Chapter Text
Cale had trouble understanding his surrounding. He woke up, but he had not opened his eyes. He felt weird. He felt something was wrong. His bed was not this soft or comfortable. He had let go of such comfort long ago, especially after the apocalypse happened. To prove his intuition, he slowly opened his heavy eyelids.
An unfamiliar canopy was above him.
The room was dark although the sun already rose up.
His upper body felt itchy, especially around his neck.
He tried to sit up, but something held him back. Something wrapped around his torso. Anxiety and fear crept into him immediately. Cale craned his head to the side. His breath hitched and his eyes widened in shock.
Someone lay beside him. Someone whose face and characteristics Cale could not forget.
Shining blond hair and long blond eyelashes immediately in his sight. The handsome face that had been his partner in life was very close to his own. The high nose, the balanced lips with a pinkish hue, and the sharp jawline.
Cale was frightened to see this man again.
Crown Prince Alberu Crossman was hugging him during sleep. In his memories, there’s only one time Crown Prince Alberu did this to him.
Taking a better look, both he and Alberu wore gowns instead of comfortable pajamas. He smelled the subtle smell of wine that was his favorite from Alberu’s mouth.
Then, everything clicked. His brain remembered this exact experience. His chest rippled in discomfort. He knew very well where and when was this,
He woke up on Alberu’s bed, the day after their marriage ceremony.
His lips trembled, body froze from the inability to process what just happened.
‘…did I just come back to this world?’
As he asked that to himself, worried thoughts started to soar in his head.
What happened to his life as Kim Rok Soo? What will happen to his job? His colleagues? The monsters? How? Why? Another peculiar experience with time? Did he die in sleep or he’s sucked into the novel that was telling stories about this world?
Whatever the question was, the answer remained the same.
There’s no answer.
Cale was no clairvoyant. After living as Kim Rok Soo for 36 years old, he no longer wished to entangle himself with troublesome affairs. He’s tired of working and wanted to retire early. He wanted to slack off and live in peace.
Furthermore, he’s just a weak person without political power. The Prince consort’s position was just a supporter of the Crown Prince. Not to remind he’s a spouse who could not give an heir to the Crown.
In the middle of a chaotic mind, the bed dipped more and moved. Crown Prince Alberu mumbled something and opened his sleepy eyes. Sky blue eyes were staring back at him with confusion, then dawned in realization before that eyes curled up like a crescent moon.
“Good morning, Cale. Did you sleep well?”
What a well-practiced line. It’s still the formal voice that plagued his mind for years of decades. Even as Kim Rok Soo, sometimes, he still recalled it as if it was just yesterday.
If this was his first life, Cale would smile back. Although their marriage was arranged and political purposes, Cale actually didn’t hate Alberu back then. He’s actually trying to live differently. Not as trash Cale, but just Cale.
That initial plan backfired on him because he ended up falling in love with Alberu and met his end miserably.
This third life—probably the second if he’s not dead as Kim Rok Soo, Cale didn’t know what kind of face he showed to Alberu. However, the Crown Prince’s forehead creased slightly.
“Do you feel sick, Cale?”
A hand reached his forehead. A warm, big palm on his forehead was checking his temperature.
“You’re not having fever, but you look pale. Should I call the royal doctor for you?”
The man that talked alone released his arm from Cale’s torso and sat up. Their gaze broke as Alberu swung his leg over the bed, ready to call the servant.
Finally, a voice came out from Cale.
“No.”
His voice was dry.
“Hmm?” Alberu turned his head.
Still laying on the bed sideways, Cale stared at Alberu.
“I don’t need a doctor. I’m completely fine.”
Alberu seemed to not believe him. The Crown Prince obviously heard his shaky and raspy small voice. However, what held Alberu back was the stern look on Cale.
“Alright, if you say so.”
Moments later, the maids and servants entered the bedroom. Cale was correct. Today was the day after their marriage ceremony, 5th month in the 780 years of the Felix Calendar.
The maids' and servants’ scared expressions were familiar to him as they were they ones who served him at the beginning. While Alberu was led to his own bathroom, Cale was led to another bathroom in the next room that was connected to this room.
It was his own bedroom, the quarter of the Prince Consort and soon Royal Consort once Alberu ascended as King.
Resting his head on the edge of the bathtub, Cale stared at the ceiling as he calmed himself.
The nostalgia crawled on his skin like invisible tendrils. As this place was where he resided until his death Cale could not help but feel comfortable albeit he knew the attack happened in his own room.
After accepting the truth, Cale felt much calmer than ever. Although it’s much better to return before his marriage, actually returning during the newlywed time was already great. He had a bigger chance to avoid his death.
His goal this time was different.
Instead of pursuing Alberu, trying to join the politic he hated, and kept acting like trash and tarnishing Alberu’s image, Cale decided to not be involved at all.
He’ll be as silent as ever like a ghost. Alberu could do his job without worrying about him. Much better if that crown prince forgot about him soon or later.
Cale already experienced the worst of the worst as Cale Crossman and Kim Rok Soo.
So, this time, he’ll try to slack off and get his peaceful life. Prince Consort's status was able to do that.
A smile plastered on his lips as he thought about his plan. He could be damn about scared servants. His trashy image was still strong, but that made things easier because it meant fewer people wanted to find trouble with him. At least before Alberu’s power increased again.
Before that time came, Cale had to find a way to protect himself. He hated pain and death. He’ll use the novel’s information to his advantage. He didn’t want to experience the same suffering as his first life again.
Glancing to the other side, he stared emptily at the mirror. His red hair was something he was very proud of. It’s the only legacy of his late mother. His reddish-brown eyes remained the same with a deeper gaze. When it caught the red spots around his neck and his shoulder, he frowned.
‘I know Alberu didn’t have any interest in me, but to think he asked for a small amount of aphrodisiac to induce his sexual desire just for our first night is sickening.’
Cale felt betrayed when he found out about it throughout the novel. It would be much better if Alberu was open to him and said no to the consummation because in the end, he never did it to the end.
Their consummation night was not complete.
All Alberu did was tell Cale that he’ll do it enough to not arouse suspicion. And that was by leaving hickeys on him.
No more, no less. That calculating Crown Prince bastard took the lead and stopped when he deemed it was enough, then told Cale to sleep.
Back then, due to his trashy image, Cale thought Alberu was considerate of him knowing his weak constitution, and also because he’s disgusted with him.
Now he’s all grown up, despite his lack of experience in relationships, he understood that Alberu was taking advantage of his trashy image to blame on him if one day they’re exposed to not complete the night consummation.
‘Cale didn’t want to do it, so I stopped.’
People would believe Alberu who’s well-known for his kind heart rather than a trashy young master who was always drunk and suddenly rose up to prince consort’s rank thanks to King Zed.
If this was known to the public, Alberu had a bigger chance to annul their marriage. Cale knew Alberu didn’t find him interesting. For Alberu, he’s just a useful pawn.
Oh, how aggravated and contemptuous Cale was as he recalled the memories.
“That fucker. I’ll make your job easier by making less interaction between us. I also don’t want anything with you this time.”
Cale punched the water, making it splashed to the floor. His anger was clear that he had to cool down before dried himself.
Outside, he saw the servants were ready with variants of clothes for him to choose from. Since he became Kim Rok Soo, his preference changed a lot.
He just stopped frowning and now he frowned again at the design. It was too extravagant for his taste now. ‘…well, my face makes everything works…’
“Hans, I want the simplest one today.”
“Yes, Young— sorry, Prince Consort.”
Hans was the deputy butler from Henituse that now served him as a personal butler. Personally, Cale wanted Ron to come with him, but that old man was too skilled to leave the estate.
It’s unfortunate, but they soon meet again because of Hero Choi Han.
At that time, Cale could speak to him again.
He was dressed in a simple white frilly dress shirt, dark gray pants, and jacket, then black knee-length boots. It’s been so long since he wore these kinds of clothes yet his simplest attire was very luxurious.
Hans helped Cale attach the brooch and crest on the chest, styling his red hair and completing the outfit with a soft vanilla fragrance.
During the time Hans helped Cale dress up, Cale noticed the eyes were looking at him. Especially around his neck and shoulder.
The maids and servants talk. Although they’re scared of him, they were making sure the first night happened and Alberu cheated by using the loopholes.
As long as the nobles and King heard, everything was safe.
Cale was led back to Alberu’s room. Everything was in place as he remembered. The bed sheet had changed. The warm and damp bathroom air from Alberu’s bathroom. The simple and expensive breakfast near the balcony for them.
Alberu already sat on the table in his royal attire. As soon as their eyes met, the Crown Prince smiled and stood up.
He pulled the chair across him for Cale.
“You look pretty, Cale.”
Bullshit. Cale knew better than an empty compliment. For Alberu, talking sweetly was like second nature. He took a seat and stared at the easy-digest food instead of Alberu who was standing behind him.
Alberu returned to his seat, sitting straight, and spoke.
“Greasy food is not good for your health after an exhausting day. So I prepared salad, soup, and steamed food for our first meal.”
Cale glanced at Alberu briefly. If it was him in the past, he would utter exaggerating shady compliments for Alberu’s considerate manner; like ‘Thank you, Your Highness. I hope this food is not trash.’ Or ‘This food is surprisingly a bit delicious. They need to make more effort.’
However, Cale was done with that phase. He took the glass of water, sipping it. “Thank you, Your Highness.”
It was direct and flat, far from his trashy image. Alberu seemed not expecting this reaction as he took some time to respond.
“You must be really tired. You don’t have energy in your voice. Eat a lot, Cale.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
The breakfast was peaceful—silent, if others may say. Alberu was glancing at him occasionally while Cale ate his portion heartily. At least, he didn’t hate the food. He missed the times he ate such luxurious food like this.
As Kim Rok Soo, he mostly ate fast food and eating out that’s quick to finish due to his job may be interrupted by emergency calls. He didn’t have the luxury to enjoy the food.
That’s why he didn’t realize his expression softened, a subtle smile spreading on his lips. It’s really good to eat without interruption.
Cale could ignore Alberu’s and the servants’ presence. He ate until he was full, thanking for the food internally.
“It’s time for me to start working,” Alberu said, chair skidded as he stood up. “You may rest today, Cale. We can’t have you get sick right after living here. Ask the servants if you need anything.”
Cale nodded, waving his hand casually. “Alright. Have a nice day.”
Habit died hard. Cale still waved the way he bid goodbye to Alberu before his death. The Crown Prince smiled at him before leaving with his aides.
“……”
‘First thing first, avoiding is not a good thing. I better change my reaction to the soon occurring events.’
Cale returned to his own room, requesting paper and pen, dismissing everyone including Hans. He told them to wait outside.
He then started writing down important events.