TOPWL 169

“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. Absolutely.”

Screeech. The sound of a chair dragging across the floor. Yudit passed by them and walked toward the door. Shane stepped ahead and opened it.

The carriage carrying Yudit set off once more. Only when the house had disappeared from sight did Yudit finally loosen his upright posture and let out a deep sigh. His hand roughly rubbed over his face. Shane looked at him with concern.

“Are you feeling unwell? You don’t look so good.”

Yudit brushed his face and shook his head.

“I’m fine. Just in a foul mood. I did something I hate the most.”

What Yudit loathed above all was using his status to crush those weaker than himself. Even if it was for Luka’s sake, the bitter taste wouldn’t leave his mouth. He rested his chin in his hand and looked out the window.

“You saved that child with your status as a prince.”

Shane said evenly. Yudit gave a bitter smile. Then something small and round caught his eye by the roadside. The carriage sped past too fast for a good look, but it left a feeling of unease.

“What is it?”

“I just… saw something.”

“Shall we check it?”

Yudit hesitated a moment at Shane’s question, then nodded. It was better to confirm this sort of unease and put it to rest. The carriage stopped. They dismounted with a lantern and walked back. Yudit’s heartbeat quickened as they neared the spot. Shane held up the lantern when they arrived.

“Good thing we came back.”

“…Luka.”

Yudit said the name in stunned disbelief. Where no one should’ve been, Luka lay collapsed. Worry tightening his voice, Yudit asked,

“Was he hit by a carriage or something?”

“I don’t think so.”

Shane lifted Luka into his arms and felt his forehead.

“He’s burning up.”

The fever radiating from such a small body was almost unbelievable. Without hesitation, Yudit said,

“Take him back.”

“Yes.”

There was a physician at the palace. Better to bring Luka straight there than waste time stopping at home. Shane carried the child into the carriage, which then raced toward the castle.

***

“The worst has passed.”

The physician spoke with a weary face. The child’s fever, likely from the summer rain, refused to drop despite all his efforts. Luka vomited every oral medication, and even suppositories had little effect. They had to leave all the windows open and continually wipe him down with cold cloths. Though the child, barely conscious, protested that he was cold, he couldn’t resist adult strength. They repeated the process again and again. Only by dawn did Luka’s temperature finally begin to drop.

“You’ve worked hard.”

“No, not at all. At one point, I feared he’d go from burning to ice cold. I’m relieved.”

“……”

“That was a joke.”

The physician chuckled awkwardly. He said Luka only needed to drink warm fluids and be wiped down occasionally now, then took his leave. The dark outside had lightened faintly—it was nearly dawn. A maid who had been waiting nearby spoke.

“I’ll watch him, Your Highness. You should rest, you look exhausted.”

Yudit hesitated, then remembered tomorrow’s schedule and nodded.

“Please do.”

But just as he stood to leave, a small hand clung to his finger. Looking down, he saw Luka tightly holding on, as if silently pleading for him not to go. He didn’t seem conscious, likely doing it in his sleep.

“Oh my…”

The maid was startled and moved to free Yudit’s hand, but he shook his head.

“I’ll stay with him until morning. Go rest.”

“Are you sure? You must be tired…”

“I’ll sleep here beside him. I’ll be fine.”

The maid gave firm instructions to pull the bell rope if he needed help, then exited. Fortunately, the guest bed was large enough for three. Yudit carefully lay down, trying not to wake Luka. The boy still held onto his hand. Yudit debated whether to pull away, but in the end, simply held it back and closed his eyes. Dawn slowly crept in.

It felt like he’d just closed his eyes, but morning had come. No one came to wake him, knowing how much he had been through during the night, but Yudit awoke on his own, as he always did. Luka was still asleep. Gently placing his hand on the boy’s forehead, Yudit found only a trace of warmth. He let out a breath of relief. Just then, Luka opened his eyes. The child’s blue irises caught the morning light and shone like dozens of lit candles.

“Teacher?”

“You’re up early.”

Luka blinked, still not understanding where he was. Sitting up, he looked around, his eyes spinning at the ornate ceiling and silk drapes.

“Is this your house, Teacher?”

“It’s not mine, but I’m staying here.”

“Wow…”

Luka gasped, as if he had entered another world. Judging by the way he fidgeted and waved his arms, he still couldn’t tell if this was a dream or not.

“Last night I found you collapsed by the road and brought you here. We wiped you down and gave you medicine. Do you remember?”

Luka scrunched his face, trying to recall, then shook his head. With a fever over 40 degrees, it wasn’t surprising.

“I don’t remember…”

“That’s okay.”

“But… I think I should go home…”

Luka fidgeted like a nervous puppy.

“Worried someone will worry? I already sent word. Don’t worry too much.”

Yudit had sent a message to the house after bringing Luka in. But Luka still seemed anxious.

“It’s not that… I need to fetch water. And I have to clean and knead the bread dough…”

Luka tried to get up, only to collapse onto the pillow again. His body, weakened by the fever, wasn’t up to it. Yudit gently laid him back down and pulled up the blanket, speaking with mild sternness.

“You were sick all night. Sick people need rest. Anyone who tries to stop you from resting will have to deal with me, understand?”

“Really? You’ll really scold them?”

“Absolutely.”

The child pondered for a moment, then held out his pinky. He wanted a promise. Yudit linked his pinky to the boy’s. After their “stamp,” Luka settled back with a relieved look.

“Don’t go anywhere while I’m asleep. Okay?”

“Alright, I promise.”

His work would be delayed, but Yudit agreed without hesitation. Only then did Luka smile.

“Teacher, will you tell me a story?”

“A story?”

“Like the one about the golden lion or the kind thief.”

It seemed Luka had really enjoyed the fairy tales Yudit sometimes told after class.

“Alright, let’s see… what should I tell you…”

Yudit decided to tell the story of the Little Lady, a poor girl who was revealed to be the daughter of a duke and brought into the ducal family, only for it to turn out the duke had taken her to marry her off to a monster. Before the wedding, she escaped and lived peacefully in a seaside village, teaching what she had learned. Yudit told the story slowly, hoping Luka would fall back asleep, but the tale was too captivating. Luka looked more awake than ever.

“How could the Little Lady be so smart? Could I be like that too?”

“Of course you can.”

Yudit brushed back the child’s sweat-damp hair behind his ear. Luka gazed up at him, eyes sparkling despite the fever.

“Tell me another. Please?”

Yudit shook his head.

“This time, why don’t you tell me a story?”

“My story… isn’t interesting…”

“That’s okay. I want to know more about you, Luka. It doesn’t have to be fun.”

Luka hesitated for a long time. Yudit waited patiently. And at last, the words that came from the boy’s mouth were like a thunderclap.