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“I see you’re awake, young master-nim. I brought you your lunch.”
It must be Ron’s turn to look after him. Cale had passed out cold for three days after returning from Wind Island. After he woke up, he was never left alone as he drifted in and out of dreamland. There was always someone keeping watch over him, including the children averaging nine years old, Choi Han, Ron, Vicross, Eruhaben, Bud, and Glenn.
“Mm,” Cale acknowledged, pushing himself up into a sitting position. His movement was slow and weak since his muscles felt stiff after a long period of laying down.
Ron frowned at the sight of Cale looking weak and gaunt. He picked up silver cutlery from the service cart and started cutting the beef steak.
Cake rubbed his eyes blearily as he watched in confusion. What was Ron doing…? Wasn’t that supposed to be his lunch?
“Here, young master-nim. Please take your time and eat slowly.”
Ron served him a plate full of bite-sized chunks of beef.
“...Thanks.”
Cale wasn’t so weak that he couldn’t cut it himself, but he wasn’t going to complain about someone else doing it for him.
Eating in bed felt luxurious. It was like a peek into his future slacker life. Cale couldn’t help but smile as he ate.
It was delicious, but…
“... Why are you just staring at me?” Cale asked, uncomfortable.
“Young master-nim,” Ron said with a benign smile. “I told you to use the food and materials in the spatial pocket bag before you departed for the island. But what did you end up doing? You ended up starving for six days without eating properly.”
Cale flinched.
It felt like Ron’s gaze was becoming more and more vicious as time passed. It sent shivers down Cale’s spine.
How scary, Cale thought to himself. I must never get on his bad side.
He instinctively knew he should apologize.
“I’m sorry.”
Cale had already apologized for this before, but he felt the need to apologize again. Ron was incredibly pissed off. Cale couldn’t understand the depth of Ron’s anger.
“I need to personally watch you eat to feel at ease,” Ron said with a small huff.
“...Okay. Do what you want.”
With Cale giving in, Ron started smiling once again.
What a weird old man, Cale thought to himself. Ron was hovering around and behaving like a worried mother nursing a sick child.
Cale continued to savor the steak. The delicious flavor made it easy for him to forget Ron was watching him closely. He chewed in contentment, humming to himself as he enjoyed his food.
Ron stared at Cale pensively.
The former Patriarch of the Molran household, who was once feared by many, was now a babysitter. He had raised Cale with his own hands, spending more time with him than he did with his own biological son. He had taken care of Cale much more than Cale’s parents did. He had been there to watch Cale’s first step and he had been there to hear Cale’s first word.
To him, who had raised Cale since he was a child…
The Wind Island was said to have tens of thousands of sharp gusts of wind that would rip apart anything that entered. It was a dreadful place rumored to kill anyone who dared step too close.
He had to watch this skinny child enter that restricted and dangerous area alone. He had to wait without knowing what was going on in there, without knowing if Cale would safely get out.
Cale returned even skinnier. His clothes had been in such a mess that he looked like a beggar even though he was supposed to be the precious son of a wealthy Count.
Why did Cale have to go through so many hardships?
Ron couldn’t stop worrying about him. He had never worried about anything or anyone so much in his life before.
“Hah…Young master-nim,” Ron sighed. “This old man has lived for a long time. I thought nothing would be able to phase me no matter what happened.”
Cale raised an eyebrow. He didn’t know where Ron was going with this. He continued to chew with his cheeks full.
Ron frowned. His cute puppy-like young master often spoke of a simple wish. To live a slacker life.
Ron wanted to make sure Cale could achieve it.
“I have one big concern in my life.”
A big concern after living a long time…
“Your retirement?” Cale guessed. He promptly shut his mouth tight when Ron gave him a glare.
“My concern is you, young master-nim.”
Cale’s eyes widened in surprise.
“When I had no choice but to wait for you, unable to know what was going on in the Wind Island, I felt helpless. When you returned and I saw the state you were in, I couldn’t help but curse my powerlessness. If I was strong enough, you wouldn’t have to do such dangerous things yourself.”
Cale shook his head. There was no need for Ron to blame himself. “There was no way for you to join me. Only one person with the wind attribute could enter the Wind Island at a time.”
“I know that. But I am not only talking about what happened this time.”
“...”
Ron continued sincerely, “Even though this Ron is lacking as a servant, please let me do what I can to ease your burdens, even if just a little bit. I wish to serve you by your side for the rest of my life.”
To say Cale was surprised would be an understatement. He did not know Ron cared for him so much.
Ron was an incredibly skilled worker and a valuable member of their team. It would be great if he wanted to continue to work for Cale. Even without considering his skills, in the retirement dreams Cale had, he wanted Ron to be there, alongside the rest of his friends and family.
“Of course you can. I can only retire well if you’re with me.”
Ron smiled at Cale’s reply. He continued to watch Cale eat with the smile of an indulgent grandfather treating their grandkid to good food.
“Now that you’re done with your food, would you like a bath to freshen up?”
Cale nodded. Being in a hot bath sounded nice for his sore muscles.
“Shall I help you with your bath?”
Cale choked on thin air and started coughing.
Ron chuckled. “Aigoo. There’s no need to be shy, young master-nim. I’ve seen everything. I was the one who changed your diapers and I’ve always been helping with your wardrobe.”
“...There’s no need. I can do it myself.”
Ron smiled. He prepared the bath and quickly stepped back once the hot water was filled to the brim.
“Then, I will return soon with warm milk and tea time snacks.”
“Alright,” Cale replied. His face visibly perked up at the mention of the prepared refreshments.
The joy he felt at the lack of lemonade was very clear. Ron had to muffle his laughter behind a cough as he left.
“...Did he just laugh at me?” Cale muttered to himself as he disrobed and entered the bathtub. The temperature was perfect, just the way he liked it. It had a light floral scent too, no doubt thanks to some oil Ron put in.
Soaking in a warm bath was the very essence of a slacker life.
Pleased, Cale leaned his head back against the edge of the bathtub and enjoyed his bath.
“Did you enjoy your bath, young master?” Ron asked as he set up the refreshments on the small table in the room. “I was afraid you’d fall asleep in there.”
…Cale did fall asleep for a moment, but Ron did not need to know that. He brushed back his wet bangs and replied, “Yes, it was nice.”
“Take a seat, young master. I will help you to towel dry your hair.”
“Mm.”
Cale sat down on the sofa and nibbled on biscuits, feeling like a pampered cat. The way Ron toweled his hair was very gentle and soothing.
Later, when he was reading a storybook without really processing the words, too sleepy to focus, Ron carefully trimmed his overgrown nails for him.
That night, when everyone else had visited and left, Ron returned to Cale’s room.
“Would you like to have something before bed, young master-nim?”
“No need,” Cale yawned. He had eaten a lot today since everyone kept feeding him. “I’ll just go to bed.”
“Would you like me to sing you a lullaby or read you a bedtime story?”
Cale frowned. He stared at Ron’s gently smiling face.
What, was Ron really intent on treating him like a kid?
“If I said yes, would you really do it?”
“Of course, young master. I would do anything to ensure you have a comfortable life. That includes helping you get a good night’s sleep. Shall I read you the story of ‘The Three Bears’ ?”
Cale made a disrespectful expression in reply to Ron’s sincerity. “...No thanks.”
Ron chuckled. He found Cale to be very cute and fun to tease. This puppy-like young master was a lot more expressive than Vicross was. “Let me know if you change your mind, young master. Just ring the bell and I’ll come back with a hot cup of lemon tea.”
“...You’re definitely doing this on purpose,” Cale muttered as Ron carefully tucked him in, making sure the blanket was secure so Cale wouldn’t catch a cold.
Ron smiled at Cale with his usual benign smile.
At the sight of that familiar smile, Cale couldn’t help but remember.
Ron was the first person he saw when he opened his eyes as Cale Henituse. So much time had passed and so many things had happened, but Ron was still here by his side. He had grown to become a familiar and trustworthy presence now, even though he still teased Cale too much for Cale’s liking.
In the future… would peaceful days end like this as well?
“Thank you, Ron,” Cale thanked him sleepily. His life as a noble was good thanks to Ron always serving him well.
Ron smiled. “You’re welcome, young master-nim. Sweet dreams.”