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Alberu sighed as he finished reading the report on the recent rebel groups that seem to have popped up in the Roan Kingdom. Ever since Alberu officially became King there seems to be only trouble, trouble and even more trouble.
At least I'm dating Cale Henituse now.
Alberu thought as he thought of the guy that had captivated him ever since Cale said he would keep Alberu's secret.
Valentines Day is coming up isn't it? I should plan something to show Cale how much I love him...and totally not because I want to take a break from all the paperwork that is on my desk.
With that idea in mind, Alberu stood up from his desk and walked out of his office. Behind him, his entourage of bodyguards and aides followed closely behind. They walked all the way to the entrance of the garden.
“I’m going to the garden for a break, don’t follow me.”
Alberu’s guards tried to protest against his command, but Alberu only compromised by letting them stay at the entrance of the garden while he rests inside. Alberu walked until he reached the edge of the garden. He looked at the towering wall that, over the years has been encased with crawling vines. Alberu took off the magic device that concealed his appearance and grabbed a dark hooded cloak to cover up his face as he hopped over the wall.
Let’s go towards the town center. There should be plenty of information I can use to plan my date.
Alberu spent a few hours hanging walking the city center, taking in the sights and talking to sellers, buyers, and civilians, hoping to gain some in sight on what he should do. Just when Alberu was to call it a day and go back, he heard something that stopped him in his tracks. He turned his head to see two men sitting down at the patio of a diner, chatting as they ate their lunch. Alberu glanced around before he found an empty table close enough to listen in on what the guys are saying, he waved towards the waitress so he can place his order.
“…there’s no way.”
One of the guys said. He was a lanky looking guy, with long brown hair and thick glasses that cover up most of his face. Beside him, was a big wooden box that looked like it was half of the guy's weight.
“Why won’t you believe me? I was asked! He personally asked of me!”
The other man exclaims, he flails his meaty arm around and apologizes when he almost hits the waitress walking past him. His hair was short and spike and the way he rubs his nose and then wipes it on his pants makes Alberu think he's a bit rough around the edges.
“Maybe, because”
The glasses guy deadpans.
“You’re just a poor jewelry maker who have to mine for his own jewelry. Why would Raon Kingdom's Hero ask you for anything? Let alone something like that? Are you sure it wasn't just a scammer?"
Like what? What did Cale supposedly ask him to make?
Alberu thought in his head, curious as the waitress placed his order down in front of him.
“No! I know it was Young Master Silver Shield! His bright red hair and handsome features is something I'll never forget!”
Alberu took a bite of the food that was in front of him and promptly choked as he heard what the other guy said next.
“Oh yes, of course you weren't scammed. Obviously Young Master Silver Shield has a secret lover that nobody knows about, and then one day, he goes up to you, nobody else with his riches and connection. You, a random 3rd rated jeweler and asks you to make an engagement ring for him and his lover for Valentines Day. Yeah, I believe that. ”
The burly guy nodded his head in agreement, before he frowned and shook his head.
“Well, if you say it like that....but wait! It's true!"
The guy shakes his head, long brown hair swishing from side to side.
“Ha! If you’re right, then I’m not the head tailor anymore! I’ll demote myself back to being an apprentice!”
Alberu focused his attention back on his meal.
Well…he’s not wrong. It’s not exactly a secret relationship, we’re just not vocal about our relationship.
Alberu blushed.
Cale….is planning to propose to me? Maybe I should contact that tailor and give Cale a new suit for our wedding….
In a blissful mood, Alberu focused back on finishing his meal before he paid and headed towards the castle.
It’s Valentine’s Day and Alberu can’t hold in his excitement. Cale had already made an appointment beforehand, and Alberu cleared his schedule for today and tomorrow. Recently Cale had been a bit distant with him, but Alberu assumed it was because Cale was nervous about proposing. Alberu nervously fixed his cufflinks as he waited in the carriage in front of the Henituse castle.
“Alberu.”
Alberu looked up to see Cale standing at the doorway of the carriage.
“Yes Cale? You still haven’t told me where we’re going yet.”
“You’ll know soon enough, move over so I have space.”
Cale roughly shoved Alberu over before he sat down at the opposite end of the seat. They sat in silence as the carriage started to go deeper and deeper into the forest. It finally stopped at a small, desolated cottage and Cale got off first, Alberu followed behind him. He watched as Cale whispered something to the coachman, the coachmen nodded his head once, before turning the carriage around and going back towards where they came from. The last thing Alberu saw before he blacked out was Cale’s emotionless face staring at him.
Alberu woke up in darkness. After a few moments of recollecting his thoughts, he realized that he isn’t in darkness , instead, there was a blindfold over his eyes and rope over his body: preventing him from moving.
What happens? I was with Cale and…wait! Cale is he okay?
Alberu was silently panicking to himself before realizing that Cale was smart, and if he saw Alberu getting knocked out, he should be able to save himself and then rescue Alberu. He sat in silence as he waited for his abductor to show up, he’s not sure how long he waited but Alberu guessed it has been a couple hours before he heard someone coming in. He stayed silent as he waited for the other person to speak first.
“Don't you have any questions for me?”
Alberu’s mind went into overdrive as he realized he recognized that voice. Before he could form a coherent thought, however, the blindfold was ripped off his face and the sudden brightness made him flinch. After blinking a few times, Alberu glared up at the face of his abductor.
“I didn’t think you would betray Cale like this, Choi Han.”
Choi Han nonchalantly looked at him, before shrugging his shoulders.
“I’m just following orders.”
Was Cale also tricked by this? I thought this bastard didn’t know how to act, was he a double agent this whole time? Is Cale okay? This traitorous bastard-
His thoughts were cut off when Choi Han threw a punch at his stomach.
“I was told to beat you for a few hours before allowing you to talk with my boss.”
Alberu tried to think of who Choi Han’s boss might be through the fury of punches and kicks he’s receiving, but each punch disconnected his train of thought, and each kick left him gasping for breath; mind blanking out. There was only one constant thought in Alberu’s head.
I really hope Cale isn't here.
After being beaten, bruised and bloody, Choi Han finally stopped and Alberu was able to take a breather. Alberu tried to think of a way to escape this prison, but something prevented Alberu from using his strength to break free. The door to his room clanked again, signifying someone entering the room. Alberu looked up to see…Cale Henituse.
“C-Cale?”
Alberu stuttered through his bloody lips, as he sees Cale gracefully moved to pass him, and came back with a bottle of wine. Cale sat down in front of Alberu and uncorked the bottle of wine, taking a swig.
“What are you doing here? Are you okay?”
Unable to help himself, Alberu opened his mouth to ask Cale. Only to receive a smirk in return.
“Do I look like I’m being threatened?”
Alberu shook his head.
“Then…why?”
Cale took another swig of wine.
“I found a better deal than you.”
Alberu looked at Cale in confusion. Hurt and betrayal course through him, an even sharper pain than the physical abuse he received from Choi Han. Cale continued to speak.
“You know your brother, the um second one, I think? He actually offered me an even better deal than what you. And who am I to refuse his offer of giving me free rein of the royal treasury?”
Cale chuckled before looking at Alberu from head to toe.
“And all I have to do…is to get rid of his useless, pathetic brother: the newly crowned King. The King, whom might I add, is in love with Cale Henituse.”
The sentence sent alarm bells ringing through Alberu’s head.
“Aren’t you Cale Henituse?”
The Cale in front of him stilled…before he laughed and moved the chair closer to where Alberu is.
“Smart, aren’t you? I suppose I can let you know… after all dead mean tells no tales.”
Cale leans in and Alberu can smell the red wine from Cale's breath.
“The Cale Henituse that you know? He’s gone. But luckily for me, I still have all his memories and abilities that I can use however I wish. Which means, his little circle of servants are at my beck and call. All I need to do is say something their Cale will say, and like mindless pigs, they follow me.”
Alberu widens his eyes, he tried to turn his head towards the fake Cale's only to have his face smacked with the wine bottle, the wine sloshing a little outside.
“I didn’t give you permission to move.”
“How did I not know?”
Alberu asked through gritted teeth.
“You’re asking how you didn’t notice your little lover turning into a different person?”
The Cale in front of him asked, tone innocent before he grinned a shark-like grin.
“Why…maybe it’s because it was me who asked you out? And-“
The guy chuckled to himself.
“And you didn’t even notice! So, blinded by your own delusions you actually thought Cale Henituse liked you enough to go out with you!”
The guy crowed. Laughing hysterically at Alberu’s expense. And Alberu was so shocked that he couldn’t process what’s going on anymore.
Is…Is he saying that all those dates we had were fake? The late-night talks, the causal touches, and loving gazes were all my delusions? From the very beginning? Was I so blind that I didn’t realize I was a fool, a blind sheep for slaughter as he toyed with me at the palm of his hand? And when he bought that ring- yes! The ring!
“What about that engagement ring you bought?”
Alberu yelled as he saw the fake Cale stop laughing and started to frown.
“Oh…you heard of about that didn’t you? I…did buy an engagement ring.”
Alberu felt hope start to bubble in his chest. Maybe the change wasn’t from the beginning and the Cale he loved was still in there. The fake Cale looked up again with a mischievous grin.
“I bought that ring for your brother Alberu, did you think it was for you?”
The fake Cale laughed one more time before he took out a dagger.
“Oh. I’ll let you know one more thing before you die. As a little favor before your death.
The fake Cale leaned down one more time and whispered into Alberu’s ear.
“The Cale you loved never existed, and from what I gathered in his memories. He has never loved you…and now, he never will.”
Cale plunged the dagger into Alberu chest, and Alberu can feel it as he’s bleeding out. His breathing became shallower and his vision slowly started to turn black around the edges. Alberu felt his arms being cut free and with the last of his strength, Alberu lifted his arm to cup the guy who wore the face of the man he loves.
“Cale…if you’re..still in there…I..love..y”
Alberu’s arms drop, his eyes go blank as he took his last breath. Cale frowned as he straighten up and walked out the door where Choi Han was guarding the entrance.
“Cale-nim…”
Choi Han says. Cale glanced up at Choi Han, signaling for him to speak.
“You’re crying.”
Cale reached up and wiped his face.
Must be the memories of this body. Heh, he was such a dumb love-struck idiot.
"It's nothing."
Cale said as he wiped the bloody knife on the curtains when he walked by them. He glanced back to make sure Choi Han was still behind him.
"Burn it down"