TOPWL 85

“Still, since I am your brother’s fiancé isn’t it only right that I should receive some congratulations? Oh, by the way, did you receive the gift I sent?”

At Khalid’s words, Hiore’s jaw tensed. He lowered his head and drew a deep breath, the veins in his clenched fist standing out.

“Yes… well, I must be going now. I have urgent business to attend to.”

Hiore left the ballroom swiftly yet with a surprising degree of politeness, bowing and departing without a backward glance. Others sensed something amiss but chose not to comment. Yudit made a mental note to ask Khalid later about that “gift.”

The banquet didn’t conclude until midnight. Khalid’s declaration had turned the affair into a half-engagement party. Yudit was bombarded with questions, but Khalid skillfully deflected them—adding that if Yudit were tired, he should rest, though he wasn’t so callous as to leave someone burdened with work.

Thus, it wasn’t until nearly midnight that the two finally strolled down the corridor toward the bedroom. Even Khalid, who had maintained an air of ease throughout the banquet, now rubbed his eyes from fatigue.

“You look really tired.”

“It’s fine. To me, you look more tired.”

Though Yudit’s body felt as heavy as waterlogged cotton—barely able to lift a finger—he didn’t want to show any weakness before Khalid.

“I’m fine too.”

Before silence could fall again, Yudit asked, “By the way… why was tonight’s banquet held?”

“The Meyer family holds grand banquets twice every winter. When work is scarce, they create jobs, provide wages, and serve plenty of food so that everyone can endure the winter. In our fief, they hold one every month, but since we’re in the capital, they hold only one here.”

“Oh… I see. It’s a really great idea.”

Yudit had wondered if the banquet had been arranged because of him, but it wasn’t so. Realizing he’d misunderstood, a flush of embarrassment warmed his face.

Yudit’s bedroom drew nearer. The corridor was quiet except for the occasional sound of the wind. Feeling now was the moment to express his gratitude, Yudit paused. Khalid took a few steps, then turned to face him.

“I… thank you.”

“What are you thanking me for?”

“For the engagement talk… and the kiss as well…”

At Yudit’s words, Khalid blinked silently.

“You declared the engagement to protect me, didn’t you?”

Khalid’s expression grew nuanced, as if he had much to say.

“You’re… completely oblivious when it comes to matters like this.”

“…What?”

“I was wondering whether you didn’t understand or were pretending not to, but now I see.”

A soft breeze passed between them as Khalid stepped closer. The distance between them closed, and Yudit tried to step back but found himself pressed against the wall. Looking at him like a caged mouse, Khalid leaned in further. Yudit’s heart pounded rapidly.

“A noble marriage isn’t something to be taken lightly. Why parade it for everyone to see?”

Khalid cupped Yudit’s cheek and gently rubbed it with his thumb.

“After decades in the palace, you’re still astonishingly naive.”

As Khalid’s thumb slid downward, it brushed against the corner of Yudit’s lips. The calluses on Khalid’s thumb—evidence of a life wielding a sword—contrasted oddly with the softness of Yudit’s lips. Yet the memory of the kiss from earlier at the banquet kept resurfacing, making Yudit’s ears burn.

“Do you still like Bashur?”

“…What?”

“Or have you come to fancy someone else?”

At Khalid’s words, Yudit bit his lower lip. Sensing his hesitation, Khalid pressed his thumb firmly against Yudit’s lip.

“From now on, try liking me a little more.”

Yudit looked at Khalid with confused eyes and asked, “Why… should I do that?”

“Because I like you.”

Suddenly, a gust of wind roared through the window. The loud clatter of the window echoed, yet Yudit heard nothing else.

“…Are you serious?”

“Do I have any reason to lie?”

“…No, but… I’m just… confused.”

His vision spun like he was coming down with a fever. He was grateful there was a wall behind him now—if not, his legs would’ve buckled beneath him. He couldn’t bring himself to look Khalid in the eyes.

“I…”

Before Yudit could finish, Khalid covered his mouth. Khalid’s large palm cupped both his lips and cheek.

“I didn’t bring it up to hear an answer.”

“…”

“I told you, didn’t I? From now on, try to like me. That’s all.”

“…”

“Do you understand?”

With Khalid’s words, Yudit nodded silently under his hand. Only then did Khalid let go. Strangely, his hand felt much warmer than before. As Khalid quietly looked down at him, he let out a sigh.

“Do you remember what I said before… that you looked like a wild beast raised among humans?”

Yudit searched his memory, trying to recall that past conversation.

“You… seem like a young beast raised among people.”

“…?”

“If you had the chance to grow, you’d probably rip out a man’s throat in no time.”

That had been the day he crawled between Hiore’s legs. Khalid had pitied him then, giving him a ride in his carriage. It must’ve been then.

“Yes… I remember.”

“You must have lived far from honor.”

“Even I have something I want to protect. It’s just that my pride doesn’t lie in honor.”

How could he forget the humiliation of that day?

“When the leash comes off, I started to wonder—just how far you might go.”

Khalid traced Yudit’s pale neck with his fingers as he spoke.

“So… until that time, grow up within my cage.”

There didn’t seem to be any deceit in Khalid’s voice. For reasons Yudit couldn’t fathom, the man genuinely seemed to harbor feelings for him. But how long could such affection last? Yudit knew better than most just how easily human affection flared up—and vanished.

After all, he was born of such fleeting desire.

“If you leave, I won’t stop you. But as long as you stay, I should at least get something out of it, don’t you think?”

Khalid tapped his lips with a finger. Yudit blinked, realizing what he meant. Even after laying bare his feelings, Khalid remained relaxed and composed.

He wanted Yudit’s affection now, but maybe someday, it would be Yudit desperately yearning for his. Was this what it felt like to make a deal with a devil? Knowing full well he was walking into a mire—and still stepping in.

After a moment’s hesitation, Yudit lifted his heels. It was their second kiss. Khalid’s lips were just as hot and soft as before. As Yudit awkwardly tried to suck on his lower lip, Khalid cursed under his breath.

“Damn…”

Khalid grabbed the back of Yudit’s head and pushed in roughly, prying open his lips. Pinned between the wall and Khalid’s body, Yudit couldn’t move an inch. Khalid sucked on his bottom lip with a loud, wet sound. Pain flared, but there was a strange pleasure too. Lips, gums, teeth—Khalid seemed determined to devour all of him.

“Mm, ngh… s-slow down…”

Even seeing Yudit gasping for breath didn’t make him stop. If anything, it only spurred him on. There was a metallic taste—blood. It seemed he’d split Yudit’s lip.

All that composed demeanor was gone now. Khalid acted like a starved man, as if he couldn’t rest until he consumed Yudit whole. How had he hidden this kind of desire all this time? Like a creature facing a tidal wave, Yudit had no choice but to accept it.

“Haa…”

Apparently unsatisfied still, Khalid lifted Yudit and sat him on the windowsill. The frame creaked in protest beneath their weight, but Khalid didn’t bat an eye.

Since the windowsill was high, Yudit’s eye level was now just slightly above Khalid’s. Rather than displeased, Khalid seemed delighted. One arm wrapped around Yudit’s waist, pulling him close, while the other cradled the back of his head. Yudit’s feet dangled in the air. Worried he might fall, he instinctively hooked his legs around Khalid’s waist. Khalid smirked in satisfaction.

As he deepened the kiss, his lips trailed lower. Down Yudit’s jawline, over the pulsing artery in his neck, down his Adam’s apple. When Khalid’s mouth reached his collarbone and began nibbling, Yudit flinched in shock.

How much was he supposed to give? Judging from this, it felt like even everything wouldn’t be enough.