TOPWL 190

Was the Emperor really that afraid of the Duke? In the end, they were still subjects of Adenauer. Did he really have to cast them out so cruelly?

“The Emperor has already given up on being Emperor. Even if it hadn’t been Your Highness, His Excellency would’ve taken action soon enough. Just… not now. We’ve already lost too many troops, and the Emperor is fully prepared. The odds of winning are about fifty-fifty. And once we do win…”

“We’ll have to face the next enemy.”

Reginald and the Empress, to be exact. No matter how powerful Khalid was, he couldn’t destroy Reginald right after taking down the Emperor. It was a game where taking one meant yielding to the other. Yudit, lost in thought for a moment, asked Bagon,

“Why are you telling me this?”

“…”

Bagon didn’t answer. Yudit quickly realized he’d asked something he shouldn’t have. Bagon wanted Yudit to stop Khalid, even if it meant dying. Khalid would never forgive him for delivering this message. And Bagon knew that.

“Alright. Thanks for telling me.”

“…I’m sorry.”

Bagon bowed his head, ashamed.

“Since it’s come to this, could you help me a little more?”

“What should I do?”

Bagon was ready to help however he could.

“Just stay there for a moment.”

Yudit sat down and wrote a short letter. Once he put down the first word, the rest followed easily. He slipped the letter into an envelope, sealed it with wax, then started braiding his hair, which was tied back in a single bundle. Since it was done roughly, it didn’t take long. Bagon watched curiously as Yudit, still seated, pulled a dagger from his outer thigh. Bagon’s confusion turned to shock when Yudit raised the blade to his own hair.

“Y-Your Highness…”

Snip. The dagger sliced through. The well-sharpened blade cut cleanly, and the strands of platinum hair that hadn’t been fully braided fell to the floor. Yudit, now left with short hair, coiled the severed braid into a tight knot.

“Give this to the knight and have him deliver it. You and I are heading to Devlin now.”

Bagon bit his lip, understanding what Yudit meant. He couldn’t escape punishment now that he had delivered this message. There was no telling how cruel Khalid would be, but Bagon was prepared to die for it. That was why Yudit had chosen not to have Bagon deliver the letter himself.

“…I’m sorry.”

Bagon lowered his head. Yudit smiled faintly.

***

“What? You’re leaving for Devlin now?”

The commander, his nose flushed red from drinking, asked in disbelief.

“Sorry. I know it’s right when things were just getting good.”

The commander looked a bit troubled, he asked,

“You must have urgent business. How many escorts will you take?”

“Three.”

“So including you, that makes four. Since Devlin is still inside the Empire, it should be fine, but… would you like more guards just in case?”

As he said that, he glanced at the rowdy banquet hall with mild irritation. Everyone was already drunk, so whoever he picked wouldn’t be much use for a while.

“No, this is enough. Any more and we’ll just draw attention.”

“A quiet matter, then. Understood. We’ll depart as soon as we’re ready tomorrow.”

“Thanks.”

The commander agreed more readily than expected. Maybe that decisiveness was what got him this far. Either way, it worked out for Yudit.

Before leaving, Yudit took a final look around the hall. The tables were still full, and attendants were hurrying to refill empty plates. Selena was darting around as well, keeping track of everything. Yudit felt bad about leaving without saying a proper goodbye after all she’d done. He looked away and turned around.

Through the rear doors, the escort party was already ready with gear and horses. Yudit walked up to Reed and stroked her neck.

“I’m counting on you.”

Reed perked up her ears, as if she understood him. Yudit stepped into the stirrup and mounted the horse with ease. He pulled his hood down low and spurred the horse forward. The three escorts followed suit. Yudit rode up next to Shane.

“Thanks, Shane. I’m sure this wasn’t an easy decision.”

Shane also knew about Yudit’s situation with Khalid. He understood not only Yudit’s life, but his own, could be at risk. But even after hearing everything, Shane had said without hesitation that he would follow.

“I’m Your Highness’s escort. Following your command is what I’m supposed to do.”

His voice was as stiff as ever. His loyalty made Yudit all the more grateful.

Maybe because it was market day, but the line to get through the city gates was long. It looked like it would take over ten minutes to get out with all the carts, wagons, oxen, and horses. They could get through faster by revealing their identity, but that would also raise the chances of being tracked. Yudit dismounted and waited patiently for their turn.

As they got closer, a soldier suddenly rang a bell. Another soldier gestured for the road to be cleared. When Yudit looked puzzled, Bagon explained.

“It means a high noble’s carriage is coming through.”

The others seemed used to this, and everyone began shifting their carts and wagons to the left to make room. Soon, the packed road cleared, and the sound of wheels drew near. Shane rushed over and pulled Yudit’s hood lower.

“It’s the Duke’s carriage.”

Yudit held his breath. Only a direct blood relative could use that crest, and Khalid was the only one left. If he got caught… But part of him still wanted to see inside. He’d left behind a letter, but there hadn’t been a proper goodbye. It might be the last chance. But what if they made eye contact?

The carriage was getting closer. Yudit’s heart pounded. He clenched his fists tight enough that his hands hurt. Don’t look. He shut his eyes beneath the hood. A pair of horses thundered past, dragging the carriage with a swirl of dust.

A cloud of sand hung in the air behind it. Yudit, still hooded, watched it disappear down the road.

“He didn’t recognize me, right?”

Yudit asked. Shane looked around cautiously and nodded.

“It doesn’t seem like it.”

“Good.”

The checkpoint resumed. At the soldier’s request, Yudit handed over a badge. He’d had a few fake ones made just in case, and there were four total, one for each escort. It was their first time using them, so he couldn’t help feeling a bit nervous. Luckily, since they were leaving rather than entering, the inspection was more relaxed. The four of them passed through without trouble. Just as Yudit set one foot in the stirrup, Shane spoke.

“We should leave quickly.”

“Why?”

“The carriage is coming back.”

Yudit’s face went pale. There was little reason for Khalid to return after racing out of the city like that, unless it was because of him. How did he recognize me without even looking back? Then he remembered, he still had the horse Khalid had gifted him. That’s what gave him away. He hadn’t had time to switch it out, and now it was too late.

“Did he recognize me?”

“I’m not sure. But we should move fast either way.”

“Yes. I understand.”

Yudit quickly mounted from the opposite side and kicked off. The four horses raced down the road.

Yudit.

He thought he heard Khalid calling his name behind him. He kept riding until the sound faded from his ears. The sand in the wind stung his eyes.