CHAPTER 85: CHAPTER 85: I’LL KEEP COMING BACK

"You’re so damn annoying.." Min-jae grumbled.

"And you’re adorable when you’re mad."

Min-jae made another outraged noise but he didn’t pull his hand away.

Two days of rest, pampering, and Min-jae bossing Meical around like a vindictive little emperor... it was finally time to leave.

The courtyard hummed with activity as their carriage was prepared. Sunlight glinted off polished wood and gold trim, and Min-jae adjusted his cloak, still moving a little stiffly.

A tall man approached with crisp posture, black uniform, silver embroidery at the cuffs.

His presence alone carried weight, Min-jae could tell he wasn’t an ordinary person.

"Kaizar.." Meical said, placing a steadying hand on his lower back. "This is Sebastian. My right hand."

Sebastian bowed his head, expression composed. "It is an honor to finally meet you, sir. My lord has spoken... extensively."

Min-jae glanced sharply at Meical. "Extensively?"

Meical just smirked, this damn traitor.

Sebastian’s lips twitched, very subtly like a man accustomed to witnessing Meical’s nonsense daily and suffering in dignified silence.

"If there is anything you require during the journey.." Sebastian said, "you have only to ask."

Before Min-jae could answer, Jahan appeared with his usual warm, princely smile. "There you are. I was hoping to catch you before departure."

Min-jae bowed politely. "Thank you for everything, Jahan. Your hospitality was too generous. I truly appreciate—"

-_-

Jahan lifted a hand, stopping Min-jae "We’re friends Vahid. I was merely welcoming into my home and I always give my best.."

He clapped his hands as servants began appearing with gifts.

Box after box. Chests of spices, silk bundles, rare oils, items both luxurious and excessive. A whole parade.

Min-jae stared at the mountain forming behind him. "Jahan... what’s all this?"

"A token of farewell.." Jahan said simply. "And remember, refusing a gift in Abdel-shafi is rude."

Min-jae said helplessly, "But this is an entire treasury!"

Meical sighed and turned to Sebastian. "Initiate emergency logistics."

"Yes, Master."

Sebastian immediately began sorting what could fit in the carriage and organizing the rest for later delivery.

One servant approached with a velvet box. Inside lay a pair of elegant ceremonial rings.

Jahan smiled. "A blessing. For the two of you."

-_-

Min-jae lips twitched accepting rings from Jahan felt a bit much.

But Meical urged him to accept it as Min-jae shakingly retrieved it from the servant. "Thank you, truly Vahan.."

Vahan smiled, he had enjoyed Min-jae company and hoped for his next visit.

"Maybe next time I will also pay a visit. Then you can show me the beauty of Aldoria.."

Min-jae nodded, even though he didn’t know much about Aldoria itself.

Maybe that’s what he’ll do next, find out more about Aldoria and it’s people.

"I’ll write when we reach home."

"I’ll look forward to it." Jahan replied. Then he pointed at Meical. "And you, take better care of your spouse, I will not let you into the castle if Kaizar comes crying because of you.."

-_-

Min-jae lips twitched, he was sure he didn’t cry.

Meical nodded "I will take better care of him this time.."

Meical opened the carriage door and helped Min-jae inside. Sebastian climbed to the driver’s seat, gave one sharp command, and the horses began moving.

As the palace faded in the distance, Min-jae leaned back with a sigh. "I still can’t believe he gave us all that."

Meical intertwined their fingers. "It’s in their nature, to see their visitors off with gifts. We should copy that, but I doubt we’re as wealthy as the Abdel-shafian family."

Min-jae stared at the ring box, then he realized something, Jahan only gave them a ring because they were not wearing one.

It wasn’t as though he didn’t have a ring, but that ring was prepared for Seraphine in mind so it didn’t fit, even if it did there was no way he’d wear another woman’s ring.

"Do you like it? I asked Jahan to make it. We’re married so we should have our rings. There’s no reason for you to wear a ring meant for Seraphine, I figured you must have thrown it away.."

-_-

Well he didn’t guess wrong.

"So these are for us?"

The rings were similar, there was no huge stones in them, but Min-jae had a more intricate and softer design.

Meical picked the ring and slipped it into his finger. "Yes, this is for you.."

Min-jae eyes widened, he was surprised, Meical had caught him off guard this time.

He wasn’t expecting this to be the trick up Meical’s sleeves.

He didn’t even know what to say.

The ring was beautiful and it fit perfectly.

Meical watched his expression closely. "Do you not like it?"

Min-jae blinked slowly, still staring at the ring. "I... like it. It is just unexpected."

Meical’s lips curved in a soft smile. "Good. I wanted it to be."

He lifted Min-jae’s hand and brushed a kiss over his knuckles. The gesture was gentle, almost reverent, and Min-jae felt his face warm slightly. After that chaotic, exhausting night, he had not expected tenderness.

Meical then took the second ring from the velvet box and held it between his fingers. "Kaizar, will you put mine on?"

Min-jae hesitated for a moment. He glanced at the ring, then at Meical’s open hand. A small sigh escaped him as if he had to accept that this man would keep surprising him forever.

"Give it to me.." Min-jae murmured.

He took Meical’s hand and slid the ring onto his finger. It fit perfectly. Meical looked impossibly pleased, like a man who had finally claimed something precious.

"There.." Min-jae said. "Now we match."

Meical leaned closer. "We do."

-_-

What was this atmosphere?!

Min-jae felt his heart was going to burst out from his chest with how fast it was beating.

"Sit properly. You are crowding me."

Meical chuckled. "I just want to look at you a little longer."

"You already saw enough last night.." Min-jae muttered.

Meical’s smile grew wide, smug and wicked. "I did. Every angle."

Min-jae groaned. "Stop talking."

Meical rested his chin lightly on Min-jae’s shoulder. "You can push me away if you want. But I’ll just keep coming back.."