TOPWL 45

The princes did not usually express such clear opinions about other countries because they were not emperors. This could result in a rift with the emperor. However, Yudit was certain that the harmony between Herut and Adanauer was exactly what the emperor desired. Cooperation with Herut was essential if they were to establish relations with the countries beyond the desert. The soldiers of Adanauer didn’t even know how to face the sand monsters, let alone endure the desert. And if the emperor hadn’t wanted harmony with them, he would not have invited them, allowed the princes to host a banquet, or even recognized them as a kingdom.

So, Yudit hoped to break the boundaries between the people of Herut and Adanauer, hoping they would come to understand one another. Particularly, he wished the people of Adanauer would realize that the Herutians were not just a barbaric tribe, but had their own unique culture and wisdom for life. This was why Yudit had organized this banquet.

“Like this tea, which produces a unique taste and aroma when brewed together, I hope that we too will not merely be bound by mutual interests but will come to know, understand, and exchange with one another. I will be happy if this banquet has been of help in that sense.”

Yudit gestured to the servants standing by the door. The servants began to bring in gift boxes. The purple boxes were for the emissaries of Herut, while the orange boxes were for the people of Adanauer. Giving gifts at the end of the banquet was something the three other princes had done as well.

“The orange box contains a collection of poems from Herut, along with some tea leaves from earlier. I hope you enjoy them when you have the time.”

The poetry collection had been personally edited and compiled by Yudit. He had even placed a poem that inspired the motif of “The Farewell of the whippoorwill” at the beginning of the collection. The reason he had chosen that song for tonight’s performance was because of that poem.

“The purple box contains dried fish, nuts, and a lucky charm. I wish you a safe journey and look forward to the day we meet again in good health.”

The gifts were modest compared to the others. Yudit had thought of giving something more extravagant, but the other princes had already given lavish presents, and carrying them across the desert would have been burdensome. Yudit didn’t want to add to their load. Instead, he had chosen simple food items that could be consumed. Then, when he visited the market the day the banquet started, he had picked up some delicate decorations that he added to the gifts. He had selected colors that matched their hair and eye colors. One of the envoys, perhaps noticing this, whispered something into another envoy’s ear. At that moment, Yudit felt that everything he could do had already been done.

It was over.

Everything was over.

One by one, the guests rose from their seats. The sky had turned completely dark. Yudit stood at the door, seeing them off.

“Thank you for hosting this banquet.”

One of the envoys spoke to Yudit. With that, the other began offering their words of gratitude.

“It was truly wonderful.”

“I really enjoyed it.”

“It was fun.”

The last one to speak was Huyan. He was already hanging the decoration on his sword belt. As he adjusted the knot, Huyan spoke.

“…I will cherish it.”

When the envoys and nobles had left, only the servants remained, busy cleaning up the banquet hall. One noble, who had hesitated and lingered, approached Yudit. Realizing he was almost the last guest, he fidgeted like a nervous puppy. The man, still hesitant, spoke cautiously.

“It was truly an impressive banquet.”

“Thank you.”

“May I ask one question?”

“Of course.”

The man carefully glanced at Yudit before speaking. The nobles invited tonight were mostly judges who had been evaluating the princes’ banquets. They were all middle-aged, at least twice Yudit’s age. Yudit found it strange that such a person was looking for him.

“Are all the tapestries here… yours, Your Highness?”

The man, eager not to lose the opportunity, asked his question in haste. Yudit shook his head.

“No, they belong to a close friend of mine, and I borrowed them for display.”

At Yudit’s words, the man’s face brightened. It seemed this was the answer he had been hoping for.

“Oh, I see. Then, would your friend be willing to sell any of these tapestries? No, wait. Could I know the name of the person who made them?”

The man asked eagerly, his eyes sparkling. Coincidentally, Yasin, the tapestry maker, was approaching Yudit and the man. He had stayed behind to help with the clean-up but, finding the other servants too burdensome, was heading toward Yudit instead.

“Yasin.”

“Yes?”

“This gentleman is interested in your tapestries.”

“Yes, yes?”

Yasin, who had just walked up, was taken aback by the sudden request. The man, full of excitement, looked at Yasin with admiration.

“Ah, you’re the one who made these tapestries? Could you please tell me your name?”

“Y- Yasin, please call me Yasin.”

Yasin awkwardly pronounced his name in Adanauer, struggling with the unfamiliar language. The man showered him with praise for his tapestries, and Yasin, despite his discomfort, managed to continue the conversation, demonstrating that his time studying with Yudit had paid off.

As Yasin continued speaking, Yudit recognized the man. He was a well-known collector among the nobles, famous for his discerning eye when it came to artwork and sculptures. It seemed that he had recognized the tapestries as something rare and valuable.

After a brief conversation, the man took Yasin aside for a more detailed discussion. Yudit hesitated for a moment, wondering if it was fine to leave them alone, but reassured himself that both were Omegas and would likely be fine. He had been unable to offer Yasin any proper reward for helping to make the banquet a success, so he hoped this meeting would lead to something positive for both of them.

The servants continued to take the items out, and Yudit stared at the now empty banquet hall. Khalid, Reginald, Huyan, and Sonia were all gone. In this space, which had absorbed all his efforts, only Yudit and the silence remained. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath.

At that moment, the sound of footsteps reached his ears. They were too slow and wide for a servant. Yudit turned to look at the door. Khalid appeared through the doorway.

“Did you forget something?” Yudit asked.

Khalid looked at him quietly before shaking his head.

“No.”

“Then…?”

Yudit looked at him with a puzzled expression.

“I have something to say.”

“To me?”

“Yes.”

Yudit tensed, wondering how important the matter was to make Khalid stop and come back. His shoulders tightened in anticipation.

“What…?”

“Good job.”

Khalid said simply. After that, there were no more words. Yudit looked up at him, trying to read his intentions. He couldn’t discern anything particularly significant.

“Is that all you wanted to say?”

“Someone had to say it.”

“…”

“I felt that way.”

Yudit suddenly remembered a conversation he had had with Khalid in the library.

‘Is this the book you were looking for?’

Khalid had handed him “Everything About Banquets.”

‘Yes. But how did you…?’

‘I read it before my first banquet too.’

It seemed no one had said such a thing to Khalid after his first banquet.

“That’s all. You must be tired, so go rest.”

“…Yes.”

With that, Khalid turned and walked away without hesitation. Yudit had met Khalid many times, but he still found him to be an unpredictable man. Yudit stood at the door, watching Khalid leave, and recalled what Huyan had said earlier.

‘Be careful of him. His aura is similar to that of a monster.’

The next day, contrary to his plan to sleep in, Yudit woke up at the usual time. Though he had slept more deeply than usual, his body still felt lighter. Since his servants had worked hard preparing for the banquet, Yudit had given them three days off. As a result, he had to do everything himself that morning. He had considered staying in bed a little longer but ultimately decided to get up. The banquet was over, but there was still so much left to do.