CHAPTER 78: CHAPTER 78: JAHAN LITTLE GIFT

Straightening his robes, he began his way down the spiral stairs, his steps light. His attendants bowed as he passed, but he hardly noticed. There was a certain anticipation humming in his chest, the sort that only came when a familiar name returned after too much silence.

By the time he reached the receiving hall, musicians had already begun to play softly, and servants lined the marble floor with trays of fruit and honeyed pastries.

Jahan glanced toward the entrance, his smile deepening. "Let’s not make him stand outside.." he said, voice carrying that effortless gentleness that made even orders sound like invitations. "Open the doors. Let my friend in."

The guards bowed and moved. Beyond them, the afternoon light spilled into the hall and with it, the man Jahan had not expected to see again so soon.

"Welcome, brother!"

Jahan’s voice echoed across the courtyard. He came down the steps grinning, all warmth and noise, and pulled Min-jae into a quick hug.

"You didn’t send word you were coming.." he said, laughing. "If I’d known, I would’ve sent horses to meet you. You made Abdel-shafi panic for nothing."

Min-jae chuckled. "I didn’t think it’d be such a big deal. I just wanted to drop by quietly."

"Quietly?" Jahan raised a brow. "There’s nothing quiet about my city, and definitely not about my household." He waved for the servants. "Bring tea, sweets..everything. The best we’ve got."

As they walked through the long corridors, Jahan kept talking, pointing things out like he couldn’t help himself. The courtyard fountain where he used to play, the balconies where musicians still played at night, the scent of lilies that somehow grew in all that heat.

"That tower over there.." Jahan said, nodding toward the far wall, "my father still calls it his favorite spot. Says the world makes sense from up there."

Min-jae smiled. "I’d like to see if that’s true. The world rarely makes sense from anywhere else."

Jahan laughed. "Then you’ll get along with him perfectly."

They reached a room lined with cushions and low tables. Jahan poured the tea himself before anyone could step in.

"To your first day in Abdel-shafimm" he said, raising his cup. "You’re not getting out of here quickly, you know.."

Min-jae took a sip, savoring the sweetness. "With how you welcome your guests, I might just stay."

Jahan grinned. "Tomorrow, I’ll take you through the bazaar. You’ll see the best food, the worst haggling, and probably three people trying to sell you the same rug."

"Sounds like nice.." Min-jae said, laughing.

"You’ll fit right in." Jahan leaned back, looking pleased. "You’ll see, Abdel-shafi grows on you. She’s stubborn like that."

Jahan walked beside him through the grand hallway, chatting easily as they passed towering windows and painted ceilings. The prince had insisted on showing him to his quarters himself, brushing off every servant who tried to help.

"You’ll like this wing.." Jahan said, hands clasped behind his back. "It’s quieter than the main hall, and you get a view of the gardens. My father designed this part himself, he said every guest should see Abdel-shafi at its best."

Min-jae smiled faintly, still taking in the polished marble floors, the sunlight spilling through glass like liquid gold. "I’d say he succeeded. I didn’t think a place could be this... calm."

Jahan laughed. "You’ve been in Aldoria too long. Here, people prefer peace to power." He stopped before a pair of carved doors and pushed them open with a grin. "Here it is. I had them prepare it as soon as I heard your name."

The room inside was vast, but warm rather than cold. Gold-thread curtains, a fire already lit, the faint smell of herbs. His belongings had somehow arrived ahead of him, arranged neatly beside a set of fresh clothes folded on a chair.

Min-jae turned back to Jahan. "You’ve gone through too much trouble."

"Trouble?" Jahan waved a hand.

"Nonsense. You’re a guest, and a friend. If my father hears I greeted you with anything less than hospitality, I’ll never hear the end of it."

That made Min-jae chuckle, a sound that came easier around Jahan than most. "You haven’t changed."

"Haha." Jahan laughed, while shaking his head.

"But you have. You’re so much nicer to me now."

He gave a small nod toward the bath chamber. "Wash up. Rest. Dinner will be in a few hours, I’ll send for you then."

When he left, the room felt strangely still.

Min-jae stood there a moment longer, then finally let himself breathe. He shed his travel-worn clothes, slipped into the steaming bath, and let the quiet swallow him whole.

By the time he stepped out, clean and dressed in the soft silks they’d laid out, the exhaustion hit all at once. He fell into bed, the scent of lavender thick in the air.

He didn’t fight sleep this time. For the first time since he left Aldoria, he felt safe.

Hours later, Min-jae woke to the feel of hands on him, everywhere, and not the polite kind he was used to. He bolted upright, eyes wide. "W-wait! I’m married!"

The hands froze for a moment, and then a chorus of soft chuckles rose from six figures surrounding him. Three women in flowing robes, veils partially lifted, grinning like mischief incarnate.

Three men, chest bare except for flimsy cloths around their waists, muscles gleaming in the noon sun that streamed through the open windows.

He flailed, trying to scramble back, but the hands were firm. "What... what is this?" he stammered, his chest tight as his mind raced.

One of the women leaned closer, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "Relax, sir. We are... gifts from the prince himself."

Min-jae froze. "Gifts? Gifts? I—I don’t understand..."

A man behind him gave a little hum of amusement. "Yes, sir. The prince requested we attend to your... well-being. To ease tension. Refresh your body. Awaken your senses, perhaps."

Min-jae’s mouth went dry, and his brain short-circuited. "E-awaken... senses?"

Another woman giggled and lifted the tray of fruit she’d been carrying. "And some refreshments, sir. The finest fruits from the southern orchards. He said you must not go hungry while we... tend to you."

He tried to move, but another hand slid across his chest, pressing a little too firmly. Min-jae froze, his eyes snapping to hers. "S-sir... ladies... stop! I’m—married!"

The woman smirked, leaning in just enough that the scent of jasmine wafted around him. "Married or not, sir, one cannot ignore the prince’s wishes. He requested we take care of your body, sir."

Min-jae’s face burned crimson. He glanced at the men, andnhe couldn’t help but noticed the way their hands roamed, the casual, confident touches, their gazes steady and mischievous.

He blinked

Then blinked again.

Surely, this was a dream? Or some kind of scandalous punishment for something he didn’t remember doing?

He tried to protest again. "I—I can’t... I—this isn’t... appropriate!"

"Oh, it is entirely appropriate, sir.." the woman said, her fingers brushing a little too liberally across his chest again. "The prince desires it. You are to be treated, pampered. Consider it... a gift. From him."

Min-jae gulped, mind spinning. He could feel the firm presses of the hands on his shoulders, his arms, and yes, even lower than he wanted to admit. He stumbled back slightly, clutching his robe, trying to cover himself, but every step seemed only to invite more brazen touches.

"Sir, do try the figs.." one of the women said, tilting the tray closer. "They are very... sweet. And perfect for... relaxing tense muscles."

Min-jae choked on a breath. This was insane. He was literally surrounded, being fondled, and fed fruit at the same time.

And he—he could only think of Meical. Of course he was married, yes, loyal, utterly loyal, only had eyes for Meical... but the hands, the bodies, the utter boldness of it all... it made him blush and squirm.

The men, meanwhile, weren’t helping. One pressed a shoulder firmly against his back. Another gave a quick, teasing slap to his side. "You carry yourself well, sir.." he said with a smirk. "Strong. Fit. Truly a prize for the prince’s eyes."

Min-jae’s brain stuttered. A prize? Oh gods. This was... ridiculous.

Scandalous.

Entirely confusing. What kind of massage was this?!

"Enough!" he shouted, finally pushing himself upright as firmly as he dared. "I—I am... married! And loyal!"

The hands paused. The women tilted their heads, amused. The men raised their brows, impish smiles still on their faces.

"Loyal?" one of the women said, voice low and teasing. "All the more reason to enjoy this little gift, sir. The prince said... it is an honor."