The Next Morning
The soft morning light spilled across the curtains, but Cael hadn't moved from the bed. He lay curled under the covers, still and silent—his eyes open but unfocused, breathing barely audible.
Rowan stood by the doorway, dressed simply in a charcoal tunic, the sleeves rolled back to reveal his forearms. He had brushed his dark hair back neatly, and despite the simple attire, he looked effortlessly regal—like a noble god who had left the heavens only to kneel beside one boy's bed.
He didn't say anything for a while. Just watched the still figure, his gaze heavy with worry and helplessness. Rowan had left Cael alone all night, hoping space would ease the ache, but seeing him like this... it was worse.
So small. So quiet. Just like when he was little.
Back then, too, whenever Cael was hurt, he'd wrap himself in a blanket like a cocoon and disappear from the world.
Rowan stepped forward slowly.
"You haven't eaten," he said gently, kneeling beside the bed.
Cael didn't respond. Didn't even blink.
"I want to show you something ?"
Rowan stared for a second more, then sighed—half soft, half amused.
"All right," he murmured, slipping his arms under the blanket.
Cael flinched as his entire world tilted. "W-What are you—?!"
Rowan lifted him, blanket and all, into his arms like he weighed nothing. His embrace was warm and firm, cradling Cael like something fragile and irreplaceable.
"If you won't come with your feet," Rowan said, voice teasingly soft, "I'll just take you myself."
Cael squirmed half-heartedly in his arms, muffled in folds of blanket. "Put me down. I'm not—"
"No," Rowan interrupted gently. "You're coming with me."
There was no anger in his tone. No force. Just an unshakable tenderness—like the earth itself had hands and decided to hold Cael still.
Cael finally gave up with a sigh. He stopped struggling and buried his face deeper into the warmth of the blanket, his voice small. "You're... ridiculous."
"Well,you left me no choice ," Rowan said, smiling down at him.
Cael let out a weak huff that was almost a laugh.
And Rowan—gods, Rowan looked like the sun had started to rise just for him. His eyes softened. His lips curved. He held Cael a little closer, as if this moment alone could fix everything broken between them.
He didn't say more.
He didn't need to.
Because he was taking Cael somewhere—somewhere Cael will definitely love.
Somewhere he hoped would bring the smallest light back into the boy's quiet world. Even if it was just for a while.
________
The carriage doors opened with a soft creak. A crisp breeze swept in, cool and clean, carrying the scent of pine, earth, and distant wildflowers. Cael blinked against the light as Rowan helped him down, his hands warm, gentle.
And then he saw it.
The land stretched before him like a painting — vast, untouched, quietly alive. Gentle hills rose and fell in a sea of green, dotted with blooming wildflowers in every hue. A silver river threaded through it all, sparkling beneath the morning sun, and beyond that, a forest stood watchful and still. Not too dense. Not too dark. Just enough to give a sense of wildness and peace — like something out of a forgotten fairytale.
Cael stood frozen, wind tugging softly at his hair.
"It's..." His voice failed him.
Rowan, who stood quietly beside him, answered with a smile. "Beautiful?"
Cael nodded slowly.
Rowan's smile deepened. "I hoped you'd say that."
They stood like that for a moment — the world so quiet it felt sacred.
Rowan stepped forward and gestured with one hand. "The forest's not deep, but there's deer and rabbits. A few wild herbs grow along the riverbank. The soil's good — anything you plant will bloom. There's even a patch behind the cottage for vegetables."
He turned to Cael. "This whole valley — the hills, the trees, the water — I bought it all. For you."
Cael looked up at him, stunned. "For... me?"
Rowan only nodded. "Do you remember?" he asked. "When you were young — you always told me what kind of place you wanted to live in one day. You said you didn't need a big house or a palace. Just a little kitchen, a soft bed, a garden with wildflowers, and a river nearby so you could hear the water as you slept."
"I was just daydreaming..." Cael murmured, voice shaking. "I didn't think... anyone remembered."
"I remembered," Rowan said. "Every word. Every silly little detail. You said it with stars in your eyes.You look so cute at that time"
They walked together across the meadow, and as they reached the riverbend, Cael saw it.
A cottage — warm and welcoming, built with old stone and pale timber, tucked under a slope beside the water. Its roof was gently curved, the windows framed with vines, and the chimney already smoking softly. It looked like it had grown out of the land itself, humble and magical, like something out of a fairytale.
Cael stepped closer, heart pounding. "You built this..."
Rowan just smiled.
Inside, the cottage was quiet and bright. Sunlight filtered through linen curtains, pooling on the polished wood floor. A round table waited by the window, set for two. A small stone fireplace crackled warmly. The bed in the corner was layered with soft blankets in pale blues and whites. A shelf lined with books — all of Cael's favorites — stood ready by the wall. A vase of fresh-cut flowers bloomed on the sill.
Every detail was chosen with care. With memory. With love.
He opened a small back door to reveal the garden beds, freshly tilled. Tools leaned against the fence.
Rowan turned to him with boyish pride. "What do you want to plant first? Lavender? Roses?Let's plant all the flowers you love"
Cael stood still, stunned.
"And I've made my decision," Rowan added but with seriousness"I'm going to retire. Step down from my position. Give up the title,estate, the councils, all of it. I'll live here with you — if you'll let me. Every day, just us. We'll cook together. I'll do the hunting. You can grow whatever you like."
He was smiling — really smiling — like a man who had finally found peace.Lost in his own imagination.
Like a man who believed this little home, this simple life, was everything as long as he has Cael.If it's what Cael want.Peaceful and normal life away from everyone.
"I even planned the storage, and a little library for you," Rowan went on eagerly.
Cael looked at him — this tall, once-unreachable man who now stood before him with windswept hair, sleeves rolled to the elbow, eyes glowing like he was showing someone his soul.
And what could he say?
Cael forced a small, broken smile. "It's... amazing."
He meant it.
But in his chest, guilt coiled like thorns.
This was supposed to be just a dream. Not a reality. Not something someone would actually build and turn it into reality.
Cael look at the forest with unreadable expression.
But Rowan didn't seem to notice.
He was already kneeling at the edge of the garden, running his fingers through the soil like he was touching something holy. He glanced up at Cael, beaming.
"It's perfect for plant to grow.Is not that great,Cael..."
He was smiling so sincerely, like nothing in the world could be more perfect.
Cael stood frozen. A bitter ache blooming in his chest.
He watched Rowan — the man everyone feared, the ruthless duke who bent kingdoms — now smiling like a child in love. His dark hair fluttered gently in the breeze, sleeves rolled to his elbows, eyes soft only for him.
This man... was ready to abandon everything.
For him.
And what could Cael say?
Nothing.
Because how do you destroy someone's dream when they're looking at you like you're the only home they've ever wanted?
So, Cael smiled faintly. And nodded.
"That's... nice, Rowan."
Rowan beamed. Like the sun.
Cael looked away, unable to make eye contact.
I'm the worst, he thought.
You deserve better.
Because now, knowing they weren't truly brothers, the last excuse he had to stay felt crueler than ever. And the last reason to leave had become unbearable.
He wouldn't let Rowan's perfect life crumble... just because of him.
Not because of a worthless thing like him.