The Male Lead Is Obsessed With My Health Chapter 231

Pession’s expression hardened after receiving a detailed report from the official who rushed in, out of breath.

“An anomaly has occurred in Gairen?”

“Yes. We need support from the central authority.”

A sudden request for aid.

And Gairen was not just any city—it was a major southern city with a population of nearly 1.5 million.

“A city lockdown due to an anomaly originating from ancient ruins…”

An unprecedented situation that even dragged the Southern Mage Tower into it.

Normally, incidents like this would be handled by Duke Muvysk or Duke Halbern, but unfortunately, both men were absent.

Given Pession’s personality, he would usually step in first whenever something like this happened…

But leaving his post right now didn’t sit well with him.

Pession’s fingers tapped against the desk, then stopped.

“Leave this matter to Muvysk.”

 

 

****

 

 

For generations, members of House Muvysk had lived their lives serving in the military or knight orders.
Johan, the young duke of Muvysk and heir to the next generation, belonged to the Capital Defense Force, while his younger brother Harun was part of the Special Operations Unit.

Everyone believed Harun would become the Crown Prince’s personal guard knight, but…

“Gaining experience through various missions will be more helpful than staying by my side.”

Pession encouraged Harun, saying he didn’t need a guard knight until he officially inherited the throne.

When news of a prodigy arose, the military was in an uproar for a time, but Harun ultimately chose the Special Operations Unit.

And now, Harun had been undercover for five years, tracking the distribution channels of a “suspicious drug” that had begun circulating in the underworld.

‘It’s definitely connected to the Black Market.’

Unfortunately, no meaningful evidence had been recovered from the Black Market warehouse.

The hideout they had raided this time was no different.

He was sure they had finally caught solid evidence—but when they stormed in, the place was completely empty.

“Where did they all disappear to?”

Just minutes ago, there had been clear signs of people inside.
There was no visible escape route either, yet everyone had vanished in an instant.

“…They said there was a mage. Is that why?”

With no real gains, all Harun could see were empty bottles scattered around and broken furniture. And then—

“Is this… a star?”

A single sheet of paper lay there.

Drawn on it were what looked like a star’s tail and fragments of debris—more like the shape of a falling star than a normal one.

It wasn’t a masterpiece by any means, just a crude drawing that looked like something you could see anywhere.

Harun tilted his head. It looked insignificant, yet strangely, his special ability reacted to it.

Just as Harun was about to examine the drawing more closely—

Ding.

The personal communicator, which only activated in emergencies, lit up.

If it were anyone else, he would’ve ignored it—but unfortunately, it was his brother.

Why was his brother contacting him all of a sudden?

Harun answered the call, surprised by the message from someone he spoke to fewer than ten times a year.

Harun, there’s something you need to do.

After listening to his brother’s explanation, Harun nodded, picked up the paper with the drawing, and began moving.

It was time to head to Gairen.

 

 

 

****

 

 

Lately, the atmosphere in the Imperial Palace had been strange.

The officials working in the Outer Palace might not have noticed, but every attendant and maid in the Inner Palace had sensed this subtle change.

To begin with, it was unprecedented for Governor Shirua—who disliked outsiders—to allow a guest to stay in her palace for several days.

Because of that, Shirua’s maids welcomed it with open arms.

“Our governor finally has a friend her own age…!”

“Sometimes I still don’t know whether this is a palace for people or a palace for animals.”

“No wonder they say maids of the Governor’s Palace basically need an animal trainer’s license.”

A palace with more staff tending to animals than to people.

That was Governor Shirua’s palace.

Meanwhile, a similar mood was spreading through the Crown Prince’s palace as well.

The Crown Prince’s unusually obvious behavior over the past few days looked suspicious even to them.

“Could it be…?”

“Has His Highness the Crown Prince finally found a new spring…?”

The drastic change in the Crown Prince—who seemed like he would die only looking for Arellin—caused a stir among the people.

“I hope it works out.”

“Hey now, no jumping to conclusions. You haven’t forgotten, right? We’re supposed to pretend we didn’t see or hear anything.”

“That’s true, but couldn’t we still help a little? Won’t it be just the two of them again tonight?”

“If Governor Shirua helps, then probably.”

After the word “Arellin” had effectively become forbidden in the palace, the attendants and maids—who had watched Pession suffer and waste away for so long—spoke with brighter voices.

All except one person.

The head attendant, Graham.

‘Can someone who hasn’t changed for fifteen years really change overnight?’

The reaction Pession was showing now felt familiar.

It reminded him of the young Crown Prince who used to visit the Halbern estate every single day.

At that thought, Graham’s eyes widened.

“Gasp.”

‘That young lady… could she really be Lady Arellin?’

 

 

***

 

 

 

Shirua hadn’t had this much fun in a long time. What could be more enjoyable than watching her own family member mess things up up close?

‘Normally, the right move would be to interfere and make him suffer more.’

But she was a generous, broad-minded governor, so she let it slide.

It had already been five days since she started making excuses at every tea time and meal to arrange situations where only the two of them were together. She was starting to run out of excuses and was wondering what reason to use today.

Still, Pession seemed to be slowly realizing something.

In the end, it was only a matter of time.

“When do you think he’ll notice?”

“Notice what?”

“Pession.”

“Big brother?”

Therion, chewing on a fig sandwich, tilted his head. His confused expression left Shirua even more baffled.

The entire palace was paying attention to Pession and Arellin.

“You don’t seriously not know, do you?”

At Shirua’s incredulous tone, Therion blinked.

What… don’t I know?

“Have you never thought Pession’s behavior has been strange lately?”

“Big brother… isn’t strange!”

“No, anyone can see he’s acting weird.”

“No? Big brother is always right.”

“No, he’s strange.”

“Nope. Brother is the best.”

Rumors were going around that Therion should become Crown Prince instead, due to Pession’s firm stance on marriage—but the well-raised youngest prince himself was completely oblivious.

“……”

What was I expecting from a brother-obsessed idiot?

“Our youngest really has no thoughts at all.”

“Thoughts? No, I have thoughts too!”

Therion bristled at Shirua’s words.

“You do? Then tell me what I was talking about.”

Therion’s eyes trembled slightly.

“Uh… that big brother is strange…?”

“Right. You don’t.”

“No! I do have thoughts!”

“Then what are they?”

Shirua crossed her arms and motioned for him to speak. Therion clenched his fists and declared confidently,

“The best sauce ratio for grilled lamb is 3:7 Rasahl to Cremin.”

“Okay. Be happy.”

“Bread made with Ivanna wheat from the Shugra Empire is the fluffiest and tastiest!”

“Sure, as long as you’re happy.”

“Dang it, whipped cream from the Siaz region tastes the best!”

“Alright, alright. Our youngest is the best.”

He went on about which breed of lamb had the best quality and ideal spice blends, but Shirua tuned it all out.

Who would even want to know that?

 

 

 

****

 

 

…Or so she thought back then.

“Was Cremin powder a spice that only grows in the Union region?”

“Oh, you know it? That’s right. Anan Mountain produces the best kind—it’s spicier and fresher.”

“I’ve never tried bread made with Ivanna wheat. Is it really that good?”

“It’s one of the foods you absolutely must try. It tastes heavenly.”

“Oh?”

Shirua couldn’t follow the refined conversation unfolding in front of her at all.

By chance, she had missed the timing to make an excuse and leave today, and Therion and Arellin had completely hit it off.

“Southern Empire food is delicious too. Their soups are especially rich. I also like stews…”

“But isn’t the Southern Empire best known for grilled dishes? The sous-vide cooking method was first developed there too…”

“As expected of someone knowledgeable. Let’s go eat Southern Empire food together sometime.”

“Sounds great. I’ll show you some good places!”

Even when she wanted to jump in, the conversation felt like coded language, leaving no opening. Shirua stared in disbelief as the two slipped into their own world.

“Why do the two of them understand each other?”

“……”

The never-ending knowledge battle between the two, united by food, showed no sign of stopping.

Feeling left out, Shirua glanced at Pession—who was also left out—and let out a dry laugh without realizing it.

“If you keep staring like that, your face will wear a hole.”

“……”

Only then did Pession seem to realize he had been staring at Arellin. He looked like he hadn’t even known what he was doing.

Is he really that stupid?