TOPWL 30

“I don’t understand. Could you please speak a little slower?” At Yudit’s words, Yasin blushed, as if coming to his senses, feeling embarrassed.

“How did you learn the Herut language?”

“I learned it by reading books.”

“That’s amazing. I still find this country’s language awkward…”

Yasin lowered his head with an awkward smile. Yudit noticed that Yasin was struggling to adapt in this country. A person who came to an unfamiliar land for love, and now living alone. Was it because Yudit felt the same in the imperial palace? Yudit felt a strange sense of kinship with Yasin.

“I am hosting a banquet. It’s for the Herut emissaries. Please teach me the culture and language of Herut. I want to greet them in your language.”

Yasin seemed puzzled. He asked cautiously, “…Isn’t there an interpreter?”

“I want to do it myself.”

Seeing Yasin hesitate, Yudit quickly added, “Of course, I’ll pay.”

Yasin shook his head.

“The money isn’t the issue. I don’t spend much.”

“Then, what about…”

“I’ll just do it. I have plenty of time, after all.”

“I refuse.”

Yasin opened his eyes wide, looking somewhat shocked. Yudit realized she must have said something wrong.

“Did I say something wrong?”

“Well, the way you refused was a bit too harsh…”

It was clear that it was a term not commonly used by locals. Yasin struggled to speak.

“Normally… we use those words when starting a fight.”

“I see… Sorry. What I meant to say was that I’ll pay a fair price. I didn’t mean anything else.”

Realizing that Yudit needed help from the conversation, he nodded slowly.

“Still, the money really isn’t necessary.”

Yasin firmly expressed his refusal. It seemed that receiving money from a prince felt burdensome. But Yudit couldn’t offer him a large amount anyway. He thought for a moment.

Suddenly, Yudit’s fingers, which had been tapping the table, paused in midair.

“Then, how about an exchange of languages?”

“Huh?”

“We’ll exchange our languages, mine and yours.”

Only then did Yasin’s expression brighten as he seemed to understand. It seemed like an appealing offer to him as well.

“Would that really be okay? I’m not familiar with Adenauer’s language, so it might be difficult for you, Your Highness…”

Yasin seemed uncertain. However, Yudit was confident. He had done language exchanges before. He wasn’t a bad teacher.

“Of course. I really need your help.”

At Yudit’s words, Yasin nodded, seeming to gain some courage. From the side, Lyett, who had been listening to their conversation, showed a relieved expression. Seeing this, Yudit spoke.

“Madam Lane, you can speak Herut as well?”

“I learned a bit over time. I can’t really speak it though.” Lyett shrugged.

“And please don’t call me madam. Just call me Lyett. I prefer being called by my name over being called someone’s wife.”

“Understood. Lyett… is that okay?”

“Yes, that’s good.”

Lyett smiled happily.

“Strike while the iron is hot, right? How about now? It’s not even two yet. I was thinking of looking around the market.”

“It might be a bit awkward to study here, don’t you think?”

After hearing their words, Yasin spoke.

“Then, please come to my house.”

Yudit was taken aback by the sudden invitation. Normally, invitations were made through letters at least three days in advance, setting the date.

“That’s a bit…”

“It’s fine. Just come.”

But Yasin was insistent. Now, Yudit understood why Lyett and Yasin often met. Their personalities seemed oddly similar.

“Well, Your Highness, why not? Just go. Didn’t you say you needed tapestries? Yasin’s hobby is weaving. You wouldn’t believe how well he does it.”

“It’s not something worth to show the prince.”

“Why not? You make them well. He even said he wouldn’t sell them, just keeps them at home. Show him at least.”

Yudit and Selena watched the back-and-forth between Lyett and Yasin with curiosity. Since Lyett was more forceful, Yasin couldn’t win against her.

“Can I come too? I’m curious about Herut-style tapestries.”

Selena, who had been quietly listening, raised her hand. Yasin shyly nodded. Thanks to Lyett, who had dragged him along, Yasin was now taking the guests to his home.

Not wanting to make things uncomfortable, Yudit checked his expression and could see his excitement. It seemed true that Herut people loved to invite and entertain guests.

As they walked, Yudit’s gaze caught someone in the crowd. A tall figure, with a solid build. Somehow, the gait seemed familiar. Yudit tilted her head when Lyett asked from the side.

“Did you see someone you know?”

“No, I must have been mistaken.”

Shaking his head, Yudit followed behind.

….

Yasin’s house was indeed very close to the market. Since Lyett had disappeared to explore the market, it was only Yasin, Yudit, and Selena who went to Yasin’s house. After making introductions, Lyett disappeared, and Yasin, who invited them to his house the same day they were introduced, seemed to have a similar habit.

“This is our house.”

Contrary to the expectation of seeing a Herut-style house, Yasin’s home was like any other Adenauer house. A two-story house with red brick and a yard.

“Excuse me.”

As they entered, a servant, who appeared to be one, approached and bowed. Yasin spoke to the servant in Herut, then turned around and checked for their reactions.

“My husband… wanted me to be comfortable at hime so he found a servant who could speak Herut.”

It was then that Yudit realized Yasin had been concerned. He might have felt uneasy about employing a servant who could speak Herut in Adenauer, thinking it might be inappropriate. Once he saw that neither of them reacted, Yasin seemed relieved and led them to the parlor.

“Please, take a rest here for a while.”

Yasin, seeming conscious of Selena’s presence, spoke awkwardly in Adenauer. As Yudit and Selena sat down, the servant brought over some tea leaves and a teapot.

“Black tea or nashi, your choice.”

Nashi was a traditional drink in Herut and its neighboring countries. It was made by adding hot milk to tea leaves, then mixing various spices to brew it.

“I’ll have nashi, please.”

“Me too.”

Yasin smiled faintly and began to prepare the nashi himself.

“Be careful, it’s hot.”

Yasin placed the nashi in front of Selena and Yudit. When Selena looked puzzled, Yudit spoke up.

“I think he’s warning us that it’s hot.”

“Ah.”

Selena nodded as if understanding and then quietly asked Yudit.

“How do you say ‘thank you’ in Herut?”

Yudit told Selena the appropriate words in Herut.

“Thank you.”

Yasin, noticing that the two were whispering, smiled brightly. It was a smile that seemed to light up the room.

“Mm, this is delicious. But, cough… it’s spicier than I expected.” Selena carefully spoke after taking a sip of nashi.

“I think it’s because of the spices.”

The three of them chatted as they drank their tea. Since they were all eager to listen to each other’s stories, language barriers were no issue. Then, Yasin seemed to make up his mind and stood up.

“If you don’t mind… I’ll show you my tapestries.”

“It’s an honor.”

Yasin and Yudit got up, and Selena followed them quietly. Yasin stood by the door, took a deep breath, and then turned the doorknob. Selena gasped.

“It’s so beautiful…”

The room was filled with tapestries. One wall was covered with a tapestry depicting the long night of the desert, while another half-sized tapestry featured Herut’s unique and intricate patterns. Smaller tapestries depicted camels, oases, palm trees, and desert sands. It wasn’t just a hobby; it was art. It had been a long time since Yudit had been so moved by someone’s work.