf Alberu, who was watching intently, couldn’t help but chuckle softly, his hand resting on his chin as he sat back in his seat. “He’s so easy to tease,” he murmured, almost to himself. Cale’s rare moments of affection toward Raon were always endearing, and Tcf Alberu couldn’t help but feel a touch of warmth at the scene.
Tcf Cage was barely able to hide his grin. “Did you see that? Raon’s not sure whether to puff up his chest or shrink away,” he laughed quietly, eyes shining with amusement. “Cale really knows how to make him squirm.”
Tcf Taylor, who had been watching the screen with a surprisingly serious expression, shook his head with a smirk. “They really are a family, aren’t they?” he said softly, voice barely louder than a whisper. “The way Cale talks to Raon... it’s like he’s always looking out for him.”
[The Black Dragon mumbled to himself for a while before patting away Cale’s hand from his head and stretched out his wings. His wings were fluttering rapidly as he snorted.
“I guess it is useful. I will do you a special service and use this name.”
“Sure, Raon.”
The Dragon started to scrunch his nose. The corners of his lips were twitching as he flew up into the air.]
Tcf Eruhaben chuckled, his golden eyes glinting with amusement. “Dragons are prideful creatures, but that moment was when he truly started belonging somewhere. It’s good to see.”
Tcf Alberu smirked, nudging Tcf Cale. “You’re really soft when it comes to Raon. I don’t remember you ever being that gentle with anyone else.”
Tcf Cale sighed and leaned back in his seat. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Tcf Sheritt watched silently, a gentle expression on her face as she looked at Raon. Her eyes shimmered slightly before she nodded to herself.
Tcf Paseton chuckled. “It suits you, Raon. I think even back then, Cale knew how important you were.”
Tcf Taylor nodded in agreement. “That’s more than just a name. It’s proof that Cale accepted you as family.”
Raon flapped his wings even harder, looking at Tcf Cale with sparkling eyes. “Of course! The human knows how great and mighty I am!”
Tcf Cale groaned. “You’re getting a little ahead of yourself there.”
Tcf Alberu smirked. “Too late for that.”
[“I am the great and mighty Raon Miru.”
“Yes, Raon.”
“Right. I am Raon.”]
The peaceful atmosphere in the cinema was palpable, a sense of warmth filling the air as everyone looked at the interaction between Tcf Cale Henituse and Raon Miru that night. It was a moment frozen in time simple, yet meaningful.
Raon Miru. A name that carried a deep significance, a name that echoed the affection Tcf Cale had for him. Even Tboah Rasheel couldn’t suppress a smile, watching Raon say his name with so much pride, as if it were a treasure he had been given. It was the kind of name that meant more than just words; it was a symbol of the bond they shared.
Tcf Mila couldn’t help but smile as she saw Tcf Dodori, ever so charming in his own way, acting with the same adorably playful behavior as Raon. The contrast between the two dragons was striking, but there was an undeniable warmth in both their actions.
Raon, with his beautiful name, gazed at Tcf Cale Henituse with admiration. His affection for Tcf Cale was clear, a dragon proud to be by his side. His wings fluttered slightly, a quiet testament to his joy.
Tcf Alberu, watching this scene unfold, suddenly recalled the first time Tcf Cale had introduced Raon to him. The pride in Tcf Cale’s voice had been unmistakable as he told Tcf Alberu about the name he had chosen for Raon, how he had decided to bestow that special name upon him.
Tcf Cale’s words still lingered in Tcf Alberu’s mind. He remembered how Tcf Cale had looked, so confident and protective, as he spoke of Raon like a proud father introducing his child to the world. It was a name that held great meaning, not just for Raon, but for Tcf Cale too.
“Raon Miru,” Tcf Alberu murmured quietly, a fondness in his voice. “It’s a good name, especially coming from my dongsaeng.” He couldn’t help but glance at Tcf Cale, seated next to him. There was so much love between them between Cale and Raon, between Cale and the family they had built together.
Tcf Alberu’s heart softened, and though he wasn’t sure he could ever fully understand the weight behind the name, he knew that Raon was more than just Tcf Cale’s dragon. He was family. And that was something beautiful, something to cherish.
[[]Cale raised his head like the Black Dragon. The night sky was the same no matter where he went. He could hear Raon’s voice as he blankly continued to stare at the sky.
“Thank you, Cale.”
“...What?”
Cale looked toward Raon with surprise. However, The Black Dragon was already back to normal.
“Human, how is it that you cannot understand the first time?”
“Why don’t you say it once more?”]
Tcf Cale smirked, his arms crossed lazily as he looked at Raon. “Why don’t you say it again, Raon?” His voice was filled with teasing amusement, but the warmth in his gaze was unmistakable.
Raon huffed, his wings twitching. “Hmph! Human needs to clean his ears!” He turned his head away, his chubby black cheeks now tinged with red.
Tboah Cale, sitting nearby, raised an eyebrow before grinning mischievously. “That reaction just makes it even cuter.” His hand twitched as he reached out, clearly intending to pinch Raon’s round, blushing cheek.
Kim Rok Soo, watching with mild amusement, also leaned forward. “No need to be so shy, Raon.” He, too, reached toward the small dragon’s face, his expression unreadable but his intent obvious.
Raon’s eyes widened in alarm. He quickly flapped his wings and batted at both of their hands with his tiny paws. “Hmph! Hands off, humans!”
Tcf Rosalyn, watching the exchange, covered her mouth with a chuckle. “He’s just as shy as his father.”
Tcf Alberu, who had been sipping his drink, smirked and leaned toward Tcf Cale. “She has a point. He gets all huffy and defensive, just like you.”
Tcf Cale scoffed, narrowing his eyes. “I do not.”
Tcf Tasha giggled, nudging Tcf Cage. “That surprised look on young master Cale’s face earlier probably looked exactly like the one he made when Raon called him Cale.”
Tcf Cage smirked, arms crossed. “You’re right. Now we have the perfect mental image to compare.”
“Makes it even cuter when I picture it now,” Tboah Tasha added with a laugh.
Tboah Mary, who had been silently watching, tilted her head. “So, is this how dragons express embarrassment?”
Tcf Eruhaben chuckled, his golden eyes filled with amusement. “Not usually. Raon is just unique.”
Tcf Paseton grinned. “It’s nice to see him so comfortable.”
Tcf Taylor nodded, a small smile on his lips. “It’s a rare sight. He’s really grown.”
Raon, still flustered, suddenly darted toward Cale and curled up beside him, pressing against his side in a clear attempt to hide from the attention.
Tcf Cale sighed, shaking his head. “You’re still stuck to me anyway.”
Raon huffed. “Hmph. This is different.”
Tcf Alberu smirked. “Of course it is.”
The group chuckled at the sight, and though Raon pretended to ignore them, his tail flicking in protest, the warmth in his eyes gave him away.
[Cale started to smile as he tried to pat Raon’s head. Raon headbutted the palm and strongly objected.
“No. I really, truly, absolutely will not! Weak human, go inside and sleep! You will catch a cold.”
However, contrary to his actions, Raon’s wings were fluttering and his tail was wagging like On and Hong. Cale quietly laughed at Raon’s appearance. The quietly laughing Cale was very visible, even though it was night time and they were out in the ocean.]
Tcf Cale’s family and closest friends all had the same thought: If only they could witness this moment for real, not just through a reading.
Tboah Cage sighed dramatically, arms crossed as she leaned back in her seat. “I swear, if the God of Death has a recording of this moment, I’d consider being his Saint for a month just to get my hands on it.” She paused. “No, a week. That bastard isn’t worth a full month.”
Tboah Rosalyn chuckled. “You’d really make a deal with him just for that?”
Tboah Cage smirked. “Have you seen how cute Raon looks? And Cale teasing him like that? That’s once-in-a-lifetime material.”
The entire group continued watching, both amused and slightly envious of the peaceful moment between Tcf Cale and Raon.
Cale Henituse, looking utterly relaxed, teasing one of his children. Raon Miru, whose interactions with the Fog Cat Tribe had clearly rubbed off on him, flicking his tail in frustration and avoiding eye contact, acting just like a flustered kitten.
And, of course, Raon’s shy hesitation to call Cale’s name again his little paws fidgeting, his wings fluttering slightly.
Tcf Alberu, watching the scene, exhaled softly. “Ah, how peaceful…” His voice was wistful, as if trying to etch the moment into his memory. If only life could remain this simple, if only their battles ended with the White Star.
If only there wasn’t always something lurking in the shadows, waiting to shatter their fragile moments of happiness.
Perhaps by now, Tcf Alberu Crossman would already be busy with his official coronation, adjusting to life as king of the Roan Kingdom.
Perhaps Tcf Cale Henituse would be scheming his way into avoiding attention, already plotting how to force his friends into the limelight while he quietly hid away in Tcf Alberu’s palace.
But that wasn’t where they were.
Instead, they were here dragged into this mess once again, forced to witness Cale’s past laid bare, secrets unraveled without his consent. Forced to remember, again and again, how many times Cale Henituse had nearly died.
Tcf Alberu clenched his fist.
‘You bastards that call yourselves Gods If I had a gold coin for every time Cale nearly died because of your so-called ‘divine plans,’ I’d be richer than the entire world. But sure, let’s all keep pretending you have some grand design’