CHAPTER 102: CHAPTER 102: MY LITTLE GLUTTON

"They really are..." Min-jae trailed off, shaking his head slightly.

Meical gave a small, almost imperceptible shrug. "They’ve always been like that.." he said quietly, "and they always will be."

Min-jae exhaled again, this time a little more relaxed. "How did you manage to even..."

How did Meical stand his motherfuckers?!

"Years of practice.." Meical replied with a faint smile, not looking at him but ahead. "Ignore them, or let them be irrelevant. That’s the only way to survive people like that."

Min-jae let that sink in.

He might never be able to truly ignore them but at least he could protect Meical. That thought steadied him more than anything else.

Min-jae stayed quiet for a moment, letting the last remnants of annoyance drain out of his chest. The corridor ahead was thankfully empty.

Meical glanced at him, then asked gently,

"What would you like to eat? What are you feeling today?"

As if on instinct, Min-jae leaned in and stroked the back of Meical’s head, fingers brushing through his hair. The softness eased something tight inside him.

The irritation from this morning was gone, completely washed away by the chaos that was Meical’s family.

Now he felt only one thing.

Hunger.

A big, undeniable hunger.

"I want a big meal.." Min-jae muttered without shame. "A really big one. You don’t mind if I get fat, right?"

Meical’s hand immediately found his, warm and steady, holding it like it belonged there.

"I don’t mind.." he said softly. "You’re my little glutton. I won’t get tired of you."

He lifted Min-jae’s hand slightly, rubbing his thumb over the knuckles.

"And if you do get fat, we’ll work together to shed the weight. You just have to stay healthy, hm? I want you healthy for a long, long time."

Min-jae’s cheeks warmed, just slightly and he clicked his tongue.

"...Fine. That makes sense.."

Besides it’d be hard to get into some positions if he add more weight.

"Good.." Meical said, amused. "Then let’s go have a feast.."

They headed downstairs, the morning light spilling across the corridor, and the warm scent of breakfast drifting from the kitchens.

As they approached the dining hall, they saw Madam Greya standing beside two junior maids, quietly directing them as trays were covered and prepared to be carried upstairs.

Her hands were clasped neatly in front of her, posture firm, expression calm...exactly the way she always was.

Meical approached her.

"Madam Greya."

She turned immediately, bowing her head slightly. "Good morning, Master. I’ve arranged the meal for your guests.."

"That’s why I came.." Meical interrupted softly. "As you’re going up there, don’t allow them to place value on your worth. If any of them say something demeaning, anything at all, tell me immediately."

Greya blinked, then chuckled under her breath. "I understand what to do, don’t worry. I’ve met all kinds of people in my lifetime, Master. A few difficult ones won’t rattle me."

Min-jae nodded approvingly.

She really was unshakably reliable.

Greya excused herself and headed toward the stairs with the other staff, trays in hand.

The moment she disappeared, Min-jae and Meical stepped into the dining room.

The doors opened and the sight inside made Min-jae’s stomach rumble on instinct.

The table was already being filled.

Bowls of steaming soup, baskets of fresh rolls, roasted meats, fruit, pastries and the likes.

Dish after dish was being placed. The rest of the maids moved quietly but efficiently, arranging everything in a way that felt almost ceremonial.

It was obvious Madam Greya had understood exactly what Min-jae needed.

A big meal.

A comforting meal.

A "forget-my-in-laws-exist" meal.

"...She really does love me.." Min-jae whispered reverently.

Meical’s mouth twitched. "And she pities me. She knows I need the strength to survive living with you."

"Rude.." Min-jae muttered, already reaching for the closest plate.

Meical pulled out a chair for him, the faintest smile lingering on his lips.

Min-jae didn’t waste a second, he sat down and began eating with the kind of single-minded focus that only good food and terrible in-laws could inspire.

He’d barely taken his third bite when the dining room doors opened.

Odysseus stepped inside first, composed as always.

Behind him came Saar.

Min-jae’s chewing slowed.

Here was another character he had completely forgotten about.

His plan with Saar during the time of the ball, had failed woefully, he hasn’t seen Saar since then.

"Where have you been?" he demanded. "Your job was to protect me at the ball. I haven’t seen you since then. It’s been...what? Nearly a month?"

Saar knelt with one fist to the floor, the classic shadow-guard posture.

"My deepest apologies, Master. I failed in my assigned position. I had... matters to handle. And I have many things to report to you, if you would hear them."

Min-jae narrowed his eyes.

There it was.

That tone.

The "everything you’re about to hear will destroy your mood" tone.

He raised one finger.

"No."

Saar paused. "...Master?"

"No.." Min-jae repeated firmly. "Not right now. I know that face. Whatever you have to say will ruin my appetite."

He gestured at the glorious spread before him. "And I’m not letting anything ruin this meal. Not after this morning."

-_-

Saar scratched his head, a bit confused. What happened this morning.

Odysseus was generous to give him details of how Meical’s family had arrived and had caused problems for the pair.

"Would you like to try out the meat first or the soup with bread rolls?"

Min-jae wasn’t hearing what Meical was saying, he had already dug into the first thing that was in front of him.

Which was the casserole.

"It’s still hot, be careful..."

But Min-jae took another huge bite anyway regardless of Meical’s warning.

It was indeed hot and it burn his tongue a little bit.

But Min-jae didn’t show it, he continued with the same momentum he had begin with.

Gobbling down the casserole like there was no tomorrow.

He looked up to see Meical just staring at him, he thought whatever he did now wouldn’t phase Meical anymore.

"What? Why are you staring at me?"