In the beginning of the story, it is expected by everyone, including Cale, that he would be the next count and successor to Count Deruth.

However, over the course of the story, he grows to respect and idolize his older step-brother, to the point of working hard to become a competent advisor to Cale when he inherits the Henituse territory - unbeknownst to Cale, who still believes that Bassen will be the next count.

Bassen is not the blood-related sibling to Cale (Count Deruth is not his biological father). He is in reality Cale's step-brother (unlike Lilly who is their blood-related half-sibling).