Chapter Text
Two years had passed since the war ended. Cale lived peacefully with his family; the days now passed more slowly, filled with a welcome calm.
Cale and Rosalyn were in the library of the mansion where they all lived together. In the background, they could hear the laughter of the children playing with Choi Han and Lock, the rustling of the pages of the magic book Rosalyn was distractedly reading, and the clinking of the teacup Cale was drinking from.
Cale felt he could easily live like this forever.
– Young master Cale, have you ever thought about getting married?
The question caught Cale off guard. The teacup stopped mid-air, suspended in his hands for a brief moment. Sighing slowly, the redhead took a sip of his drink, pretending not to be surprised by the question, before looking at Rosalyn, who was seemingly engrossed in her book, as if the question had never been asked.
And he would have believed it was just his mind playing tricks on him, but the mage's eyes shifted from the book, staring at him with such curiosity, and a mixture of insecurity.
– Well…– Cale replied cautiously – It's not exactly a plan I have in mind right now... But someday in the future, who knows.
Rosalyn nodded in agreement, as if satisfied with the answer, and this calmed Cale for a brief moment.
Enjoying the brief silence again, Cale stared at his cup, wondering where that question had come from.
– Young master Cale…– the red-haired mage began to speak slowly.
Cale murmured softly, signaling that he was listening, bringing the cup to his lips. Rosalyn continued to speak in a tone laden with emotions that Cale couldn't identify.
– If you ever marry, I hope it's to one of us.
Cale was definitely not prepared to hear that from the red-haired mage; he choked on his tea, coughing uncomfortably. Rosalyn, startled by the nobleman's coughing, stood up hurriedly, throwing her book carelessly across the library floor, stopping beside Cale, taking the cup from his hands, and placing it on the small table next to him, spilling some of the contents in the process, and finally helping him by patting him on the back.
When the cough finally subsided, Cale stared at Rosalyn as if she were a seven-headed beast he couldn't understand.
– But what…– Cale took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. He didn't want to be rude to his friend, who was more like a sister to him. – Miss Rosalyn, may I know the reason for this matter?
Rosalyn looked away, seeming somewhat insecure.
– Young master, you are of marriageable age now that you are the hero of the kingdom of Roan. All the young ladies want to become your wife…
Cale remained silent, waiting for the mage to finish speaking. He knew Rosalyn well enough to know that marriage wasn't something in her plans, least of all with him, since the mage had already said she saw him as a brother, and this made the matter even more confusing for Cale.
– Many of them desire the title of being a hero’s wife. If you two get married, obviously you’ll have an heir… Of course, I and the others would love your child as if it were our own. But what if she decides that having us around isn’t necessary for you and the baby anymore? I… – Rosalyn stammered for a moment – I know it will be her right, she, as a mother and wife, will know what’s best for you, but what if she doesn’t want us here anymore?
– What? – Cale was indignant at everything he heard come out of Rosalyn’s lips.
– This is our home with you. If your wife decides she doesn’t want us here, where would we all go? How could we live if we lost our home? If we had to leave you, how could we cope? And the children? They… – Rosalyn's subdued and insecure voice caused a bitter feeling in Cale's chest – "They love you, how would they feel if…
The mage's words died in her mouth before they could even be finished as she felt the nobleman's hands firmly grasp hers.
– Miss Rosalyn, what nonsense are you thinking? You are my family here, no hypothetical future wife or child will be able to change that. – Cale held Rosalyn’s hands in his, massaging the mage’s knuckles. – We will stay together until you want to leave me. We made this place a safe home together, where we could be ourselves without worrying about the outside world. This place, right here with me, is where you belong, and even if one day you want to leave, the doors of this place will always be open for you, and I will always be waiting.
The red-haired mage smiled slightly, feeling more at ease, with no more doubt or insecurity etched on her face.
Seeing this, Cale let out a playful sigh.
– Do you really think I would let some little rat like that interfere in our family? – the redhead asked, releasing her hands only to flick her nose.
Rosalyn laughed, shaking her head in denial. Cale pulled Rosalyn's hands up, leaning in and placing a light kiss on them, a brief seal, a touch as light as a feather. There was no lust, no desire; it was just a moment of affection and tenderness between two people who loved each other in a pure way, even if it wasn't spoken aloud, a brief moment of care.
– You should stop thinking about stupid things and go bring me another tea.