'Thoughts'

"Hans, are you alright?"

"Please take it easy, Hans."

"Would you like to have some snacks, Hans?"

"Uhh..." Hans could only look at his co-workers in an awkward manner as he was a bit overwhelmed by them.

Don't get him wrong. He very much appreciates his co-workers' worry for him, but at times it becomes a bit stifling. Because despite these people being kind to him, he knows that it was meant for the original "Hans" and not him. With this thought, it makes him a bit guilty for robbing the original Hans of this life.

Before he could mull over this guilt, he heard a familiar voice. "Now, now guys" He looked up and there was Mark standing in front of him.

He could only stare at the reliable back in front of him with admiration.

"But Mark, look at him. He's too skinny and he keeps overworking himself too much."

"Right! Right!"

'Overwork? Who's overworking?! ' He stared at them in disbelief, not believing in the 'nonsense' coming out of their mouths.

Yes, he has been working too much at times, but only to appease a terrifying butler; they would undoubtedly do the same if they were in his shoes.

"Yeah! Look at him, he is so skinny. "

"That's true, he needs to eat more food!"

'Skinny?'  Have they not seen how much Beacrox has been fattening him up? To the point that he started to think that Beacrox is secretly a cannibal waiting to eat him at the right time. He shivered and paled at this thought, not noticing that the others looked at him in concern, thinking that Hans might be sick 'again'.

"Hans, are you alright?"

"Ah... yes I-

"Oh no, he might be sick!"

"No I-"

"Hurry! Call a doctor!"

Hans looked at them all in disbelief. 'What is he to them?! A kid? He was very much an adult!'

"Now, now, everyone, please calm down," Mark said, trying to calm the hysteric maids and butlers.

"But Mark-"

"I'm sure that Hans is fine; he might just feel a bit overwhelmed, right Hans?" Mark looked at Hans with a soft smile and at that angle, Hans could almost see how the light reflected on Mark, which made him light up, almost like an...

"Angel," he murmured unconsciously.

"Eh?" Mark looks at Hans in confusion.

Hans turned to him with awe. "Mark-hyung... Are you an angel?"

"Uh... I..." Mark, lost for words, could only look at Hans in disbelief and embarrassment. However, he suddenly felt a prick behind his neck and, lo and behold, the servants were glaring at him in envy. He could practically hear their thoughts.

'How dare he steal Hans' attention?'

'How come Mark became a Hyung'

'So unfair'

'He just wants Hans all to himself'.

'I hope Young Master Cale throws a bottle at you.'

Mark could only sweat drop and gulp, thinking that he might probably need to sleep with one eye open tonight.

"*ehem*  A-anyway, the Count has called Hans, so we have to go bye." Mark, in a quick hasty manner, dragged Hans away.

'I am not ready to die yet'  was his thought, quickly leaving and praying that his co-workers wouldn't hunt him down later.

____________________________________________________________

"So Hyung"

"Hm?"

"What did the count want with me?" I asked in curiosity.

"Oh... that was... actually a lie hehe..."

Hans looked at Mark and tilted his head in confusion. 'A lie? But why would he lie? '

Mark, who saw Hans tilt his head, felt like an arrow shot to his heart. 'Gosh, since when was Hans this cute?!'

"Mark?"

"Ah... *ehem* I saw that you were quite uncomfortable, so I went to help you." was Mark's honest response to Hans looking at him gently with a hint of concern.

"Mark-hyung... Are you really not an angel? " Hans could only look at this person in admiration. How could a kind person like Mark not be an angel?!

"Uh.. hehe, you flatter me too much." Mark laughed awkwardly.

They both walked in a comfortable manner, but Mark noticed Hans looking outside longingly.

'He's not actually planning to jump out of the window, right?'  Mark was concerned.

Before he could start panicking thinking of shouting as loud as he could to gather other people's help in stopping Hans' attempt to hurt himself, someone suddenly shook his shoulder, making him jolt for a bit.

"Y-yes?" He turned and there he saw the most deadly weapon he had ever seen.

Puppy dog eyes.

"Mark-hyung" he couldn't help but gulp.

'Is he going to force me to help him hurt himself with that deadly weapons?! Give me strength, Sun God! I don't think I will be able to resist his stare'

'No, no, Mark, be strong! This is to protect his precious dongsaeng! '

"No Hans, you can't jump out the-

"Hyung, can I go outside?"

"Wind-what?"

"What?"

"..."

"..."

They both stared at each other in disbelief.

'Jump out where?'  Hans looked at Mark as if he had gone crazy.

"I-I mean yes! Of course you can go, Hans, hahahah... I totally wasn't going to stop you from jump- uh... going outside hahaha..." Mark laughed uncomfortably, and he could feel himself sweating as he felt Hans gaze at him.

"Here, take this, go have some fun!"

"Wait hyu-"

"Bye!" *slam* Hans could only stare at the door in front of his face in shock.

'Was I just kicked out?'

____________________________________________________________

It really is peaceful. Hans thought as he walked around the town. Looking around in fascination.

'Come to think of it, this is my first time going outside...' He laments in thought that for the last months of his transmigration into this world, he has only been able to explore the Henituse's mansion. With this realization, he suddenly gained excitement at finally being able to go out and see the novel's world that he really liked.

"Alright! I will go and enjoy this peaceful time I have before I have to head back. " He continued walking, oblivious to the presence behind him.

"It's him right?"

"Yes sir."

"Let us continue to follow him."

"Yes"

____________________________________________________________

Meanwhile, Mark, who was walking leisurely, suddenly felt a forbidding feeling.

'Hmm... I think I made a mistake, but I don't know what it is...' As he muses on these thoughts, he doesn't notice a familiar presence coming near him.

*Tap*

"Hmm..."

*Tap*

"Uh, wait a second..."

*Tap*

Mark felt a tick form in his forehead as the person kept on tapping him while he was busy thinking. 'What a persistent person! Do they not have any respect?! Tsk, tsk. '

"I said wait."

*Tap*

"Can't you wait?!" He turned to the person and, lo and behold, our favorite red-haired person was staring at Mark coldly.

"Hm? Mark It seems you have become quite bold. "

'... Mommy'

(A/N: Let us all pray for the poor butler, Mark... You have lived well.

Mark: I blame Hans's influence.

Hans: Wha-?! I resent that statement!)

____________________________________________________________

Hans, who was enjoying his unofficial day-off, suddenly felt like he should pray for someone. He doesn't know who, though.

He just shrugged and continued to walk around not knowing that his dear friend was now facing quite the punishment of his life at the hands of a scary old butler.

____________________________________________________________

As soon as Cale heard about Hans being outside alone, he quickly rushed outside. Not before instructing Ron to properly 'discipline a certain butler, though'.

"Tsk, this troublesome butler really" Cale doesn't really know why he rushed out after hearing that Hans went outside; he just had that surge of... worry?

'Why am I worried about him? It's like Basen and Lily all over again, tsk. '

As he was about to turn another corner, he spotted a familiar light orange hair that made him turn his head around, and there, was the troublesome butler he was looking for. He felt himself sigh in relief before freezing after realizing what he had done.

'Really... why do I care so much...'  He shook his head as he approached the butler, intending to drag him back before something bad happened.

Then he heard it...

"Young Master Cale is a very kind person. He never hurts anyone and always shows care for his people. He only ever throws bottles at people who deserve it, so I would like you to please stop further misunderstanding him, ma'am. "

That stopped him in his tracks, and he could only stare at Hans in shock.

No one has ever defended him like that.

No one

Not even his own father.

However, before he could react to that statement, he saw unusual people behind Hans. They looked at the butler with such malicious intent that on instinct. Cale quickly took hold of something, and that something just happened to be a bottle of alcohol, before throwing it accurately at the head of one of the people.

Screams could be heard all around.

'Shit... I didn't want to gather attention this is all this troublesome butler's fault'

But he couldn't quite repress the soft smile in his face.

____________________________________________________________

Hans was just walking around suddenly noticed a stall selling apple pie making him stop in his tracks.

'OMG! Is this the famous apple pie?! I can't believe I'll be able to taste these Holy Grail.' he thought almost drooling as he stared at the sparkling apple pie.

"Oh hello, Hans!" greeted the kind lady who owned the stall with the apple pie, catching him off guard.

"Uh... you know... me?"

"Hm? Of course! You always come here. You know, it kind of saddened me when you suddenly stopped coming. Are you alright? Did something happen? "

"Oh nothing, I just... uh... I-i got sick and busy for a while, but I'm fine now. Oh but ma'am, can I get one of your apple pies? " he quickly changed the subject not wanting to have flash back of that terrifying day.

"As long as you're okay, and how many times have I told you, Hans, you don't have to be formal with me."

He could only laugh awkwardly as he waited for his apple pie. In his too eager state he didn't notice the worried stares of the vendor.

"Hans... I heard that you were appointed to serve Young Master Cale..." at that statement many people quickly looked at them, with others shooting pity eyes at Hans, but the oblivious butler didn't notice, only humming in agreement.

The vendor mistook this as Hans feeling distress in talking about his time serving with the trashy young master.

"D-did the trash young master-"

Hans, who noticed the change in the atmosphere, quickly was able to know what she wanted to ask and stopped her before she could start to say such lies, especially when he quickly noticed other people eavesdropping.

"No! No, no. Young master Cale has only been good to me!" he declared in earnest.

"Hans dear, you don't have to bottle it in."

After noting the doubt in other people's stares, he couldn't help but puff out his cheeks. How could they judge OG Cale like that! Granted, he did act a bit straightforward and brash, but he never harmed anyone.

'It's not like he would change anything, right? Kim Rok Soo was soon going to transmigrate and change Cale Henituse's reputation anyway, and a small push wouldn't hurt'  With this thought, Hans resolved himself to at least help clear this thought from others.

"Young Master Cale is very kind. He never hurts anyone and always shows care for his people. He only ever throws bottles at people who deserve it, so I would like you to please stop further misunderstanding him, ma'am. "

The others were so shocked at Hans's statement that they could only stare before a bottle was suddenly heard smashing.

"AH!"

"What was that?!"

"Hans, are you alright?"

"Ah yes" Hans who quickly ducked after his instincts told him so. He looked up and there he saw Cale in all his glory.

He quickly turned and saw the person who was hit with the bottle, and there was a man who looked like a thug.

'Wait... scary-looking individual.'

'With a group of other scary people'

'and Cale only throwing bottles at thugs and bandits'

'Ohh so they are bad people. Maybe they are robbers' Hans nodded, pleased with himself for being able to decipher this.

...

...

...

'Wait... OMG! DID I ALMOST GOT ROBBED?!'

He stared in shock before he heard a tsk, but this time when he looked up, it was Cale looking at the thugs menacingly.

"What are you guys still doing here? Do you really want to die? "

The thugs quiver in fear before quickly running away, but not before dragging their passed out friend.

Hans could only watch in a daze.

"And you!"

"Ah! Yes Evil spi- I mean, Young master-nim!" Hans stood up straight before he suddenly felt a hand dragging him.

"Let's go back."

Hans could only let himself be dragged away, still processing what happened.

"You really are troublesome," he heard Cale mutter.

'Troublesome how?!'

"Young maste-"

"Next time if someone says something about my reputation, leave it alone. It's true anyway, so stop trying to sugar coat it."

Hans, who heard this, stared at Cale as if he was insane.

"But I wasn't-"

"Shut it or I will tell Ron to give you tea again."

"Yes sir..."

They continued walking, not realizing the new rumor being spread regarding what had just occurred and also the admiring, conflicted, and guilt-gazing gazes at their back.

In the future, Rok Soo, who was in the body of Cale, would curse Hans for giving him more troublesome things to worry about.

____________________________________________________________

They returned safely, and after the other servants were done fussing over Hans. He suddenly noticed something was missing. Specifically 'someone'.

"Uh... guys"

"Hm what is it Hans?"

"Where is Mark-hyung?"

Every servant suddenly paused before they suddenly smiled brightly.

"He is quite busy for a while, maybe he will come back later."

"Yes, yes, don't worry, Hans."

'Oh... I wanted to thank him though... I'll just do it later'

Somewhere, a butler was sent to do heavy duties as punishment for almost endangering Hans.

'How was I supposed to know he would almost get robbed?!' Mark could only cry in silence, feeling wronged.

____________________________________________________________

Hans, who was about to sleep, suddenly remembered something...

Something so important

Something he wanted for in so long

...

...

...

"Wait... my apple pie!!!"

____________________________________________________________

BONUS (If Hans was ever robbed again):

Hans: 'What do I do in this situation'

Robber: Come on, give it to me, or do you want me to stab you ha?!

Hans: 'In this kind of situation, the only thing to do is...do that... I will die without regret if I do... that.'

Hans: Don't

Robber: What?

Hans: Don't, or someone will get hurt.

Robber: "Started to sweat after hearing that'  Y-yeah? Who?

Hans: Me

Hans: ...

Robber: ...

Robber suddenly got knocked out by a flying bottle.

Cale: You're supposed to know how to defend yourself, you little sh*t!

Hans: OH! Young Master, I knew the future hero of our kingdom would come. We are truly blessed to have him, with his menacing presence and terrifying accuracy in throwing anything-

Cale: Shut it or I will call Ron.

Hans: *Scared to silence*

A silhouette can be seen running in a dark forest as if he is being pursued. The person tripped to the ground, and there it can be seen that he has bright orange hair. It was Hans!

Who quickly tried to get up despite the injury near his knee. Rustling can be heard as something approaches him, causing him to panic. He suddenly saw a tree that was big enough for him to hide. He quickly ran towards it and hid behind it. He quickly covered his mouth afterward to stifle his labored breathing, and as the minutes passed, he could only hear the rapid pulse of his heart.

He waited in silence, only able to smell his own fear and feel the trickle of sweat on his chin. And there he saw a shadow pausing near the tree where he was hiding. A minute passed with suspense. Footsteps were coming near.

'Please, no, no, no please, please please'

The footsteps were almost coming close to him. Just a few more steps.

'I'm dead. I'm dead, I'm dead...' Hans chanted in his head as tears began to form in the corner of his eyes.

Then...

A beast scream could be heard in another direction, quickly attracting the shadow's attention. who quickly ran away until Hans could no longer hear the pounding of the feet of the shadowed figure. And as if a blessing, the light of the full moon came back, as if to give Hans a small comfort.

'Why ... why am I here?! '

(Hohoho, what might the next chapter be? ~ HEHE... Hi everyone! I'm sorry it took so long for me to come back, but I have been quite busy with school and prioritizing my health for the last couple of months and with me entering college soon. I might still not have as much time as I have for updating. It might take time, but I will still try to do my best to update.

Anyways, Thank you for reading and voting~ CIAO~)