MY THOUGHTS ON DERUTH BASHING
Deruth cared for OGcale and Cale. He wasn't a perfect father. But he cared for him in his own way. He cared and is caring in his own way, in the way, that he believes would make Cale's life more bearable to live after being left by his mother and having to deal with a new step mother and siblings.
A lot of people hate deruth for not fixing Cale's "trashy attitude," but does anybody not realize that he knows he's just acting trashy to make way for Basen and Lily to be accepted by the collateral families of the Henituse duchy? So, deruth didn't criticize him and let cale do what he wanted to do. He doesn't want to confine him to undergo the strict rules and life of the nobility because he wants cale to live freely. Deruth knows, Cale doesn't want to be the territory Lord, even before Rok Soo transmigrated. So he let him be, as long as cale is safe and not harmed inside the territory he can do as he pleases.
"Deruth treated Cale as a stranger." You, say. But it was really pertaining to Violan, Basen and Lily. They were awkward. Violan wasn't described as a violent stepmother nor the kids. The novel even showed subtly that they did care about Cale but was not straightforwardly acting on it since Cale might find it annoying. A stepmother and step siblings acting kind on him might make him feel like they're intruding and replacing his dead mother. So the best they can do was act like they didn't exist whenever Cale is around. Cale did so, too.
Before you spread hate on Deruth, you might want to read the entire novel multiple times to see the nuances between the lines. That same man you hate so much threatened the emperor for Cale even if it's against their family motto that he uphold so much. He knows that Cale was acting when everyone was fooled. He knows Cale more than you think. Most importantly, he cares for Cale. Wasn't he the one who scolded the soldeirs when they left all the heavy burden of being a hero to Cale. He gets angry, too. Especially if his family will be hurt. That Puzzle City War was the first time he showed visible anger for Cale's sake.
Deruth wasn't the White Star who embodied the real trash father for neglecting the Dragon Half-Blood (Eden).
What I am trying to say is, do not hate so much on deruth. As I said, "Do not take the humanity out of Deruth's character." He isn't perfect, but he did good, and he tried in his own way to be a father of a grieving child while he's grieving himself.
He wasn't a soft and mushy, affectionate father that would make you meals and hug you to sleep. Just like Cale. Who would often be misunderstood for his actions. In a way, they're similar both in keeping their family safe and showing care not verbally or through acts of affection but rather through service, a different kind of service, though. It's the type that,
"If you get hurt, I'll kill the guys who hurt you. If you need help, call me in, I'll land the first blow for you. If you need a home, I'll be right here waiting. So just do what you want and remember we're family."
Gives me flashbacks of Cale and the group. Raon, On, Hong, Lock, Choi Han and the whole Gang. Don't you think they love the same. Both Deruth and Cale. That's why I thought they did resemble each other, just like Hans and Choi Han said.
Now, I rest my case.
