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Chapter Text

"First," Ah how can that stern voice still sound so lovely even when he was being glared down by his brother? "I will only permit you to leave for three days."

"Three days…"

"That's right, Kim." Cale glared harder at Kimsoo who was once again kneeling in front of him while raising both hands up. "You keep making situations that will put you in the same place as that peasant."

Kimsoo flinched.

"It's making me think you're doing this on purpose."

"T-that's not it…!"

"Really?" Cale squinted his eyes and gave Kimsoo a suspicious stare, "Why did you volunteer on staying there with him then?"

"I—" Kimsoo knew Cale only wanted one thing, and if he wants Cale to agree on letting him go, he will have to give it to him first.

'…Damn it.'

Kimsoo cursed in his head. With a lowered head, he spoke the words he knew would appease his beloved brother.

"…I will return and sleep in the dormitory."

Cale's shoulders relaxed, though he was still crossing his arms and giving Kimsoo a stern look.

Kimsoo lowered his head further, crying internally.

"…I'll let hyung decide what I'll wear."

Cale looked satisfied.

"Alright, get up."

Kimsoo slowly got up while still crying internally. Had he not learn his lesson not to get Cale angry? Seriously… no matter how much Kimsoo loves his brother, Cale is seriously so scary. So scary that Kimsoo could only weakly hug Cale with a trembling heart.

Cale patted his back, and Kimsoo's sad heart slowly calmed. After all, Cale loves him, and that is a fact that will never change.

Or at least, Cale loves "Kimsoo Henituse", even if the one in front of him may not be the real one.

"Wait here, I'll get your clothes ready."

Cale stood and left. Kimsoo was left alone in his room, specifically, his room in the Henituse county.

It was the weekend and they decided to return to the manor for a while. The two kitten-children and one invisible Raon were playing outside, while Cale and Kimsoo were resting. That was until Kimsoo brought up how he made a promise to accompany Choi Han somewhere and he had to risk his life just to get Cale's approval.

An exaggeration, of course. But nonetheless, it did feel that way.

After a few minutes of silence, Kimsoo turned to the side.

"System."

It's been a long time since he last talked with the system, nevertheless, the response came right away as if it was just waiting for him to call.

The usual lazy black cat appeared on a suspended blue message, its tail swaying from and to.

"Tell me," Kimsoo spoke calmly and carefully watched how the system would react, "Who is Elodia?"

He sensed it the last time, and he was not about to ignore it. Kimsoo knew asking the system about Elodia was an invasion of privacy, and Choi Han might frown at him for this… but there was really no way Kimsoo was about to pretend he didn't notice anything.

The system's expression hardly changed.

[If you're asking, it means you already know.]

And asking the system was simply Kimsoo's way of confirming it, but in reality, he already knew the answer.

It was already so obvious, and Kimsoo would be a fool if he didn't found out then.

Kimsoo's shoulder sank, his hands cold. He subconsciously dug his nails on his thighs in an attempt to remove the sudden pressure he felt around his chest.

Why… of all times, did he had to only meet her now?

Why, when Marta isn't here anymore?

"Did—" Kimsoo's voice got stuck on his throat and he had to stop himself from speaking further. He took a breath in and calmed himself, no way he would allow himself to crumble when everyone around him waited for him to feel better over the situation which took awhile for him to speak about.

And maybe… he was thinking back to Choi Han who made time just to find him.

Kimsoo calmed down.

"—Marta know?"

It was an important question he had been meaning to ask if ever his suspicion was right, and the only one who could answer was the system.

[She did.]

Kimsoo felt like the weight that was dawned upon him, slowly lifted.

[Before she went to sleep, she already knew.]

Marta had gathered information about the current world that had changed drastically from the one she knew. Marta had the wind tell her everything that had happened while she isolated her doll self from everything and everyone, only to find out one painful truth that her absolute protection hadn't failed her.

Hadn't, completely.

Because the one she found was not the same, yet it was undeniably her. Although 'she' was not a complete one, and was simply something that managed to escape before death struck.

"If Elodia is indeed the one that Marta had wanted to see, why did she still choose to sleep?"

The system 'cat' sat and stared at him with its red eyes, before a sound was made.

[Because finding her, gave her despair.]

'Ah.'

Kimsoo's eyes clouded over, his sight blur. In his eyes, he was seeing something else; a woman whose hair was as dark as the starless night sky, face hidden to keep her face that had turned porcelain from anyone's watchful eyes.

A woman who once lost something precious, her carefully crafted "normal family".

The woman who gave up the illusion of living a normal life as to she was human, when in reality, she was the child of a banished god.

"Why…?"

[Elodia is just a fragment of her daughter's soul.]

It means that her daughter was really dead, and this was the only thing the absolute protection can do for her. That soul fragment was the only thing the absolute protection could protect.

[She hardly has any of her traits from the complete soul. Simply put, she is a wandering soul who somehow managed to grow her own body.

A completely new existence who doesn't remember a life as Marta's daughter.]

How cruel can fate be? A second chance in life did exist, but at what cost exactly?

Kimsoo understood why finding out the truth only made Marta despair, and why she would have chosen to let Elodia live her life away from her, without ever appearing in front of her.

Because if it had been Kimsoo, he would have certainly done the same.

Just how much of her pain had she hidden from all of them when they were with her? How much had she cried in her workshop while they were upstairs, completely oblivious to her shattering wails?

Kimsoo couldn't even begin to imagine. Nevertheless, he nodded his head.

"I understand." He cleared up his mind and raised his head, staring at the blue suspended message, "I won't tell her about Marta."

The fact that Marta didn't even mention that a fragment of her daughter was alive somewhere in this world was evidence enough that Marta would want Elodia to never find out the truth.

And the least thing Kimsoo could do, was fulfill it.

A few more minutes, Kimsoo thought the system would leave right away like it usually would after their conversation, but then…

[It's surprising.]

Kimsoo arched an eyebrow.

The system returned to its previous position, which was laying on its side with a paw holding its fluffy head while gazing at Kimsoo with the same lazy manner it always had.

[You're not asking about this Soren.]

"…"

Kimsoo shook his head.

"If I have to ask about him, I'd rather ask Choi Han directly."

After all, Choi Han did say he would introduce them to him. So there was no need to ask the system about it, because Choi Han was allowing Kimsoo to ask if he was ever curious, and it was fine to know.

The system gave him a blank stare, [And yet with that Elodia you had to ask me about it.]

"Choi Han wouldn't know the answer if I had asked him instead."

Kimsoo slowly stood and nearly stumbled, because he had been sitting on the floor longer than he thought. Thankfully he was close to the couch so he managed to let himself fall on it.

The system looked at him like he was crazy, and Kimsoo didn't care about whatever position he ended up landing, with the fact that the system was there to see it all.

"If Choi Han wants me to know more about his hyung, he will let me know."

[Hmph! Whatever! I'm out of here!]

Just after the system said that, the door to his room opened and came inside was Cale.

….One glance at the clothes he was carrying, Kimsoo shouted internally.

'System, come back here!!!!'

…..Kimsoo would rather have his head hurt because of that bratty system, than have his head hurt because of his evil brother.

**

The next day, Kimsoo was on his way to the brothel. He heard from the Crown Prince that Choi Han was already there, so Kimsoo and Choi Han should just meet there instead of the Academy. It was still the weekend, and because of Cale's insistence that Kimsoo should stay at the Henituse county for the day, Kimsoo's supposed arrival at the brothel was delayed.

Thankfully the carriage ride only took four hours from the Henituse county and Kimsoo left early in the morning, so he still managed to arrive before Elodia and Soren left for their honeymoon.

…..But just like the wedding night, he still didn't got the chance to meet the other members of the brothel.

"They left early in the morning," Choi Han explained, behind him was Soren who looked done, "Said they didn't want to see Soren's face and left."

"…."

While Kimsoo was speechless, he could hear Soren's loud tongue clicking before he turned to get inside the brothel. Kimsoo averted his gaze towards Choi Han who seem to be holding back a laugh.

Hmm… judging with his reaction, this is not the first time it happened. So it's probably fine, right?

Kimsoo nodded his head.

"I understand. By the way, my brother said I need to be home before night time."

Choi Han who was helping him out with the thing he was carrying, paused before giving Kimsoo a confused look. He seem to be asking, 'What's this bag you're carrying for then?'

Kimsoo spoke calmly.

"I ran away."

"…"

"…"

"…"

Kimsoo looked away, almost a sulking look on his face at the fact that Choi Han didn't get his joke, "I was kidding."

"…What a peculiar joke, I almost saw my life flash before my eyes."

Kimsoo frowned.

"You're exaggerating."

"Surely not," Choi Han took the bag from Kimsoo's hand and guided him inside, "He would have my head if you did ran away."

….That was true. Cale, that madman, no matter how loveable he is in Kimsoo's eyes, is undeniably a madman who would chop someone's head if Kimsoo ever run away from him.

Kimsoo mentally patted his wildly beating heart at the thought of a vicious Cale.

"I convinced him to let me stay at least for tonight since it takes a long time to go from the Henituse county to here and back. I said I'll see him in the Academy tomorrow, and there I'll be sleeping in the dormitory like I promised."

Choi Han nodded.

"He said he'll only let me stay for three days."

"I understand."

Choi Han didn't seem upset to hear that Kimsoo wouldn't be able to fulfill his promise of accompanying him for a week, and instead, said that he understood Cale's decision.

He glanced at Kimsoo.

"Since you need more time to rest than be outside, I'd prefer to have you at the Academy. At least then you're within Cale Henituse's radar."

Kimsoo pursed his lips, what's that suppose to mean? He is not so weak that he would faint simply by being outside for three days straight. Or at least, not anymore.

His continuous training was helping improve his stamina and immune system. Although it was mainly thanks to the Energy of the Heart, but his increase in physical activity was a great help too. So he's certainly not that same young master who got a nosebleed simply by bumping into someone's chest—

Kimsoo quickly erased the memory from his head.

"And besides," Kimsoo was startled when Choi Han suddenly leaned closer, making him freeze on his spot. It didn't seem to bother Choi Han at all as he moved down and whispered close to his ears.

"The people inside the brothel are more dangerous than those from outside."

'…Aren't you more dangerous than all of them combined!?'

Kimsoo kept his face straight, his thoughts to himself, even when Choi Han finally moved away.

Choi Han smiled.

"So I can definitely manage on my own."

….On second thought, maybe Kimsoo should return to the Henituse county and hug his brother? It seems that being with Choi Han has made Kimsoo's health problems worse. For instance, this abnormal heartbeat of his… isn't this arrhythmia??

Kimsoo needs to call for the doctor right away. So he should go back to the county now, right?

"Let's go upstairs."

Kimsoo only nodded his head before letting Choi Han guide him.

…Damn it. He can't say no to Choi Han now.

When they arrived upstairs, they went straight to a reception room typically where major performances would take place, right now though, Soren and Elodia were rechecking the things they would be bringing with them.

Upon entering the room, Elodia and Kimsoo's gaze met. Kimsoo nodded his head while Elodia smiled at him. After finding out who she really is, Kimsoo had a double take when he saw the vivid resemblance between the two.

There was a brief moment where Kimsoo once saw Marta smile, and at that moment, Elodia resembled that smile more than anything.

"You'll need more clothes than that," Choi Han commented making Elodia turn to him and gave him an annoyed look.

"You and his highness don't really know how to listen."

Choi Han just smiled before excusing himself, saying that he'll be putting Kimsoo's bag to a reserved room they had.

"Young master, come sit here. Sorry it's a little messy right now, those two bought boat tickets that would leave in 2 hours so we're in a bit of a rush."

"It's fine, I understand."

Alver Crossman was the type who won't stop until he gets what he wants, and Choi Han was loyal to him more than anything, so he would definitely assist Alver to do whatever it was that he planned to do.

"Will you be alright? Wouldn't you need a carriage to get to the port?"

"His highness already prepared a carriage that will arrive 30 minutes from now."

The brothel had a bit of distance from the port, so if they didn't want to miss the boat, they will need to leave as soon as possible. Luckily, they wouldn't need to worry about transportation since Alver already had everything covered.

In fact, by the looks of it, he was more prepared than the newly weds.

"Hmm…" Kimsoo tried to cover his mouth but a smile couldn't be stopped. "I apologize, his highness's tactic is a bit…"

"It's fine, it's fine," Elodia laughed lightly, the first time he had heard her laugh because of him, "If I wasn't in this situation, I too, would be laughing because of that punk."

So it was definitely okay that Kimsoo wanted to laugh.

"Elodie, did the pipsqueak disappear again?"

"Hm? Wasn't she just here a moment ago?"

Choi Han returned at that moment and Elodia approached him. "Han, have you seen the kid?"

While they were talking among themselves, Soren walked to Kimsoo's direction and sat on the chair beside him, with distance between them. Maybe because neither of the two were easily trusting as to sit side by side, nor were they the type to get close to someone right away.

The two watched the same scene, Choi Han talking to Elodia, with silence between them.

A few more moments, Soren opened his mouth and spoke.

"I've seen people point fingers at him and called him a murderer."

It was a story from an untold tale, mayhaps had fallen right into Kimsoo's ears at one point which he had chosen to ignore until now. Alas, that story always followed Choi Han for his every step, that it was inevitable to hear it over and over if one chooses to be with him.

So of course, Kimsoo had heard it too. To the point that it couldn't be ignored anymore. But then again, why should Kimsoo ever accept those rumors about him? When it was also rumors that nearly screw Cale over, when it was also rumors that screw the entire Lan duchy over, when it was always false rumors that always manage to ruin things for them?

Kimsoo had noticed those who loved to point fingers at Choi Han and declare him the harbinger of misfortune as what Soren said, would always go silent when the Crown Prince would make his entrance. So surely, those baseless accusations were merely made by cowardly people whose ego was stepped on because Choi Han, from humble origins, had gain the Prince's favor.

So why should their words matter?

But Kimsoo also knew how unpleasant it is to hear such words thrown towards someone one loved most. Kimsoo was the same, after all. So he could understand why Soren was bringing this up.

Soren moved his head and stared right into Kimsoo who turned to look back at him. He nearly flinched upon seeing that snake-like eyes seemingly boring right through his very soul.

Kimsoo felt as if he was not looking at a human being.

In all honesty, it didn't take Kimsoo by surprise. He had seen Soren's eyes changed during his wedding night, when he was warning Alver about the safety of the brothel and its people. He had seen it before, so it wasn't surprising.

But something about those green snake eyes staring at him made a shiver run down his spine.

Clearly not human, in fact, a far too dangerous of an existence if provoked.

Kimsoo had to quiet down the rising tension forming from his mind.

"It was never a pleasant thing to hear. Wouldn't you agree?"

It was a warning.

The fact that Soren was looking at Kimsoo like that, means that he was warning him.

And even without saying it outright, Kimsoo could tell exactly what it was he was trying to say. After all, Kimsoo knows someone who was just like him.

Just like his brother, Cale Henituse, this Soren person only cared about one thing.

"How can people look at him and call him a murderer? Clearly, something must be wrong with their eyes."

It is to protect his most precious person no matter what, and no matter who they have to protect them from.

Soren, just like Cale, does not make any exceptions for anyone when it comes to protecting those he care for.

Soren tilted his head slightly.

'Do you think the same as them?'

It was evident from the way he looked at the redhead.

'Did you, even once, had a moment in which you thought the same as them?'

Kimsoo could almost hear those words just from his gaze alone.

Indeed, this Soren person shouldn't be underestimated. The intimidation was creeping on Kimsoo's back that he could almost feel himself shuddering. Had he not known even the tiniest bit of Soren's personality, Kimsoo had no doubts that he would have felt the fear of facing him like everyone who had faced him before.

But there were things that were far scarier than facing Soren.

Like, an extremely furious Cale Henituse for example.

Seeing Cale angry can never be compared to anything else in this world.

"It's a shame."

"Hm?"

Kimsoo's eyes resembled calmness, gone were the intimidation and subtle shock he felt upon having Soren near him. Almost as if a protective barrier that washed all those feelings away. Although in reality, when Kimsoo realized that Soren is to Choi Han, like how Cale is to Kimsoo, he thought…

'What a relief.'

Really.

"They don't see him the way I do."

Soren fell silent at Kimsoo's words. Nonetheless, Kimsoo continued speaking nonchalantly.

"But at the same time, I can't help but feel a bit thankful."

A frown was slowly making its way to Soren's face, like he could not understand Kimsoo's thoughts. Why would he be thankful? Choi Han was called a murderer by people, rumored to have caused the destruction of a far-told fairytale.

And yet Kimsoo said he was thankful?

Soren eyed Kimsoo suspiciously, but even then, Kimsoo's expression hardly changed. He spoke calmly.

"Because then… I'm the only one who can see him that way."

"…"

There was only silence from the other person, but Kimsoo could see Soren's eyes slowly changing.

Now his eyes looked like human eyes, like a human was finally gazing at him instead of that mysterious creature with snake-like eyes.

Kimsoo smiled.

"Right?"

Soren was silent, and silently stared at him. It seems, whatever it was that he was testing Kimsoo with, finally gave him an answer he might not have expected. But alas, it came, nonetheless, and caught him off guard.

Soren's lips parted slightly, before he turned away and frowned.

"I'm not giving him away."

Kimsoo's smile dropped as a frown made its way to his face as well.

'…What is he talking about?'

However, his lack of silence seem to hit Soren's nerve. He turned to glare at Kimsoo's direction.

"I said I'm not giving him away, even if you beg me, I won't!"

Kimsoo who was internally confused at his outburst, "?????? I have no plans of taking him away?"

'My brother would kill me if I did???'

For a moment, Soren had a blank look on his face. And then…

"Why wouldn't you take him away?" Soren looked annoyed and offended, "What about my Han that makes him undesirable enough for you to refuse him?!"

Kimsoo felt like his lifespan had just decreased drastically.

….Just what kind of response does he actually want?

Soren stood while stomping his foot, huffing loudly, "Hannie does not like carrot soup. Never give him that," He glared at Kimsoo one last time before stomping to Choi Han and Elodia's direction.

Seeing the annoyed look on her husband's face, Elodia gazed at Soren in confusion.

"What's with you?"

He was fine few minutes ago, why does he look like that now? However, instead of making a verbal response, he simply wrapped an arm around Elodia's waist while gazing at Choi Han with eyebrows furrowed.

"I will never make carrot soup for you."

Hearing him bringing that up, Choi Han could guess what happened.

He calmly spoke, "Hyung, I don't hate carrot soup anymore."

Soren stared at him blankly as if the world had lied to him about something. Seeing how his words seem to have broken Soren somehow, Choi Han nodded his head and decided to indulge Soren a bit.

Choi Han let out a sigh and wore a sad look. In order to make it convincing since Choi Han is a terrible actor, he thought back to how much he truly hated the carrot soup he once tasted in his childhood which almost ruined carrot soup for him forever.

"Thinking back… I still can't stand how it tasted."

Oh, his sadness was no fake. It truly was so terrible that even the sight of an orange liquid was enough to make him flinch. Soren happened to be a witness to the numerous times Choi Han avoided it in the past, so he would surely not doubt the words that left Choi Han's mouth.

"I hated it, hyung."

Choi Han averted his sad gaze to Soren's direction.

"Please don't make me eat something like that, hyung."

It wasn't a lie. He didn't like that particular carrot soup and he would never want to eat it again.

"Ack!"

Soren was grabbing his throbbing heart as he responded tearfully.

"Never….I will never again! Such an abominable thing to exist! From now on carrots are banned from this brothel! You will never see it again the next time you visit!"

"Hyung, that's too much."

"Nothing is too much when it comes to you! Don't worry, this hyung will make sure to erase every trace of carrot in this land!"

"…Hyung, that will become a problem for his highness if you do that."

"What is more important than removing what you hate most?!"

Choi Han patted Soren's shoulder in an attempt to calm him down.

"Forget it, the carriage will arrive soon. Let's go outside."

When Soren was about to protest that this matter should not be dismissed like that, Elodia pinched Soren's cheek to prevent him from talking further.

"Eep-! Elodie—!!"

"What? ban carrots in this brothel? What are you going to do if Amy cries because she wanted carrots in her food and there are no carrots in here?"

"W-we'll order carrots exclusively for her! Of course I didn't forget about Amy!"

"Enough. Don't talk nonsense anymore. We're going outside."

Elodia released her hold of Soren's cheek and started walking. Soren quickly followed behind her after grabbing their luggage, all the while whining about how his cheek was hurting and he should be compensated with a kiss.

Choi Han waited for Kimsoo to arrive by his side before they left the room as well. Though he was gazing at Choi Han like he was waiting for him to explain about the story about the carrot soup.

Choi Han's lips twitched seeing how Kimsoo was eagerly waiting for him to talk.

"I used to hate carrot soup when I was younger. Though it was mostly a childish dislike in the past. Hyung happened to know about it, so he used to often scare me into doing things like sleeping early and eating properly if I don't want him to make carrot soup."

"Sounds like a very Soren thing to do."

Choi Han chuckled softly hearing that.

"But I got over it. I'm fine with eating carrot soup now, though only when it is made by specific people."

Kimsoo eyed him curiously, "Like who?"

"The new palace chef, for example. When he first arrived at the palace, his highness requested for a specific type of carrot soup. Since it was his highness's request, he made it with great care. Later on he found out the soup was for me so now he makes it even carefully than before."

Kimsoo hummed upon hearing a bit of his life in the Palace while staying with Alver's side.

"Sounds to me that the former chef doesn't do that."

Choi Han just smiled. He didn't need to confirm it because it was already obvious.

'At the very least, he's not being poisoned. That's good enough.'

But what Kimsoo didn't know, Choi Han had to endure intaking poison before too. Had the culprit not been discovered by Soren that one time he went to visit, Choi Han might have had to endure it until now. Thankfully things have changed, and a new chef arrived at the Palace. A new and proper one who will not poison the Prince nor his guardian knight.

A few minutes, the carriage had arrived.

"We'll be leaving now."

Seeing the happy smile on Choi Han's face, Elodia could only let out a sigh. To think that the day had come where she had been tricked by both the Crown Prince and his guardian knight into leaving the brothel for months. Truly, if those two were together, they simply become unstoppable.

"Is Amy seriously playing hide and seek with us now?"

"It must be because she heard you say you'll ban carrots with no regards to her preference."

Soren flinched.

"That's not it!" Soren started whining, "Of course I love the two equally, but if you think about it, don't you think our Hannie has been suffering for a long time?"

Elodia simply patted the arm that was still wrapped around her waist.

"Amy will appear when she wants to."

"We should at least say good bye before leaving."

"We're not leaving forever," Elodia stopped Soren who looked like he was going to start looking all over just to find Amy, "I'm sure Amy is just playing a prank. We'll call them later, plus the carriage is already here. We need to go."

Soren pout, not wanting to leave. If it weren't for Elodia who started dragging him to the carriage with her. Just when they were about to enter the carriage, Soren remembered something as he shouted loudly.

"Hey you!"

Kimsoo's eye twitched.

'…'Hey you'?'

Elodia could be seen wearing a blank face as Soren pointed a finger at Kimsoo's direction that could easily be seen as a sign of disrespect towards a noble's son.

"Remember what I said? My Hannie hates carrot soup!!"

….Now it was Choi Han who could be seen with a blank expression.

"And I'm never giving Hanie away!!!"

"That's enough."

"Mmph!!"

Elodia covered Soren's mouth with a hand before pulling him inside the carriage, finally closing the door shut.

What a handful.

"Soren," Elodia spoke while letting out a very long sigh.

"But Elodie—!"

Soren continued whining.

"What are we going to do if one day someone takes Hanie from us? What are we going to do then?"

"Soren," Elodia spoke while letting out another sigh. Soren gazed at her with tearful eyes which was beginning to make her heart and head ache, so Elodia let out a sigh one more time.

"We can't keep Han with us forever."

Hearing this, Soren was almost crying. Elodia patted the back of his hand which she was holding in hers.

"If there is something he wants, even if it means we'll have to let him go, we'll have to let him have it."

"But what about the kid we raised?" Soren cried out, "How can we make sure that he won't be bullied again?"

Elodia's gaze softened, watching as tears started falling from Soren's eyes. To others, they might think that Soren was simply being dramatic, but to Elodia who had seen how much Soren had changed from what he used to all because he met one kid, she understood him.

Because just like him, she too, had spent years of her life watching over Choi Han. She too, had protected Choi Han numerous times.

She too, was a witness to how cruel the world and its people used to be to a kid who was already covered in scars.

But things have changed, and Choi Han has grown into an adult. They need to let him make decisions on his own, no matter how much it would pain them to see him go.

"If it's really his desire to leave, we need to let him."

Elodia pulled Soren closer, holding him closer, finding his face full of tears a painful sight to behold.

"If there is someone else he wants to go to, we need to let him choose that person."

She could hear Soren's sniffling, so Elodia patted his back softly.

"No matter what, we should trust him and his decisions.

After all, wasn't it the same when he chose to stay with his highness?

Choi Han made that decision back then, and although it pains us to see him return with injuries all the time, we endured because we wanted to believe in him. We wanted to believe in him even if we thought it was not the best choice."

Soren moved back without breaking off the hug, to look at Elodia's face. Elodia wore a small smile as she wiped the tears that just won't stop falling from his eyes.

"Back then until now, there is only one thing we must do."

When she saw that Soren slowly stopped crying, Elodia's smile grew bigger, a light laughter escaping her lips seeing the silly state her husband is in which earned herself a pout from the latter.

Elodia pinched Soren's cheek.

"Trust him," the sincerity in her face was reflected in the eyes that stared back at her, "Trust him enough to let him make decisions on his own, love him enough to be there when he needs us."

Elodia smiled, and Soren simply stared at her smiling face.

"We just need to trust him, Soren."

As they have done so in the past, and as they have always done even before.

"And besides, do you really think Han will leave us?" Elodia laughed when Soren frowned, holding her hand that was pinching his cheek, "He can't even leave his highness. Are you seriously crying over what's impossible?"

"You never know what the future holds, Elodie." Soren huffed while interlocking their hands together, "Right now, I can see one punk who might just be the one who can finally convince our Han to leave the Palace."

"Ha," Elodia's lips twitched as she held back her laughter. "And you feel threatened?"

Soren frowned deeply before turning away.

"Hmph!"

"Hahaha!"

To think that the day has come where Soren has found himself a rival who isn't even exactly a rival. It was so funny that Elodia couldn't stop herself from laughing anymore.

"I married such a funny man."

Elodia gently pulled Soren closer, and closer, and when Soren realized that their faces were drawing nearer, his face reddened as panic took over him.

"A-a-a-ah—?!"

Just when their lips were almost touching, Soren screamed while jumping back. Except, they were inside a moving carriage so he stumbled and fell on his butt.

"Soren?" Elodia called with a concern look on her face. From the sound of his fall, it must have hurt a lot. But rather than focusing on that, Soren was shouting something else.

"It's dangerous!"

Elodia was a little confused. "Jumping like that? Of course it's dangerous."

But Soren was talking about something else.

"I've done enough thinking, and now I've come to a decision." He spoke with a serious voice which was in complete contrast to his flustered face. Soren crawled closer to Elodia and held both of her hands.

"We're not having kids."

"…"

"A day spent with you is already paradise itself, but a night with you will keep my heart unrest. If I want to be with you forever, I must protect my heart."

"…"

"So Elodie, we can't. We absolutely can't!"

Elodia stared at him blankly.

….To think he was saying this while they were, quite literally, on their way to spend their honeymoon.

What a dramatic mess made by a dramatic man.

Meanwhile, to the people who was left in the brothel:

Clack.

Kimsoo and Choi Han returned inside with Choi Han excusing himself, saying that he needs to go tidy up the bits of stuff that were cluttered while saying that Kimsoo can explore the brothel for the meantime. Since the brothel was close for the day, it was fine for Kimsoo to roam around without worrying about bumping into any clients who might mistaken him for a worker.

When asked, why on earth would those client think that Kimsoo was a staff in the brothel, Choi Han simply stared silently at Kimsoo before turning away.

….Right. Cale was the one who chose what he would wear today. In truth, his outfit was supposedly more exaggerated had Kimsoo not begged Cale not to make him wear such a thing to a public place. Thankfully his brother listened, however, that does not spare him completely from his brother's madness.

Kimsoo let out a sigh while covering his face.

'…Maybe I should have gone back to the estate after all.'

Kimsoo shook his head, reminding himself that he made a promise to be here. He decided to go upstairs and go to the reception room, since he didn't know the brothel well enough to go on his own. Additionally, it wouldn't be right to explore without any of the actual members of the brothel when he was pretty much new here.

What if he stumbled upon a room he shouldn't enter? Or what if he entered any of their personal rooms? That wouldn't be right.

Speaking of stumbling upon something….

Kimsoo stared blankly at the ceiling as soon as he finished climbing up the stairs.

"…"

"…"

Kimsoo opened his mouth.

"….Hello there."

The little girl who was hiding above the ceiling, flinched.

….As much as Kimsoo would like to pretend he didn't see her, it was just too strange for her to be in the ceiling. First, how on earth did she manage to climb there?! And why is there even trap door above his head?! Seeing a small figure peeking at the trap door was freaky, Kimsoo almost shouted for Cale to come save him!

"…Do you need help to go down?"

But instead of responding, Amy hid from sight. A few minutes later, Kimsoo heard a loud 'thud'!

Additional more minutes, he heard a shout.

"Oppa!"

That was definitely Amy's voice. It sounded like it came from the reception room so Kimsoo made his way there too. When he arrived, he saw Amy who was burying her face on Choi Han's arms while the lad looked confused.

"Amy? Did something happen?"

"She was on the ceiling."

Kimsoo informed Choi Han of the girl's shenanigan.

"Eep!" Amy squeak before quickly hiding behind Choi Han. Instead of focusing on the "shy" little girl, Kimsoo let out a hum as he thought back to a little suspicious something he heard.

"By the way… she called you 'oppa'."

Didn't Amy call Choi Han as "hyung"? Kimsoo remembered that well because it was a bit peculiar hearing a girl referring to an older brother like that. Just as when he thought it probably wasn't any special, now the girl calls Choi Han as "oppa".

Kimsoo could see Amy's hand that was clutching on Choi Han's shirt, twitching.

"Could it be… were you teasing that Soren person by calling Choi Han 'hyung', because Choi Han refused to call Soren 'hyung' before?"

"…"

The corners of Kimsoo's lips twitched up at Amy's every little reaction. Is this why she was desperately hiding her face? Because she knew her expression couldn't be hidden and it will give away the answer the moment one would glimpse on her face?

What a funny kid.

An impishly funny kid.

"Please stop teasing her," Choi Han spoke with a sigh while trying to pat Amy's head who kept her face buried on his back. "If you do that, she'll get worse."

Amy pinched his waist and Choi Han kept a straight face.

"Oppa!" her whining voice came out.

….Somehow, hearing it reminded Kimsoo so much of Soren.

….It was terrifying to think that both Amy and Choi Han resembled Soren in certain ways, a scary reminder that they have been raised by Soren himself.

'…Isn't one Soren enough of a headache? But to have three?'

Kimsoo inwardly shook his head.

'I wish you luck, Elodia.'

"I've also noticed this for awhile now," Kimsoo walked to the direction of the same chair he used earlier and sat. His knees were starting to tremble from fatigue. So early in the morning, he had to deal with a grumpy Cale Henituse who didn't want to let him go. But because they already had an agreement, he could only watch Kimsoo prepare with a grumpy look on his face.

When he arrived in the brothel after 4 hours of travelling by carriage, he had to deal with a Soren who was being quite ambiguous. What does he mean by everything he said, anyway? There's no way Kimsoo would take Choi Han away.

In any case, Kimsoo was tired and he needed to sit. But it just so happened that he had to walk pass Amy and Choi Han, so when she saw that he was walking to her direction, Amy turned her face towards him and put on a grumpy pout.

Kimsoo nearly faltered.

Why on earth does that face look so cute???

"This kid disappears and appears so randomly. Is it just me?"

Kimsoo subconsciously spoke in a softer voice although his manner of talking remained.

'Hmm???'

He thought it was weird.

"Amy," Choi Han called out softly to the girl who was clinging to him. No, wait, Choi Han is talking softly to her too? Does every just collectively start speaking softly in front of this girl??

Amy raised her head and stared back at Choi Han who was staring at her. She could tell what it was that he seem to be saying through his gaze. Choi Han was asking her if it was okay to tell Kimsoo the truth about her, and that he won't say anything if she said she was uncomfortable with it.

He was asking for her permission, and Amy hugged his waist tighter before nodding slowly.

Tap.

Choi Han patted her head.

"I did think for a moment you would notice it the moment you met her."

'Hmm?'

Kimsoo was finally sitting on the chair now when he heard what Choi Han said. Kimsoo tilted his head slightly.

"Since you would be familiar with her kind."

'What is he talking about?'

Kimsoo stared at the two strangely.

"What I mean is that, Amy," Choi Han turned so he was facing Kimsoo while holding Amy who refused to separate from him, "Is a fairy."

Kimsoo felt as if his head just got hit by a star.

"???????"

It was written all over his face. A few minutes of silence passed and Kimsoo regained enough composure to ask, though he still seemed a little confused.

"What do you mean?"

Could a fairy become human and live among humans? Is that even possible??

The fairies Kimsoo had come across so far were manifestations of light and didn't have a solid form, nor a visible body. Although he had only known two fairies, the one who gave him the Energy of the Heart and the fairy who helped Kleir Venisse (which he didn't even personally see with his own eyes), but still.

Choi Han spoke calmly as if he hadn't just dropped a secret so sensational, it could shake the entire Kingdom.

"Amy was a fairy who lived in a far away forest. Due to circumstances, she was sent by the older fairies far away to protect her. I do not know the full details myself, but basically she managed to form a physical body with magic.

But it drained her magic, so much that now she cannot return to her fairy form."

How painful must it have been for her to be stuck in a body that wasn't even originally hers? Choi Han simply held her closely when Amy's grip on him tightened.

She never talked about it, but everyone in the brothel knew that to this day, it still pained her to be unable to ever return to where she came from, nor be able to return to her original form. Amy had felt a stranger in this land and the current body she had, yet she will never have a choice but to accept it.

In the eyes of humans, she was a defect. A fairy who had no magic, a fairy who was forever stuck to being human that will never be accepted in their society if they were to find out about who she really is, a fairy that isn't useful.

A powerless fairy.

That was who Amy is.

"Though, she still has her peculiar traits as a fairy, such as being able to leave and appear without anyone noticing, reaching high places which would prove difficult for most of us. Still, Soren hyung specially requested that Amy will not be treated differently."

And they did. From the day Soren brought Amy to the brothel, to this very day, they have never once treated her differently despite her oddity.

Maybe because, just like her, they also were different from most people. Yet that difference was what kept them together all these years, so really, there was no problem with it.

"Is liking her and finding her adorable despite being glared at one of those peculiar traits?" Kimsoo asked after a long silence from him.

Choi Han paused, before a light laughter bubbled out of his lips.

"I see, so even you're not immune to that."

Kimsoo closed his eyes and let out a long sigh.

'…It makes sense that this girl can make me like this, when not even those three children could.'

Thinking back to Ohn, Hong, and Raon, Kimsoo wondered if they've already eaten. But knowing that Cale was with them eased any concern that might have wrapped itself on his heart. Cale will never let those three skip any meal despite being the one to tolerate their mischief.

In any case, Kimsoo had just learned an important secret to one of the people important to Choi Han. Kimsoo nodded his head before relaxing on his seat.

'How comfortable.'

The furniture was soft and comfortable, perfect just for him. So perfect that Kimsoo was blinking his eyes feeling drowsiness slowly overtaking him.

"I understand," though he still managed to speak despite the sleepiness, "I'll keep your secret so don't worry."

Because Kimsoo had his eyes closed now, he didn't see the way Amy turned and look at him. He was busy indulging himself in the comfort of his chair.

"Mm…" Kimsoo began mumbling sleepily, "Maybe I should buy your chair while that Soren guy is away."

Choi Han chuckled softly hearing this.

"Sleep well. I'll wake you up for lunch."

Kimsoo still managed to mutter a quiet 'thank you' before his consciousness slipped.

**

Hours had passed and Kimsoo found out about a lot of things.

Amy is more talkative once she become comfortable.

When Kimsoo woke up, he found Amy just staring at him from across the room. Whether how long she had been watching him or if she was watching him the whole time he was sleeping, is something Kimsoo chose not to ask.

The moment she saw him open his eyes, she started yapping nonstop with a straight face, as if she wasn't making Kimsoo's ears bleed by talking on and on.

She was no longer the shy Amy who always hide the moment Kimsoo would look at her. It seems that now Amy was being more truthful and blunt since Kimsoo already knew her biggest secret.

Thankfully, this wasn't the first time Kimsoo had to handle a kid who talked nonstop so it was nothing new to him. He simply acted like how he would have otherwise acted if it had been Ohn, Hong, and Raon.

….When it came to lunch time, Kimsoo was a little nervous thinking Choi Han had dared to attempt poisoning them with his (lack of) cooking skills, but thankfully he didn't because Amy stared at Choi Han pitifully until he gave in into buying food from outside.

Kimsoo thought then, indeed, what a perk it is to be loved by all. Amy only needed to get Choi Han to look at her, and it would immediately pull on his heart strings. Even if she would simply blink her eyes, Choi Han was already off to do whatever she wanted.

Choi Han told Kimsoo, the effect of Amy's aura to him was much worse before. Over the years, he learned how to handle it so it wasn't as bad, though Amy never really requested impossible nor dangerous things.

It was just, when Choi Han first met her, he was so willing to hunt down every single elf in the continent in order to get their help to restore Amy's magic.

It was so bad that Soren had to resort to tying Choi Han down just to keep him from leaving and possibly destroying numerous elven forests if they ever refused to help.

Hearing this, Kimsoo gave Choi Han a blank stare.

"You…" Kimsoo spoke blankly, "You're such an extreme person. No wonder that Soren guy looks like he would have a heart attack any time you're not within his line of sight."

"It was a one time thing," Choi Han tried to reason out.

"Oppa almost broke the whole market because there were no stock of carrots before."

Kimsoo's gaze towards Choi Han changed after hearing one more thing of the many things he had done before. He spoke with a hint of annoyance laced along his voice.

"You're too much."

Choi Han avoided Kimsoo's intense glaring.

"As… as I've said, I learned to control the effect of her aura on me now. I don't do those things anymore."

….But undeniably, he had the worse circumstance among every one of them. So much that it kept Soren awake for countless nights every time Choi Han visited the brothel and saw Amy. It came to the point that Elodia had to hide Amy away whenever Choi Han came to visit.

….And when he didn't see Amy when Elodia hid her for the first time, Choi Han almost ransack the whole place just to find her.

….It was a terrifying sight.

Thankfully, he managed to calm down after so much hardship he had unintentionally brought upon the people of the brothel.

Amy seemed to know more secrets about the people of the brothel than she let out. She would have a series of "slip ups" just to fill Kimsoo in the gossip, which Kimsoo was pretty sure wasn't a slip up at all.

'This impish girl is doing this on purpose.'

Kimsoo thought as he was drinking his tea while listening to Amy talk about how Choi Han did this and that in the past, and how Elodia was always the one scolding Choi Han while Soren could be seen contemplating his life at the back.

It was currently late in the afternoon and Choi Han went out, saying that he'll be taking the other ladies of the brothel back before it grows dark outside. Now it was only Amy and Kimsoo left.

The two of them were at the drawing room on the first floor, essentially where all possible clients will be attended to before they are guided to which room the specific worker they requested would be.

Amy was drawing a sketch while Kimsoo sat across her.

"You know, oppa is…"

…Even though her hand was busy moving, so was her mouth. It seems that to Amy, there was an endless story that should be said about her dear older brother Han. Kimsoo was learning more and more things about Choi Han, even those that he thought he would never learn about.

Meanwhile:

A woman with vibrant hair, the color tea rose flowing freely pass her shoulders, could be seen in a distance. Contrary to her dignified way of carrying herself and the intimidation anyone would feel upon laying eyes on her, the face that would make anyone turn around was frowning so much that even at a distance, one could tell she was heavily displeased.

"Isabella, please just until dinner. I promise it will be the last time!"

The woman, Isabella, rolled her eyes and slapped the man's hand when he tried to take hold of her hand.

"Insolent bastard. You're telling me spending the entire day with me was not enough, and now you want my night time too?"

The man flinched.

"T-that is not…! I was not planning to take you to bed!"

Hearing his response that revealed his inner thought made Isabella's face twist in disgust. She turned to look at him with fury deeply reflected in her eyes, making the man go stiff.

Despite the lack of words coming from Isabella after hearing those words, her intense glare was making him cower. To think that he had intended to force this lady to his manor, he must have gone crazy for a moment for thinking that would be possible.

They say, Isabella once reigned over the red light district and was the no.1 prostitute, but all that was now a telltale. She was no longer the Isabella who had a long list of men spending thousands just for her time, she was now the Isabella who refuse to sleep with anyone.

It was out of respect for Elodia's, the new head of the brothel, decision to ban all sexual activities in their brothel even though Isabella was one of the few members who didn't mind sleeping around. Isabella had been doing it since she was merely 14, back when she was forced into prostitution by the former head. So inevitably, Isabella got used to it that she no longer cared whether it was right or wrong.

But Elodia had cared. Cared for herself, and for everyone else. Elodia had made it her goal to restore the respect they had been stripped of by the former head of the brothel.

Isabella, who was one of those who was blinded by Elodia's righteousness, decided to follow what she wanted. Which was to never force anyone into prostitution against their will. Which was why, the Isabella of today refuse to sleep with anyone.

Yet people who knew who Isabella used to be, refuse to acknowledge and respect that.

Isabella formed her lips to a thin line before turning away, about to walk out but then the man snapped back to reality and realized that he cannot accept this day to end without having Isabella on his bed, so he rushed after her and tried to grab her hand but then…

"Eek?!"

A tall figure in a robe grabbed the back of his collar and lifted him from the ground. When he realized that people passing by were giving him strange looks, the man's face turned red in anger.

"Put me down!" He furiously shouted while swinging his arms around, "Do you have any idea whose presence you are in right now?!"

But the hooded figure, Choi Han, completely ignored him.

"Noona, are you alright?"

Hearing his voice, Isabella turned her head. It only took one glance from her for Choi Han to immediately drop the man and walked to her side. The man who was unceremoniously dropped, was caught off guard and fell to the ground without the chance of balancing himself.

Isabella wrapped her arms around Choi Han's arm and proclaimed loudly, "What took you so long?"

Choi Han didn't try putting any distance between them, already used to these women being clingy whenever they were together.

"Noona was not in her usual place so I had a hard time searching for you."

"Excuses. You went to look for that brat first, didn't you?"

"That's not it, noona."

"Oh. I am tired. I do not want to have this conversation anymore."

Choi Han glanced at the man who wore a flashy outfit with cold eyes before placing the spare cloak he brought with him over Isabella's shoulder.

"Let's go home then."

Thud.

When Choi Han realized that the other person he needed to take home today, was not in any of the usual places she normally would go to, Choi Han's face turned pale.

'Kimsoo Henituse…!'

Despite his inner thought, he tried to speak as calmly as possible.

"Noona, we need to go right away."

Isabella was a little confused why Choi Han was reacting like this, but nonetheless decided to follow along. It was most likely because of that other girl who often acted like a brat, and whatever possible chaos she would cause this time around. That girl always managed to cause trouble, even moreso, now that neither Soren nor Elodia would be there to stop her from her madness.

What Isabella didn't know was that, Choi Han was actually worried about Kimsoo, who was left alone with Amy back in the brothel.

That "lady" had a peculiar habit, and it could put Kimsoo to danger if they were to meet while Choi Han was still outside. Since Kimsoo came here with him, naturally Choi Han would be responsible for Kimsoo's safety.

Which was why….

Kimsoo must never meet that "lady" alone.

Slam!

They quickly arrived at the brothel and Choi Han rushed to where he last saw Amy and Kimsoo together.

"Amy?"

Upon entering the drawing room on the first floor, Choi Han let out the breath he unknowingly held when he thought that "lady" had arrived before him, only to see Amy and Kimsoo who looked like they hadn't even moved a muscle since Choi Han left.

"Oppa?" Amy perked up, "Did something happen?"

Choi Han simply put on a smile and shook his head. When he saw Isabella approaching, he stepped to the side and let Isabella enter the drawing room, to which Amy quickly brightened and ran over to hug Isabella.

"Eonnie is home!"

"Yes, yes. I'm here now."

But Isabella's eyes lingered on Kimsoo who was staring back.

Kimsoo stood and walked closer, nodding at Isabella before outstretching his hand in front of her.

"My name is Kimsoo Henituse. I'm not sure if Soren told you, but I asked his highness to let me stay here to accompany Choi Han."

Isabella moved her hand that was on top of Amy's head to hold Kimsoo's hand which he had offered to her. The two of them shook hands.

"My dear, I wasn't informed you brought a noble."

Isabella was saying that to Choi Han while keeping her eyes on Kimsoo.

"That Soren must have opposed if I remained oblivious to this."

That was true. Soren didn't like the idea of Kimsoo coming over and staying with Choi Han, but what else can he do? Crown Prince Alver had already approved it, and Kimsoo was such an obviously stubborn young man. In the end, regardless of how much Soren didn't like the idea, there was nothing he could do.

Isabella smiled before letting Kimsoo's hand go.

"I get a feeling that we'll get along just fine."

Kimsoo was taken aback, before he subconsciously mirrored Isabella's smile after staring at Isabella for some time.

"I'm starting to see why his highness favors you."

Isabella seemed like an overly observant person with discerning eyes, exactly the type of person that Alver liked. He liked people who could tell from a glance, and that was exactly the attitude that Isabella was showing.

"Hahaha!"

Isabella laughed lightly before tapping the side of her eyes.

"These eyes of mine is what makes me special," Isabella's irises that had the shape of crescents seem to glower momentarily, "Nonetheless, it's nice to meet you."

Choi Han cleared his throat to get Kimsoo's attention.

"I'm sorry but, there's a bit of a situation."

Choi Han carefully wrapped his hand around Kimsoo's wrist, making sure that he wouldn't make the same mistake of hurting Kimsoo like what he had done back when they had their first fight back at the cliff during their trip in Holly Island.

Kimsoo tried not to be overly conscious of the way Choi Han was holding him.

"What is it?"

"One of the women here is a bit…" He hesitated and ended up not saying what he actually wanted, but Kimsoo still understood what he was trying to convey. "I'm sorry, but for now can you stay inside my room? I promise I'll take you out after I explain the situation to Coline noona."

Coline was the other lady that Choi Han needed to take home but couldn't find earlier. She had a bit of a strange personality which would be startling for those who would meet her for the first time. Especially to Kimsoo who was a bit of a scaredy-cat.

He would definitely think that Coline is a vicious woman if he were to meet her unprepared.

Kimsoo slowly spoke.

"…Your room?"

Choi Han nodded, "It would be less suspicious that way. If you were to stay in the room you'll be using, noona might enter and apprehend you."

Kimsoo arched an eyebrow, and Choi Han quickly added to avoid confusion.

"She has this habit of scouting every room to make sure there are no suspicious person around, especially right now that neither Elodia and Soren hyung are here."

Wasn't that what Choi Han often did in the Academy too? Scouting the area and making sure there weren't any rats around? It seems that Choi Han had reflected the personalities of the people from this brothel, more than he let out.

Nonetheless, Kimsoo nodded his head in understanding, but deep inside he was still thinking about how he would need to stay inside Choi Han's room.

"Well, it is a rather serious situation. I hope you'll understand."

Isabella spoke at that moment.

"That brat…. She's one hell of a headache. It's best to avoid her while you're here."

"Choi Han said he'll introduce me to everyone," Kimsoo responded, "So I can't avoid her forever. Besides, I don't think avoiding her would be necessarily."

I mean, how bad can she be?

In the end, one angry Cale Henituse was still the worse. So really, Kimsoo thought they were exaggerating this a bit too much.

Isabella stared at Kimsoo's face before opening her mouth.

"I hope you won't regret what you just said."

'Hm?'

"You look like a smart person, I think you'll understand why we're acting like this once you see it for yourself."

'Hm??'

"Then, I'll be taking this little one with me."

Isabella effortlessly carried Amy in her arms as if it was the most natural thing before leaving the drawing room first. Kimsoo and Choi Han were left at the drawing room, and once it sunk back into his head that he would be staying in Choi Han's room, Kimsoo felt his embarrassment rising.

"Ahem." Kimsoo cleared his throat to mask his inner feelings, "So… your room is?"

Choi Han's hand that was wrapped on Kimsoo's wrist, slide down so he was now holding Kimsoo's hand. Kimsoo tried not to react having their hands interlocked.

"I'll take you there now. I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience."

"It's alright."

Was Choi Han's hand always this warm? It was the first time Kimsoo ever touched his hand that wore no gloves. Usually, Choi Han was always wearing that black gloves as if it was his own skin. Maybe because he wasn't out doing his knightly duties so he had comfortably taken it off now. On a closer look, there were few scratches and scars left on his hand, maybe that was why he had never taken off his gloves.

For a moment, Kimsoo wondered just how hard had Choi Han trained his whole life to have this many scars and callous on his hands. Did he ever had that moment in his life where he had no scars? Kimsoo couldn't help but imagine what Choi Han's hands would have looked like had he not chose to hold a sword.

"…"

If Choi Han had chosen to abandon his duties like Soren had offered, would Kimsoo be holding a smooth hand that knew no hardship?

No. Kimsoo doubted they would have even met if that happened. Judging by Soren's personality, when he said he would take Choi Han far away, it would certainly be far, far from here. If that happened, there wouldn't be a Choi Han who devotedly stayed by Crown Prince Alver Crossman's side that followed him all the way to the Academy.

If that happened, there wouldn't be any Choi Han in "Kimsoo's" life.

'…In the end, that punk of a Crown Prince had done something I can be thankful for.'

Kimsoo began to think that he should treat Alver a little kinder from now on.

"It's here."

They were now standing in front of Choi Han's room. Kimsoo was completely absorb by his own thoughts that he didn't even noticed they had arrived. Kimsoo had second thoughts about letting Choi Han's hand go, but he forced himself to and waited for Choi Han to open the door.

"I just want to make sure, but are you completely okay with me being here?"

Choi Han looked a little confused.

"Why not?"

It was a reasonable response. Perhaps it was only Kimsoo who was overthinking things, but is he really okay with it?

"Nothing," Kimsoo replied after a few seconds of silence, "I was just saying."

If Choi Han says there was no problem, then Kimsoo should just accept it as it is.

"Anyway, I promise I'll take you out of here after I explain to Coline noona."

"Sure."

Kimsoo stepped into Choi Han's room after the latter opened the door for him. Kimsoo turned to look at Choi Han and said, "Take your time."

He contemplated whether he should say it, before deciding to ask.

"Can I sit on your bed?"

"Is that what you were worried about?" Choi Han chuckled softly, "Sure. Do as you please."

"You wouldn't want me doing as I please if you knew."

"Hm?"

"Nothing."

Kimsoo turned away and walked further inside before plopping down on the foot of Choi Han's bed. He waved his hand at Choi Han to show that he was fine, and watched as Choi Han closed the door shut.

Click.

Choi Han locked the door from inside, and only Kimsoo would be able to unlock the door later on. Kimsoo thought they were definitely exaggerating, and whoever this Coline is couldn't be that bad, right?

Kimsoo huffed before falling on his back, laying down on Choi Han's bed.

On the other hand, Amy and Isabella were heading to the largest reception room on the second floor and just as when they were nearing the door…

Clack!

Clang!

"My, Ysa~"

Isabella's face had darken at the voice that flirtishly called her name.

"You never fail to amaze me, darling. Only Ysa can expertly block my weapon like this!"

"Coline," Isabella's voice had lowered an octave as her expression remained unreadable, "I suggest you remove this thing unless you want me to tear your every limb apart."

Coline gasped, eyes sparkling.

"Oh, Ysa~! Hearing you threatening me makes me want to see your face so badly! Come now, show me that lovely face of yours!"

Coline leaned closer and drove her dagger closer to Isabella's neck until it looked like it would pierce her skin.

"This beautiful face of yours will be added to my most cherished collection! Know this, Ysa, your face will be treated with outmost care!" Coline laughed hysterically, "So give me your face!"

SLAP!

"!!!"

Upon seeing the scene as soon as he entered, Choi Han rushed forward and slapped Coline's hand away from Isabella's neck. Over his shoulders, Amy could be seen floating.

"It's a good thing Amy came to me the moment she saw you, noona."

"Ah," Coline's face softened, although her voice sounded more dismayed, "I nearly forgot. Even though Soren is away, the little Soren is right over here."

"Ha!" Isabella, who was finally out of Coline's embrace, scoffed loudly as she pushed her hair up with her other hand over her hip. "You bitch. I knew you were the worse from the bunch, and I can never understand why Soren still allow you back here."

"Oh, didn't you know?" another dagger appeared in her hand, this time a much smaller version than the previous one. She started twirling it around her fingers, "50% of Soren's assets came from me, so he can't kick me out even if you want me gone, darling."

"Noona." Choi Han called out with emotionless eyes, "As much as I would like to give you the space you have asked from the day you first entered the brothel, I cannot indulge you if you were to harm anyone here."

Coline stared at Choi Han before she burst out laughing. She threw the dagger on the air and it disappeared as if it was never there in the first place.

"Hannie, dear! You know it's merely a jest!"

"Your jokes have gone too far," Choi Han retorted with eyebrows deeply furrowed, "And the private room you requested smells bad. Do you have any idea how much the stench is beginning to spread outside?"

"Oh that?" Coline grinned, "It's just the decaying skin. Don't mind it, it will go away after awhile."

"Noona."

Choi Han gave Coline a disapproving look.

"As much as I do not want to criticize you for your strange hobby, please refrain from bringing such things where Amy might see."

It wouldn't be good to surround Amy with those kind of things, especially since she is still a growing child. Even if others who knew what Amy really is would argue that she isn't actually a child, and that she might even be older than all of them, but why would it matter?

If Soren wants to give Amy a normal childhood, then naturally Choi Han will fulfill that as well.

"What are you going to do if Amy learns and adapt your strange hobby too?"

"Then Amy and I can share the same hobby! I can even teach her!"

"Noona."

Coline is basically unstoppable when Soren isn't here to stop her. This was partly the reason why Soren and Elodia were hesitant in being away for a long time, and why Choi Han insisted that he will stay in the brothel during their absence. If all three of them weren't here to stop Coline from doing any crazy thing, then it was already a guarantee that the brothel will become a bloody mess.

Especially since Isabella was also the type not to hold back once provoked, and it just so happened that Coline is a master at provocation. So these two left alone with Amy stuck in between would be the worse idea.

Amy's gaze bore on her, and Coline made the mistake of looking back. Now she could feel her heart trembling.

"Argh!" Coline quickly covered her eyes while closing it shut, "This girl…. How terrible!"

Choi Han frowned before letting out a sigh. He then wrapped his arms around Amy and held her closely against him.

"Soren hyung will cut your tongue for saying that about Amy."

"Don't even mention his name to my face like that!"

Amy pressed her cheek against Choi Han's cheek while staring innocently at Coline who was making such efforts to avoid looking at her directly. If Kimsoo was seeing this, he would shook his head while thinking that Amy was certainly pulling such an obvious trick.

"Eonnie, I'm hungry."

"…"

"Eonnie?"

Amy leaned forward and gingerly held Coline's thumb, nudging her a little.

Amy wore a sad face, "Eonnie…."

"…"

At this point, what else can a person do against a girl who was loved by all?

"Alright fine, I'm buying dinner. Wait for me here, I'll be back soon."

Coline was quick to leave as if she hadn't just nearly made a mess out of there by threatening to take Isabella's face. Maybe because she didn't want to feel weak in front of Amy's presence and strong aura.

Once she was out of sight, Choi Han turned towards Isabella.

"Noona, are you alright?"

"Oh I'm exhausted. Seeing that brat drains my energy so fast I just want to—" Isabella gestured with her hand as if she was squeezing Coline's face. Choi Han didn't know if he should laugh or be worried.

He decided to guide the tired Isabella to sit on the couch inside the reception room.

"Her terrible hobby has never changed, not even one bit." Isabella grumbled, "How can someone not change for so many years? I swear that girl is going to meet a terrible demise if she continue going around taking off every faces she liked."

Coline had a strange obsession. Whenever she would meet someone whose face was up for her beauty standard, she would try to take that person's face off and hide it in her special room.

How would she take off a person's face, you might ask? By skinning them alive.

Which was why her special room was now having that fleshy stench coming out through the gaps of the door. They might have to relocate her collection at this point, but even then, it was doubtful that the smell would go away.

As for the reason why they had accepted her hobby as is, is mainly because Coline had taken off the faces of those who tried harassing any of the members of the brothel during business hours. Even though Coline was extreme, she is still one of those people who kept everyone safe.

…..Although she was a different type of danger to them altogether.

Choi Han stroked Amy's head who was leaning against his chest.

"I'm a little worried of how noona will react if she sees 'him'."

He was talking about the Kimsoo who was hiding inside his room.

"Noona tend to go overboard, and she gets overly excited at the sight of a pretty face. If she sees him…"

It was almost predictable, at the same time, it wasn't. Which made it even more terrible. They might think that they know Coline very well, but Coline could get pretty unpredictable at times. One moment she would be doing this, the next, it would be the most unexpected thing ever.

"Oppa is worrying over nothing," Amy mumbled which was heard by both Isabella and Choi Han, "That guy doesn't look like the type who will go down easily."

"Amy, don't talk like that."

"But it's true."

Choi Han was silent. Maybe because deep inside, he could see why Amy would think that way about Kimsoo. He knew it better than anyone here, just how stubborn Kimsoo could get. Although he was often reckless, but he was also someone who made sure that he wouldn't get unnecessarily hurt.

Knowing that Cale Henituse would be devastated to see Kimsoo get hurt.

"That guy… he might be the first to survive Coline eonnie's madness."

Hopefully, that would be the case. But the chances of that happening is low, which was why Choi Han couldn't stop worrying.

Soon enough, Coline arrived with the food she bought outside. Choi Han planned to carefully tell Coline that they have a guest over before dinner, but while they were setting up the table, Coline suddenly disappeared.

Thud.

Kimsoo felt a shiver run down his spine when a presence he hadn't noticed the first time, suddenly appeared in front of him and held a sharp dagger against his neck.

"You thing."

"…"

The light on Choi Han's room was turned off in order to hide the fact that Kimsoo was in there, yet despite that, Kimsoo could almost see the vicious gaze looking down on him.

"Who are you?"

At that moment, Kimsoo only had one thought.

'….Shit.'

He really shouldn't have dismissed Choi Han and Isabella's warning.