TOPWL 25

“Understood.”

Yudit hadn’t done it expecting anything in return, but the price Khalid had paid was far too sweet. He let out a sigh of relief.

”……”

With the issue resolved, reality sank in.

Khalid was wearing only a thin robe, and Yudit was in his underclothes.

And they were in the same room.

Yudit swallowed dryly as he glanced at Khalid.

It’ll be fine. He said he hates omegas…

“Are you feeling unwell?”

Noticing Yudit’s sudden change in behavior, Khalid frowned. Judging by his reaction, Yudit’s injuries must have been quite severe.

“I’m fine. I just… want to rest now.”

The last words came out slightly hoarse from nerves. Yudit covered his mouth and cleared his throat.

Khalid gave him a strange look.

“You’re not worried that I’ll jump on you, are you?”

It was impossible to hide his reaction.

Yudit’s face gradually turned red.

Already feverish, the added heat to his face made his head start to ache.

“Relax. I’ve taken suppressants, and there’s nothing about that battered body of yours that would excite me.”

Khalid’s gaze swept over Yudit’s injured and emaciated frame.

He had meant it as an insult, but Yudit looked noticeably relieved by the remark.

Khalid silently observed him before placing a hand on his forehead.

“You shouldn’t have been born into the imperial family.”

It was an empty remark.

“If I hadn’t been born into the imperial family?”

“I would’ve made you one of my subordinates. You’re the type to hand over your liver and gallbladder if someone shows you a bit of kindness.”

“I’m not that easily swayed.”

“Yes, you are.”

Khalid pressed Yudit’s forehead once more before pulling back.

“I’ll have them bring you some sleepwear. Just wear it and rest. You won’t find a carriage at this hour anyway. I’ll have one prepared after breakfast.”

“I appreciate your consideration.”

Yudit bowed his head toward Khalid.

Khalid clicked his tongue in disapproval before shaking his head and leaving the room.

As he had said, not long after, a servant arrived with sleepwear and a cup of warm milk.

The sleepwear fit Yudit perfectly.

Whose was this?

Yudit wondered for a moment before accepting the milk.

The warm drink, sweetened with honey, filled him with comfort.

His expression softened as he sipped it.

Finishing his milk, Yudit lay back.

Even the guest room beds in the duke’s mansion were excellent—far better than his own mattress.

The moment he closed his eyes, he fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

Yudit woke up just before noon.

Blinking in confusion, he stared at the sun high in the sky.

He had never slept so soundly in an unfamiliar place before.

Startled, he quickly sat up.

”…..”

As soon as he straightened his back, a dull pain shot through him, making him grimace.

Though the pain had lessened somewhat, it was still severe.

Leaning against the pillow, Yudit took in his surroundings.

The room had green wallpaper adorned with intricate golden patterns.

A massive bed, a nightstand, a wardrobe, and a table were arranged in precise positions.

It seemed to be a guest room rarely used, as most objects were untouched, yet everything was immaculately clean, free of even a speck of dust.

Yudit considered stepping out to call for someone, but when he looked down at his sleepwear, he hesitated.

”……”

It was a delicate nightgown with fluttering lace trim.

The room had been too dark, and he had been too exhausted to notice the details before putting it on.

Now that he thought about it, it seemed like it had been chosen deliberately.

A bad joke.

As he debated whether to go out or not, a knock came at the door.

“Come in.”

At his permission, the door opened, revealing a man with a long, neatly groomed beard running down his chin.

“I am Wender, the butler. Are you feeling better?”

“I’m fine.”

“I’m glad to hear that. Would you like to have a meal, a bath, or a medical check-up first?”

Yudit had intended to refuse all three and return to the imperial palace immediately.

But at the mention of food, his stomach let out a loud growl.

Loud enough for Wendré to hear.

“I will prepare your meal first.”

“I’m fi—”

Before Yudit could object, Wender had already left the room.

His ears turned red in embarrassment.

Before long, a servant returned with a tray of food.

Soft, warm white bread, honey, creamy risotto, thinly sliced apples, and fruit juice filled the tray.

A small table was set up on the bed for him to eat comfortably.

Before picking up his spoon, Yudit asked the servant,

“Is His Grace at home?”

“His Grace left early this morning.”

The servant answered politely.

It was a level of courtesy Yudit had never experienced in the imperial palace.

Rather than feeling comfortable, it made him feel slightly uneasy.

The risotto, made slightly thinner, had cooled just enough to be comfortably eaten. Since Yudit’s right hand, wrapped in bandages, was his dominant hand, he used his left hand to hold the spoon, making his movements slow and clumsy. His stomach, empty for several hours, grumbled loudly as he ate, as if protesting each bite.

After quickly finishing all the food on the tray, Yudit dipped the last piece of bread into the risotto sauce and ate it, letting it soak and soften. Even before the table was cleared, the servants began pouring warm water into the bathtub.

“I will assist you with your bath.”

“I’m fine. I can manage on my own.”

“It will be uncomfortable with just one hand.”

Yudit glanced at his right hand, wrapped in bandages. It was clear that it would be difficult with just one hand.

“You have burns on your body, so we’ll just wash your head and not submerge you in the water.”

Following the servant’s lead, Yudit leaned his head back into the tub. The servant skillfully washed Yudit’s hair while other servants carefully avoided his wounds and wiped his body with warm towels. The grime from the previous night’s fire gradually disappeared. After washing his face and brushing his teeth, Yudit felt more refreshed than he had in a long time.

“Thank you.”

The servants, who had maintained a businesslike demeanor the entire time, smiled faintly and nodded. One of the servants, drying Yudit’s wet hair with a towel, approached with a robe.

“The physician is waiting. We will assist you with dressing after your examination.”

Before Yudit could even refuse, everything proceeded smoothly, like water flowing in a stream. If he had wanted to decline, he should have done so before the meal. Once he put on the robe, the servant tied the ribbon at the front for him.

As the servants left the room, the physician knocked and entered. The elderly woman wearing round glasses placed her medical bag on the table and took out her stethoscope.

“I’ll just check your chest for a moment. Please take a deep breath.”

The cold stethoscope touched his chest. After listening, the physician moved it away and examined Yudit’s mouth. She carefully inspected the inside of his mouth and throat before setting down the tongue depressor and speaking.

“I heard you were at the fire. Have you been coughing or producing phlegm throughout the night?”

“It wasn’t severe.”

“Any other issues?”

“Nothing special.”

“That’s a relief. The hot air you inhaled might have burned or weakened your respiratory system. You should rest for a while and avoid spicy foods or drinks for now.”

The physician spoke for a bit longer before prescribing some medicine. Though it had only been one check-up, it was clear that the physician was highly skilled.

“I wish you a speedy recovery.”

After bowing to Yudit, the physician left the room. Not long after, the servants waiting outside the door came in with clothes.

“I will assist you with dressing.”

Though Yudit had preferred to do it himself, not having a fully functioning hand made it more inconvenient than he had imagined. Fortunately, the clothes the servants brought were much more suitable than the nightgown. It was a beige shirt made of cotton fabric with a dark green checkered vest and matching pants, all perfectly fitted to Yudit’s body.

“Are these for guests?”

“These are the clothes His Grace wore when he was fourteen.”

“……”

Yudit had thought his height and physique were unique, but he never expected clothes worn by the Duke at fourteen to fit him so perfectly. His pride was slightly wounded. It was ridiculous that his pride was hurt by something like this when it never budged in other matters.