CHAPTER 86: CHAPTER 86: JUST THE BEGINNING

Min-jae didn’t push him.

The carriage rocked slightly as they followed the winding road out of Abdel-shafi. Warm sunlight filtered through the curtains, making the rings on their hands glint.

Meical stroked small circles on the back of Min-jae’s hand. "When we reach home, I will make sure everything is ready. You will not lift a single heavy thing. You are still recovering."

Min-jae eyed him suspiciously. "Because of who’s fault?"

Meical pretended not to hear that question at all.

"I am serious.." he said calmly. "I will take care of everything."

Min-jae sank into the cushions, a little tired and a little embarrassed. "Fine. For now."

Meical nodded, pleased. "Good."

Min-jae looked out the window and relaxed his shoulders, thinking of Aldoria and the work that awaited him.

New people.

New responsibilities.

And a life with a husband he was... still figuring out.

Meical spoke softly. "Kaizar?"

"Yes?"

"I am glad you are wearing my ring."

Meical’s words had caught Min-jae off guard, now that Meical said he loved him, the man had become lovey dovey overnight.

He honestly didn’t know if it was a good thing or a bad thing.

Meical reached over and intertwined their fingers again. "I know I’m getting under your skin, so bear with me for a while. It’s been a while since we saw each other.."

Sebastian, from the front, cleared his throat. "My Lord, the road ahead is long. You may wish to rest."

Min-jae realized that was Sebastian’s polite way of saying, Please stop flirting directly behind me, I can hear everything.

Meical pressed closer anyway. "We will rest together."

Oh brother

The road stretched long before them, and the gentle rhythm of the carriage made Min-jae’s eyes grow heavy. Yet he stayed awake. He kept thinking of Aldoria and what awaited him there. He was returning with more than he left with. Not just in gifts or rings.

He was returning with plans.

Back home, he needed income. Real income. He was no longer a special advisor. He had no official duty that granted him a salary. And Aldoria’s nobility would chew him alive if he appeared helpless in front of Seraphine again.

Min-jae turned the small notebook on his lap. Inside were sketches and lists. Essential oils. Spices. Flower extracts. Distillation tools. Blending techniques. Prices in Abdel-shafi versus Aldoria.

He had gotten everything he could during their stay. Jahan had given him some rare ingredients, and Min-jae had bought the rest with his own money.

All of it neatly tucked away in the carriage.

The start of his perfume business, something that belonged purely to him.

"What are you planning?" Meical asked lightly.

Min-jae shut the notebook. "Planning not to starve."

-_-

Meical looked genuinely offended. "Since when would I let you starve?"

Min-jae ignored him. "I need something for myself. If I want to deal with Seraphine and protect us, I need money and influence. Perfume is easier than being in a room with Radomir again."

Meical smirked. "You would rather spend hours mixing fragrances than stand beside the king?"

-_-

"After what he did? I would rather jump off a cliff than go back to that man.." Min-jae muttered.

Meical laughed softly, though there was a bit of undertone in it. "I support this business wholeheartedly. Because if Radomir comes anywhere near you, I’ll kill him.."

-_-

They rode in silence for a while. Min-jae felt his shoulder grow warm where Meical leaned close. He tried not to think about how comfortable it felt.

Outside, the scenery slowly shifted from golden deserts to familiar grasslands. They were nearing Abdel-kareem.

"Kaizar.." Meical said softly.

Min-jae looked at him. "What."

"Your business. I want you to pursue it fully. Whatever you need, I will arrange."

"I can handle it myself."

"I know.." Meical replied, smiling. "I simply want to support you as your husband."

Min-jae looked away, pretending the scenery was more interesting than his husband’s earnest gaze.

"I mean.... you can if you want too.."

Meical smiled while nodding.

The hours passed. The sun sank lower. The clattering wheels softened. Min-jae eventually leaned back, exhausted from thinking too much and feeling too much.

Meical reached out. "Come here. Rest."

Min-jae glared at him. "I am resting."

Meical tapped his own shoulder. "You know what I mean."

Min-jae sighed, it would be a joke if he said he wasn’t tired, his body hurt, his ribs hurt, his ass hurt, but any touch could give Meical leeway, he didn’t want to fall into his trap

He exhaled slowly and rested his head against Meical’s shoulder.

He would take that risk.

Meical let out a satisfied little hum and wrapped an arm around him, holding him like something precious.

"This is nice.."

-_-

Min-jae didn’t want to bother with Meical and soon feel asleep.

Now Meical could relay his thoughts, he didn’t know how to tell Min-jae that he and Radomir had declared war and that he had set his eyes on the throne?

For him to be the king, he must win the entire kingdom over to his side.

He must get the people’s approval.

But for now, he had the approval of the people from the south, slowly his reach would get to the northern, eastern and western part of the kingdom.

It was only a matter of time.

Meanwhile, in Aldoria.

During Min-jae’s absence, Seraphine made sure his name became the center of every conversation. She told nobles that Kaizar abandoned his duties, sought pleasure without restraint, and ignored the responsibilities expected of him.

Veynar and Dorian eagerly joined in, exaggerating every detail. They claimed Kaizar was responsible for his sister’s death and portrayed him as a man with no morals, a man to be feared and shunned.

Courtiers exchanged uneasy glances, repeating the stories in hushed voices. "I heard he..." one began, but another interrupted, "It is said he has disgraced himself entirely. The capital already talks about him."

Servants whispered in kitchens and corridors, merchants spoke quietly in the market, and rumors spread faster than any official word could. By the time Min-jae would return, Aldoria had already judged him. His name carried suspicion, anger, and disdain.

Every hall, every street, every home seemed to echo the scandal. Nobles and commoners alike avoided mentioning his name aloud, yet no one could resist whispering the latest version of the tale.

The damage was done before he even crossed the city gates.

Seraphine watched the turmoil with a small, satisfied smile. The rumors took root, twisting the truth into a story of immorality, recklessness, and betrayal. Kaizar’s reputation, carefully built over years, laid in ruins, and there was no one in the city who could undo what had been said.

"This is merely the beginning Kaizar.."