The arrangement was done quickly, perhaps way too quickly. He watched silently as the old butler arranged his wardrobe from afar.
Those hands methodically smoothed out any wrinkles and imperfections like they were meant to be. How proper the old butler looked while doing so, like the old man was meant to do it.
It was unsettling just as it was comforting. Cale found himself scoffing at himself at how comfortable he got with Ron after just a few months of this master and servant relationship.
And he hated it. He hated that his sworn sister knew how to pick. Hated how his sworn sister knew that he would trust this old man.
Cale leaned onto his hands that were propped on his knees, staring blankly.
He knew that the old man would feel it. Just like how the old man easily found assassins around the crooks and crannies of the redhead side of the mansion.
"Ron," Cale decided to call out.
Ron looked up and smiled benignly, like he had always done.
Cale suppressed the instinct to look away at the vicious look and asked in the most emotionless voice he could muster.
"Would you always serve me after working for the countess for a while?"
Cale could never call the current countess his mother. In public, he may do it for his family's sake, but in private, everyone knew that he would always be formal. It didn't offend anyone, as he had always shown perfect etiquette and personality in public.
Adding that he was known to be a bit of a genius, a lot sided with him.
However, that was a topic for another time. Now, though, Cale was curious about Ron's answer to his question.
Ron didn't take long to answer as expected, expertly folding the clothes and smoothing them.
"I follow the contract written between me and Lady Elentiya. I will serve the young master until coming of age."
Cale blinked before smiling widely, showing all his teeth. He looked amused as he laughed loudly, feeling somewhat refreshed at the odd answer.
He plopped back and looked up at the ceiling, wondering how in the world his sister managed to get such a man to serve a brat like him.
He covered his eyes with one arm as he spoke with amusement in his tone.
"Then let's see if you will serve me until that time."
It was a challenge. He really wanted to see if this odd old man would serve him still, a boy who lost two of his parent on the same day.
In return, he heard an amused chuckle.
"The time will come, Young Master Cale."
⥢◈⥤
The lovely crimson rose within the vase slowly wilted, dying with its vibrant color darkening. Not long after, the wilted petals started to fall off the dead stem, landing softly on the office table. His brownish-red eyes watched silently as his favorite flower died before him, gone just like that after all that meticulous caring.
It has been a few days since his two servants were transferred to the countess' side, and it has been a few days since he had a proper time with the two servants transferring in, if his territory was a testing ground.
Cale narrowed his eyes at the dead flower before looking back to the teacup he was holding. The red liquid served to reflect his messy crimson-red hair, only to make him nauseous.
Red has always been a color he loved. His mother and he had vivid crimson-red hair, reflecting beautifully under the radiant sunlight. The color that signified his deep connection to the woman who welcomed him to the world. The color that he had always been proud of.
Now, they even wanted to use that color to kill him.
He chuckled at the absurdity of it all as he placed the teacup down, running his hand through his hair. It has been a good few days since he had it brushed and cared for, having no luxury to do so. Not when everything that he used could suddenly potentially kill him unnoticed.
He leaned back, staring up at the ornate ceiling of the marble mansion. The swirl of motifs elegantly brought out a sense of nobility and wealth with its golden hue.
He wondered, wondering if killing him would really help those people to get what he currently has. The nobility, the title, the wealth.
Was killing truly the only way to obtain those things? Of course not, there were plenty of ways. One must work their way up to gain the nobility they wanted, one must achieve something to get a worthy title, and one must understand the value of money itself. It sounded easy enough, but humans always wanted an easy way out, and what better way to do it all than just go for a kill?
Cale sighed again, sinking into his seat as he brought up his legs. His head rested on his knees as he took hold of the letter on the table. He read it again, taking a moment to appreciate the beautiful cursive writing and the scent of flowers from the letter. The letter itself was normal, just normal greetings and what would normally be written to the heir of a wealthy nobleman.
However, his eyes went to the first words of each row. The words became a sentence to him.
You are welcome to come with us.
It was by no means cryptic, just a short sentence that warmed his heart. Because to him, this was a way to get out of the life he currently has. Not a tragic life, just a life he found himself unable to live. Why bother when one has a reliable variable to lean on?
Cale was certainly not the type to let go of what was blatantly presented in front of him. He was far too opportunistic not to want to accept the tempting offer. All thanks to running Henituse's business for almost a year and the involvement of his godmother's family.
He held up the paper, letting the light shine upon the obviously expensive paper.
"What am I going to do?"
He doesn't know at all.