Chapter Text
Kim Rok Soo’s been in a lot of shitty situations, but he certainly did not expect to find himself in one again after becoming Cale Henituse.
Their treasury has been seized, along with all the valuables and furniture. They didn’t even leave Lily’s piggybank alone. Count Deruth and Countess Violan have been locked up on charges of of embezzlement. The estate is bare bones now, merely a shelter to protect against the elements outside.
Cale had some funds squirrelled away in the half a year he’s been here, hidden in all sorts of odd places. He uses this to fund the minimal amount of workers, most of whom insisted on staying free of charge, saying how kind the count and countess have been to them. The rest leaves the estate for stable employment, which Cale can’t fault them for. Cale makes sure that he and his siblings still have a bed to sleep on, three meals to eat a day, and a few sets of clothes. They try to live a semblance of a normal life as the court case against the Count and Countess continues — the children have full faith that their parents are innocent.
The same cannot be said about others.
Lily came home from a tea party with a ruined dress and red eyes, yelling how she didn’t need friends anyway. She’s been in the yard ever since, practising her sword with a fierce tenacity. She screams with every slash, emotion thick in her enraged voice. She hates being a child. She hates being weak and unable to do a thing, not yet strong enough to protect herself and her family. She’s trying to grow up too fast, but there’s nothing Cale can do to stop her.
There are marriage proposals on the table that offer a hefty amount of dowry. They are for Lily from men who are three times her age or more. Cale tosses them into the fireplace without letting Lily know of their existence.
Basen’s been stuck in the study having a meltdown. It’s a burden too heavy for his teenage shoulders. He’s been sending letters after letters requesting for help from business partners, relatives and friends, but he receives no replies. They are a sinking ship with nothing to offer, and no one is stupid enough to go down with them.
Vultures constantly circle around them, watching out for the slightest bit of weakness so they can gain advantages from their misfortune.
“Basen, you should eat something,” Cale says, placing a plate of sandwiches on the table. He might not be able to help much, but he’ll do his best to make sure his siblings don’t go hungry. They’re both growing children after all, and it's not good for them to starve.
“Ah...” Basen glances at the plate with weary eyes for only a short second, as though he has no appetite and no time to eat. "Thank you.” The plate sits untouched as Basen rummages through the envelopes full of bills. “Hyung-nim, there are two letters for you.”
One is from Eric Wheelsman, who's returned from his student exchange at the Mogoru empire. He’s heard of their situation and states a desire to help in any way he can. Cale knows this case isn’t something the Wheelsmans can fix, not with their limited power and connections. Still, he appreciates how Eric offers his home to the three siblings. It’s only when you’re at your worst that you know who your true friends are.
The second comes from an unexpected sender.
I’ll save your family if you become my toy for a month.
Cale huffs. It’s a sound that’s too miserable to be called a laugh. Basen glances at Cale in surprise, his eye bags so dark they look like bruises. “Hyung-nim?”
Cale carefully angles the letter away from Basen in order to prevent his younger brother from seeing it.
So there are opportunistic bastards like these in the world of the Birth of a Hero as well, ones who capitalise on the suffering of others for their own entertainment. One so outright and brazen. It’s almost refreshing how brutally direct those words are.
Fine.
This isn’t the first time Cale’s been offered something like this. This isn’t even the first time Cale’s done something like this.
“Ron, bring me pen and paper. I have a reply to write.”
“...Yes, young master.”
“Hyung-nim, what does it say?” Basen asks as Cale folds the paper and slips it back into the envelope. Basen's face is haggard and gaunt, looking nothing like the son of a noble. His body sways slightly even as he’s standing there, as though it’s taking all of him to remain upright. There’s bone-deep tiredness and misery in his eyes, a look that’s all too painfully familiar.
Children shouldn’t be living like this. They should eat well and sleep well. Capable as Basen is, having to save an entire household is beyond his narrow shoulders. Not when he’s so upright and honest.
That’s why it’s Cale’s job as the trash of the family. He’ll be the one to get dirty — he’s the oldest of the Henituse children after all. It’s his duty to protect his younger siblings, even if they’re not exactly his, since he’s Kim Rok Soo, but these children on the cusp of puberty see him as their older brother and that’s all that matters.
Cale tucks the letter into his coat and smiles.
“A friend in the Mogoru Empire is offering help,” he lies smoothly. “I’ll have to visit him to discuss a strategy.”
“Really? You have a friend there?”
Basen’s voice is hoarse and raspy, but his eyes glisten with hope and disbelief in equal measure.
“And this is from Eric hyung,” Cale says gently, crinkling out the creases of the perfumed letter on the table. It’s the scent of lavender, meant to calm and soothe. Eric’s always been considerate even in the small details. He’ll definitely take good care of Basen and Lily like his own siblings.
Basen reads the letter quietly, clenching his fists.
Cale looks around the study that’s devoid of furniture save for a makeshift table and chair. Everything worth money has been seized.
Cale continues with a decisive voice, “You two should go to him.”
The estate is being taken away three days later. Living with a friend would be much better than living on the streets. Cale might be able to deal with that life, but not Basen or Lily, who are children who’ve spent their entire lives in comfort.
“What about you, hyung-nim?” Basen asks in a small voice. He sounds so scared. Although he’s been doing a splendid job as the next successor of the house, he is still so young and inexperienced when it comes to misfortune.
But not Cale, no, not Kim Rok Soo.
Kim Rok Soo’s used to having a shitty life.
Which is why he pats Basen’s head and says with a grin, “Hyung is taking a trip to the Mogoru Empire to see my drinking friend.”
“I see, hyung-nim. At least, if it’s you...” Basen mumbles, barely heard. Finally, for the first time in a long week, a small smile graces Basen’s handsome face. It’s looks incredibly sad. There’s quiet acceptance in his wet gaze as he says respectfully, “Please live well, hyung-nim.”
It sounds like a farewell.
“I will,” Cale lies with a smile. "So you and Lily should live well too.”