CHAPTERS
When Mom left… we hadn’t eaten for two days. We set a rat trap, and we actually caught one. I was about to eat it, but Mom stopped me. Then she took me and my little brother outside. We stood in front of a fountain for a while, and then she said she’d gotten some money and took us to a restaurant. We had bread and soup and meat. It was so good I gobbled it all up. I looked to see if Mom was eating too, but she was just staring at me and my brother. I thought it was strange. It had already been…- 396.9 K • Completed
- “Luka is a student I cherish. I will not tolerate any form of violence disguised as discipline, or physical contact with him. And if anyone attempts to arrange an engagement or marriage against his will before he comes of age, they will not escape death. I will personally ensure he is watched to confirm this. Understood?” “Y-yes, I understand. Of course.” “Remember this, my eyes are always on you, even when unseen. If you forget that, you will pay the price.” “I’ll keep it in mind.…
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- “I’m not sure,” Yudit said with a shrug. At that, a crack appeared on Pavron’s composed face. Yudit met his eyes and continued. “If only one child’s is missing, maybe they just didn’t turn it in?” “But the child claimed they did, so I thought I’d ask, just in case.” “Ah, and which child is it?” “…Luka.” Pavron hesitated before answering. Yudit shook his head. “Ah… I don’t know. You said he’s good at lying, so maybe he lied about turning it in…
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- “Your Highness? So you hadn’t gone home after all.” Pavron spoke with a slightly surprised look. Yudit was grateful for the past training that had taught him not to show his emotions. “I was passing by and saw the window open, so I came in for a moment. I heard it’s supposed to rain this evening.” His tone was flat, but his heart was pounding. Pavron looked quietly at him and gave a friendly smile. “I see. You really work tirelessly. It’s admirable.” “Yes. By the way,…
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- “Pavron. It’s been a while.” “May I sit with you?” Pavron, holding bread and milk, spoke. Yudit nodded and made space for him. “Of course. Sit here.” He had been wondering how Pavron was doing, so this was a welcome encounter. “Pavron, how have you been?” “I’ve been well. The days trapped in the tower feel like a dream now. Though I do still have nightmares of being captured again from time to time.” Pavron said it jokingly, but Yudit couldn’t bring himself to…
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- “I’m fine. It was just the dust.” “Drink it anyway. The towel was pretty cold. I didn’t notice since I was somewhere warm.” At Khalid’s words, which brought back memories of the previous night, Yudit’s cheeks flushed red. Noticing this, Khalid reached over and ruffled Yudit’s hair affectionately. Yudit turned his head away, embarrassed under that steady gaze. “Why are you looking at me like that?” “You’ve grown a lot.” “Did I gain weight?” “Well,…
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- The bath was ready just in time for Khalid’s return, the water kept at the perfect temperature. The large tub could easily fit ten people. Yudit leaned back against the far edge and let out a long sigh. The rose petals floating on the surface released a subtle fragrance. “Come closer,” Khalid said. Yudit had kept some distance, feeling a little self-conscious earlier, but now Khalid reached out his hand. Yudit moved toward him, cutting through the water. Khalid pulled him into an embrace from…
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- “…What I want?” A crack appeared in Azil’s ever-smiling expression. He hadn’t expected such a direct question. Nobles rarely spoke plainly—they were more likely to twist their words three or four times. Yudit knew how to speak like that, too, but he’d grown up in the slums long enough to prefer being direct. It was simpler. Yudit was busy. He had taken on too much responsibility in a place he was only meant to stay in briefly. Even if he worked himself to the bone, it wasn’t…
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- “What are you afraid of?” “You…” I’m afraid you’ll die. Yudit parted his lips as if to speak the next words, but couldn’t bring himself to say them. Still, Khalid seemed to have realized it already and pulled Yudit even tighter into his arms. Yudit closed his eyes in Khalid’s embrace. War was approaching. Where the reaper’s blade raged most violently. The death rate for commanders wasn’t high, but war was unpredictable. There was no such thing as a war without…
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- “All of them?” Yudit swallowed dryly as he spoke. It was hard to stay composed—understandable, since he himself had grown up reading this writer’s works. The three books were set on a farm and depicted rural life and human psychology with a brutal kind of honesty, earning high praise from critics. The woman nodded timidly. “Yes… Is that not okay?” “No, of course not. It would be an honor to distribute your works. May I ask your name?” “Rita.” Rita’s cheeks turned red…
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