TOPWL 106

“I didn’t know.”

“I truly had no idea…”

“Only a few in the village know. I’ve loved baking bread since I was young, and my brother, though timid, has a deeper care for others than anyone I’ve known. I always thought—if someone were to lead and protect others, it should be him.”

The shopkeeper looked down at the bubbling stew as he spoke.

“So we made a promise, he and I. That even if, one day, the village were to vanish and only the two of us remained, I would still sell bread in the market. He told me to stop saying such cursed nonsense.”

Imagining the startled look on the village chief’s face, Yudit had to bite his lip to keep from laughing. A glance told him Selena was doing the same.

“Though he’s too shy to appear before Your Highness, he’s constantly singing your praises behind your back. To the point my ears ache from it.”

As he said this, the shopkeeper smiled softly, his eyes distant—clearly full of affection for his younger brother.

“When Your Highness departs, this village may quiet down once more.”

“I’m doing what I can to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

“It’s all right. A peaceful life or a busy one—it’s still our life either way. These days, when my work is done, there’s not a single part of my body that doesn’t ache. Sometimes, I even wish things would slow down again.”

He rubbed his wrist with a tired smile.

“I’ll just go check the oven.”

He opened the oven and carefully peered inside. A satisfied grin spread across his face. The bread was done. With a peel in hand, he reached in and drew out loaf after loaf of golden, freshly baked bread. The rich, buttery aroma filled the tent and began wafting through the seams, drawing curious onlookers closer.

He packed up a generous portion of the warm loaves into a bag and handed it to Yudit and Selena.

“They’ll stay warm for a while. I’ll be here as long as I live, so if you ever return to this village, it would be my honor to welcome you again.”

It sounded like he was referring to a day far in the future—after the competition was over, once everything had quieted.

Cradling the bread, Yudit smiled and said,

“When I return to this village, this will be my first stop.”

“I think I might cry already.”

As Yudit pulled back the tent flap and stepped outside, the onlookers who had been peeking in eagerly surged forward. Outside, Shane finally relaxed his posture and followed after Yudit.

“So that’s why they weren’t coming in—Shane was in the way.”

A rugged man with a sword standing guard at a bread stall must have been too intimidating. Despite the tempting smell, the townspeople hadn’t dared to enter. Feeling a bit guilty for having talked so long, Yudit broke off a piece of the bread and handed half to Shane. Shane hesitated for a moment, then accepted it. Yudit smiled quietly. He already knew Shane had a fondness for this bread.

“A fine day, Your Highness.”

People passing through the market recognized Yudit and offered greetings. A few laughed softly at the sight of the prince walking about and eating bread like a commoner. Though slightly self-conscious, Yudit didn’t stop eating. It would be foolish to let pride stop him from enjoying warm bread. Taking another bite, he looked down the alley and spoke.

“We’ve got plenty of bread. Should we stop by the workshop and share some?”

“Good idea. Then let’s grab a few more snacks on the way.”

Selena, visibly excited, darted toward the food stalls. She stopped at nearly every one, and by the end, her hands were full—honeyed walnuts, raisin cookies, roasted corn, grilled skewers. Shane gave a quiet sigh and relieved her of the bags. Realizing she’d gone overboard, Selena licked her lips awkwardly.

“I could’ve carried it…”

“Please allow me.”

Shane spoke firmly and took all the bags from her. Fortunately, the workshop wasn’t far.

“Yasin, we’re here!”

Selena called out cheerfully as she pushed open the workshop door. But the gloom inside left her confused. Yudit, too, was taken aback by the somber atmosphere.

From within, Yasin emerged, dressed in black, his expression drained of all energy.

“Ah… welcome. Your Highness, you came as well.”

His eyes were red. Yudit immediately sensed something had happened. And clearly, Selena did too, for she asked with concern in her voice,

“Did something happen? Are you all right?”

“Well…”

Yasin trailed off, unable to finish the sentence. He looked as though he were holding back tears.

“Did your husband come back?”

Yudit asked in a low voice. Yasin blinked in surprise, then slowly shook his head.

“…No, it wasn’t that.”

“Then…”

“Kanila… passed away. At dawn yesterday.”

Selena gasped and covered her mouth with both hands. Yudit recognized the name.

“It’s a knitted gown. For the baby, once they’re born.”

She was the woman who had been knitting clothes for a baby who would never draw breath. Yudit had sensed death lingering over her the last time they met. Some had called her mad, others loose. They said it was no wonder she’d been abandoned—getting pregnant before marriage, without even knowing if the father would stay.

The child had been stillborn. She had spent ten months living for that child, and once the baby was gone, her mind had followed. She used to work in the slums as a helper at an inn. Afterward, she’d only survived through the aid of the other women there. But even then, she’d lost the will to live. Surrounded by caretakers, she had slowly wasted away.

Perhaps now, she had finally reunited with her child.

“Was the funeral held?”

Yasin nodded.

“Yes… It was a modest one. We didn’t call others. Just those who happened to be there—we said a few words and… sent her to the crematory.”

“I see. You’ve been through a lot.”

“…The urn is inside, if you’d like to see it.”

Yudit hesitated, then gave a small nod. As he stepped inside, his eyes were drawn to the altar set beside the fireplace. On it sat a small urn, and beside it, a vase overflowing with vibrant flowers.

Yudit approached and then realized—the flowers weren’t real. They were all knitted.

Coming up behind him, Yasin explained, voice trembling slightly.

“Kanila… she loved flowers. But it’s hard to get them in winter, so… we all made one each.”

Though he knew it was impossible, Yudit instinctively leaned in to smell one of the flowers. The only scent was the faint odor of dust and burning firewood—perhaps from being near the hearth.

“Kanila hated the cold. So we’ve decided to scatter her ashes in the sea when spring arrives. It’s just… too cold right now…”

Yasin’s voice caught again, and he lowered his head. Selena gently pulled him into a hug and patted his back.

Yudit quietly reached out and touched the urn. The whole moment felt unreal, like a dream. It was hard to believe that someone’s remains could be contained inside this small, square box of wood. Kanila had been small and thin, but still—not this small.

He stared at the little urn in silence. People scorned women for bearing children out of wedlock, calling them promiscuous. But what did they say about the men who abandoned them? That they lacked responsibility? That wasn’t nearly enough. No, it fell far too short. There should be harsher, sharper words—ones that pierced like barbs.

Why did the world have so many insults for the weak, and so few for those who left them behind?

Yudit clenched his fist. A dull, hot ache burned in his chest.

But there was nothing he could do for her now.

In a quiet voice, he turned to Yasin.

“Will you teach me how to knit one of these flowers sometime? I’d like to leave one for her too.”

Yasin nodded and gave a faint smile.

“I will. I think Kanila would like that.”

***

The walk back was silent.

Shane didn’t say a word, and neither did Yudit or Selena. Even when death touched someone unknown, it had a way of stilling the air.

As the inn came into view in the distance, Selena broke the silence.

“It’s a beautiful day. Would Your Highness like to get off here and walk a bit?”

Yudit gave a quiet nod.

“That sounds nice.”

They stopped the carriage about fifteen minutes from the inn and began walking. Shane trailed behind them, as quiet as ever. He had stepped down without much thought, but he didn’t quite agree with the assessment of the weather.

It wasn’t raining or snowing, but the occasional gusts of cold wind cut to the bone.

Selena pulled her coat tighter, embarrassed as the wind tossed her hair into disarray.

“Sorry. It’s colder than I thought.”

“It’s all right. It’s helping me clear my head a little.”

He meant it. After the warmth of the carriage, the chill of the wind shocked him awake. Yudit and Selena walked slowly, bracing against the wind as they made their way toward the inn. At some point, Shane grew impatient with their pace and walked ahead of them.

“Are you all right?”

Selena asked softly. Yudit turned to look at her. She was watching him with a face full of worry.

Seeing her so sincerely concerned warmed something inside him.