CHAPTER 42: CHAPTER 42: YOU TOOK YOUR TIME.

Meical gave him a flat look. "I’ll have someone else take care of it."

Min-jae leaned back slightly, eyes glinting. "No, no, no. I said you."

"Kaizar.." Meical sighed, already feeling the headache coming. "You have an entire household staff.."

Min-jae reached out, his fingers sliding up to stroke Meical’s chin, tilting his face slightly toward him. "And yet, none of them are you."

Meical’s breath hitched just a little, too subtle for anyone else to notice, but Min-jae caught it. He smiled, slow and victorious.

Then came the second move. He stood, stepping behind Meical, and wrapped his arms around his waist, the gesture light, almost lazy, but his body pressed close enough to feel the warmth of his back.

His voice softened to a whisper as he leaned in, his lips just brushing the edge of Meical’s ear. "Please, Meical... for me?"

That broke him.

The tension in Meical’s shoulders faltered; his jaw flexed like a man caught between reason and ruin. "You’re aware this is manipulation.." he muttered.

Min-jae smiled against his skin. "And you’re aware it always works."

He tightened his arms slightly, chin resting against Meical’s shoulder, the faint scent of his perfume lingering between them.

Meical exhaled slowly. "You’re trouble."

"And you.." Min-jae murmured "like trouble."

That earned him silence, then, finally, he surrendered.

"Fine.." Meical said at last, the word low and resigned. "I’ll go myself."

"Good boy.." Min-jae whispered, his smile audible in his tone.

Min-jae adjusted the collar of his coat, the soft white fabric catching faint morning light.

His hair was neatly tied, a few loose strands falling over his temple. The blue of his coat contrasted gently against his pale skin, understated yet elegant.

He stepped into the grand hall, where Odysseus and Vanadis were already waiting.

Vanadis, standing tall beside the staircase, bowed slightly.

"The carriage is ready, my lord. I will accompany you."

Min-jae slipped on his gloves, eyes glinting faintly.

"You will not."

Vanadis lifted his gaze. "My lord?"

"You are not coming with me today.." Min-jae said quietly. "Odysseus has borrowed you until noon."

Vanadis’s expression hardened. "Borrowed me?"

Odysseus, who had been idly toying with his gloves, let out a low chuckle.

"Borrow is such an unflattering word.." he said. "I merely requested his help for a short while."

"My duty is to guard you.." Vanadis said, his voice cool.

"And you will continue doing so.." Min-jae replied, tone calm but final. "By obeying my orders."

Odysseus smiled, the corners of his mouth curving with quiet amusement.

"You hear that? The Madame’s command."

Vanadis’s frown deepened. "I don’t take commands from jesters."

"Ah.." Odysseus murmured, "but this jester has the Madame’s blessing."

Min-jae brushed past them, the sound of his heels echoing across the marble floor. "Enough. Odysseus, have him back before noon. And if he returns with so much as a scratch..."

He turned, eyes cold as glass. "...I will make you regret being born."

Odysseus bowed gracefully, one hand over his heart, his tone dripping with mock reverence.

"A fate worse than death, Madame. I will treat him as delicately as crystal."

"See that you do.." Min-jae replied. He paused briefly, gaze softening as he looked at Vanadis. "Behave. And try not to kill him."

Without another word, he turned toward the waiting carriage. The door shut softly behind him.

Odysseus watched it roll away, his expression unreadable.

Vanadis stood beside him, still rigid, hands clenched at his sides.

"You heard him.." Odysseus said lightly, tilting his head. "Until noon, you belong to me."

Vanadis glared at him in silence.

Odysseus laughed quietly, the sound lingering in the air like perfume. "Ah, this will be fun."

The carriage rattled steadily along the stone road, its wheels humming like a tired lullaby.

Through the window, sunlight spilled across the endless sprawl of the capital, white spires, red rooftops, and the faint shimmer of the royal banners waving in the distance.

Min-jae sat back, his gloved fingers resting lightly on his knee. His reflection on the glass was pale, composed, and quietly calculating.

Every turn of the wheels brought him closer to the one place he would rather avoid.

The castle.

Kaizar had walked those halls a thousand times before. Each visit left the same aftertaste, sweet words, sharp smiles, and promises that meant nothing.

Radomir always had a way of making even sincerity sound like deceit.

Min-jae adjusted the cuffs of his coat, crisp white trimmed with muted blue. His hair, carefully brushed back, caught the light as he tilted his head. He looked every bit the king’s advisor...graceful, immaculate, and untouchable.

But beneath the polish, his thoughts were restless.

Why now? What did Radomir want this time?

He remembered the letter’s tone. It was never good when Radomir didn’t bother with flattery.

Outside, the gates loomed closer. Guards bowed as the royal seal came into view. The carriage slowed to a halt, the sound of hooves fading into silence.

The door opened, and a cool gust of wind swept in.

"Lord Kaizar.." the attendant said with a practiced bow. "His Majesty awaits you in the west courtyard."

Of course he did. The man always loved his dramatics.

Min-jae stepped down, his boots meeting the polished marble path. The scent of blooming lilies clung to the air, too sweet, too carefully placed. The castle’s beauty had always been its best disguise.

As he walked, he caught the distant murmur of courtiers whispering his name.

The traitor’s advisor.

The king’s favorite.

The serpent of the court.

They never quite decided which he was.

Min-jae smiled faintly. Let them wonder.

If Radomir wanted to play a game, he would play it better.

At the end of the courtyard, under the shade of a towering elm, stood the king.

Radomir looked as radiant and dangerous as ever, his golden hair catching the sun, eyes gleaming with something between amusement and exhaustion. He wore white today, as if mocking him.

"Kaizar.." Radomir said softly, voice carrying over the garden. "You took your time."