One-Shot Transmigration: Sorry I'm Here To Ruin Your Happy Ever After Chapter 113*

Min-jae kept stroking ical’s hair, letting the silence settle around them until ical’s breathing evened out.

When the tension in his shoulders finally loosened, Min-jae exhaled softly.

"Let’s leave the estate for a bit.." he murmured. "Just... sowhere quiet. Maybe a lake."

ical blinked up at him slowly. "A lake?"

"Yeah..." Min-jae said. "Sowhere with air that isn’t suffocating and we can play in the water."

Being cooped up in the room wouldn’t solve much, but being outdoors and connecting with nature.

It was one of the best ways to unwind.

ical kept, he didn’t really want to see anyone else apart from Kaizar right now.

But if he wanted to cheer him up, he would let him do so.

ical spoke softly, "There’s one place... on the north side of the estate. Past the orchard and the old stone path."

Min-jae looked at him curiously. "You know it well?"

ical nodded, his eyes dropping. "It’s quiet there. People don’t go often. It’s too inconvenient."

He paused, his voice barely above a whisper. "I used to go there when I wanted to be alone."

Min-jae’s expression softened. "Perfect. Then let’s go there."

ical hesitated, searching Min-jae’s face. "You want to go with ?"

-_-

"Of course," Min-jae replied gently. "I suggested it, didn’t I?"

ical nodded and sat up straight. "It’s peaceful there.." he whispered. "No servants, no noise. It’s just you and the water."

Min-jae smiled softly. "Good. Then that’s where we’re going."

He stood up and offered ical his hand. ical took it, gripping it tightly.

"Co on.." Min-jae said. "Lead the way."

They headed downstairs together, neither of them bothering to change out of their clothes. There was no need. They were not going anywhere formal. They just needed air.

ical walked slightly ahead, still holding Min-jae’s hand as if letting go would make the mont collapse.

When they reached the carriages, ical leaned toward the driver and gave the directions.

"North side of the estate. Past the orchard and the stone path. Take us to the lake."

The driver nodded and climbed onto the seat.

Min-jae stepped up into the carriage. His wooden slippers clacked softly against the steps. His hair had grown shaggy again, falling over his face in uneven strands, giving him a gentle, unpolished look that contrasted with ical’s stiff posture.

ical followed him inside. He sat close enough that their shoulders brushed. The carriage began moving, the wheels rolling over the gravel in a steady rhythm.

ical let out a long breath. "It is only a short ride. We would have walked there.."

Min-jae tilted his head. "Then why did we not walk?"

ical glanced at him. "I did not want you to walk. It’s dangerous for you to be seen and I don’t want anyone to look at you either. You’re for my eyes only.."

-_-

Min-jae smiled faintly. "You worry too much."

"I have every right to worry," ical muttered.

Min-jae nudged him lightly. "I am fine. And I am excited now too. Since we’re going to a lake my whole mood ca back."

ical looked at him with disbelief. "Just a lake makes you that happy?"

"Yes.." Min-jae answered without hesitation. "Water is calming. And you said people rarely go there. That is exactly what we need."

And maybe they could ss around too.

The carriage slowed as it reached the end of the dirt road. They stepped out, and the forest path stood in front of them. Sunlight filtered between the leaves. The air slled of earth and fresh grass.

They walked side by side, their hands brushing every few steps. The path curved gently, opening into a small clearing, and then the lake appeared.

Min-jae steps slowed, like he was awestruck.

The water was serene, clear with the sun glistening on its surface it seed to sparkle.

The water moved gently when the wind ca, then he realized ical was right to covet this place.

It was beautiful.

"ical," he said softly. "This is beautiful."

ical watched him, not the lake. "You like it?"

Min-jae did not answer with words. He stepped forward, kicked off his wooden slippers, and walked toward the water with slow, curious steps.

The mont his foot t the cool surface, he let out a light breath, almost a laugh.

Energy sparked through him, subtle but undeniable. The kind of excitent that only ca when he was touching sothing only nature could create.

ical followed him to the edge and stood beside him, watching him with a mix of affection and disbelief.

"You look like you just found treasure.." ical said quietly.

Min-jae smiled, the sunlight hitting his face. "I haven’t.."

He had only one treasure and he was at asking next to him.

"Want to go for a swim?" Min-jae asked, he moved to take off his shirt and pants and jumped into the lake.

He waited to check the temperature he would never get it.

Min-jae dove into the lake with a clean motion, the water parting around him. When he ca back up, his hair slicked back and his eyes bright, he looked alive in a way ical rarely saw. The sunlight reflected off the water and lit up his face, making him look almost unreal.

That was what stunned ical.

Not the lake or the scenery. Just Min-jae being in his elent.

Min-jae floated lazily for a mont before turning toward him. "The water is really good. Co in."

ical did not move. He was still staring at him, trying to process how soone could look that radiant while doing sothing so simple.

Min-jae tilted his head. "ical? Why are you standing there?"

ical blinked slowly. "You look different."

"Different?" Min-jae laughed. "Is that supposed to be good or bad?"

ical stepped into the water, one calm step at a ti. "No. It’s good. Very good."

Min-jae watched him approach, and his teasing smile softened. ical walked until the water reached his waist, then his chest, closing the distance between them.

"You hesitated," Min-jae said. "I thought you liked water."

"I do," ical answered. "But you... you looked too beautiful for a mont. I forgot how to move."

-_-

A warm color rose on Min-jae’s cheeks even though the water hid most of it. He tried to look away but ical reached out without thinking and touched his face.

"You should not say things like that so casually.." Min-jae murmured.

"I am not being casual.." ical said. "I am being honest."

Min-jae’s lips curved slowly into a quiet smile. He drifted closer until they were only a breath apart.

"Then co here properly.." Min-jae whispered.

ical did.

He moved close enough that their chests touched lightly, the water swaying around them. Min-jae lifted a hand and splashed him gently, breaking the tension.

-_-

ical blinked. "Did you just throw water at ?"

"Yes.." Min-jae said with a laugh.

ical blinked. "You just declared war."

Min-jae splashed again, this ti bigger.

ical retaliated imdiately. Water flew everywhere in sharp arcs, and the lake echoed with their laughter. Min-jae tried to dodge, but ical was faster.

He caught Min-jae around the waist and pulled him close enough that the splashing stopped.

"Do you surrender?" ical asked.

"No.." Min-jae said.

ical dunked him lightly under the water.

Min-jae ca back up with a gasp. "That was unfair."

"You brought it upon yourself."

Min-jae wiped water off his face and drifted closer again. His breathing cald, his voice softened.

"This was a good idea."

ical looked at him. "It was necessary."

Min-jae shook his head. "No. This is nice. And I am glad I am here with you."

ical’s fingers twitched as if he wanted to hold him but was still thinking about it. The water moved gently around them.

"Min-jae.." ical said quietly. "You look happy."

"I am.." Min-jae replied. "The lake is beautiful."

ical’s gaze lingered on him. "You are more beautiful."

Min-jae blinked, stunned for a mont.

ical continued without breaking eye contact. "The lake only looks like this because you are in it."

Min-jae chuckled placing his arm around ical. "We ca here because of you. Are you feeling better, because I have sothing else in mind to do to you.."

ical leaned closer, their nose touching. "Mhm. What’s that.."

Min-jae’s hand slid up the back of ical’s neck, his fingers threading into damp hair. The playful curve of his mouth softened into sothing warr. His voice dropped.

"This," he whispered.

ical didn’t have ti to breathe before Min-jae pulled him in and kissed him.

It wasn’t rushed.

It wasn’t desperate.

It was steady, intentional, the kind of kiss that made ical feel like the whole lake stilled for them.