TOPWL 160

Yudit could feel Khalid trembling in his arms. He waited quietly until Khalid had calmed down.

“What did the note say?”

At Yudit’s question, Khalid unfolded the slip of paper and held it out.

[I won’t forget this.]

The handwriting was unmistakably Hiore’s. The message was odd, but Hiore had always had a habit of writing in vague, indirect terms. Reginald was the same. But whether he liked it or not, Yudit had spent enough time around Hiore to understand him. It was a message of gratitude.

“I don’t think we need to worry too much.”

Yudit was reassured, but Khalid didn’t seem to share that relief.

“Increase your security detail. No—keep it that way long-term. And take them with you when you go on expeditions. Also, didn’t you say Shane doesn’t come into the classroom?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

The kids were afraid of Shane, so Yudit had been leaving him outside. He vaguely remembered mentioning that in passing.

“Have him guard from inside. Keep at least two in the classroom.”

“Khalid, you’re overreacting.”

“No. I’m more clearheaded now than ever. If you won’t, then quit teaching. I mean it.”

“Khalid!”

“Or kill Hiore. You can still do it now.”

Khalid spoke firmly. Yudit had the distinct feeling that this was the answer Khalid really wanted.

“I know he’s Reginald’s puppet. But even puppets can kill.”

“…”

“He tried and failed to kill Prince Azil. Then he came to your territory. Pretended to be in a coma for two days, tried to kill you, failed, and fled. That’s the story we’ll tell.”

“I was teaching kids at school when he escaped.”

“We’ll just say the assassination attempt happened in the evening. That can be adjusted. It makes more sense for him to flee at night than in broad daylight.”

Was that eerie calmness from earlier because Khalid had already been planning to kill Hiore? Yudit cradled the back of Khalid’s head and pressed his lips gently to his cheek.

“Khalid, just… take a breath. You say you’re calm, but you’re still worked up. Hiore doesn’t want to kill me. He’s someone who remembers his debts. He’d go after Prince Azil before he comes for me.”

Hiore would never surpass Reginald in the imperial succession, but the number of people who followed him said something. Reginald was the type to trap people with their weaknesses. Hiore, on the other hand, showed them kindness—kindness that made people willing to give their lives for him. And when someone betrayed him, he made a clear example of them. Once you chose to follow him, betrayal became rare.

“Prince Hiore will save me—at least once. Especially if he left behind a note like that.”

Even as Yudit spoke, Khalid still didn’t seem convinced.

“I’ll do as you want, Khalid. I’ll increase my guard. I’ll let them into the classroom too. But please—reconsider killing Hiore.”

“…Do you have feelings for him?”

“Absolutely not. I just don’t want to waste the opportunity.”

At that, Khalid closed his eyes and took a deep breath. After three long breaths, he finally spoke.

“Fine. You’re right—I guess I did get a little worked up. We’ll do it your way.”

“Thank you, Khalid.”

Yudit kissed his forehead again. Absentmindedly, he ran a hand through Khalid’s hair, which was a mess. He’d never seen him so disheveled. The thought that Khalid had come running, completely undone, just for him made Yudit’s chest ache with emotion.

“Khalid, have you eaten?”

“Not yet.”

“Want to eat here? It’s nothing fancy, but it’s good.”

Khalid hesitated for a moment, then shook his head.

“Next time. I ran out in the middle of a meeting—everyone’s probably still waiting.”

“You… left a meeting to come here?”

As Yudit stared at him in disbelief, Khalid downed his now-cold tea in one gulp and stood.

“Thanks. It was good.”

When Yudit moved to follow him out, Khalid waved him off.

“You don’t have to come. You’ve got things to do.”

“I’ll walk you out anyway. It’s lunchtime—I’ve got nothing urgent.”

Khalid didn’t respond. The two walked down the quiet hallway. Most of the students were outside on the playground. Unable to stand the silence, Yudit finally spoke.

“Khalid. Feel this.”

He rolled up his sleeve as he spoke. Khalid looked at him curiously, then reached out and touched his forearm.

“I’ve put on a lot of muscle, right?”

“…You really have.”

“I still haven’t beaten Shane in swordsmanship, but I’ve started giving him trouble now and then. I’m also steadily learning self-defense. And I run two full laps around the estate every day, without fail.”

“I know.”

Khalid’s reply lacked its usual strength. Yudit glanced around to make sure no one was nearby, then pulled Khalid into a hug.

“I promise, Khalid. I won’t die carelessly. I’ll stay alive, and be by your side for a very, very long time. So please… don’t be so heartbroken.”

Khalid took a deep breath, then pulled Yudit into his arms tightly. Yudit’s feet lifted off the ground.

“You’re all I have left now. After you’re gone, I won’t be able to be with anyone else. I may not die because of duty, but I’ll live the rest of my life like a hollow shell.”

“Khalid…”

“You keep that promise. Don’t leave me barren.”

Their cheeks were warm where they pressed together. Khalid’s unexpected vulnerability made Yudit’s heart clench. He clutched Khalid back a little more desperately.

“Yeah. I will. I promise.”

At Yudit’s firm vow, Khalid smiled faintly. He returned to his meeting on horseback—but not on his usual horse. When Yudit asked, Khalid said he’d just taken the first horse he saw in his rush to get to him. He joked that his own horse would throw a tantrum for a month once it found out. Yudit quietly watched him ride away.

How many people in this world wanted him dead? Reginald. Hiore. The empress. And all those who followed them. Even Azil and the emperor would probably one day think it more convenient if he were gone. It was exhausting, knowing that the most powerful people in the empire—or those who could become powerful—wanted him dead. He had forced himself to survive only because of his mother’s final wish, but there had been many times when he just wanted to let go of everything and die.

But he wasn’t the only one who wanted him to live. There was someone who didn’t want to live in a barren world without him. That single sentence had pushed away all the weariness born of hatred and nestled deep in his heart. His whole body felt like it was brimming with golden vitality. Even the scent of grass in the summer breeze felt sweet and new.

***

Yvonne’s book was released. Since bookstores hesitated to carry a new author with an unknown name, it was only stocked in shops across Khalid’s territory and a few in the capital. When Yudit apologized, Yvonne simply said she’d expected it and that there was no need to feel sorry.

The first week’s sales were dismal—eighty copies total across all locations. It was a number that could easily be forgotten. Yudit even considered buying the rest himself to donate to libraries.

But in the second week, two hundred copies sold in the capital alone—almost the entire stock shipped there.

Curious about the sudden interest, Yudit learned the reason: a noblewoman of courtesan origin who had great influence over capital trends had made a public statement, saying, “It’s better than most books written by men.” Her comment sparked outrage from men.

Men bought the book to criticize it; women bought it out of curiosity. The book was met with alternating praise and scorn—and sold out in the process.

Still, demand kept growing. People were willing to pay extra for a copy. The price doubled, tripled, eventually climbing sevenfold—and yet the book remained impossible to find.

Several savvy merchants traveled north, sweeping up remaining copies from bookstores there. Soon, rumors that it was the hot book in the capital reached northern noble circles who copied capital trends. Every remaining copy was sold.

Bookstores in the capital belatedly contacted the publisher, but even fulfilling existing supply deals was hard, so they were turned down.

The publishing house was never built for scale. It was a private press Khalid used to publish books he wanted to read, usually in runs of 500 copies or less. The printing house was now working day and night. They’d even hired two more workers, but everyone was working overtime like it was second nature. Yudit barely had time to breathe.

Amid that hectic schedule, visitors began trickling in.

“Um… if you’re willing to take on other writers’ books… I was wondering if you could… reprint these… under my real name… would that be possible…?”

A woman in her mid-forties, her round face flushed red, twisted with nervousness as she spoke. Yudit looked at the stack of books on the table, eyes wide in disbelief.

Before him lay three volumes—masterpieces said to stand the test of a hundred years.