TOPWL 173

“Why do you look like that?”

Noticing the dazed expression so unlike usual, Yudit asked.

“Khalid, do you not like the idea of having children?”

“It’s not that exactly… I’ve just never thought about having a child. So a life with a child… it feels a bit unfamiliar because I’ve never imagined it before.”

Khalid, uncharacteristically, spoke at length, then looked toward Yudit and the scene behind him. The fireplace, the bed, the nightstand, the tea table. It was easy to tell that he was imagining the future.

“But it’s… really nice. I like it.”

As he said this, the rims of Khalid’s ears turned slightly red. Seeing him shy like that, so unlike himself, made Yudit feel shy too.

“R-really? I think about it sometimes… not now, of course, but someday.”

Yudit hadn’t never imagined a child that resembled both Khalid and himself. It was just something he’d never dared to say aloud. But once he said it, he realized he truly did want to see such a child with him. Yudit looked down at his flat stomach.

“Though… I don’t know if it’s even possible.”

Even after his second manifestation, Yudit’s reproductive ability was uncertain. It wasn’t nonexistent, but years of ingesting poison had weakened his body, and there was doubt whether a child could survive in a body so altered by toxins. There was no shortage of people who aspired to be dukes or kings, so there wasn’t much concern about an heir. But just once, he wanted to see a child between Khalid and himself. It amazed him that someone like him, who had once struggled just to stay alive, could think such thoughts. He was suddenly struck by how precious Khalid was. Yudit walked over and embraced him.

Khalid stroked his back and said, “It doesn’t matter. Just you alone is more than enough for me.”

At Khalid’s firm words, Yudit gave a bashful smile.

“Thank you. For saying that. Since you got back yesterday, will you take today off?”

“Hmm, no. I’ve got a backlog of work to get through.”

“Just for today, take a proper rest.”

“If you rest, I’ll rest too.”

At Khalid’s response, Yudit gave him a playful side-eye.

“That’s so unfair. Why are you dragging me into this?”

Seeing Khalid smile slyly, Yudit gave a quick kiss on his chin.

“I’ll be back early. Let’s have dinner together.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

***

“Teacher!”

After class ended and Yudit was packing up, Luka called out to him. Luka’s expression had grown much brighter in the past few days. That made Yudit smile warmly.

“Yes, Luka. What is it?”

“There’s something I want to show you. Jinny, come here.”

Luka spoke toward the door. Then, from behind it, a small child peeked out. A three-year-old with cute brown hair. Jinny ran over to Luka and quickly hid behind his back.

“Hey, Jinny. You should greet the teacher.”

Luka spoke in a mock-stern voice. Trying to act like a big brother was adorable, and Yudit had to hold back a laugh. Jinny, still clinging to Luka’s jacket, looked up at Yudit. He didn’t have Luka’s striking looks, but his chubby cheeks and big eyes were adorably childlike. Yudit bent on one knee and met Jinny’s eyes.

“Hi, I’m Teacher Yudit. What’s your name?”

As Yudit got closer, Jinny startled and let go of Luka’s hand. His whole face turned bright red and he whispered in a tiny voice,

“Jinian…”

“Jinian, that’s a lovely name. Nice to meet you.”

When Yudit reached out his hand, the child hesitated, then wrapped both his hands around it. It seemed he didn’t quite know what a handshake was yet. His innocence made Yudit finally chuckle.

“Did you come to school together?”

“Yeah. He begged to come…”

Luka had chosen to leave his uncle and move into a group home. It was his own decision. Instead of an orphanage with his younger sibling, he chose one closer to the school, and his brother moved there too. Yudit didn’t know what Shane had done, but within three hours of hearing the situation, he came back with a signed custody waiver. That alone had made things much easier, so Yudit chose not to dig deeper. Life at a strict group home couldn’t be easy, but Luka had visibly brightened. That was something to be thankful for.

“Do you like the new group home?”

At Yudit’s question, Jinny’s eyes widened. He seemed curious how Yudit knew about that. Though his expression was puzzled, he still nodded.

“At the old place, it was just a bed. But now it’s bunk beds. My brother’s on the top, and I’m on the bottom. When I get scared at night, he comes down and sleeps with me.”

“You should tell him that happens every night, too.”

“It’s not… every night.”

Yudit watched the two brothers bicker fondly.

“Teacher, do you want to play at the playground too?”

Luka asked in an unusually mature tone. The contrast between his grown-up way of speaking and asking to play at the playground made Yudit laugh and shake his head.

“I’ve got work to do today. Maybe next time.”

“Then next time, let’s play together. I’m really good at building sandcastles.”

“Alright, alright.”

As Yudit waved, Luka placed a hand on his belly and gave a polite bow. Watching Luka, Jinny quietly bowed his head in greeting too.

“Race you to the playground!”

“Wait for me!”

Before Yudit could remind them not to run in the halls, the two brothers had already taken off. The way those little ones darted about like flying squirrels, bouncing from one tree to the next, was incredible. Yudit stepped into the hallway and didn’t scold them. Instead, he watched their light, carefree backs as they grew smaller in the distance. He couldn’t save everyone, but at least he’d made those two brothers a little happier, and that made him glad.

***

“Still working?”

Fresh out of the bath, Khalid asked Yudit. Yudit turned to look at him from the desk and gave an awkward smile.

“Just need to finish this.”

“Who’s it for?”

“For the author. It’s a short letter to let her know about the reprint and the payment that comes with it.”

Rita’s book had sold like wildfire the moment it was released. The fact that it was written by a woman had caused quite a stir and helped it spread by word of mouth. They had printed 500 copies of each of the three books—1,500 in total—and all of them had sold out within four days. There were occasional accusations suggesting the books were actually written by men using a woman’s name, since the first book by a woman had sold so well. But the three titles were already regarded as masterpieces, and such doubts quickly faded.

Yudit wrote a letter about the reprint payment, the future schedule, and a brief update. As he sealed the letter with wax, Khalid gazed at him steadily.

“I heard the publishing house is booming.”

“Well, it’s going pretty well.”

“Pretty well? My dear prince is being far too modest.”

As Yudit placed the letter on the desk and made his way to the bed, Khalid pulled him into a hug as if he’d been waiting. The soft scent of soap and Khalid’s natural scent blended together, tickling the tip of Yudit’s nose. He breathed it in deeply. It was a smell that always made him feel at ease.

“I think people are starting to say we’re the publisher that allows women to publish under their real names. I’ve been getting a lot of messages from writers who’ve been publishing under male names.”

Many letters had arrived, with all sorts of reasons. Some wanted to make their name known. Some wanted to build a better world for their daughters. Some wanted to support a publisher that let women publish books. Some simply wanted the money to be deposited into their own accounts, not their husbands’. Thanks to that, the publisher’s mailbox was packed every single day.

“For now, we’re the only publisher allowing women to publish under their own names, so we’re getting a lot of attention. But other publishers will start following suit soon. Still, we have so many good books… it should help support your finances for a while.”

Yudit said, his eyes shining.

“A capable prince filling my treasury? Now that’s something to look forward to.”

“You’re allowed to look forward to it. They’re all good books, people will recognize that.”

“They already are. I’ve no doubt.”

Khalid said, gently nibbling at Yudit’s shoulder, his words slightly muffled. The warmth of his breath made the fine hairs on the back of Yudit’s neck stand on end.

Khalid, who had turned Yudit’s head, kissed him. Khalid’s tongue gently invaded his mouth. His hand slipped inside the collar, caressing Yudit’s chest and nipples.

It had been a long time since they had any contact, so even a brief touch quickly made his back wet. Khalid’s member, which was touching his perineum, gradually became thicker and hotter.

Khalid openly rubbed around Yudit’s hole. Even though he was wearing underwear and pants, Yudit gasped at the sensation, it felt like he was about to be pierced.

“Ah, Khalid…!”

As if unable to hold back, Khalid grabbed Yudit’s pants and underwear and pulled them down. Yudit lifted his hips to make it easier to take them off. The look in Khalid’s eyes as he looked at him was predatory. Yudit lay on the bed, holding the back of his head, and kissed him.