#tcf ron

Cale truly thinks he's trash. He does a load of good for everyone, but in his mind it's all for himself (himself and his people).

That is why I love the few glimpses we get from other people's perspective on him - Rosalyn and Archie noting how he gets along with everyone regardless of race and creed; Choi Han mentioning that the face Cale makes while using his shield shows his true feelings; Ron continuously doting on that puppy master of his - all lovely.

But arguably the nicest and most honest thing we see of Cale is probably the most random thing, too. It's when he, the kids and Choi Han are about to go and pose as 'The Real Arm' with the bandits and Cale tells Choi Han that he just wants the Western Continent to be peaceful.

We only get this once. We never see be Cale this calm and this honest again, it's just this one time and it's arguably one of the most beautiful scenes - both for the characters and visually.

Maybe he reminisced about her as he trained Beacrox when he was younger, both because of his son's choice of weapon and the fire in his eyes.

Maybe he reminisced about her when he cooked a meal for Cale, one that he knew his wife had cooked for him and his son.

Maybe he reminisced about her while sharpening his knives, remembering how well she used to do it, even better than him, maybe. Or maybe it was just in her memories.

Maybe he reminisced about her while taking care of Cale, realising how much she did for their newborn son that he just realised.

He understands and it hurts because this is what he put them through.

Is this how his kids felt? Laying next to his still body waiting days for him to wake up? Replaying those last few moments, over and over again. Wondering, what ifs running through their heads.

Ron, changing his sheets and clothing as needed. Knowing he would wake up but that seed of doubt lingering in the back of his mind-

'what if he doesn't get better this time?'

Choi han and lock, running through their training drills over and over again because if they were strong enough- maybe Cale would be okay.

Cale replayed the battle in his head, over and over again.

He looks at Rosalyn's sleeping form laying in the medical bed, looking so weak and pale.. nothing like her brave, firey personality.

He looks to her left, alberu, his left side covered in bandages. He should be awake and smiling with that stupid fake smile and Jack had done the best he could and he said the crown prince would be fine but-

Cale was being illogical. They were both going to be okay.

He stayed in his seat, carefully watching the rise and fall of their chests.

Ron gently opened the door, stepping inside with refreshments. His steps were quiet and his face solem.

"Young master, your tea." He set the plate down on a nearby table, pouring out a cup.

He offers it to Cale, who takes it with no clear reaction. Cale takes a sip. It's sweet.

"...Thanks, Ron."

Ron stays with him for the rest of the afternoon.

You know...I had a sudden realization as I'm starting to re-read the novel so I can catch up to the second part (I'm getting really impatient and I just want to read more of their chaos).

Despite how easy he makes it seems, Cale's natural charisma is one of the reasons why a lot of people are quick to trust him.

Like imagine meeting all these distrustful characters (Molan father and son, Choi Han, the kids, Alberu, the dragons) and have them trust, follow, and care for you for the whole story? And he also handles them like it's a piece of cake? He's "scared" but he sometimes lets them get away with doing stuff like a tired old man. Like I know it's a thing that his friends and family are so done with him being a chaotic little shit who faints every few minutes but imagine being in his shoes and dealing with all these dangerous and equally chaotic little shits.

That's basically impossible. It's extremely hard to do the same thing he did. If it were another person, they won't even last a minute with them. They'll probably experience different kinds of trauma or death or worse.

And this guy is completely oblivious to it.

I mean, if you know his past as Kim Rok Soo, it makes a lot of sense but even then, I don't think he was in the right headspace to notice his charisma in his previous world. He's so in denial about himself even in this new world though and I honestly understand why some nobles were so scared of him. Sand Ailan was right. He's like a king.

At this point, I don't know who's babysitting who, especially if you remember the mess Choi Han and Mary did when he was away. Or when Rosalyn did something explosive. Or the kids. Or Ron. I guess it's because he's so extra in the way he does things that it kind of hides how crazy the rest of the characters are.

And I’m just loving how pampered Cale is by the others. He’s so cute!🥰

Cale is looking for a place to sit. Toonka approached him and after hearing Cale’s reason, he breaks a bolder for Cale to sit! Cale is baffled because now the bolder is too sharp to sit, Sui Khan/LSH appears and cuts the sharp bolder like is tofu and now is perfect for Cale to sit. Then, Beacrox places 3 handkerchiefs on the boulder for Cale to sit, Cale grumbles but sits anyway. Then, Ron places a warm blanket over Cales shoulders so he doesn’t get cold. Choi Han stands behind him like a guard knight and Raon is happily sharing his thoughts with Cale! I love how much they fuss over him! He’s so baby girl coded! Meanwhile the Martial Artists are all scared out of their minds because Cale had recently used the Dominating Aura on them! And are looking at Cale who’s sitting comfortably like they might die at any moment if they offend Cale in any way!!🤣