Yura pressed her face against the window, eyes wide with excitent. The estate stretched before her like a dream: manicured gardens, sunlit balconies, and towers reaching into the sky.
"Wow... this... this is incredible! I want a room with a huge balcony and tons of sunlight!" she exclaid, spinning around, practically glowing.
Min-jae chuckled and reached out, gently patting her head. "Don’t worry, I’ll get you the best room," he said, smiling warmly.
Before he could linger, ical subtly withdrew his hand from Min-jae’s side, keeping his distance.
Yura’s eyes narrowed slightly at ical’s stiff posture. Her lips twitched into a mischievous grin.
"Jeongmal... jjanghae!" she muttered under her breath, the words rolling off her tongue in frustration at the interruption.
Min-jae froze for a mont, then stifled a laugh. He understood the joke. ical, of course, had no clue.
The two of them exchanged a quick, conspiratorial glance, and the corners of their mouths lifted in quiet laughter as they continued admiring the estate, hand in hand.
The carriage rolled to a stop and ical got down first, to help Min-jae out.
There he witnessed the entire estate staff, pile up on equal sides like they had been notified of his arrival.
They bowed in unison, saying. "Welco back Mada, we are all glad you returned safely and congratulations on winning your trial.."
Min-jae chuckled he guessed news must have gotten to this parts fast.
"Thank you for the warm welco.."
Odysseus, Serin and Vanadis were all at the front.
And Min-jae knew what ever was going on here was Odysseus idea.
"I’m glad you’re back Mada. The estate just isn’t the sa without you and so is the master.." Serin smiled, then she turned to look at Yura safety.
Then her eyes widened.
"Mada, the ghost of your younger sister is behind you?"
-_-
Yura ’s lips twitched, those were so really strong accusations.
"That’s not a ghost, that’s my sister." Min-jae walked back to Yura, pushing her towards them.
"Everyone, I’d like you to et Georgiana Amagi, my younger sister. As fate would have it, she managed to escape death."
That was all it took.
The staff’s attention shifted fully to Yura.
Not shock, not panic.
But curiosity, it was quiet but unmistakable.
Min-jae had never spoken of a sister.
Not once.
And now here she was, alive, smiling, standing beside him as though she had always belonged.
Several maids leaned closer, whispering behind their hands.
"So that’s Lady Georgiana..."
"She looks nothing like I imagined..."
"She’s younger than I thought."
Yura stood there, taking it all in with bright eyes, shoulders straight, clearly enjoying herself far too much.
Odysseus let out a low breath, then smiled. "You really do know how to surprise people."
Yura glanced at him, familiar. "I get that a lot."
Saar nodded once, relief obvious. "I’m glad you made it back."
Vanadis studied her openly, his arms crossed. "So this is the sister you barely ntion.."
Min-jae shrugged lightly. "Circumstances weren’t kind."
That seed to satisfy him.
The questions began then, polite ones. Where she had been staying. Whether she was tired. If she needed anything.
Yura answered so, deflected others, clearly amused by the sudden attention.
That was when Min-jae felt fingers tighten around his.
ical leaned in, voice low. "They’re not letting her breathe."
"She’ll survive.." Min-jae murmured back, lips curling. "She’s enjoying it."
ical huffed softly.
Taking advantage of the distraction, Min-jae tugged him gently toward the doors.
Madam Greya was waiting just inside, hands folded over her apron, face bright the mont she saw them.
"My lord, Mada" she said warmly. "Welco ho."
Min-jae’s smile softened. "It’s good to be back."
"I know so.." she replied. "I’ve prepared a feast for lunch. And I opened the wine I’ve been saving."
Min-jae nearly laughed in relief. "You have no idea how happy that makes ."
"Go wash your hands..." she said, waving them in.
The spread was overwhelming in the best way.
Platters of roasted ats glistened under the light. Stead vegetables dressed in butter and herbs. Fresh bread still warm enough to pull apart by hand. Bowls of fruit, sauces, and delicate pastries filled every spare space on the table.
And most especially, a whole turkey. Min-jae didn’t know what was used to season it but it slt damn nice.
Eventually, everyone gathered.
Min-jae sat beside ical, with Yura across from him. Odysseus took his usual composed seat, Saar close at hand, Vanadis settling in with a quiet nod.
It felt natural, like this was how it had always been ant to be.
Madam Greya appeared last, holding a small tray.
On it sat a bottle no taller than her arm.
The liquid inside was a deep, translucent blue.
Min-jae blinked. "Why is it blue."
She smiled mysteriously. "Special batch. Rare ingredients. If you wish to try it, only one glass each."
That warning lasted exactly one second.
Min-jae took a sip.
Then his eyes widened.
"...oh."
He took another.
And another.
By the ti Madam Greya returned with plates, Min-jae was already eating with genuine enthusiasm, wine glass refilled and then refilled again. Whatever restraint he had shown in court was completely gone.
"This is incredible..." he said between bites, already reaching for more. "Madam Greya, you’re a genius."
She laughed softly. "I am glad you like it."
Like it was an understatent.
By the ti the others had barely finished their first glass, the bottle had sohow migrated closer to Min-jae.
No one stopped him. Eventually, it was simply left there, like.an unspoken agreent.
ical barely touched his food.
He leaned back slightly, elbow resting against the table, watching with a fond, helpless smile as Min-jae devoured everything within reach, cheeks warm, eyes bright, utterly unbothered.
"Eat up, if it’s not enough..they will make more." ical said quietly.
Min-jae humd, mouth full, nodding enthusiastically.
Across from them, Yura ate as well, though far more slowly. She picked at the food with appreciation rather than hunger, pausing to taste, to observe, to take in the room.
Every so often, she glanced at Min-jae with sothing like disbelief, then amusent.
"He lives so differently here.." she muttered.
Odysseus smiled into his cup, Min-jae only revealed his true nature at the table.
Vanadis shook his head once, a faint curve to his mouth.
Laughter rose easily around the table. The kind that ca without effort, without fear.
For the first ti in a long while, there were no accusations hanging in the air.
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