The Male Lead Is Obsessed With My Health Chapter 348 - illustration

When Arellin finally returned from the Mage Tower after an entire week, the Halbern estate was briefly thrown into chaos.

The reason was Valer, who was glaring murderously at the mage who had come out of the tower.

Because of that, Mehen was summoned to the reception room, where he grabbed Valer by the leash and brought the situation under control.

“So, you have absolutely no idea what happened in the Sky Tower?”

“Yes. My abilities are lacking, so I… I asked the high-circle mages, but they also said that since it all happened inside the barrier, it’s beyond our level to even guess.”

Desperately avoiding the terrifying gaze of the Grand Duke of Halbern, the mage locked eyes with Mehen and spilled everything he knew, looking like he was begging for his life.

‘So the high-circle mages dumped the work on this guy because they knew this would happen.’

Mehen dealt with Valer often enough to understand. He started to feel sorry for the mage.

“There’s nothing wrong with her body—it’s just the aftereffect of using too much divi— no, special power. Sir Harley guaranteed that she’ll wake up after getting plenty of rest!”

The elderly personal physician who had treated Arellin since childhood gave the same diagnosis.

“That is correct. She is simply in a deep sleep.”

Hearing that she was just sleeping put Mehen at ease. Still, Valer—Halbern’s official walking disaster, who could explode at any moment—continued to look sulky, so Mehen couldn’t fully relax.

And then Pession arrived.

‘Double the trouble…’

If something went wrong while Arellin was unconscious, it would be a total disaster.

Mehen wisely shoved Valer aside and dealt with Pession alone.

Although Pession was visibly on edge and the subordinates he brought with him all looked half-dead, things passed without any major incident.

After seeing Pession off as he returned to the Imperial Palace, Mehen thought to himself,

‘Why am I so exhausted?’

Well, he had been busy.

Halbern affairs, El Sionel matters, cleaning up businesses ruined by the Uyo Union civil war, worrying about the disappearance of Madam Olivia, protecting Derrick Gremwat inside the estate…

‘It’s a miracle I haven’t collapsed from overwork.’

Determined to beat Valer into handling the estate’s internal affairs himself, Mehen returned to Arellin’s room.

The moment he opened the door, he froze.

Kneeling beside the bed like he was praying, Valer was holding Arellin’s hand tightly in both of his.

It was an unfamiliar sight.

“…….”

The fear of what if she never wakes up, the helplessness of being unable to do anything, the dizzying emotion of caring too deeply—

All of it was contained in the deep gaze fixed on Arellin.

‘That guy can make that kind of expression?’

It was like discovering a human side to someone who had always seemed slightly inhuman.

‘I feel like I’ve seen a scene like this before.’

But it felt different from back then.

If before he’d been an immature father who would do anything just to save Arellin, now he looked like a father who had learned what responsibility meant.

“Mm…”

After nearly thirty years, Mehen realized anew that he was weak to “human Valer” and let out a quiet groan.

Still, that didn’t mean he’d go easy on him.

Thud.

“?”

Annoyed, Mehen smacked Valer on the back—only to clutch his own hand in pain, like he’d hit a rock.

“Why are you suddenly hurting yourself?”

“…….”

Valer tilted his head, completely unfazed. Grinding his teeth, Mehen snapped at him.

“Come out. Go do some work.”

“Is this revenge?”

“Be quiet.”

 

 

****

 

 

 

Meanwhile, at the Crown Prince’s Palace.

The palace attendants, aides, and officials under Pession had gathered together, all visibly tense.

There was only one reason: they were pouring their hearts and souls into preparing the grand event Pession had personally ordered before leaving.

“Today’s finally the day.”

“Ah… the long years of humiliation and oppression…!”

Dragged in even during overtime to squeeze out ideas they didn’t have—days too painful to recall without tears!

At last, it was time to return to being elite court officials.

“Fireworks?”

“Just light the fuses.”

“Balloons?”

“All ready!”

“And the court mages?”

“Of course.”

An event combining every proposal idea ever suggested.

Worldwide broadcast, revolutionary proposal fireworks, orchestral background music, a public proposal at the most visible spot in the palace—

Everything was perfect.

“Once today’s proposal event is over, it’s all finished!”

“Hehehehehe!”

So… when were the two of them arriving?

As they waited with everything ready, smiling like innocent meerkats—

“Um, everyone?”

A palace attendant who had just received a message from the Crown Prince spoke up with a troubled expression. Burdened by their expectant gazes, he shut his eyes tight and continued.

“…He says to cancel it.”

“……?”

“The Lady of Halbern is, uh… sleeping? Haha.”

“!!”

Understanding dawned, and their faces screamed in silence. Soon, sighs erupted from all around.

“No! Why such a tragedy?!”

“Then what about everything we prepared?!”

“It’s all gone… just like that…”

As everyone clutched their heads in despair at their wasted effort—

“Wait, then does that mean His Highness is coming back without Miss Arellin?”

“…….”

Screeeech.

At that moment, everyone thought the same thing:

It would’ve been better if the Crown Prince himself had gone to sleep.

“Miss Arellin, please wake up soon…”

One attendant murmured unconsciously, voicing what everyone felt.

We’ll prepare an even bigger, better, more amazing proposal next time—so please!

 

 

 

****

 

 

 

Officially, Grand Duke Halbern was the one “protecting” Derrick Gremwat, but the person Derrick spoke with most at the Halbern estate was actually Mehen.

Today was no different.

Ten days had passed since Olivia went missing.

Hoping there might be some progress, Derrick visited Mehen’s office—and flinched when he saw Valer inside.

“Ah, Derrick. Welcome.”

“I— I’ll come back later.”

“It’s fine. Ignore that nuisance. You came about Madam Olivia, didn’t you? Unfortunately, there’s still no new information.”

“Ah…”

Derrick’s expression darkened.

Normally he would’ve returned to his room at this point, but today he hesitated, glancing at Valer as if he had something to say.

“Please speak freely. Everything I hear will reach my lord anyway.”

Derrick stiffened, clearly conflicted—then made up his mind.

“…Could this incident be related to my birth family’s succession?”

“…….”

Mehen stayed silent—but that silence was answer enough. Derrick clenched his fist.

“If that’s true… I’ll never forgive them.”

The rage he’d felt when he learned his mother had been driven out after his father’s death surged back up.

Back then, he’d been powerless. But now, he wasn’t.

Derrick left the office with quiet resolve. Watching the closed door, Mehen rubbed his temple, already dreading the next conflict.

That was when—

Clack.

Valer tossed some documents onto the desk and stood up.

“What about the paperwork you were given?”

“Finished.”

“No one calls skimming and approving ‘finished.’”

“That doesn’t matter.”

Mehen was about to snap back when Valer casually changed the subject.

“By the way, where did our house guest go?”

At the mention of Duke Ludwig, Mehen’s headache flared again.

“Ah. There’s been a severe famine in the Southern Empire. He left after receiving an urgent request.”

“A southern famine…”

A famine in land blessed by the gods?

“Feels like the world really is falling apart.”

“?”

“Just when I was thinking of putting him to use, he’s gone.”

“?”

Muttering incomprehensibly, Valer opened the office door. Mehen hurriedly grabbed him.

“Where are you going now?!”

“When my daughter wakes up, she’ll have plenty to be upset about. I’m clearing at least one thing in advance.”

“What nonsense is that?”

“Call me if something urgent comes up.”

“No!”

As Mehen scowled at Valer’s suddenly empty spot—

Rena, who had appeared at some point, looked at him with pity.

As if to say his suffering wasn’t over yet.

“…What is it, Rena?”

“The mages have come again.”

“Mages?”

Hoping it might be news about Arellin, Mehen rushed to the reception room.

And there he saw—

“Hahaha…”

The mage who’d brought Arellin back yesterday, laughing awkwardly.

“IamwherewhoamI”

A completely spaced-out Luka.

And—

“…….”

Mehen was Valer’s only friend. He even knew Emperor Edward as a child.

Which meant there was no chance he wouldn’t recognize the face standing before him.

‘Oh. Damn.’

The heir of the Gremwat ducal house, believed to have died in an accident at the ruins—

Zilo Gremwat.

Faced with the impossible reality of a dead man returned, Mehen unconsciously turned to the gods.

‘Gods above…’