TOPWL 130

At the Emperor’s question, Khalid’s expression shifted—subtly, but unmistakably. The Emperor fixed him with a sharp gaze, scrutinizing his every detail: his breath, his pupils, the twitch of his fingers, the shape of his lips. Then Khalid lowered his gaze slightly and spoke.

“I am merely doing everything I can to help him live a little longer, Your Majesty.”

It was an appropriate answer. It didn’t seem like a lie. The Emperor let out a satisfied smile—but he wasn’t ready to relax just yet. He handed the necklace to a chamberlain and spoke as it was carried away.

“I shall give due weight to your counsel.”

“…Thank you.”

It was an unmistakable sign of assent. Khalid didn’t bother hiding his joy—his face lit up as though the sun itself had risen within him. The Emperor clicked his tongue inwardly. For the Empire’s only Duke to be so transparent—what a fool. And yet, these days, he found himself liking men like that. Maybe it was his age. It was far more pleasant to speak with someone who laid things bare than to wrestle words with those who slithered like snakes, always hiding their true intent.

“But this is only to grant Yudit time to recover. Not to help him win.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“No matter how the process unfolds, he will finish fourth in the next trial. The competition must remain fair.”

Yudit had already won first place in the first trial. For him to win again would be dangerous. It was Azil who needed to become Emperor.

And it was also important to make it clear that Yudit would place fourth, so even if this backroom deal were to reach the Empress’s ears, it might still be excused. Ordinarily, she would never overlook it—but since the one who tried to assassinate Prince Yudit was likely one of her own sons, she might just let it go.

Having finished his calculations, the Emperor turned his gaze back on Khalid. Khalid answered without hesitation.

“Your judgment is most sound.”

“And the third trial will take place within three months.”

Even after receiving the Duke’s heirloom and a mine on top of that, the Emperor remained shameless. To trade all that for merely ninety days—was it really worth it? Was Khalid truly prepared to make such a sacrifice? The Emperor was testing him to the very end.

“Your Majesty’s grace is boundless as the sea.”

But Khalid only bowed his head in silence once again. Opold must be cursing from the underworld. But in any case, this was a fortunate thing for the Emperor. He gave silent thanks to his old friend for making an early journey to the grave.

“This will be the last favor I grant. The fourth trial will proceed as planned.”

“Your generosity alone is more than enough. I shall carve Your Majesty’s kindness into my bones and never forget it.”

Having concluded a satisfying deal, the Emperor slouched into his throne like a beast content after a heavy feast.

“Shall we move to another chamber for a drink?”

To this show of favor, Khalid gave a troubled expression.

“I’m honored, but I must decline. I have a match today—I’ll need to delay the invitation for another time.”

“…You’re competing today?”

“Yes. In about an hour.”

The Emperor stared at him, half in disbelief.

“What if I had needed you for something?”

“Then I would have owed Prince Yudit an apology.”

At Khalid’s sheepish smile, the Emperor let out a quiet chuckle. For the first time, he truly wondered—why Yudit?

“Why him, of all people? There are plenty who are prettier than that one.”

Khalid hesitated briefly, then replied.

“The obedient sort doesn’t suit me.”

The Emperor gave him a curious look.

“He’s not obedient? That’s odd.”

The Yudit he knew was always meek, always compliant—a son he’d never liked much. But perhaps he showed a different side to his lover. At that, Khalid smiled so broadly it bent his eyes.

“He’s stronger-willed than anyone I’ve ever met.”

The Emperor shrugged, as if he couldn’t make sense of it.

“If it suits you, then once the tournament’s over, we’ll share that drink.”

The Emperor wore a cheerful expression as he spoke.

“If you come back victorious, I’ll gladly pour you the first cup myself.”

That day, Khalid made it into the final four of the tournament.

***

When Yudit awoke, he could sense something in the world had changed.

It felt like it had been ages since he’d last opened his eyes. And at the same time, unease crept into his heart.

“…Mmh.”

He tried to move his body, but the pain in his muscles made it difficult. His limbs wouldn’t obey him. Trembling, he managed to pull himself upright—and just then, someone opened the door and stepped inside.

“You’re awake.”

It was the physician. She spoke as though he had never doubted that Yudit would awaken at this time. After saying something to the servant, she stepped inside. Yudit spoke in urgency before the physician could even sit beside the bed.

“What happened to Huyan? And Shane…?”

“Both are safe.”

Yudit let out a shaky breath of relief—but it was quickly followed by another wave of anxiety.

“How… how long have I been unconscious?”

“Four days.”

“What…”

Yudit’s face turned pale. Four days? He had been far too idle during a crucial time. He wanted to ask how Khalid had fared, how the others were, what state District 3 of Bern was in—but those weren’t questions to ask the physician. As Yudit groaned softly, the physician sighed and set the thermometer aside.

“Your pulse and temperature are both normal. You’ve a slight fever, but nothing to be concerned about. Are you in any pain?”

“I felt fine… just a little heavy.”

“Well, you haven’t eaten for four days and slept the whole time. The maids managed to get some thin soup into you, but it wasn’t much. Once you eat and start moving around again, you’ll recover quickly.”

“Th-thank you.”

“You must have many questions, but I’ve been spending most of my time at the Duke’s estate, tending to the three of you in turn. You’d be better off asking someone else about what’s happened.”

“Yes…”

At that moment, there came the sound of heavy footsteps approaching. The door swung open, and someone Yudit longed to see stood before him.

“Khalid…”

Khalid paused, taking in the sight of Yudit sitting upright, then quickly crossed the room and pulled him into a tight embrace. Being held in his arms made Yudit’s head spin—not out of happiness, but from the sheer intensity of it. It felt like he was drowning in a fountain made of perfume. His stomach turned. Yudit pushed Khalid away. Khalid looked at him, stunned.

“No, it’s not that—ugh…”

As he shook his head to explain, Yudit couldn’t fight the nausea. He threw up right then and there.

“I’m sorry…”

Yudit’s voice was faint, his head lowered and a damp cloth resting on his forehead.

“…It’s alright.”

Even as he said it, Khalid looked a little wounded. Yudit bowed his head further, ashamed.

“It was the smell… I mean, your scent was so much stronger than usual…”

It was far more intense than anything he’d ever experienced. Like the whole of a pine forest in winter had been poured over him. Khalid shook his head.

“It’s a natural reaction after manifestation. Most others don’t get this intense, but I’m a Dominant Alpha, so that might be why. Still…”

Khalid sat five steps away and drew in a deep breath.

“Your scent has gotten really strong, too.”

“Really? I don’t notice anything.”

Yudit sniffed the air but didn’t catch anything unusual.

“People don’t usually smell their own scent. But I can smell you just fine.”

“What… what do I smell like?”

“It’s complicated. But it’s something I’ve smelled before, a long time ago.”

Khalid closed his eyes and breathed in again, deeply.

“When I was little, maybe four years old, my parents took me on a picnic. It wasn’t far, just the lake in front of our home, but it felt special. The lake was blue, the grass was green—we spread out a mat and opened the picnic basket, and out came tea leaves, milk, bread, sweets… That day, I was allowed three pieces of candy. Your scent reminds me of that day. Sweet and savory, but not just that.”

“That sounds… nostalgic.”

“Yeah. It is.”

Khalid’s expression softened.

“Makes me want to bury my nose in your neck.”

“I’m fine now… would you like to come closer?”

“No. I just fed you—I’m not about to make you throw up again.”

At his words, Yudit’s face drooped with disappointment, but it quickly lit up again like a lamp catching fire.

“You made it into the final two, didn’t you? Who’s your opponent?”

“Reginald’s proxy. Last year’s champion.”

“It’s tomorrow afternoon, right? I’ll come watch.”

“…No.”

Yudit blinked, startled by the unexpected refusal.

“Why not? I’ve eaten, I’ve taken my medicine, I’m feeling so much better—”

“You still haven’t fully stabilized your pheromones. If you go out like this, every Alpha in the arena will lose their minds trying to get at you. Not even your guards will be able to hold them back.”

“It’s not that bad… You’re fine around me, aren’t you?”

“If you knew what I was thinking right now, you wouldn’t say that.”