CHAPTER 50: CHAPTER 50: IF IT’S TOO MUCH I CAN STOP

It was strange, how someone could fall asleep so easily after worrying so much.

His gaze drifted toward the window, where the faint outline of the forest could still be seen in the night.

The image of the warehouse wouldn’t leave him, the smell of blood, the sight of bodies, the woman crying in his arms.

Two hundred people slaughtered, and now, a ball in four days.

He still had to prepare the perfume sample for the noblewoman he intended to sponsor and Syris as well, he needed her to win Radomir’s favour as soon as possible.

His gaze shifted to the candlelight dancing against the wall.

He could still move fine despite the cuts, but for his ribs, he’d have to be careful.

He let out a long sigh, brushing a loose strand of hair from Meical’s forehead.

"Guess I’ll have to make do until this heals."

And with that, Min-jae finally closed his eyes, the sound of Meical’s steady breathing the only thing keeping his thoughts from spiraling again.

The morning light seeped through the half-drawn curtains, pale and cool against the polished floor.

Min-jae woke to the faint clatter of dishes and the low murmur of voices. His breakfast had been prepared; porridge, bread, and tea still steaming faintly.

The physician was already in the room, his sleeves rolled up as he adjusted the bandages around Min-jae’s ribs. Meical stood beside him, arms folded, listening intently to every word.

"The wounds on his side are shallow.." the physician said, his voice low and precise. "But the fractured rib will take time. His body must remain still for at least a few days. No heavy strain and no baths."

Meical’s brows drew together. "No baths?"

The physician nodded. "Yes. Only a cloth cleaning, twice a day. Wipe gently with lukewarm water so the bandages do not soak through. Do you understand?"

"I understand..." Meical replied, his tone careful.

Min-jae only listened, too lazy to interject.

After the physician finished re-bandaging his side, Meical helped him sit up, guiding the cup of tea to his lips. The warmth helped ease the lingering chill in his body.

When he was done, the physician packed his things and turned toward the door. "He’ll need rest. I’ll return this evening."

Meical nodded once. "Thank you."

The physician and maid left together, the door closing with a quiet click. Silence followed, a silence so deep Min-jae could hear the faint crackle of the fireplace.

Meical had drawn the water himself, steam still curling faintly from the basin as he carried it from the adjoining bath chamber.

The scent of crushed herbs mint and a hint of chamomile rose with the heat. He set it down beside the bed, testing the temperature with his wrist before wringing out a clean cloth.

"The physician said you can’t bathe fully yet.." he said matter-of-factly, squeezing the excess water away. "So this will have to do. I’ll wipe you down instead."

Min-jae blinked, a little confused from the medicine, a little too aware of how quiet the room had become.

"...You’ll what?"

Meical looked at him, expression unreadable. "You can’t twist your side, or your ribs will strain again. So take your clothes off. I’ll handle it."

Min-jae froze. "You....what kind of suggestion is that?"

"It’s not a suggestion.." Meical replied smoothly, already rolling up his sleeves. "It’s a physician’s order."

Min-jae stared, unsure whether to be mortified or amused. "You could at least send a maid.."

-_-

"She was sent away," Meical cut in, voice calm but firm. "It’s my job to take care of you. I am the only one allowed to see your body.."

-_-

The silence that followed was awkward, thick with something neither of them named.

Min-jae rubbed the back of his neck, feeling the heat crawl up. "You’re serious."

"Entirely."

He exhaled through his nose, muttering under his breath, "Why does everything have to be so damn embarrassing with you..." before tugging at the edge of his shirt, clearly debating his life choices.

"I’ll turn around..." he offered, turning his back toward the bed. "Tell me when you’re ready."

The soft sound of fabric rustling filled the room.

"I’m ready and don’t stare too much.."

Min-jae blushed, being stark naked in front of Meical when they weren’t being intimate was the most embarrassing thing he had done in his life.

Meical’s hands were efficient at first, the cloth gliding over Min-jae’s shoulders and chest with a practiced ease.

The water was warm, soothing, and Min-jae had almost managed to convince himself that this was just a necessary, clinical act.

But then something shifted.

The pressure of the cloth lightened, Meical’s movements slowing as he circled Min-jae’s nipples with a teasing drag of the fabric. Min-jae stiffened, his breath catching in his throat. He couldn’t see Meical’s expression, but the air between them felt charged, heavy with something unspoken.

"I missed a spot.." Meical murmured, his voice low and deliberate as he moved lower, the cloth trailing down Min-jae’s abdomen. His touch lingered, brushing against the sensitive skin just above his cock.

Min-jae’s fists clenched at his sides, his face burning as he tried to keep his composure.

This wasn’t just cleaning anymore, it was something else entirely.

When Meical’s hand dipped lower still, circling the base of his cock with the damp cloth, Min-jae couldn’t hold back a sharp inhale. "Meical..." he started, his voice strained.

"Hm?" Meical replied innocently, though there was no mistaking the mischief in his tone. "The physician said everywhere needs to be cleaned. Even here." His fingers brushed Min-jae’s length, the touch far too deliberate to be accidental.

Min-jae’s heart hammered in his chest. This man is going to be the death of me, he thought, his body betraying him as heat pooled low in his stomach.

He wanted to protest, to tell Meical to stop, but the words caught in his throat. Instead, he let out a shaky breath, his hips twitching involuntarily.

Meical’s hand stilled, and for a moment, Min-jae thought he might pull away. But then he felt the cool press of the cloth against his hole, Meical’s fingers tracing the rim with a slow, maddening precision. "Do you have any idea what you’re doing!" Min-jae finally managed, his voice rough with a mix of embarrassment and desire.

Meical paused, tilting his head as if considering the question. "I’m just following orders.." he replied lightly, though the glint in his eyes betrayed his teasing. "But if it’s too much, I can stop."