CHAPTER 113: CHAPTER 113*

Min-jae kept stroking Meical’s hair, letting the silence settle around them until Meical’s breathing evened out.

When the tension in his shoulders finally loosened, Min-jae exhaled softly.

"Let’s leave the estate for a bit.." he murmured. "Just... somewhere quiet. Maybe a lake."

Meical blinked up at him slowly. "A lake?"

"Yeah..." Min-jae said. "Somewhere with air that isn’t suffocating and we can play in the water."

Being cooped up in the room wouldn’t solve much, but being outdoors and connecting with nature.

It was one of the best ways to unwind.

Meical kept, he didn’t really want to see anyone else apart from Kaizar right now.

But if he wanted to cheer him up, he would let him do so.

Meical spoke softly, "There’s one place... on the north side of the estate. Past the orchard and the old stone path."

Min-jae looked at him curiously. "You know it well?"

Meical nodded, his eyes dropping. "It’s quiet there. People don’t go often. It’s too inconvenient."

He paused, his voice barely above a whisper. "I used to go there when I wanted to be alone."

Min-jae’s expression softened. "Perfect. Then let’s go there."

Meical hesitated, searching Min-jae’s face. "You want to go with me?"

-_-

"Of course," Min-jae replied gently. "I suggested it, didn’t I?"

Meical nodded and sat up straight. "It’s peaceful there.." he whispered. "No servants, no noise. It’s just you and the water."

Min-jae smiled softly. "Good. Then that’s where we’re going."

He stood up and offered Meical his hand. Meical took it, gripping it tightly.

"Come on.." Min-jae said. "Lead the way."

They headed downstairs together, neither of them bothering to change out of their clothes. There was no need. They were not going anywhere formal. They just needed air.

Meical walked slightly ahead, still holding Min-jae’s hand as if letting go would make the moment collapse.

When they reached the carriages, Meical leaned toward the driver and gave the directions.

"North side of the estate. Past the orchard and the stone path. Take us to the lake."

The driver nodded and climbed onto the seat.

Min-jae stepped up into the carriage. His wooden slippers clacked softly against the steps. His hair had grown shaggy again, falling over his face in uneven strands, giving him a gentle, unpolished look that contrasted with Meical’s stiff posture.

Meical followed him inside. He sat close enough that their shoulders brushed. The carriage began moving, the wheels rolling over the gravel in a steady rhythm.

Meical let out a long breath. "It is only a short ride. We would have walked there.."

Min-jae tilted his head. "Then why did we not walk?"

Meical glanced at him. "I did not want you to walk. It’s dangerous for you to be seen and I don’t want anyone to look at you either. You’re for my eyes only.."

-_-

Min-jae smiled faintly. "You worry too much."

"I have every right to worry," Meical muttered.

Min-jae nudged him lightly. "I am fine. And I am excited now too. Since we’re going to a lake my whole mood came back."

Meical looked at him with disbelief. "Just a lake makes you that happy?"

"Yes.." Min-jae answered without hesitation. "Water is calming. And you said people rarely go there. That is exactly what we need."

And maybe they could mess around too.

The carriage slowed as it reached the end of the dirt road. They stepped out, and the forest path stood in front of them. Sunlight filtered between the leaves. The air smelled of earth and fresh grass.

They walked side by side, their hands brushing every few steps. The path curved gently, opening into a small clearing, and then the lake appeared.

Min-jae steps slowed, like he was awestruck.

The water was serene, clear with the sun glistening on its surface it seemed to sparkle.

The water moved gently when the wind came, then he realized Meical was right to covet this place.

It was beautiful.

"Meical," he said softly. "This is beautiful."

Meical watched him, not the lake. "You like it?"

Min-jae did not answer with words. He stepped forward, kicked off his wooden slippers, and walked toward the water with slow, curious steps.

The moment his foot met the cool surface, he let out a light breath, almost a laugh.

Energy sparked through him, subtle but undeniable. The kind of excitement that only came when he was touching something only nature could create.

Meical followed him to the edge and stood beside him, watching him with a mix of affection and disbelief.

"You look like you just found treasure.." Meical said quietly.

Min-jae smiled, the sunlight hitting his face. "I haven’t.."

He had only one treasure and he was at asking next to him.

"Want to go for a swim?" Min-jae asked, he moved to take off his shirt and pants and jumped into the lake.

He waited to check the temperature he would never get it.

Min-jae dove into the lake with a clean motion, the water parting around him. When he came back up, his hair slicked back and his eyes bright, he looked alive in a way Meical rarely saw. The sunlight reflected off the water and lit up his face, making him look almost unreal.

That was what stunned Meical.

Not the lake or the scenery. Just Min-jae being in his element.

Min-jae floated lazily for a moment before turning toward him. "The water is really good. Come in."

Meical did not move. He was still staring at him, trying to process how someone could look that radiant while doing something so simple.

Min-jae tilted his head. "Meical? Why are you standing there?"

Meical blinked slowly. "You look different."

"Different?" Min-jae laughed. "Is that supposed to be good or bad?"

Meical stepped into the water, one calm step at a time. "No. It’s good. Very good."

Min-jae watched him approach, and his teasing smile softened. Meical walked until the water reached his waist, then his chest, closing the distance between them.

"You hesitated," Min-jae said. "I thought you liked water."

"I do," Meical answered. "But you... you looked too beautiful for a moment. I forgot how to move."

-_-

A warm color rose on Min-jae’s cheeks even though the water hid most of it. He tried to look away but Meical reached out without thinking and touched his face.

"You should not say things like that so casually.." Min-jae murmured.

"I am not being casual.." Meical said. "I am being honest."

Min-jae’s lips curved slowly into a quiet smile. He drifted closer until they were only a breath apart.

"Then come here properly.." Min-jae whispered.

Meical did.

He moved close enough that their chests touched lightly, the water swaying around them. Min-jae lifted a hand and splashed him gently, breaking the tension.

-_-

Meical blinked. "Did you just throw water at me?"

"Yes.." Min-jae said with a laugh.

Meical blinked. "You just declared war."

Min-jae splashed again, this time bigger.

Meical retaliated immediately. Water flew everywhere in sharp arcs, and the lake echoed with their laughter. Min-jae tried to dodge, but Meical was faster.

He caught Min-jae around the waist and pulled him close enough that the splashing stopped.

"Do you surrender?" Meical asked.

"No.." Min-jae said.

Meical dunked him lightly under the water.

Min-jae came back up with a gasp. "That was unfair."

"You brought it upon yourself."

Min-jae wiped water off his face and drifted closer again. His breathing calmed, his voice softened.

"This was a good idea."

Meical looked at him. "It was necessary."

Min-jae shook his head. "No. This is nice. And I am glad I am here with you."

Meical’s fingers twitched as if he wanted to hold him but was still thinking about it. The water moved gently around them.

"Min-jae.." Meical said quietly. "You look happy."

"I am.." Min-jae replied. "The lake is beautiful."

Meical’s gaze lingered on him. "You are more beautiful."

Min-jae blinked, stunned for a moment.

Meical continued without breaking eye contact. "The lake only looks like this because you are in it."

Min-jae chuckled placing his arm around Meical. "We came here because of you. Are you feeling better, because I have something else in mind to do to you.."

Meical leaned closer, their nose touching. "Mhm. What’s that.."

Min-jae’s hand slid up the back of Meical’s neck, his fingers threading into damp hair. The playful curve of his mouth softened into something warmer. His voice dropped.

"This," he whispered.

Meical didn’t have time to breathe before Min-jae pulled him in and kissed him.

It wasn’t rushed.

It wasn’t desperate.

It was steady, intentional, the kind of kiss that made Meical feel like the whole lake stilled for them.