4am sharp; That was the time Ron had always waken up to start the day.
He first took a shower and changed his clothes, before greeting the other servants that was also starting to prepare the families breakfast and schedule.
It was always the same regardless which noble house he went.
And at 6am, when he made sure everything was set. He and several other direct servants, would go the their respective liege to wake them up. Getting them ready and help them dress up for the occasion that would happen later.
And today was supposed to be like any other,
But unlike what he had planned, something unexpected had happened. He stopped his hand mid way before before his knuckle touched the door from surprise;
PRANGGGG
.
.
A loud crash sounded from behind the door, and without thinking twice; Ron opened the door hastily.
Thousands of glass shards spread across the floor surrounding the table where his young master was clutching on for dear life.
"Young master?"
. . .
"Young master?"
Cale ignored the call of the worried butler that was slowly heading towards where he was-- No, he could barely even register the other's present when his head was spinning and his ears were ringing.
Child,
Cale heard a deep voice in his head that scratch his head like a siren's song;
Remember the deal I had offered you?
And all Cale could think of at the moment despite everything was, 'What is this crazy voice talking about?'
Before he passed out,
.
.
.
It wasn't real,
He knew that, but at the same time;
It was real,
Cale looked around the white space he was in.
It was spacious, very much so.
There wasn't anything in there. No table or chairs, not even a single patch of grass. He couldn't even see the walls. It was just an empty space and him. That's what made him think it wasn't real. But he was very much wide awake, That's why he knew this place wasn't just a dream.
A lucid dream, maybe? But wasn't he just awake moments ago?--
White flashed before his eyes, making him stumble a bit before regaining his balance;
'Hello Child',
It was that deep voice again,
'We meet again.'
Cale wasn't given a chance to speak or think of anything before the voice just continued on their own; 'Though our meeting before was cut rather short, but I do hope you remembered our exchange before everything had went in flame...'
The red head frowned, the only exchange he had with This was some minutes ago before he was forcefully dragged into the space. He didn't remember ever talking to this Crazy--
'You said you would accept the offer I gave you if I helped you rewind time. Well.. I am expecting you to accept it either way since it involves that White star you hate so much'
Cale doesn't remember ever making such deals or meeting the owner of the voice until today. And... this bastard knew about his Hyung? and what do they meant by 'Hate'...
'Did you forget?' The voice asked him curiously, disappointment lacing his every word.
"Of course I remembered,"
Cale doesn't even knew what possessed him when he answered the voice so confidently.
The voice laughed,
'Ahaha, as expected of Cale Henituse; The Hero who would never be seen again... Such confidence, even in front of a God!'
Cale couldn't help but blanch at the title,
'Even your reaction is still the same!'
A figure materialized in front of him; Translucent cloak was covering the mans bare body that looked like a sculpted silhouette. Though Cale couldn't make do of the figure's entire face, he could see the twisted amused smirk on his lips.
And that moment,
Cale knew,
He had never wanted to punch someone's face so bad in his entire life. Not even The viscount of Tolz irked him as much.
.
.
.
Ron catched his young master's falling body swiftly, His brain was still trying to process what had just happened.
"Young master?" He called, but there wasn't any reaction from the red head.
Ron frowned, but he didn't take too long contemplating before slowly carrying his young master towards the bed, away from the dangerous shards.
Ron touched Cale's forehead to check his temperature,
It doesn't seemed like he got a fever.
"Young master?" He called out again, but Cale was already out cold. Ron could only sighed as he whispered slowly,
"Pardon for this butler's behavior"
Ron slowly unbutton Cale's shirt and push it to the side, allowing him to see his young master's chest clearly.
Though Ron hadn't seen the scar before, he can't help but feel he should tell the count now. It was such an ugly scar-- Just how did his mysterious puppy young master get such scar in such a young age?
His son had predicted that it is the work of a poison, but what kind of poison could leave a scar like this?
And the fact that he doesn't know worries him more...
He notify the Tolz lord that his young master won't be able to join him for breakfast, and... he should also prepare something warm for the young master to drink,
Maybe he can slip in some lemons this time?
.
.
.
When Ron came back from his trip to the kitchen, he could see his young master wide awake;
"Ah, young master--"
"Who allowed you to enter, Ron" sharp reddish brown eyes glared at the old butler,
Ron's benign smile was still on his face, he didn't even flinched when Cale's eyes were still on him like a hawk. Instead, he took several steps forward, towards the table next to the bed.
"You must have been really exhausted for you to faint like that, Young master"
Cale watch as Ron poured something foul looking into a cup. Such a sour scent enter his nose.
"I already told you multiple times that I do not like Lemons, Ron"
"Lemons are good for your health young master, especially after you fainted like that," Ron placed the cup down, just inches away from his young master, "You truly did worry this Ron, young master"
Cale ignored the cup next to him, finding the outside view more interesting than the dark room he was currently in.
"Young master??" Ron probe
"You probably had known, But don't tell father about this"
Ron opened his slit like eyes,
"May I asked why, young master?"
"It's none of your business"
Ron chuckled, "As your butler. It is, actually, my business to care about my young master's well being"
If Cale had to compare, talking to that self proclaimed God was akin to talking to a monkey, while what he was facing right now was like talking to a sneaky fox. And if he had to choose between the two, He would prefer to talk to that monkey, at least he wouldn't have to deal with this old butler's sharp wits.
"And as the young master, It is my right to not answer"
"And as someone who is employed by your father, it is also my right to tell him about your situation"
Cale clicked his tongue, "You really went that low, didn't you, Ron"
"I have no idea what you meant, young master"
They both stared at each other's eyes in a deadlock.
Cale would normally just ignore his old butler, but his head was already hurting as is. He can't be bothered to have an extra headache in the form of a curiously inquiring butler by his side all the time. Not when he finally have a clue where his Hyung could be at.
"It's simply an incurable poison. Father would just be wasting his energy and money trying to find a cure."
"I'm sure the count would find a cure,"
"Even you didn't know what kind of poison this is" Cale sat up from his bed and head towards the closet, taking a knitted cardigan out and draped it over his shoulder.
Cale wanted to laughed when he saw the baffled look on his butler's face,
"Oh don't give me that look. If you had known, you wouldn't be here sitting still and asking me all this questions"
Ron couldn't say anything, no, he didn't know what else to say. Everything his little vicious puppy young master had said was on point.
He didn't know what kind of poison it was, nor would he be sitting around doing nothing if he had known about the poison.
"Ron,"
The said butler looked up when he was called,
"Help me prepare for the day. Young master Neo and his sister wouldn't like it if I were to be late"
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.
.
"Yes, young master"
A/N; Might have some slight changes in the future when clear headed me reread