TOPWL 55

“…….”

“Of course, it’s just a theory, and it would be difficult to make it happen in reality…”

The fingers that had pressed against his chest moved upward. As they passed over his clavicle and Adam’s apple, and then gripped his chin, Yudit behaved like a tamed animal, docile and obedient.

“Considering that you’re a puppet emperor, isn’t it flawless beyond expectations?”

“…….”

No matter how much he thought about it, this person was strange. He could come right in without a care, stir up someone’s heart with ease, and leave without a trace. Yudit bit his lip. He was afraid his emotions would show otherwise.

“You’ve proven yourself excellently, and you deserve all the congratulations.”

Yudit glanced down at the bouquet of flowers he had placed beside him. The scent of the flowers filled the room, almost suffocating him.

“Thank you…”

“That’s enough.”

Khalid stood up from his seat. Yudit asked, his face still dazed.

“Did you really come here just to congratulate me on the competition results?”

“What else would there be? If you did something well, speak quickly. I’ll praise you before I leave.”

“That’s not quite it…”

Yudit hesitated to speak. Had he really waited until late at night in the palace just to congratulate him? Was it alright to ask something like that? But before Yudit could ask, Khalid gave him a bewildered look, as if he understood what he wanted to say.

“Are you wondering if I waited until this late hour just to give you a bouquet? I do have my own private chambers in the palace, you know. I’m a duke, after all.”

“Ah… You have a place like that?”

“Yes. It’s in Amaria Palace.”

That palace was quite far from Yudit’s. He wondered how Khalid had brought such a large bouquet all the way here but didn’t ask.

“Next time, it might be better to set up a signal.”

Looking at Yudit, who still held a dagger in his hand, Khalid clicked his tongue.

“I’ll knock once when I arrive, then three times, then twice.”

“Understood.”

“I’ll send a guard soon. You can contact me through them if needed. Anything else?”

“…Nothing.”

“Well, maybe you don’t think of anything right now.”

Khalid took a ring from his finger and handed it to Yudit. The center of the ring held a sapphire as big as a thumbnail, which shimmered brightly even in the smallest light, indicating that it was of the highest quality.

“For now, take this. Don’t sell it for less than fifty million kes, and if you need anything else, contact me through the guard.”

Many commoners earned no more than ten million kes a year, so hearing the price made the ring feel incredibly heavy in his palm.

“Is it okay for me to accept something like this?”

“You’ve earned it. You worked hard. And I’m always generous with capable people.”

“Thank you. I’ll treasure it.”

“Don’t just treasure it. Spend it however you like. I’m curious though, what will you spend it on?”

It wasn’t a prying question; it was simply curiosity. Yudit, hesitating, carefully spoke while checking Khalid’s expression.

“I was thinking of repairing the palace…”

Khalid looked around the room upon hearing Yudit’s words. Though the tapestry covered the walls, blocking the cold wind, every now and then, the sound of wind sneaking through the gaps was loud.

“ Don’t they have a separate budget for that?”

“I’ve already used up this year’s budget.”

“Really? That’s quite a bit of money. Looks like His Highness has a bit more of a lavish taste than I thought. Or perhaps there’s a rat.”

Khalid glanced at Yudit’s attire as he spoke. He clearly thought it was more likely the latter.

“Even a rat, no matter how precious, is still a pest that gnaws away at the treasury. If you don’t want to be stabbed in the back, get rid of it.”

Yudit stiffened and averted his gaze. How much did he know?

“Well, I’m sure His Highness will handle it, but by the way, I’ll be sending an invitation soon. It’s an important event, so you’d better attend.”

“…Understood.”

“Then I’ll leave. Rest.”

With that, Khalid opened the door and left. Yudit stared at the closed door for a moment before collapsing onto the floor. Even though his neck hadn’t been strangled or his life threatened today, he felt exhausted. Dealing with him was always like this.

“But…”

Today, though, he was happy that Khalid had come. With a single word, his previously terrible mood had lifted. Khalid had a strange talent for adjusting people’s emotions.

Lying on the bed, Yudit brought the ring to the moonlit area. The sapphire, tinged with blue, was closer to deep navy than sky blue. It resembled Khalid’s eyes in color. Yudit stared at the ring for a long time. Somehow, he no longer felt lonely.

***

[Dearest Prince,

It’s Selena.

The weather has become quite cold. How are you doing? I’m well. I’ve been busy running around preparing for the charity event, so it seems the cold can’t catch me. The warehouse is already full of goods, and I think I’ll need to build another one. It’s all thanks to you.

I can really feel your popularity when I hear your name in the capital. Did you know? All the recent banquets I’ve been invited to have been in the Herut style. At the banquet I attended for Prince Yudit, the ladies were all boasting that the real Herut-style banquet was Yudit’s. Now I kind of regret not just going and closing my eyes that day. What kind of banquet did you hold? At this rate, every banquet in the capital will be Herut-style.

Thanks to you, Lyett is now letting out happy screams. Her husband recently came back with a huge load of spices. The Herut-style banquet has made exotic things all the rage, and they’re selling for prices higher than gold, yet still out of stock. Lyett made a generous donation of spices to the charity event, and now she can’t sleep wondering how much they’ll sell for.

Though I enjoy preparing for the charity event, I miss those days when we gathered at Yasin’s house to study Herut and chat. Yasin doesn’t meet me much these days since his husband came home. I miss him a bit. I’ve probably complained too much. It hasn’t been long, but I miss those days. I’m not saying now is bad, not at all.

Since I’ve taken up this pen, I’ll just say a few serious words. Ever since that day you saved me, I’ve been able to view my life more seriously. Others feel the same way. Every person you saved has contacted me to say they’ll attend the charity event. Please be sure to attend so they can thank you in person. Please, it’s important.

Although it’s a bit late, congratulations on winning first place in the competition. I spent a long time thinking about the gift, and I learned how to make tapestries from Yasin. It’s still rough, but I made it with all my heart. I’ll make a better one next time. Sorry for writing so much. I hope you stay healthy until the day we meet again.

In the early winter, Selena Craven.]

Yudit reread Selena’s letter, which he had tucked inside the book. He had read it so many times that he had practically memorized it, but each time, it warmed his heart, like the warmth of a stove. In his room now were two small tapestries: one from Yasin, and one from Selena. The tapestry Selena gave him depicted Yudit saving people from a fire. He looked like a hero from a fairy tale. While there were some rough spots when viewed closely, it only made it more endearing.

“Your Highness, are you busy?”

The nanny opened the door abruptly and was met with the cold glare of the guard. The guard, Shane, assigned by Khalid that night, was large and quiet, which made everyone in the palace a little afraid of him, including the nanny. When the nanny behaved rudely, Shane would glare at her, making even Yudit shiver. He had tried to tell Shane not to do that, but it didn’t help; it seemed like Khalid had given the order.

“Are you alright? What is it?”

Yudit closed the book and spoke. The nanny, who had been about to speak, covered her mouth and coughed.

“Well, it seems like we might need more winter clothes.”

“More? Didn’t we already distribute them?”

“But this winter is supposed to be the coldest on record. I’m getting older, and my bones feel the chill.”

The nanny tapped her arm lightly, looking dejected. Shane gave her another glare, but the nanny stood her ground, fists clenched, determined not to leave.