TOPWL 29

“I heard the competition has started. It’s a banquet for the embassy delegates, right?”

“That’s correct. We are holding a banquet for the delegation from Herut.” Anyone who regularly read the newspapers would know about the competition. The Emperor had been heavily promoting it. While others were aware, they didn’t seem eager to discuss it.

“How are you approaching the competition, Your Highness?”

“I’m doing my best, in my own way.”

Even if he won, the chances of him becoming the Emperor were slim. There were Azil, supported by the Emperor, and Reginald and Hiore, backed by the Empress. But Yudit still intended to give his best effort.

“Then I’ll help as much as I can. If you need any assistance, Your Highness, feel free to ask me anytime.”

At that moment, Yudit understood why Sonia had brought up the topic.

“I feel the same way. I’m sure you’ll navigate things wisely, Your Highness, but if you need help or advice, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

Selena spoke with firm resolve. Lyett’s response was similar.

“After all, we’ve become a bit closer through the fire. I think of you as a friend, so if you need anything, feel free to ask.”

“Lady Lyett…”

“It’s fine.”

Lyett spoke somewhat bluntly, causing Selena to hesitate, unsure whether to admonish her. But Yudit, who had grown accustomed to Lyett’s manner, reassured Selena.

Yudit fell into deep thought. Was it really right to ask people who had just gone through such an ordeal for help? Yet, the other princes had already started large and small projects. Yudit, having wasted a day and a half on the party, was feeling the pressure. After a moment of hesitation, Yudit finally spoke.

“…Is it really okay for me to ask this?”

“Of course!”

Selena, excited by the thought of helping Yudit, spoke in a louder voice than usual. Yudit was glad to hear that response. What Selena had to offer was more than necessary for his banquet.

“Then…”

…

“This is Your Highness’s battlefield, I see.”

Lyett remarked as she looked around the banquet hall. The next day, Yudit invited Selena, Lyett, and Sonia to the palace.

“Then… Could I get some advice for the banquet I’ll be hosting soon?”

At Yudit’s words, the others nodded eagerly. They had barely stopped themselves from saying they would come right away once they heard the date of the banquet. Yudit woke up early, finished cleaning, and greeted the three of them.

“The ceiling is high here.”

Selena looked up at the tall ceiling.

“It’s the top floor.”

“What’s the budget like?”

“Five millions Kes.”

“Not too much, not too little.”

Selena bent down to look at the wind coming through the cracks in the walls, and then she suddenly coughed. Yudit handed her a handkerchief. Selena covered her mouth with her hand, smiling wryly, and shook her head.

“It’s cold because the wind is blowing through the cracks.”

“It’s alright. It’s because of the fire. But yes, the wind definitely comes through the gaps. It feels stronger because the wind is coming through such small openings.”

As Selena examined the gaps, she stood up and headed toward the table. Her gaze was sharp as she inspected the table and chairs.

“How would you like to decorate this place, Your Highness?”

“Well… I was thinking of hanging tapestries on the walls, replacing the tables, and covering the chairs with cloth.”

After hearing Yudit’s response, Selena paused for a moment before asking again.

“Hmm… That’s fine, but have you ever thought about what you’d like the guests at the banquet to feel when they see it?”

Clearly, someone who had hosted many banquets thought differently. Yudit was caught off guard by Selena’s question. After a brief pause, Yudit slowly began to speak.

“I’m in charge of the banquet on the fourth day. The last day. After all, even flowers lose their charm after a month. I don’t think a banquet just full of grandeur and spectacle is the best approach. I believe the Herut delegation will be worn out from the continuous banquets. And on the following day, they will have to embark on the long journey back to the desert. I want to give them a banquet where they can rest and recharge.”

“That’s a very Prince-like choice.”

Selena’s expression softened as she looked at Yudit.

“Herut… It is a desert country, right?”

Liet asked, and Yudit nodded.

“Yes. Many people think of them as desert nomads or gypsies, but Herut is very much a proper country.”

“I know. My husband tried to make a deal with them, but in the end, it didn’t work out.”

Lyett’s husband was a merchant. Suddenly, a light flickered in Yudit’s mind.

“Then, does your husband know about Herut’s culture and language?”

“Well, he tried to learn it when he was trying to make a deal with them. It was a few years ago, so I’m sure he’s forgotten most of it by now.”

“I see.”

Come to think of it, Liet’s husband was currently on a ship. Even if he remembered, the chance of Yudit meeting him before the banquet was slim.

“Why do you ask?”

“I wanted to learn the Herut language to greet them personally. I also wanted to ask about their culture.”

“Hmm? I think I can help with that.”

“Excuse me?”

“One of my husband’s friends married someone from Herut. Since his husband travels frequently for work, I met him a few times because I thought he might be struggling alone in a foreign place.”

“Is he living in this city?”

“Yes, he’s probably at home right now. Should I introduce you next time?”

“I would appreciate that.”

“Alright, I’ll get in touch with him.”

Lyett readily agreed. Yudit’s heart raced; things were moving so smoothly. Sonia, who had been quietly listening, spoke up from the window.

“Should I sing here?”

“…Excuse me?”

“I’d like to help, too, but the only thing I can do is sing.”

Yudit hesitated for a moment. While it would be nice if Sonia could sing, he was well aware of how high her fees were.

“I’m sorry, but the budget is a bit tight, so we won’t be able to accommodate that this time.”

“I’m under exclusive contract with a theater company. I can’t sing for money.”

“Ah.”

That’s when it dawned on Yudit. Sonia had mentioned not accepting money even for charity events. However, asking her to perform at a private banquet seemed a bit too much. Perhaps noticing Yudit’s thoughts, Sonia smiled and said,

“Could you consider it as a celebration of a friend’s first banquet…?”

A “friend’s first banquet.” At those words, Yudit felt as though someone was lightly tickling the corner of his heart. Despite all the things destroyed in the fire, some things had also been made.

“Then, I’ll accept your request.”

Yudit extended his hand toward Sonia. Sonia smiled and took it.

…

The meeting with the Herut person happened much faster than expected. Excluding Sonia, who had an appointment, they all visited the market together, but Lyett disappeared for a while, only to return with someone from Herut. It hadn’t been even a few hours since Yudit mentioned it, and now he was meeting someone from Herut. The pace was so quick that Yudit could barely keep up.

The person from Herut seemed just as unaware and reluctant to be brought along. Black hair, fearful amber eyes, coffee-colored skin, and a small tear-shaped mole next to his eye. He smelled of sunlight and sand. He was a male omega. His shoulders were hunched, and Selena asked Lyett,

“What did you say to bring him here, for him to be this frightened?”

“I told him the Prince wanted to meet him.”

“Well, of course, he would be scared if you put it like that.”

“I also told him the Prince is a good person.”

When Selena scolded Lyett, she muttered something in response. Yudit turned to the frightened Herut man and spoke,

“It’s nice to meet you.”

The Herut man looked at Yudit in surprise when he suddenly heard the Herut language.

“My name is Yudit. What is your name?”

“My… My name is Yasin.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Yasin.”

Yasin then rapidly spoke to Yudit in Herut language. Yudit could only catch a few words here and there, but he couldn’t understand the meaning at all. Yudit gave an awkward smile.