CHAPTER 49: CHAPTER 49: HE HAD TWO DISTINCTIVE WEAKNESSES

Kaizar was injured so he could no longer turn a blind eye to it.

"I’ll take care of this. I will send troops to the gates, towns and trade routes. I will also take over this investigation for you. You’re his special advisor, you have no business putting your life at risk for him. Even if he’s the king."

Min-jae leaned back, he really disliked the feeling of being hurt.

He just wasn’t feeling like himself.

"Come here.." Min-jae reached for Meical, who turned to face him as he held his face.

"Were you worried?"

"Of course I was. This is why, I got you a bodyguard.."

Min-jae sighed, he knew if he had Vanadis by his side, it would have been a different story but he had rushed in to save the woman despite knowing he’d be overpowered.

The cuts weren’t that bad, in a few days they’d heal but it was his fractured rib that was going to take a while.

He stared at Meical, he wouldn’t mind leaving the investigation to him but he also didn’t want him getting hurt.

"Now you listen up. Whatever findings you discover I want you to tell me. Don’t keep anything to yourself..." he had read the novel and manhwa, so he knew who was who.

Meical nodded as Min-jae yawned. Now that they had gotten the Bandit talk out of the way, Min-jae moved to a lighter topic.

"The ingredients I asked you to buy, did you get it?"

Meical nodded, before sighing, he just wasn’t able to get the apples.

"I got it all. Excerpt the apples. Traders said it was out of season."

Min-jae nodded, he guessed it’d be in season in about 2 to 3 months.

"And the artisan and the glassblower. Did you find him?"

Meical nodded, before frowning.

"Odysseus was able to bring him back. He’s in the maid quaters."

Min-jae’s brow lifted slightly.

"Good. Then where are Odysseus and Vanadis?"

Meical hesitated, his tone lowering into something heavier.

"Receiving punishment."

"Punishment?" Min-jae’s eyes narrowed. "For what?"

"For asking for your bodyguard.." Meical said, his words clipped, "and for letting you get hurt. His decision placed you in danger, and I will not tolerate it."

There was a moment of silence. The faint sound of crackling fire filled the air as Min-jae stared at him, expression unreadable.

Then he sighed, slow and deliberate.

"I was the one who agreed to it, Meical. So I’m not complaining, nor am I angry. Let it go."

"But..."

"Release him.." Min-jae cut in, his tone firm but calm. "And bring both Odysseus and Vanadis here."

Meical’s jaw tightened, but he nodded and left the room.

A few minutes later, the sound of boots echoed in the hall.

The door opened, and Odysseus entered, his usual confidence gone. His hair was disheveled, his eyes swollen red. He dropped to one knee the moment he stood before Min-jae.

"Madame, I’m so sorry. I never..I didn’t know this would happen. I swear I’d never have asked for Vanadis if I’d known you’d get hurt."

Min-jae looked at him for a long moment, then smiled faintly.

"It’s okay, Odysseus. I’m still alive, aren’t I? Instead of crying, keep your end of the deal. Show me that ’gift’ you promised."

Odysseus blinked, confused, then quickly wiped his eyes. "Ah....yes, of course."

He leaned in, whispering something into Min-jae’s ear.

For a few seconds, Min-jae just blinked.

Then—

"Oh.m" he said slowly.

Then again, this time softer, amused. "Ohhh."

A sly grin crept across his face.

Odysseus had told him that Meical, his ever-serious, unflinching husband had two distinct weaknesses.

First, that he despised bugs. Especially cockroaches. The mere sight of one could make him jump out of his seat.

Second, that he loved having his hair played with, it soothed him. Odysseus claimed that as a boy, Meical’s mother would run her fingers through his hair whenever he couldn’t sleep. It still worked on him to this day.

Min-jae leaned back, smile deepening.

"Interesting. Very interesting."

Min-jae dismissed them with a wave of his hand.

"You’ve both done enough for the day. Go get some rest."

Odysseus bowed quickly, relief written all over his face. Vanadis lingered a moment longer, looking like he wanted to speak, but he held his tongue and followed Odysseus out.

The door shut softly behind them, and silence filled the room.

Min-jae leaned back against the pillows, a small smile tugging at his lips.

"Let’s see if what Odysseus said is true.." he murmured.

He called softly, "Meical."

The man appeared almost immediately. "You should be lying down.." Meical said, his voice firm but worried. "If you move around too much..m"

"I’m not moving..." Min-jae interrupted lazily. "Just come here."

Meical sighed but obeyed, stepping closer to the bed. "What do you want now?"

"Sit."

Meical raised a brow, suspicious. "Why?"

Min-jae smirked. "Just sit."

He waited until Meical did, then said quietly, "A little lower."

Before Meical could protest, Min-jae’s hand rose and gently pressed the back of his head, guiding him down until Meical’s temple rested against his chest.

Meical froze. "What are you.."

"Relax.." Min-jae murmured. "It’s just a little head massage."

His fingers slid through Meical’s hair, tracing slowly, soothing circles over his scalp. The movement was rhythmic, almost lulling.

Meical exhaled through his nose, the tension in his shoulders slowly melting away.

"You always do things like this when I’m mad at you..." he muttered.

"Then it’s working.." Min-jae said, lips curving faintly.

Meical’s breath steadied, his arms finding their way around Min-jae, careful not to press against his ribs.

"I don’t want you putting yourself in danger. You have to wait for backup Kaizar..."

"And let them kill her?"

"She was one woman. There were twelve of them."

Min-jae kept stroking Meical’s hair, his silvery locks was silky and soft.

"I know my limit. Perhaps if I had a better weapon. It’s not easy fighting with just a knife.."

The room grew still again. The lamp burned low, shadows breathing softly against the walls.

Meical’s breathing slowed until it settled into a steady rhythm.

He mumbled something incoherent but Min-jae caught only the word reckless and then it went quiet.