CHAPTER 41: CHAPTER 41: COMPLETELY TAMED

She turned back, confused but smiling. "Yes, Madam?"

He studied her for a moment. Her voice was light, her movements unguarded, she had the kind of bright presence that made the heavy air of the manor feel less stifling.

Something about her energy just worked.

"I’ve decided.." Min-jae said simply. "You’ll be my personal attendant from today."

The room froze.

Serin’s mouth fell open. "P-pardon?"

Meical’s head snapped toward him. "What did you just say?"

Min-jae met his stare, unbothered. "You heard me." Then to Serin, he added, "You’ll attend to me directly. I prefer people with spirit. You’re lively ..I like that."

Serin stood rooted in place, wide-eyed. "My lord, I— I don’t think I.."

-_-

"You absolutely cannot have a woman as your personal attendant. I will not allow it.."

-_-

Min-jae crossed his hands. "Is that so?"

Meical nodded "It is improper to take a female attendant."

-_-

Min-jae lips twitched and then he smiled. "Keep talking, but if you say one more thing that offends me, you’re sleeping outside tonight.."

Meical immediately kept quiet, they just made up, he glared at Serin before sighing.

"Just go call him.."

Serin bowed "Yes, my Lord.." as she closed the door. Few seconds later the sound of footsteps preceded a sharp knock.

"Enter.." Meical said.

The butler stepped in, a tall, broad-shouldered, and irritatingly good-looking man.

His dark uniform was spotless, his hair neat, and his expression somewhere between solemn and smug.

Min-jae stared. This was his butler?!!

He turned toward Meical, his voice low. "You have a walking sculpture for a servant and you’re worried about me hiring Serin?"

Odysseus blinked, then smiled faintly. "My looks are part of my salary, Madame."

Min-jae sighed. "And the sarcasm?"

"Free of charge. It keeps the master entertained.."

Meical ignored both of them. "Odysseus, I need you to locate the best artisan in the capital and a skilled glassblower. They’re to arrive here before noon. Spare no effort."

Odysseus bowed slightly, his usual smirk flickering into something disciplined. "Understood, my Lord. I’ll send word immediately.."

Odysseus replied with a crisp nod.

Then, as though remembering something, he reached into his coat and pulled out an envelope sealed in crimson wax. "Also, this arrived just now. A royal courier brought it addressed to you, Madame."

Min-jae took it, his fingers pausing for a moment over the seal. The moment he saw the emblem, his stomach sank.

He broke it open, eyes scanning the neat handwriting within.

The message was short. But nothing about it’s contents was exciting.

His expression darkened, lips pressing into a thin line.

Meical noticed. "What is it?"

Min-jae folded the letter carefully, slipping it into his sleeve. "The King wants me at the castle. Right now."

Odysseus tilted his head, ever curious. "Trouble, Madame?"

Min-jae exhaled through his nose, his tone flat. "It’s Radomir. It’s always trouble."

Odyses smiled, Radomir was a charming but foolish man, going after someone like Kaizar.

This man was like sugar, too much and you’ll die from it.

"I shall take my leave and attend to my duties. Madame if you don’t mind, could I take your bodyguard Vanadis along with me?"

Min-jae raised a brow, what could he possibly want with Vanadis.

"And why should I let you borrow my precious pet? And to a quirky bastard like you.."

Odysseus laughed, the madame was something else.

"Pardon my manners. I had to let it out. Madame, how about a trade? You give me Vanadis until noon and I’ll give you a gift in return, I can assure you, you will love it.."

Min-jae stroked his chin, his eyes narrowing in mock consideration. If it was coming from Odysseus, it probably wasn’t anything ordinary. The man might be a menace, but he never failed to deliver.

"Very well.." Min-jae said finally, tilting his head. "I shall lend you Vanadis. But if your ’gift’ isn’t worth it..." His lips curved into a slow, dangerous smile. "Then you work for me."

For a fleeting second, Odysseus looked surprised then he laughed. "Oh, that’s hardly a punishment, Madame. You’d be an entertaining master."

"Wrong.." Min-jae said, voice smooth. "I’d be a demanding one."

Odysseus grinned wider, bowing low with a hand over his heart. "Then I accept your terms, Madame. I’ll return with your gift before noon."

He turned to leave, his laughter echoing faintly as he exited the room.

The silence that followed was thick until Meical spoke, rubbing his temple. "You shouldn’t encourage him."

Min-jae smirked. "Encourage him? I’m simply letting him dig his own grave. Entertainingly."

-_-

"What am I to do with you.." Meical said, shaking his head.

Still, he frowned again, after his conversation with Radomir yesterday, he wasn’t surprised that Kaizar was called.

"Don’t tell him touch you or get close. And don’t give way to his advances.."

-_-

What did he take him for.

"I never said I was going to see him did I? But I will be going to the castle.."

He needed to check on Syris, and give her some tips on how to further her relationship with Radomir.

Should invite her over for tea. He thought to himself.

"I hope she’s not a doormat. If she can’t grab that foolish man by his thick skull and fast too. Then they’re were both useless.."

Glancing at the perfume, he also needed to come back early so he could work on the bottle design with the artisan and then discuss it with the glassblower.

While this scent was okay, it was too harsh for a lady.

He needed something sweet smelling.

"Meical, get me a empty parchment and pe—huh quill. I want you to go on a little errand for me, while I’m away.."

Meical returned not long after, carrying the parchment, quill, and ink.

Min-jae was already waiting at the table, chin propped on one hand, looking like he’d been plotting something from the moment Meical left. He took the parchment, dipped the quill, and began to write, the strokes of his pen neat and deliberate.

He listed what he needed.

Two jars of olive oil.

A bottle of alcohol.

Bundles of rose and lavender.

And one basket of ripe apples.

When he finished, he rolled the parchment and handed it to Meical with a small, knowing smile.

"There.." he said sweetly. "You’re not too busy to handle it personally, right?"