CHAPTER 92: CHAPTER 92: A GLUTTON (2)

"...You’re still ignoring me."

Min-jae didn’t blink, he just kept staring at the table as if the answer to all his problems was carved directly into it.

Meical watched him for a long moment, then leaned on one elbow, turning his body fully toward him.

"I wasn’t calling you a glutton.." he said, voice lowered, gentle. "I was teasing you. The same way you tease me, there wasn’t any bite to it, I swear..."

Nothing.

Not even a glance.

Meical reached out and touched the edge of Min-jae’s plate, spinning it slowly with one finger. "If I thought you ate too much, do you think I’d keep telling the cooks to make your favorite dishes? Hm?"

Still nothing.

But Min-jae’s ears went a little pink.

Meical noticed immediately and that gave him the confidence to lean closer.

"You know I like it when you enjoy your food.." he murmured. "Seeing you eat well makes me feel like I’m taking care of you properly."

That got a reaction, the slightest shift, Min-jae’s fingers curling a little tighter in his lap.

Meical’s voice softened even more. "But you shut down the second I joked about it. And now you’re hurting. And I don’t like that."

Meical moved his hand to cover Min-jae’s, brushing their fingers together. "Min-jae. Look at me."

Min-jae hesitated just a breath then lifted his eyes, guarded and unsure, like he didn’t know whether he should stay upset or not.

And whether to keep hiding the fact that he was never really angry but he liked seeing Meical squirm.

Meical’s expression melted instantly.

"There you are.." he whispered. "I thought I’d lost you to the table."

Min-jae’s lips twitched, almost a smile, but he caught it before it escaped and dropped his gaze again.

Meical squeezed his hand. "You’re upset because you think I called you a glutton."

Min-jae’s shoulders tightened.

"...You did." he murmured, barely audible.

"Yes and no.." Meical said, leaning closer until their foreheads almost touched. "I called you someone who enjoys good food. And that’s one of the things I adore about you. I tease you because it’s fun, not because I’m mocking you."

Min-jae blinked, still stubborn. "It didn’t sound like that."

"Then I’ll say it properly." Meical raised Min-jae’s hand to his lips, kissing the knuckles slowly, deliberately. "I love the way you eat. I love that you’re comfortable enough around me to enjoy things without pretending. And if my joke hurt you..."

His thumb brushed over the back of Min-jae’s hand.

"...I’m sorry. Truly."

-_-

How charming.

Min-jae’s shoulders relaxed, his gaze finally lifting fully to meet Meical’s.

"...You really weren’t calling me one?"

"No." Meical smiled. "And even if you ate three plates in front of me, I’d only think, ’Ah. He’s happy.’ "

That earned a quiet, tiny huff.

Barely a sound.

But it was enough for Meical.

Meical leaned back a little, still holding his hand. "So are you done being quiet? Or do I need to carry you out of this dining hall while you pretend you’re still mad?"

Min-jae finally, finally let the corner of his mouth lift.

"...Maybe a little longer."

Meical chuckled under his breath. "Then I’ll stay right here with you. Until you’re done sulking."

Min-jae leaned back in his chair, finally letting out a soft sigh. His hand still rested against Meical’s, but now the tension was gone. He glanced down at Punz, who was stretching luxuriously on his lap, tail flicking lazily.

"...We should go for a walk.." he said at last, voice low but firm, the kind that made Meical sit up a little straighter. "Around the estate. Let our food digest."

Meical raised a brow, already anticipating the next part.

"And..." Min-jae added, his tone softening as he looked at the plumpy Abyssinian cat "we should take Punz. Her food needs to digest too."

Punz’s ears twitched at the mention of her name, and she blinked up at him, clearly approving of the plan.

With a small chirrup, she wriggled out of his lap, landing lightly on the floor, tail swishing with purpose. She padded over to the nearest window, peering out as if already scouting the route.

Meical watched with a small smile. "You’re including her in the stroll? She’s not even a child."

"She’s family.." Min-jae said simply, standing and bending to scoop Punz up again. The cat purred loudly, rubbing her head against his chest. "And besides... she’s been cooped up too long. She deserves to stretch."

Punz wiggled a little in his arms, but she allowed him to carry her toward the door. She twitched her whiskers and gave a soft, satisfied mewl whenever her paws touched the ground.

Meical followed, pulling his jacket lightly over his shoulders, the quiet click of his boots against the polished floor echoing softly. "Fine.." he murmured, "but she better behave herself."

"Oh, she will.." Min-jae replied, setting Punz down by the front door.

Min-jae led the way down the wide stone path, the sunlight warm against his shoulders.

He glanced at Punz, who had already bounded off toward the hedges, nose to the ground, tail high in the air. She sniffed, leapt, and crouched like a hunter spotting prey, clearly enthralled with her own little world.

"She’s in her element.." Min-jae murmured, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

Meical walked beside him, silent at first, simply observing. Then, in a low, careful voice, he said, "She’ll be fine on her own. She knows these grounds better than we do."

Min-jae nodded, letting his gaze sweep over the gardens. The long walk gave him space to breathe without the constant presence of servants, obligations, or the weight of the recent chaos.

The soft chirping of birds and the gentle rustle of leaves made it almost peaceful.

"Thank you for letting me have a moment.." Min-jae said quietly, almost to himself. His eyes met Meical’s, who simply offered a small, understanding smile.

"I can’t complain, you’ve been having rough time..."

Alot had happened and alot was still happening.

Min-jae took a deep breath, it was always nice taking a stroll of the estate, last time they saw the fishes, today he wanted to explore a different place.